Boost Bonds

Take a walk down memory lane by putting out old photos, yearbooks, scrapbooks and other memorabilia of times you shared with your loved ones. Revisiting the good old days will bring back the warm feelings that went with them.

Your Favorite Candy

Just for fun, see what your favorite candy reveals about you.

Nutty: You’re super organized.

Cherry: You’re a thinker.

Coconut: You’re a quick wit.

Coffee: You love a challenge.

Caramel: You’re a perfectionist.

Peanut Butter: You’re charming.

Sugared Champagne Flutes

Such a cute idea!

Using a fine-tip brush, coat each flute’s rim with honey, them paint honey hearts onto the glasses. Let sit for three minutes so the honey can set. Spoon granulated pink sugar over painted areas. Use a toothpick to refine shapes and edges.

Peanut Butter Banana Bliss

Yum!

In a saucepan over medium heat, bring 3/4 cup milk and 1Tbs. peanut butter just to a boil. Remove from heat. Add 1/3 cup bittersweet chocolate chips. Let sit 1 minute; stir until smooth. In blender, puree hot milk and 1/2 cup sliced bananas for 30 seconds; return to saucepan. Cook 1 minute. Pour into mug and garnish with whipped cream, banana slices and peanut butter.

Ways to Use Lemons

• Shine your faucet: Rub the rind of a squeezed lemon over chrome faucets to remove mineral deposits.
• Mildew proof a shower curtain: Rub your shower curtain with the juice of one lemon.
• Clean a cheese grater: Rub the rind of a squeezed lemon over the surface of your cheese grater. The lemon dislodges food particles.
• Remove ink: Rub half a lemon onto ink stains on washable fabrics and let it sit for a few minutes. Wash in cold water.

Meatloaf Mix-ins

Shake up your regular meatloaf with these mix-ins.

Caesar: Replace breadcrumbs with crushed Caesar flavored croutons. Add an envelope of dry Caesar salad dressing mix and 3/4 tsp. cracked pepper to the meat mixture.

Buffalo: Replace liquid in your recipe with Buffalo wing sauce. Add 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese and 3/4 tsp. celery seed to meat mixture.

Ranch: Replace liquid in your recipe with sour cream. Add an envelope of dry ranch dip to the meat mixture.

Mulled Wine

Having a party soon? Why not make a batch of mulled wine?

In pot, heat 2 bottles of dry red wine, 2 cups water, 3 cinnamon sticks, 1/2 cup sugar, 8 cloves, pinch of cardamom amd 6 slices of orange over low heat for 20 minutes. Strain and serve warm.

Worrywart?

Are you a worrywart? Try these ideas to stop the worry.

Chew gum:  the chewing motion sends soothing messages to the brain and drops the stress hormone cortisol.

Sip a soda: the caffeine improves your mood and energy and sharpens focus.

Do a crossword: redirecting your thoughts toward an activity that requires focus zaps worry.

Stop Food Container Stains

There’s an easy solution to prevent stains in plastic containers. Before using soak the container in cold water or store in the freezer for a few minutes. Chilling the plastic makes it less porous, so colorful pigments won’t be absorbed by the plastic and cause stains.

Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

Prepare and bake 1 package (15.25 oz.) devil’s food cake mix according to package directions for 24 cupcakes. Cool. In a bowl, stir 1 cup marshmallow creme into 2 cups whipped fluffy white frosting. Spoon into plastic food storage bag. Cut tiny hole in one bottom corner of bag. Pipe 3 small dollops of frosting mixture on top of each cupcake to resemble melted marshmallows. Sprinkle with unsweetened cocoa powder. Break 12 miniature pretzels in half. Press 1 half into side of each cupcake for cup handle.