Kid's Stocking Stuffer Idea #1

I love the clever line of books "Fancy Nancy" written by Jane O'Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. The first book was published in 2005 and was a little bit hard to find. Now the ever growing line of Fancy Nancy products seem to be everywhere.

I found these playing cards at The Walmarts yesterday and decided they would be a perfect stocking stuffer for my granddaughter. She definitely likes Fancy Nancy, but I think I'm the bigger fan. I only wish I would have thought of the idea and wrote the book! (P.S. These are also available on Target.com for only $5.74! Whoop!)

Confessions from Fans of The Pioneer Woman

The Cheaping Girls and The Pioneer Woman. I don't like to smile with my teeth anymore. Maybe it's just a phase, I don't know. Also, could I be sticking my butt out any further in this picture???

Have we ever talked about Mom's recipe addiction? She spends lots of time each week perusing the web and magazines and talking to people about new yummy recipes to try. Every Sunday Mom whips up an insanely good meal and most Sunday's you'll find a ream of paper sitting on her countertop with stacks and stacks of recipes that she's printed out that week. Most Sunday's you'll also find us sitting around, groaning, bellies aching because we've had altogether too much to eat. Mom has officially moved into multiple 5" 3-ring binders for her recipes. Oh, and we have little patience for people that won't share their recipes (unless you are making money off of those recipes, of course). But really, why are some people so stingy about that? Food is love and we love love love to share our favorite recipes with our friends.

All of us (MWM included) love The Pioneer Woman. The Pioneer Woman was a city girl that ended up married to a Cattle rancher in Oklahoma (Exciting News! She is writing a book about their love story. But I digress...). We love her hilarious slice-of-life-on-the-ranch stories, her beautiful photographs and most of all her RECIPES.

The MWM secretly wishes Mom would wake up one day and run off with him to a big cattle ranch and leave all of her Ross's behind. Mom isn't going to do that, but she does keep all of our bellies happy with The Pioneer Woman's amazing and delicious food. We were all excited that The Pioneer Woman wrote a cookbook and even MORE excited when she announced a book tour with a stop at our very own King's English book store.

We arrived EARLY (this is a feat, especially for me), queued up and got tickets to have our cookbooks signed by the one and only Pioneer Woman. Here are some highlights from our evening:

- The King's English is next door to Mazza (Go eat there. Go right now.) So we had Mazza's incredible French Fries and tart and tangy lime-ades while we waited in line. Yum!

- The Pioneer woman is LOVELY. Great hair. Great skin. Very tall. Very funny. She has a nice warm happy glow all around her. She is friendly. She is funny, did I mention that? She does a mean Ethel Merman impression.

- The Pioneer woman had her sister in law and mother in law with her. They were both lovely too. All three of them had on great boots. The MWM would be proud. Her sister in law was wearing a very cool bracelet, which she had picked up at the Banana Republic at the Gateway. Note to self: Get to a Banana Republic ASAFP.

- We waited in line for a couple of hours to have our book signed, so I of course picked up a few impulse buys. I fell in love with this book called Wag! by Patrick McDonnell:


It made me smile and I wanted to give my dog Lucy a big belly rub and a treat and a long walk.

It was a really fun evening and I'm excited to read my cookbook. Yes, READ it. The Pioneer Woman has added in some great color commentary and stories along with her recipes and each recipe features her step by step photographs and mouth watering descriptions, which is great for "aspirational" cooks like me.

If you haven't tried any of her recipes, here are some that CANNOT be missed:

Spicy Shrimp - I can't even tell you how many times we've had this as a kick-off to dinner. SO UNBELIEVABLY GOOD.

Apple Dumplings - Yes, have that 2nd one. You know you want it. But the 3rd one is over the top. Trust me, I've made this mistake again and again.

Marlboro Man's Second Favorite Sandwich - Not the most simple sandwich, but definitely the most delicious. Eat this one slowly. SAVOR.

Olive Cheese Bread - Garlic. Cheese. Olives. Bread. What more is there to say?

Cheese Muffins - I could seriously eat 10 or 20 of these in a single sitting.

Bon Appetit!!!

Why are all the REALLY Old People Women?

I've always known that there are more "little old ladies" than "little old men". But I was not sure of the reason. I have been known to say I think women are the superior species and that's why we live longer. But recently I read in the September 28, 2009 issue of Newsweek the top five reasons women live longer - even to 110 years of age. I hope to live a long healthy life but I'm not so sure about that long!

Sixty-eight of the 72 known "supercentenarians" (people 110 and older) are female, even though there are more boys than girls born each year. Here's why.

The danger years
The difference between male and female death rates peaks between ages 20 and 24—during which men are six times as likely to be murdered and five times as likely to die of a non-automobile accident.

Toxic testosterone
The hormone increases levels of bad cholesterol (known as LDL) and decreases levels of good cholesterol (HDL), while estrogen does just the opposite.

Gunplay
Whether it's homicide, suicide, or by accident, men are five times more likely to die by firearms than women.

Drop-dead diseases
Fatal conditions like cancer and heart disease are common among men, while women are more likely to suffer from chronic nonfatal conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and autoimmune disorders.

Overwhelming emotions
The tendency to ignore signs of depression and emotional distress may account for the fact that, between the ages of 75 and 79, men are nine times more likely to commit suicide.

© 2009 Newsweek

Image from here

Fantastic Halloween Party

I really wish I was invited to this party.

A Brooklyn Limestone - threw the most fantastic Halloween party I've ever seen. Her house decorations were pretty amazing too. I am bookmarking this for the future when I have a bigger house and can throw a great Halloween party.

Pickin' and a Grinnin' - Hee Haw circa 1969

This is not about the kind of "pickin' and grinnin' " Roy Clark and Buck Owens were talking 'bout for 23 years on Hee Haw, but's it's my kind.

I'm a little intense about things on my face that are bugging me - pimples, stray hairs, wrinkles, etc, etc, etc. So I thought I would share with you my favorite make-up mirror. Now once you behold yourself in the 10x glory you will either run away or have to buy one and take it everywhere you go. That's hard in this day and age of luggage restrictions. I got this little gem at Bed Bath and Beyond (remember to always use your 20% off coupon!).

"Daylight 10x Cosmetic Mirror. With 360 fluorescent lighting, you can see yourself in a more natural light. Tweeze eyebrow, see facial hair, apply make-up evenly, monitor skin and insert contacts easily with powerful 10x magnification and distortion -free DFP glass. Mirror adjusts to all angles and measures 9" in diameter."

I'm also in love with the Tweezerman Point Tweezer. I for one can NOT wait for a waxing appointment. I can see those hairs in my 10x magnification mirror and they have to go! These are available anywhere Tweezerman is sold. They are worth every penny and guaranteed for life."Get your eyebrows just right with this tweezer that grabs the smallest and finest hairs. Due to sharp and perfectly aligned hand filed tips, tweezers can even grap a hold of stubble and ingrown hairs. Tweezers are stainless steel with a color finish." Also available at Bed Bath and Beyond.

Sophie the Giraffe

Sophie is a classic French teething toy that is cute, rubbery and doesn't smell like the chemicals you find in most rubber toys made in China. She actually smells good. And little Baby G loves to chew on Sophie's legs. And ears. And nose. And neck. You get the idea.

Our lovely friend Estelle who hails from France still has her Sophie from when she was baby. You can't get more classic than that.

Fishnet Tights

I'm a big fishnet tights fan. I threw out my most of my pantyhose long ago and made fishnets the mainstay of my hosiery. Oh, I'll occasionally wear other tights if I have to, but as a rule I avoid them. I was in Paris a few years ago and even the older and I mean really mature women were wearing patterned or fishnet tights! I was so impressed. It was a sassy look for an eighty year old.

Fishnets seem to readily available as at most stores in any color but nude. I have one pair of nude fishnets and they are really old - I'm talking 5 years old. And while that pair is still fine, I need a few more because my bare legs don't look as good as they used to (thanks to age and sun spots.) I have found many places for them online and recently ordered a supply for my "older legs" that want to still be sassy.


These professional fishnets for dancers would last a long time and have a reinforced foot, but you pay for it - at 26.00 a pair they are a little pricey - Danskin.com.


Hue nude fishnet tights are available at Bloomingdales.com for $12.50 a pair.


SpookyBoutique.com has nude fishnets (not pictured in nude color) that are a great price - 6:00 per pair if you buy 3! I think I'll order these and let you know how they work out.

Kid Steals

We've blogged before about Baby Steals, an online site that sells a different baby or maternity product everyday. Yesterday they launched Kid Steals - same premise, just for toddlers and kids. Sign up now if you haven't already. The deals are amazing.

Image via A Yummy Life Photography

Comfy Heels

I've been on a hunt for some low heels to wear with straight leg jeans and pants. I like the look, but hate the pain they cause for my feet. I might be growing a tiny bunion on my left foot(insert scream here) and it's kinda hurting me. This is a fate worse than death for a shoe lover like me. So I found a solution in these shoes from Born. I'm not a huge Born fan but these are like heaven on your feet. I wore them for 10 hours yesterday and had no pain at all!


Born Geller -$99.00 at Dillards - they looked like "witch" shoes to me and that made them all the more attractive.

Born Velma - $128.90 at Zappos.com. Now that I have put the Geller style to the test I think I might need these. Hummmmmm.

Inspirational Baby Shower Favors

The Cheaping Girls were invited to the loveliest baby shower last Friday. It was thrown by The Richards Girls for their sister/daughter Courtney who is due with her first baby on New Year's Day 2010. Can I just say that the food was DELICIOUS. I mean DELICIOUS. You know how food at these things can be. From the homemade limeade to the pasta salads to the homemade sugar cookies everything we ate was fabulous. I am still thinking about those sugar cookies. SO GOOD.

ANYWAY, the lovely Nicky, in addition to hand making a box full of gifts (Like a perfectly made hand sewn sock monkey! Oh and did I mention she also made the box that the lovely gifts came in too??), made the shower favors, which I have pictured below. All of the rivets, paper details, ties, and even the polka dots on the tulle inside were done by hand. And there were at least 30 of these:




I mean, how cute are these favors??? Well come to find out, Nicky works full time as teacher at a charter high school that is ranked #8 in the state, is in a master's program and runs on a regular basis. And she also looks very pretty all of the time (even after running a 15K, I have seen that with my own two eyes).

When I was working full time and getting my graduate degree all I did was pull my hair into a pony tail, work, do homework, do more work, study, eat, get fatter by the day and, when I had a moment to spare, zone out and watch TV.

Actually, minus the school part that pretty much sums up my life right now. So I'm just going to say that I've found these little party favors very inspiring. If Nicky can find the time to hone these skills and put such loveliness into the world, then I can too. At the very least, I can blow out my hair once in a while.

Thindulge!

I love discovering new foods that are good for me and won't expand my ever expanding bottom. Recently my local Costco started carrying Oroweat Sandwich Thins, although I see them at the regular grocery store now. They are kinda like a pita that's cut in half, but soft and have a good flavor. Only 100 calories, 5 grams fiber, and 1 gram of fat. That's 1 point for you Weight Watchers gals. My latest obsession is to spread fat free cream cheese, top with cucumbers and dash of salt and pepper. It's a no guilt sandwich or snack! They come in 100% whole wheat and Multi-grain.
Visit Oroweat to learn more!

Yummy Sugar Baby Caramel Apple

This candy came out a couple of years ago and is showing up again this fall. I'm a sucker for these types of candy and I really love them and so does my husband. A friend gave us a dozen boxes last weekend, but we are on the hunt for more. Try them!

The Candy Addict says:

I love Sugar Babies. I love their cute, conveniently “poppable” small size. I love their rich, sweet caramel taste and the long chew they provide your mouth. I love how they won’t melt in the summer heat. So to say I was excited, when I saw the new Caramel Apple Sugar Babies in their bright cheery green box at my local store, is quite an understatement.

Once I was home I immediately opened the box to see what these new Sugar Babies looked like. I was surprised when I rolled the first few into my hand. Whoa, these were so strange! The coating is a matte bright green and they seriously looked like plastic peas! The felt a little greasy to the touch, yet they didn’t leave any residue on my fingers. Again, strange.

The coating comes off immediately once it’s in your mouth. It’s the standard sour green apple Jolly Rancher flavor. It really hits your taste buds, as the flavor comes rushing in like a tsunami and then disappears just as quickly. Then the Sugar Baby comes in with its familiar sweet caramel flavor and stick-to-your-teeth texture. It’s like encountering your best friend in a Halloween costume: at first you’re confused, and then the familiar face appears from beneath the mask.

These are good, but they really feel like two separate candies to me. The two flavors interact so separately in your mouth that it’s hard to try and “taste” a caramel apple in there. They’re worth a try if you’re a big Sugar Baby fan, just to say you did!

For The Love of Tomatoes

Our family loves tomatoes and salsa. Dad definitely loves them the most. He is a downright tomato and salsa connoisseur. He will eat pretty much any tomato or any salsa at anytime. Remember the whole tainted tomatoes scare of 2008? That didn't stop Dad one bit.

I'd put Janaan at 2nd place in terms of tomato love. She's been known to drink the juice leftover on her plate from a fresh raw summer tomato. She manages to do this in a ladylike manner, don't ask me how.

The rest of us, well we obsess about summer tomatoes. We start to talk about them and ask about them in early July, even though we know full well they won't be ready for another month. When we start to see them on the roadside stands we faithfully buy a box every week and eat every last one.

It's always sad when the first frost comes and the summer tomatoes are gone and we spend October mourning and reminiscing about all of the yummy tomatoes we had in September.

Well, this year, Mom went all out and decided to can some summer tomatoes and salsa so we could enjoy them a little bit longer.

Mom spent a good week buying tomatoes and pots and pans and all kinds of contraptions that I didn't even know existed and boiling and boiling and boiling and boiling on two stoves on two different levels of the house and canned dozens and dozens of jars of those beautiful summer tomatoes and summer tomato salsa.

Wow. That's all I can say. Wow. Wow. Wow. I helped one measly Saturday and I had NO IDEA the kind of work it takes to get these things from the farmers market into a little Kerr jar. NO IDEA. For the record, I will never again look at a delicious jar of tomatoes, or dilly beans, or, well anything in a jar in the same way again. I will savor every bite knowing the work that went into making such delicious organic food.

We've decided to call these "sipping tomatoes". They are to be savored between now and next August, when our lovely summer tomatoes come back and we start all over again. However, given this our family we're talking about, I don't think these are going to make it much past Christmas. We just can't help it.

I Heart Books

I love to read. I buy so many books I began to run out of space for them. So I decided that I would keep only the best and share the rest with anyone who happened to stop by or I would donate them. My husband does not share my "sharing" point of view and still crowds our shelves, drawers, bedside tables, coffee tables, etc with his books. I can't complain, I love to read. I love to look at stacks of books and just think about how much I'm going to enjoy reading them. I came across these quotes and agree with the "famous" who wrote them.

The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them. Mark Twain

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I cannot live without books! Thomas Jefferson

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Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. Charles W. Eliot

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You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend. Paul Sweeney

Go to Barnes and Noble to print your own coupon and get a book now!

This will be my next book purchase - it's by the author of "The Glass Castle," one of my favorite books last year. Go to BarnesandNoble.com to read more about Jeanette Walls.

Anthropologie Shower Curtain for Less

I would really, really, really like a new shower curtain. For months I have been pining away for the Snow Field Shower Curtain at Anthropologie, but could never stomach the $98 price tag. Yesterday as I was browsing the Target website I found its twin, the Ruffles Shower Curtain for only $29.99 plus free shipping. SOLD! It'll be interesting to see the quality difference.

Anthropologie

VS

Target