Happy 233rd Birthday, US Marines!

Look what I got as a birthday gift today! -->

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Christina Aguilera, "Keeps Gettin' Better" 3:02

Netflix Stars - Expelled

3/5 This was recommended by Netflix because I liked Miss Potter...Frequency...Signs...The Rookie...You've Got Mail...Night at the Museum...??!! One original thought visited and revisted, time after time. We understood the point about 3 minutes into the movie. The stock documentaries were appropriately used and made the movie more watchable. But overall, nice to see Ben Stein had a movie.

The Unlikely Lavender Queen

Whiny. Resentful. Reluctant. A toddler? No, Jeannie Ralston, "The Unlikely Lavender Queen" I'm sorry, I wanted and tried to like this book. It's set in small town Blanco in the Texas Hill Country. The behind the scenes beginnings of Texas Hill Country lavender. A woman finding herself on a new life journey. But the undercurrent of mocking Texas and complaining along the way didn't do it for me. Sheesh. I had this checked out from the library three weeks just trying to plow through it. Now I'll probably need to use an alias when I place my lavender order. . .

My Bargain Find at the Chantal Outlet Sale!

A $42 Chantal "Jasmine" teapot for $8! L found it tucked away on a table with the red ("Alert! Bargain!") sticker. It was evidently a color prototype or catalog photo shoot prop, as it just had a handwritten sticker on the bottom with the words "New Chocolate" FYI - for $15 you can get the Jasmine teapot in their new "Pure" line in cream/linen color. Same thing as shown here. They've got several "Pure" items towards the front of the store to the right, second free standing aisle from the wall. There are also special $2, $3, $5 and $10 bargain tables towards the back. Definitely worth the trip in Friday afternoon traffic. Each weekend will offer different special deals, so repeat visits may be in store for you. Click here for more information about the outlet sale. Word to the wise coming in from Beltway 8 heading East, take the exit before Texas 249/Tomball Parkway and stay on the feeder road. (Sam Houston Racetrack--Fairbanks/North Houston Road)

Looking Good!

Budget looking kind of tight for Christmas? Put your stash fabric and scraps to a good use and make these cute eyeglass cases featured in the August/September issue of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine - page 94. Linda Schneewind of Digs suggests the more varied the fabrics, the better the outcome. Try using wool, corduroy or velvet scraps for texture and interest. For eyecatching holders for eyecatching glasses, use fabrics which coordinate with your frames or choose bright colors to easily spot inside your purse. Give cases as gifts to avid readers with a favorite book or magazine subscription.

Click here for the instructions from Shop Digs (PDF file)

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

KT Tunstall, "Suddenly I See" 3:18

Vogue 8462 - View A and View C

To paraphrase Tim Gunn, "That's just too much look" as I tried on Vogue 8462 View A and View C together. Separately, I loved them. I used the micro stripe knit, stripe side out for the jacket and gray side for the top. You'd think it would work, but no. Just too-too something. . .

For starters -- the View A jacket is HUGE! Forget about closing demurely with a little button as shown in the drawing. You can wrap the fronts to the side easily. Go down at least one size from what you usually use. It doesn't help it is sized by letters each covering two sizes instead of single sizes. I could have gone down two sizes/letters, but that would have been another pattern purchase - There are only three sizes per pattern. The sleeves are really long, too - I didn't need to lengthen them. I also skipped the self-lining of the front pieces and just turned under 5/8" with some Steam-A-Seam and topstitching, saving time and yardage. I shudder to think what the extra weight would have done to the draping. I did not add a button, figuring I would hold it closed with a brooch or let hang open.

Now the View C top runs closer to size and fit great. Sews quickly, too. The only time I veered away from those directions was to not self-face the neckline, instead scrunching and tucking down like Vogue 7799 View A


I had fun with the topstitching, though -- 3.0 straight stitch followed closely with a 3.0 x 3.0 zigzag to pop out against the stripe.

Would I make this again? Not the View A jacket, but definitely the View C top. I like the idea it is sleeveless so I can wear it under other sweaters and pullovers and not get hot with all the layers. And it doesn't have the center seam like 7799 so I could have some fun with a print or stripe knit.

Argh! eBay!

I can see why eBay is going down for the count. I've bought and sold on eBay for over 10 years, earning my 100% positive red star with over 1,000 feedbacks. But I haven't lately and what a surprise when I tried to list a few of the culled books. Now the only payment option is PayPal. I've always used money orders, quite successfully both ways, avoiding that PayPal fee and those PayPal horror stories. Not anymore. Now eBay gets their cut and PayPal's cut. Something's not right here. Trying to list accurate postage comes up with a limit based upon their database - $4. That doesn't even cover a Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope! And for some reason when I try to use the shipping wizard instead, all of my auctions weigh 8-9 pounds and I can't change it. Which makes for a very expensive Priority Mail rate. No wonder I don't have any bids! I struggled to list three items and it took me over two days of trying to set up a PayPal account and giving myself time-outs to maintain sanity. It's just not worth it for a few dollars, I'd be better off (and so would the library and Goodwill) if I just hauled the rest to them. EBay now seems skewed towards the buyers, and the sellers who are businesses. Someone like me is left behind. And we were the ones who built eBay's success. Think I'll start using Craig's List instead. Buh Bye eBay.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Cherry Poppin' Daddies, "Zoot Suit Riot" 3:52

Culling the sewing room herd

All six (so far!) Whole Foods bagsful of books bound for the library did not fit into the photo! These were sewing, fashion, craft and holiday books. So many of them dashed and stashed into the sewing room bookshelves, and sadly forgotten over the years as children grew up and interests changed. Do yourself and others a favor and "cull the herd" once a year. You'd be surprised to see old favorites surface and feel good about releasing others to those who can use the ideas and information. Your local library is a good place to start. If they can't put the books on the shelves, they will sell them to fund their programs and to buy new ones. Donating to churches and thrift stores helps them raise money and gets these into the hands of moms, Girl Scouts, Vacation Bible Schools, etc. It took a Hurricane Ike and an afternoon going through the shelves and roomfuls of books, sewing notions, knitting supplies of a dear friend for a reality check. Would have I have grabbed these to evacuate or become upset if they were destroyed by Mother Nature? Nope, unless thinking - "Dang, someone would have loved and used this." That was my defining reasoning of keeping or waving goodbye.

Save the landfills and help others - sort through and donate from your sewing and craft room at least once a year. Not just books, but notions, craft supplies and fabric, too. How quickly it all becomes so dated as it just sits there, waiting. You'll feel better sharing and being able to see and enjoy what you have now.

Texas Mennonite quilt and craft sale and auction

Finally I'll get to go to the Texas Mennonite sale for world relief this Saturday, November 8 from 9-4! It's at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Wirt Road and Westview. Free admission and parking, too. Click here for their website link to get directions and information. I heard their baked goods are incredible, and the crafting and quilting skills impeccable.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Linda Ronstadt, "The Waiting" 3:59
Feels Like Home

Chantal Outlet Sale Weekends

For the next three weekends, beginning this Friday, Chantal is having their annual outlet store sale. Click here for more information, including map, hours and a sample of the incredible deals you will find! (How many TV shows and movies have you seen this teakettle in the kitchen?)

Click here for my bargain find on Friday.

Money Monday - Mix It Up

Let's mix it up!

Just in time for Thanksgiving, this is my favorite "recipe" for Poultry Seasoning --

1 teaspoon each of dried: rosemary...sage...thyme...marjoram...celery salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper and a pinch of nutmeg. Shake and store in a leftover spice container. Sprinkle on turkey or chicken and bake in oven or cook in the crockpot. Use in your favorite stuffing recipe. Especially if you use fresh spices, this will smell and taste so much better than the generic container of "Poultry Seasoning" being sold in grocery stores right now.

I love the Make-A-Mix cookbook co-authored by Karine Eliason, Nevada Harward and Madeline Westover. Their recipes and mixes will save you time and money...and help you eat healthier by reducing sugar, salt and other additives. Be sure you get the updated and expanded 1995 edition.

Houston Quilt Festival 2008 Report

In no particular order of randomness. . .

The clothing --

First a shout-out to our hometown girl Janelle Archer's entry in the Bernina Rendezvous Fashion Show with "Meet Me At the Oscars - I'll be Wearing Red" Not only was it featured on the cover of Bernina's "Though the Needle" and in the Houston Chronicle Star section on Thursday, it was also a finalist for Viewer's Choice award. Gorgeous work, Janelle! You did good! There is a rotating display of the other fashion show garments in the quilt hall. Another favorite of mine was Virgie Fisher's "Lookin' Fur Bigfoot." Young and trendy, the details were wonderful close-up. There was even a racoon family nestled on the front of her jacket.

The Hobbs fiberfill outfits were an interesting assortment. Summerset's Midnight Garden outfit won third place. Easily she could have switched for second. The first place winner blew everyone away and deserved that win. Fortunately the Midnight Garden mannikin was displayed at the right end corner, so you could, with a little effort, see the lovely jacket back detail. I knew about it from reading her blog and practically knocked over the line post and squeezed into the fire hose pillar space to get a better look. Then everyone started to stop and look (at the rest of her outfit, not me).

The shopping --

I got Quilting Arts newest magazine, "Stitch - Creating with Fabric & Thread" The skirt detail on the front cover caught my eye. And it includes 5 skirt patterns along with 25 "contemporary sewing projects" Haven't had a chance to really delve into the pages, but it looks promising.

Christmas came early for me with a new cutting board from Salem Manufacturing. (Booth 1600). The Special Quilt Show price and saving the shipping costs, enabled me to also get their Folding Square Ruler. Very cool! If you get a chance to stop by their booth for a demo, you'll end up with one also. Out of the three of us in our shopping posse, two went home with one.

I also bought a box of Lickety Grip. (Lolly Corp Booth 1803) Again, the try-it demonstration sold me. I usually keep a tube of the Neutrogena cream on my cutting table because my fingers get so dry. This seems much nicer and less sticky. $7.50 is a good price point.

At Artistic Artifacts (Booth 1257) the magpie in me found these cool sequins in black and red. Click to see the dotted detail.

Got the two cool knit fabrics at C&C Fabrics (Booth 1357). I plan to make more Sandra Betzina tops. Great prices, these were only $7/yard.

And finally - I touched a $12,000 !!! sewing machine, the new Bernina 830. It's huge - in both price and size.

Happy Halloween!

Tricker Treat

That's what we used to say when we were younger instead of Trick or Treat. I remember one Rochester Halloween when it snowed. That was the year Nana and Gramps went to Hawaii and brought us grass skirts. We certainly looked "tropical" wearing them with our with a plastic flower lei over our snowsuit jackets and the skirt on top of our snowpants! These goody bags are for the neighborhood kids...The gold tie is elastic from a gift box. The candy is from the "Chocolate Mini Favorites" 4.69 pound bag we bought from Costco two weeks ago -- Mini Snickers, Butterfingers, Milky Way (including Midnight), Baby Ruth, Twix and 3 Musketeers. Applause for us still having most of the bag until tonight!

Pomegranate Arils Ginger Muffins

Costco is selling in their cold fruit and veggie room a twin pack box of fresh pomegranate arils in 8 ounce bowls (with resealable lids included!) from POM for $7.99. Considering the fruit itself is pretty pricey, having the arils all set and ready to go effortlessly was worth the price. I tried sprinkling them in yogurt, but they were a little crunchy. Not bad, just a little odd. Since the Best Used By Date was closing in fast, I checked the POM website for recipes and found "POM Ginger Muffins" I tried a batch this morning and they were surprisingly good. The seeds softened and worked well in a muffin wardrobe.

I did a few things differently from the recipe -- I substituted 1/4 cup of whole wheat flour for part of the flour, used skim milk and an Omega 3 egg, skipped the orange peel, and a tablespoonful of Penzeys Crystallized Ginger chopped for the candied ginger. I like to snack on the ginger and didn't want to see half my jar disappear. Actually I liked the amount used, more would have been too much. I'll definitely make it again, maybe bumping up the whole wheat flour to 1/2 cup and substituting safflower oil or at least using some to replace part of the butter as one reviewer mentioned. I hate to think I'm undermining the superfruit's effort with 1/3 cup of butter.

Sandra Betzina Today's Fit Vogue 7717 View A Top

Another out-of-print Sandra Betzina Today's Fit- Vogue 7717. (You may still be able to order it directly from Vogue or check eBay. There are at least five listed on there right now, ranging from $3 to $14.99.) 7717 is yet another example of an unflattering pattern photo which causes you to skip over adding the pattern to your collection. Take a look at the line drawing - you don't even notice View A's sleeve treatment on the model. That's a separate pattern piece! The sleeve just looks rolled up and frumpy in the photo. There are a lot of very nice details in the entire pattern.

I made View A with the leftover Watercolor Rose Charmeuse from Jo-Ann's I used as the jacket lining for 8522. Following my new ground rules for the Today's Fit patterns, right from the start I added 3" to the length. Even now as it is in process it looks the bare minimum needed and next time I'll add another inch. Sandra's not that petite, so I have no idea why her top patterns run so short compared to the other Vogue patterns. I read on someone's blog that this pattern ran a little snug. Of course, after I cut out my regular size. And it was too tight in the chest. Oops. After I had applied the neckline bias binding, too. Fortunately I still had enough to cut another front and back putting back the size I chopped off during layout, but not enough for the bias. So I created facings instead. Truthfully, the facings looked much better than the bias trim. The first top's neckline with the staytape and bias got all bunchy looking. I interfaced the facings and skipped the staytape and liked those results much better.

I think the hidden gem in this top are the sleeve caps. I loved how they hit just right on the upper arm and angled up slightly. Very flattering and stylish. Yay Sandra!

Love how it looks with the 8522 jacket...

Money Monday - Twi-Light

How do you stop vampires?

(Well, the electrical ones)

With electrical outlet strips!

Appliances can continue to use power, even if they are turned off. One suggestion is to try grouping appliances into a power strip and then...turn it off!

Your printer, monitor and computer

Your coffee pot, microwave and breadmaker

Your TV, stereo and DVD/VCR

Energy vampires can add up to at least $50 per year. Click here for more scary statistics and ways to prevent your wallet from being drained.

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Veterans' Sale

November 9/15 --

Simplicity Patterns 5 for $5
Red Tag Fabrics 50% off
Thread 50% off
Cutting mats 50% off

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Elton John, "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" 4:07
Greatest Hits 1970-2002

Netflix Stars - What Happens in Vegas

4/5 stars! While predictable, it was funny! We all laughed out loud throughout the movie. Loved the roles of Dennis Miller and Cameron's friend, Lake Bell. Great roster and choice of supporting cast members. L said this was definitely an example of a movie being better than the trailer.

Oh Cats!

Whenever something didn't go right, my grandmother would always say, "Oh cats!" After the Vogue 8522 debacle, perhaps I should sew cats. This free downloadable pattern from Wee Wonderfuls was featured in the October issue of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion on page 90 done up in Halloween fabrics. Aren't they cute? They seem very retro 60's to me. Imagine some Christmas fabric kitties decorating your house.

Vogue 8522 View A Jacket

I attempted Very Easy Vogue 8522 (the "Very Easy" designation must come from no set in sleeves?) View A. After basting the sides and center back, I decided I liked it without the collar A little warning bell went off in my head about the sleeves - they were just a little too wide and bellshaped to my eye. It felt like part of a costume, and in the green fabric, I'm thinking Peter Pan or an elf.

A better fabric match for this pattern would be a heavier weight than moleskin--maybe even sweatshirt/fleece or fake fur.

Update: L suggested I remove the black button and add four gold buttons, two across. Looks much better. And not to pair it with the black jeans and brown turtleneck. Forget Peter Pan or an elf, I looked like a tree!

Sanda Betzina's Fall/Winter Fashion Forecast

Here's the link to Sandra's Fall/Winter 2008/2009 Fashion Forecast! I just printed mine today. (Note: You need to print it in "Landscape" or adjust your printer accordingly as it is just a little too wide and you'll miss the right edge words if you use "Portrait") I'll cut and tape her comments to my patterns, just for when I think, "why did I buy this pattern?" I'm all set to match stash or go shopping!

Light up your sewing room...

Or a sewing-themed Christmas tree in your sewing room. That's not too much of a reach. I know people who have kitchen trees, bathroom trees, children's room trees, trees for their pets even. . .

Click here for ordering information from Martingale Publishers.

American Sewing Guild - Pillowcase Project

The 2009 American Sewing Guild National Community Service Project will be making pillowcases for the Ronald McDonald House in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Even if you are not an ASG member, contact your local Ronald McDonald House or children's hospital to see if they could use pillowcases to cheer their patients.

I discovered some good Internet links with instructions to make a variety of pillowcase styles, including the infamous "Burrito Pillowcase Pattern". These websites complement both the visual and print instruction method sewers. Please be sure to use only 100% cotton fabric in children's prints and bright colors and make them in standard pillowcase size - 21" x 32".

Utah State University

Quilting in Connecticut

Quilted Forest

Quilt in a Day Community Forum

Hello Kitty is back at the Target Dollar Spot

And all set for Winter and Christmas gift-giving opportunities! I came home with these three totebags, the camera didn't show a light dusting of glitter on the snow/white paint. Very HK! There are also stickers, photo albums, pens, necklace/bracelet sets, keychains, notebooks, hair accessories and more. Great for stocking stuffers and Secret Santas - grab them now!

World's Longest Pink Ribbon

Did anyone else get a 2.5 foot piece of the 2.5 million foot long Running Ribbon logo ribbon from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure? They have a website - http://www.thisistheribbon.org with photos of what people are doing with their ribbon, but I didn't find any projects or photos there. I just received the ribbon a couple days ago.

What a Crock!

This morning I lifted the lid on my red 4-quart Crock-Pot and...the handle came off! The plastic handle literally disintegrated and broke free from the screw attaching it into the glass. Into tiny pieces and plastic dust. Since this was definitely a lid malfunction and it was only a little over a year old, I called the Rival 800 number to request a replacement. Customer service said the lids were out-of-stock (others had similar problems?), but to call back in three weeks, and if they were available then, they could order one for me at a total cost of $21.59! Lid, shipping, tax. I told her for 40 cents more, I could buy a new one at Target and probably even less in the store. I think I got it on sale for around $17. I'll go to Target later this afternoon and see if for grins they will replace it. I'm doubtful, but it's worth a try. No offense, but if I can find a 4-quart size slow cooker that is not a Rival, I'm more inclined to replace mine with a new brand. . . How many lidless Rival crockpots are clogging our landfills?

Chem-Eco Reaction

A warning from my sister about the new Palmolive Eco + Dishwasher Detergent. . .

"It leaves a weird white film residue on everything, all over, inside and out...Especially noticeable on stainless steel pans. It makes a strange discoloration on stainless flatware, like when rice boils over the pot. It wouldn't scrub off with a pad, nor would it come off when I put everything through the dishwasher again with Cascade. I finally scrubbed with a vinegar solution and I think it's off now. How is this eco friendly with chlorine bleach? And having to waste time/water/energy/money to redo the load? No response from Palmolive about my complaint...."

Yikes! While you want to "go green," and do right by planet Earth, stick with Costco's Kirkland brand or Cascade. They work and come in green boxes and containers.

Bernina Fashion Show News

Rendezvous will be the last Bernina Fashion Show! Here's the email excerpt from Karey Bresenhan, via the QuiltArt mailing list. . .

From Karey Bresenhan, Director - International Quilt Festival:

"The wearable arts world has long enjoyed the tradition of a prestigious runway show at the International Quilt Festival to showcase the latest, most innovative techniques and designs. In the last 30 years, many of you have contributed your late-night hours, creative energies, and heartfelt passions to present today's American haute couture. Under the sponsorship of first Fairfield, then Bernina, the evolution of wearable art has come a long way, and this exciting journey will continue but without the Festival Fashion Show as a staple at the International Quilt Festivals. The 2008 collection of Rendezvous will be the last of the Festival Fashion Shows as we have known them. Rendezvous will continue under the Bernina name through the end of the Chicago runway show next spring. In Long Beach next summer, the show will be presented but under the aegis of Quilt Festival without outside sponsorship. Unfortunately, the current economic turmoil combined with steep increases in our production costs have forced Bernina and Quilts, Inc. to reconsider this event. Quilts, Inc feels a commitment to you, the designer whether you have only recently submitted a portfolio, have pursued this dream for years, or have contributed many times and we will actively seek a way to continue to incorporate wearable arts into our shows. There could be another runway show in the future, or we may take a completely different approach. We will continue to honor wearable art as an important expression of creative talent, exquisite workmanship, and extraordinary vision as we chart this new course."
Karey Bresenhan
Director, International Quilt Festival

New cool tea from Celestial Seasonings

Celestial Seasonings Green Tea Cranberry Pomegranate. A triple play! Box of 20 teabags found at Whole Foods for $3.49. And a donation goes to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. All good. . .

Update: Tastes great iced! 4 bags per quart of water.

Money Monday - Cut your losses

Monday's business section is always doom and gloom. In today's paper, there is an article about a woman having to keep working indefinitely and putting her other plans on hold because her mother just retired without a retirement fund (?!) and life insurance (?!?!) and she has to help pay the bills...that's depressing.

I decided to post a few tips I've learned along the way to save money, and be more positive on Mondays instead. This is what I had in my wallet -- a $20; some dimes and my 2 cents. Along with some Chinese coins tied together in red string. I read in a Feng Shui book that if you tie three coins with holes in them with a red string, it will bring money into your life. Well, the ATM gave me the $20. I bought a bag of the coins at last year's Quilt Festival. I was going to use them as buttons or trim. Who knows what I was thinking. But if they can help keep the $20's in my wallet...

This week's tip is to cut your losses - dryer sheets!

If you cut your dryer sheets in half, you'll still get the softening and fragrance you need without your items getting all ooky and save money at the same time. Look how long that Downey sheet is. I cut three sheets in half at a time and put them back inside the box. People have said they just use the same sheet twice, but I find a lot of the coating is gone when everything is dried, no matter what size it is. If you are drying towels, keep the old one from the previous load and add a new 1/2 sheet.

Update: Hi! Welcome to everyone coming over here from Tightwad Tuesdays at BeingFrugal.net ! This was the first post of my Money Mondays series. Please click on the Money Monday label to bring up all the MM's.

And be sure to click "Home" to get to my main and current page - I have lots of other postings and links to more fun and money-saving blogs. Enjoy!

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Britney Spears, "Toxic" 3:18

Sandra Betzina Today's Fit Vogue 2949 - View A & B Jacket

Here is View A with the back flaps, but with the bound edges of View B. This is an interesting jacket. Every time you put it on, it looks a little different. Especially if you use a grabby fabric like this black/tan/red brushed cotton plaid from Jo-Ann's. The fabric is so soft, I committed the cardinal sin of not washing it first, fearing it would pill or lose body. I did prewash the uncut/waleless red corduroy trim I used on the bias, to make it softer. If you want to trim all your edges, including the View A flaps with a bias cut woven, you'll need 3/4 yard of 45" wide. I also detoured from Sandra's instructions -- I didn't Stay-Tape the edges first, which would probably be a good idea if your fabric is loosely woven. I also said oh Hell no to hand sewing the trim to the underside. I used a narrow zig-zag and caught the underside just fine. It helped that there was a little bit of a nap to let the stitches sink in. As it was, it took me hours to trim, especially if you are binding the flaps, too. I really liked the jacket before I added the flaps, though the back was a little too high, despite adding 2" in length. If I were to make it again, I would add more and then trim to be a little bit longer than the front. Not shorter as is for View B. Then I added the flaps. . . While they lengthened the back, I just about cried when I saw what they did to the sides. Remember those handkerchief or bandana skirts? With the the squares on point? That's what it looked like. Only sticking out at an unflattering angle. Wah! First I was going to fold and tack them in place. That looked odder. Then I looked at the pattern envelope photo and noticed the model's sides were more in back of her. When I pushed the flap sides more towards the back, it looked much better.

Total cost to make before tax with ASG 10% discount: $21.43

3 3/4 yard brushed cotton plaid: $16.17

3/4 yard waleless corduroy: $1.66

Vogue 2949: $3.60

Thread from previous projects: Free

Not bad for a something different fun and cozy jacket.

Today's Costco Find

Fix It & Forget it Big Cookbook - 1,400 Best Slow Cooker Recipes - $18.69 at Costco right now. (Publisher's price $29.95) It's a big honker of a book - 699 pages! Phyllis Pellman Good has written 5 Fix It and Forget It slow cooker/crockpot recipe books. Would you believe I don't have any of them? (I do have the page a day/recipe a day 2008 and 2009 calendars. 2009 is also now available at Costco for $7.69) Unless it fell behind another book. That is a possibility. Sad. Too many cookbooks, not enough meals!