So this is done so much easier than you would actually think. The picture above is done with a sugar cookie recipe – so use your favorite or you can even use store bought in a pinch. Allow dough to go to room temperature so it is easy to work with. As shown above the dough was divided into four equal parts (green, burgundy, orange, yellow). Use food coloring (paste or powder – do not use liquid it will change the recipe too much) and color each separated chunk of dough with a different color. Take chunks of dough off of each separated color and put on parchment paper covered counter with flour. Push down and put different colored chunk next to it until you get a nice array of colors. Use rolling pin and make cookies the thickness you desire. push cookie cutters down and make cookie shapes. Squeeze remaining dough together and roll out. The more you roll the more the colors will me mottled but thos can be a sweet treat just for you.
Sliced Baked Potato
This looks so good – I had this in a folder for awhile and found it when i was thinking about what “new” I could make for dinner. They came out so good – we sprinkled them with cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream and added chives and bacon bits. The toppings made their way inbetween the slices and it was really good and so simple. If watching caloried use low fat/fat free sour cream and cheese and skip the bacon bits.
Home Repairs and Renovations By Guest Writer Cindy Davis
You may think your new home is perfect, but no matter how many times you’ve viewed the property, there are going to be a myriad of things that you didn’t notice were wrong when you first saw it. It could be that your new house has minor issues, like a broken burglar alarm or locks that need replacing. These are fairly simple issues to solve, but what happens if your house needs major work to the electrics or plumbing? It’s important to be prepared for the worst when moving to a new property, and so here is a list of hints and tips to keep your head above water should your pipes burst.
1) Insurance
You should always make sure you prioritise getting your home well-insured. You’ll probably (or at least hopefully) already have your contents and home insurance all in place, but make sure you’re going to be covered for those little emergencies – like having your boiler break down! Make a list of all the things in your home you want to insure. The extra time and cost to do this is worth saving the hassle, stress and money of later losing your gas or hot water!
2) Check with the landlord.
If you’re renting your property and you notice things going wrong, whether it be dodgy electrics or drainage issues, make sure you run any problems you notice by your landlord. Renting the property means it’s not your responsibility to fix these issues, especially since you’ve just moved in! You’ll want to make a list of any damages and show this to your landlord – this will also prove useful when claiming your deposit back!
3) Repairing yourself.
Some minor issues with your home might be solvable with just a bit of your time and your toolkit. If you decide you want to make some home repairs and renovations yourself, then make sure you know what you’re doing! Remember that odd jobs around the house can appear to be simple, but you could end up making the problem worse for yourself, as well as more expensive! If you aren’t sure then you’re best off hiring a professional, especially when it comes to sizeable or potentially dangerous repairs.
4) Hiring help.
If you do decide that you’re going to need to hire repairmen to fix your problems, then it’s important to do your research. Hiring a plumber or electrician isn’t just about getting the best price – try to get some information about their previous work, the approximate time the job will take and how invasive the repairs are going to be. If you’re wary of finding your repairman online then try your local newspaper or phonebook so as to avoid scams and potential hassle. The best and safest way to hire someone to come into your home to make renovations or repairs is to choose a person based on the recommendation of friends or family. Ask around to find someone who you know has previously done reliable work to give yourself peace of mind if you’re hesitant to allow strangers into your home. Friendly estate agents and even neighbours might be able to help you find a repairman you can trust, so don’t be hesitant to ask for some advice!
Bio: This article has been created by Cindy Davis on behalf of: http://www.0800housecleaning.co.uk/house-cleaning-services/SE16_bermondsey.html
The Naked Egg

1 – is after making the egg naked and putting it in corn syrup
2- is after introducting the naked shriveled egg to water and food dye
This is really cool! It will amaze your kids and teach them some science all at once. Time needed: 4-7 days
Put an egg in a cup and fill it with apple cider vinegar till egg is covered. Cover tightly and let it sit. Each day give it a swirl. At the end you rinse off the egg and VIOLA! A rubber egg! Just be careful…it will bounce but is still delicate and very smelly when it breaks. LOL …Not rotten — just smells like vinegar. Always keep it in the fridge during the whole process!
Added tip: If you place the “naked egg” in corn syrup, it will shrink/shrivel up. The vinegar inside the egg moves through the semi-permeable membrane.
You can then place it in water with food coloring and “color” the inside of the egg and it will fill up again due to osmosis
Baby In Bathtub Trick
I found this idea and tried it when the granddaughter was here for a visit. Insert a laundry basket into the tub and fill it up with water to wash the baby. Put their toys into the basket and put the child into the basket. This is great as a transitional aid to let baby feel safe. It also makes it easier to drain tub and keep toys easily accessible. Use shower spray to rinse out basket and dry.