DIY Life

Decorate notebooks for back to school

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-28T15:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, Crafts, scrapbooking, papercraft

Notebooks are a necessity for school, but your kids may not get excited about the plain white paper and solid-colored cover. Sure, they are likely to plaster the front of their notebooks with the likes of "I [heart] David Archuleta 4-eva'," but why not suggest a venture slightly more creative than that?

There are some fun ways kids can decorate their notebooks for back-to-school, and make them uniquely theirs. For instance, using spare scrapbooking supplies, your kids can make their notebooks fit their favorite theme, whether that be cupcakes or super heroes.

Or, get some stencils, gel and glitter pens, and construction paper to embellish those notebooks and unleash those kids into a decorating frenzy.

A project like this one could go in so many directions; only time and creativity are the factors. So let your kids use the backs of their notebooks for their love graffiti, and proudly show off their artwork on the front covers.

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Become a beekeeper

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-25T15:00:00 00:00

Filed under: backyard science, gardening and plants, nature

It's been all over the news for about six months now: there is a bee shortage. While this probably means catastrophic things for our planet in general terms, more specifically, it leaves us with a lack of honey for cooking and body care products, and less beeswax than we'd like to make lip balms and other lovelies.

What about the long-term effects the dwindling bee population could have on our plants? Without bees to pollinate them, our blooms could fade into just a memory.

Have you thought about becoming a beekeeper?

My husband has, on many occasions, and I wonder if the bee crisis will be the impetus for his actually starting a hive, right here in our own backyard.

The University of Kentucky shares basic beekeeping operations with us, including tips on choosing a hive location, what to look for when examining the hive, how to feed bees, and honey collection.

What do you think? Are you ready to start a hive, repopulate the Earth's bees, and have bountiful honey and beeswax?

[via Make]

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More staycation ideas

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-25T11:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, recreation, entertaining

Earlier this week, I wrote a post with some ideas for planning every family staycation. As I was browsing the Internet today, I found that lots of other people have great ideas, too, but that the most unique ones came from Better Homes and Gardens.

BHG put together a gallery of their 25 best staycation ideas. Some of their more unique activities include:

turning your home into a spa -- Make some spa-quality products at home and let the pampering begin: for your face, your hands and body, and your feet.
going on a family bike ride
flying a kite
having a field day for the kids -- Or, create your own summer camp.
organizing a block party -- You coulc choose to do this in a Mexican or Hawaiian theme, some of BHG's other party ideas.

Whatever you decide to do on your staycation, it seems that the common themes are relaxing and enjoying the people in your life. What's your favorite staycation activity?

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Don't-it-yourself: Cracking a safe the hard way

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-24T11:00:00 00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous, Don't-it-yourself

I can imagine that cracking a safe under pressure would be somewhat frustrating. If you are unsuccessful, though, it is probably not a good idea to leave an angry note.

News of the Weird reports that not only did the amateur thieves express their displeasure at being unable to cut into the safe ("[expletive] you and your safe"), but that they were caught speeding away from the scene, license plate in full view of the on-the-ball security officer.

Now, I'm not saying it is easy, but I wonder if this father and son team did their research before they tried to break into the safe at the Iowa golf club they attempted to rob. A simple Google search will get you videos on how to crack a safe and a complete guide on how safe-cracking works.

Perhaps these would-be robbers should have started small, and read Francesca's post on how to crack a combination lock in twelve seconds. They might have gotten away with at least a cool bike or something....

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Pasta tree makes a unique centerpiece

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-23T16:00:00 00:00

Filed under: home decor, Crafts, gifts

OK, I usually don't go for the "household item" craft projects... oftentimes, they look just like what they are. The pasta necklaces? They're nothing but macaroni on a string.

Better Homes and Gardens has changed my mind, though, with their pasta tree centerpiece project. This fancy little number is hip and funky, and doesn't look like old pasta at all.

All you need are a few simple materials; BHG promises that the project will cost less than ten dollars.

What makes it so stylish is that once you glue your pasta tree together, you spray-paint the entire thing black, then paint the separate colors, allowing the black paint to show through in the crevices.

Another thing you could do is make a few of these and customize them:

one for Fall, using burnt orange, olive green, sienna, and other complimentary colors
a Christmas tree, with all shades of greens and reds and silvers and golds for a modern look
match your dining room color scheme
give one to a friend as a housewarming surprise!

There's no limit to the stylish trees you can create, so let your imagination take you to new heights of home decor... by way of the pasta aisle in your supermarket.

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Five-minute flower arrangements

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-23T11:00:00 00:00

Filed under: home decor, wedding, gardening and plants

Leave it to Better Homes and Gardens. Somehow, they're able to inspire me without making me feel like a second-rate Martha Stewart wanna-be.

Since we joined our CSA farm last year, it's been a pleasure to have new fresh flowers in the house every week. BHG has created a gallery of flower arrangements that can be done in five minutes, and that look positively stunning. Some of their winning combinations:

poppies surrounded by hosta leaves
geranium leaves, roses, and trailing vines
lavender stems and geranium leaves
hydrangeas with bachelor buttons
mounded zinneas with bleeding heart foliage

What I really love about BHG's arrangements is that most of the blooms could be found in your own garden, or even in a wild flower field. That makes these arrangements economical, too.

I've been combining wild yarrow with daylilies and daisies for a pretty display on my kitchen's center island. What's you favorite quick and easy flower arrangement?

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Duct tape back pack

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-23T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, weekend projects, Crafts

Step aside, Hannah Montana! There's a way cooler backpack in town...

As a parent, it's hard buying "branded" merchandise, isn't it? I don't want my son walking around advertising the latest Spiderman movie, and I sure wouldn't want Hannah Montana's face plastered all over my hypothetical daughter's backpack.

In the interest of promoting individuality and all things unique, why not send your child to school with a duct tape backpack... handmade by you, with some kid help, of course!

You know it will be strong -- it's duct tape, after all -- and you can customize the outside colors by using any colored duct tape you can find.

You'll need cardboard, gray and colored duct tape, and some string, shoelace-style. Before you know it, your child will be starting his or her own new trend... you may need a lot of duct tape very soon!

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The Scentual Life: Have a scent hunt with your kids

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-22T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, seasonal, gardening and plants, Scentual Life

Join me each week as I explore the naturally aromatic side of DIY. Helpful recipes for your "scentual" pleasure: from essential oils, herbs, and other botanicals to soap-making, body care products and other useful blends.

I admit it -- Diane's Avant Yard post, 75 tricks to get your kids outdoors, inspired me. It's one thing to enjoy scents, to make scented products, and to use essential oils and herbs in your daily life. But have you shared your love of scents with your children?

Inadvertently, you just may have. I know my three-year-old wanders through my garden with me, picking leaves off the basil plant for nibbling (he knows which plants are the edible ones), admiring the hard-working bees at the lavender plants, and of course, stopping to smell the roses (stereotypical, yet true).

Kids catch on, through your modeling, to the things you love. If you feel like spicing it up a bit, though, how about creating a scent hunt for your kids?
Outdoors

This is a wonderful seasonal activity to do with your children, rain or shine. Arm them with a checklist -- discuss the categories first -- and send them on their way (or accompany them), to find things that smell:

flowery
fruity
herbal or "green"
stinky
metallic
woody
earthy
sweet

Or, just send them out to find three things they love the smell of, and three things they think stink! It will be fun to share and discuss.

When your kids have completed their scent hunt, use the following questions as discussion points:

How did you decide what category to put your item into?
What did you like about your scent hunt?
What was difficult about it?
After discussing the scents, are there any you'd change into different categories? Why?
What is the most interesting thing you learned on your scent hunt?

As a result of this activity, your kids will be:

more in tune with the nature around them
more observant in general
physically and mentally active
high on vitamin D
enjoying the fresh air
able to speak intelligently about what they smell
confident about sharing their opinions on what they like and dislike, and able to tell you why

Indoors

Maybe you're in need of a rainy-day activity. There are lots of things that smell inside your home, as well. Let's make this scent hunt a little different. Arm your kids with a checklist with categories like these.

Find:

something that smells good that you can cook with
a sweet smelling thing that you cannot eat
a smell that makes you feel happy
the yuckiest smell you can find
a fresh smell
two things that smell very different from each other

Try these discussion questions after the activity:

What would you cook with your good-smelling thing? (Definitely bake something!)
Tell me about why _____ scent makes you feel happy. Tell your kids about a smell that makes you feel happy, too.
What makes the two things smell so different?
What was the most interesting thing about this scent hunt?

There are so many varied ways to have your own scent hunt with your kids; it's an activity you could do with them again and again. The most important thing, though, is that it helps refine your child's senses and the way they talk about smell, while bringing you closer together.

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Staycations: get in on the frugal fun

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-22T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, money, recreation, seasonal

Everything is expensive nowadays, and let's face it -- a summer vacation just may not be in your budget this year. You don't have to sacrifice family fun just because you can't get away, though; instead, follow my tips for a frugal staycation filled with old favorites and new adventures!

Come on in -- the water's fine!
No staycation would be complete without a day at the beach or pool, and you've got lots of cheap options.

Got a friend with a pool? Bum a visit, and bring burgers and hot dogs for everyone. You've done your share -- and gotten a free day of swimming.
Find a state park (here's a list of all U.S. state parks) with a lake and beach. They are usually only about US $5 per car; they often have BBQ pits so you can cook your own meals, and you could even rent a canoe.
If you live in the mountains, you can probably pull over to the side of the road and frolic in the rocky river for the day, like we do when we visit New Hampshire. That's free, folks!
Living near the ocean is quite a perk, and can cost anywhere from free to about US $20 per car. If you are coastal, you've got to take advantage!

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Take a hike!

Enjoying the outdoors is a big part of a staycation. Again, you've got lots of free or cheap options; some make hiking a little more interesting to those in need of technological stimulation (or, at the very least, a mysterious adventure).

Grab your handheld GPS and go Geocaching. Using your GPS, follow the signal to a hidden cache, where you leave a trinket and take a trinket. Our family has enjoyed so many new hiking trails we never would have seen otherwise.
Try letterboxing. If you've got a rubber stamp and a sense of adventure, follow clues to a secret treasure box, and leave your mark. There are thousands of these hidden throughout the United States, mostly in hiking areas.
Visit your local Audubon society. They not only have sanctuaries where you can simply enjoy the trails, but there will be educational programs and activities. It was a little tricky to find what I needed on the national website, so be sure to visit your state's site for all of the sanctuaries in your area.

It's movie night, and the feelin's right...

You can choose your level of expense for this staycation must, too.

Check a movie out of the library, pop some popcorn, and curl up on the couch. It's free!
Another free option: a movie from the free section of the on-demand cable, if you subscribe.
Try renting a 99-cent movie from one of those movie vending machines at the supermarket.
Choose a bargain matinee at a local theatre, or splurge for the evening show.
If you've got one locally, a drive-in movie is a summer must, and if you've got a big family, it's a frugal alternative. And really, who doesn't love curling up in the back of the minivan in pajamas, falling asleep to a Disney flick?

Camping in your own backyard...

Literally. Maggie wrote all about her son's backyard camping adventures, Bethany taught us how to make a fake campfire, and Francesca described how to make microwave s'mores -- you may even be adventurous enough to try building Anna's mini s'mores grill!

Some other ways to spice up a backyard camp-out?

Get a telescope and do a little stargazing.
Tell ghost stories... boo!
Buy the kids new sleeping bags, stylin' jammies, or a special pillowcase for the big night.
Get a bag of 99-cent glowsticks. Play hide-and-seek or tag with them.

Culture is staycation-y, too

A break from all of the outdoor fun may be in order, to make the most of a rainy day, or just to stay cool. Why not head to a local museum? Oftentimes, we take our local attractions for granted; I bet you are overdue for a visit!

Have you explored any museums on your local college campus? There are often art or natural history museums that are worth seeing, and are less expensive than more publicized museums.
Plan an activity for after dinner that compliments your museum visit: a family art project like the Jackson Pollock you saw at the art museum, or a backyard rocket like the one at the science center.
Check your town's library for museum passes and coupons to make your visit affordable.

Dinner's on... you!

What's your favorite meal that just says "summertime?" Perhaps you have a family tradition of German potato salad, barbequed pork, and sauteed greens... or is traditional burgers and dogs more your style?

How about a regional favorite? Here in New England, it's the clambake: steamers, fresh lobster, corn-on-the-cob, and a salad straight from the garden.

Whatever you choose, plan on a night to cook in -- and relish the flavors of summertime.

Dinner's out this time

Nearly as important as the cook-in meal is the go-out-to-dinner night. You've saved a lot of money this week, so splurge on dinner. Visit a favorite restaurant, or try a new one you've been hearing rave reviews about. It might even be fun to dress up a little and go fancy....

Kids in charge?

Yep, you'll want to do this for at least one of your staycations days. Why? It will be more memorable for them, you know they'll be happy for the day, and it will probably be an easier day then you would have planned.

I know my three-year-old would choose a morning at a local playspace, and then swimming at Grandmum's pool for the afternoon. Dinner? Grandpa's potatoes, of course, unless there is corn-on-the-cob!

A staycation doesn't have to feel second-best to a get-away. With a little planning, your frugal week could be everyone's favorite "trip."

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Back to school checklists

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-21T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, seasonal

It's that time. My little guy will be starting preschool in September, and two mornings a week have gradually become a daily worry. While he is excited to go, we've never been apart, and making the separation easy for him is one of my top priorities.

Mommy Mall has put together a very comprehensive checklist for parents, to help make the transition to school as smooth as possible for families with children entering preschool, primary school, middle school, and high school.

You'll find tips for one month before school starts, one week before the transition, and the night before the big day, even the morning of, with lists for each school level.

Some tips that we'll use for our preparations are:

reading books about the first day of school
buying some back-to-school supplies to get Owen excited
laying out his clothes the night before (so he hopefully won't wear a super hero costume his first day!)

Like most kids, helping Owen get used to the idea of separating, while making his school routine and surroundings as familiar to him as possible, should go a long way in helping the first day of school be a happy and exciting event.

Now, can I do all that without crying? Me, that is....

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Build a bird bath with found items

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-18T16:00:00 00:00

Filed under: weekend projects, outdoor, wood working, nature

Attracting birds to your yard can bring so much enjoyment. They are so much fun to watch, and my son loves naming the different types he sees at our birdfeeder -- goldfinch, robin, sparrow, blue jay....

We've shown you how to build a bird house with scrap wood; now I'll share some ideas on how to build a bird bath with materials you may have around the house.

You could use some chicken wire and cement for the bath part, some metal for the support post, and rocks for the edges, suggests Las Pilitas. Or how about an old cake pan, an old garbage can lid, or even a beat-up hubcap? If those are too crazy for you, a soft, flat rock or even a terra cotta pot's saucer will make an effective birdbath.

Las Pilitas shares some tips on where to place your bird bath so the birds feel safe and comfortable: away from brush, not in full sun, but in afternoon shade.

I love that these bird bath ideas give new uses to old items you may have considered junk before reading this post. Talk about reduce, reuse, and recycle!

So enjoy creating your own bird bath with "found" materials, and be sure and tell us in the comments how you made your masterpiece!

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Learn to skateboard

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-18T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, recreation, seasonal, wood working

Has the summer bug bit you yet?

If it has, you may be itching to try a new outdoor activity. Hiking and biking may have become passe, so get yourself a skateboard and wheel off to enjoy the great outdoors.

Expert Village has created a skateboarding video series that will teach you the basics, like how to stand, push, and turn on your new board. When you are ready for the fancy moves, watch their videos on the Ollie tricks and how to skate on ramps.

Heck, as a self-proclaimed DIYer, you just may want to build yourself a skateboard ramp. There are lots of free ramp plans available on the internet, and wikiHow even gives you step-by-step instructions on how to build your ramp based on your own plans.

So fire up that enthusiasm for your new hobby and learn to skateboard in style!

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Build an owl house

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-17T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: weekend projects, outdoor, nature

Why on Earth would you want to build an owl house? Having owls take up residence on your property will cause the mouse population to dwindle: never a bad thing if the furry invaders like to live in your basement, attic, or -- yikes! -- your kitchen.

To build a screech owl house, you'll need ten feet of one-foot board, some hinges, nails, and screws, wood glue, and a little time. Research shows that owls like big houses with small entrance holes, which is what inspired this owl house plan from Audubon. They suggest hanging your owl house ten feet off the ground or higher.

You are now on your way to a mouse-free house! Similarly, if you'd like to see a few less mosquitoes, try building a bat house. Apparently, those buzzing buggers are quite delicious....

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Don't It Yourself: Pipe bombs

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-17T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: backyard science, recalls and safety, Don't-it-yourself

If you're reading DIY Life, chances are you like to make things. Perhaps you build large structures, or maybe you enjoy sewing. I hope you can keep your creativity from overflowing into the pipe bomb arena, though.

We've all started projects only to abandon them, or at least take a big break in-between work sessions. Any painting job I've ever tried to do comes to mind. The only hazards there are perhaps some stiff, neglected paintbrushes. What if you left a pipe bomb half-finished?

That's what one guy did, and when he ran out of welding rod, he tossed the half-finished pipe bomb -- already filled with gunpowder -- back into the scrap pile. You can imagine what happened the next time he needed some scrap metal pipe....

The Darwin Awards got hold of this story, and the ending isn't pretty. Shrapnel everywhere, up to the third floor, missed his brain by half an inch. Visit the original submission for all of the gory details.

Now go back to your woodworking, or resume sewing that twirly skirt, but by all means, do not attempt to build a pipe bomb. It'll end in tears.

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5 ways to save money in the kitchen

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-16T16:00:00 00:00

Filed under: food, in the kitchen, money, cleaning

It seems that when I look at our budget, the greater portion of our expenses seem to be spent on food. Yes, we are self-proclaimed Foodies, so we tend to splurge on good things to eat. The good news is that there are ways to save money in the kitchen; your love of food doesn't have to break the bank.

1. Make a weekly menu and shop accordingly: Creative meal planning wastes less. You'll be less apt to buy things that aren't on your grocery list, and you'll have everything you need for the week's meals, thereby saving gas on fewer trips to the grocery store.

2. Use extra foods to make soups or stews: It's OK to buy that jumbo bag of broccoli florets. After you use what you need in Tuesday's stir-fry, throw the rest into a pot with onions, broth, some dried beans, and some seasonings. The result will be a healthy soup that you can freeze for lunches later. Some of my favorite meals have been the clean-out-the-refrigerator-stews!

3. Run the dishwasher only when it's full, and use the energy saver dry option: You'll save water, energy, and soap, which saves you money.

4. Make your own green cleaners: You'll find recipes for homemade cleaners, like baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils, all over DIY Life. Why spend the three to four dollars on the store-bought green cleaner, when you have everything you need already in your house?

5. Cook from scratch: Convenience foods cost money in the long run, and if you keep a well-stocked pantry full of seasonings, you'll be able to eat healthier, whole foods for less -- really!

If you make your own taco seasoning, for instance, you won't have to spend the three dollars on the taco kit. It's much cheaper just to buy the taco shells and some salsa, both of which will last you for several meals.

Isn't it amazing how a few small changes could really start to add up in savings -- on food, gas, water, energy costs, and cleaning supplies? Wow!

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The Scentual Life: More summer drinks, naturally

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-15T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: food, gardening and plants, entertaining, Scentual Life

Join me each week as I explore the naturally aromatic side of DIY. Helpful recipes for your "scentual" pleasure: from essential oils, herbs, and other botanicals to soap-making, body care products, and other useful blends.

There's nothing like a cool drink to refresh on a hot summer day. Last week, we explored drinks made with fresh mint and essential oils. Now it's time to think beyond the mint.

Did you know that most citrus and herbal essential oils are sold to large food companies as flavoring? Hydrosols, which are the water left behind when plants are steam-distilled into essential oils, are also safe to ingest in small quantities when they're organic and top quality, according to Suzanne Catty, author of Hydrosols: The Next Aromatherapy.

Make sure your oils and hydrosols are organically grown and of good quality, then read on after the break for drink recipes -- citrus, herbal, and even some floral -- made with essential oils, herbs, and hydrosols.

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Jazz up that water

At San Francisco's trendy Coi restaurant, sommelier-partner Paul Einbund is mixing up hydrosol beverages. To a wine glass of water or sparkling water, he adds 4-14 drops of hydrosol, giving the drink the "essence" of flavor. Try this recipe based on something Einlund might do:

Rose Cooler

8 ounces sparkling water
4 drops organic rose hydrosol
4 drops organic lime hydrosol
1 drop organic spearmint hydrosol
1 drop organic peppermint hydrosol

Mix all the ingredients well, pour them over ice, and enjoy.

You can flavor your water using essential oils and herbs, too. This recipe combines the best of citrus with fresh strawberries and mint:

Strawberry Citrus Cooler

8 ounces sparkling water or plain water
1 drop sweet orange essential oil
1 drop lemon essential oil
1 teaspoon crushed fresh mint leaves
1 tablespoon sliced fresh strawberries

Combine the ingredients and serve them over ice.

Pass the tea, please

Fresh herbs make great teas. It is more common to use dried herbs for tea, but branch out a little and try some moist, green, living plants. You can make a spectacular tea by choosing your favorites from these combinations:

Steep into two cups of water, for 1-2 minutes or to taste, approximately two tablespoons of one of the following: fresh mint leaves (chocolate, orange or lemon varieties work great), lavender buds, fresh jasmine flowers, chrysanthemums, or red raspberry leaves.
Strain out herbs, and add 1 drop of one of the following essential oils to your tea: sweet orange, lemon, grapefruit, or rose otto (in the case of rose otto, dilute in vodka first, like in the Lavender Mint Slushie (below), and use one drop of that).
To your newly spiked tea, add about two tablespoons of one of the following: sliced strawberries, red raspberries, blackberries, lemon, orange, or lime slices, apple slices, or mango slices.

Serve over ice and wow your guests. The combinations are endless and enticing, so have fun creating your own special teas.

Blender dreams

I have a total crush on my blender, no pun intended, because my Vita-Mix can make mincemeat of ice cubes in seconds flat. We are talking snowcone consistency, folks... yum!

If you've got a good blender, try making a fresh slushie. There are step-by-step instructions in the gallery, so you can follow along.

Lavender Mint Slushie

6-8 ice cubes
3-5 fresh mint or basil leaves
1 drop vodka (from 1 drop lavender essential oil diluted in 10 drops vodka)
juice of 1/2 lime (about 1 tablespoon)
2 teaspoons organic sugar or to taste
water for consistency (about 1/2 cup)

Blend the ice cubes into "snow," then add the lime juice, mint leaves, sugar, and lavender vodka. Blend and slowly add water until the mint leaves are pureed and your drink is a slushy consistency. Enjoy your cool drink.

If smoothies are more appealing to you, blend up some fresh fruit and all the extras....

Rosy Peach Berry Smoothie

1 cup fresh or frozen peach slices
1/4 cup fresh berries
1/4 cup milk or milk alternative
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 drop lime essential oil
1 drop rose otto vodka (diluted as the lavender in the Lavender Mint Slushie)

Blend until smooth. Add more milk if you like a thinner smoothie; use less milk -- or more yogurt -- for a thicker one. Serve garnished with fresh mint leaves. You can even plop in a few ice cubes!

What's your favorite refreshing summer drink?

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Keep rabbits away from your plants

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-15T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: seasonal, gardening and plants, nature

I was so proud of my perennial garden this year. Not only did all of the plants actually come up, but when I planted new ones, the blooms complimented one another perfectly. Then that furry little critter appeared....

Contrary to popular belief, it is not cute to have a resident rabbit. First, our little friend ate my mystery plant -- the one it ate last year, and now it's been so long I can't remember what it is (other than delicious, apparently).

Next, it systematically broke off each stem of my apricot-colored yarrow, to nibble at the blooms. Frustration began to set in....

We read all of the tips: sprinkle urine or human hair around your plants to repel the cotton-tailed fiend; put up a fence (which was not an attractive option for this particular garden); put mothballs around the perimeter of the beds; try planting marigolds.

What finally sounded like it just might work was a taste repellent, since Bunnykins surely loved to eat. We sprayed its favorite snacks down with a capsicum solution -- essentially concentrated hot peppers. So far, so good.

The science behind the capsicum solution is mixed, though, and only seemed to work in the studies when another food choice was present. So is it really working, or did our rabbit already have its fill of my perennials? All I know is that there's been no more damage to my plants.

Have you found a humane solution to keep your hungry rabbits out of your gardens?

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How to make a water slide

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-14T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, recreation, seasonal, toys

When I was a kid, many of my friends had slides going right into their pools. Cool. Not quite as cool as a water park, but it did the trick. Can you replicate the water park experience at home?

Homemade water slides are great fun... big fun... huge fun... if they're done right. I should probably write a Don't-it-yourself post on the contraption I have rigged in my backyard right now: a Little Tikes climber with the slide going right into my son's kiddie pool. Yes, it is wobbly and completely unsafe. Don't try this one at home, folks.

Instead, try making this water slide (reminds me of the old Slip 'N Slide from my childhood) from a piece of 4-ply plastic and a sprinkler. Stake it down every 4-5 feet so the plastic is stable, and send the kids whooshing. Rather than just hitting a patch of lawn at the bottom, you could always set up a trap to make a small "watering hole."

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Open a sealed envelope, the sneaky way

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-14T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: household hacks, miscellaneous, papercraft

You've done it again. After writing your long letter to Aunt Martha -- on your homemade fabric flower cards, perhaps -- you've sealed the envelope, only to realize that you've forgotten to include little Harry's latest school photo.

You could either rip open the envelope, pop in the picture, and tape it closed, or you could try a sneaky way to open the envelope -- an undetectable way.

There's always steaming open the envelope, TV detective Veronica Mars' method of choice. This is wet and messy, though, so you may want to try putting the envelope in the freezer instead. Just a few hours in the zero -- or subzero -- environment, and the envelope should open on its own. You can reseal it after you put in Junior's picture.

I hope you aren't getting any illegal ideas, now that you're an expert at this....

Want another savvy envelope trick? Learn how to make your own envelopes liners in this video:

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Peel a carrot with less waste

Debra McDuffee — 2008-07-11T16:00:00 00:00

Filed under: in the kitchen, gardening and plants, nature

I dare you to find an American household without any carrots in the fridge. Granted, most will probably be the scrubbed-clean, prepackaged, more expensive baby carrots. If you'd like to save money (and waste less food!), read on.

First of all, buying whole carrots -- or, better yet, growing them -- is cheaper than buying baby carrots. A good thing, right? Well, if you learn how to peel them just so, you'll be able to save more of the carrot... and more money.

According to eHow, if you peel away from you with a sharp-bladed peeler, you'll peel off less carrot. Additionally, if you peel the top until no green is showing, then peel the tip as well -- no chopping -- you'll end up with more of the carrot.

It seems like a simple way to be frugal while respecting the Earth's resources.

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