'Tis almost the season to be jolly! Start your celebration early with a free download of Veggie Tales' "The Incredible Singing Christmas Tree" album, compliments of Amazon.com!
Here's the link:
November 02, 2010
October 30, 2010
October 28, 2010
October 24, 2010
I Scream, You Scream...for Jake's Ice Cream!
Perhaps it's the rainy weather headed our way, or perhaps we all need to celebrate a completed class assignment--whatever the reason, I have the place to fit the bill for a needed departure!
If you're looking for sumptuous ice cream made with organic milk and sugar...with flavors like "Coffee and Doughnuts": Doughnuts (yeah, the 'hot, fresh now' kind) swimming in coffee ice cream; "Brown Shugah Vanilla;" and "Mexican Hot Chocolate"--Jake's Ice Cream is the place for you!
Only 10 minutes away as the Google map flies...so what are you waiting for?!?
October 20, 2010
Cleanliness is next to...insanity? :)
Ahh...the days of my apartment's home inspection glory are far gone. Here's a quick plan that will help me (and you!) restore it to its previous state...
Cleaning Tips from Real Simple Magazine...
With a plan of attack, you can maintain a sparkling house in just 19 minutes a day!
Kitchen, 4 1/2 minutes daily
Always start with the sink. A sparkling sink becomes your kitchen's benchmark for hygiene and tidiness, inspiring you to load the dishwasher immediately and keep counters, refrigerator doors, and the stove top spick-and-span, too.
- Wipe down the sink after doing the dishes or loading the dishwasher (30 seconds).
- Wipe down the stove top (one minute).
- Wipe down the counters (one minute).
- Sweep, Swiffer, or vacuum the floor (two minutes).
Bathroom, 2 minutes daily
Make cleaning the basin as routine as washing your hands. But don't stop there. Get the most out of your premoistened wipe by using it to clean around the edges of the tub and then the toilet before tossing it.
- Wipe out the sink (30 seconds). Wipe the toilet seat and rim (15 seconds).
- Swoosh the toilet bowl with a brush (15 seconds).
- Wipe the mirror and faucet (15 seconds).
- Squeegee the shower door (30 seconds).
- Spray the entire shower and the curtain liner with shower mist after every use (15 seconds).
Bedroom, 6 1/2 minutes daily
Make your bed right before or after your morning shower. A neat bed will inspire you to deal with other messes immediately. Although smoothing sheets and plumping pillows might not seen like a high priority as you're rushing to work, the payoff comes at the end of the day, when you slip back under the unruffled covers.
- Make the bed (two minutes).
- Fold or hang clothing and put away jewelry (four minutes).
- Straighten out the night-table surface (30 seconds).
Family Room, Living Room, Foyer, 6 minutes daily
Start with the sofa -- as long as it's in disarray, your living room will never look tidy. Once you've fluffed the pillows and folded the throws, you're halfway home. If you pop in a CD while you dust, you should be able cover the whole room by the end of the third track.
- Pick up crumbs and dust bunnies with a handheld vacuum (one minute).
- Fluff the cushions and fold throws after use (two minutes).
- Wipe tabletops and spot-clean cabinets when you see fingerprints (one minute).
- Straighten coffee-table books and magazines. Throw out newspapers. Put away CDs and videos. (Two minutes.)
October 18, 2010
Pie for Breakfast...yeeessssss.
If you don't have time for the following recipe (like me!)...you can whip up an easy alternative by stirring a bit of canned pumpkin into cooked whole oats, & adding brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice to taste.
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal (from GoodLifeEats.com)
- 1 cup old fashioned oats, not quick cook
- 1 Tbs whole flax seeds, optional
- 2 1/2 Tbs brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 2 tsp butter, softened
- 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 3/4 cup milk
Topping:
- 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
- 2 tsp butter, softened
- 1 Tbs brown sugar
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 4 individual sized ramekins. Set aside.
Combine the oats through salt in a medium sized bowl. Stir well. In a separate bowl, combine the vanilla, butter, pumpkin, and milk. Whisk thoroughly. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the oats. Stir until combined.
Divide mixture evenly between 4 individual sized ramekins. Place ramekins on a baking sheet (this makes it easier to move in and out of the oven.). Bake at 375 degrees F for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine the ingredients for the topping: chopped pecans, butter, and brown sugar. After the oatmeal has baked for 10 minutes, remove and divide topping mixture evenly between the ramekins. Bake and additional 7 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before serving. Top with a splash of milk and raisins, if desired.
October 17, 2010
Candler Park Fall Fest--Free Fun!!
Fun for the whole family this weekend. Tons of free arts and crafts for the kids, food vendors, jump houses, and arts and craft vendors. Check the site for more info:
October 15, 2010
Atlanta on the Cheap
Looking for some thrifty ways to enjoy this beautiful fall weekend in this great city? Here are two uselful links with activity ideas, discounts, and more!
