Looking Forward

It's almost 2011!  Wow did 2010 go fast.  So, as the new year begins my dedication to this blog will too!  Yes, I have neglected it since the beginning, but I am getting ready to start fresh.  New recipes and cakes, some sewing projects and of course the puppies.  Although I guess now that they are both over a year old they are probably not technically puppies anymore.  However, they will always be puppies to me, just as my adult children will always be my babies.

We are trying to save money so we are no longer paying for television.  Nope, no cable, no Dish, no DirectTV!  I know, hard to believe but to be honest, we did not have any of that when the kids were growing up.  I did, however, get very used to all those channels since then and it has been especially hard for me to give them up.  We do watch shows through the Wii on Netflix. Not what I've become accustomed to, but it seems to be working for now.  Netflix does not offer all the shows we watch and what they do have is not this season, so for up to date shows we are for now, watching them on the laptop.  I will learn how to hook the computer to  the TV soon and I hope the get my son-in-law to make us an HDTV antenna.  I'll keep you posted on how well this works once we get it figured out.  Pay TV is just too expensive! 

Free Blockbuster Deal! Today Only

 EXPIRED

Rent one DVD get another rental free!  Go here and sign up Blockbuster Express. Use promotion code HNKBBS

Code is valid thru Midnight 12/2/2010. When you rent a movie at the regular price, you'll receive the first night's rental on the second movie FREE. Extra night charges and taxes apply. Limit one per customer. May not be combined with any other offer. Not valid at Blockbuster store locations.

DIY- Kitchen Sink

As I was doing the dishes last night my feet got wet!  The seal on the drain under the kitchen sink broke. : (  My hubby fixed the sink. : )  While everything was out from under the sink, I thought why not clean out under there?  The cabinet is so old and yucky.

I asked my husband to get me a box of peel 'n' stick floor tile.  Isn't he sweet?  I cleaned the wood real good and waited for it to dry and then went to work.  I marked all the tiles and cut them to fit, and with a heater running (to keep the tiles warm) stuck the tiles to the inside of the cabinet.  It turned out great!

Now it is so easy to wipe it down and keep it clean.  I got this idea from my son's Godfather many, many years ago but never tried it until now.  Thanks Mark.

Alvin had to help!

Rain, Rain Go Away

Alvin, my little male chihuahua, has learned to ring the bells hanging on the door knob when he wants to go out.  He is so smart!  So today was rainy.  All day long.  Alvin rang the bell.  All day long.  And every time he did, Addie, my little female would come running.  She is trained to know the bells mean outside but refuses to ring them herself.  I constantly put their little raincoats on them, let them out, let them in, take off their raincoats.  Over and over again, all day long.  Now they need rain boots so my floors stay clean on these rainy days!  Here's a picture of them.  Aren't just adorable?

Christmas Cookie Exchange

November went out with a roar!  We awoke to tornado sirens going off this morning and then it continued to rain all day.  There;s nothing like rain to get you in the mood to bake. Well, except maybe for the temperature falling to freezing. I bake and the house warms up, smells yummy and I get some Christmas baking done!  Starting today, December 1st, I will post one favorite cookie recipe each day!  Feel free to share your recipes too!  I just love baking cookies for Christmas, don't you?

Later this week or early next week, the boys and I will construct a gingerbread house! I say construct because it is actually cheaper to buy one already baked in a kit.  I paid $8.00 for the kit on sale at Target.  It comes with everything you need.  Of course, I will purchase extra candy for mine, but it's necessary.   

Turkey Pot Pie

Leftover turkey?  I just love turkey pot pie (well, once a year I do).  I make turkey pot pie every year after Thanksgiving and I thought I would share my recipe with you.  It is so easy!  I make sure that I make plenty of gravy when cooking the Thanksgiving meal.  So here is what you will need;

leftover turkey, diced
leftover gravy
2-3 stalks of celery, diced
1 small onion, diced
1 14oz can of mixed vegetables, drained (I like Veg-All, but didn't have it in the pantry)
1 14oz can of diced potatoes, drained
1 pkg. prepared pie crusts (you can make your own if you like, I don't)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a deep pie plate with pie crust.  Mix all ingredients in bowl.

Fill pie crust with mixture, top with second pie crust and pinch seams together.

Bake 45-60 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbling. 

Caution- let it cool some before serving as it is extremely hot and can burn the inside of your mouth!  You can actually make 2 of these and freeze one for later. Yummm, now dig in :D

Welcome

So, I've been wanting to write a blog for a while now and finally I am really doing this!  Give me a couple of days to get everything straight here and get some pictures up.  My children are all out of the house now so it's just me and my husband.  The empty nest syndrome hit me hard.  God Bless Amber, my youngest for taking care of that problem.  No, she didn't move back home (although I tried).  She gave us Addie, a chihuahua who is now more spoiled than Amber ever was.  Only Addie was lonely all day and Alvin needed a home, so Amber brought us Alvin last Christmas Eve.  They bring so much joy to our family.  I still miss the kids, especially when cooking dinner, but I'm learning to let go somewhat. 

Look at those faces!!!!!

I am also an avid coupon clipper.  I love saving money.I will post more on this later.