Feed geraniums rinsed coffee grounds.

To add length to short stemmed flowers, slip stems into drinking straws before placing in the vase.

Put a layer of gravel on the top of window boxes to prevent rain from spattering dirt on windows.

Drop a penny into the vase, so tulips will stand erect and not open too wide.

Hold long-stemmed flowers erect in a tall wide mouthed vase by crisscrossing transparent tape across the top.

Hair rollers tied together and placed at the bottom of a vase make an ideal holder for your arrangement.

If you have ever smelled a marigold which has been in a vase of water for a few days, you will appreciate this tid bit. Add a teaspoon of sugar to the water to eliminate the odor.

Carnations will last longer if placed in water containing a little boric acid.

Place a crushed paper napkin or towel in the bottom of your flower vase it it's too deep for displaying flowers.

For classes click on the “Calendar” icon and contact me for details or questions. I am available to teach in your home or presentations or classes for your organizations or groups. Contact me at the following e-mail address:
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com. Interactive questions, comments, suggestions, etc. can also be posted on this website.

Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley

Cover the area with meat tenderizer. Apply cool water to make a paste. Wait 15-30 minutes, sponge with cool water.

For class informaton, click on the “Calendar” icon and contact me for details at creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com.

If you sprinkle a frying pan with salt before adding meat, the fat will not splatter and food will be less likely to stick.

For class information, click on the “Calandar” icon and contact me for additonal details at creativecook@creativecooking bylydia.com

Thanks. Hope these tips help you.

Lydia Critchley

Spray graters with non-stick vegetable spray pior to grating. This makes cleaning much easier. A toothbrush works great for cleaning graters.

Lay a barbecue grill rack on the lawn overnight – the dew will combine with the enzymes in the grass to loosen any burned-on grease. Try it with messy oven racks, too.

Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia.com

For class information, click on the “Calendar” icon and contact me for details.

When cleaning the windows and mirrors of your home, etc. use the window washer fluid (as used in your vehicle) in a spray bottle. This is an inexpensive cleaner that is very effective (after all it cuts road and bug dirt and oil) and saves one more bottle of cleaner on your shelf. The window washer fluid is not strong odored as most household cleaners are, so you do not need to air out your rooms after cleaning your windows.

Creative Cooking
By
Lydia Critchley
creativecook@creativecookingbylydia

For my cooking class schedule, click on the calendar icon and contact me at the above email address or leave a message for additional details.