Four Frames in One

Favorite old photographs take on a new look when viewed together in a custom made quadrant painted to match the walls.

To create a quadrant frame you will meed for 3 1/2 by 5 inch unfinished pine frames, matter or semigloss paint,six mounting brackets with screws, and two D rings

First, paint the unfinished frames. Once the paint has dried, after about 4 hours,assemble the frames as you want them to appear on the wall.

Turn them face down, and join them with the mounting brackets. Insert glass, photographs, and backing material. Then screw the two D rings to the top corners on the back of the frame. Run a matching velvet ribbon through the D rings and hang.

Fettuccine Alfredo

This recipe is from Eat Better America. This recipe cuts cholesterol and sodium by more than half from the original recipe.

You nee

1 lb uncooked Fettuccine
2 cups whole milk
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
Black pepper
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
2 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Cook Fettuccine;omitting salt. Drain and return to saucepan

In a bowl stir milk, flour,salt, black pepper,until smooth. In a saucepan melt butter add garlic cook for 1 minutes stirring constantly. Stir milk mixture into butter mixture and cook for 6-8 minutes until thickens.

Stir in cream cheese until melted. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted, pour over noodles and toss

Towel Poncho

Nothing feels better tan terry cloth after a swim, and a towel poncho is everything that a towel is not; It will not require one hand to hold it when its wearer is eating ice cream, and it will not unceremoniously unwrap

How to

Fold towel in half so ends meet;cut a half eclipse for neck in center of fold and a 3 inch wide eclipse to the right of it; open towel. For kids 4 and up, make tie closure; Finish edges of large eclipse with double fold bias tape,then finish small one, leaving two 15 inch tails. For kids under 3, make a button closure,using two buttons no smaller than 1 1/3 inches in diameter. Start tape at center point and cover small ellipse, then larger, leaving 3 inch tail. Loop tail and stitch down;place buttons on opposite sides of fabric so hole align;stitch together. Cut pocket from a washcloth;finish sides and bottom with bias tape;fold top under and hem. Sew onto poncho

Custom Doormat

Welcome guests--and reassure them that they're ringing the right bell- with a mat displaying your house number

You need

Coir doormat/scissors/masking tape in 3 and 3/4 inch widths/address numbers/card stock/utility knife/ruler/T pins/12 ounce can spray paint

How to

Create a border around its perimeter with a 3 inch tape, positioning it 1 1/4 inches from edge. For a second border,affix 3/4 inch tape, leaving a 1/2 inch between borders. Print out figures, then photocopy onto card stock,and cut out with a utility knife, or choose 6 inch numbers from your hardware store.Use a ruler to center numbers;pin paper ones to mat.

In a well ventilated area,hold spray can 4-6 inches over mat and work in small circles;bring closer to paint edges of mat

Let dry 2 hours before removing tape and numbers

Raspberry Almond Squares

These bars combine the sweetness of almond paste with the tartness of raspberries for a unbeatable combination

You need

1/3 cup butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 of an 8 ounce can almond paste
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup seedless red raspberry jam
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar
Milk

How to

Grease a 8x8x2 baking pan. For crust beat the 1/3 cup butter in a mixing bowl, add 1.4 cup granulated sugar and beat until combined. Beat in 1 cup of the flour. Press the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake in a 350 oven for 10 minutes

Then combine remaining flour and the 2 tablespoons granulated sugar in a bowl. Cut in the almond paste and the 2 tablespoons butter with a pastry blender until crumbly Set almond paste aside

Spread jam over the top of the hot baked crust. Sprinkle almond paste mixture over the jam. Sprinkle with sliced almonds. Bake in the 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes

For icing stir together powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon milk. Add additional milk, 1/4 teaspoon at a time, until icing is easy to drizzle.

Peanut Butter Brownie Bites

If you have not yet had enough chocolate, you must try these.You not only get peanut butter in the brownie but in the frosting too

You need

1 package fudge brownie mix
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
1- 3 ounce package cream cheese softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons milk
1 egg yolk
1- 16 ounce can chocolate frosting
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

How to

Preheat oven to 350 Lightly grease your pan Prepare brownie batter according to directions If desired stir in 1/2 cup peanuts.Spread batter in pan. In a mixing bowl,beat together cream cheese,1/2 cup peanut butter, the milk,and egg yolk until smooth Spoon mixture into a decorating bag filled with a small round tip .

Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Cool in pan.

In a bowl stir together the frosting and remaining 1/2 cup peanut butter Spread over cooled brownies.

How much Paint ?

You've picked your color, but how many gallons will you need for your room? Calculate the wall area of the room,you 'll need one gallon for 450 square feet.

To determine the wall area,multiply the height of each wall by its width(don't subtract for doors and windows unless they take up more than half the wall) total the figures for the walls. Add 10% percent for future touch ups. For two coats, double the number.

I thought this might be helpful for all you weekend warriors!!