Another year comes to a close, and we reflect on the days that have come and gone. Did we use them well? Did we make the most of every precious moment, or were we overwhelmed by how harried our daily lives have become?
We look to the future, wondering what each new day will bring. It is a time for hope and renewal. A time, not for resolutions which often fail, but to firm up our resolve to deal with and manage our own circumstances, whatever they may be. Once again we have the opportunity to start over and cull out the old and withered and usher in the new and fresh.
Here's to a great new beginning - to old friends and new faces - to 2010. Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Quote of the Week
Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.
- Benjamin Franklin
Good words to live by not just for the new year, but all year through.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Quote of the Week
Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year to All!
May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!
- Author Unknown
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Winter Weather, Winter Food
Hi. Just more ramblings today. I thought I would start with the local weather report. We have the first Winter Storm Watch of the season for tomorrow and Saturday. There is apparently a big blow coming up from the Gulf. The moisture will come up and collide with the cold air here, and poof...Snow! Like many of these forecasts, things change and we end up not getting anything, so as usual I'll believe it when I see it.
I'll be staying on top of the forecast and following the progress on the radar. Now I really don't care for cold weather and the bitter windy days of winter. However, I have always liked snow, especially long walks like I used to take with my Mom. We had such fun walking in the woods with the snow clinging to the pine trees. One time we even took my sled and went sledding down the path made by trail bikes. It was hazardous to say the least, but thankfully we never crashed. Alas, those days are gone, and so are those woods. They are now a housing development with no sign of their former beauty.
Speaking of cold, snowy weather, it is time to break out the soup pots. Playing in or shoveling snow builds up a big appetite, and soups and stews are a warming, filling antidote for the chilly-willies. This is where the crockpot comes in handy. Just toss in a chuck roast, some onions and carrots, flip the switch and you've got a hot satisfying dinner in the making. What I did the other day was take some of the broth from the roast and made a gravy. I whipped up some mashed potatoes and it was pure deliciousness on a plate. A hearty, healthy, homemade dinner can be quick and easy when you let the slow cooker do the work for you. Dig in, everyone.
I'll be staying on top of the forecast and following the progress on the radar. Now I really don't care for cold weather and the bitter windy days of winter. However, I have always liked snow, especially long walks like I used to take with my Mom. We had such fun walking in the woods with the snow clinging to the pine trees. One time we even took my sled and went sledding down the path made by trail bikes. It was hazardous to say the least, but thankfully we never crashed. Alas, those days are gone, and so are those woods. They are now a housing development with no sign of their former beauty.
Speaking of cold, snowy weather, it is time to break out the soup pots. Playing in or shoveling snow builds up a big appetite, and soups and stews are a warming, filling antidote for the chilly-willies. This is where the crockpot comes in handy. Just toss in a chuck roast, some onions and carrots, flip the switch and you've got a hot satisfying dinner in the making. What I did the other day was take some of the broth from the roast and made a gravy. I whipped up some mashed potatoes and it was pure deliciousness on a plate. A hearty, healthy, homemade dinner can be quick and easy when you let the slow cooker do the work for you. Dig in, everyone.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
It's Almost Christmas Again
It's amazing how fast time goes by, and once again Christmas is just around the corner. Yep, just 9 days away. Is your tree sparkling from top to bottom with a zillion lights, and ornaments of silver and gold, red and green, and all the trimmings? Do you have all your shopping done? Presents all around the tree? I finally started wrapping/bagging yesterday.
My list is short these days, and on-line shopping makes is so much easier. No driving all over town, waiting in long lines of traffic and longer lines in the stores. Just click here, click there and you're done. Simple. So far, I've had 3 orders from Amazon, one from Penzeys, cashed in green points for a gift card, and ordered ink for my printer to print more money-saving coupons. The more you save, the more you can give.
I still have a few gifts to get for the "hard to shop for" folks. My guess is gift cards for them. I know that sounds like a cop-out, but personally I never mind getting gift cards. Being the frugal shopper that I am, I make the most of them.
So, my thoughts in a nutshell...Shop on-line, use coupon codes and seek out free shipping deals. When you do have to go to the stores, the same principles apply. Use coupons, especially combined with sales to get the best deals.
My list is short these days, and on-line shopping makes is so much easier. No driving all over town, waiting in long lines of traffic and longer lines in the stores. Just click here, click there and you're done. Simple. So far, I've had 3 orders from Amazon, one from Penzeys, cashed in green points for a gift card, and ordered ink for my printer to print more money-saving coupons. The more you save, the more you can give.
I still have a few gifts to get for the "hard to shop for" folks. My guess is gift cards for them. I know that sounds like a cop-out, but personally I never mind getting gift cards. Being the frugal shopper that I am, I make the most of them.
So, my thoughts in a nutshell...Shop on-line, use coupon codes and seek out free shipping deals. When you do have to go to the stores, the same principles apply. Use coupons, especially combined with sales to get the best deals.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Quote of the Week
The only person who never makes mistakes is the person who never does anything.
- Denis WaitleyWe almost didn't have a quote this week. I hadn't found the right one until now. This one fits the everyday life of all of us. It is apparent in many daily acts, at work, with family, even cooking. I use a variation of this when one of my culinary experiments doesn't live up to my expectations.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Why I Don't Like Shopping at the Mall
Are you a mall shopper? Do you favor the specialty shops or the high-end department stores? What trips your trigger about mall shopping? Is it having all those stores under one roof even though you have to walk at least two miles to see them all? Not me. During my teenage years, and through much of my working life, I would shop the mall regularly. It was a mecca of activity during the holidays, and the huge poinsettia tree was a thing of beauty. Ah, those were the good 'ol days.
Now it's a horse of a different color. You can't walk from point A to point B without being accosted by someone selling something, offering to "lotion" or "perfume" you or wanting to see your nails. They approach you from their kiosk, "Hey lady, can I ask you a question?" "NO", keeps walking. Reminds me of Tiajuana. Really, I just want to get what I came after and leave as quickly and peacefully as possible. I don't like being rude, but gee people give it a rest. If we want to see what you're selling, we'll stop and ask. Otherwise, just leave us alone!
After 33 years, I would expect things to have changed. In some cases not all changes are for the better.
There are some good sales and deals to be had, though, if you can bear the harassement, the parking, the traffic and the crowded stores especially around Christmas. I try to limit it to one visit over the holiday, and that was today, probably the coldest day of the year thus far. What a joy. I treated myself to lunch at McD when I was done.
Now it's a horse of a different color. You can't walk from point A to point B without being accosted by someone selling something, offering to "lotion" or "perfume" you or wanting to see your nails. They approach you from their kiosk, "Hey lady, can I ask you a question?" "NO", keeps walking. Reminds me of Tiajuana. Really, I just want to get what I came after and leave as quickly and peacefully as possible. I don't like being rude, but gee people give it a rest. If we want to see what you're selling, we'll stop and ask. Otherwise, just leave us alone!
After 33 years, I would expect things to have changed. In some cases not all changes are for the better.
There are some good sales and deals to be had, though, if you can bear the harassement, the parking, the traffic and the crowded stores especially around Christmas. I try to limit it to one visit over the holiday, and that was today, probably the coldest day of the year thus far. What a joy. I treated myself to lunch at McD when I was done.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Target "Manufacturer" Coupons...Not Really
Target has issued "manufacturer" coupons with their logo on them, so which are they? Coupons issued by the manufacturer to be used anywhere or store coupons useable only at Target? Didn't they used to say "Target" at the top and not "manufacturer", and you could use them with manufacturer coupons on the same item. I printed some the other day and one said Target Web Coupon (which I understand to be used only at Target) and the other two said "manufacturer" which I assumed I could use anywhere.
I used the one for Purina Cat Chow at PetSmart, and the cashier didn't even blink. Today I tried to use the $5 off 4 Kellogg's cereal at Wal-Mart, and argued up and down with two cashiers that it was a manufacturer's coupon and not Target-specific even though it had the Target logo on it. That was all they could see, and said they were told not to take coupons with other store names or logos. They wouldn't even scan it to see if it would work. I gave up and told her if I wasn't able to use the coupon, I wasn't buying the cereal.
The point is that a store-specific coupon should not say "manufacturer" on it if you can only use it at that store, and that a true manufacturer coupon should be valid any place that accepts coupons.
Anyone care to share their experiences?
I used the one for Purina Cat Chow at PetSmart, and the cashier didn't even blink. Today I tried to use the $5 off 4 Kellogg's cereal at Wal-Mart, and argued up and down with two cashiers that it was a manufacturer's coupon and not Target-specific even though it had the Target logo on it. That was all they could see, and said they were told not to take coupons with other store names or logos. They wouldn't even scan it to see if it would work. I gave up and told her if I wasn't able to use the coupon, I wasn't buying the cereal.
The point is that a store-specific coupon should not say "manufacturer" on it if you can only use it at that store, and that a true manufacturer coupon should be valid any place that accepts coupons.
Anyone care to share their experiences?
Monday, December 7, 2009
Quote of the Week
I'm a little late getting this one out today.
Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
This one goes out to our best friends. This is how they live their lives, and through them I have seen how faith works.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Yogurt...Good and Good For You?
OK, today we're going on a little trip, a health trip that is. Are you a fan of yogurt? The regular stuff that has been around for years or the new, supposedly more healthy versions such as Activia or Dan Active yogurt drink? I don't always jump on any new bandwagon that happens along, but lately, I thought what the heck, let's give it a try, since we eat yogurt anyway. So now what to choose?
Activia is supposed to be good for your digestive health. They even have a money-back guarantee of up to about $12, if it doesn't work for you. Yoplait has their own version called Yo-Plus, and they are offering free Yo-plus for switching from Activia (receipt, completed form and UPC required). Activia comes in a variety of flavors, a light version and a drinkable yogurt.
Dan Active claims to help support your immune system. This product is a drinkable yogurt that comes in a variety of flavors (some in light). Do any of these do all that they claim? Check out their websites, do your research and come to your own conclusions.
I read about both products, and regularly purchase both. Will it make a difference in our overall health, I don't know, but I figure they won't do any harm, and I still get calcium and the good bacteria that we've know for years are good for us. These fancy new products are more expensive, but with sales and coupons you can still get a reasonably good deal. Also, Costco has Activia and Dan Active in bulk packaging. There is yet another way to score a deal on all things Dannon. They have a program called Dannonomics where you buy products, mail in receipts and completed form and receive dollars off coupons. The coupons you get are based on the quantity and variety of items purchased. The program continues through December 31, 2009, so save your receipts, download the form and get up to $15 in coupons.
Dan Active claims to help support your immune system. This product is a drinkable yogurt that comes in a variety of flavors (some in light). Do any of these do all that they claim? Check out their websites, do your research and come to your own conclusions.
I read about both products, and regularly purchase both. Will it make a difference in our overall health, I don't know, but I figure they won't do any harm, and I still get calcium and the good bacteria that we've know for years are good for us. These fancy new products are more expensive, but with sales and coupons you can still get a reasonably good deal. Also, Costco has Activia and Dan Active in bulk packaging. There is yet another way to score a deal on all things Dannon. They have a program called Dannonomics where you buy products, mail in receipts and completed form and receive dollars off coupons. The coupons you get are based on the quantity and variety of items purchased. The program continues through December 31, 2009, so save your receipts, download the form and get up to $15 in coupons.
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