How to Make Brewed Coffee Less Bitter

 If you love brewed filtered coffee, but some brands just seem to have a bitter taste?  Try this old fashioned trick to mellow out that brew and start your morning off right.

This life hack will even take that pound of coffee you got on sale and turn it into a decent cup of joe!!

What you will Need:

Egg shells

Vinegar

Coffee Maker (type that uses paper filters)

ground coffee

water

Method:

After your next batch of eggs, don't throw out those shells.  

Step 1:  Take the egg shells and place in a bowl of water with some added vinegar and give them a little wash and then rinse.

Step 2:  Place on a paper towel to dry.

Step 3:  Prep your coffee maker as per usual with filter, water and coffee grounds.

Step 4:  Crush the dried egg shells of one or two eggs and place on top of the ground coffee.

Step 5:  ENJOY!

The eggshells are alkaline which neutralizes some of the coffee acidity that tends to make it bitter.

This way you can purchase some of the cheaper brands and still enjoy a mellow cup of coffee to start off your day right!

Maybe it is time for a new coffee maker?  Especially if the water runs through yours very slowly.

You can get all kinds of models online. Some will help to make your coffee taste much better. But if you can't swing a new one right now, keep and wash those egg shells!!

Homemade Nail Polish Remover DIY

 With this pandemic going on, we do have to get creative with some of our personal care.  

If you have been doing your own nails/pedicures then you know just how stinky and toxic that nail polish remover can be.

I found this recipe, and it really does work!  So if you find yourself wanting to work on your personal grooming ie: nails! ... and you don't have any remover at home, or don't want to use harsh chemicals...  Check this idea out.

What you Will Need:

Lemon juice (the stuff in the bottle works well too)

white vinegar

cotton balls 

Method:

1.  Mix equal parts of lemon juice with white vinegar.  

2.  Soak some cotton balls in the mixture.

3.  Then press a cotton ball soaked in the mixture against your nails and hold it for at least 30 seconds.

You will see that the mixture has begun to dissolve your polish.

That is It!!!!!

It does work.  It does take slightly longer, but you get the same result without the harsh chemicals.

If this is not your idea of fun, you can also purchase complete nail care packages online.

Have fun and spend some time and effort on yourself. Doing your nails or a pedicure can make you feel like a million bucks! Take care and stay safe!

Recycling Berry Containers - Repurpose Those Plastic Holders

 I love blueberries.  But when I purchase them at my local grocery store, they are in those plastic containers.

I simply throw them in the recycling bin when done, but the other day I looked at one and realized I could use this in my yard.  Repurpose, reduce, recycle right?

There are holes in the plastic ones for airflow and you can put this to good use in your yard.

Small Grass Patch?

Wash and dry the plastic container, hold your hand underneath and fill with grass seed, wild flower seeds, anything that needs spreading.

Head to your yard and shake this container around.  It will evenly spread the seeds!

Spot Seeding?

Perfect for redoing spots in your lawn where you just need a small amount of seeds. 

Starting Seedlings, Mini Greenhouse, Craft Supplies...

Take the top off and use both pieces.  Sit them in a tray and fill with your soil and seeds.  The holes make great drainage.

...or leave the lids on and put your seeds in a sunny spot and this will create a greenhouse effect.

...Craft Supplies, especially ribbon holders which are famous for getting tangled.

Have I got your Creative juices flowing???   Good, now take a second look at food containers before you pitch them, it is amazing what you can come up with.

If you get creative, you can find all kinds of uses for berry plastic containers. 

 

Removing Ticks From Your Dog

 It's that lovely time of year with the warmer air, spring flowers and greener grass but also with that comes the dreaded ticks!  In the spring there just seems to be an abundance of them.

As we have all heard, ticks are not good for dogs, cats or humans.  They carry disease and/or can create infections and problems in dogs.

Using tweezers, is ok, if that is all you have.  But just how do you find them especially on a furry animal?

How to find Ticks on long haired dogs

1.  Hair dryer on low heat outside is one good way.  It will separate the fur so you can see the skin.

2.  Manually checking all sections of their fur.

I know this can be a pain but it really is the best way.  I also decided this year to invest in a tick removal kit as we moved to a high tick area.  

I don't want to sit at home scared of these ticks. I love to walk my dog thru the parks and trails.  I just decided to be more prepared.  

After we get home, I give her a quick check especially around the face and groin. 

If you see a Tick that Hasn't Bitten Yet...

1.  Always check outside so you don't bring them in the house

2.  Use the hairdryer method or have a dog brush outside to brush them and then check the brush.  This too should not be inside the house.

3.  Use tweezer to get them not your bare hands.

4.  Dispose by squishing in paper towel and disposing.

5.  Keep some of these supplies outdoors in a sheltered area, so it all becomes a habit.

6.  Don't forget to check yourself.

Pet Bedding?

If you are concerned about the bedding you can wash it but ticks have been known to survive a wash cycle, but their enemy is HEAT, dry on high heat for a little while and it will kill them.  Or hang out in the hot sun.

Dog Tick Prevention

These products will deter ticks and fleas

Even if you use these products, you should still check to see just what your dog might bring in the house!  I found once you get into the habit, it just becomes one of those things you need to do like toweling them down after rain..  

Keep a small kit of things just outside in a sheltered spot, or take with you on hikes in your backpack so you are ready.  

How to Clean Sticky Dirty Buttons in Your Car

 

With spring around the corner, our cars start showing their winter fatigue!

Not only does the winter leave grime and stains on the car, but the interior has seen better times too!

With COVID many of us, have been eating in our cars instead of inside, and it is easy to get those sticky fingers onto all the buttons in your car.

I have found the most AWESOME way to clean those buttons without water or damage.

Check this out:

Step 1 - Vacuum the buttons and in between them with the crevice tool on your vacuum cleaner.

Step 2 - Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes

These work AWESOME!  

You can get them on AMAZON for a great price too.  

Simply put over your finger and wipe the buttons one at a time.  Use gentle pressure and all the goo, and dust that stuck to the goo are gone!  No spraying cleaners, or damage.  IT WORKS!

I had been told this trick by a friend and didn't believe them, but it is true!  These wipes are not too wet which is best because electronics and water of course do not mix.

Your buttons on your dash, console and doors look good as new again.  There is NO need to rinse anything off.  You just wipe and go.

Keep Some In Your Car 

Since you buy them in packages, it wouldn't hurt to keep some in your car for emergencies.  Not something you would normally see in a glove compartment, but HEY it works!  

Coffee Filters

This is another trick I learned.  Apparently coffee filters are awesome for picking dust of the dashboard and absorbing spills on any of those buttons!

So keep a couple of them in the car too!  

With COVID still hanging around, our cars have become our second homes.  So finding ways to protect your car are important.  

How to Clean Your Hair Brush and Stop The Dull Hair

 The hair brush can really start to build up especially if you use hair products.  

No matter how long or short, it will build up with oils, hair, products and more, which in turn can dull the shine of your beautiful hair!  To get a squeaky clean brush, follow these simple steps.  You will be amazed at just how much better your head will feel!

Step 1 - Gather supplies...

Pair of sharp nail scissors or similar

Rat tail comb (for the long slim pointy handle part or a slim stick)

Toothbrush dedicated to your hair brush cleaning!

Step 2 - Carefully cut between rows of bristles with the scissors.  This makes it easier to lift the hair.

Step 3 - Using the rat tail comb or some kind of pointy stick, slowly lift the hair sections off the brush.  This can be a bit tedious, but very effective.

Step 4 - Pour a small amount of shampoo on the brush and using the toothbrush, gently shampoo the base and bristles.

Step 5 - Rinse and repeat

Step 6 - Place hair brush bristles down on a clean towel to dry.

Most of the quality hair brushes tend to be "round" which means there is a little ball on the end of the bristles which can make it difficult to simply lift the hair with a comb without breaking them.

Hair brushes are expensive these days, and you don't want to be breaking those little round balls off the bristles, so by cutting gently between the rows you can lift the hair.

Also avoid using a knife as you can easily damage the base.

One more thing you can do during the Pandemic Lockdown!

Now you should notice clean shiny hair!   If you do this at least once a month you won't get the build up and it will be easier to clean.

Sending Unique Pet Sympathy Cards During the Covid Pandemic

 As we all isolate and try to stop the spread of the COVID virus, life still happens.  

Time marches on and birthdays, anniversaries and even Pet deaths still happen and it can really be hard to deal with when we can't gather with family and friends.

So how do you honor someone who has lost their best furry friend?  

Going to the store and getting a card is not a good idea right now especially if you are isolating or even if the weather is bad, so I came across this cool ETSY SHOP that sells unique pet sympathy cards.   

Angel Dog Sympathy Card

The above is just a cute example of a dog sympathy card.  Click the link and see more about it.  At no extra charge, she will add a personal note to your card and send it to the grieving pet parent or parents.

Will Add a Personal Message and Send to Your Recipient for FREE!

The whole site is about pet sympathy.  All kinds of different cards and personalized tributes for cats, dogs, other critters and even a pet rat and guinea pig sympathy card!

Working with online stores right now, is just one tool we can use to still carry on with life as close to normal as possible.  

Cat Sympathy Card

We all need to stay safe but at the same time get creative with life events.  Many people have only their pets for company right now.  

HOMEMADE CARDS BY DIANE

Let them know just how much you care with a phone call and follow up with a pet sympathy card.  

Add a personal message.  I have lost enough pets in my life time, and it hurts.  It always felt like a warm hug if someone acknowledged my loss.

Times are rough right now.  Stay in touch, check in with loved ones, and monitor each other's mental health.  Technology has the tools, so use them to your benefit.

STAY SAFE EVERYONE!