{Coupling/Nesting} Household Hints, Tips and Short Cuts

We can all use quick tips in this busy day and age, so we have compiled a few to share and would love to hear some of your own short cuts that your family uses. Some great ones get passed down from family member to family member and it feels like everyone must know these tips already, but not so. So get out there and share. There are always new families just getting started and they will always appreciate a few short cuts.

* Warm up butter faster by grating it first and leaving it out in a bowl to warm up.

*Freeze left over coffee in ice cube trays, “Fred & Friends Cool Beans” ice cube trays make for a fun and quick cup of iced coffee.

*Best way to keep flowers fresh, cut 1/2″ off tips with a sharp knife, change the water daily using cool water and drop an aspirin in the water.

*If you have small children in the house, make mini cup cakes or muffins using paper petit-four cases or the mini cup cake cups from “Bake it Pretty”.  Easy to pop in your mouth and easy for kids to eat, with no waste.

*Masking tape now comes in colors, patterns and is super quick for wrapping up gifts. And the “Reform School” site is darling.

*The back of fabric curtains, a comforter or an area rug is sometimes more interesting that the front. If no hems will show, flip it. Designers do it all the time.

*Here is an easy BBQ starter. Take an empty tin can with a lid and put lighter fluid and briquettes inside. Let it sit overnight so briquettes absorb the lighter fluid and when you are ready to barbecue, so are your briquettes. This is great for camping too!

Now send us some of your cherished secrets for making life a little bit easier.