29
Feb
Today's Trivia: When was the last leap year with the same calendar as this year...with February beginning and ending on a Friday? 1980 - 28 years ago. The next won't be for another 28 years, in 2036.
And a little bit of my own trivia... There are 200,000 people in the U.S that are born on this day. And my son happens to be one of them.
Happy Birthday Patrick! =)
28
Feb
At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders.
Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after February 17, 2009. The Program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes.
A TV connected to cable, satellite or other pay TV service does not require a TV converter box from this program.
Consumers have a variety of options. Options to explore include:
I am waiting for my coupons to arrive as I have the rabbit ears for my TV. However, I spotted the converter boxes at my local Wal-mart and couldn’t wait so I bought it for around $50 bucks.
I was in awe at the quality received for all my channels. That being said I now receive about 50 channels in perfect quality by still using the same rabbit ears I used with my TV. Can you say awesome??
Click The Image On Top To Get More Information and Apply For The Coupons!
Have any questions about this transition? Post it in the comments section and we’ll be glad to help you out!
15
Feb
11 New Uses for Salt
Think twice before you toss that spilled salt over your shoulder – the flavor enhancer is incredibly useful. “Salt has an affinity to water and can draw moisture out of many foods,” says Wolke. “Grains of table salt are also very hard, which is why they act as a handy abrasive.”
Use Salt to:
1. Make eggs or cream whip up faster and higher. Add a pinch of salt before beating.
2. De-ice sidewalks. In a pinch, it can be used as a substitute for rock salt.
3. Keep chicken or turkey moist. Rub salt in the cavity of the bird before cooking.
4. Prevent sautés made with eggplant or zucchini from getting watery. Sprinkle salt on these vegetables before cooking. 5. Eliminate sticky residue from an iron. Run the hot iron (no steam) over plain paper sprinkled with salt.
6. Clean drains. Pour a hot, strong solution (1/2 cup salt for every quart of water) down the drain.
7. Remove dirt from leafy vegetables, such as spinach. Wash the vegetables in a bath of salt water.
8. Prevent frost from accumulating inside car windows. Rub the glass with a solution of 2 teaspoons of salt in 1 gallon of hot water. Wipe dry.
9. Remove sangria and red-wine stains from your washables. Stretch the fabric over a bowl, cover the stain with salt, and carefully pour boiling water over it. A friend of mine once had an accident with a glass of red wine on my brand new carpet; we plastered salt over it and didn’t do anything else with it for a couple of days: it practically disappeared: only someone who knew could still see a very faint darker area. This friend also believes in washing a dirty and/or stained sweaters in salt water: a lot cheaper than most of the ’specialized’ chemicals on the market… Do your own experimentation within these hints.
10. Keep shells from cracking when boiling eggs. Add a few pinches of salt to the water.
11. Chill a bottle of bubbly ? fast. Place ice around its base in an ice bucket; sprinkle with a few tablespoons of salt. Layer salt and ice until they reach the neck. Fill with water. Wait 10 minutes; serve.
