Last night's sunset cloud picture

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Miss ya, Dad!

I can't believe it's been 30 years. . .

I'm 5 years old in this picture; it was my sister's 2nd birthday party at my Aunt and Uncle's house. We had matching fabric (yuck!) dresses. Looks like I tried to bling it up with a necklace!

Hello Kitty iPod Touch Cover

Found at Best Buy. I especially like the blingy crystaled bow on the back.

Cooking Light Annual Recipes 2011

A Pavlovian response as soon as I see the Cooking Light type face, the new Cooking Light Annual Recipes 2011 quickly moved from the table to my cart at Costco the other day. Costco's price of $20.99 is a considerable savings over the publisher's price of $34.95. But well worth every penny, even though I subscribe to the magazine, too. I rip out the recipes I want to try, and then the ones we liked are put in my recipe binder. Now my tearable (sic) magazine folly during the year has been made whole again into a book.

Sigh, I counted my Cooking Light cookbooks the other day. I have 31. Not counting the 17 special issues they publish during the year. Obsessed. Yes.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Bruno Mars - "Runaway Baby" - 2:28

Fun and bouncy with a GREAT beat for the fast portion of your workout.

Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming

Another cold snap, another bloom. I love how my "Pink Promise" rose gets these touches of hot pink from the weather changing during its bud formation. In the warmer weather, the flowers are a creamy white with just a little touch of salmon pink.

Today's pretty cloud picture

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

4 Cheese Lasagna

Yum!!

4 CHEESE LASAGNA

1 package lasagna noodles

1 container low fat Ricotta cheese

1 container low fat cottage cheese

Dried parsley flakes

1 package shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup, plus additional grated Parmesan cheese

1 can tomato sauce, 29 ounce

1 can stewed tomatoes, drained (try to find Italian style)

1/2 pound ground round or ground chuck, browned

1 1/2 teaspoons oregano

1 teaspoon basil

Several shakes of garlic powder

Several shakes of onion powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1. Start water boiling for lasagna noodles. Follow time directions to the "al dente" stage. Drain.

2. Brown the beef. If you bought a 1 pound package-set aside half to freeze for another use.

3. In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, oregano, salt and parsley flakes.

4. In another bowl, combine the tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, browned beef, basil, sugar, garlic and onion powder.

5. Put a row of noodles on bottom of pan. Add 1/2 of the cheese mixture, and enough sauce to cover. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat.

6. Add another row of noodles, cover with remaining sauce, mozzarella cheese and sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top to fill it in and look pretty.

Ready to bake!

7. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes, remove from oven and let stand for 15 minutes before cutting and serving.

Mangia tutto!

Any leftovers? They will freeze well for up to a month.

____________

(Adapted from the 1978 edition of Betty Crocker's Cookbook)

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

January 13/15
$1.99 Butterick
$1.99 McCall's

Winter Warm-Up Sale - January 16/22
99 cents Simplicity
50% off quilting notions
50% off interfacing by the yard
50% off Red Tag fabrics
40% off quilting, knitting and crochet books

January 27/29
$3.99 Vogue

January 9/29
40% off Gutermann thread

Thursday Tea Time

This week - The Republic of Tea Dream By The Fire Tea

Cinnamon Vanilla Herb Tea

Limited Edition - "When It's Gone It's Gone"

Cost: $10.99 at Cost Plus World Market (now marked down to 50% off, and maybe even 75% off now)
Number of teabags: 36

Caffeine: No
Type of tea: Herbal - Red Rooibos
Steeping time: 5 minutes.
Mix ins: Skim milk and sugar or fat-free condensed milk
Teabag fragrance: Fruity vanilla with a touch of cinnamon

Ingredients: Rooibos and natural vanilla and cinnamon flavors.
Opinion: Very good! I went back to grab another on sale. It is a perfect comforting tea when the weather is cold and dreary. "Snuggle up to the glow of the fireplace and let the silent night lull you to blissful dreams."
Rating: 4.0

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Today's perfect swimming song!

Uncle Kracker - "Smile" - 3:21

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Mudcrutch - "The Queen of the Go-Go Girls" - 3:42

Netflix Stars - Happy Accidents

4.5/5 stars - Interesting combination of romance, comedy and sci-fi. A little bit slow to start, but stick with it. My favorite line -- "I feel like my whole life has just been a journey into your arms." (swoon!) This is definitely an unusual movie with a surprise ending.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Bruno Mars, featuring Cee Lo Green and B.O.B. - "The Other Side" - 3:47
Not only a great beat for the treadmill. This song is just perfect for swimming laps, too - I loved doing the flip turns at just the right changes! Zoom!

Netflix Stars - The Sorcerer's Apprentice

4/5 - Outstanding special effects! And the live-action Fantasia re-enactment scene was great. I also liked how it was set in modern day NYC. We all enjoyed this one.

Source: PSDeluxe

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Comfort and Joy Tea The Republic of Tea

Holiday Spice Blend - When It's Gone It's Gone Limited Edition Tea

Cost: $10.49 at Cost Plus World Market
Number of teabags: 50!

Caffeine: Yes
Type of tea: Black
Steeping time: 2-4 minutes, 3 worked for me
Mix ins: Fat-free condensed milk.
Teabag fragrance: Clove, licorice, cinnamon

Ingredients: Black tea, cinnamon, natural flavors, cloves, licorice root and apple pieces
Opinion: Licorice? What a surprise! The apple is a supporting flavor. An interesting combination and taste. I liked it!

Rating: 4.0

Test

Trying out my new Galaxy Tab!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Rock Mafia - "The Big Bang" - 2:40

Proof things improve over time as things to be replaced over time. And this Betty Crocker non-stick oven liner is a definite improvement from my worn out, thick, icky-looking black oven liner. Pretty gold color, almost sheer and very flexible -- easy to trim to fit. With a coupon burning a hole in my pocket, I found this at Bed, Bath and Beyond for only $9.99. I could get lost in BBB for hours. Dangerous aisles beckon. I originally went in for a flour sifter (and found a more usable 5 cup size to replace my broken 2 cupper).

Oooh! Gingerbread Cocoa?!

I found this on sale at Cost Plus World Market, on sale for $3.99 (regularly $5.99) Eight ounces, using about 2 1/2 tablespoons will make approximately 6 servings. The very gingery-gingerbread flavor definitely goes well with cocoa. Who knew? Yum!

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Edward Maya, featuring Vika Jigulina - "Stereo Love" - 3:04
Great beat...and how many songs have you heard lately featuring an ACCORDION?!
Perfectly timed for swimming laps and doing your flip turns.

Hello Kitty Christmas

I found them near the Christmas candy/stocking stuffer section. Grab these at the Target after Christmas sale! Original price was $6.99.

"Holiday Home" and "Snowy Day" are Target exclusives.

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Snapped before the birdies got them. . .

M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S !

O Christmas Tree!

Part of our Christmas tree, it was almost 8 feet tall this year. L tried something new, putting four different types of lights on it. I love the way it turned out -- very fun!

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Pomegranate Vanilla from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Cost: $3.95

Number of teabags: 5
Caffeine: Yes

Type of tea: Oolong

Steeping time: 5 minutes

Mix ins: Fat-free condensed milk

Teabag fragrance: Sweet floral/fruity, with hint of vanilla
Ingredients: Oolong tea, lilly blossom, dried pomegranate, natural and artificial flavorings

Opinion: Very smooth, not tart as I would expect from pomegranate. The vanilla is detectable and delectable, and really adds to the taste. Bonus with the cute little 3 1/4" tall mini tin, with inside lid. I will definitely repurpose this in the sewing room! I would buy this again, but this was the last one. I wish CBTL had this in the larger, 20-bag tin. Maybe next year they will bring it back in that size.

Rating: 4

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Patrick Hernandez- "Born to Be Alive" - 3:07
I actually entered a dance contest to this song way back when. Despite a swishy red dress, we didn't place. But had a great time then and now, dissolving in fits of laughter trying to teach my daughter the moves for one of her retro school dances.

Our 2010 Poinsettia

Does anyone know the name of this poinsettia? I got it at Costco the other day, marked down to $11.97. Isn't it gorgeous?!

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

December 26/January 8
Every skein of yarn on sale!

New Year's Sale - December 30/January 2
Vogue $3.99
McCall's 99 cents
50% off thread

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Jet - "Are You Gonna to Be My Girl?" - 3:34

Christmas Jingle Bell Scarf

I used Size 17 needles and two strands of yarn knitted together - I Love This Yarn "Seasonal" red/green/white, and its sister version in "Sparkle" with the silver metallic thread woven in. (Hobby Lobby $3.69 per skein) I thought it just begged for additional accents of three silver jingle bells on each end. Enough to be pretty without being irritating

Netflix Stars - Letters to Juliet

4/5 stars - A bit of a slow start, hang in there. The scenery is gorgeous, reminiscent of "Under the Tuscan Sun". Vanessa Redgrave steals the movie. There were several lines which just struck me as LOL funny. Whether they were intentional or not, it helped turn this into a rom-com for me. Most definitely a chick flick and an enjoyable way to spend a Saturday morning knitting a Christmas present scarf.

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Tazo Joy Limited Edition Tea from Starbucks

Cost: $6.95 at Starbucks

Number of teabags: 15 sachets (usually Tazo Teas in the cardboard boxes in the paper teabags have 20)
Caffeine: Yes

Type of tea: Black, Green and Oolong

Steeping time: 5 minutes.

Mix ins: Skim milk and sugar. I also tried it with honey, and it didn't taste quite as good.

Teabag fragrance: Tea-y! Faint jasmine scent, perhaps from the green tea?
Ingredients: Black, green and oolong teas and natural flavor

Opinion: Pretty tin and limited edition Tazo tea. This is moving fast at Starbucks. I first bought this about 10 days ago from the bookcase display and there were plenty of tins. When I went back tonight, one store was sold out, the other only had two. I left one behind for good Tazo Tea style Karma! Hopefully they will be restocking soon. If you are looking for a nice drinking tea without any exotic flavors and definitely a step above run of the mill Lipton, this is an enjoyable change of taste.

Rating: 4.0

Netflix Stars - The Losers

0/5! How did this appear in my queue? It must have been the preview trailers seen on another DVD or in the theater. I like a good CIA/op movie, but this was awful. Both my daughter and I watched this and both of us ditched it after about 5 minutes. Loser indeed!

Netflix Stars - Sex and the City 2

1/5 stars. Only because I got halfway through until I ditched. This was terrible! The stupidity, stereotyping and racist/sexist remarks just offended me. I loved the series. The first movie wasn't that bad. But this!!! I hope they don't bother doing SATC3.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Jem -"Just a Ride" - 3:19

Cool Christmas Ornament

I found this at Hobby Lobby during their 50% off Christmas ornament sale. It was in the "Fashion Ornaments/La Boutique" section. Even at the regular price of $4.99; it's quite the affordable addition to your tree and later on, your sewing room!

(The barcode item number is 6589311)

12-11-10-9

Dear Sweet Blog,

I have missed you. I promise to be more attentive.

And I wanted a post date and time stamped:

12-11-10 9:00

XOXO,
Me

Thursday Tea Time

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Holiday Tea Trio - three tins of five tea bags each. $11.95

I'm not going to do my usual post for these teas, as I was not able to try all of them. They were packaged as a trio, which also included their featured Winter Dream Tea. Winter Dream had orange and lemon bits - and citrus gives me migraines. I gave that tin away as part of a holiday present exchange. But I thought I would at least be able to enjoy the other two. Nope!

Sugar Plum has Ceylon black tea, orange peel, whole cloves, ginger root, cinnamon, anise seed, mulling spices, nutmeg and lemon peel. It is very fragrant and smells interesting. I want to say I detect a faint Robitussin waft? I can't quite place it.


Candy Cane - Surely I'd be able to drink this one. Nope. I'm allergic to strawberries - they give me hives. What are the odds this tea would have Ceylon black tea and -- FREEZE DRIED STRAWBERRIES? I do give kudos to CBTL for an interesting combination - I bet it looks pretty and tastes great.

1, 2, 3 strikes - This week, I'm out!

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Enrique Iglesias (featuring Pit Bull) - "I Like It" - 3:51
Great beat to keep you moving through the water when it's 42 degrees outside!

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

December 10/12
$1.99 Simplicity
50% off Notions Wall
50% off Gingher
50% off interfacing

December 5/24
50% off flannel shirtings - sale $3.49/yard
(gah, I love flannels shirts on guys, even if I have to sew them myself!)

December 17/18
$3.99 Vogue
$1.99 McCall's

December 18/24
$1.99 Butterick

Netflix Stars - Away We Go

5 stars! What a hidden gem of a movie! The trailers did not do it justice - at all. It definitely showcases Maya Rudolph's talents way beyond the scope of her work on Saturday Night Live. Treat yourself to this indie and enjoy!

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Numi Organic Tea Velvet Garden White Rose

Cost: $5.49 at Randalls
Number of teabags: 18

Caffeine: Yes
Type of tea: White
Steeping time: 4 minutes
Mix ins: Hot with fat-free condensed milk. It also tastes good with milk and a little bit of sugar. I haven't tried it with just honey yet, but doesn't that sound good, too?
Teabag fragrance: Rosy

Ingredients: Only two! 100% natural Fair Trade Certified and Organic Certified white tea and Organic Certified rose petals

Opinion: This grows on you. At first I thought it was very reminiscent of my grandmother's soap!? Then I tried another mug, then another. It is a very calming tea. In fact, in the midst of all the Thanksgiving dinner preparations, I took a break and had some of this. Just what I needed to get back into the kitchen, revitalized.

This is what Numi has printed on the box --

"Roses have been a symbol of love and beauty since the dawn of romance. Numi's enchanting Velvet Garden releases a provocative sweet rosy taste as it blushes a soft pink. With every sip this liaison of organic rose petals and delicate Spring White tea imparts a silken smoothness. White Tea is the tender bud of the tea plant making it exquisitely subtle and supremely healthy. High in antioxidants and Vitamin C, this uplifting Fair Trade Certified white tea blend will be the beginning of a long lasting love affair."

If this doesn't make you want to run out and buy one, I don't know what other words will!

Rating: 4.5

Fast, Easy and Cheap Christmas Wreath!

These three items from Target's Dollar Spot turn into

this --->

Total cost - $3

Total time - 15 minutes

Just fluff out the wreath and stick the ornaments on different branches. No need for wires, they slip right on. Target also has the wreaths and tubes of ornaments in different colors. I liked the more "retro" silver wreath with the multi colored ornaments.

Pumpkin Pie Bars

Originally called "Frosted Pumpkin Bars" from the Penzeys Fall 2003 catalog, but when I brought them to a party, everyone was calling them Pumpkin Pie Bars!

I later found a very similiar recipe in Light & Tasty magazine -- the only things which made it "lighter" were the eggs (4 eggs whites plus 2 whole eggs. That seems like a waste of half a dozen eggs. Just eat a smaller piece!) and canola oil (1/2 cup plus 4 tablespoons of water) They also omit the ginger and the nutmeg --And they leave out the butter in the cream cheese frosting. Suffice to say, I have not made the Light & Tasty recipe. I just tore it out of the magazine and stuck it behind the Penzeys one.

To be honest, when I'm bringing these to a party, I make Penzeys full throttle version! Hey and yay! -- It's the holidays!

Frosted Pumpkin Bars

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp powdered ginger

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

4 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups sugar

1 15-oz can solid packed pumpkin

Preheat oven to 350. Sift together the dry ingredients (except for the sugar) and set aside. In another bowl, mix together the eggs, oil, sugar, and pumpkin and beat well. Gradually add the dry stuff and blend well. Pour the batter into an ungreased jelly roll pan (17x12x1). Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. If you use a 9×13 pan, bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack. Frost with cream cheese frosting and cut into squares.

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz (1 package) cream cheese, softened at room temp - I use Neufchatel Reduced Fat

1 stick butter, softened at room temp - I actually use 1/2 stick (1/4 cup)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 Tbsp milk

4 cups powdered sugar

Mix together the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and milk until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar a cup at a time. Add additional milk if the frosting seems too dry.

Sparkling Peppermint Cookies

Each year I try to find at least one new recipe to add to my Christmas cookie collection. This was the first one I tried, and now the first one I've added to our 2010 holiday celebration.

This recipe is from the 2010 Land O'Lakes Holiday Cookies Recipe Collection magazine, page 17. I reduced the butter by 1 1/2 tablespoons and used unsalted butter. Every little bit helps - And it was still a yummy crispy-chewy cookie! I used regular sugar to roll the cookies, but was later able to find Wilton Sprinkles White Sparkling Sugar at Super Target, 8 ounces for only $2.19. I plan to use that next batch for an even more festive look.

SPARKLING PEPPERMINT COOKIES

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup (minus 1 1/2 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract

1 2/3 cups flour

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup crushed mini candy canes or peppermint candies, divided use

1/4 cup sugar

Heat oven to 350. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper, set aside

Combine 3/4 cup sugar, butter, egg, vanilla and peppermint extract in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Reduce speed to low, add flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. Beat until well mixed. Stir in 1/4 cup crushed candy into dough.

Stir remaining 1/4 cup crushed candy into 1/4 cup sugar.

Shape dough into 3/4" balls, roll in sugar mixture. Place two inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets.

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. I rotate the cookie sheets halfway through. Do not overbake. Cool 1 minute, then remove to wire cooling rack. Try to cool completely before eating. Makes 4 dozen cookies. (Three dozen if you are in a hurry and make 1" balls using two cookie sheets!)

Personalized Baby Diapers

This is my favorite baby gift to make! You can still find cloth diapers at Target in either the 6-pack or 12-pack.

When my daughter was a baby, I would make several of these to coordinate with her outfit and mine! I'd have seasonal ones, too.

For baby shower gifts or if they hadn't decided upon the baby's name, I would sew neutral colors of turquoise and yellow, and sayings with "Baby Dear," "Cutie Pie," "Sugar and Spice," "Sweetheart" etc., pinning them together with a diaper pin.

I enjoyed making these with Sulky's varigated thread 40 weight (the multicolored one, second from the bottom) and Mettler's 30 weight. I couldn't tell the difference in the final result. Both threads were easy to use (no breakage) and gave good stitching results.

The Viking Husqvarna 1100 stitches used were D14 (flower/4-leaf clover), D24 (hearts) and F17 (snowflake/flower) and the C Script lettering card with two spaces between the letters.

Thursday Tea Time

This week -- Bigelow Pumpkin Spice Autumn Spiced Tea

Cost: $2.19 on sale at Kroger

Number of teabags: 20

Caffeine: Yes

Type of tea: Black

Steeping time: 4 minutes

Mix ins: Fat free condensed milk

Teabag fragrance: Ginger and cinnamon

Ingredients: Black tea, natural pumpkin flavors, cinnamon, licorice root, clove, ginger, pumpkin flakes

Opinion: It tastes just like pumpkin pie! Especially more so if you use the thicker condensed milk. Regular milk gives it a more spice latte tea feel. Grab an extra box or two of this seasonal treat before it disappears.

Rating: 4

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Sales

November 26/Friday - Doors open at 6 AM
$1.29/yard flannels

November 27/Saturday - Doors open at 7 AM
$79.99 Gutermann thread 100 spool cabinet
$2.99 10 yard bolt fusible interfacing

3-Day Sale - November 26/28
BIGIF thread
BIGIF butons
99 cents Butterick patterns

3-Day Super Savings Sale - December 2/4
$1.99 McCall's
$3.99 Vogue

Stila at Costco!

What a Stila of a deal at Costco right now! The Blockbuster Color Palette is only $19.99 - Item #514275

30 eyeshadows, 15 lip colors, 3 cheek colors, 1 highlighter, 1 bronzer, 1 eye liner, 1 lip liner, 2 applicators, 1 lip brushy and 1 blush brush.

Special thanks to my daughter for letting me open and photograph her gift!

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

k'naan - "Bang Bang" - 3:04
Perfect for swimming laps, too!

Swimming with my iPod!

I got my new little iPod Shuffle a bathing suit so I can take it swimming with me as I do my laps! I found it at H2O Audio.

Right now, the Amphibx GRIP Waterproof Armband is is the only holder out there which will fit the newest generation Shuffle.

They told me within three months they should have the holder which clips onto the back of your goggle straps. I think it will also be an all-in-one as far as having built-in earphones. As soon as it is available, I'm getting one.

The armband is OK, it gets a little heavy around my upper arm, and takes awhile to dry, but I'm willing to deal with those minor inconveniences so I can groove to my tunes in the meantime. And I did have to get the Surge 2G Waterproof Sport Earbuds separately, bumping up the initial outlay price. The $49 Shuffle was the cheapest in the trio!

But so far, so good. No leaks and despite the review complaints about the earbuds, I haven't had any problems at all.

Thursday Tea Time

This week - The Republic of Tea Caramel Apple Red Tea

Cost: $9.99 at Whole Foods

Number of teabags: 36

Caffeine: No

Type of tea: Red Rooibos

Steeping time: 7 minutes

Mix ins: Fat free condensed milk

Teabag fragrance: Caramels and apples
Ingredients: Rooibos, natural caramel and apple flavors
Opinion: I've been searching for an apple tea, which didn't taste like artificial apple juice. The caramel flavor in this tea is the perfect touch. Not too sweet. Combined with the "heavier" feel of the condensed milk, this tea is yummy! Perfect for after dinner - bonus it's caffeine free, or a little pick me up/set you right with your day again anytime treat. Plus the health benefits of Rooibos? Red tea helps control allergies and fights colds, aids in digestion. What more happiness could you ask from a hot mug of tea? Update: This tea is so ridiculously delicious, I've gone through half the canister already!
Rating: 5!

Netflix Stars - The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader Murdering Mom

3/5 - Holly Hunter was just perfect for the role! However, it does seem a little dated. But if you you are in the mood for a little light-hearted dark humor, this will give you a good 90 minute giggle.

Houston Quilt Festival - 2010

I had a blast at the Houston Quilt Festival! Once again, incredible quilts and displays, LOTS of booths and cool vendors. I'll be posting some of my finds later this week. (I still have to unpack all my goodies!)

The schedule for the 2011 International Quilt Festival Shows:

Cincinnati - April 8/10
(Preview night April 7)
Duke Energy Convention Center

Long Beach - July 29/31
(Preview night July 28)
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center

HOUSTON - November 3/6
(Preview night November 2 -- CLASSES begin October 31)
George. R. Brown Convention Center

Mark your calendars and start saving now!

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

November 18/20
Butterick $1.99
Vogue $3.99

Merry Moohla Sale - November 20/24
McCalls $1.99
Simplicity $1.99
Rotary blades - BIGIF
Don't forget your $5/$10/$15 coupons!

Netflix Stars - 10 Items or Less

A solid 3.5/5 stars. Interesting pairing of Morgan Freeman and Paz Vega ("Spanglish"). They just click and are a delight to watch. Definitely run all the way through the credits. There are great scene clips and credit comments - including "No Gremlins were harmed in the making of this movie" The special features section is also good, especially the interview with the director, Morgan and Paz inside a Target. Interesting to note this movie was filmed in 15 days.

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Numi Organic Tea Golden Chai
Cost: $5.99 at HEB, Whole Foods, Super Target

Number of teabags: 18

Caffeine: Yes

Type of tea: Black Assam

Steeping time: 4 minutes, bump up to 5 if you are going to add condensed milk

Mix ins: Hot with a little bit of fat-free condensed milk. That is now my go-to add-in for chai teas. No need to add any additional sugar, either.

Teabag fragrance: Spicy cookie!
Ingredients: Assam black tea. Indian cinnamon, green cardamom , Chinese ginger, Turkish anise
Opinion: A nice chai without the peppery bite. You can definitely detect the cinnamon, ginger, cardamon and an unique touch of anise. I will definitely get another box of this for the upcoming cooler weather and holidays.

Netflix Stars - Date Night

1.5/5 stars - This was not what we expected. We thought it would be a light-hearted comedy. Wrong! There were some funny scenes, but it was surprisingly violent. We stopped watching halfway through. Maybe it got better, so I gave it a half star extra. Damning with faint praise at best.

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

40% off (is this their new sale or permanent pricing structure now?!)
McCalls and Butterick patterns

Veterans Day Sale - November 7-13
5 for $5 Simplicity patterns