tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16007883071352465982024-02-19T01:43:15.696-06:00Crystal wants to shareThis is where I talk about finding good deals, sewing, cooking, and other good Christian housewifey things.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.comBlogger172125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-54353011434369779302011-01-24T09:00:00.002-06:002011-01-24T09:00:04.562-06:00June through December 2010Hello to anybody out there who's still following me after half a year of no posts.<br />I didn't mean to stop blogging completely, it just happened. To be quite honest, when I opened up blogger just now, I had kinda forgotten how to use it.<br />So I guess I'll catch you up on what's been going on in my life for the past six months or so, just the highlights :-) or at least the things I have pictures of anyway.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">June 2010</span><br />My last post was in June to show off the purses my sweet hubby gave me for my birthday.<br />Earlier in June, my cousin Calondra got married. Cali is one of my favorite people in the whole world and I am so happy for her and Robert, they are so sweet together.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Mbp8dx14G3sVg57e1z-4wJH2mIixaauYgIVtsCop-uaWl9flnOfIZT2298kveLTd4T1ZamoUoH6C9bT7svyHKXZ3M2fRiPUVSRaMic8T5FtcICAeQwz2KtPm4QBr53XcnWXDWGQ8v5U/s1600/S7303048.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Mbp8dx14G3sVg57e1z-4wJH2mIixaauYgIVtsCop-uaWl9flnOfIZT2298kveLTd4T1ZamoUoH6C9bT7svyHKXZ3M2fRiPUVSRaMic8T5FtcICAeQwz2KtPm4QBr53XcnWXDWGQ8v5U/s400/S7303048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565581411064663538" border="0" /></a><br />The wedding was at a <a href="http://www.vrbo.com/222452">lovely old farmhouse</a> in Virginia.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TTzsU52yYOI/AAAAAAAAB-E/nGzKmGm-kUY/s1600/S7302963.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TTzsU52yYOI/AAAAAAAAB-E/nGzKmGm-kUY/s400/S7302963.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565583083395244258" border="0" /></a><br />I had the pleasure of making their wedding cake. The cake was chocolate and lemon poppy seed with buttercream frosting and decorated with gumpaste hydrangea petals and a big bow.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TTzhkhIv4sI/AAAAAAAAB9s/kPz43t9O5Xw/s1600/caliweddingcake.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TTzhkhIv4sI/AAAAAAAAB9s/kPz43t9O5Xw/s400/caliweddingcake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565571257009693378" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">July 2010</span><br />I'm trying to remember if anything interesting happened during July.<br />We went to a fun 4th of July party at a friends house, and I made <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/article/pretzel-sparklers">these chocolate covered pretzels</a>.They were a big hit and I've made them a couple of times since then with other seasonally appropriate sprinkles.<br />July was really freakin' hot, so I'm sure I mostly just stayed at home in the air conditioning for most of the month. Oh, I did think of something else! I met with a lady who needed wedding and groom's cakes in August (I'll get into that in a minute). She wanted some of the groom's cakes to be red velvet, so I made three sample cakes for her. One was a scratch recipe from <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paulas-party/red-velvet-cake-recipe/index.html">Paula Deen</a> that used oil, one was from the <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sara-moulton/southern-red-velvet-cake-recipe/index.html">Food Network</a> that used butter, and the other was a <a href="http://www.duncanhines.com/products/cakes/moist-deluxe-red-velvet-cake-mix">Duncan Hines mix</a>. Personally, I like the butter one best, and my hubby liked the oil one best, but the lady and her family? They liked the mix best. Yeah I know! I couldn't believe it either. But that was okay with me, it made my job of baking cakes a lot easier. The last few weeks of the month were spent preparing for this big wedding event.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">August 2010</span><br />So, back to the wedding cakes. The friend of a friend was getting married and wanted me to do her cakes. The situation was that it was a second marriage for her and the groom and she wanted to have a private wedding at her house. There were a lot of people she didn't want to come to the wedding, but didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, so she had a reception at church a week before the private wedding at her house, and she wanted the exact same wedding cake for both events. So I made the exact same cake two weekends in a row. Y'all, these cakes were huge. The bottom tier was 16", the middle was 12", and the top was 8". The flowers are real orchids (thankfully I didn't have to make 30 orchids for each cake!).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TTz_F8Zsb3I/AAAAAAAAB-Q/jcVF4whcejY/s1600/S7303093.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TTz_F8Zsb3I/AAAAAAAAB-Q/jcVF4whcejY/s400/S7303093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565603717101416306" border="0" /></a>In addition to the wedding cake, I also made three 10" red velvet cakes with cream cheese frosting and pecans, two 10" chocolate cakes with chocolate buttercream and ganache, and a 14" chocolate groom's cake decorated to be a dartboard. I made the dartboard ahead of time, but when I went to transfer it to the cake, I broke part of it and had to COMPLETELY REDO THE ENTIRE THING the morning of the wedding! Talk about stressful! The first time it took about 5 hours, the second time it only took about half as long. The dartboard is made of individually cut pieces of fondant pieced together and the "metal" parts are royal icing painted with <a href="http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?sku=pg_pearldust">Pearl Dust</a> and clear vanilla extract mixture.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8MfkScfxvxrXTGHXTSioPWAkWYIh9I8KLfNVmAxjwagnUA__VmXS7BiKKINo0JMbMYq-wc-kLEaJvfR_wIQ7p7utpLG16gr2PD77KYKd7bxW5XTxL6YENHnnoz75RKOeH6_5H65QVsQ/s1600/S7303080.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8MfkScfxvxrXTGHXTSioPWAkWYIh9I8KLfNVmAxjwagnUA__VmXS7BiKKINo0JMbMYq-wc-kLEaJvfR_wIQ7p7utpLG16gr2PD77KYKd7bxW5XTxL6YENHnnoz75RKOeH6_5H65QVsQ/s400/S7303080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565605947207798962" border="0" /></a>I also made a birthday cake for my friend Courtney.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wwCaeDtJvkopC-XgrXy83MdcvTlEYsMUxD-tjE9EWkNPZx2OpxYa9fhaKskXrdfkcobkMLd1kbRODQm-2JQ46TTW74N2EnDwo6IIduQQxCkPezzEnF1GlpqsWOj6CUGbGdMRWSB_HG0/s1600/S7303094.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wwCaeDtJvkopC-XgrXy83MdcvTlEYsMUxD-tjE9EWkNPZx2OpxYa9fhaKskXrdfkcobkMLd1kbRODQm-2JQ46TTW74N2EnDwo6IIduQQxCkPezzEnF1GlpqsWOj6CUGbGdMRWSB_HG0/s400/S7303094.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565635154188594690" border="0" /></a>The rest of August was spent recovering from all of the cake making LOL! Not really, I'm just kidding. The rest of August was spent planning my itinerary for our upcoming trip to LAS VEGAS!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">September 2010</span><br />I made a 40th birthday cake for my good friend's husband who is a big MSU fan. It was a 2 layer half sheet with Bully on it. He loved it :-)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0EXzwK8lI/AAAAAAAAB-o/mY5bqgesfEc/s1600/S7303105.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0EXzwK8lI/AAAAAAAAB-o/mY5bqgesfEc/s400/S7303105.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565609521575555666" border="0" /></a><br />On September 11th, Wesley and I went to a really fun go kart race in Columbus at Propst Park. I think I'm lucky we don't have a place to store a go kart, because I think he wants to buy one! Anyway, here are a few pictures from the race.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-pOU4MeuSiitaLOHRQwUr9mjSvP3CNrPfoi3DyH1u_epp8TSwjxXjuyshPAwJGF3m157FfTUXtsFR6KpwnCEhQ5sut3T9FVFqHGJ49kpOLIdrcZEDss60YH5JWJRd9mj9kO5EZCBN3I/s1600/S7303154.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-pOU4MeuSiitaLOHRQwUr9mjSvP3CNrPfoi3DyH1u_epp8TSwjxXjuyshPAwJGF3m157FfTUXtsFR6KpwnCEhQ5sut3T9FVFqHGJ49kpOLIdrcZEDss60YH5JWJRd9mj9kO5EZCBN3I/s400/S7303154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565616139809502114" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbuz2tZvJw7-dYuLCQeEZ2Xd2H27QOxrD3RgCgxc00J3rcQUbM4Dp2tGTgLE4Zjmar4w7f3N_X1tUCqlZc5VYB-1qImQmFHj1hgnTUefE_YLKj77qRDmRkv95wSuiNe94ETfo-ReNdMM8/s1600/S7303155.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbuz2tZvJw7-dYuLCQeEZ2Xd2H27QOxrD3RgCgxc00J3rcQUbM4Dp2tGTgLE4Zjmar4w7f3N_X1tUCqlZc5VYB-1qImQmFHj1hgnTUefE_YLKj77qRDmRkv95wSuiNe94ETfo-ReNdMM8/s400/S7303155.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565616147559047762" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_U_0tGyPyRj7KI4GJwUle1NlHFSnycjELcwJl3tbNyIYVsezFfidehTlVLW_GlPPzVLC4Y2-SEjmzKtxaCz3zLXBz_FJR8bhTc8Uzo3Umm7AxDmKnuF9JxBXjHbMTUnu3ZKAyAnILU8/s1600/S7303167.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_U_0tGyPyRj7KI4GJwUle1NlHFSnycjELcwJl3tbNyIYVsezFfidehTlVLW_GlPPzVLC4Y2-SEjmzKtxaCz3zLXBz_FJR8bhTc8Uzo3Umm7AxDmKnuF9JxBXjHbMTUnu3ZKAyAnILU8/s400/S7303167.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565616150200244882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0KZwMLodI/AAAAAAAAB_M/6AupMmxNWnc/s1600/S7303247.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0KZwMLodI/AAAAAAAAB_M/6AupMmxNWnc/s400/S7303247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565616152048804306" border="0" /></a><br />Then we went to Las Vegas from the 19th-26th. Mr. McHacker had a conference/training to go to and since he had already been to Las Vegas without me (twice) there was no way I was going to let him go without me again. Thanks to the wedding cakes from August, I had some spending money to have fun with. Wesley really enjoyed his training and stuff and I really enjoyed sleeping late every day and shopping. Heavenly. I have about eleventy bajillion pictures, and I should probably do a separate post with just Vegas pictures. But don't hold your breath. Y'all know how I am about blogging! So here are a few in case I don't get around to that post LOL.<br /><br />We stayed at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesars_Palace">Caesar's Palace</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0O7_l5ljI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/jug239HCEIQ/s1600/041.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0O7_l5ljI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/jug239HCEIQ/s400/041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565621138345268786" border="0" /></a>Replica of the David statue in Caesar's.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0RAm8SuII/AAAAAAAAB_s/-mwbafyO-HY/s1600/033.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0RAm8SuII/AAAAAAAAB_s/-mwbafyO-HY/s400/033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565623416650905730" border="0" /></a>Fountain in front of the <a href="http://www.caesarspalace.com/casinos/caesars-palace/casino-misc/the-forum-shops-detail.html">Forum Shops</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0QXA9R9ZI/AAAAAAAAB_k/SWczdz9Hus8/s1600/043.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0QXA9R9ZI/AAAAAAAAB_k/SWczdz9Hus8/s400/043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565622702079866258" border="0" /></a>Waiting for a fountain show to start at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellagio_%28hotel_and_casino%29">Bellagio</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3vW_R5YwvxxOHXEBSwmfFF_rSw_qFD_gIDG0LYFnap2r86bgYVlZbNGY7_qdqzAxBDNIPM8sV0eM9-zhD2yZ488XITwnx435x2dDqJUKHtaQRCAC_uNnN2wVb9zVqt5AqyadRoSRsRA/s1600/077.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3vW_R5YwvxxOHXEBSwmfFF_rSw_qFD_gIDG0LYFnap2r86bgYVlZbNGY7_qdqzAxBDNIPM8sV0eM9-zhD2yZ488XITwnx435x2dDqJUKHtaQRCAC_uNnN2wVb9zVqt5AqyadRoSRsRA/s400/077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565625823215844114" border="0" /></a>The glass flowers hanging from the ceiling at the Bellagio.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0XHcBWl8I/AAAAAAAACAM/LlW1TJ3kuR4/s1600/058.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0XHcBWl8I/AAAAAAAACAM/LlW1TJ3kuR4/s400/058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565630131048191938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0XGyjIzjI/AAAAAAAACAE/1iZ8u6bgTjA/s1600/057.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0XGyjIzjI/AAAAAAAACAE/1iZ8u6bgTjA/s400/057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565630119915605554" border="0" /></a>A greenhouse in the Conservatory/ Botanical Gardens in the Bellagio.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWfCTtgPcmINnUWhaYEPVTEjesbC5EzKUZJRo8si3XubXJS11tqJ4zG4SWdFmIhUIC4qNs6oc6tw98b8pjFR0aOoiou9y8e5LZtKvXFERwMfS-NVqIqIsnPTUg8wJ0pLOIF3cGQlib7w/s1600/075.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWfCTtgPcmINnUWhaYEPVTEjesbC5EzKUZJRo8si3XubXJS11tqJ4zG4SWdFmIhUIC4qNs6oc6tw98b8pjFR0aOoiou9y8e5LZtKvXFERwMfS-NVqIqIsnPTUg8wJ0pLOIF3cGQlib7w/s400/075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565633472157426994" border="0" /></a>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Las_Vegas">Paris</a> Hotel and Casino at night.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLBtuwcHefp2fb5F2WOnzGPu5r9XCzJk8TTqjnVdtmsvHRDI1tn9muwZuPm9UTwpxFRosw8TsVMlXpJe2yZ-bmyeeO6axM3cdyzZzuPdxcw-qPa1S6x5KM2TOVJHH6LwtN2kyhA1zT34/s1600/081.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLBtuwcHefp2fb5F2WOnzGPu5r9XCzJk8TTqjnVdtmsvHRDI1tn9muwZuPm9UTwpxFRosw8TsVMlXpJe2yZ-bmyeeO6axM3cdyzZzuPdxcw-qPa1S6x5KM2TOVJHH6LwtN2kyhA1zT34/s400/081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565631840973686322" border="0" /></a>Mr. McHacker and me with Yellow in front of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%26M%27s_World">M&Ms World</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_0Xit4pfY-SKHkNCEyIUqyophjdMIf363UcBdpu7xs30HSX0TjZ5yjR5QXTvf0GFrfzbIT-TqRurlls2rhLbkylqfwG9slXmptbUU2XV2pDY1R0BSZ-0vgKC2Zbi2ajbBloynVnbxmU/s1600/106.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_0Xit4pfY-SKHkNCEyIUqyophjdMIf363UcBdpu7xs30HSX0TjZ5yjR5QXTvf0GFrfzbIT-TqRurlls2rhLbkylqfwG9slXmptbUU2XV2pDY1R0BSZ-0vgKC2Zbi2ajbBloynVnbxmU/s400/106.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565637212698137906" border="0" /></a>Lots of stuff I wanted to buy in the Coca-Cola store.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0gVj8A_LI/AAAAAAAACBI/SuaoxEA0WHg/s1600/093.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0gVj8A_LI/AAAAAAAACBI/SuaoxEA0WHg/s400/093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565640269296106674" border="0" /></a>Some shots of the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsVwewFMRsM">Sirens of TI</a> show.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0jZj0VmOI/AAAAAAAACBc/wf3AAVJjG3o/s1600/127.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0jZj0VmOI/AAAAAAAACBc/wf3AAVJjG3o/s400/127.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565643636518263010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0jaBBJH3I/AAAAAAAACBk/9XGDlNJX-Zk/s1600/128.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0jaBBJH3I/AAAAAAAACBk/9XGDlNJX-Zk/s400/128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565643644356599666" border="0" /></a>Flamingos in the bird habitat at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamingo_Las_Vegas">Flamingo</a> Hotel and Casino.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcT5x61Am9xNlEVlef-1CyHJmiijLIgx7-ldqEJcnUh66RUEmCvnJUUezbZ2hwYogYzuNPa9j0RMQ20YRPC1Y3TeTx68z1JEx9fWvRaUb_OpXOAkILjl1Vaz8w8hFBfmkoB3Cbd76ZcW8/s1600/181.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcT5x61Am9xNlEVlef-1CyHJmiijLIgx7-ldqEJcnUh66RUEmCvnJUUezbZ2hwYogYzuNPa9j0RMQ20YRPC1Y3TeTx68z1JEx9fWvRaUb_OpXOAkILjl1Vaz8w8hFBfmkoB3Cbd76ZcW8/s400/181.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565646753989374978" border="0" /></a>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MGM_Grand_Las_Vegas">MGM Grand</a> lion.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsCs9VEc6hQ60FC6Z8sAodCZV-zQKbQKTrIWS5ZoF9R3gtyhm6Q8cHJuxj91xdK65HIam6fH91Th2jZy_o0ZnQzEa50UxT1k3hd3pDAKLtsur5h4V8ke4UdCde4kiuop4x_hi6J5qGqA/s1600/229.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsCs9VEc6hQ60FC6Z8sAodCZV-zQKbQKTrIWS5ZoF9R3gtyhm6Q8cHJuxj91xdK65HIam6fH91Th2jZy_o0ZnQzEa50UxT1k3hd3pDAKLtsur5h4V8ke4UdCde4kiuop4x_hi6J5qGqA/s400/229.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565646753380227906" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">October 2010</span><br />Mr. McHacker's coworker had a small costume party the weekend before Halloween which worked out really well for me since I had a cake to make and deliver the Friday before Halloween. I wanted to make an awesome vintage dress for my 50's housewife costume, but I came down with food poisoning the week that I was sewing it and didn't get it finished. So I improvised with a dress that I already had and it worked out okay. Forgive the iPhone picture quality and the fact that these were taken after the party, so my face is all shiny.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CBJ_hYgFE38qKUgZu6IWeq8qc44uUq4doWQL6mY6H83UZB9wErH6vZVXN7cRrqLHW9TAzDRoaigI2hFgfG1GsqhRvHSauDVk9TM7EgZ5mRy7rRFQWD2NLhktAXXZcYHO4bX3C9lqCg0/s1600/photo%252833%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CBJ_hYgFE38qKUgZu6IWeq8qc44uUq4doWQL6mY6H83UZB9wErH6vZVXN7cRrqLHW9TAzDRoaigI2hFgfG1GsqhRvHSauDVk9TM7EgZ5mRy7rRFQWD2NLhktAXXZcYHO4bX3C9lqCg0/s400/photo%252833%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565654396866340786" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0tLl1MoiI/AAAAAAAACCE/nUHSPhLpSYM/s1600/photo%252832%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TT0tLl1MoiI/AAAAAAAACCE/nUHSPhLpSYM/s400/photo%252832%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565654391656849954" border="0" /></a><br />Carrie, a good friend from college, got married a couple of years ago, but at the time wasn't able to have a church wedding. So on their anniversary this year, they had a vow renewal ceremony. Her colors were teal and purple and this is the cake she wanted for the reception.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZvKqMMOAVXaWvxLyHmBi1ZSYlKKWOToAECU_rYWOPVYRYVMdIZMvznt_8yxc8ogBnrdB6oXdSCxN_VgtfpzC4luuWdvh9CiOZy9YZ0UsfGrkUzUENCdq8_DkdFuI55bTau67rf-rwYg/s1600/photo%252834%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZvKqMMOAVXaWvxLyHmBi1ZSYlKKWOToAECU_rYWOPVYRYVMdIZMvznt_8yxc8ogBnrdB6oXdSCxN_VgtfpzC4luuWdvh9CiOZy9YZ0UsfGrkUzUENCdq8_DkdFuI55bTau67rf-rwYg/s400/photo%252834%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565640756001727042" border="0" /></a>She loved it, it was exactly what she wanted. Well, she actually wanted buttercream icing, but that just wasn't doable since I had to drive it 5 hours from Starkville, MS to North Little Rock, AR. So it was iced with buttercream and then covered with fondant. I transported the tiers and assembled it when I got there. There was also a groom's cake, but I can't find the picture of it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">November 2010</span><br />I sewed a lot in November, mostly aprons. I took pictures of them with my phone, but when we updated the phone a couple of weeks ago, I lost them, along with all of the other pictures I had taken in November and December :-(<br />Also, we had Thanksgiving here at our apartment this year. It was really great. My middle sister and her husband and kids came, as well as my mama and my oldest nephew's girlfriend. We fried a turkey and I made all kinds of stuff to go with it and we had a good time. I wish my youngest sister and her kids could have been here too, but it was okay since we did get to see them at Christmas. After we buy a house and have more room, I would love to host Thanksgiving every year!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">December 2010</span><br />I volunteered for a teacher friend who is the librarian at the school where I used to work. I made gingerbread men and took the stuff for the kids to decorate them, much like I did a <a href="http://crystalwantstoshare.blogspot.com/2008/12/apron-cake-and-lots-of-gingerbread-men.html">couple of years ago</a>. The school now consists of 3rd through 5th grade, so I already know most of the kids pretty well either from having taught them or through volunteering the past two years. I was able to decorate cookies with each class and it was a lot of fun for the most part. I also baked and decorated several dozen Christmas cookies for different folks and made a couple of cute birthday cakes for some little girls. Lost all of those pictures too. I also made my friend a new gingerbread train, since <a href="http://crystalwantstoshare.blogspot.com/2008/12/more-gingerbread-stuff-and-another-cake.html">the last one I made</a> her was broken with all of the moving around that happened this summer.<br />December was full of getting ready for Christmas. I bought more gifts than I made this year, but that's okay, because some years are just like that. Along with their gifts, I made gift baskets for everyone in my family using stuff from my stockpile. They all seem to like it and I think everyone genuinely looks forward to getting their basket full of stuff each Christmas. All of the gifts I received were thoughtful and very much appreciated. <br />2010 was a really good year for me. Life is good and I know that I am truly blessed. I hope 2011 will be just as good, and so far, it's off to a pretty good start.<br /><br />So that brings us up to this month and now maybe I can get back to posting regularly again. Because honestly, I miss it.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-46129054349631422752010-06-22T14:05:00.003-05:002010-06-22T14:17:34.824-05:00New Purses!My sweet hubby took me out to lunch for my birthday today, then we went to <a href="http://www.reedsms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.womens">Reed's</a>, a local shop here in Starkville because he wanted to buy me a new purse for my birthday. Well, they had retired patterns on sale for 50% off. So I ended up getting one bag in a retired pattern (Java Blue), and one not retired pattern (Purple Punch).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMj29nhi98eIBj1sbr_9tCOEQx8dAkRIXm1PZ4tIvO5ExTvQSU0xXFukwsjqP8454hum5ZVf3wsp6yCQilHOzMqNgasHlxAMN1rs9P8osO4q15wy7-bfMw9bMDwFnpVayHvcCUElaymoQ/s1600/photo(30).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMj29nhi98eIBj1sbr_9tCOEQx8dAkRIXm1PZ4tIvO5ExTvQSU0xXFukwsjqP8454hum5ZVf3wsp6yCQilHOzMqNgasHlxAMN1rs9P8osO4q15wy7-bfMw9bMDwFnpVayHvcCUElaymoQ/s400/photo(30).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485678682332122962" border="0" /></a>I absolutely LOVE both of them!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-81322782665630872172010-06-21T21:38:00.003-05:002010-06-21T21:57:25.635-05:00Menu Plan Monday June 21-27It's been a busy month at the McHacker house! I have a couple of things I want to write about, but just haven't had (taken) the time to do so, but I will get to them. Since it's Monday, I figured I would post a Menu Plan. I haven't really been sticking to a plan lately since I was out of town for a week and Mr. McHacker was out of town more than half of this month so far. But it looks like things are getting back to normal now, so it's time to get back to a plan.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://orgjunkie.com/2010/06/menu-plan-monday-june-21st.html"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/TCAjTzbO3VI/AAAAAAAABzo/bxTqFW0NCwg/s400/mpm-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485423169266179410" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday</span> 6/21<br />Lunch - Salad<br />Supper - Beef pot roast with potatoes and carrots<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tuesday</span> 6/22<br />Lunch - Guacamole and chips, leftovers<br />Supper - Barbecue sandwiches, fried squash<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wednesday</span> 6/23<br />Lunch - Leftovers or salad<br />Supper - Chicken quesadillas<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thursday</span> 6/24<br />Lunch - Salad<br />Supper - Pepperoni and salami calzones<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Friday</span> 6/25<br />Lunch - Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup<br />Supper - Red beans and rice with sausage and cornbread<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Saturday</span> 6/26<br />Lunch - Leftovers<br />Supper - Eat out<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunday</span> 6/27<br />Lunch - Sloppy Joes<br />Supper - Chicken Fettuccine AlfredoCrystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-82795303918849666652010-05-13T23:27:00.003-05:002010-05-13T23:41:50.042-05:00Rouge MagazineI love checking my mail and finding freebies and coupons. Today, I got a beauty magazine from Proctor and Gamble, called <a href="http://www.rougemag.com/en-US/Pages/RougeMagHome.aspx"><span style="font-style: italic;">Rouge</span></a>. It's sent out once per quarter, and has beauty tips that promote their products, which is okay. The best thing about it though, is that there are several coupons in it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVwaz0h4HwGrFP1mF5AiwwNC9lhsgVVvbidbAD7iRSgflh1osonl7TqwNRZk0WgYSR7agOCrdpLhrN78dHzLyWZEIzaxpyMETO0aJmtk_JBgaD0iE7eG3AonmsEl-a_MZ2AQ1nElwozY/s1600/photo(29).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVwaz0h4HwGrFP1mF5AiwwNC9lhsgVVvbidbAD7iRSgflh1osonl7TqwNRZk0WgYSR7agOCrdpLhrN78dHzLyWZEIzaxpyMETO0aJmtk_JBgaD0iE7eG3AonmsEl-a_MZ2AQ1nElwozY/s400/photo(29).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470978067007091634" border="0" /></a>Since P&G products go on sale fairly often, you can save some money with these coupons. This time it contained:<br />$1 off Olay body wash or lotion<br />$1 off 1 Crest toothpaste, rinse or Oral-B toothbrush<br />$1 off Zest, Ivory, or Safeguard bars<br />$1 off Natural Instincts hair color<br />$1 off Secret Soothing Effects<br />$1 off Olay facial moisturizer<br />$1 off Perfect 10, Root Touch -up, or Nice 'n Easy<br />$2 off Venus Embrace or Breeze razor or cartridges, or Venus bikini kit<br />$2 off any CoverGirl Simply Ageless product<br />$10 off Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects with Advanced Seal<br /><br />Go<a href="https://www.rougemag.com/en-US/Pages/Register1_Secure.aspx"> sign up here</a> to start getting <span style="font-style: italic;">Rouge</span>.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-19220779256894613152010-05-12T07:00:00.000-05:002010-05-12T07:00:10.037-05:00This week's CVS dealsThere are lots of ladies who blog about <a href="http://cvs.shoplocal.com/cvs/default.aspx?action=entry&pretailerid=-99973&siteid=172&storeID=2568050">CVS deals</a>, and do a much better job of it than I do. <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/05/cvs-deals-for-the-week-of-may-9-15-2010.html">Money Saving Mom</a> is one of the best of them. But I'm going to share the deals<span style="font-style: italic;"> I'm</span> taking advantage of this week. Some things I bought yesterday, the others I will pick up today or later in the week. I break up the transactions to roll the Extra Care Bucks, but also to scan my <a href="http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/promoContent/promoLandingTemplate.jsp?promoLandingId=1160">Green Bag tag</a> more often. It can only be scanned once per day, and after 4 scans, you get a $1 ECB.<br /><br />Transaction 1:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-oljon4WpI/AAAAAAAABzE/QZjAQKCQako/s1600/photo%2827%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-oljon4WpI/AAAAAAAABzE/QZjAQKCQako/s400/photo%2827%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470225991525227154" border="0" /></a>Crest Pro-Health toothpaste $3.50 + .25 tax = $3.75<br />(There is a .75 coupon out there, I had used mine already.)<br />2 Right Guard deodorants $2.99 each + .42 tax = $6.40 - $3 off 2 coupon = $3.40<br />(You can get the coupon <a href="http://print.coupons.com/couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=13927&zid=ym31&nid=10&bid=alk05112005355ab26b09517218">HERE</a>. Last I looked, it was on the last page.)<br />Total = <span style="font-weight: bold;">$7.15 </span><br />Get back $7.50 in Extra Bucks<br /><br />Transaction 2:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZgmbhYrKq6_UVuovURc5IDS1g-M3z9gtw4hdQDd8tFm4ijWMTDUtHGlziSFpey_OBfCWQlNlM1P1y2F0QOzIy7adXAovukwlivrESyve81BMFQolU5OxvlQSdYJocFfcQk_LRHfgD9o/s1600/photo(28).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZgmbhYrKq6_UVuovURc5IDS1g-M3z9gtw4hdQDd8tFm4ijWMTDUtHGlziSFpey_OBfCWQlNlM1P1y2F0QOzIy7adXAovukwlivrESyve81BMFQolU5OxvlQSdYJocFfcQk_LRHfgD9o/s400/photo(28).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470225988604908226" border="0" /></a>Schick Hydro razor $8.99 + .63 tax = $9.62 -$5.00 coupon (from last Sunday's paper) = $4.62<br />U by Kotex $4.99 + .35 tax = $5.43 - <a href="http://www.ubykotex.com/get_coupons/overview">$1.00 coupon</a> = $4.34<br />Total = $8.96 - $7.50 ECBs from 1st transaction = <span style="font-weight: bold;">$1.46</span><br />Get back $8.99 ECBs<br /><br /><br />These I will do today or later in the week:<br /><br />Transaction 3:<br />Clear Care contact lens solution $14.99 + $1.05 tax =$16.04 - $3 coupon (from last Sunday's paper) = $13.04<br />2 Pantene products 2/$6.97 + .49 tax = $7.46 - $2 coupon (from<a href="https://www.pgeverydaysolutions.com/pgeds/pantene-brandsampler.jsp"> free sample</a>) = $5.46<br />(There's also a $1 off 2 coupon from the 5-2 paper)<br />Total = 18.50 - $8.99 ECBs from last transaction = <span style="font-weight: bold;">$9.51</span><br />Get back $6.00 ECBs<br /><br />Transaction 4:<br />(All of these coupons came from inserts in the Sunday papers.)<br />4 Mentos gum @ .99 each + .28 tax = $4.24 - 4 $0.55 coupons = $2.04<br />1 Carefree liners $1.00 + .07 tax = $1.07 - $1.00 coupon = $0.07<br />1 Always $1.00 + .07 tax = $1.07 - $1.00 coupon = $0.07<br />1 Taster's Choice instant packets $1.00 + .07 tax = $1.07 - $0.50 coupon = .57<br />2 Cover Girl lip products $4.99 (Buy one, get one free) + .70 tax = $5.69 - $2.50 off 2 coupon = $3.19<br />Total = $5.94<br />This is where I can choose to give them the $6.00 ECBs, and lose 6 cents, or find a <span style="font-style: italic;">really cheap</span> "filler" and pay a few cents after using the ECBs. I'll probably grab a candy bar or something <span style="font-weight: bold;">.50</span> or less.<br /><br />Total for the week, about <span style="font-weight: bold;">$18.62 </span>for about $64.00 worth of stuff, about a 71% savings.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-47851173684726962222010-05-11T07:00:00.002-05:002010-05-11T07:00:12.821-05:00Pokemon bagToday is my nephew Quin's 9th birthday. I love this kid! He has to be one of the sweetest, most loving children in the world.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-cfs7cP-wI/AAAAAAAAByo/n6e5CvkoS2U/s1600/quin.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-cfs7cP-wI/AAAAAAAAByo/n6e5CvkoS2U/s400/quin.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469375129195641602" border="0" /></a><br />I knew I wouldn't see him on his birthday, so last time I was at my mom's, I left his present there. He loves Pokemon stuff, so I got him a bunch of little Pokemon action figure things (which I didn't take a picture of). There are 15 of them, so I figured he needed something to keep them in, so I wanted to make a drawstring bag to go with the toys. I meant to look for some fabric at Joann's in Meridian, but completely forgot. Luckily, found a twin size sheet at a thrift store that was perfect (and it only cost $2!). So I threw the toys in, put some tissue paper coming out of the top, tied the drawstring, and just let it be the gift wrap too.<br /><br />Front:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4jhSHp4B3L8FIR6gkPLb73iFIiHnMK0SHDtVcLyAqUvfY2NTxt6vFuPCIzkkggtREcEalk4bpxMOwfAlJxPyLt3cOoUdy9c2IdRMOj0zKS2byPpNMqf4EMwLs06BFcekKEX2FOZRVuY/s1600/S7302926.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4jhSHp4B3L8FIR6gkPLb73iFIiHnMK0SHDtVcLyAqUvfY2NTxt6vFuPCIzkkggtREcEalk4bpxMOwfAlJxPyLt3cOoUdy9c2IdRMOj0zKS2byPpNMqf4EMwLs06BFcekKEX2FOZRVuY/s400/S7302926.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468909319280918658" border="0" /></a><br />Back:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7Mg7MW2sMBypGSQH9Mi7bgaz8vvFcLH9aLMThHeYyHy8UtVWOPf4ZyYpUXbpQ3EAISq6tgWiZrQfLG-um79Gs7T5V0WiDnOALfv5v2qX2ouyD_OQEjn-lyVfbsa3QlNxG5TKuccurvA/s1600/S7302927.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7Mg7MW2sMBypGSQH9Mi7bgaz8vvFcLH9aLMThHeYyHy8UtVWOPf4ZyYpUXbpQ3EAISq6tgWiZrQfLG-um79Gs7T5V0WiDnOALfv5v2qX2ouyD_OQEjn-lyVfbsa3QlNxG5TKuccurvA/s400/S7302927.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469375134740230066" border="0" /></a>I hope Quin has a very happy birthday and enjoys playing with his new Pokemon toys.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-78324377298226771262010-05-10T07:30:00.000-05:002010-05-10T07:30:00.683-05:00Bread machine rolls<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V11_FOBWI/AAAAAAAABwE/a1rcOL1_NVk/s1600/photo%289%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V11_FOBWI/AAAAAAAABwE/a1rcOL1_NVk/s400/photo%289%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468906892838176098" border="0" /></a><br />The other day, my mama asked me for the recipe I use for making rolls in my bread machine, so I thought I would share it with y'all and give Mama step by step instructions.<br /><br />Here's the recipe:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Basic Dinner Rolls</span><br />Warm water - 7 1/2 ounces (3/4 cup + 3 Tbsp.)<br />Bread flour (I just use regular all-purpose and it works fine) - 3 cups<br />Dry milk - 2 Tbsp.<br />Sugar - 3 1/2 Tbsp.<br />Salt - 1 tsp.<br />Butter (or margarine) - 3 Tbsp. cut into 6 pieces<br />Yeast - 2 tsp. active dry, <span style="font-weight: bold;">OR</span> 1 & 1/2 tsp. fast rise (I use 1 & 1/2 tsp. of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fleischmanns-Yeast-Brd-Mch-Pack/dp/B001EO5WR2/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=grocery&qid=1273442586&sr=8-11">Fleischmann's yeast for bread machines</a>)<br /><br />Directions:<br />Add the warm water to the bread pan.<br />Add the flour, right on top of the water.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V2SMOsp9I/AAAAAAAABxM/l_RPmlQab1I/s1600/photo%2822%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V2SMOsp9I/AAAAAAAABxM/l_RPmlQab1I/s400/photo%2822%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468907377403930578" border="0" /></a>Sprinkle the dry milk on top of the flour.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswo3Q2u0bAhz8mnlji0xNRFdL7DIY1Oulk6mcqRXaM1LaUTpFjhIXch97-nB9Hjf3uA9FbvnDDoNT54VDJ7lw8PJqKvPAbsmUsyqZ_5fDyUurfokT7XmneKhJlRkbWvPVcrvUbhDTNUg/s1600/photo(21).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswo3Q2u0bAhz8mnlji0xNRFdL7DIY1Oulk6mcqRXaM1LaUTpFjhIXch97-nB9Hjf3uA9FbvnDDoNT54VDJ7lw8PJqKvPAbsmUsyqZ_5fDyUurfokT7XmneKhJlRkbWvPVcrvUbhDTNUg/s400/photo(21).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468907367696612946" border="0" /></a>Sprinkle the sugar in next.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V2QraNdAI/AAAAAAAABw8/S3GRyhL94r8/s1600/photo%2820%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V2QraNdAI/AAAAAAAABw8/S3GRyhL94r8/s400/photo%2820%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468907351413978114" border="0" /></a> Then and salt to the pan.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGm9reRx5772affVooc992TK7fDxtcPGQ_yYAP1GOqeBBdfYReT55Atf63GmFNUI1x_fG-UJqc7pin-ERGI12_XA2I5WMCsaXCfQsNshp_KY_w5odRX9_WNTkRL3-QXB_EaiQEDTum0U/s1600/photo(19).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGm9reRx5772affVooc992TK7fDxtcPGQ_yYAP1GOqeBBdfYReT55Atf63GmFNUI1x_fG-UJqc7pin-ERGI12_XA2I5WMCsaXCfQsNshp_KY_w5odRX9_WNTkRL3-QXB_EaiQEDTum0U/s400/photo(19).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468907332599546994" border="0" /></a>Tap pan to settle dry ingredients, then level dry ingredients, pushing some of the flour mixture into the corners.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V2Peq6BlI/AAAAAAAABws/XJ6Ljyvqtv8/s1600/photo%2818%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V2Peq6BlI/AAAAAAAABws/XJ6Ljyvqtv8/s400/photo%2818%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468907330814477906" border="0" /></a>Place the pieces of butter around the outer edge of the pan on top of the dry ingredients.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAThNuz3C92di_UooOgt_bJTjFkNSWyQLcAdh16jQGcCwRP3ooXOSQBa8nB8gu88AVzRNwGQofx9Afxbw5o8awySKaOT3dxRKzLuWjoowCVKD3rFBcUDoN_A6whJ2MpB9ENDbjh27trA/s1600/photo(17).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAThNuz3C92di_UooOgt_bJTjFkNSWyQLcAdh16jQGcCwRP3ooXOSQBa8nB8gu88AVzRNwGQofx9Afxbw5o8awySKaOT3dxRKzLuWjoowCVKD3rFBcUDoN_A6whJ2MpB9ENDbjh27trA/s400/photo(17).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468906935927841506" border="0" /></a>Make a slight well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the yeast.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V13zVtnSI/AAAAAAAABwc/ODv5H4zmydY/s1600/photo%2816%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V13zVtnSI/AAAAAAAABwc/ODv5H4zmydY/s400/photo%2816%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468906924045868322" border="0" /></a>Place the bread pan in your bread machine, making sure it's locked into place. Choose the dough cycle (to do this on my machine, I have to push the "Program Bread Select" button until it shows "Dough"). On my machine, the dough cycle takes 1 hour and 20 minutes, yours is probably similar. Now go do something else while the bread machine works its magic, it should beep when it's done. During this time, take a minute to lay out a piece of wax paper and sprinkle a little flour on it.<br /><br />When the machine beeps, take out the bread pan and flip it over on top of your floured surface, making sure to remove the little paddle from the dough. Let the dough rest for 15 minutes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5qAB7eIST6wpdickMqXDlFn1uUq3OhXfA-6wIKLDiBtXN9dLkCrz-LUeDwDKjiP0jsN49BVUm91hAXoKOobdXQH13KMYRlbFS9mKA_CJk5q33ZzCJSlL3lZsCLIvyXcJx9yrd6V7t7s/s1600/photo(11).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5qAB7eIST6wpdickMqXDlFn1uUq3OhXfA-6wIKLDiBtXN9dLkCrz-LUeDwDKjiP0jsN49BVUm91hAXoKOobdXQH13KMYRlbFS9mKA_CJk5q33ZzCJSlL3lZsCLIvyXcJx9yrd6V7t7s/s400/photo(11).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468906917381930226" border="0" /></a>After letting the dough rest, the you can shape however you like. This time, I wanted some rolls to use for burger and sloppy joe buns, and a few for eating with other meals, so I made a few large rolls and a few small ones. I like to use a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper, but if you don't use parchment paper, just put your rolls on a greased sheet.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V12oWgpVI/AAAAAAAABwM/kABfsL3oQUQ/s1600/photo%2810%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V12oWgpVI/AAAAAAAABwM/kABfsL3oQUQ/s400/photo%2810%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468906903916553554" border="0" /></a>After shaping the rolls, let them rise until they are close to double in size, about 45 minutes to an hour. At this point, you can brush then with melted butter or a beaten egg white (but I usually don't). Bake them in a 350 degree pre-heated oven for 15- 20 minutes, or until golden brown. After taking them out of the oven is when I like to brush them with butter. They're best right out of the oven, but will be good for a couple of days.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V11_FOBWI/AAAAAAAABwE/a1rcOL1_NVk/s1600/photo%289%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V11_FOBWI/AAAAAAAABwE/a1rcOL1_NVk/s400/photo%289%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468906892838176098" border="0" /></a>It does take a little time to make them, but it is so worth it. They taste better than store bought, and <span style="font-style: italic;">have</span> to be healthier for you, since you know exactly what went into them and know there's not a bunch of preservatives and artificial junk in there. If you have a bread machine, I hope you'll make some, you'll be glad you did.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-38974855613730167202010-05-09T13:20:00.000-05:002010-05-09T13:21:42.979-05:00Happy Mother's Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-b9Ff22ydI/AAAAAAAAByc/QXwkyxi3hgs/s1600/mothers_day_graphic.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 230px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-b9Ff22ydI/AAAAAAAAByc/QXwkyxi3hgs/s400/mothers_day_graphic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469337068380801490" border="0" /></a><br />I just wanted to take a minute and say Happy Mother's Day to my mama, Wesley's mom, my sisters, and friends, and all of the other mothers out there. You are all wonderful, precious women and I love and appreciate you! I hope you have a great day.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-9018735840136782202010-05-08T09:38:00.001-05:002010-05-08T09:53:04.376-05:00Spring wreath<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__gg0Zyeio1HwzXZZVAI_q_Y-gLH9DrdOVV0zzUk3E4pEQ8b2J-A_dFYXpx8J2vEkfhojZ-iHePF5BnJT30i5g3ompo0Ec-cL5NqG7Sjrsp102KZE9QiuXD5rqnewbPl6Krah9fEGxA8/s1600/photo(8).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__gg0Zyeio1HwzXZZVAI_q_Y-gLH9DrdOVV0zzUk3E4pEQ8b2J-A_dFYXpx8J2vEkfhojZ-iHePF5BnJT30i5g3ompo0Ec-cL5NqG7Sjrsp102KZE9QiuXD5rqnewbPl6Krah9fEGxA8/s400/photo(8).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468908739591595938" border="0" /></a>The weather has been so nice and spring-like this week that it made me want to clean things up a bit outside. Every few months I like to freshen up the wreath that hangs on the front door. I keep the same grapevine wreath and just change the ribbons or whatever I decide to put on it. It was looking kind of sad since (embarrassingly) I didn't even change it for Christmas, so it still had autumn thing going on. I know, pitiful, right? So I went to the Dollar Tree (love that place) and grabbed 3 rolls of wired ribbon. I cut the ribbon from each roll into 4 equal pieces (so altogether I had 12 pieces) and formed each piece into a bow and tied it in the middle with a piece of thin white ribbon (I thought it looked good with the polka-dots). Then I took some florist wire and attached the bows to the wreath. It was easy-peasy and only took about an hour to make. I don't know (or care) if anybody else likes it, because I think it is adorable.<br />I hope y'all are having a great weekend!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-61912495512678759492010-05-08T09:34:00.006-05:002010-05-08T22:02:50.671-05:00May 2-8 CVS and Walgreens shopping tripsI took advantage of some of the good deals at CVS and Walgreens last week and thought I would share it. Sorry I didn't get it posted sooner, so y'all could get the deals too. I have a couple of friends who are learning to coupon, so I thought I would go step by step on how I did my transactions to get the most value for my money and Extra Care Bucks (ECBs).<br />Instead of getting everything at once, I make multiple transactions to "roll" my ECBs so that I have as little out of pocket expenditure as possible. To learn more about how to shop for deals at CVS, go <a href="http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/cvs-need-hand-were-here-help/51159-cvs-frequently-asked-questions.html">HERE</a> and <a href="http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/cvs/">HERE</a>. A tip from me is to get a <a href="http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/promoContent/promoLandingTemplate.jsp?promoLandingId=1160">Green Bag Tag</a>, every 4 times it's scanned, you will get an ECB for $1.<br />When I make my list each week and calculate my expense, I take the sale price, add tax, then subtract the manufacturer coupon or CVS coupon to get the price of the item. Then I add the price of all of the items in the transaction for a total, then subtract the amount of ECBs to get the total out of pocket expense. I'm sure there are other ways to do it, but this works for me.<br /><br />1st Transaction:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V3QhFzsVI/AAAAAAAABxk/gYzkqqcpcrc/s1600/photo%2815%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V3QhFzsVI/AAAAAAAABxk/gYzkqqcpcrc/s400/photo%2815%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468908448155677010" border="0" /></a>Venus Spa Breeze razor - On sale for $9.99 + .70 tax = $10.69 - $ 2 man. coupon = $8.69 - $6 ECB from last week = <span style="font-weight: bold;">$2.69</span> got back $6 ECBs.<br /><br />2nd Transaction:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V3RAmREpI/AAAAAAAABxs/2RfW8JNyLrE/s1600/photo%2812%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V3RAmREpI/AAAAAAAABxs/2RfW8JNyLrE/s400/photo%2812%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468908456613319314" border="0" /></a>Olay Total Effects body wash $7.00 + .49 tax = $7.49 - $ 2 man. coupon = $5.49<br />Carefree liners $3.99 + .28 tax = $4.27 - $4 off CVS coupon (that printed when I scanned my card at the kiosk) = .27<br />Colgate Total toothpaste $2.99 + .21 tax = $3.20 - .75 = $2.45<br />Crest 3D White toothpaste $3.99 + .28 tax = $4.27 - .75 = $3.52<br />Total = $11.73 - $6 ECB from 1st transaction = <span style="font-weight: bold;">$5.73</span> got back $9 ECBs<br /><br /><br />3rd and 4th Transactions:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_Fe8WpQLClizfmgyIz0AR5910-l2VAGsUfn3UX71vSFnNUGcFUPw8FMs2OFzJKFyNok-aqy0TbL4_Vw1A8-lRgZiPoy8TYMTnhHJ-Ejtcg-7xiVVUjz8OmEzxg2aC0BFAa36Blya4ag/s1600/photo(23).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_Fe8WpQLClizfmgyIz0AR5910-l2VAGsUfn3UX71vSFnNUGcFUPw8FMs2OFzJKFyNok-aqy0TbL4_Vw1A8-lRgZiPoy8TYMTnhHJ-Ejtcg-7xiVVUjz8OmEzxg2aC0BFAa36Blya4ag/s400/photo(23).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468908439874027810" border="0" /></a>3rd:<br />2 Sensodyne Pro-namel toothpastes $4.49 each + .63 tax = $9.61 - $2 in man. coupons = $7.61<br />Sensodyne Pro-namel isoactive foaming gel toothpaste $4.99 + .35 tax = $5.34 - .75 man. coupon = $4.59<br />Total = $12.20 - $7 ECBS = <span style="font-weight: bold;">$5.20</span> got back $6 ECBs<br />(I actually gave him all $9 worth of ECBs, but one $2 one didn't get scanned and it was a big hassle. They ended up printing me out a new $2 one to replace the one he didn't scan.)<br /><br />4th:<br />Dr. School's insoles $9.99 + .70 tax = $10.69 - $2 man. coupon = $8.69 - $6 ECBs = <span style="font-weight: bold;">$2.69 </span>got back $3 ECBs<br /><br />5th Transaction:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-Yb6esS9sI/AAAAAAAAByQ/YLInpXL4PaA/s1600/photo%2825%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-Yb6esS9sI/AAAAAAAAByQ/YLInpXL4PaA/s400/photo%2825%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469089488973264578" border="0" /></a>2 Folgers decaf. coffees 2/$7.00 + .49 tax = 7.49 - two .75 man. coupons = $5.99<br />Bounty 6 big roll $6.49 +tax = .45 tax = $6.94 - .25 man. coupon = $6.69<br />Charmin 20 roll (The 16 roll were on sale, but they ran out and this rang up as the same price, yay 4 free rolls!) $9.99 + .70 tax = $10. 69 - .25 man. coupon = $10.44<br />Tide $5.97 + .42 tax = $6.39 - $1 man. coupon = $5.39<br />Dawn Hand Renewal .97 + .07 tax = $1.04 - .50 man. coupon = .54<br />24 pack of Gold Emblem water was free with the purchase of the Procter and Gamble products.<br />Total = 29.05 - $5 ECBs = <span style="font-weight: bold;">$24.05</span><br />(Actually I wrote down <span style="font-weight: bold;">$23.91</span> in my checkbook register, so I'm not sure why there is a 14 cent difference, and I can't look at the receipt because I just sealed it up in an envelope with the form for the <a href="http://www.thankyoumom.com/coupons.jsp">P&G coupon booklet</a>!).<br />I never spend that much, bet we were getting low on tp and paper towels, so it was worth it.<br />So now I have $0 ECBs. I did that on purpose, so I can try to figure out the best deal scenarios for next week for someone just starting out.<br />Total spent at CVS this week = <span style="font-weight: bold;">$40.22 </span><br /><br />Walgreens Transaction<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V3PkIQa4I/AAAAAAAABxU/AkXifN9N7CQ/s1600/photo%2824%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S-V3PkIQa4I/AAAAAAAABxU/AkXifN9N7CQ/s400/photo%2824%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468908431791385474" border="0" /></a>Walgreens' has this policy that you have to have at least as many items as you have coupons. I had a Walgreens coupon from the weekly ad for the Russell Stover, and I also had manufacturer coupons for them, as well as 2 Register Rewards coupons from last week. So altogether, I had 5 coupons, so I knew I needed to have at least 5 items, even though I really only wanted the chocolates. Since M&Ms and Mars candy was on sale for 49 cents each (without a coupon) I knew those would make good "filler" items. (When I need "fillers" I try to get things that I will use, I can use the M&Ms in cookies). Adding the M&Ms gave me 5 items, so now I had the same number of items as I had coupons.<br />2 boxes Russel Stover chocolates $4.49 each with Walgreens coupon + .63 tax = $9.61 - $2 in man. coupons = 7.61<br />3 bags M&Ms .49 each + .10 tax = $1.57<br />Total = $9.18 - $8 in Register Rewards (from last week) = <span style="font-weight: bold;">$1.18</span><br /><br />I don't know if any of this has helped anyone, (there are so many others out there who are better at this than I am) but I hope it may help somebody understand a little better about how it works. I'm going to try to post next week's (5/9 - 5/15) deal scenarios a little earlier.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-21600018145869396482010-05-04T13:00:00.002-05:002010-05-04T13:21:30.351-05:00Menu plan and other stuffSo I know yesterday was Monday and I didn't do the menu thing, so I guess it's better late than never.<br />Tuesday- Eat out (A friend's husband is out of town, so we're having dinner with her, just to give her some company. I know how lonely it can be when you're husband's out of town.)<br />Wednesday- Cheeseburgers on bread machine rolls, potato salad<br />Thursday- Chicken spaghetti, rolls<br />Friday- Sloppy joes on bread machine rolls<br />Saturday- Baked chicken, broccoli with cheese sauce<br />Sunday- Lasagna (from freezer)<br /><br />I didn't get any posts made last week because I spent the week at my Mama's since Mr. McHacker was out of town for a conference. I had a good time and really enjoyed spending time with her and my nephews, niece, and Nana.<br /><br />I want to write more, but I have eleventy bajillion things left to do today. One of which is clean up a bunch of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerds_%28candy%29">Nerds</a> that I spilled earlier. It's kind of reminding me of the <a href="http://crystalwantstoshare.blogspot.com/2009/06/i-give-up.html">gumball incident of 2009</a>, but not that bad. I guess that's what I get for eating crap like that. I grabbed the dustbuster to vacuum it up off the rug, but the battery was too low, so I plugged it in to charge up and took that time to write this post. If it's not charged up yet, I'll just use the broom, even though I hate sweeping stuff like that up from carpet. Anyway, I hope y'all are all having a good day!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-90296574596580843552010-04-25T16:34:00.003-05:002010-04-25T16:46:01.137-05:00For I was hungry...I'm not usually one to post Bible verses and such on here, but this passage spoke to me in a real life way this week. We met someone who needed help, and he asked for it in the name of God, and I remembered verse 35 and could not say no. Whether the man's story was true or not, it was obvious that he needed help and I pray the Lord will bless him. I thank the Lord that He gave us the opportunity to help someone who was in need.<br />Don't overlook those around you who are in need, you never know when God may use you to be a blessing to someone else.<br /><br /><p> <sup style="font-style: italic;" class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24040">34</sup><span style="font-style: italic;">"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. </span><sup style="font-style: italic;" class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24041">35</sup><span style="font-style: italic;">For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, </span><sup style="font-style: italic;" class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24042">36</sup><span style="font-style: italic;">I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' </span></p><p style="font-style: italic;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24043">37</sup>"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24044">38</sup>When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24045">39</sup>When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' </p><p style="font-style: italic;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24046">40</sup>"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' </p><p style="font-style: italic;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24047">41</sup>"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24048">42</sup>For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24049">43</sup>I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' </p><p style="font-style: italic;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24050">44</sup>"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' </p><p style="font-style: italic;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24051">45</sup>"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' </p><p style="font-style: italic;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-24052">46</sup>"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."</p>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-8814279146322498652010-04-24T07:00:00.001-05:002010-04-24T07:00:07.327-05:00Cotton District Arts FestivalLast Saturday was the <a href="http://www.starkvillearts.org/events/cdaf.html">Cotton District Arts Festival</a>. It was fun, but I didn't take enough pictures. We're lucky enough to live next to where all of the activities were taking place, so we didn't have to worry about parking and pesky things like that. On our walk, The first thing I noticed was that the irises that I had been waiting to see bloom, were in bloom. This picture doesn't do them justice, they were much more beautiful in person.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9HnmYrQa7I/AAAAAAAABsM/geEmv8mgXFg/s1600/photo%282%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9HnmYrQa7I/AAAAAAAABsM/geEmv8mgXFg/s400/photo%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463402469622049714" border="0" /></a>So we're about to walk into the madness.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9HnnJB32qI/AAAAAAAABsc/9Ge1LYb1U5I/s1600/photo%284%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9HnnJB32qI/AAAAAAAABsc/9Ge1LYb1U5I/s400/photo%284%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463402482601810594" border="0" /></a>We walked around and looked at all the booths and various things for sale. I saw a thousand things I wanted, but weren't in my price range. It was lots of fun to see what everyone had made and was selling, and it gave me lots of ideas of things I would like to make myself. This is where I didn't take enough pictures :-)<br />There's always a bagpipe parade, which I think is pretty awesome.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYpigsD6LUB0K8Eqel1Vq3qa2IMhm6JohQXzBr-bmLRbEDYcOPius73mwGgI9ccmq72ynWq6jGTBnIdVOvc_3z63LhOBFyWynvjUDZ9kQKatzTgehjT0No-9-VgRYXcjRPFFlK_mZivI/s1600/photo(3).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYpigsD6LUB0K8Eqel1Vq3qa2IMhm6JohQXzBr-bmLRbEDYcOPius73mwGgI9ccmq72ynWq6jGTBnIdVOvc_3z63LhOBFyWynvjUDZ9kQKatzTgehjT0No-9-VgRYXcjRPFFlK_mZivI/s400/photo(3).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463402473562344994" border="0" /></a>After we walked around till we were tired, we went to a cookout at the house of a friend who lives down the street. That was a lot of fun because it seems like all of our friends stop in there at some point during the day, so we were able to visit with several friends while we were there. Then we went home and I took a nap so that I could be rested up for the music festival that night. I'll write about that soon (hopefully tomorrow).<br /><br />Here are some pictures from <a href="http://www.starkvillearts.org/events/cdaf09.html">last year's CDAF</a>. I never posted them last year, so better late than never, right?<br />The crowd.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9I2BzhCC-I/AAAAAAAABvY/O2DQXvTC7cs/s1600/IMG_0135.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9I2BzhCC-I/AAAAAAAABvY/O2DQXvTC7cs/s400/IMG_0135.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463488702590356450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9I2Btj2_jI/AAAAAAAABvQ/_b575LCWbhE/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9I2Btj2_jI/AAAAAAAABvQ/_b575LCWbhE/s400/IMG_0134.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463488700991602226" border="0" /></a><br />Bagpipe Parade<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9IEJwQrGYI/AAAAAAAABtQ/JHSoWIJn-Y0/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9IEJwQrGYI/AAAAAAAABtQ/JHSoWIJn-Y0/s400/IMG_0119.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463433863574002050" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5JY2Un_sCXho-wJwgyJGprYuzvOlAJ306tYHejqoADceo4AHtFp2EaDjxNPx-Lbu5zQgjYbGdAG5HVz6sDOmgGesCVuW25gLlcGZ2f84wizSz6W5Zt5r6t9igVxxZgXbq1S_Ff2AuSQ/s1600/IMG_0121.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5JY2Un_sCXho-wJwgyJGprYuzvOlAJ306tYHejqoADceo4AHtFp2EaDjxNPx-Lbu5zQgjYbGdAG5HVz6sDOmgGesCVuW25gLlcGZ2f84wizSz6W5Zt5r6t9igVxxZgXbq1S_Ff2AuSQ/s400/IMG_0121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463433878971414882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9IEKanwGfI/AAAAAAAABtY/8_QNp5EK0P8/s1600/IMG_0120.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9IEKanwGfI/AAAAAAAABtY/8_QNp5EK0P8/s400/IMG_0120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463433874945087986" border="0" /></a><br />I don't remember what group/club sponsored this, but there were all of these bulldogs that people had painted to represent various movies. They were auctioned off as a fund raiser of some sort. I love them and took lots of pictures of them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9IELNEfz2I/AAAAAAAABtw/rKsFptXT0wc/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9IELNEfz2I/AAAAAAAABtw/rKsFptXT0wc/s400/IMG_0123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463433888487427938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9Izu5bmH1I/AAAAAAAABt8/Lsynwmpjn4s/s1600/IMG_0124.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9Izu5bmH1I/AAAAAAAABt8/Lsynwmpjn4s/s400/IMG_0124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463486178737397586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcfw_e6BxVyFy06Dd5kXm-6Cz9LEYtzgKik6tYZN27EZIBu1aHVLFWKghDKxalnDneAoy_9w5CFID3GUPxpSUn-HyNh9xFTg7wpGbhUO8L0XBX3YFgovdj7wWGtSQ7ZJ4iI2ycb3k4k0/s1600/IMG_0130.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpcfw_e6BxVyFy06Dd5kXm-6Cz9LEYtzgKik6tYZN27EZIBu1aHVLFWKghDKxalnDneAoy_9w5CFID3GUPxpSUn-HyNh9xFTg7wpGbhUO8L0XBX3YFgovdj7wWGtSQ7ZJ4iI2ycb3k4k0/s400/IMG_0130.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463488092867771506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCO_oNyiIOPwD-ZgfL7KCIH1k8wF751osLBkHkwlg-dc8aj_gLhk_6nFkbnYoFfNFyQHl58BjWoCJ_gqdrVl8AiaxJ3eSusISslAjgWh39893sletW4bVOqv5fPss_fRp8WBMJWDpIXI/s1600/IMG_0128.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9I1eHvhR_I/AAAAAAAABuo/0TdFtTvJR84/s1600/IMG_0129.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9I1eHvhR_I/AAAAAAAABuo/0TdFtTvJR84/s400/IMG_0129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463488089544542194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nd3lKS8o9_1-x81gcwNuQwmixscCwYSmYdNt2p4h3GAVr1Oo2gCOv_csj5sb_SWjM7LgVtZRdFy-okH3GMGRCkOm649JRweQeb_hSGij2RkXjetgW_DyKoHLFj49oa_IN0grfByAAUQ/s1600/IMG_0122.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nd3lKS8o9_1-x81gcwNuQwmixscCwYSmYdNt2p4h3GAVr1Oo2gCOv_csj5sb_SWjM7LgVtZRdFy-okH3GMGRCkOm649JRweQeb_hSGij2RkXjetgW_DyKoHLFj49oa_IN0grfByAAUQ/s400/IMG_0122.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463433883296194130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9IzvSN9QjI/AAAAAAAABuE/r7uvoXAC6ko/s1600/IMG_0125.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9IzvSN9QjI/AAAAAAAABuE/r7uvoXAC6ko/s400/IMG_0125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463486185391079986" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9IzvhnroWI/AAAAAAAABuM/CSfdtI5eIg8/s1600/IMG_0126.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9IzvhnroWI/AAAAAAAABuM/CSfdtI5eIg8/s400/IMG_0126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463486189525508450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrbTHLmrtDERMUww6QYydIb-teYyEHUkk8w4hyunv4WSL3HxenUywCJUZAGWYwUEhN4wEsnFHUnhl9cgdUTgOTj7sKRhVtYZgvWkLkbg8Ea6J0U6rrCBrc-8H9MRk4OTm9H39nxNHCzE/s1600/IMG_0127.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrbTHLmrtDERMUww6QYydIb-teYyEHUkk8w4hyunv4WSL3HxenUywCJUZAGWYwUEhN4wEsnFHUnhl9cgdUTgOTj7sKRhVtYZgvWkLkbg8Ea6J0U6rrCBrc-8H9MRk4OTm9H39nxNHCzE/s400/IMG_0127.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463486198876808994" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCO_oNyiIOPwD-ZgfL7KCIH1k8wF751osLBkHkwlg-dc8aj_gLhk_6nFkbnYoFfNFyQHl58BjWoCJ_gqdrVl8AiaxJ3eSusISslAjgWh39893sletW4bVOqv5fPss_fRp8WBMJWDpIXI/s1600/IMG_0128.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCO_oNyiIOPwD-ZgfL7KCIH1k8wF751osLBkHkwlg-dc8aj_gLhk_6nFkbnYoFfNFyQHl58BjWoCJ_gqdrVl8AiaxJ3eSusISslAjgWh39893sletW4bVOqv5fPss_fRp8WBMJWDpIXI/s400/IMG_0128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463486208697371954" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3eq4sIWDIami9pCibkqKGhfsg7JEFRJDdtu0z53vlr00fI5dZH_i2nj_b8unbjUwry3hkdTJOl9VG1lj0BuK8y7ElAnEKl13ez8ygH2_2-5u_wumx4eOHlpYKuG8CdLGl3koqq32LU4/s1600/IMG_0131.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3eq4sIWDIami9pCibkqKGhfsg7JEFRJDdtu0z53vlr00fI5dZH_i2nj_b8unbjUwry3hkdTJOl9VG1lj0BuK8y7ElAnEKl13ez8ygH2_2-5u_wumx4eOHlpYKuG8CdLGl3koqq32LU4/s400/IMG_0131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463488104375027090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9I1fo4T2OI/AAAAAAAABvI/dfwhfQgxdTg/s1600/IMG_0133.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9I1fo4T2OI/AAAAAAAABvI/dfwhfQgxdTg/s400/IMG_0133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463488115619649762" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9I1fegY3JI/AAAAAAAABvA/w0c1gYTOWgQ/s1600/IMG_0132.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9I1fegY3JI/AAAAAAAABvA/w0c1gYTOWgQ/s400/IMG_0132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463488112834960530" border="0" /></a><br />They didn't have the painted bulldogs this year, but they had lots of other cool stuff. If you've never been, you should come to Starkville for the Cotton District Arts Festival next year.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-34455224127006871742010-04-23T13:28:00.005-05:002010-04-23T14:53:04.684-05:00This weekI had every intention of posting every day this week, but you know how life gets in the way. So I'll use this post to catch up.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday</span> was really busy with housework and the typical housewife life, but I did get my Menu Plan Monday post up.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tuesday</span> was going to be my "free day" to get caught up on sewing projects and reading, so I slept in and was just getting started with my day when I got a text from a teacher friend.<br />Her - <span style="font-style: italic;">"Is there any way you can have the cake here in the morning? She's leaving at 10." </span><br />Me -<span style="font-style: italic;"> "Nobody told me when you needed it or anything, last I heard about it was before Easter. Mrs. M was supposed to get back to me about it. What does it need to say and how do you want it decorated? I can get it there no earlier than 8:00."</span><br />So then there were a few more messages and she told me what they needed. So I went to the store for some supplies and spent the rest of the day baking and decorating the cake. (So much for my free day, huh?) So here's the cake, and since I had a little batter and icing left over, I made some cupcakes for some of my other friends at the school since I know they could use a little something to brighten their day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9HqMC3fxjI/AAAAAAAABtE/lzlOu-qMQps/s1600/S7302921.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S9HqMC3fxjI/AAAAAAAABtE/lzlOu-qMQps/s400/S7302921.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463405315626092082" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rWS06kJ-ScqlmCa_BrTMxEvFVm5yyO7VgyzYsNq9Fec8H270YvucAvRrUzMYeXVOy1iwjFwiFWOtMGDJ8Tqb6hrYEfS__nq720UVmERV8-n2LN7dq5CA2chcqJ2amfuesNFAgWqgopg/s1600/S7302925.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rWS06kJ-ScqlmCa_BrTMxEvFVm5yyO7VgyzYsNq9Fec8H270YvucAvRrUzMYeXVOy1iwjFwiFWOtMGDJ8Tqb6hrYEfS__nq720UVmERV8-n2LN7dq5CA2chcqJ2amfuesNFAgWqgopg/s400/S7302925.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463405310331546162" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wednesday </span>after I took the cake to the school, I spent the rest of the day doing more housewifey stuff. Mostly going through coupons and sale ads and making lists. Also, I made chocolate covered strawberries. They were delicious and we ended up eating all of them that night. I know we shouldn't have, but oh my goodness they were good.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeTgUsR_QjIFpW-EffCrkQqH7sPeE_wLuRDAxkN9BqLcJsCVl7gVsHEUfXIz-sYGg29fmpIPHj8wFmtLWOYiCgtb7HehXzUHEv2epraVTiJTUcJzSPZ-cYIM6UDX_xXsa0mNN9FMrwQM/s1600/photo(5).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeTgUsR_QjIFpW-EffCrkQqH7sPeE_wLuRDAxkN9BqLcJsCVl7gVsHEUfXIz-sYGg29fmpIPHj8wFmtLWOYiCgtb7HehXzUHEv2epraVTiJTUcJzSPZ-cYIM6UDX_xXsa0mNN9FMrwQM/s400/photo(5).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463402486910672146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thursday</span> (yesterday) was a pretty good day. I got a lot of shopping done and got some great deals on stuff at CVS. Also last night I went to a floral design workshop thing that was sponsored by a <a href="http://spectrum.org.msstate.edu/index.html">group</a> on campus that a friend of mine is involved with. I've always been interested in floral design and would love to take an actual class at some point. I learned a few things, so I'm glad I went.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8FqkMo7Vr2hpn3byWuEBrDuMJKAQBy5O6HXfH1ttJ4EgPTzfeqRat9nT2REMYibZdWGiMN2jC69BY_aME0AzeWc-vJlOs_Y6IcmPYnQtNVvGcuY6KzxizltpfQcgjIzVgsxHGgEgtN0/s1600/photo(6).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8FqkMo7Vr2hpn3byWuEBrDuMJKAQBy5O6HXfH1ttJ4EgPTzfeqRat9nT2REMYibZdWGiMN2jC69BY_aME0AzeWc-vJlOs_Y6IcmPYnQtNVvGcuY6KzxizltpfQcgjIzVgsxHGgEgtN0/s400/photo(6).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463402492957181906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWaJrcdYZgEpA5_m087lQHqUM5EZttK7Rx335RuisTu1k-jHATxwIEwZnLkYAlj_9RLTurHRdePdNuDZP9t8IsOmTA6aVedE8gVnkb82vmOnjjewyI3RB8di08GVAwuJAisoneHG79qs/s1600/photo(7).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWaJrcdYZgEpA5_m087lQHqUM5EZttK7Rx335RuisTu1k-jHATxwIEwZnLkYAlj_9RLTurHRdePdNuDZP9t8IsOmTA6aVedE8gVnkb82vmOnjjewyI3RB8di08GVAwuJAisoneHG79qs/s400/photo(7).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463405296804136562" border="0" /></a>So that brings us to today, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Friday</span>. So far, so good. We ate lunch with friends today. The guy that Mr. McHacker works with and his wife (who works in the same building) are friends of ours and I always enjoy it when we're able to eat lunch together. Tonight is supposed to be date night, but since the weather is supposed to get pretty bad later this evening, we're probably postponing it, which is fine with me since we ate out for lunch.<br /><br />I wanted to write about last weekend in this post, but it's already getting too long, so I'm going to hit publish on this one and call it done and go ahead and start working on the next one and get it ready to post for tomorrow. I hope y'all have a great weekend!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-43981737091644475192010-04-19T11:13:00.003-05:002010-04-19T12:28:10.604-05:00Menu Plan Monday April 19 - 25<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://orgjunkie.com/2010/04/menu-plan-monday-april-19th.html"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 345px; height: 141px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S8yLRe_M4GI/AAAAAAAABsA/lwkFzDoOWP0/s400/mpm121.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461893580585754722" border="0" /></a><br />It's that time of the week again.<br /><br />As usual, lunches will be sandwiches or leftovers. We may eat out for lunch at some point this week as well.<br /><br />Suppers<br />Monday - Lasagna from the freezer (We ended up eating out when we were supposed to have this last week). Bread machine rolls<br />Tuesday - Baked lemon pepper chicken, Pasta Roni angel hair pasta with herbs, green beans, rolls<br />Wednesday - Sloppy Joes on bread machine buns, french fries<br />Thursday - Chicken, broccoli, rice and cheese casserole (I'll make 2 and put 1 in the freezer), bread machine rolls (fresh batch)<br />Friday - Eat out<br />Saturday - Red beans and rice with sausage<br />Sunday - Salad with fried chickenCrystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-58451422764973357322010-04-17T07:00:00.004-05:002010-04-17T07:00:06.512-05:00Another Computer Science Birthday CakeHere's the cake for the <a href="http://www.cse.msstate.edu/">Computer Science and Engineering</a> department's monthly birthday celebration.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S8eN19rEiPI/AAAAAAAABrU/OwZTUo5d1gA/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S8eN19rEiPI/AAAAAAAABrU/OwZTUo5d1gA/s400/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460489031437814002" border="0" /></a><br />I know it looks a little crazy, but I promise I haven't lost my mind. The only person with a birthday this month was the professor who teaches <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptography">cryptography</a>. So I thought it would be fun to write the happy birthday message in code. This code is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesar_cipher">Caesar cipher</a>, which basically shifts letters in order. In this case, all of the letters are shifted 2 places (since the birthday is on the 2nd day of the month), so A becomes C, B becomes D, C becomes E, and so on. The message says Happy Birthday Dr. Ramkumar. When I took it in yesterday morning, the department head said it was cool, and Mr. McHacker said the recipient thought it was great, so I'm happy with that.<br /><br />We are going to the <a href="http://www.starkvillearts.org/events/cdaf.html">Cotton District Arts Festival</a>, <a href="http://www.oldmainmusicfest.com/">Old Main Music Festival</a>, and possibly some of the <a href="http://www.mstateathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=16800&ATCLID=204872279">Super Bulldog Weekend</a> activities today, so I'll have some pictures and stuff to post next week. I hope y'all are enjoying your weekend!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-11437439616646804042010-04-16T07:00:00.001-05:002010-04-16T07:00:10.502-05:00Four-wheeler birthday cakeThe birthday cake I delivered with the Easter cookies was for a teenage boy who loves his four-wheeler. His mom didn't give me a picture, and said that it didn't really matter what I did, as long as it had a red four wheeler on it. So I found a picture online, and this is how it turned out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S8DtakXIqTI/AAAAAAAABqY/BfdiiqU0qfg/s1600/photo%2810%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S8DtakXIqTI/AAAAAAAABqY/BfdiiqU0qfg/s400/photo%2810%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458623789066135858" border="0" /></a>She loved it and said it looked just like the one he has, so I was really happy about that.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-65057745299801108212010-04-15T07:00:00.001-05:002010-04-15T07:00:04.389-05:00Easter cookies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S8Ds6bVfgFI/AAAAAAAABqA/4V4iv-l_XHI/s1600/photo%289%29.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsXDCTojyB8b-x_1Jvq1ePDTQcvIWz0dI9bpHT6gp2-RELS314ihQaqvHDim_FUtKhBRXh9r_5U2ED37Q1bBwR5XfLUWjH3DfdlcnULldI8bK_KKti68oWNzoqQ0sFaMRah8ptvFHqQs/s1600/photo(8).jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDTVuC7GOdqY4Ul1_MP02PMMzumdmIxESeLLybHHQm6ukHiFP2yNyMBxpJwGFow4H6VZQ2caJ0cBuBxHTgWnlolRUJBnJcL03e2oQflD1vr9v1QIdOzhhwjo-0xwW-QaUNkCm5awYMnI/s1600/photo(6).jpg"><br /></a>When I took the baby shower cake to the school, several of the ladies asked me if I would make some Easter cookies for them. I've done it in years past, but this year I had completely forgotten about asking if they wanted anything. So when they asked, I said, "Sure, why not?" Well, little did I know I would end up with orders for about 12 dozen cookies, a cookie bouquet, and a birthday cake. I worked 27 hours straight to get them all done. Thankfully, I remembered to get some pictures while I was working on them, because I forgot to when I got them all finished and wrapped up pretty. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDTVuC7GOdqY4Ul1_MP02PMMzumdmIxESeLLybHHQm6ukHiFP2yNyMBxpJwGFow4H6VZQ2caJ0cBuBxHTgWnlolRUJBnJcL03e2oQflD1vr9v1QIdOzhhwjo-0xwW-QaUNkCm5awYMnI/s1600/photo(6).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDTVuC7GOdqY4Ul1_MP02PMMzumdmIxESeLLybHHQm6ukHiFP2yNyMBxpJwGFow4H6VZQ2caJ0cBuBxHTgWnlolRUJBnJcL03e2oQflD1vr9v1QIdOzhhwjo-0xwW-QaUNkCm5awYMnI/s400/photo(6).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458623219049412002" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0oNnJJhv4FGL7cWNurouKjffOPX6Ra093CNYiU3rMuXGs5xtB969wOgZuIhoJC_N_IDsGS733WwG5i2Uwb0d2milYKC9yrpxTb1lqGplJpWUdDPYk-ngkFxFCQBBiP8pbrVtGZwTnPE/s1600/photo(7).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0oNnJJhv4FGL7cWNurouKjffOPX6Ra093CNYiU3rMuXGs5xtB969wOgZuIhoJC_N_IDsGS733WwG5i2Uwb0d2milYKC9yrpxTb1lqGplJpWUdDPYk-ngkFxFCQBBiP8pbrVtGZwTnPE/s400/photo(7).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458623225503958818" border="0" /></a>I forgot to take a pic of the cookie bouquet. Anyway, I delivered them the Thursday before Easter, and everybody was happy with them.<br /><br />We spent slept in a little late on Good Friday, then headed down to Mom and Dad McHacker's house and spent the night and part of Saturday with them. Then we went to my Mom's and visited with her and my sister and her kids Saturday and Sunday. Saturday night, after everyone went to bed, I stayed up and made more Easter cookies for Sunday.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsXDCTojyB8b-x_1Jvq1ePDTQcvIWz0dI9bpHT6gp2-RELS314ihQaqvHDim_FUtKhBRXh9r_5U2ED37Q1bBwR5XfLUWjH3DfdlcnULldI8bK_KKti68oWNzoqQ0sFaMRah8ptvFHqQs/s1600/photo(8).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsXDCTojyB8b-x_1Jvq1ePDTQcvIWz0dI9bpHT6gp2-RELS314ihQaqvHDim_FUtKhBRXh9r_5U2ED37Q1bBwR5XfLUWjH3DfdlcnULldI8bK_KKti68oWNzoqQ0sFaMRah8ptvFHqQs/s400/photo(8).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458623232510122434" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S8Ds6bVfgFI/AAAAAAAABqA/4V4iv-l_XHI/s1600/photo%289%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S8Ds6bVfgFI/AAAAAAAABqA/4V4iv-l_XHI/s400/photo%289%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458623236887511122" border="0" /></a><br />We went "across the river" for Easter dinner and the egg hunt with my Nana's family (I took the big cookie bouquet above) and had a great time. We left from there and drove back to Starkville that night. We were so tired, we needed a vacation by the time we got back, but it was fun and I'm glad we went.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-51089580172625919982010-04-14T07:00:00.000-05:002010-04-14T07:00:08.999-05:00Alabama baby shower cakeThe Monday before Easter, the ladies at the school I used to work at had a baby shower for one of the teachers. She went to college at the University of Alabama, and is a huge Bama fan, so the ladies thought it would be fun to work that into the cake somehow.<br />I kicked around a few ideas about what I wanted it to look like. At first I thought it would be cute to have something like a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/j-bird2005/3984857554/">baby wearing a Bear Bryant fedora</a>, drawn on the cake. But I thought that might be kind of hard to draw, so I started sketching out a little elephant instead. As I was doing this, I was talking about it with Mr. McHacker. The following is the actual conversation we had (I actually wrote it down). (I included the drawings as well, you're welcome).<br /><br />Him - "It wouldn't be hard to draw a baby in a fedora. Here, I'll draw you one."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg02nNSknLoYDD3DZTxRqvgb_28PNufbepYXBvqMfOc1INCU9I17jgkWdXHACviMMbK33sqvozTruG88PuufLFyM49iaGWf8MXq8-MZmNN9hNzLJs4dMH7oE-0_7ISARodyNg4l7LA1qQ/s1600/photo(12).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg02nNSknLoYDD3DZTxRqvgb_28PNufbepYXBvqMfOc1INCU9I17jgkWdXHACviMMbK33sqvozTruG88PuufLFyM49iaGWf8MXq8-MZmNN9hNzLJs4dMH7oE-0_7ISARodyNg4l7LA1qQ/s400/photo(12).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458631748610604658" border="0" /></a>Me - "If I drew that on a cake, they would refuse to pay me."<br />Him - "Well fine then."<br />Me - "Here's what I have in mind instead." (Sorry about the bits of icing on it).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S8D0qFlmnkI/AAAAAAAABqo/rj9yjckybEE/s1600/photo%2814%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S8D0qFlmnkI/AAAAAAAABqo/rj9yjckybEE/s400/photo%2814%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458631752264621634" border="0" /></a>Him - "That's a really good drawing of an elephant. I figured drawing an elephant would be hard, that's why I was thinking drawing a baby would be easier."<br /><br />Me - "Yeah, it wasn't too hard, a lot easier than a baby I think."<br /><br />Him - "Dang, I would rather draw three of those babies I drew than an elephant. I'd draw three of them and say, 'Maybe you'll have twins. God bless Bear Bryant!'<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S8D0qoSBE9I/AAAAAAAABqw/8isTad5J0cE/s1600/photo%2813%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S8D0qoSBE9I/AAAAAAAABqw/8isTad5J0cE/s400/photo%2813%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458631761577710546" border="0" /></a><br />Me - Laughing so hard I'm crying. "Three babies is twins, huh?"<br /><br />Him - "Oh. Never mind."<br /><br />So anyway, this is what the final cake ended up looking like.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bpQjTLJQLdet4OXI9X_3czs7Haxk6WQIkgmpaLC6FktzYl7-khOKWx01Tvgv0-ULKw7Cf2E-8wHPVfGgWFjLg8zr0wit0rscaJBHei0yYLwvyaW0ppVC02Yo2Fzal3btWjqabZxp24A/s1600/photo(5).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bpQjTLJQLdet4OXI9X_3czs7Haxk6WQIkgmpaLC6FktzYl7-khOKWx01Tvgv0-ULKw7Cf2E-8wHPVfGgWFjLg8zr0wit0rscaJBHei0yYLwvyaW0ppVC02Yo2Fzal3btWjqabZxp24A/s400/photo(5).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458623483997990434" border="0" /></a>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-59748543938668203292010-04-13T07:00:00.001-05:002010-04-13T07:00:14.956-05:00Basketweave birthday cake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S8DtTJSCtFI/AAAAAAAABqQ/qORzJbW62YI/s1600/photo%284%29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S8DtTJSCtFI/AAAAAAAABqQ/qORzJbW62YI/s400/photo%284%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458623661537932370" border="0" /></a>I've been making monthly birthday cakes for the Computer Science Department at MSU for several months now. This was the cake for March. Since the only person with a birthday for then month was a lady, I took the opportunity to make it a little more feminine than usual. Basket weave and springtime flowers seemed like a good choice :-)Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-22460027658005366412010-04-12T14:00:00.000-05:002010-04-12T13:59:14.827-05:00Menu Plan Monday April 12-18<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://orgjunkie.com/2010/04/menu-plan-monday-april-12th.html"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S8NszdhU4DI/AAAAAAAABrI/Xwp3eF_4vAg/s400/mpm-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459326804656709682" border="0" /></a><br />I've still been doing menu plans, just haven't been posting any. Trying to get back into the habit of posting regularly, so here's this week's.<br /><br />Lunches will be leftovers or sandwiches.<br />Suppers:<br />Monday - Pizza at Game Night<br />Tuesday - Chicken Caesar Salad<br />Wednesday - <a href="http://crystalwantstoshare.blogspot.com/2009/01/santa-fe-soup.html">Santa Fe Soup</a><br />Thursday - <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/chicken_spaghet/">Chicken Spaghetti</a> and bread machine rolls<br />Friday - Cheeseburgers and fries (on bread machine rolls)<br />Saturday - Lasagna (from freezer - made extra last time)<br />Sunday - <a href="http://crystalwantstoshare.blogspot.com/2008/07/southwest-quiche.html">Southwest quiche</a>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-1844402069472768352010-04-12T07:00:00.000-05:002010-04-12T07:00:04.047-05:00Thomas the Tank Engine cakeIt seems like all little boys goes through a phase when they like trains, and it seems like a lot of them love Thomas the Tank Engine. Our friends' little boy is one of those kids, and his birthday party this year was Thomas themed. (He's the same one who had the <a href="http://crystalwantstoshare.blogspot.com/2009/03/cakes.html">Little Einsteins cake </a>last year.) I've done a few Thomas cakes before, and thankfully they get easier each time :-)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S7_fcbdlZkI/AAAAAAAABpU/eVTcqkPGEvc/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S7_fcbdlZkI/AAAAAAAABpU/eVTcqkPGEvc/s400/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458326952897504834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtawD9I5q4vOnmDAGV0hNuC4hzmC4NCs21wtnrvWRoPKngAtNvcB6zdsVUTkgkkDOp2ZPLahat7Yz4kec62sGD7WWwt1-cYOp2klGZgfKkapX68iIK9iKbDNiUMMNaCRzI46Ce9qIFFg/s1600/photo(3).jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtawD9I5q4vOnmDAGV0hNuC4hzmC4NCs21wtnrvWRoPKngAtNvcB6zdsVUTkgkkDOp2ZPLahat7Yz4kec62sGD7WWwt1-cYOp2klGZgfKkapX68iIK9iKbDNiUMMNaCRzI46Ce9qIFFg/s400/photo(3).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458327695815813490" border="0" /></a><br />I wish I had remembered to take my camera (or iPhone) to the party, it was at one of those indoor inflatables places, and I think the adults had as much fun playing on those things as the kids did.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-15017493474219990972010-04-11T07:00:00.000-05:002010-04-11T07:00:03.920-05:00Gamer girl costumeA month or so ago, our friend needed a costume for a costume party her fraternity (Theta Tau) was having. Apparently engineering fraternities are full of geeks, because the theme was "dress as a video game character." So, I told her I would help her make a costume. I didn't quite realize how much work it would be when I volunteered, but I'm glad I did it, it was a lot of fun making something other than aprons and such. I don't know the name of the character, but this is the costume she showed me, and said something like that would be great. So this is what I had to go by.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gZJmUlSdY-VYRZpumTsiKg1I85L187unYu3dqgsnqHvPyHU6Qoe6dWhRr86-Phyphenhyphent5KlFZc7OclibAE4vEn_DdHs7FrfKbw-LgZMW03UU93l6jJCbqQrhL-UTguWjjoCuZljBFtmU0DM/s1600/Tales-of-the-Abyss-Cosplay-Costume-G-11871.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gZJmUlSdY-VYRZpumTsiKg1I85L187unYu3dqgsnqHvPyHU6Qoe6dWhRr86-Phyphenhyphent5KlFZc7OclibAE4vEn_DdHs7FrfKbw-LgZMW03UU93l6jJCbqQrhL-UTguWjjoCuZljBFtmU0DM/s400/Tales-of-the-Abyss-Cosplay-Costume-G-11871.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458315456174704098" border="0" /></a>Of course, I didn't have a pattern, so I had to take measurements and make my own pattern pieces for the costume. I knew I could do it, but I didn't want to tape pieces of paper together to draw the pattern on, because I have done that before and it's a pain in the ass. Then I had a brainstorm (which I'm sure many others before me have had) that I could use the back side of some of that leftover Christmas wrapping paper I had in the closet. It worked great. So I took measurements, drew out the pattern pieces, and spend two days sewing. Here are the results.<br /><br />Skirt:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoiC7axzpZ39d7nRZHx3CbUZbKTdm1eVsOry1Sjydd128IHn5qCwlsS9JWhJHplXraGyu0WseWEJJ5IkAq3gNiZQTO7AJUsDUyiIlCgegpQB5HNp4mk3CZHMWQs3hGs_Rwmfsdi3VEG4/s1600/S7302823.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoiC7axzpZ39d7nRZHx3CbUZbKTdm1eVsOry1Sjydd128IHn5qCwlsS9JWhJHplXraGyu0WseWEJJ5IkAq3gNiZQTO7AJUsDUyiIlCgegpQB5HNp4mk3CZHMWQs3hGs_Rwmfsdi3VEG4/s400/S7302823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458316412398774786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sleeveless top:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNCI2gKftjJaXoFUxlz-6G66Q0puqn6GVabrZ7hTTKFG8ChKEThEPmrI1Ub6mNjet7vPikV755kdCOPxPFReREHhQTAtMR4Hvupc47LyszYnwvwNp3nzkdSDzZvNKJIco9lkMMmLWYn0/s1600/S7302824.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNCI2gKftjJaXoFUxlz-6G66Q0puqn6GVabrZ7hTTKFG8ChKEThEPmrI1Ub6mNjet7vPikV755kdCOPxPFReREHhQTAtMR4Hvupc47LyszYnwvwNp3nzkdSDzZvNKJIco9lkMMmLWYn0/s400/S7302824.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458316420967411810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Vest over the shirt:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJ_ftVRC8ZAcs6rP_K5_VyE0mUGtAleLkafuinkfk57x8QSqJ2W2O5gG4EoLGu3woEZGK_GONb8s0qZ9tytNg-xO2VY_yD8qhPTR3Y_JXkJMyjJHDZX2dXz0O62m6aPTE8tuJqu90pZw/s1600/S7302825.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJ_ftVRC8ZAcs6rP_K5_VyE0mUGtAleLkafuinkfk57x8QSqJ2W2O5gG4EoLGu3woEZGK_GONb8s0qZ9tytNg-xO2VY_yD8qhPTR3Y_JXkJMyjJHDZX2dXz0O62m6aPTE8tuJqu90pZw/s400/S7302825.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458316429032167202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Arm band/sleeves:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S7_V4UTXn0I/AAAAAAAABpE/w4hXIJnfxJg/s1600/S7302826.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S7_V4UTXn0I/AAAAAAAABpE/w4hXIJnfxJg/s400/S7302826.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458316436895670082" border="0" /></a><br />Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of her wearing it, but she loved it, and I think it turned out pretty well.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-87759455205374612252010-04-10T07:00:00.000-05:002010-04-10T07:00:07.682-05:00Congratulations Mr. McHackerMy dear, sweet, very smart husband received some awards from the MSU Student Association recently. They let him know that he was going to receive the award for the Most Outstanding Student in the College of Engineering, which was pretty cool. Then at the reception, they announced that he was also the winner of the Most Outstanding Student of the Year at Mississippi State University. He wasn't expecting this, and it was <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> cool for him to win it. I'm glad that he's being recognized for all of the hard work he's done as a PhD student, he deserves it. He said it was okay to post the picture, so here you go. Sorry about the red eyes, but I'm not taking the time to fix it. (Although it is tempting to photoshop out my double chin and fat arms).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S7_Pl7Vvg7I/AAAAAAAABoc/azwtBA-DSGc/s1600/S7302821.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S7_Pl7Vvg7I/AAAAAAAABoc/azwtBA-DSGc/s400/S7302821.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458309523887326130" border="0" /></a><br />Also, Mr. McHacker also started a new job at MSU with the National Forensics Training Center. You can read about it over at<a href="http://www.mcgrewsecurity.com/2010/04/01/new-job-at-the-nftc/"> his blog</a> if you want to know more. So now, he's working full time, and working on his PhD dissertation too. Busy guy.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1600788307135246598.post-75006652324512187392010-04-09T19:33:00.004-05:002010-04-09T19:55:39.108-05:00It's been a while...againFor some reason, I just haven't written anything in a long time. I think about it, but I've been busy with other things. And sometimes, I'm not busy, I'm just lazy and want to goof around on the internet rather than write a blog post. So, I'm going to really try this time to write more often. In fact, I'm sitting in my husband's office at work with him right now, and while he's working on stuff, I'm going to sit here and write up a bunch of blog posts catching up on what I've been up to lately. Since I don't have other things to distract me here.<br />So anyway, something I've been wanting to show y'all, are some pictures I took on campus at MSU a couple of weeks ago. It was one of the first really pretty days of spring, and I took a walk around the neighborhood and MSU.<br /><br /><br />This is the footbridge that leads into campus if you're walking from downtown.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S7_JFPEjLTI/AAAAAAAABno/I2zOklJ1Q5M/s1600/S7302829.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S7_JFPEjLTI/AAAAAAAABno/I2zOklJ1Q5M/s400/S7302829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458302365178473778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I love, love, love this tree. Every year I say I'm going t take pictures of it and I'm so glad I finally did it this year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFkdwfWGb6SjlMGLtYjUMecLBBBTnXYEsO38_Oh9PIuhw5B8bYGf09Ehp47vPnBatH8ZcvNs1TlzdtFe_WKRDGGVcmXEfNOpPikXe1lk0xzdCL8T8nAi1BsRhAe_kY_fP6UnskVKjhvk/s1600/S7302835.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFkdwfWGb6SjlMGLtYjUMecLBBBTnXYEsO38_Oh9PIuhw5B8bYGf09Ehp47vPnBatH8ZcvNs1TlzdtFe_WKRDGGVcmXEfNOpPikXe1lk0xzdCL8T8nAi1BsRhAe_kY_fP6UnskVKjhvk/s400/S7302835.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458304326821990818" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S7_K5ccRVsI/AAAAAAAABoI/ox39PAFOZBc/s1600/S7302845.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Sg8wROszDc/S7_K5ccRVsI/AAAAAAAABoI/ox39PAFOZBc/s400/S7302845.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458304361632454338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_GpDq1tz7vebmmLjcchhqaV125zRzKZnkUUMYVyPwSkutg_eUt9CZ__s8jIs-dOn3Z6ryIfxnvgP5vCHZqxd9H5gXzvCNqIs6wJJ4gZW5fDLpzcyk4qbE3EIawA0fn2leQVDE29fgJA/s1600/S7302837.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_GpDq1tz7vebmmLjcchhqaV125zRzKZnkUUMYVyPwSkutg_eUt9CZ__s8jIs-dOn3Z6ryIfxnvgP5vCHZqxd9H5gXzvCNqIs6wJJ4gZW5fDLpzcyk4qbE3EIawA0fn2leQVDE29fgJA/s400/S7302837.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458304342165437218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfNJ8yw5_c1q7Nm_-rMmPpDaf5z4cnxwiHg5ZiLO1a1-l5oU__JtmUGENU8ljeTdGKGs9_Lrb-X7B7CU75mhJi2A1mgMrvv0zzzVXiO9Iwfo15ACAcHNNMTeXFkWCwebHvWA_4yLlP9I/s1600/S7302836.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfNJ8yw5_c1q7Nm_-rMmPpDaf5z4cnxwiHg5ZiLO1a1-l5oU__JtmUGENU8ljeTdGKGs9_Lrb-X7B7CU75mhJi2A1mgMrvv0zzzVXiO9Iwfo15ACAcHNNMTeXFkWCwebHvWA_4yLlP9I/s400/S7302836.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458304334829000002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIXAsh5n_P3PbBRqvcnRgDxJgC_91TcnWhyEeFmr6GOtTmLkkTPbGSb4a4qm5VcxzbD-WmO_YJ3jb_p29pMqeEEq57cXT1xHSpfAlQxcZE7Tb-NQcjgrOiJM5iWgV3v1MehpIGjtue54/s1600/S7302877.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIXAsh5n_P3PbBRqvcnRgDxJgC_91TcnWhyEeFmr6GOtTmLkkTPbGSb4a4qm5VcxzbD-WmO_YJ3jb_p29pMqeEEq57cXT1xHSpfAlQxcZE7Tb-NQcjgrOiJM5iWgV3v1MehpIGjtue54/s400/S7302877.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458304371214330978" border="0" /></a>I hope y'all are enjoying the lovely spring weather as much as I am.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11951252716975427687noreply@blogger.com5