Reading Time: 3 minutesBuffing Old Brass Buffing old brass can give you a grand sense of accomplishment. You start out with something that looks like it should hit the trash pile. Afterward, your “trash” piece of brass looks like it just came off the assembly line brand sparkling new. Ok, so what does the average homeowner need to… Read More »
Reading Time: 4 minutesDeep cleaning a sand filter Do you find yourself backwashing your sand filter more often? Is your sand filter not keeping your water as clean as it used to after you backwash your filter? Should you change out your sand? Have you experienced these things? Sand Filter Maintenance Clean the skimmer basket and check that it is in… Read More »
Reading Time: < 1 minuteNo Sugar Added Summer Drinks For kids No Sugar Added Summer Drinks For kids with diabetes are a must. As a kid, I did not have to worry about sugar but early on in my life, I crossed over into a no sugar managed life. I don’t think I could live on diet cola alone.… Read More »
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe Quilt Show Experience The quilt show experience is something that happens to me every so often. As usual, I’m the designated driver. My wife and my sister have a network that ensures no quilt show goes undiscovered. We usually attend the Fresno, Sacramento, Pleasanton and San Mateo shows.  So I thought since I’m always at one of… Read More »
Reading Time: 3 minutesTime for a New Stove It’s Time for a New Stove, my old stove just died and now I have to learn what the technology level is for today’s stoves. This way I can get the best stove for my money with the new available features I had not thought about since I bought my now dead… Read More »
Reading Time: 4 minutesMy Trip to Ironstone Vineyards My trip to Ironstone Vineyards started with a conversation. The wife and I were visiting with my favorite aunt recently when Ironstone Vineyards came into the conversation. My Aunt mentioned that she had been to it just recently and that it would be worth it to go there for a… Read More »
Reading Time: 2 minutesSmog Shop Surprise In Modesto I had to smog my truck by the end of March. I had already found out about the new smog rules. No need to do the usual oil change, or the additive in the gas tank, new air cleaner filter pre-smog routine. So I gathered up a coupon for… Read More »
Reading Time: 3 minutesThe Park Sleep Fly Experience The park sleep fly experience is for anyone who travels. It really changes a stressful travel day into a great experience. So if your trip is for business or vacation this is the way to go. Any time spent traveling to the airport is filled with worry. If you have to travel a… Read More »
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe Ten Best Bread Store Tips Ok, you know what bread stores are all about so here are ten best bread store tips to get the most from your shopping experience with the least amount of cash. Look for posted specials in the store. Often there are deals like buy 3 loaves of bread at… Read More »
Reading Time: 3 minutesHaving a bread store is very handy for a frugal life. Having a bread store is very handy for a frugal life. I was raised in a frugal house. It was by necessity that we lived frugally. So you can say my upbringing ingrained frugality in me. The discovery of a store that sold one product and only… Read More »
Reading Time: 3 minutesHalf of all Californian’s are Pre Diabetic Half of all Californians are Pre Diabetic, I heard that on the radio the other day. I could only cheer. Why you ask? Well, it goes like this. As a pre-diabetic for twenty-four years before slipping over to the diabetic side and being on this side for the… Read More »
Reading Time: 3 minutesSecrets to Booking a Great Cruise Cheap Cruise Deals Made Better The secrets to booking a great cruise is a simple thing, right? Just talk to your travel agent, or go online to a cruise website, and hop on board when the time comes. At least that’s what the uninitiated think. But there are secrets the… Read More »
Reading Time: 3 minutesThe Park, Sleep, Cruise experience The park, sleep cruise experience is one that any traveler really needs to make the travel day a great experience. Any time spent getting to the cruise ship is filled in worry. You have to get up really early to catch a cruise ship unless you happen to live in the city… Read More »
Reading Time: 2 minutesHow to clean a glass cooktop How to clean a glass cooktop is an easy thing to do. Razor Blade Scrapers with Single-Edge Blades – Amazon.com Sprinkle some water and dish soap on the cold cooktop for lubrication. Scrape the cold cooktop with a razor blade scraper to get the cooked on stuff off the cooktop. Using… Read More »
Reading Time: 6 minutesToilet Replacement I had to replace a toilet this week. The tank cracked and just like that it was toilet replacement time. First, you can not just buy a replacement tank. You have to buy a complete toilet. Replacing just the tank is a piece of cake. But you can not just buy a tank.… Read More »
Reading Time: 4 minutesSelf Closing Gates Self-closing gates, I would not have thought that I would need such a luxury. You go thru them and sometimes you need to prop them open to move materials thru them. Why would I need gates that close by themselves? Well, it turns out I needed them for safety. I needed them… Read More »
Reading Time: 2 minutesDiabetes Pancakes and Me This recipe is about diabetes pancakes and me. I love pancakes so this was one of the first foods I had to learn to make my way(diabetic).  No more pancake mix, it’s baking mix or flour recipes for me. This recipe is inspired by a Bisquick recipe. It has evolved over the years… Read More »
Reading Time: < 1 minuteThousand Island Dressing Thousand island dressing is a simple 5 ingredient recipe. I use it in my California Reuben Sandwich recipe. The origins of this dressing are mixed. There are two stories. The first is one says that a fishing guide’s wife, Sophia LaLonde, made the condiment for her husband George’s dinner. The name comes from the Thousand Islands region located on… Read More »
Reading Time: < 1 minuteColeslaw Recipe This is the coleslaw recipe I use for the California Reuben Sandwich. This recipe is inspired by the Betty Crocker Cookbook. The one cookbook that my wife has held onto for her entire adult life. Over the years we have made this recipe our own. She has adjusted it to our likes and dislikes.  … Read More »
Reading Time: 2 minutesCorned Beef Taco Bar Set up a corned beef taco bar the next time you have friends and family get together. The taco bar is really easy and simple to serve your family and friends on your next get together. The taco bar only has one thing to cook. The rest of the ingredients are either… Read More »