Two Bite Rule

Austin has a Krispy-Kreme on Stassney near I-35! L has good eyes!

How many calories in a bite? Of a hot glazed, a chocolate cream filled (I only ate the center) and the new 7 grain crunch (I ate a couple extra bites - fiber good?).

Tough day, comfort food, a free pass. No one could fault me on this one.

Dear Barnes & Noble

I wish you wouldn't allow unpurchased merchandise into your *Bucks area. Particularly magazines (but also for the record I'm not too wild with the high-priced books lately being pre-read and dogearred either). There were only two issues remaining of a special-issue magazine my daughter wanted to buy. Both copies were in various states of decay - one cover was torn and the corners curled, the other had something spilled on the cover and who knows what lurked inside the pages. Ick. I went to the clerk at checkout and told/showed him, saying I made a special trip here to buy this magazine, but not in this condition. He just said, "OK." No apologies.

I'll let you know if/when/how the poo-bahs at BN corporate respond.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Dixie Chicks, "Lubbock or Leave It" 3:54

iTunes, Taking the Long Way

Today's stats - 42 minutes, 2.54 miles, 268 calories

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Suggested in the July 2007 issue of SHAPE magazine, it does have a good beat, but a little repetitious towards the end --
Liz Phair, "Whip-Smart" 4:17
iTunes, Whip-Smart
Today's stats - 41 minutes, 2.40 miles, 247 calories

Fashions from the Cotton Patch

Fashion Show and Luncheon...

Co-sponsored by the American Sewing Guild and the Texas Cooperative Extension.

Isn't this a cute, cute table arrangement?! The container is an antique dairy can. (No, we didn't get to take them home!)

Here's what was in our goody bag - That little container at the top right is cottonseed oil. One of the door prizes was a gallon of it! Fun cotton fact: One bale of cotton will produce enough oil to cook nearly 6,000 snack-size bags of potato chips.

Our county has over 35,000 acres of Upland cotton, producing 50,000-100,000 bales. It is the #1 crop in Texas!

There was a fashion show, lunch, presentation by the Extension Agent and lots of door prizes, all for $10. For the fashion show, all the entered garments had to be made from cotton. While there were six adults competing in their division, it was really wonderful to see 10 outstanding entries in the 10-13 Youth division. Each received a green participation ribbon, and red, blue and white rosettes were awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. And with all the great prizes--even a grand prize sewing machine for the 10-13's--I bet there will be even more next year! Sewing and cotton are growing in Texas!

Check your local library

I checked out these books from my local library and ended up buying them (on Overstock.com). So much for my resolve to keep my bookcase shelves from crashing with additional book poundage. But my purchasing is also guided by if I Post-It more than 5 pages, I need/must/should have it.

Designer Bead Embroidery - 150 patterns and complete techniques by Kenneth D. King. 2006. The library call number is 746.6 KIN, the ISBN is 1-58923-272-0 I love the stylized alphabet and basic designs which look nothing like. Includes borders, backgrounds, motifs, edging and fringes. There are also beautiful ornate designs, I feel even I can utilize different sections to add my own embellishing touch.

Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Recipes for Two (for small slow cookers) by Beth Hensberger. 2007. Dewey Decimal System call number 641.561 HEN, ISBN 1-55832-341-4. I already had and loved her other cookbook. I even went to Target to get a 4 quart crockpot (red was on sale) to make the Italian Meat Sauce on page 90, that's how tempting it seemed. Even though it says 3 quart cooker, it pretty well filled the new 4 quart. It made enough for dinner and I froze the remaining to have plenty to defrost and make a lasagna two weeks later! I'm now a two crock girl - Red is now on the counter and Big Guy is stored in the cabinet, awaiting future Taco Soups.

I am surprised with all the good sewing, craft and cookbooks our library is getting, and probably yours, too. Check them out before you buy! Some books I thought I had to have, turned out I didn't. I saved money and another bookcase.

Surprise Secret Ann Taylor Loft 15% off coupon!

Did you know -- If you go to the Ann Taylor Loft.com/giveway Great Escape InStyle Magazine vacation contest, you'll get a 15% off coupon on $75 or more (which also includes free shipping if you are shopping online) when you vote. A fun surprise, nothing is mentioned about it on the flyer or website. But a word of caution, when it says "Vote Now" on the same page it will also say "Print Coupon". Wait! Don't vote yet and go to the next page, print the coupon then and there. Because it is a pop-up page, you can't go back.

And as an added bonus, you can "vote" every 24 hours and earn another 15% off coupon each time! ATL will even send you an email to remind you.

This afternoon I was able to combine their 'take an additional 40% off sale prices' items to a total of $75.19 - ka-ching! I kept $11.28 in my wallet from that total just for dreaming of winning a vacation in Alaska or Hawaii or Europe!

Yesterday's Costco Find

Lightweight single jersey knit, crochet trim and fashionably gathered appropriately so no one will be tempted to ask "when are you due?"! By Calvin Klein - $16.99 In addition to this Brown 2007 shade I'm seeing everywhere this summer and probably fall, it also comes in pink, purple, white and black. Buy it while you can, the table had shoppers digging for their size.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

Pet Shop Boys, "Always On My Mind" 3:55

iTunes, Discography: The Complete Singles Collection

Today's stats -43 minutes, 2.51 miles, 262 calories

The State of Texas - 878.2 miles - Outlet edition

I-35 is outlet drive, albeit also an interstate highway. Usually we go to San Marcos Prime Outlets, when we get our Kreuz BBQ fix. This time, we hit the other end after Wacky Waco and went to the Round Rock Premium Outlets, just north of Austin.

Smaller than San Marcos, but an interesting layout. Instead of parking in the center and shops on the perimeter, it is just the opposite in RR. Mostly the same stores, Coach is at both if your teen or yourself needs their trendy fix. SM has really, really grown (with a gondola!) and you need a car to move around if your desired stores are scattered about. Both have mall-ized store/theme locations, so you aren't going zappy-crazy between your starred stores on your fold-out map.

But lately, L and I have noticed the deals are still there, but best with combo-type sales (For instance, take an additional 20% all red items, coupon postcards, etc. Sigh, Coach back in the day. I still use that totebag.) You have to stumble upon them by happenstance. And when the temperature is 95+, going between stores and hot-hot UAV will make you melt.

Our advice -- Check the websites, sign up for special offers emails, shop in the morning, and wear comfy shoes! (We still think the Gilroy Outlet is #1...And it has an In-n-Out Burger!)

The State of Texas - 878.2 Miles - Waco Edition

Waco was definitely the oddest place and probably the reason why Baylor is last in college desireability.


1) Is it a motel, hotel, mohotel, moohtel?!


2) Need an ATM? Good luck. We went to our bank building in downtown Waco, and no ATM machines. Plenty of tellers standing around with nothing to do, though. We ended up going to a Walgreens in Beverly Hills (TX).


3) Dr Pepper Museum - $7 each admission with audio. We were Waco-weary by opening time. Pass, we'll take the photo and go. It is a pretty building, though!




But on the positive side --

The Hampton Inn in Bellmead (just northeast of Waco, along I-35), was the nicest we've ever stayed in. Indoor and outdoor pool, flat panel TV, wet bar, micro, fridge. Business center with 3 computers was accessible by front desk card only -- for security and keeping out kids. Free water bottles in the workout room. Much, much nicer than the Hampton in Plano.

A nice Luby's and Shipley donuts - our hometown/homesick touch, again in Bellmead. The Shipley "Bull's Eye" donut there had an extra dollup of chocolate and sprinkles on top. (No, I did not eat one, it was L's)

Very friendly Walgreen's in Beverly Hills - southwest of Waco, alongI-35. The clerk tried to talk us into the limited edition Elvis Reese Peanut Butter cups, with banana! Sounded too gaggy to me, even she said she hadn't tried them yet.

The State of Texas - 878.2 miles - Collegiate edition

One of the main reasons for the trip was to check out universities in northern Texas. Here's some of the ones we visited (and the range of prices for the pennants)

Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas ($11.98 before discount, because they co-op with Barnes & Noble)

University of Dallas ($12)

Texas Woman's University in Denton ($10.98)

University of North Texas in Denton ($13.99)

Baylor in Waco ($12)

Southwestern University in Georgetown ($8.95)

Isn't that weird about the price differences?! And no way does it correlate to tuition! (sigh)

Without intentionally trying to dis any alumna, these were Mom and Dad's favorites:

SMU, Southwestern, and tied for last place -- UDallas, TWU, UNT, Baylor (dead last)

Her favorites: SMU, UNT, UDallas, Southwestern, TWU, Baylor

Of course, scholarships and the highest bidder will definitely change perspective!

The State of Texas - 878.2 miles - The Simpsons edition

Despite 7-11/Southland Corporation's headquarters in the Dallas area, Houston does not have any! In fact, the closest to us is in Smithville, a little over an hour to the West. I'm not a real coffee drinker, but I like their machine made fat-free French Vanilla cappuccino's and seasonal flavors (Pumpkin latte in the fall!). I discovered Green Tea Latte in the location near SMU, figures only in that one.

They have a commercial tie-in with the upcoming Simpsons Movie -- check out the fun!

The State of Texas - 878.2 miles - Food edition

878.2 miles, 6 universities, 3 days, 2 barbeque places!

First we said goodbye to Houston (and 67 foot tall Sam Houston along I-45 in Huntsville)

Our mini-getaway began and ended with BBQ -- Woody's Smokehouse in Centerville (which must be midpoint between Houston and Dallas), and Kreutz in Lockhart.

Woody's - great ribs, BBQ with sauce, pretty good sausage, free beans and ice tea (sweet and unsweet), white butcher paper, plastic knives, forks and spoons. Be sure to check out all the canned goodies, including peach cobbler! I figured with Club Fig in the backyard, I'll have to buy my fig preserves.

Kreutz' - BBQ (brisket or clod) NO SAUCE!, excellent sausage (regular or jalapeno), your order is presented on layers of red butcher paper, free ButterKrust bread and crackers; you want beans? Buy them, but definitely-they are great, plastic knife only, use your fingers. They will give you a plastic spoon for your beans.

Other noteworthy places we stopped as we ate our way across Texas -- Tex/Mex Luna De Noche in Plano - I got both the sour cream chicken enchiladas and the spinach and mushroom enchiladas! I'd drive back to Plano for seconds!

Luby's in Bellmead north of Waco. Luby's has really improved - They are back on my list again. No more steam tables and soggy trout almondine. And interesting salads - I enjoyed the spring greens with pecans and feta cheese. Pretty and tasty!

And of course we had to make a stop at the North Austin Costco for a slice of pizza to refuel and then turn back around towards Round Rock for outlet shopping. L scored a $23 deal on an $80 pair of Adidas's.

Birthday Candles

We all were lucky they went ahead with the fireworks last night, and even luckier we could see them from our patio! I braved the mosquitos and shot these outside, while T & L enjoyed in air conditioned comfort.

Sew Red, White, and Blue

I'm glad I had a little extra (OK, I bought an additional 1/2 yard at the time, so it was a planned-over) of the Father's Day robe fabric. The colors were just so summery and beachy, I knew I could find additional uses. This is just the first.

Everyone expects towels to be embellished, but the washcloth? Why not? Quick and small, but big result. Plus at Costco you can buy them by the double dozen for about $10. With the trusty Clover bias tape maker (25 and 12 size), a 2.0 x 3.0 zigzag, and 15 minutes - voila! A washcloth celebration!

Celebrating Freedom

The freedom of humor -- the latest Will Ferrell and Pearl episode, Good Cop, Baby Cop
The freedom of wackiness -- newest guilty pleasure, "Hey Paula"
The freedom of creativity -- an all-day marathon of Project Runway Season 3
The freedom of whichever category "The Twilight Zone" marathon today on SciFi falls under!?

The freedom to do whatever you want on a rainy, soggy 4th of July or any day!

Funny Money

Another catnip toy...my mom's cat loves every single one I've made. He will arrange them all in a row in front of him. Clever (buzzed) kitty!

Inspiration

Comes in unexpected places. The launchpoint for my potholder was actually a back pocket design from the children's section of the April 2007 Burda. I kept the flower, but decided against the heart quilting in favor of somewhat straight lines.

On Saturday I bought the July/August issues of Cloth.Paper.Scissors and Belle Armoire. Some issues are better than others, and their pricey-ness ($7.99 and $6.95 respectively) makes for a mindful purchase, even with discounts. A quick flip-through made them a buy this time. Somerset Life is new, and one of their $$ ones ($14.95). While I'm not into scrapbooking nor stamping (gasp!) and therefore their other Somerset publications, this reminded me of the way Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion used to be. Filled with lots of creativity, this page sealed the deal -- It was just pleasing to me and I thought easily replicable to use as a free-form embroidery design on something, somewhere, sometime.

Bran-ded

My husband may even eat these! I love Martha Stewart's Everyday Food magazine. Small enough to fit into a purse, yet packed with great recipes. I had a doctor's appointment this morning (before lunch), and by the time they called me back, I had dog-earred several pages, including this one. Good thing Randall's grocery store was right across the street so I could make these this afternoon --

Raisin Bran Muffins (page 18 from the January/February 2007 issue)

1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups raisin bran cereal
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

Preheat oven to 400. In medium bowl, combine cereal and milk; let stand about 5 minutes until softened. In a small bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Stir oil, egg, and sugar into cereal mixture. Fold in flour mixture. Divide batter among paper cups or oiled muffin tin. Bake until toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes*. Cool in tin 5 minutes, then turn out into a wire rack; let cool completely or serve warm (I vote for warm-2 disappeared immediately). Store up to 5 days at room temperature in a resealable plastic bag.

*The recipe says it makes 6 baked at 20-25 minutes, but I was able to fill 10 cups baked at 12-14 minutes.