Upcycle ~ Second Hand Stores

I have a favorite second hand store. I stop by to look about once every couple weeks. I have scored so many Abercrombie shirts for my sons. Can't beat the prices, 7 shirts for $35. Gotta love that, plus I'm helping the environment by upcycling. Gotta love that too!

it's skiing time

Getting fitted for the skis. Very exciting, she's not quite sure what's going on, hanging close to her daddy.

I couldn't take many pictures outside because it was lightly drizzling.


Off to ski school. There's Sophie in pink and Cole with the red jacket and red hat waiting to go down the bunny hill.

Here she comes -- looking good, big smile on her face.

Here comes Brock, ready for the big hills. This boy has no fear and right after bunny hill went to the big hills and skiied for the next 8 hours. He even, unintentionally, went down a black diamond hill, through the woods, through tunnels. Oh my ...

Mr. Clean's Magic Erase is well .... magic

We all know the Magic Erase is good for cleaning spots off doors and walls, but did you know what else it can do?

It can clean the white rubber part off shoes. One toe done and the other not.

Look at that terrible scuff on my SUV rear view mirror. Thank you red truck that rubbed against me.

A little Magic Erase and it's gone. I have used this all over my car. People seem to like to hurt our big huge SUV's. I get scuffs all the time on my corner bumpers and rear view mirrors. And I do not park in spots too small for my Sequoia, I think it's just the way it is. This also works on boats and waverunners.

Reusable Shopping Bags ... A must

Do you use reusable shopping bags? Or have you purchased bags and use them but many times forget them and leave them in the house? I've done that a few times. So I started putting the bags right back in my car as soon as I unload the groceries. I never forget now.

Here, Walmart is starting a new program to reduce pastic bag useage for the environment. It's a wonderful idea. Walmart sells their bags for $.50 but they are small. More for a trip to Walgreens than a grocery store. I use the big bags. My favorite part about using reusable bags, other than helping save oil, is they stack so nicely in the back of my car. Things don't fall out like plastic bags.

Did you know it takes 12 million barrels of oil to produce 30 billion plastic bags?

Did you know other countries have banned the use of plastic bags? Ireland, Ugando, China!

Please buy some reusable bags next time you're at the store.

after Christmas sales

My favorite shopping day of the year is after Christmas. I love getting all those wonderful goodies at 50% or more off. I have a favorite floral store that I go to every year and add to my Christmas items. The ceramic platter, three birds, three snowmen, trio of whimsical Christmas trees and the "Joy" ceramic items all purchased there at 50%. The red cupcake holder I was eyeballing before Christmas at Target but I wasn't going to pay $15 for it, so I got it at half off. Melamine bowl ($2) and new coat for Zoey ($6)from Old Navy.

Post Christmas Cookie Day .... but they aren't Aunt Barbara's cut-outs

I'm posting late because my kids wanted this on my blog. Christmas cut-outs for Santa. I cheat. I buy pre-cut cut-outs from GFS. I have made cut-outs before, but they just don't turn out like my Aunt Barbara's cookies. She makes the best, I mean the best. Nothing has compared to her cut-outs ever, and I have tried cut-out after cut-out just to make sure.

Santa doesn't mind though.
Even Bear lasted about 10 minutes with this project.

Sophie wanted her grams to help.

Brock using a "new" technique.

I just realized Brock made a "peace out" sign to me with his fingers. Where do they learn this stuff?

Ore-Ida Easy Fries - a review

So here we are 4 days before Christmas and I'm writing a review post on french fries. I was in walmart one day close to lunch time and a guy came in and snatched up 4 of these boxes as I was standing there staring into the cooler. I asked him if they were good. He said they were wonderful. Of course, any french fry is a friend of mine. What, microwaveable, get out!

The verdict: Pretty good for a very quick 4 minute addition to your meal. Better than I expected that's for sure. Not mushy like I expected. As good as oven baked, no, but a very good quick passable option. And purchased on sale, not a bad price.