Five Star Favorites | Orange County CA Handyman Contractor Service

Another Use For Soda

Did you know that soda can keep flowers fresh. Cut an inch of it at the end of the stem. Put them in the vase with the desired amount of water. Add a little regular 7-Up or Sprite. When you change the water everyday, you add a little of the soda too. It will keep the buds perky for as long as possible. You can also do this with green plants. Treat them with soda once in a while.
Shopping For New Christmas Lights?

Shopping For New Christmas Lights? Save money and cut pollution by purchasing LED string lights. They use much less electricity, reduce pollution from power plants and last longer. They also stay cooler, too. While they cost more than traditional Christmas lights up front, the electricity savings will easily make up the cost difference within a season or two.
Natural Insecticide

Add onions and garlic to a jar of water, let it stand for a week, and spray plants with it.
Reduce Household Dust

Cut down on dust in the air inside your house by replacing furnace filters, shaking area rugs and cushions outside, vacuuming frequently and leaving the furnace blower on.
Go Green

Go Green with the change of a Light Bulb By replacing a standard bulb with a compact fluorescent one you will get more light for less money and save a lot of energy.
Veggie Water

Next time you boil or steam vegetables, don't pour the water down the drain. Instead let it cool down then use the "veggie soup" to per up potted plants! It is rich in nutrients!
Ant Repellant

Ant Repellant To keep ants out of the house, find where the ants are entering the house and sprinkle a "barrier" of cinnamon or any type of ground pepper to block their way. The spices are too hot for the ants to cross.
Quick Bathroom Clean Up

Try cleaning your bathroom after a steamy bath/shower. You'll notice the steam will losen up any dirt on your walls, floors, etc. which in turn will make it easier to clean up!
Sparkling Lemonade

Sparkling Lemonade 2 Cups water 1 Cup honey 2 Cups club soda, chilled 1 Cup lemon juice Directions: In a small saucepan, bring the water & honey to a boil. Remove from the heat, cover & steep for 10 minutes. Let cool. Transfer to a pitcher; stir in soda & lemon juice. Serve immediately over ice. Yield: 5 servings
Fruit Salsa Recipe

Fruit Salsa & Cinnamon Chips What you'll need: 2 kiwis, peeled and diced 2 Golden Delicious apples - peeled, cored and diced 8 ounces raspberries 1 pound strawberries 2 tablespoons white sugar 1 tablespoon brown sugar 3 tablespoons fruit preserves, any flavor 10 (10 inch) flour tortillas butter flavored cooking spray 2 cups cinnamon sugar You can also take out the sugar and let the fruit use its natural sweetness DIRECTIONS In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, apples, raspberries, strawberries, white sugar, brown sugar and fruit preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat one side of each flour tortilla with butter flavored cooking spray. Cut into wedges and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle wedges with desired amount of cinnamon sugar. Spray again with cooking spray. Bake in the preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges. Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes. Serve with chilled fruit mixture.
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Posted April 22, 2008
Cream of Mushroom Soup 3 (8oz) pkgs sliced fresh mushrooms 1 medium onion, finely chopped 3 Tbs. butter, melted 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 2 (14-1/2oz) cans chicken broth 3 cups whipping cream 1/4 cup dry white wine 1-1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper Coarsely chop mushrooms. Saute mushrooms and onion in butter in a large dutch oven over medium heat for 10 minutes or until tender. Add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in broth and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-high. Cook 20 minutes or until thickened, stirring often. Yield: 10 cups.
Ice Cubes
Posted April 22, 2008
Ice Cubes If your ice cube trays need to be filled up try adding a few drops of lemon juice or lime juice into each cube. The cubes will add a great taste to your plain water or iced tea.
Scuff Marks
Posted April 22, 2008
Scuff Marks If scuff marks on your floor are driving you crazy here's a helpful tidbit: Use a clean tennis ball to erase those scuff marks.