Nerbas: Fake Owl on Roof Will Deter Woodpecker

Alfred Here are a few suggestions to get the bird to move along: Mount a plastic owl as close as possible to the dish or cover the dish with cloth, mesh or wire in a way that won't hinder the signal. Or mount a pole near the dish with strips of garbage bags so that the strips move with the wind.

Dear Reena: Our golden chenille couch had a stain on the inside of the arm. Myhusband wiped it offwith a damp cloth. Nowwecan't get rid of thewater stain circle wherethe old stain was. What can we do?

Elaine Take an old rag and dampen it with white vinegar. Wipe the entire couch with the cloth so that it blends together. Air dry; the stain will soon be a distant memory.

Dear Reena: Do you have asolution to stop my carpet from sliding on top of another carpet? Rubber rings just don't do it.

A.

Here are a few options beginning with my least favourite to my favourite: 1. Apply Velcro strips or double-sided tape to both the carpet and the area rug to hold it in place.

2. Buy Ruggies online. These little rubber shapes are designed to suction gripcarpet on top of carpet, while preventing corners from curling (inexpensive).

3. Under-rug mats are made for carpets and are available at flooring and home hardware stores (somewhat expensive).

4. Purchase a roll of rubber shelf liner. Cut the liner to fit and place it under the rug (cheap).

Dear Reena: Even though Ialways add two or three eggs when I make hamburger patties for barbecuing, they still fall apart on the grill. What am I doing wrong?

Kurt Are you using lean meat such as ground sirloin? Ifthis is the case, try something a little fattier to bind the meat together. Also, eggs are not a necessary ingredient in hamburger patties, in fact it sounds as though the liquid in the eggs might be another reason for your crumbly hamburgers.

Added Note: For best patty flavour, grill on medium heat and avoid flipping the burgers often. And don't press the patties down with the spatula - you will lose the flavour of the juices.

Dear Reena: I have a problem with my costume jewelry, especially dangly earrings and hooks. I was storing them in the bathroom and the humidity has caused them to turn areddish colour and some have pitted. Is there anything I can do to restore them? Or are they beyond repair?

Carolina If the paint has peeled from your earrings, your only hope is to spray-paint them to make them look great once again.

For regular cleaning, your goal is to break the bond between the dirt and the jewelry. Your easiest solution is to use anold toothbrush as your cleaning tool and dish soap and water as cleaners. Gently brush, rinse and repeat. Buff and polish witha soft cloth.

Another option is to scrub with an old toothbrush and Optic White Colgate toothpaste. Rinse and repeat.

Silver Brite is a popular commercial option for cleaning costume jewelry.

Extra Tip: To prevent costume jewelry from tarnishing, try spraying the pieces with clear acrylic enamel paint, often found in the automotive section of department stores. Begin with a test piece that you are not attached to. Hang the jewelry on a scrap piece of cardboard and spray. Thepiece will turn white and then dry clear. This works asa protective topcoat thatwill keep your costume jewelry looking great for years. Make surethat you avoid spraying earring posts.

Reena's recipes Summer is here; so load up your hamburger and smother your steak with this flavourful barbecue sauce.

Barbarian's Barbecue Sauce 1 cup balsamic vinegar 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp garlic, minced 1 1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 Tbsp Dijon or regular mustard powder salt and pepper Add all ingredients to apot, stir to combine. Heat and stir on medium for 15minutes. Brush onto pork, chicken or beef.

Tips of the Week Revive old apples by peeling and cutting into them into chunks. Soak them incold apple cider or juice for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

Keep apples longer bystoring them without having them touch each other.

If you ever make yourself a necklace using fresh flowers, be sure not towear it directly against your skin. Your perspiration will decrease the life of a flower necklace.

If you drop a can of pop orit gets shaken, prevent itfrom exploding when youpop the top by using your thumb and middle finger to thump up and down the side of the can asyou rotate it for about 20seconds. Pop the top and enjoy.

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