Homemade Halloween Crafts For Dracula’s Chef

Homemade Halloween Crafts For Dracula’s Chef

You’d be surprised to know that a lot of homemade Halloween crafts can be found in your own kitchen. Cook up some very unique homemade Halloween crafts projects using simple kitchen materials. Learn how to make different varieties of Jack-O-Lanterns, witch kitchen jars, and Halloween treats.

A Jack-O-Lantern With a Twist

People display the same old boring Jack-O-Lanterns year after year. Wouldn’t it be nice to create something different from the rest? But first, learn how to make the basic Jack-O-Lantern.

The first thing you need to do is to draw a circular outline around the stem of the pumpkin. Carve out the outline at an angle you have a cone shape under the lid. Twist the lid off the pumpkin. Remove pulp with a knife and scrape insides with a spoon.

Draw your favorite Jack-O-Lantern face or pattern on the pumpkin and cut through the outline. Place a tea candle or flashlight inside.

Now that you know the basics, you can move on to using different vegetables and fruits as homemade Halloween crafts materials. Use green peppers for goblins, mandarins for mini Jack-O-Lanterns, red peppers for lil’ devils, and melons for pale ghosts.

Witch Kitchen Jars

If you want to add an interesting flavor to your Halloween kitchen with homemade Halloween crafts, the best project would be witch kitchen jars. Your homemade Halloween crafts materials for this project could be endless.

The first step to do is to simply paint the lids with spray paint so the old labels will be covered. Popular colors are black, red, silver and green.

Then simply fill those jars with other items. You can put virtually anything in it, such as mushrooms, rice, dried fruits, vegetable roots, and spices. Fill with water.

Think of names such as “Brain Stew” or “Goblin’s Eyeballs”, play around with your Word Processor’s font styles and print your label out on paper.

To create an old-fashioned, yellowed paper labels, simply brew tea bags in just-boiled water, remove, and let the tea cool. Pour tea into a spray bottle and spray on your label. Let your label dry on wax paper. Once dry, stick the label on your jar using glue. Brush on varnish if desired. Finish off by tying old-fashioned twine around the neck of the jar.

Halloween Treats

After you’ve made some homemade Halloween crafts, it’s time to cook up real edible Halloween treats! This homemade Halloween crafts project is especially fun to make for kids. All you need are spoons, candy melt and a few other materials for decoration.

Melt according to its instructions. Then dip each spoon into your candy melt, scoop out and lay the melt on parchment paper until it is cool enough to remove. Cover candy with clear cellophane and secure with a ribbon or string.

To create fun hats for your candies, cut out an egg carton and paint them. Attach yarns to the hats for “hair” and draw on eyes and mouth on the candy plastic with markers. Use green candy melt for witches, white for ghosts, and orange for Jack-O-Lanterns.

Now that you you’ve learned a few tricks for your homemade Halloween project, think of other things you can find in your kitchen to create something spooky and entertaining!

Great Pyrenees Grooming Tips – Special Techniques For Large Breed Dogs

Great Pyrenees Grooming Tips – Special Techniques For Large Breed Dogs

Large breed dogs pose special grooming dilemmas. The Great Pyrenees and other Bernard family members have cornered the market on that special combination of girth and hair. Without a regimented grooming routine the Pyrenees flowing white locks can easily morph, soon resembling an electrocuted Komondor on steroid.

One obstacle to keeping large breeds in the peek of beauty is the difficulty in locating nail clippers, brushes and dental supplies suited to their substantial size. Substitution will have to be made. Still, with a little ingenuity grooming is a snap.

Body Brushing
Combing out the Great Pyrenees is a challenge. The high-stung nature of the breed makes them tend to wiggle around during grooming. In fact, these stealth dogs are apt to sprint off if not restrained, sometimes moving up to three centimeters in a single afternoon.

Your best bet for body brushing or raking is to work on your pet while he is asleep. Avoid active times such as 6:00 to 6:03 a.m. and the 30 minutes after sunset Pyrenees devote solely to barking. This breed is known to sleep with its eyes open. When stalking them with grooming tools be cautious. Once you are with in 65 feet of your dog, listen for a train. This verifies your dog is snoring.

Work efficiently once you begin grooming a Great Pyrenees. You may only have 13 hours before he wakes up. When grooming 140 lbs. of fur bonded together by drool and the occasional tree branch, you must not dally. A weed eater is an efficient option for quickly working your way through the shrubs to the actual hair prior to brushing.

Nail Clipping
Clipping your Pyreneess claws should be a regular part of your grooming routine. Before beginning this procedure head for the hardware store. Pick up a large metal rasp and bolt cutters. Once claws have been neatly trimmed call in HAZMAT to remove the clippings from your home. Dont forget the dewclaws.

Great Pyrenees have a multitude of extra toes just kinda hangin out on their lower legs. Hiding amongst them are a total of six massive curly toenails. Each is so large it makes a valosaraptor claw look like a minute droplet of Chihuahua snot. Dont let the dewclaws go unattended more than a few weeks. Negligence will yield a clipping big enough to be used as a spiral staircase.

Dental Care
Dog owners often overlook the importants of good oral hygiene. Fortunately, in the Bernard breeds, their mouths offer plenty of room to work in. Take advantage of this trait. You can create ample access to the mouth by simply pulling their massive floppy lips up from both sides of the face. Then, use three clothespins to secure them to one another across the bridge of the nose. You may also secure a single lip to the opposing ear in a similar fashion.

Once the teeth are exposed insert a shop vac tube under your dogs tongue. This technique is identical to that of the spit sucker used in a dental offices. A fifteen-gallon vac should suffice. Once the shop vac is fired up the Great Pyrenees will start to awaken. You will have about two hours to completely remove large pieces of sod stored along the gum line before your dog hits full cognitive thought. At this point hell eat the vacuum prior to falling back asleep.

As a final touch, clean you canines feet. Shinny up between the pads with a flashlight, some pliers and a bottle of WD 40. Remove stones, dried bats, milk carton children and anything else not belonging up there. Once this task is done your grooming regiment is complete. Wake your dog by simple uttering the word cookie. By the time you get to coo every Great Pyrenees in a six mile radius will be in your kitchen.

With a little work and a few trips to Home Depot, your Great Pyrenees, Saint Bernard or Newfoundland will glow with beauty. When you combine all this glamour with their high intelligence and magnetic personalities, your dog will be the envy of the neighborhood.

Five Simple Tips To Ensure A Successful Hunting Experience

Five Simple Tips To Ensure A Successful Hunting Experience

The summer passes, the air cools down, the leaves start to fallyes, its that time of year again. Hunting Season! The favorite time of year to break out that blaze orange outfit, polish the guns, and suit up for the big hunt. Every hunter goes out looking for that prize catch: the big deer. Some hope to catch that world record deer, while others just look to make a kill. From the hunting games to the big woods, its time for deer hunting.

Every hunter has his or her own hunting tricks and tips. Some know the backwoods better that their own backyard. But until you develop your own tricks, here are a few I can share.

Tip #1

Before hunting season even begins, usually January to March, scout your territory and find your favorite location. Always be quiet and careful, just like if you were actually hunting; you want watch the deer. Look for the trees that have the most acorns as they will usually attract deer looking for food. Start to think about where you would station yourself. What will hide you from the surroundings? Greens make a great cover if you dont want to spend the money on a cover. If you own a hunting stand, set it up to allow the deer to get used to it being there so you wont scare them away when you actually hunt. If you are afraid you wont find your spot again, mark it off with a GPS tracker or count your steps into the woods from the most direct route.

Tip #2

No matter how good of a spot you have, dont hunt in the same spot on multiple days. Try to vary your hunting spot to avoid scaring the deer away. During your preseason scouting, mark off several different areas that may be good spots. That way on day 2 and 3, you can have a different spot to hunt from. This will help ensure when you scare them away from spot 1, you can catch them again at spot 2 or 3. Then go back to spot 1 and start again. If you are using a tree stand, move it around. Deer are smarter than you think; they may associate the stand with humans and then you will never see a deer by your stand. Move it daily.

Tip #3

Deer generally move at dusk and early night. You dont want to be fast asleep when this happens. Sleep during the day and hunt at night. This will guarantee you are hunting during their peak movement times. If you look for areas with thick, dense brush you may find them sleeping there, so set up a little ways away from there. Be careful; you do not want to fall asleep. You will not only miss your opportunity but you may be in a very dangerous situation. Falling asleep makes you vulnerable to falling from a tree stand or unaware of other hunters. Also, just because deer move at night does not mean you wont see a deer during the day. They may feed during the day as well.

Tip # 4

When you see your first deer, dont get too excited. Wait a minute and study the surroundings. Look at where the deer may be looking; is there a buck near the doe? Or maybe there is a larger herd of deer. Dont be too quick to pull the trigger. Any little sound could startle the deer so take your time and let your heart settle down. Every hunters instinct is to take that shot, but calm down, steady yourself, and then take the shot. Make sure your visuals are clear and that no other hunters are in the area. Think: safety first.

Tip #5

To ensure youre prepared and safe, check and double-check your equipment BEFORE entering the woods. Make sure you have everything you need to bag that trophy deer. For safety, always wear at least one blaze orange article of clothing, always use a flashlight when you are moving in the woods in the dark. Hunt in pairs with two-way radios that are only used when in an emergency or when you get the big one. When in a tree stand, you must wear a harness; falling from a tree is the number 2 cause of injury while hunting, second only to getting shot. To be successful, always use a product like Hunters Specialties Scent Away Deodorizing Soap. This will cover up the human scent found on your body. Check over your gun to ensure no misfires or problems that may arise with your firearm.

Every hunter has their own hunting tips; these are just a few to help you on your way to the big deer kill. Deer hunting can be a family sport and can be fun when safety and common sense are used. Take the time to take a safety course and ask the locals for help. Together, this will guarantee a successful and safe hunting experience.

Preparing Stuff You Need For College

Preparing Stuff You Need For College

Many college students-to-be frantically pack their things a day before they have to move into the dorms. This is not the best way to go. Youre bound to forget something or bring way to much with you. Well start with the bare essentials, like toiletries and clothing. Then, well move onto things you may have to purchase to make your dorm feel like home.

The Essentials

These are the items that you just cant live without.

Toiletries

Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Towels
Washcloth
Sponge
Shampoo
Conditioner
Soap/Bodywash
Facial Cleansers
Contacts/Glasses
Contact Cleaning Solution/Case
Deodorant
Perfume/Cologne
Shaving Cream/Razor
Robe
Nail Clippers/Nail file
Extra Toilet Paper
Hair Dryer

Clothing

Hangers
5-10 Shirts
2-5 Pairs of Pants
1 Dressy Outfit (Suit or Dress)
1 Pair of Running Shoes
1 Pair of Dress Shoes
1 Pair of Everyday Wear Shoes
Two weeks worth of undergarments

Bedding

Extra Long Sheets
Pillowcases
Comforter and Blankets

Food

Non-perishable Snacks
Paper Towels
Napkins
Plates, Bowls and Cups
Frozen Dinners*
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables*

*Only if you have a mini-fridge.

Things To Buy

Theres just some things you will have to break down for and buy. Here are the most important things you may have to shell out some cash for prior to moving into your dorm, if you dont have them already, that is.

Electronics

Laptop or Desktop Computer
Printer
Word Processing Software
Ethernet Cables
Small TV
Powersurge Protector
Alarm Clock
Telephone

Appliances

Mini-Fridge
Microwave
Small Fan

School Supplies

Binder With Plastic Sleeve
Subject Separators with Tabs
Pencils
Pens
Erasers
Lined Paper
Printer Paper
Spiral Notebooks
Highlighters
A Table-top Tray for organizing papers
Paperclips
Stapler/Staples
Scissors
Tape
Backpack
Calculator
Dictionary
Daily Planner

For Your Health

First Aid Kit
Shower Caddy
Shower Shoes
Prescription Medications
Over-the-Counter Medications (Pain Reliever, etc)
Umbrella
Vitamins
Flashlight

Storage

Underbed Boxes
Laundry Bag
Tupperware
Mini-Hanging File

For Laundry

Laundry Detergent
Change for Washer and Dryer
Iron
Ironing Board

Decoration

Pictures and Picture Frames
Rug
Desk Lamp
Posters
Bean Bag
Dry-Erase Board With Pens
Wall Calendar

And there you have it! Youve prepared for several years now for college. Make the most of it while youre there. Enjoy the learning environment and make new friends. They say theres nothing like your time in college. Make sure you get all you can out of the experience!

Led Lenser; Technology Yields Survival And Convenience

Led Lenser; Technology Yields Survival And Convenience

Think quickly – if you found yourself stranded far from home with no easy access to things like lights, running water and shelter, what things would you want to have at your side? If you suddenly found your modern home without the power to run such conveniences as electric lights, can openers and microwave oven, what should you have at hand to get you through the hours or days till those utilities returned?

The U.S. government recommends that every citizen should have – either in their home or in their car – 72 Hour Survival Kit, and if you’ve thought about the questions above, it should come as no surprise that two of the first items listed in that kit are a knife and a flashlight. No matter what your emergency may be, a source of light and a good cutting edge will always be important.

A Swiss army knife has been a mainstay of survival gear for decades. More than just a cutting tool, a well-chosen Swiss army knife is a survival kit in a compact, folding package. There’s far more to them than the one or two cutting blades and the bottle opener that features in most of the cheaper knives. Features that are important in a Swiss army knife include:

- locking blade
- compact size
- lightweight
- sharp, durable cutting blades
- at least one sawing blade
- a can/bottle opener
- a flint

A Swiss army knife is not, strictly speaking, a survival knife, though. For that, most survival experts recommend a fixed blade knife that can be used for cutting, sawing, knife hunting, skinning, cleaning, notching and a multitude of other uses. There are dozens of available styles and types of survival knife, making it easy to choose the best one for your use. The most valuable of them combine a sturdy, sharp, fixed blade with a hollow handle that holds the most important items for you to have with you in an emergency. Those items may include matches, tinder, aspirin, disinfectant, a small flashlight or signaling device and a whistle. Before choosing a survival knife, you should check your state and city statutes to ensure that the knife you want to purchase doesn’t violate any laws.

If the last time you bought a new flashlight was more than a few years ago, you may be surprised at what technology has wrought in just a few short years. LED technology has given us a new class of LED flashlights that won’t die on you just when you need them most. LED – light emitting diodes – technology has been used for decades in such things as watch displays and digital alarm clocks, but they were always considered too expensive and too low powered to be used for workhorse lighting tasks like flashlights and emergency lights. As late as 2002, one of the leading researchers in the field of lighting estimated that LED lights would be in common use in the home within twenty years. A year later, he admitted that he had grossly miscalculated because, “…we erred in presuming only incremental advances and excluding… major technological breakthroughs..” Those breakthroughs made it far less expensive to manufacture LED lights, and brought them within the price range of the everyday consumer.

So why should you consider replacing your common flashlights with LED flashlights? The reasons range from better light to longer battery life. They include:

LED flashlights use a two-step process that produces light that is closer to natural sunlight. And unlike typical flashlights that go out when the battery power is low, LED flashlights often continue to function at a dimmer brightness for hours or even days.

The bulb in LED flashlights draws far less power, increasing battery life astronomically – some LED lights boast battery life of over 50,000 hours. No more frustration of worn-out batteries, or lights that die when you need them most.

Unlike typical tungsten lights, LED flashlights are sturdy enough to withstand being jostled and dropped. In tests, every LED flashlight dropped from 4-6 feet onto concrete survived and continued to provide strong, bright light.

LED flashlights come in sizes from tiny to super – small enough to hang from a keychain to full size utility lights that can illuminate an entire room.

Indeed, flashlights are not the only LED lighting that you’ll find handy in an emergency. Battery operated LED kitchen lighting can provide illumination not only in an emergency, but in areas that overhead and typical lighting doesn’t reach. A few strategically placed under counter LED lamps or sticks can make it easy to find pots and pans or stored foods in dark spaces. Likewise, LED lamps mounted on the wall of a closet, crawlspace or attic can help prevent accidents and make it far easier to find precisely what you’re looking for.

If you havent considered your 72 Hour Kit, this is an excellent time to put one together. Todays modern technology offers many options to ensure that youre prepared for any emergency that might happen.

10 More Pointers For Navigating Your Vehicle In Ice And Snow

10 More Pointers For Navigating Your Vehicle In Ice And Snow

This is the second in a series of articles containing useful tips for coping with frost, ice, and snow while you travel by vehicle. Even Californians must occasionally deal with freezing temperatures. Be like the proverbial Boy Scout – advance preparation can save you time, aggravation, and cash.

* PREPARATION *

1. Windshield treatments help to prevent ice build-up.

There are various liquid preparations on the market that provide a protective film for your windshield. The film inhibits rain and ice from adhering to the glass. You can also purchase packs of pre-moistened towelettes – great to carry in your glove compartment for use on the road if you run out of windshield washer fluid.

2. Winter wiper blades work better in freezing temperatures.

Windshield wipers have moving parts that work less effectively when they are seized by ice. Some manufacturers offer winter blades with a protective sleeve over the moving parts. There have been patents issued, as well, for forced-air wiper defrosting systems – although they do not appear to be in production yet.

3. Car wax can impair visibility.

Commercial car washes wax your entire vehicle, leaving a film on the windshield glass. At night or in low-visibility conditions, this film causes a glare from oncoming headlights that impedes visibility. If you use a car wash before you travel, be sure to clean your windshield afterwards with something that will cut through the film – like a cola soft drink followed by window cleaner.

4. Dress for the weather – and carry extra clothing.

A coat that you wear while driving may not be warm enough if you must sit without heat while waiting for a tow truck. Pack extra protective wear in the back seat (best option), or the trunk. Be sure to include an extra-warm coat or jacket, something that will cover your head and ears, gloves/mitts, and waterproof insulated boots. If you own anything else that will increase your comfort level (like a scarf or ski mask), include it as well.

5. Water may freeze in door locks.

High speeds force rain and sleet into every crevice of your vehicle. In freezing temperatures, the crevices become clogged with ice. If you must leave your vehicle locked for any reason, you may find it difficult or impossible to unlock. A combination flashlight and lock de-icer keychain may save a call to your auto association or to a locksmith.

6. Carry emergency salt, gravel, or kitty litter.

Being stuck in a snowbank is not the end of the world if you have some traction materials in your trunk. Coarse salt, gravel, sand, and kitty litter are all effective. If you have a fireplace, save the ashes and use them instead. Another trick used by many drivers is to apply bleach to the tire treads. Use bleach sparingly, however. It softens the treads and will hasten tire wear.

* WHILE YOU TRAVEL *

7. Do not engage the cruise control.

Cruise control maintains a constant speed for your vehicle. There are two ways to disengage cruise: tapping on the brakes, or pressing ‘Off’. What must you ALWAYS avoid in a skid? Right – using the brakes. Your only option while your car spins out of control is to hit the ‘Off’ button. This is easier said than done! By the time you find it, you could be in the ditch or crushed by oncoming traffic. Avoid using cruise whenever you suspect black ice or unfavorable weather conditions.

8. Steep icy hills may require a lower gear.

You should avoid using your brakes on any icy surface. So what do you do on an ice-covered downhill grade? Shift into a lower gear. The engine will rev faster, while physically slowing down the vehicle. However, driving for too long in a low gear can overheat your engine. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge and stop once in awhile if necessary.

9. Be extra vigilant in suspect areas.

Some areas of a road or highway are inherently ice-prone: overpasses and underpasses, stretches that do not receive much sunlight, and intersections. Slow down and be especially careful as you drive through any of these suspect areas.

10. Rumble strips can function like airport beacons.

If you are fortunate enough to drive over a roadway with rumble strips, you can use them to your advantage. These strips produce a loud rumbling noise and vibration whenever you drive over them. In poor visibility, steer closer to the center of the road. If you meander onto the center rumble strip, correct your steering just slightly until the rumble dies down. Avoid the outer edge of the road. Sharp or soft shoulders, snowbanks, ruts, or hidden obstacles may grab your wheels and pull you into the ditch without warning.

Reviewing the pointers in this and the previous article will help prepare you for adverse road conditions. Now enjoy your next winter trip into a snowy area or up to the ski hill!

Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author’s note below (with active links) are included.