I've read many tips on how to make a homemade mosquito repellant ~ sprays, floating candles, and other ideas.  I combined ALL of them to make this jar of mosquito repellant to keep on my patio (but could even keep it inside) ~ just be sure to put it out of reach of toddlers or animals (who might want to drink it). 

For some reason, mosquitos seem to hate Lemon Pine Sol, so invest the few extra cents and get the real thing ~ it's still really inexpensive and you can always use it to clean with!

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Homemade MOSQUITO REPELLANT in a JAR

​I used a clean glass pickle jar................................................2 fresh limes, sliced
​about 1-1/2 cups Lemon Pine Sol........................................about 1-1/2 cups water
10-15 whole cloves...................................................................1-2 sprigs fresh rosemary

​The important measurement here is equal parts water with Lemon Pine Sol!  I put the water and Lemon Pine Sol into my jar, and stirred to mix.  Then dropped in the lime slices, cloves and rosemary.   It actually looks like a decorative jar (and you could add more rosemary sprigs to make a mini-bouquet in there). 

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Homemade MOSQUITO Repellant SPRAY

​Equal amounts of Lemon Pine Sol and WATER .... Put into a spray bottle and spray your patio (or wherever)

If you don't have a smoker, you can easily replicate the smoky flavor of meats done for hours in a smoker.  I did a brisket here, but you could use a London broil, flank steak, or any leaner thick cut of beef ... even meaty ribs.  You'll even have a slight "bark" on it, like real "smoked" beef.

​I prefer just seasoning the beef with McCormick's Smokehouse Maple or Chipotle Smokehouse Dry rub (and a little Kosher salt).   If you prefer a BBQ sauce when you serve your meat, my suggestion is Stubb's ~ either hickory or mesquite.

How to SMOKE BEEF in your CROCKPOT

3-4 lbs. beef (don't cut off any fat cap)
1-2 cups mesquite or hickory wood chips (depends on size of crockpot), soaked ~or~ smoking pellets
Dry Rub ~ I like McCormick's Smokehouse Maple or Chipotle Roasted Garlic
2-3 tsp. liquid smoke (I use Colgin mesquite or hickory)
1/2 cup of water or beer (dark ale or stout are best)
heavy duty aluminum foil

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Soak the wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes, and drain the water.  Spread out a good-sized length of the heavy-duty foil on the counter, and put the wood chips inside.  Fold over the edges of the foil to enclose the wood chips and make a packet, that fits inside your crockpot completely.  Put the packet into the bottom of the crockpot and poke holes in the top (so the smoke can escape and flavor the meat).  ** If you have a rack that fits into the crockpot, put it over the wood chip packet ~ or crumble up some foil and put it around the packet to set the meat on (so it doesn't rest directly on the packet and block the holes). 

Rub all sides of your meat with spice rub.   Put the brisket into the crockpot.

In a small bowl, mix the liquid smoke into the liquid that you're using.  Then pour the liquid over the brisket. 

Put the lid on and cook on low for 8-10 hours.  The meat is done when it is cooked through and has reached desired tenderness.  (The longer it cooks, the more it will fall apart and get so tender)

This is how I wrapped my grandson's high school graduation gift ....  I had an envelope with cash in it, plus a watch ~ and put them into a tall glass with a graduation decal (which I bought at the dollar store).   It can easily be adapted to fit any other occasion, and is much cuter than just handing someone an envelope!

​Need:  1 large glass or mug
small bubble wrap ....................... wrapping paper ...................... filler ............................ribbon
​a small gift (or even some favorite flavor jelly bellies)
​cash, check or gift certificate in a card & envelope

​Suggestions for something else small to stick in there: jelly bellies, M&Ms, or Hershey Kisses ~ a key chain ~ a pretty barrette ~ jewelry (earrings, necklace, bracelet, anklet) ~ a packet of drawer sachet ~ car air freshener ~ cosmetics or a pretty new nail polish ~ jerky or beef sticks

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​I stuck the envelope into the glass, and then put the watch in with it (wrapped lightly in some bubble wrap).  (1)  Cut a piece of small bubble wrap big enough to fit up the sides of the glass.  Put the glass in the middle of the bubble wrap and pull up the sides, then roll the glass so it's tightly covered and tape it.  (2) Cut a piece of wrapping paper large enough to fit up the sides of the glass ~ put the glass in the center of it, pull up the sides ~ then roll the glass so the paper is tight against the bubble wrap and tape securely.  (I also taped the bottom, so it would be flat).  (3) Stick some filler into the top of the glass, and tie a ribbon around it.  No exterior card is needed since you have a card inside the glass.