11/11/11

Many of us have compost bins in the backyard where we layer raked-up leaves, grass clippings and kitchen waste to break down and be made into beneficial mulch. Don't neglect seasonal items for your bin, too, like evergreen branches, rotting pumpkins and tabletop Indian corn arrangements. If it's natural, it can be taken apart and added to the bin.

11/10/11

Sharp knives in the kitchen can make all the difference when cooking. But if your knives are dull and you don't have a knife sharpener, what to do? Turn over a clean terra cotta pot and run the blade on its side across the pot several times as if it was a sharpener. It'll sharpen the knives right up and you'll slice and dice like a pro.

11/9/11

There are two easy ways to cut back on junk mail being sent to you. One is to make sure your home phone number is listed as private and not in the book; a public listing means your information is available to anyone. Second, whenever your information is requested over the Internet, on the phone or in a store, always be sure to ask that your information not be solicited after sharing it, or don't share it all.