Use Cucumbers to Silence a Squeaky Door

Several months ago, I came across an article that mentioned a chemical-free way to fix a squeaky door. I thought I pinned it, but the day my son's squeaky door was driving me nuts...I couldn't find it. Once I remembered that cucumber was the magic ingredient, I was able to re-locate the tip at MSN.com.

I was skeptical, but desperate, so I dug into my son's lunch stash and grabbed a few slices and found the worst offender, our pantry door.

First I rubbed on the inside of the hinge. 

Then I rubbed on the outside hinge.

I opened and closed the door a few times and voila! The squeak was gone! I couldn't believe it! I then ran around and checked all the other doors in our house. Only four had any squeak at all, and now every door is blissfully silent!

You'll want to bring a rag with you because the cucumber will drip. If you have crisp white doors like ours, you'll want to avoid cucumber grime spot marks. You can see what I mean in the above photo.

I really wish I would have taken a video because you will have to try this yourself to hear how well it works!

So the next time you have some cucumbers to spare--or want to use them up before they go bad--make a quick pass around your house and enjoy the sound of squeak-free silence.

Linked to:
The 36th Avenue * Bowl Full of Lemons * Cherished Bliss * The Dedicated House * DIY Showoff * Memories By the Mile * Naptime Creations  * And Sew We Craft  * Tatertos & Jello

No more wasted heels!

You know how sometimes someone shares a tip with you and you think, "Duh. Why haven't I thought of that?" That's the inspiration behind this post. For years, YEARS, I would always toss the heels of my bread loaves. Even after I started getting getting green, those two sad end pieces would sit around in the bread bag long after the next loaf was started. 

So far, our 4YO has been a great eater with none of the picky tendencies that I'm sure he'll pick up when he starts school. But he started to ask why I never ate the heels of our bread (unless it was fresh from the oven, then I loved it!). I didn't have a good answer, so I started trying to be mindful about using it up. Usually by serving it to our son!

And then, several months ago, a houseguest was making sandwiches for her children and I watched her nonchalantly use up the heels by using this trick to fool her more picky eaters. And I said, "Duh. Why haven't I thought of that?"

Okay, this is so simply, I can't believe I'm even writing a post about it. Here goes: flip the heel over and slather your topping of choice on the heel. If you're making a classic PB & J, put the peanut butter on the heel as it will slather on easier. We are also partial to Nutella in our house, especially the homemade, sort of healthy kind I make. 

Cover the other piece of bread with jam. 

Flip the pieces together and voila! The heel is hidden!

Lunch is served...after adding some healthy fruits and veggies, of course! 

Linked to:

52 Mantels * Balancing Home * Charlie Beth * Crystal & Co. * Dial M for Moms * Diane Rambles * DIY Dreamer * Fluster Buster * House of Rose *  I Gotta Create * I Heart Naptime * It's Overflowing * Just Us Four * Kathe with an E * Life After Laundry *  Live Laugh Rowe * Made in a Day * Mom on Time Out * Mom's Test Kitchen *  My Snippets of Inspiration * NY Melrose Family * Pursuit of a Functional Home * Real Coake Family * Real Housemoms *  Recipes for My Boys * Serenity Now * Sew Much Crafting * Sparkles & a Stove * Tumbleweed Contessa * Will Cook for Smiles