T-shirt Winners

Heather says: Thank you everyone who entered and also to those who sent Ivy their condolences. Your kind thoughts and words are appreciated. The random number generator selected comments #33 and #18 as our winners. Congratulations Tink and Suze, I will be contacting you shortly for your mailing and size information..

Frugal Friday Free For All and a Giveaway

Heather says Until recently many of my friends merely humored my frugal traits, now everywhere I look someone is writing about how to be frugal. It seems we’re trendsetters and everyone is jumping on the frugal bandwagon. It’s been a long week here at Home Ec 101. I’ve been under the weather and Ivy’s family …

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Making The Most Of What You’ve Got

Ivy says: My dad and I were talking yesterday about some less obvious effects of the economy being in the crapper. People are freaking out all over the place, but it seems like everyone’s freaking out in different directions. I think this is a hard time for a lot of people, emotionally. After all, it …

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Oven Fried Chicken

Heather says: This recipe is versatile, use any 3 – 5lbs of bone in chicken, use breasts, thighs, or a cut up a whole chicken. If you have young children they can help with shaking, but only if your container has a tight fitting lid or said child is old enough to understand they need …

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Cioppino

Heather says: Let’s say it together chia, like the pet, peeno. Most recipes I offer here on Home Ec 101 are budget friendly in nature. This one isn’t, unless you happen on some rocking seafood sales. According to Foodtimeline.org, cioppino is believed to have evolved in the San Francisco Bay area. I became a fan …

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Removing Kerosene Smell From Unwashable Items

Hello! I do alterations and repairs on bridal wear and I recently returned some dresses that ended up absorbing the smell of kerosene. How would someone remove the smell of kerosene from un-washable clothing? Please Help!!! I can’t afford to pay for their dry cleaning! Thank you! Down and out in Indiana Ivy says: My …

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7 Places To Use Bar Keepers Friend

Hi Ivy and Heather, Long time reader, 2nd time emailer.  😉 I was squealing with delight when I saw Barkeeper’s Friend at my local Bed Bath and Beyond.  I know in many of your posts, you recommend using it for cleaning various things.  Of course, now that I have it, I can’t think of one …

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Some Monday Encouragement

Ivy says: Some days, it seems impossible to get anything done. Sometimes it’s for legitimate reasons, like you intended to clean your car out, but you had to take a kid to the doctor and when you got home your dog had shredded every piece of paper in your house and your cats thought it …

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Confessional Sunday

Ivy says: This one will be short and sweet. I missed my alarm today, so we missed church. Then, a bit later, I laid down and took a four hour nap. Hey, Sunday’s supposed to be a day or rest, right? Unfortunately, my kids totally trashed the house while I slept, so I have quite …

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