coltqueen

I have a friend getting married soon and the big joke going around is she cannot cook at all. I would like to include a cookbook in her gift and am looking for recommendation. What I like and might pick out for myself are recipes that might be too intimidating for a brand new cook. Can you tell me what you liked or referred to often as you began cooking? Something with good basics that she can build on as she learns?

This might be more for the already marrieds instead of those of you planning a wedding. I have a friend getting married soon and the big joke going around is she cannot cook at all. I would like to include a cookbook in her gift and am looking for recommendation. What I like and might pick out for myself are recipes that might be too intimidating for a brand new cook. Can you tell me what you liked or referred to often as you began cooking? Or what your favorite cookbook gift was?

I'm looking for unique ideas for my nephew's sixteenth birthday. He's an honor student, active in community volunteer organizations, getting his driver's license (yea!) and just an all around good kid. He has a slightly overprotective Mom but I'm married to his sarcastic & funny Uncle that he really looks up to alot; enough to be following his footsteps into a medical profession after graduation. No serious girlfriend at the moment. I'd like to find him something unique; marking this milestone birthday in a teen's life but not sappy & sweet. Sassy is more like something we'd give him. I've been looking on cafe press.com without success. Budget is $50 to $100. Thanks for suggestions!!!

I have a block of unopened cream cheese with a use by date of June 12; do you think it is still safe to use? I'm using it in a slow cooker along with other ingredients & it will cook for about 6 hours. Use it or toss it & buy new?

Of of my friend is 37 weeks pregnant & has a scheduled date while we are gone on vacation. I'd like to drop by before we leave & take her a small gift. Not a gift for the baby, a gift for her. I was trying to think of something to make her last few miserable weeks better. Can you suggest something that would have been thoughtful or lovely for someone to bring to you?

Our power was out for about 24 hours & now the ice our ice maker is making tastes terrible. It was great ice before the power was off. Has anyone dealt with this before? Is there something I can do to fix it?

I've dieted off and on for years on many different diet plans, some with success and others not so much. For the past two weeks I have just been doing a basic calorie count and watching to make sure my fat and carbs are not too high. I have been eating much healthier food including lots of salads. About 8 pm every night for the last 3 I have had horrible heartburn. Bad enough to keep me awake for hours; Mylanta/Maalox isn't really helping. I've never had trouble with heartburn before - even during pregnancy. Any suggestions for things to add or take away from my diet? Could it be the salad? Recommend medicines? I just don't think I can stand this heartburn again....thanks!

Looking for reccomendations for a new dishwasher. Any must have brands or features? Thanks!

I have about a third of a huge loaf of Italian bread that I need to use up. Problem is when I made garlic bread with it my family didn't like it & the plain slices I gave them last night weren't so great either. Any ideas of what to do other than just toss it out back for the birds? It really has a strange taste....I won't buy it from this bakery again anytime soon.

I'd like to buy a camera for my daughter for her birthday, she is turning 8. She has an old cell phone & is constantly taking pictures with it. I'm looking for recommendations for a rugged camera for her. Most of the "kids" cameras on Amazon have very bad reviews...thanks for any suggestions!

I'm baking a turkey for Easter dinner & I'd like to serve more spring like sides than the traditional turkey dinner sides. I'm having trouble deciding what will go well with the turkey though. I don't want to do mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, stuffing - I'm wishing for different ideas; any suggestions??

Thanks!!!

My husband and I are wedding band shopping; we bought very cheap rings 12 years ago with the intent to replace them later. I don't really want to trade my engagment ring or have it reset and it is gold; however my husband is leaning toward silver (actually i think it's titanium that he likes) this time. I'm just curious to see if your wedding rings match or if they are totally different?

It seems our local nurseries have more Cleveland Pear Trees this year than Bradfords which are very popular here. (in Southwest Va) I was just curious on the difference between the two. The teenage help I asked at the nursery had no clue...lol!

My husband found about 2 -3 dozen baseball cards from the early 1990's. He refuses to throw them out but he has no idea if they are worth anything or not. Can you tell me how to find out? I've been watching for a collector/hobby show locally but haven't seen one in months. Thanks!

The little guy I babysit for has had a runny nose since Saturday. His momma called the nurse this morning because yesterday afternoon his nose started being bloody. I thought and the nurse also told her it was because of all the dry heat (it's been freezing cold here for 2 weeks!) and that it would be okay. However the nurse called her back and her pediatrician wants to see him today. His appointment is at 3, thats almost 6 hours from now. We were curious to know if anyone else has dealt with a bloody nose in a baby and how it turned out. Thanks!

My kids are driving me nuts!!! I've a 6 year old girl and an 8 year old boy that are out for the 2nd day in a row for some nonexistent snow! There isn't even enough outside to make a snowball. What do you do with your kids on snow days? We usually go to a movie but there isn't anything playing here that we really want to see. Inexpensive ideas are great, 'cuz I've only got about $20 til payday!

We are having a Halloween party on Saturday for my daughter's 6th birthday party. I usually do candy in the goody bags but since it is the day after Halloween the kids are going to already have tons of candy. I'm looking for an original but cheap idea that would be suitable for boys & girls between the ages of 5 and 9. I appreciate your suggestions 'cuz I'm really stuck!!!

My husband and I are discussing buying our kids (boy, age 8 - girl, age 6) the Nintendo DS for Christmas this year. I know next to nothing about gaming systems but I am stuck doing the research on this purchase! All that I have done so far is decide that by the game selection available in our area at Game Stop, Target, etc is that the DS seems to have a much wider selection of games for kids the age of ours than the PSP does. The only system I've ever used is our current one, a PS2, so I'm really clueless about the DS. Could you please give me some advice? Is this a easy to use system for kids? Would you buy one for your 6 or 8 year old? What games do you reccommend? Thanks for all the help you can give me!

It's been a few years since I've had an infant but I've recently started keeping a friend's 10 week old. She is using the powdered formula for him but I've forgotten if you add the water to the ounce line and then the powder or if you put the powder in first and then add the water to the ounce line. I know it only makes a little difference but I seem to remember it being stressed to me to make sure it is mixed correctly. Thanks!

Has anybody found any good deals for the Smoky Mountain area for summer? We are headed down there in a few weeks and I'm surprised at the costs of the motels! I thought the rates would be less considering travelers cutting costs but I'm not finding any great deals.

We have been there many times so suggestions for new or unusual attractions would be great also!