February is all about the love. This includes my love of chocolate.....Momma's chocolate pie, chocolate cupcakes, a Godiva truffle (or two), and my latest find...Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake.
Yes, Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake! I like browsing the Kraft Foods website for recipes. I will admit that I usually tweak them significantly to suit my tastes. This one, not so much. The ingredient list is a little long, but the recipe is very easy. I do all the mixing in one bowl even though they go into the pan in layers. The cake bakes up beautifully and presents well. Oh yes, the taste is decadent! Hope you enjoy!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Old Farmer's Almanac
Farmer's Almanac???? That's for old folks! Not so my friends! Okay, so I thought so once upon a time, but I've changed my tune.
I do buy the book, but the Old Farmer's Almanac website is even better! They have recipes and cooking ideas along with the gardening tips. Many people, even in the cities, have started trying their hand at gardening. This website can be a gardener's best friend with tips on when and how to plant.
Yes, I know that we just finished another round of winter weather, but it is time to think gardening! We must start prepping those plots now for planting. For my area, potatoes and onions go in the ground this next weekend. Thankfully, the garden has been "burned off" and preparations started for this planting. (Let's hope that the weather stays fair!) Those cool weather herbs are next up since I'm starting from seed.
Not a gardener, checkout the cooking and recipe section or the Best Days section. It really is a moment of simplicity in an otherwise hectic day. So, here's to sunny days and plentiful crops!
I do buy the book, but the Old Farmer's Almanac website is even better! They have recipes and cooking ideas along with the gardening tips. Many people, even in the cities, have started trying their hand at gardening. This website can be a gardener's best friend with tips on when and how to plant.
Yes, I know that we just finished another round of winter weather, but it is time to think gardening! We must start prepping those plots now for planting. For my area, potatoes and onions go in the ground this next weekend. Thankfully, the garden has been "burned off" and preparations started for this planting. (Let's hope that the weather stays fair!) Those cool weather herbs are next up since I'm starting from seed.
Not a gardener, checkout the cooking and recipe section or the Best Days section. It really is a moment of simplicity in an otherwise hectic day. So, here's to sunny days and plentiful crops!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Lunch for a Cure
As some of you are aware, my friend's daughter, Halie Pigott, was diagnosed with stage 4 high risk neuroblastoma in May 2010. The prognosis was not good. Thankfully, God and the power of prayer are awesome! She is now undergoing immunotherapy. Please consider adding Halie to your prayer list and that of your friends!
Lunch for a Cure is an organization that raises money to research this cancer and find a cure. They have a wonderful cookbook available for all of you foodies. The recipes were submitted by families fighting this cancer. The cookbook would make a wonderful birthday, Mother's Day or just because gift for friends and family. Even better, the proceeds go to a wonderful cause.
Not a cook, but want to donate? Not a problem! You can donate through their website. The idea behind them is give up one lunch out to help fund a cure. Please pass along the website to friends and family.
Lunch for a Cure is an organization that raises money to research this cancer and find a cure. They have a wonderful cookbook available for all of you foodies. The recipes were submitted by families fighting this cancer. The cookbook would make a wonderful birthday, Mother's Day or just because gift for friends and family. Even better, the proceeds go to a wonderful cause.
Not a cook, but want to donate? Not a problem! You can donate through their website. The idea behind them is give up one lunch out to help fund a cure. Please pass along the website to friends and family.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
It's That Time - Tax Preparation
The individual tax code for 2010 has been finalized and full processing begins February 14th. (Please note that they can change their minds at any time.) You should have received all of your tax documents by now. Take a moment (maybe an hour or two) to gather all of your tax items together and verify that you do have everything that you need. Contact the appropriate company for any missing documents - be sure and check online first.
A couple of things to be mindful of if you are preparing your own return.
A couple of things to be mindful of if you are preparing your own return.
- Personal exemptions are no longer limited based on income.
- Itemized deductions are no longer limited based on income.
- Sales tax is still allowed on Schedule A for Texas residents.
- Real estate taxes can no longer be claimed on Schedule L. They must be claimed on Schedule A as part of Itemized Deductions. This is only advantageous if your Itemized Deduction is greater than your Standard Deduction.
- Full unemployment benefits are taxable. There is no $2400 exclusion for 2010.
If you are planning on having your return prepared, be sure that you find a reputable preparer. Don't be afraid to ask them about their education and experience. You want someone with an accounting degree at the very least. Preferably a CPA or a reputable preparer with several years experience.
Happy filing!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Homemade from the Heart
I confess that I love Christmas. I love celebrating the birthday of our Saviour! I love the contagious feeling of generosity and kindness! I love finding just the right gift!
Just the right gift doesn't always come from the store. I might get a small wish list from my Mom, but rarely from my Dad. I've learned they appreciate the homemade or personalized gifts more than any other. Anything centered around the grandkids is always good. I even get so much joy from making these special gifts. Just thinking about the reactions makes me smile over and over again.
So....I've decided 2011 should be a year of homemade gifts. Not just Christmas either. I'm even making appointments with myself so that I set aside time to make those gifts I've previously thought of, but not made. Anything homemade lets the person know that you are thinking specifically of them. There are additional bonuses as well - you know that there will not be duplicates; it is budget friendly; and you get to explore your creativity.
I don't want to reveal too much so that my friends and family guess what they are getting. I can tell you some of the gifts of years past.
Just the right gift doesn't always come from the store. I might get a small wish list from my Mom, but rarely from my Dad. I've learned they appreciate the homemade or personalized gifts more than any other. Anything centered around the grandkids is always good. I even get so much joy from making these special gifts. Just thinking about the reactions makes me smile over and over again.
So....I've decided 2011 should be a year of homemade gifts. Not just Christmas either. I'm even making appointments with myself so that I set aside time to make those gifts I've previously thought of, but not made. Anything homemade lets the person know that you are thinking specifically of them. There are additional bonuses as well - you know that there will not be duplicates; it is budget friendly; and you get to explore your creativity.
I don't want to reveal too much so that my friends and family guess what they are getting. I can tell you some of the gifts of years past.
- Small scrapbooks of the years events - great gift for grandparents
- Calendars made with family snapshots
- Family Tree Ornaments - bought solid colored ornaments and hand-painted the names of our family from both sets of my grandparents down to the youngest in the family.
- Bird seed wreaths
- Dinners
- Activity coupons
Want to make the gift making more fun? Include your girlfriends! Have a girls' day or weekend and share crafting supplies. Need additional ideas? Stay tuned. More posts to come....maybe even with pictures!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Lightening the Load
I'm constantly updating my To Do List. It starts each evening with a list of things that I need to get done (or try to get done) during the following day. Out of my mind, down on paper...no endless loop stealing sleep.
Laundry stays on this list even with our small household. I have often asked myself how we manage to dirty so many clothes so quickly. I found my answer this past weekend.
I ask that my son sort his laundry, but then I take over. I wash, dry, fold, and place them in his room to put away. I hang up his clothes too. No more!
I found out that my son finds it easier to dump those clean clothes that he doesn't want to put away back in the hamper. Here I am trying to simplify and find a little more time for fun and it is being sabotaged. Time for a life lesson. Now, he must sort his clothes then fold and put away the clean clothes. Future infractions will result in additional penalties....he'll learn to wash his own clothes.
I enjoy taking care of my family, but I also know that children must learn to do things for themselves. Laundry is easy to teach and learn. I placed an instruction sheet for basic items by the washing machine and started with towels. Towels are the perfect starting point because they cannot be ruined. So they might get bleached, but they will still handle the job of drying. Okay, you might want to put a few guest towels out of sight just in case. Just think how much simpler life would be with some help with the laundry!
Laundry stays on this list even with our small household. I have often asked myself how we manage to dirty so many clothes so quickly. I found my answer this past weekend.
I ask that my son sort his laundry, but then I take over. I wash, dry, fold, and place them in his room to put away. I hang up his clothes too. No more!
I found out that my son finds it easier to dump those clean clothes that he doesn't want to put away back in the hamper. Here I am trying to simplify and find a little more time for fun and it is being sabotaged. Time for a life lesson. Now, he must sort his clothes then fold and put away the clean clothes. Future infractions will result in additional penalties....he'll learn to wash his own clothes.
I enjoy taking care of my family, but I also know that children must learn to do things for themselves. Laundry is easy to teach and learn. I placed an instruction sheet for basic items by the washing machine and started with towels. Towels are the perfect starting point because they cannot be ruined. So they might get bleached, but they will still handle the job of drying. Okay, you might want to put a few guest towels out of sight just in case. Just think how much simpler life would be with some help with the laundry!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Power-less Reminder
Two-thirds of this wonderful country is blanketed by a serious winter storm. We are no exception. I cannot remember ever experiencing this kind of cold! It has gotten me to thinking.
Most people, especially in urban areas, don't think about being without electricity much. It is usually taken for granted that the light will come on when we flip the switch. It did this morning....for about 10 minutes then darkness. (I do mean darkness as it was about 5am.) It made me grateful.
Yes, I said grateful. Grateful that I've experienced many an hour without electricity (almost every big storm when you live in the country). I knew where my flashlight was, was easily able to light my gas fireplace, had candles handy and even an "antique" phone that simply plugs into the phone jack - no power needed. These items along with a gas stove mean you can stay reasonably warm and even have a meal. Unfortunately, this does not protect those pipes to the second-story bathroom that run up our outside NW wall. The hot water is now non-existent to our faucets in one bath, but the shower is good. (I've left the hot water faucets open so there is someplace for the water to go when it thaws and offered up a prayer.)
Facing this same situation? Maybe suffering from the rolling blackouts? Set the heater a little warmer (not too much), open cabinet doors to expose plumbing, drip your faucets, locate flashlights/candles/etc, get out the extra blankets, keep the blinds closed, avoid opening outside doors too often, and make sure you have an old phone or fully charged cellphone.
What a Groundhog Day!
Most people, especially in urban areas, don't think about being without electricity much. It is usually taken for granted that the light will come on when we flip the switch. It did this morning....for about 10 minutes then darkness. (I do mean darkness as it was about 5am.) It made me grateful.
Yes, I said grateful. Grateful that I've experienced many an hour without electricity (almost every big storm when you live in the country). I knew where my flashlight was, was easily able to light my gas fireplace, had candles handy and even an "antique" phone that simply plugs into the phone jack - no power needed. These items along with a gas stove mean you can stay reasonably warm and even have a meal. Unfortunately, this does not protect those pipes to the second-story bathroom that run up our outside NW wall. The hot water is now non-existent to our faucets in one bath, but the shower is good. (I've left the hot water faucets open so there is someplace for the water to go when it thaws and offered up a prayer.)
Facing this same situation? Maybe suffering from the rolling blackouts? Set the heater a little warmer (not too much), open cabinet doors to expose plumbing, drip your faucets, locate flashlights/candles/etc, get out the extra blankets, keep the blinds closed, avoid opening outside doors too often, and make sure you have an old phone or fully charged cellphone.
What a Groundhog Day!
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