Living On A Dime

• Having a hard time doing the things you used to because money just isn't stretching as far?
• Having trouble figuring out what to fix for dinner that you can AFFORD, is healthy, AND will tasted great?
• Feel like you can't look great on your budget?
• Want to know how to clean on a dime?
• Want to get out of debt?
• In need of ideas for holidays and other special occasions that won't break the bank?
• Would you appreciate some new ideas for your low-cost ideas regarding children?
• Want to know how to make the most of your money at the grocery?

If you answered YES, to any of these...check out Living On A Dime and their comprehensive selection of ebooks. These great ebooks can teach you what you need to know about living more frugally - but, without having to give up the things you love - and, how to save money to do the things you've always wanted to do.

With these ebooks and a little careful planning, you could be on your way to living on a dime!

Thursday Thirteen No. 7

So, this time - I'm going to combine my regular Thursday 13, with a challenge that I received from Mary.

Here was the original challenge:

1. Make something, anything. It doesn't have to be complicated or artsy. Make a list, take an interesting picture, make someone's day, make dinner, make a doodle, make fun of yourself, make a poem, make your bed (ok, that last one is lame).
2. Write a blog about it. With pictures for extra brownie points.
3. Link to this blog and challege six other bloggers to do the same.

So, I'm making a list of things I've made. How's that? lol

1. Stenciled shirt for FIL (father-in-law).









2. Dog bed for our little dog, Glory.

3. "a" pendant for SIL










4. banner for website








5 & 6. travel pillow and hand-bound journal


















7. No, silly. Not the kid. Well...I did have a lot to do with that too...but the Christmas photo..

















8. Another pendant. For a necklace or keychain.
















9. A huge 2-layer blanket for 2 people.


















10. Took this pic last summer...

















11. a card I made for a baby boy















12. More pendants! Or...Something...















13. The knitted hat and scarf on this pretty lady :)

prissy poofs

[SWOON.] That was me...swooning. I love love love Prissy Poofs. They take the basic tutu to a whole new level. They have SpookyPoofs (for Halloween), PrissyPoofs, and an entire collection of SeasonalPoofs! I never thought you could have such a variety of poofs - but here, they did it! With a variety of colors and themes, these poofs make my heart skip a beat.

And, guess what else?! They come in a nice range of sizes! Even for the teeny tiny - babies! We have - or Lorelei has (I should say) the GumDrop Poof. I have to tell you: the picture online is NOTHING like it. It's way better in person! In fact, Lorelei will be wearing her PrissyPoof this weekend to a Princess Birthday Party we are going to.

I just can't say enough about this wonderful company and their line of Poofs. Quite simply, Lorelei may just need a new closet to fit them all.

My only complaint? Where's the one in my size? I want one!

now its personal confections.

Mmmm mmmm! Okay, so I just can't help myself! I just received a boxed set of cookies from my friend, Schannelle at Now It's Personal Confections. And OH MY GOSH! These are hands down, some of the best cookies EVER!

I'm showing you a few, but she can do SO MANY MORE! And, if you give her enough advanced notice with a cookie you want created that's not shown on her site...she may be willing.

Now It's Personal Confections offers gourmet cookies, favors, and cookies by the dozen. So, whether you are throwing a party or simply in need of a gift to give (GREAT for favors, neighbor gifts, or hostess gifts by the way)...these are great for you.

Each cookie is personalized. You can add a name, choose the color icing, shape, and cookie type. How cool is that?

Now, I need to go hide my box of cookies before hubby gets home from work. This is one box of cookies I really don't want to share.

"What cookies?"

5 days until Christmas! (Giveaway)

Wow! Can you believe it? Only 5 more days until Christmas! And, in the spirit of giving, we decided to have another giveaway!

We'd like you to browse through the following links and find FIVE items that you would love to have. Then come back and comment on this post, telling us what they are! We want to know! We will select up to 5 lucky winners (depending on the turnout) and surprise them with something special!

So, get clicking! - And don't forget to tell us your faves!

www.momspit.com
www.burpcatcher.com
www.mothersintuition.com
www.adenandanais.com
www.babybistrobrands.com
www.firstimpressionsbaby.com
www.wordsies.com
www.custommadeforkids.com
www.bocabeth.com
www.happygreenbee.com
www.babeease.com
www.sweettaia.com
www.prissypoofs.com
www.babyrockapparel.com
www.prettyposhprincess.com
www.nowitspersonalconfections.com
www.susanmurphyinc.com


Now, go! Don't forget to come back with FIVE products you'd love to have! You can "shop" at any of the stores above! There WILL be prizes!

holiday candies

Ask anyone that knows me, and they will tell you that I LOVE sweets. In fact, when in a restaurant, I have a tendency of looking at the dessert menu FIRST! LOL. So, this time of year means lots of baking...and, well...eating for me.

I've compiled a few of my favorites for you, my wonderful readers:

Chocolate Cookie Crunch Bark

Prep Time:
20 min

Total Time:
1 hr 20 min

Makes:
14 servings, one piece each

1 pkg. (8 squares) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate

1 pkg. (6 squares) BAKER'S Premium White Baking Chocolate

2 Tbsp. peanut butter

10 OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

PLACE semi-sweet chocolate and white chocolate in separate medium microwaveable bowls. Microwave until completely melted, following directions on package. Add peanut butter to white chocolate; stir until well blended. Crumble half the cookies over chocolate in each bowl; mix well.

DROP spoonfuls of the chocolate mixtures onto wax paper-covered baking sheet, alternating the colors of the chocolates. Cut through chocolate mixtures several times with knife for marble effect.

REFRIGERATE at least 1 hour or until firm. Break into 14 pieces. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge

Prep Time:
15 min

Total Time:
2 hr 30 min

Makes:
24 servings, two squares each

1-1/2 cups sugar

3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine

1 can (5 oz.) evaporated milk (about 2/3 cup)

1 pkg. (10-1/2 oz.) JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows

2 pkg. (10 oz. each) peanut butter chips

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup PLANTERS COCKTAIL Peanuts, coarsely chopped

LINE 13x9-inch pan with foil. Lightly grease foil; set aside.

PLACE sugar, butter, milk and marshmallows in large saucepan; cook on medium heat until mixture comes to boil, stirring constantly. Boil 5 min., stirring constantly. Add peanut butter chips and vanilla; cook until chips are completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently. Spread immediately into prepared pan. Sprinkle with peanuts; press lightly into fudge.

REFRIGERATE several hours or overnight. Cut into 48 squares. Store in airtight container in refrigerator. For creamier fudge, let fudge stand at room temperature about 1 hour before serving.

Classic Chocolate Fudge

Prep time: 10 min Total time: 2hr 10 min Makes: 4 doz pieces

2 pkg. (8 squares each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate

1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup chopped PLANTERS Walnuts

LINE 8-inch square pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan. Set aside. Microwave chocolate and milk in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 to 3 min. or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 2 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Blend in vanilla. Stir in walnuts.

SPREAD into prepared pan.

REFRIGERATE 2 hours or until firm. Lift fudge from pan, using foil handles. Cut into 48 pieces. Fudge can be stored in airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week. For creamier fudge, remove from refrigerator and let stand at room temperature about 1 hour before serving.

check out www.kraftfoods.com for more great recipes!

warm hats.

How could you not love Jamie Rae Hats? So sweet, yet come with such a huge statement. Each hat is handmade and perfectly captures classic style and modern sophistication. What a mix. Bold, beautiful, and fabulous...would you have any less for your baby?

dear santa.

I can't believe how cute these letters are! They will personalize them for you, and make your little one so excited! You can get them (along with a few other items ) for $12.99. Addressed from the North Pole with a special stamp on it, this letter from Santa would be well received after the tedious work you child just went through to make their LOOOONNNG wish list (ha-ha).

PS- Santa, if you are reading this, I'd really like a gym membership.

hot artichoke spinach dip

The holidays have arrived (I don't have to tell YOU that), and for most of us...that means cooking...or at the very least...eating! Here is one of my all time favorite dishes... and I hope you enjoy...no matter what it is you are celebrating!

Ingredients

1 8 oz. pkg. Light (or regular) Cream Cheese
1 can 14 oz. Progresso Artichoke Hearts, drained, coarsely chopped
1/2 C. Spinach frozen chopped, or steamed
1/4 C. Mayonnaise (do not use Miracle Whip)
1/4 C. Parmesan Cheese
1/4 C. Romano Cheese (You can use all Parmesan)
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1/2 tsp. Basil (dry 1 Tbsp. Basil Fresh)
1/4 C. Mozzarella Cheese grated
1/4 tsp. Garlic Salt
Salt and Pepper to taste

Allow cream cheese to come to room temperature. Cream together mayonnaise, Parmesan, Romano cheese, garlic, basil, and garlic salt. Mix well. Add the artichoke hearts and spinach (careful to drain this well), and mix until blended. Store in a container until you are ready to use. Spray pie pan with Pam, pour in dip, and top with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until the top is browned. Add chopped tomatoes to top and serve with toasted bread.

*A "little birdy" told me this tastes a LOT like a certain restaurant's recipe (ah-hem).

advent calendars.

As a Catholic family, we always had an Advent calendar - and I remember the anticipation as a kid of finding the new "gifts" for each day...even though I had to share with my younger brother. I looked forward to this tradition every year, and with a new baby - I would like to share this tradition with her as well. I absolutely love this Advent calendar. I think it's fresh and cute and would look darling in my kitchen on the wall. Currently, it's on sale for $47.99 and measures 22x35". I'm really wondering how difficult it would be to find some mismatched children's mittens to make this into a do - it - yourself project...but would it look so darn cute? And can I really take on another project? (-the answer is "no".)

stuff this.

I'm incredibly disappointed with the choices I've been presented with for stockings this year. I was hoping for something handmade, but I wasn't finding anything I liked. These are the next best thing. The are what I had in mind visually...just not price wise. For $25 (small) -$35 (larger), I would expect it to come stuffed...or to have been meticulously hand-knitted... Neither of which are an option. Unfortunately, these aren't one of a kind (Pottery Barn), but they are cute, nonetheless... So, if you have some extra dough this Christmas and are in need of pretty new Christmas stockings, these are the ones for you.

I'm hoping for some great links in my comment box to help me find something a bit better for my pocket book, but just as cute...and perhaps, even something one of a kind!

wreaths.

...and my all time favorite...

When it comes to Christmas wreaths, your imagination is your only limit. For me, the perfect Christmas wreath is light pink and ivory roses (as shown above) nested in a push evergreen wreath.

What's yours?

little touches.

here.

here.

I would love to receive Christmas treats in these little goody boxes! Make your treats extra special in these gift bags and boxes, and add your own special touches to make your gifts unique....

all dressed up

Sheath Dress with Jewel Embellishment

Pleated Shift Dress

Tweed Shift Dress

Fundamentals Dress

Rose Garden Dress

Watusi Shift

Spotlight Dress

If you find yourself in need of a holiday dress: here are some of my favorites! I hope you like them...and maybe it'll save you some time traipsing through the crowded malls...