How to Make Poached Eggs

 I love poached eggs, always have, but when I make them, they look like a sloppy mess as the egg whites go everywhere in the water. 

I have tried all kinds of ways, some people like to have the water moving and others not.  But I am here to say that I finally found what works for me and they actually look restaurant worthy!!

Step 1:  Use a non stick pot  (the best advice)

Step 2:  Fill with a couple of inches of water and add a tiny slosh of white vinegar (helps hold things together)

Step 3:  Heat the water without boiling it. (that might be the trickiest part getting to know the stove) You don't want any movement in the water.

Step 4:  Gently crack the eggs and just at the surface let them quietly slip into the water.  Don't drop them from a distance or they will go everywhere!

Step 5:  Let them stay settled in the bottom of the pot for at least 3 minutes (or more depending on the hardness of yolk you like)

Step 6:  With a non stick slotted spoon gently scoop up the egg and drain on the spoon.

 That is it!!!

I was seriously amazed at how well this worked, and how much of the egg I actually got to see!

You can also invest in egg poachers if you prefer or don't have a non stick pot.  

If you love your eggs, and have stayed away from poached because they are finicky ... give this way a try. For some reason I thought the water had to be moving, but for this process, the stiller the better!

Invest in a Decent Egg Timer

I hope you all try this healthier way to eat eggs. 

 Change up those boiled ones and give poached a try and put them on top of whole grain toast and you have a complete meal! You can also grate a little cheese on top for added flavor.  ENJOY!

Creative Ways to Hide a Litter Box

 We have an indoor cat, and as much as I adore her, and can’t imagine life without her, but the litter box is an issue.  When she gets into it, she turns around a few times and digs to the bottom and sends the litter flying every which way, which was not as big a deal in the basement but things, have changed.

We recently downsized our home, and there simply was not the easy to hide places for the litter tray that there were in our other home.  We are in an apartment actually, and no matter how creative you get, there it is for everyone to see.  No basement to hide it in and no closet space to dedicate to her.

Large Cardboard Box

I created my own cover over the litter box with a large hole in a packing box and she used it, but I found it was pretty ugly.  You could decorate it as an option, but decided to check out other ideas online.

I couldn't believe it! Obviously this is a problem for other cat lovers like me, who don't want the toilet habits of the cat out on display.  There are some pretty creative litter box ideas!

Training Your Cat to Change Litter Boxes

Usually cats are so super curious and nosy, they will check out anything, but mine was a little less impressed with the idea.  I made sure she was watching me when I put it together.  I loved the planter one below!

I added a favorite treat at the entrance to the litter box, and I also lifted it up so she could see where the litter was.  At this point don't change the litter, keep everything else the same, and even the old cats will check out their new digs!

How to Get Rid of Mice From Your Home or Cottage

 Autumn is the most popular time for mice to try and find someplace warm to hang out and if they can get into your house or cottage they will!

They are super sneaky and can fit through the tiniest of cracks.  So the best defense is to take offense and stop them at the door!

Here are 3 Ways to Put Mice Off or Get Rid of the Ones That Have Moved In

Dryer Sheets - This one has worked well for me, especially if it is the cottage or some rooms you are not always in.

Place unused dryer sheets on the beds, in the closets and in the basement.  Leave them there for a couple of weeks, then replace them.  The bonus?  Your house will smell nice.  Mice cannot stand the smell.

Peppermint Oil - Mice cannot stand the smell of peppermint oil.  If you have an idea where they might be coming in, place some peppermint oil on some cotton face swabs and leave there.  This also works for cars that you may be covering and storing for the winter.  Mice can do a lot of damage to upholstery.

Using an Ultrasonic Pest Controller - Apparently, mice cannot stand the frequency and it puts them off moving into your home at all.

 

You can get these online with Amazon as you see above.  Perfect if you are hearing them in the walls and need to get rid of many mice. 

Other Ways to Prevent Them Getting In.

House Plants Outdoors?

If you put your house plants out for the summer and are ready to bring them back in, inspect the pot and place some peppermint oil on swabs or dryer sheets lightly on top of the soil for a day or too before bringing them inside

My mother found out the hard way when she brought in her floor plant.  Mice had actually built a nest in the pot and she only found out when she got into the house.  The numerous mice fled as soon as she got in.

Caulking Any Tiny Holes Around Foundation

I was once told, if a quarter can fit through the hole sideways... so can a mouse!  Inspect your foundation for any cracks or holes.

A good way to do that, is to have someone in the basement at night time with lights out while you shine a flashlight around the foundation.. any holes should show up.   This also works for spiders!!

Keep Cereal And Any Boxed Dry Goods In Plastic Containers with Lids

This is especially true for the cottage.  If you can remove the food source, mice are not as interested. 

A few spills here and there and it attracts them like a magnet.

 

 

How to Quickly Get Rid of Leaves on Your Small Lawn

 If you have a small lawn but it is full of leaves every autumn, then it becomes that annual chore of raking and bagging.

It can easily become 10 or more bags easily, depending on the trees in your area.  But after years of tackling this chore, I decided on a different approach.

Rake some (small layer, not too thick) into your flower beds and veg gardens to rot and be ready to dig into in the spring to help nourish the soil.  That should take care of some.

But What To Do with the REST?

I am not big on spending money, as most who know me, say I am somewhat "frugal" but sometimes it actually is the best investment.

What am I Talking About?

Leaf Lawnmower or Lawn Sweeper...

Earthwise LSW70021 21-Inch Leaf & Grass Push Lawn Sweeper, Width, Black

Yep, I said it.  If you don't have a huge property or lawn to deal with, you can upgrade your lawnmower to one that actually vacuums and sucks up leaves, mulches them into the bag and now you simply empty it into those leaf bags to put at the end of the driveway.

This is totally opposite to those leaf blowers, which are super noisy especially on a weekend morning!  These mowers actually suck up pine needles and leaves rather than just blow them around.

With the leaves falling now, it might be something worth investing in.  You end up with way less leaf bags for pickup or drop off.

Just something to think about :)

HAPPY FALL 

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Fast

 I love my fruit and I like to keep it at room temperature, so of course, this tends to invite the dreaded fruit flies!  Especially late summer.

There are all kinds of things you can buy, but personally the best and easiest way for me was these two steps.

Step 1 - Apple cider vinegar with a couple drops of dish soap in a little dish on your counter or near where the fruit is living. 

Step 2 - I purchased mesh picnic covers that are kind of cute and cover the fruit bowl.

By doing both of these steps I have completely got rid of those nasty little flies.

You can purchase all kinds of traps, but I found using these 2 steps, they are completely gone. 

 If you don't have any apple cider vinegar, regular white vinegar will work too. I find the smell of the apple cider vinegar actually refreshing in my kitchen. 

 I change out this little dish every few days and they simply disappeared. You don't need a huge dish, just a little candy dish type thing.  

I found using the picnic mesh food covers worked well for the stubborn ones that still give it a try to get to the bananas!

Get Rid of Other Attractions

 I find once the little buggers have got into your kitchen they start looking for other spots such as garbage, or dishes in the sink especially.  

Keep on top of dishes or at least get them into the dishwasher or rinse any food residue off them if they must remain in the sink.

But between the mesh covers and the vinegar dish, you will find them gone.

DIY Popsicles or Should we Say Pupsicles for Dogs

 Dogs feel the heat like we do, and when we crave a cold treat maybe your dog would love one too!

You can do the basic treats of freezing dog food, or broth, but I found this awesome recipe that your pooch is sure to love, with simple clean ingredients.

What you Will Need for PUPSICLES!!:

1 x large banana cut into pieces

4 x tablespoons peanut butter

4 x cups of plain yogurt ( use the nonfat one if your dog is a bit "pudgy")

Some favourite dog biscuits for the sticks

Popsicle molds or ice cube trays

Method:

Step 1:  Mix all the ingredients (except the biscuits) in a blender or food processor until creamy.

Step 2:  Pour into molds.

Step 3:  Use the dog biscuits as the "stick" for the popsicle.

Step 4:  Freeze overnight or at least 4-5 hours.

Step 5:  Take out of mold and give to your dog to enjoy!  Preferably outside with you so the drips are contained to the outdoors.  

You can change of the ingredients if you prefer other flavours for your dog. You could add crumbled bacon, or take the biscuits and add as a crunch topping before freezing.

Let your poochie enjoy the cool treats on that hot day with PUPSICLES you have made with love.

You can use your ice cube trays, or you can get dog specific molds that can be frozen into dog themed treats below online:

Cool down this summer with some cool treats for you and your best friend!

How to Clean a BBQ Grill Easily

 It's that time of year with the sun out, drinks on the patio and that bbq cooking your favorite foods..  ahhhh summer living!

But after a few meals, that bbq grill tends to build up burnt on food and grime.  You can try and burn it off by keeping the bbq going after you have cooked your food, but that is not super efficient and I find it simply cakes up on the grills.

You could take them inside and use oven cleaner, 

or 

you can use this simple method:

VINEGAR and TIN FOIL

This really works and then there are no fears of harsh chemicals transferring to your next meal.

What You Will Need:

Spray bottle filled with plain white vinegar

Balled up pieces of tin foil.

Method:

1.  When your BBQ is cold, spray white vinegar onto your grill.  

2.  Wait about 15 minutes

3.  Use your balled up tin foil to go back and forth along the grills and you will be amazed at what comes off!

The tin foil is basically your scrubber brush.  Works super well.

Have an awesome summer!