Buckwheat hull pillow

Buckwheat hull pillow?  That sure sounds strange.  I have one and I sleep on it and I really like it.
Here is how it all came about.

I have an Amish friend who has a botanical mail order business.  I'll post his address in a bit.  His name is Simon.

I frequent Simons establishment quite often because I like to buy my herbs and spices in bulk and his are priced much cheaper than anywhere else I have found.  Plus I get to pick his brain when I have an issue and if I go pick it up I don't have to pay postage.

Anyway, one day we were talking and I said something about night sweats and he recommended a buckwheat hull pillow.  He said his wife sleeps on one because she is very hot blooded.  He said about four pounds of buckwheat hulls would make a small pillow but big enough to work just fine.  I ordered the buckwheat hulls and when they came in I made myself a pillow.  Its probably about 18 inches square.  I used muslin and made a simple pillow.  I also use a regular pillow case and just fold it over.

I have been using my pillow for at least 6 months and am quite pleased with it.  The research I have done says that it should last about 10 years.  Quite a bit longer than a conventional pillow.

This is what buckwheat hulls look like.

The hulls are loose but when you lay your head on them they stay in that shape.  They allow air flow so you never have to turn the pillow to the cool side.  They repel dust mites which is a great thing and they are cheap and natural.

I like my buckwheat hull pillow and recommend them to anyone who sleeps hot or lives in a hot climate.

If you would like to send for a bulk herb and spice catalog here is my friends address.  Remember that ordering things this way takes time because nothing is computerized.  He doesn't take credit cards.  Most people send him a blank check and when your order is finished he will fill it out including the postage and send you a bill telling you how much he made the check out for.  That seems very scary in our world but that's how he does business.  Another way is to send him a money order but you must be careful to make sure you send enough money.  He says many time people don't send the correct amount and so he sends out their order but they rarely seem to send him the monies still owed.  My niece just sends a blank check.

South Texas Botanicals
4156 Gaitan Lane
Beeville, Texas  78102

The story of the little red hen

The little red hen found a seed. It was a little seed. The little red hen found a seed. It was a wheat seed.   The little red hen said, “Who will help me plant the seed?”   The pig said, “Not I.” The cat said, “Not I.” The dog said, “Not I.” The little red hen said, “I will.”   The little red hen said, “Who will cut the wheat?” The pig said, “Not I.” The cat said, “Not I.” The dog said, “Not I.” The little red hen said, “I will then.” And she did.   The little red hen said, “Who will thresh the wheat?” The pig said, “Not I.” The cat said, “Not I.” The dog said, “Not I.” The little red hen said, “I will then.” And she did.   The little red hen said, “Who will grind the wheat?” The pig said, “Not I.” The cat said, “Not I.” The dog said, “Not I.” The little red hen said, “I will then.” And she did.   The little red hen said, “Who will make the bread?” The pig said, “Not I.” The cat said, “Not I.” The dog said, “Not I.” The little red hen said, “I will then.” And she did.   The little red hen said, “Who will eat the bread?” The pig said, “I will.” The cat said, “I will.” The dog said, “I will.” The little red hen said, “You shall not eat the bread. I will eat it.” And she did.

Redneck phone speaker

Mollie likes to listen to music while she works.  Today she was going to clean the bathroom and needed a speaker so she could listen while she worked.  This is our redneck speaker.  It really works and made the phone quite loud.  I bet you could even use this when you are talking on the phone with it on speaker phone.  I have not tried that yet but it makes sense that it would work.

Isnt this a neat idea?

These would be great outdoor toys for the kids.  No worry if they loose them at the beach, other than littering of course.

Household Tip

Here is a tip you may not know about. When using vinegar to soak hard water stains or other things you are soaking, heat the vinegar first. Warm to hot vinegar loosens things up quickly so you don't have to let things sit and soak for hours.
Try this next time you want to soak your shower head. Heat the vinegar and put the shower head in a metal pan just a bit bigger, pour the hot vinegar over and let soak. Cleans fast.

Giant Bubble Recipe

Cooking Tip of the Day

Tips

•Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

•Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!

•Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

•Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.

•To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up. (on a healthier note...try adding water)

•For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.

•Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic, and at the end of the recipe if you want a stronger taste of garlic.

•Leftover snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simply chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core and slice a few apples. Place them in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream. Yummy!

•Reheat Pizza Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

•Easy Deviled Eggs: Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

•Expanding Frosting: When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

•Reheating refrigerated bread: To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

•Newspaper weeds away: Plant your plants in the ground, work the nutrients in your soil. Then wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go, cover with mulch, and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

•Broken Glass: Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.

•No More Mosquitoes: Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

•To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it. (Wonder if this works with deer? Sure gonna give it a try)

•Flexible vacuum: To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

•Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip to eliminate static cling. It works! Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and ... Ta DA! ... Static is gone.

•Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water when cooking. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient (peanut butter, for example) and watch how easily it comes right out.

•De-fog your windshield: Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

•Re-opening envelopes: If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Voila! It unseals easily.

•Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

•Goodbye Fruit Flies: To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

•Get Rid of Ants with cornmeal. Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

•Wash your dryer filter: Dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh in your filter. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free, and smell good. Apparently that stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is what causes dryer units to potentially burn your house down with it! The best way to keep your dryer working for a long time (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months.

source: http://simple-homemaking.blogspot.com/2011/11/tip-of-week_29.html

A Mirror or two way glass? How to tell.

How can you tell when you are in a room, restroom, Motel etc.
With a mirror or a 2-way glass?

Do you know how to determine if a mirror is 2-way or not? A policewoman who travels all over the US and gives seminars and techniques for businesswomen passed this on.

When we visit toilets, bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms,
etc., how many of you know for sure that the seemingly ordinary mirror
hanging on the wall is a real mirror, or actually a 2-way mirror (I.e.,they
can see you, but you can't see them)? There have been many cases of people
installing 2-way mirrors in female changing rooms . It is very difficult
to positively identify the surface by looking at it.

Here's how:
I thought it was quite interesting! And I know in about 30 seconds you're
going to do what I did and find the nearest mirror.



So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty what type of mirror we are looking at?

Just conduct this simple test:

Place the tip of your fingernail
against the reflective surface and

if there is a GAP between your fingernail
and the image of the nail,

then it is GENUINE mirror.







However, if your Fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES
the image of your nail, then BEWARE! IT IS A 2-WAY MIRROR!


2 - WAY GLASS IMAGE

"No Space, Leave the Place"


So remember, every time you see a mirror, do the "fingernail test." It doesn't cost you anything.

REMEMBER. No Space, Leave the Place:

Ladies: Share this with your girlfriends, sisters, daughters, etc.

Men: Share this with your wives, daughters, daughters-in-law, mothers, girlfriends and/or friends.

Handy Tip

Handy tip.
When you buy a jar of jelly or open some homemade jelly, take a fork and mix it all around in the jelly until its all broken up. Then spoon it into one of these bottles. Makes using jelly so easy. You can even use them to fill rolls or donuts. Yummy Even small children can easily put their own jelly on their bread now. Only problem is that its so easy to use this way that they use more of it.

I linked up with Tammy's Kitchen Tip Tuesday. See more tips here:
http://tammysrecipes.com/

Recipe on a bottle

This is a super neat idea. Go here for more info:http://www.seriouseats.com/2011/06/salad-dressing-bottle-recipe.html

Cheap hair gel

Did you know you can use aloe vera gel as a cheap and body friendly hair gel? My friend Dee Dee told me about this a few months ago and I have been using it ever since. You can pretty much use any aloe gel. Right now I am using Fruit of the Earth after sun gel in a pump bottle because we already had it.
If I had to replace my gel I think I would look for some at the Dollar Tree and try to find one with as few added ingredients as possible.

Thanks Dee Dee

The Alvin vacuum sealer

I think I will make one of these. I already have to lid thingy. One for regular and one for wide mouth jars. Instructables :http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Alvin-Vacuum-Sealer/step4/Evacuate-the-air/

Neat ideas for using rubber bands

At a dinner party this weekend, my host was wrestling with a jar of honey in the kitchen, unable to unscrew the lid. Just as she was about to fetch her boyfriend to have him finish the job, I asked her if she had a rubber band. “What for?” she asked, having never heard of the following trick:

For stubborn tops, wrap a rubber band around the perimeter of the the lid a couple times before attempting to open it—the band acts as a grip and makes it about a thousand times easier to undo.

This got me thinking about and researching other uses for rubber bands, which led me to a really helpful post on the subject on the blog Marc and Angel Hack Life. Here, some highlights:
Paint can marker. If you’re partially finished with a can of paint, wrap a rubber band around its exterior at the same level as the paint that’s inside the can so you can tell at a glance how much you have left.

Pencil eraser. Fold a rubber band a few times to rub off pencil doodles.

To keep soap output in check. Loop a rubber band around the neck of the pump on a liquid soap dispenser to control how much soap comes out with each use.

Bookmarks. Just wrap a band around the page you’ve just finished reading and the cover of the book. You won’t have to worry about losing your place, nor do you have to bend the pages.

To manage stray wires—or yarn. Wrap cords and balls of yarn or thread in bands to prevent tangles.

Baby-proof cabinets. Bind knobs with rubber bands to keep them firmly shut.

Remote control pad. Wrapping the base with a band keeps your remote from sliding off the coffee table—and prevents your furniture from scratching.

Make a broom last. When the bristles on a broom get tired and start to splay out, wrap a couple rubber bands close to the base to keep them tight (and cleaning more effectively).

Kitty proof your toilet paper. To keep kittens (or puppies) from pawing at the ends, wrap a band around a roll of toilet paper.

Bottle gripper. To keep shampoos, conditioners, etc from slipping from your hands in the shower, wrap rubber bands around the middles to make them easier to grip.

Keep a sliced apple fresh. Supposedly, after you slice an apple into wedges, if you reassemble the wedges so the apple looks intact again and wrap a (clean!) band around it, it slows down the browning process—a good thing to keep in mind for brown bag lunches.
source:http://shine.yahoo.com/event/haven/a-dozen-ways-to-stretch-out-a-rubber-band-you-might-not-have-guessed-1425920/

Liquid soap from my lye soap

I have figured out how to make the best liquid soap from my lye soap bars. For a while now I have been putting scraps and ends of pieces of bars into jars with hot water. I then put the lid on and shake. I shake every once in a while. Like once a day or so. Today I took my stick blender and used it in the jars and it made the soap so creamy.
I have been using this soap in the soap dispensers by the sinks and for dish soap. It cuts through grease like nothing. I love it. I even like the mottled brown color.
Also love the scent which is all the scents mixed together because I throw scraps in it.
Any way just a hint to save some money and have a good soap.

WD-40

I think I have posted this before but it never hurts to post it again. Plus it reminded me of a few uses.
Fr0m my email:

'Water Displacement #40'The product began from a search for a rust-preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound. They were successful with the 40th formulation, thus WD-40.The Convair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts. Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.
When you read the 'shower door' part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as on glass. Then try it on your stove top ... Viola! It's now shinier than it's ever been. You'll be amazed.

Here are some other uses:
1. Protects silver from tarnishing.
2. Removes road tar and grime from cars
.3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings
4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery.
5. Keeps flies off cows.
6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7. Removes lipstick stains.
8. Loosens stubborn zippers.
9. Untangles jewelry chains.
10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12. Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16. Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.
18. It removes black scuff marks from t he kitchen floor!
Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off.
Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19. Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly! Use WD-40!
20. Gives a children's playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.
21. Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers
.22. Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans
.28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicyclesfor easy handling.
29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
31. Removes splattered grease on stove.
32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35. Removes all traces of duct tape.
36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.
37. Florida 's favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.'
38. The favorite use in the state of New York , WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
39. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.
40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.
41. WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag.
42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!
43. If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start.
P. S. The basic ingredient is FISH OIL

Dehydrating hamburger

It worked finally. I had written before that I couldn't get the hamburger dry enough. Yesterday I watched a video on you tube and instead of the oven they used the dehydrator. I tried that with the hamburger that I had already tried drying and had given up and put in the freezer. It works. I will now dry the rest of the hamburger and package it with my food saver thingy.
One thing I have learned about the food saver is that its not the vacuum machine that is necessarily bad but the bags. When I get a chance I will order bags that are 3ml. thick or more. The stuff you buy at Wal Mart is much thinner.

I really am loving the dehydrating thing. Now that I know you have to really get the food dry, at least 95% of the moisture out. I know it will last much longer in the dehydrated stage. It takes up significantly less storage space. I like that.

One great tip I learned from the dehydrate2store site (Tammy's dehydrating site on my sidebar) is to put a spray top on my lemon juice so I can spray the food that needs it instead of pouring it into a bowl. I think this saves lemon juice and you are able to cover the food thoroughly as needed.

another good tip

Mosquito Spray...Worth a try

I was at a deck party awhile back, and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone. A man at the party sprayed the lawn and deck floor with Listerine, and the little demons disappeared.

The next year I filled a 4-ounce spray bottle and used it around my seat whenever I saw mosquitoes. And voila!

That worked as well. It worked at a picnic where we sprayed the area around the food table, the children's swing area, and the standing water nearby.

During the summer, I don't leave home without it.....

.Pass it on. OUR FRIEND'S COMMENTS: I tried this on my deck and around all of my doors. It works - in fact, it killed them instantly.

I bought my bottle from Target and it cost me $1.89. It really doesn't take much, and it is a big bottle, too; so it is not as expensive to use as the can of Bug-spray you buy that doesn't last 30 minutes.

So, try this, please. It will last a couple of days. Don't spray directly on a wood door (like your front door), but spray around the frame. Spray around the window frames, and even inside the dog house.

Now thats a Good Mosquito!!!

Good Idea

Wasp SprayI have a friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area who was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead. The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection. Thought this was interesting and might be of use...

Homemade Fly Catchers

Instead of buying fly catchers at the farm store I make my own.
Take an empty two litre bottle
Put a banana peel into the bottle
Add 1 c. sugar
1 c. cider vinegar
Fill up to the curve of the neck with water. Put the lid on and shake. Remove the lid and tie twine on the neck and tie into a tree.
This will fill up with flies like you wouldn't believe. When it is full just screw the lid on, cut it down and throw away.
This will save lots of money.
These are especially important if you have farm animals. Its amazing how great these work.