QUESTION -- I am having a party and would like to make a hot drink in my slow cooker for guests to sip on during the evening. Any ideas? Ketry (Selkirk)
ANSWER -- Here are two delicious hot drinks to choose from. Option 1, Creamy hot chocolate: In a slow cooker combine 11/2 cups whipping cream, one (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk, five cups milk, two cups chocolate chips and one tsp. vanilla. Stir and cook on low. Stir again before serving. Display some garnish choices nearby; whipped cream, mini-marshmallows, mini-M & Ms, candy cane bits, mini-chocolate chips or peanuts.
Option 2, wassail: Before company arrives fill a slow cooker with a British drink known as wassail. Let the aroma of Christmas fill the air all evening while guests help themselves to a delicious cup of this hot drink. Combine one quart (1 L) apple cider, four cinnamon sticks, one whole nutmeg, half cup (125 mL) honey, quarter cup (60 mL) lemon juice. Simmer the wassail on the stove or in a slow cooker and encourage guests to help themselves.
QUESTION -- I used my super-snake to clear a toilet jam. But I failed to notice the steel, grooved surface of this rarely used tool had rusted during storage in my garage. It left rust grooves embedded in a couple of contact spots in the porcelain of bowl when I was twisting it through the drain opening. Any suggestions for both fixing marks in toilet, and cleaning and storing my toilet snake? I always appreciate your handy dandy solutions! Regards, Sue. Winnipeg
ANSWER -- To remove rust stains in a toilet, purchase a pumice stone and lubricate it with either cheap shampoo or dish soap. Wet the stone and gently wipe the toilet rim to remove rust marks. Or purchase a product called, Iron Out. Add half cup Iron Out to the bowl and half cup to the tank. Scrub with a toilet brush or leave overnight, scrub and flush. At the same time, soak the toilet snake in the toilet and after the rust has disappeared, spray the end with WD-40.
QUESTION -- I am trying to make my very own laundry detergent. I need your help to create a really good combination of ingredients. Thanks. Jessica (Domain, Man.)
ANSWER -- Into a large bucket combine one cup borax, one cup washing soda and one bar grated Ivory or Fels Naptha soap. Mix together in a food processor. Use two tbsp. per load.
QUESTION -- Can you tell me how to remove an oil stain from my leather loveseat? Thanks. Orillia (Selkirk)
ANSWER -- Start with cornstarch and gently rub it into the stain. Then cover with a soft cloth and iron the cloth with a warm iron, not hot. The cloth will absorb the oil.
Homemade beauty gifts:
-- Creamy body cream: Into a double boiler pour; quarter cup coconut oil and half tbsp. grated beeswax. Melt and pour into a glass jar. Add 10 drops of your favourite essential oil and stir. Allow time to harden. Lid and store at room temperature. Submitted by: Hailey
-- Candy cane sugar body scrub: You will need two plastic bowls for this project. Into each bowl stir together half cup white sugar and one quarter cup olive oil, and 10 drops of either peppermint extract or peppermint oil. Add five drops red food colouring to one of the bowls. Stir. Layer jar with white contents followed by red contents and repeat until no ingredients remains. Secure with lid; add a label, a small stainless steel scoop, ribbon and a candy cane. Keep for yourself or share. Submitted by: Diane
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