Thursday, November 26, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Childs Play for November
Class is coming up and we will once again, divide into 2 classes. We have 2 people coming at4.
I do not know when any of the others will be coming for sure. So it will be a first come basis. Whomever rsvps to let me know there preference gets the spots.
Those who come to the first class are welcome to stay but will need to move to the dining room during the second class.
We have one two page spread with a few small diecut pieces, if you have tools you like to use for them you will want to include them in your items brought. (glue, pickup tool, chalks, pens) You also have the choice of cutting out a title on the cricket or using rubons that I purchase for this page.
Our second set of pages will include stamping. I have a few examples for you to get ideas from, I also have all of the solos from CTMH. Those were what I thought of using for this page, but have sense found some nice stamps that work great, so it will be your choice. If you need specific stamp pad colors or stamps you will need to include them.
You also will need your temperary adhesive, chalks, your acrylic blocks and stamp cleaner or baby wipes.
See you Sunday.
I do not know when any of the others will be coming for sure. So it will be a first come basis. Whomever rsvps to let me know there preference gets the spots.
Those who come to the first class are welcome to stay but will need to move to the dining room during the second class.
We have one two page spread with a few small diecut pieces, if you have tools you like to use for them you will want to include them in your items brought. (glue, pickup tool, chalks, pens) You also have the choice of cutting out a title on the cricket or using rubons that I purchase for this page.
Our second set of pages will include stamping. I have a few examples for you to get ideas from, I also have all of the solos from CTMH. Those were what I thought of using for this page, but have sense found some nice stamps that work great, so it will be your choice. If you need specific stamp pad colors or stamps you will need to include them.
You also will need your temperary adhesive, chalks, your acrylic blocks and stamp cleaner or baby wipes.
See you Sunday.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Back to Turkeys
I just can't get over the price of turkeys this year. Someone help me come to terms with it.
Meijers were 1.79 up with the 8 or 14 dollars off. Aldis were 99. for frozen or 1.39 for fresh. Walmart doesn't have any for the price they advertised and is not sure they will get more in. I did buy my ham for Jon and Lauras, it was really a good price for a spiral sliced. I am willing to pay $1.29 for ham but not for turkey. Talk to me about your thoughts on ham and turkey and prices. Off to celebrate.
Meijers were 1.79 up with the 8 or 14 dollars off. Aldis were 99. for frozen or 1.39 for fresh. Walmart doesn't have any for the price they advertised and is not sure they will get more in. I did buy my ham for Jon and Lauras, it was really a good price for a spiral sliced. I am willing to pay $1.29 for ham but not for turkey. Talk to me about your thoughts on ham and turkey and prices. Off to celebrate.
Cricut Expression
The larger cricut machine will be on sale at Walmart on Black Friday for $188. It comes with 2 cartridges, not sure which ones, but also comes in different colors. Great deal! Also they will have selected cartridges on sale for $30.00. Joanns has cartridges on sale on Saturday after BF for 28.88, also a great deal. My plans were to price match at walmart on sat but of course they will be sold out or low stock by then. Big Lots has a Cricut Create on sale for 99.00, that has all the advantages of the larger machine without the larger size.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Wal Mart
Of course I didn't go get turkeys yesterday, so today they were out. Hope they get some more in.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Turkeys
We like turkey. We eat turkey many times through out the year. So this time of year I try to stock up. I usually purchase two or three extras along with the couple I usually fix for the holiday.
We like to have lots of leftovers. Easy to freeze, use the bones for lots of stock. Great for soups during the holiday seasons.
I actually don't see many differences in brand names versus store brands when cooking turkeys. I have cooked many. The big difference in taste comes from the way we cook them.
Please don't ruin you turkey by using that 300 degree cooking for 16 hours. Turkey is much better if you preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Cook your turkey for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and cook for about 15 minutes per pound. Check the turkey with a meat thermometer. Recommended temperature is 165 degrees. That should be at the breast, the thigh should be about 175 or 180. Cook to a little less done than you want it and let it rest for about 15 or 20 minutes after removing it from the oven. So cooking the breast to a little over 160 degrees, let it rest and it should be up to 165 degrees when you carve it. Another test is to move the leg a bit does the joint move freely. Do not relie on that cute little red button. Also falling off the bone is not a good thing, it produces shoe leather: ).
Another tip for a better tasting roasted turkey is let it thaw. It needs to thawed completely.(Once I didn't thaw completely and was embarresed that the turkey wasn't cooked well when I tried to serve it to a group) It also should be let out on the counter for about an hour before starting to roast. Yes there is a problem with bacteria. That is if you have no common sense.
Don't set it out and forget it. Don't thaw outside the frig. If you need to thaw it quickly thaw in cold water in your sink and cover it with the water, switching water every few hours. It takes a bit of work and watching. That is the problem any time the government or anyone who we can sue (butterball) gives recommendations, they recommend on the side of caution. They assume we can't follow directions and a have no common sense. Laying a poultry on the counter and forgetting it for many hours will create problems. So don't do that. Use common sense.
Now for my gripe of the day. I hate having to purchase turkeys at money off. Why can't they just give me a price per pound. Turkeys through out the year average about a dollar per pound.
Of course with the holidays come on the price goes to the $1.29 price. Price would be about $25.oo, minus the 15. with a $25. purchase equals about $10.00, Walmart has them at .40 per pound or about $8.00 for the same bird.
Now of course the best is one that was free ranged but those go for $2.89 per pound.
So what is your pick.
What turkey do you like and how do you like to cook it.
We like to have lots of leftovers. Easy to freeze, use the bones for lots of stock. Great for soups during the holiday seasons.
I actually don't see many differences in brand names versus store brands when cooking turkeys. I have cooked many. The big difference in taste comes from the way we cook them.
Please don't ruin you turkey by using that 300 degree cooking for 16 hours. Turkey is much better if you preheat your oven to 450 degrees. Cook your turkey for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and cook for about 15 minutes per pound. Check the turkey with a meat thermometer. Recommended temperature is 165 degrees. That should be at the breast, the thigh should be about 175 or 180. Cook to a little less done than you want it and let it rest for about 15 or 20 minutes after removing it from the oven. So cooking the breast to a little over 160 degrees, let it rest and it should be up to 165 degrees when you carve it. Another test is to move the leg a bit does the joint move freely. Do not relie on that cute little red button. Also falling off the bone is not a good thing, it produces shoe leather: ).
Another tip for a better tasting roasted turkey is let it thaw. It needs to thawed completely.(Once I didn't thaw completely and was embarresed that the turkey wasn't cooked well when I tried to serve it to a group) It also should be let out on the counter for about an hour before starting to roast. Yes there is a problem with bacteria. That is if you have no common sense.
Don't set it out and forget it. Don't thaw outside the frig. If you need to thaw it quickly thaw in cold water in your sink and cover it with the water, switching water every few hours. It takes a bit of work and watching. That is the problem any time the government or anyone who we can sue (butterball) gives recommendations, they recommend on the side of caution. They assume we can't follow directions and a have no common sense. Laying a poultry on the counter and forgetting it for many hours will create problems. So don't do that. Use common sense.
Now for my gripe of the day. I hate having to purchase turkeys at money off. Why can't they just give me a price per pound. Turkeys through out the year average about a dollar per pound.
Of course with the holidays come on the price goes to the $1.29 price. Price would be about $25.oo, minus the 15. with a $25. purchase equals about $10.00, Walmart has them at .40 per pound or about $8.00 for the same bird.
Now of course the best is one that was free ranged but those go for $2.89 per pound.
So what is your pick.
What turkey do you like and how do you like to cook it.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
apathetic
What is it with us today. How many of us have feelings. Do you feel joy, fear, anger, hurt. What are you feeling today.
In our society, if you have feelings, or show your feelings (and we or someone else doesn't want to deal with the feelings) we take a pill. Or we take pills everyday, so we don't have to control our feelings.
We give our kids meds so they can sit in school and do there work. We don't make them learn to discipline themselves.
We don't learn self descipline.
We have all became apathetic. It is really scary, you wonder who decided we no longer should have emotions or learn to control them.
Closer yet to becoming the Stepford Life.
In our society, if you have feelings, or show your feelings (and we or someone else doesn't want to deal with the feelings) we take a pill. Or we take pills everyday, so we don't have to control our feelings.
We give our kids meds so they can sit in school and do there work. We don't make them learn to discipline themselves.
We don't learn self descipline.
We have all became apathetic. It is really scary, you wonder who decided we no longer should have emotions or learn to control them.
Closer yet to becoming the Stepford Life.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Tis the Season!
Wow can you beleive that the holidays are just around the corner. I guess when I don't want to deal with something I ignore the dates. I can not beleive that our family has their first holiday celebration in less than a week.
I haven't bought the first present or even thought much about what I am doing for anyone.
Last year we were all excited about going on the cruise and I haven't even printed out a picture of any of the cruise.
But with all of that what are you giving to celebrate the season. Nope I don't mean gifts for family and friends.
I mean giving, giving back, helping someone in need. Doesn't have to be monitary, it can be time.
Isn't that the real reason for the season.
I know time and money is scarce, but aren't we all so blessed.
So even if only once a week, do RAK from now until the New Year.
Reap the joy of giving a random act of kindness. It doesn't have to be much, just something kind for your fellow man.
I haven't bought the first present or even thought much about what I am doing for anyone.
Last year we were all excited about going on the cruise and I haven't even printed out a picture of any of the cruise.
But with all of that what are you giving to celebrate the season. Nope I don't mean gifts for family and friends.
I mean giving, giving back, helping someone in need. Doesn't have to be monitary, it can be time.
Isn't that the real reason for the season.
I know time and money is scarce, but aren't we all so blessed.
So even if only once a week, do RAK from now until the New Year.
Reap the joy of giving a random act of kindness. It doesn't have to be much, just something kind for your fellow man.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Conquering Clutter
All of you know I am the master of collecting. I collect kids, grandkids, toys, papers, photos, crafts (not many I haven't tried at least once). Once I collect them it is very difficult to weed them out, they all have importance to me, I convince my self that they contribute to my well being. NOT! I really do not want to remove my kids or grandkids (at least not most of the time) but all the collections of products need to be cut down. I have a basement that is the same size as my upstairs that you can't walk into, (it was totally cleaned out less than 10 years ago). When you have this much stuff it suffocates you. You can't cherish it, you can't even recall what or where the things that you do have.
I really wish I could have Clean Sweep come in and remove it, organize the things I really need, and simplify my life for me. Because I can't and it still needs done, this is a plan.
Schedule 15 minutes once a day, pick a spot and get to work. Set your timer, don't leave the area. Have 2 tubs, label the tubs, put away, throw away, spend 5 minutes loading the tubs.
Spend 2 minutes throwing the throw away stuff in bags and out to the garbage. NOT BY THE DOOR OUT! Spend the next 8 minutes putting the other stuff away. AWAY MEANS ITS PERMENANT HOME. Everything should have a home, if there is not room for it to have a home than something has to go.
Now we also have to tackle as we go on this journey the things that come into the house. First stop grocery shopping for 1 month ( you can stop and get dairy and produce). Use from the pantry, you really don't need those pretzels or chips. Next, anything that comes into the house, needs to be put away as it comes into the house. We live in a society that we can run to the grocery anytime and they almost always have the items on the shelf. We don't need to keep the running inventory of food that we use to need. It is available. CUT DOWN.
Thats it for today. Who wants to come organize the scrapbook room?
I really wish I could have Clean Sweep come in and remove it, organize the things I really need, and simplify my life for me. Because I can't and it still needs done, this is a plan.
Schedule 15 minutes once a day, pick a spot and get to work. Set your timer, don't leave the area. Have 2 tubs, label the tubs, put away, throw away, spend 5 minutes loading the tubs.
Spend 2 minutes throwing the throw away stuff in bags and out to the garbage. NOT BY THE DOOR OUT! Spend the next 8 minutes putting the other stuff away. AWAY MEANS ITS PERMENANT HOME. Everything should have a home, if there is not room for it to have a home than something has to go.
Now we also have to tackle as we go on this journey the things that come into the house. First stop grocery shopping for 1 month ( you can stop and get dairy and produce). Use from the pantry, you really don't need those pretzels or chips. Next, anything that comes into the house, needs to be put away as it comes into the house. We live in a society that we can run to the grocery anytime and they almost always have the items on the shelf. We don't need to keep the running inventory of food that we use to need. It is available. CUT DOWN.
Thats it for today. Who wants to come organize the scrapbook room?
Monday, November 9, 2009
November Sketches
There really is only one November sketch. For the second stamped page I will show you how to use mats to mask so you do not have to use your cardstock just background page.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Updates
Sorry I have been missing again. Fighting head colds, sore throats and the like. Seem to get a little better and then crash again.
The next Childs Play class will be held on November 28, Sorry if this does not work out for anyone. There will be two classes an early class and a later class. Please let me know which one you will attend.
We will be doing a stamped page and will be using the SOLO stamps from CTMH. I have all of them and also the numbers so we are covered on those. If you would like to add words or smaller alphabets ect you may want to bring them along. You will also need to bring white cardstock. That is what we will be starting on.
Okay a little background on this technique. My thoughts were you could use your childs first initial as the main element in the stamped background page. Of course if you want to work outside of my box you could use a sport initial (V for Volleyball). Next you will need two other elements. Okay my thoughts were a flower if you are doing a page for a girl, and a star if you are doing the page for a boy. Your third element for this page would be your childs name spelled in small letters, or a word describing them spelled in small letters. Out of the box would be: V for your initial, a stamp of a volleyball for your second element, a word like dig for your third element.
Second decision is for your color scheme. A few suggestions is to choose one color and do a monochromatic on white, or use versamark and do it on colored background.
Use three colors on white. (childs favorite colors or yours)
Use school or sports team colors.
I know some of you do not have many stamps or stamp pads so only if there is something you are thinking of in specifics to use do you need to bring your stamp products with you.
You do need to bring an acrylic block of at least 4x4 to use with my solos, if you do not have one please call your favorite club frined and ask them to bring you one. Many of us have more than one.
The next Childs Play class will be held on November 28, Sorry if this does not work out for anyone. There will be two classes an early class and a later class. Please let me know which one you will attend.
We will be doing a stamped page and will be using the SOLO stamps from CTMH. I have all of them and also the numbers so we are covered on those. If you would like to add words or smaller alphabets ect you may want to bring them along. You will also need to bring white cardstock. That is what we will be starting on.
Okay a little background on this technique. My thoughts were you could use your childs first initial as the main element in the stamped background page. Of course if you want to work outside of my box you could use a sport initial (V for Volleyball). Next you will need two other elements. Okay my thoughts were a flower if you are doing a page for a girl, and a star if you are doing the page for a boy. Your third element for this page would be your childs name spelled in small letters, or a word describing them spelled in small letters. Out of the box would be: V for your initial, a stamp of a volleyball for your second element, a word like dig for your third element.
Second decision is for your color scheme. A few suggestions is to choose one color and do a monochromatic on white, or use versamark and do it on colored background.
Use three colors on white. (childs favorite colors or yours)
Use school or sports team colors.
I know some of you do not have many stamps or stamp pads so only if there is something you are thinking of in specifics to use do you need to bring your stamp products with you.
You do need to bring an acrylic block of at least 4x4 to use with my solos, if you do not have one please call your favorite club frined and ask them to bring you one. Many of us have more than one.
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