Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
SOLUTIONS: Getting rid of troublesome dandelions
QUESTION: I heard you on the radio today, loved the interview and information, wanted to call in but lines were full. Do you know of a solution for controlling dandelions in my lawn? Ronan (Richer, MB)
ANSWER: Years ago, dandelions were actually planted on purpose for their many uses. People would eat the crowns, make wine from the flowers, and coffee from the roots. Ask any four-year-old child what to do about dandelions and without hesitation they will answer, 'Give them to Mommy!' When I asked an 89-year-old lady about controlling dandelions she laughed and said, "Well, we just eat them. We add them to salads. Make sure that you eat a few bugs with the plants and then you will really have a healthy lunch." In fact, untreated dandelions are high in vitamins C and A and also contain magnesium, iron and calcium. But whenever I ask a busy middle-age homeowner about dandelions, the answer is almost always the same, 'Kill them!'
You can't get rid of dandelions by pulling off the tops, but you can dig them out. A dandelion digger is a specialized tool that removes a wide variety of individual weeds and their roots, causing little soil disturbance. The tool looks like a large screwdriver with a fish-tail end. Move it in the soil parallel to the tap root. With a small pivot, you can lift the entire plant, root and all. Of course there is also the option of a Weed and Feed method to control lawn weeds. Or, make your own dandelion killer: Pour boiling water or acetic acid (pickling vinegar) on weeds. Or in a pot, combine and stir together one gallon vinegar, one pound salt and one tablespoon dish soap. Pour over weeds. Repeat as needed. (Caution: These methods will kill all treated plants).
QUESTION: I thoroughly enjoy your columns and have a collection of clippings. I took the advice of putting vinegar into my loads of laundry. I put it in the machine along with the detergent while the machine is filling. Should I be waiting until the rinse cycle begins? I do find my clothes softer since using vinegar and no longer use softeners or dryer sheets. Thanks for the hint.
Irene (Victoria Beach, MB)
ANSWER: When I add vinegar to my machine, I do so right at the beginning of the cycle otherwise I get busy with other chores and forget to add it. The results are wonderful!
Feedback from Manitoban who cares:
Hello Reena:
Just read your answer to Kenton regarding making gravy in the last-minute rush before company arrives.
I always keep "one gravy ahead" in my freezer by either making an extra-big batch of turkey, chicken, pork or beef gravy. Then if I am really caught in a rush with too many other things to do before the meal, a few minutes of microwaving can produce hot gravy. Don't forget to replace it and label it when you are cleaning up. You can vary the seasonings and add mushrooms, mustard or horseradish if you wish. Eliza
Fabulous tip of the week: If you find that your fridge smells, clean out the entire unit, shelves, crisper, sides etc. Set an open bowl of coffee grounds onto the shelf. After a few days the unpleasant odour will disappear.
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming! Missed a column? Can't remember a solution? Need a speaker for an upcoming event? Check out my brand-new website: reena.ca
Renovation & Design
SOLUTIONS: Cinnamon buns perfect recipe to awake to
QUESTION: There is nothing better than waking up to the smell of fresh cinnamon buns, so I would like to try making them for my family. Can you give me a good recipe for cinnamon buns? Also, Christmas will soon be upon us, where can I purchase your books? Donelda, Mariapolis, Man.
ANSWER: Combine two tablespoons active yeast in one cup warm water and one teaspoon sugar (sugar feeds yeast, while salt destroys yeast). Let stand 10 minutes. Add two-thirds cup sugar, two cups warm milk, two teaspoons salt, four eggs, two cups potato water, two-thirds cup butter and 10-11 cups all-purpose flour. Knead until dough is no longer sticky; add a bit of additional flour if necessary. Let rise until double in size. Roll out and divide into four pieces. Cover with margarine or butter, sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up at wide end. Cut into one-inch pieces. Place on greased pan and let rise until double in size. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown. For icing: Mix together one-quarter cup icing sugar and one tablespoon whipping cream or milk and half-teaspoon vanilla. Spread over buns.
Extra tidbit: For best results, store yeast in the fridge.
Another tidbit: Potato water is the leftover water used when boiling potatoes.
P.S. My three books can be purchased at: reena.ca or call 204-320-2757.
QUESTION: I am hosting Thanksgiving dinner at my house this year and I am in charge of cooking the turkey and gravy. The problem is that I work until 4 p.m. and don't have time to finish the turkey and gravy. Do you have any advice for me? Thank you, Jessica, Hamiota, Man.
ANSWER: What I would do in this predicament is cook the turkey the day before and cut it so that it is ready for serving. On the day of the gathering, put the turkey pieces into a slow cooker and pour broth over top so that it does not dry off. Leave it on a LOW setting until serving time. The gravy can also be made ahead of time and left on LOW or KEEP WARM in the slow cooker.
QUESTION: Our dear granddaughter came to get flowers and old canning jars. The problem is her old car decided to drop some large oil drops on our good concrete. Any suggestions before we tackle it ourselves? Hopefully, Trudy, Winnipeg
ANSWER: If the stain is fresh, sprinkle the area with a liberal amount of kitty litter to absorb grease. For older stains apply a solution of one cup washing soda and one-quarter cup TSP (trisodium phosphate) per gallon of water. Scrub or pressure wash the stain. As a last resort, combat tough spills with muriatic acid and a pressure washer. Apply the acid following the manufacturer's directions, and let it soak for several seconds. Test all solutions on an inconspicuous area first.
Feedback from Manitobans:
Dear Reena,
My house was infested with ladybugs and I could not get rid of them until I read your column a year ago that gave advice on ladybugs in the home. I caulked around the windows just as you suggested and now my ladybug problem is gone! Super, thank you. Martin
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming! Missed a column? Can't remember a solution? Need a speaker for an upcoming event? Check out my brand new website: reena.ca
Renovation & Design
SOLUTIONS: Double boil distilled water for clear ice
QUESTION: I am having a dinner party next week and would like to serve cocktails. Can you tell me how to make perfectly clear ice cubes instead of white or foggy cubes? Charissa (Portage la Prairie, Man.)
ANSWER: The trick is to boil distilled water twice. In other words, pour distilled water into a pot and boil it. Let it cool and repeat. Freeze cubes in trays. Or if your party has a theme, freeze water in silicone moulds or a new rubber glove. Secure the opening of the glove with a rubber band and freeze. Remove the rubber band and glove and drop the giant ice hand into a bowl of punch. Feel free to get creative and add food colouring.
QUESTION: I have all three of your books and enjoy giving them out as gifts. I do however have a question and I could not find the answer in your books. My son bought a $40 baseball hat; I nearly fell over when I saw the price tag. The worst part is the hat is white. What is the best way to clean it? I have heard it's okay to put it in the dishwasher or washing machine. Any suggestions? Shirley, Winnipeg
ANSWER: I would be very careful about fabric care on this one. Forget about risking the dishwasher; while dishwasher detergent works well sometimes, it often leaves small irreversible spots on the fabric where bleach from the dishwasher touched the hat. Too risky. The washing machine may also work but can damage the rim of the hat, leaving it flimsy or misshapen. Too risky. Instead, soak the hat in a bowl of enough hot water to cover the hat, half a teaspoon of dish soap and half a cup of borax. Leave it for two or three hours. Scrub if necessary, rinse and repeat if needed. Dry the hat on an inverted plastic or glass bowl.
QUESTION: I do hope you have an alternative to mousetraps or poison. We just don't have the stomach to kill or, perhaps worse, find maimed but alive mice in a trap. It's too cruel. This week two were found alive, one with a crushed jaw, one with an injured leg. We must find a way to repel them from entering the building. Thank you, Jana, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Mice love peanut butter even more than cheese. Locate a five-gallon (19 litre) bucket with a lid. Cover the bucket and cut a 10 centimetre hole in the lid. Make a ramp so the mice can climb up and fall in. Spread peanut butter around the hole. Leave the bucket empty and, after they fall in, take them at least 10 kilometres from your home before releasing them. If you have mice in your home, flatten an empty toilet-paper roll, put peanut butter on one end and tape the roll to a counter, extending beyond the edge. Put a bucket on the floor underneath the counter, so the mouse will fall in.
To deter mice, spread many fabric-softener sheets where the mice like to congregate. You can also use shaving cream on a cotton ball, oil of peppermint or Irish Spring soap slivers; these are all mouse deterrents.
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming! Missed a column? Can't remember a solution? Need a speaker for an upcoming event? Check out my brand new website: www.reena.ca .