REPRINT- HEARTH AND HOME - OCTOBER 17, 2003

Greetings Dear Sisters!

HAPPY AUTUMN! And what a lovely autumn it's been! The days have been warm and
sunny; the nights cool and crisp. Leaves are falling and all of nature seems to
be hurrying and scurrying getting ready for the long winter ahead. Can you
believe that we are into the fourth quarter of the year already? Where does the time go?

Well, here we go on another HEARTH AND HOME adventure! Grab a cup something
warm...tea, coffee, hot chocolate...and let's get started!

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HOUSEHOLD TIPS
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*For a pretty flower design on sugar cookies press the bottom of an empty
plastic thread spool (label removed, of course) into the rounds of dough.
*Remove fat from stews and soups by chilling them with plastic wrap covering
the surface. The fat will harden and come off when you lift off the wrap.
*Slip your hand into a plastic sandwich bag before pressing a buttery
cookie-crumb or graham-cracker crust into a pie plate.
*Spray vegetable oil spray on measuring spoons and sticky foods like honey or
molasses will slide off easily. Use the oil on knives before chopping dates or
dried apricots, and spray it onto graters before shredding cheese.
*To keep wastebaskets fresh try putting a fabric softener sheet on the bottom of
the bin.
*Put folded, unused trash bags at the bottom of each wastebasket. They'll be
ready to use next time you empty the garbage.
*To freshen your garbage disposal try grinding a few lemon rinds and ice cubes
in it once a week.
*Lingering odors can be removed from plastic containers by putting crumpled-up
newspaper inside and sealing it up tight. Let sit overnight and the smell should
disappear.
*If oven shelves won't slide easily, rub the outer edges with petroleum jelly.
*Use a shaving brush to dust the tops of books.
*Remove stickers from glass by rubbing with a bit of cooking oil.
*Keep sets of bed linens together by folding the top and bottom sheets and one
pillowcase, then tucking all of them into the remaining pillowcase.

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SEW EASY
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*Store pins and needles in a bar of soap. It lubricates the tips so they slide
easily through fabrics.
*Put patterns in clear plastic ziptop bags with the envelope facing out. That
way they store neatly and you can easily find them.
*When sewing four-hole buttons, stitch through two holes separately. If the
thread comes loose, the other two holes will hold the button on.
*Thread looks darker on the spool than on fabric so use thread a shade darker.
*Smooth wrinkled pattern pieces by carefully pressing with a dry iron set on
warm. Don't use stream: It can warp patterns.

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KNIT WIT
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*Before starting a knitting project, go through the pattern and circle all the
instructions that pertain to the size you're making.
*Use bread-wrapper plastic price tags as stitch markers for knitting projects.
*Put corks on the ends of your knitting needles to prevent slipped stitches when
you put work down.
*To ensure knitted sleeves are identical, knit them both on the same needle at
the same time.
*Store knitting needles inside an empty plastic wrap box.


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FALL CRAFTS
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*Apple Wreath:
http://www.homemadesimple.com/kitchen/applewreath.shtml

*Candle Wreath:
http://www.bhg.com/bhg/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/bhg/story/data/13556.xm\
l

*Oak Leaf Garland:
http://magazines.ivillage.com/goodhousekeeping/myhome/decorate/articles/0,,28454\
8_595615-5,00.html

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DOLLARS AND SENSE
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Cold weather is upon us again. Get ready for it by following these cold-weather
tips from the folks at the $1 Energy Fund:

KEEP THE HOT AIR IN BY PREVENTING DRAFTS.
Seal all cracks, holes and crevices where cold air blows in and hot air
leaks out. Remember to keep your blinds and drapes closed at night to block
drafty window areas. You could save up to ten percent on your annual bills.

MONITOR YOUR THERMOSTAT. Keep the temperature at sixty-eight
degrees or lower. Each degree higher uses three percent more energy. Lower
your thermostat setting at night, and turn your heat down before you leave the
house. It costs less to reheat your home than to keep it warm while you're out.

KEEP HEAT CREATIVELY. Open your drapes during sunny days to let
natural heat in your house. Dust or vacuum your vents often to maintain
airflow. Shut off the heat to unused rooms and keep their doors closed. Wear
warm clothes and sweaters, and use blankets while resting.


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FALL CLEANING
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For general seasonal cleaning, you'll need:

*Broom, dustpan, scrub brush, mop, vacuum cleaner, supply of vacuum cleaner bags
*Cleaning rags (old white T-shirts work well)
*2- or 3- gallon bucket, sponges, an extended duster (for cleaning blinds and
ceiling fans)
*Stepladder, latex gloves, and paper towels

Rather than have a cleaning product for every task, select a product for
multiple uses and use it for many cleaning projects. (My personal favorite all
purpose cleaner is, without a doubt, 409 in the spray bottle! I use it for
EVERYTHING!)

Be organized to save time and energy. Go through the inside and around the
outside of the house to make a list of necessary projects. Prioritize the
projects on three sheets of paper using these headings:

*Large projects (a half day or more)
*Medium projects (two or three hours)
*Small projects (chores that are easy to accomplish when you find yourself with
a small
block of time)

MAP A CLEANING ROUTE: Start with a room at the top corner of your home
(two-story house) or a corner room (one-story house or apartment) and work
inward and downward. Clean rooms from the top down. Completely clean each room
before moving on to the next.

FALL CLEANING: INDOORS

CHORE LIST: De-clutter, sort, and store before you start. Pick up and eliminate
clutter in each room before you start cleaning. Place a cardboard box and two or
three garbage bags in each room that you are de-cluttering. Fill them as you
sort through your shelves, cabinets, and clothes closets.

DONATE OLD BOOKS, MAGAZINES, TOYS, AND CLOTHES that you don't wear to charity or
fill a box for your next garage sale. (If you can't bear to give away old
magazines and books, box them up and store them out of the way.)

FRESHEN ALL THE BEDROOMS. Rotate and flip mattresses and launder all bedding
such as bed skirts, mattress pads, comforters, and quilts. Air and sun pillows
and blankets. Clean out closets; lauder all spring and summer clothing before
storing. Bring out fall and winter clothing.

BRING YOUR WINTER RUGS OUT OF STORAGE and have sisal-type rugs cleaned before
storing. Clean carpets or have them professionally cleaned. Replace doormats as
needed to reduce the tracked-in dirt.

LIGHT IS PRECIOUS IN THE WINTER MONTHS, so maximize it by washing interior
windows, light fixtures, ceiling fans, and mirrors. Clean chandeliers in
preparation for holiday entertaining. Check the condition of lampshades, and
update with new shades if needed. Clean windowsills and window wells. Dust or
wash window blinds. Replace bent or worn mini-blinds. Wash and iron curtains or
have cleaned.

CLEAN HEATING AND COOLING VENTS. Change air filters in central units.

THOROGHLY CLEAN ALL BATHROOMS. Go through medicine cabinets and safely discard
any outdated products. Replace worn bath mats, shower curtains, and liners. Or
wash and dry shower curtains and liners.

CLEAR OUT PANTRY, KITCHEN CABINETS, AND DRAWERS. Wipe out, and install fresh
shelf paper. Store or donate equipment that you don't use, such as small
appliances or cookware. Discard stale spices or dated items such as baking
powder. Clean the refrigerator and freezer. Vacuum the cooling coils under or
behind the refrigerator.

WASH WINDOWS INSIDE AND OUT, including storm windows and screens. Assess the
state of your storage areas, whether you use an attic, basement, garage,
carport, or storage shed. Add shelving units and containers to create order.

CHECK THE BATTERIES IN SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS when the time change
occurs. Perform all required safety checks. If you don't own a fire
extinguisher, purchase one and learn how to use it; keep it in the kitchen.

FALL CLEANING: OUTDOORS

Clean and store patio furniture, garden pots and planters, and tools.

Clean outdoor furniture cushions before storing to prevent mildew.

Drain and store garden hoses.

Drain and service the lawn mower according to manufacturer's guidelines.

Check caulk around doors and windows and re-caulk as needed to help keep heat in
and water and cold out.

For energy efficiency, install weather-stripping around outside doors.

Check gutters and downspouts and clear debris, or hire a professional gutter
service.

Remove lint from outdoor dryer exhaust tubes.

If you use a snow blowing service, schedule in advance. If you remove snow
yourself, check to see that your snow-blower is in working order and snow
shovels are in good shape and handy.

Stock up on de-icing products.


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RECIPES
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PEAR OR APPLE CRISP

(This is one of our family's favorite recipes. And it's so easy! This recipe can
be made by the individual serving in custard cups or the ingredients can be
multiplied by the number of people being served and baked altogether in a
regular baking dish.)

Per person being served you will need:

1 medium pear or apple; peel, cored and sliced thin into ungreased baking dish.

For topping...mix together:

2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons quick oats
1 tablespoon flour
1/8 teaspoons cinnamon

Cut in:

1 tablespoon butter until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over sliced fruit
and bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes. Serve warm or cold; by itself or with
vanilla ice cream.


GOLDEN GREEN PEPPER BAKE

(This recipe was sent in by Jean of Lee's Summit, MO. Thanks for sharing, Jean!
It looks delicious!)

3 green peppers, cut in half
1/2 lb. grated cheddar cheese
12 oz. can whole kernel corn, drained
1 cup chopped tomato
1 cup soft bread crumbs
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted

Remove seeds from peppers; parboil 5 minutes. Place peppers in baking dish.
Reserve 1/2 cup grated cheese for top-dressing. Combine remaining cheese,
tomato and corn; mix lightly. spoon mixture into peppers; top with reserved
cheese and crumbs tossed with butter/margarine. Bake at 350 degrees F., 30
to 35 minutes. 6 servings.

PUMPKIN ROLL

(This recipe was given to me by our pastor's wife from back home many years ago
and is still among our family favorites. G.H...if you're reading this...we're
still enjoying this recipe. Thanks for sharing!)

1 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs, beaten well
2/3 cup pumpkin
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda

Mix sugar, pumpkin and eggs. Mix flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; add to
pumpkin mixture. Grease and line cookie sheet with waxed paper. Grease waxed
paper well. Spread batter on sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes; cool
5 minutes. Invert onto powdered sugar towel and roll up. When cool, unroll and
spread with filling and reroll.

Filling:

8 oz. package softened cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons softened margarine
1 cup powdered sugar

Beat 5 minutes.

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Well, Ladies, that's it for this time! Lord willing I'll be with you again next
month. In the meantime, have a wonderful fall. God's blessings upon you, your
family, and your home. Until next time...

Love and Hugs,
~Rebecca
(wife, homeschooling mom, and homemaker)
Proverbs 31:10-31; Titus 2:3-5