I have a project for my hubby to work on, he's not going to like me this time. I want to do some adjusting on our tv stand. I would like to bring down our oldest sons HDTV. The opening in our entertainment center is just an inch shy of it fitting in. So I would like for him to move the one wall, shorten some of the shelves and make the top shelf longer, so we can put the DVD player, VCR, stereo on that shelf and move the gaming systems in the area where the stereo used to be.
In the past I have been one who goes out and buys what I want, no matter the cost. But all that came to an end last March. I had made the decision to close my daycare last year, which was, at the time a blessing. But in doing that I had to make some changes in my spending habits as well as our family budget. I have a dear friend who helped my family budget out tremendously, and I will be forever in debt to her for this. She turned me on to thrift store shopping, and brought back my love of garage saleing.
I am now all about finding the best sale possible. I no longer buy my clothing at full price, it has to be on sale, and at a really good price too! Just today I saved quite a bit on my fabric softener. I was going to buy it a few days ago, but decided to wait until I got groceries, and sure enough, it was on sale, and I had a great coupon so it cost me next to nothing! So glad I waited.
I am now in the market to get a Flip Camcorder. I want to be able to do "how to" videos with the different craft projects I do here on this blog. I have been checking out different stores, and websites, but haven't found that earth shattering deal yet! But I will. I may just have to put this on my wish list for my birthday.
I have several projects in the wings for different knitting items so I will be browsing the paper on Sunday to see who has yarn on sale, and if any have coupons, if they do, I will have to remember to ask my mother in law and sister in law to save them for me!
John's aunt made this wonderful dessert for Christmas. I asked her for the recipe and finally received it in an email today. I can't wait to try it out!
Raspberry Dessert
Crust
2 ¼ cups crushed pretzels
3 tsps. sugar (or 1 Tbsp.)
¾ cup margarine (I use 1 stick.)
Place in 9 x 13 pan and bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
8 oz cream cheese, softened. Beat until fluffy. Beat in 1 cup of sugar. Fold in one 8 oz carton Cool Whip. Pour over crust.
Dissolve two 3 oz packages Jello (raspberry) in 2 cups boiling water. Add 12 oz frozen raspberries. Stir until well mixed. Cool for just a little while. Then pour over cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate.
Enjoy!
Now if only it would fit into my diet. This may just have to be my "splurge" item this weekend!
Chocolate Chip Popcorn Bars
INGREDIENTS
Crust
1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated chocolate chip cookies
4 Nature Valley® oats 'n honey crunchy granola bars (2 pouches from 8.9-oz box), crushed*
Topping
3 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 bag (3.5 oz) butter-flavor microwave popcorn, popped
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 bag (10 oz) peanut butter chips
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, break up cookie dough. Stir in crushed granola bars. Press evenly in bottom of ungreased 13×9-inch pan to form crust.
2. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until puffed and edges are golden brown. Sprinkle with marshmallows. Bake 1 to 2 minutes longer or until marshmallows begin to puff.
3. Remove and discard unpopped kernels from popped popcorn. In 3-quart saucepan, heat corn syrup, butter and peanut butter chips over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until chips are melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in popcorn (mixture will be thick). Spoon over marshmallows; spread evenly to just barely cover marshmallows. Cool 30 minutes.
4. In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips on High 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring once halfway through microwaving, until melted. Pour melted chocolate into 1-quart resealable food-storage plastic bag. Cut off tiny bottom corner of bag; drizzle chocolate over bars. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows.
*To easily crush granola bars, do not unwrap. Use rolling pin to crush bars.
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