Merry Christmas

Wow does time fly! I cannot believe Christmas is three weeks away. I'm sorry it's been awhile since I last blogged. Time gets away from me and as my mom suggested, I need to simply set time aside each week and blog my week! I promise to try and do so!
We have enjoyed decorating the house and putting up our Christmas tree! We buy our tree at, you guessed it, Home Depot. We do go to a beautiful tree lot where Christmas music is playing and hot cider is served to take in the season. Then we head to Home Depot. Can't beat the prices. This year I purchased a remote control switch to turn off and on our Christmas lights on our tree. In years past, we simply plug and unplug the lights. Not such a smart idea now that the kids are more involved. The remote control device is only 9.99 at Target. It does have a battery in the remote but it'll last a while. No more bending down behind the tree to reach, possibly falling onto the tree, the plug! This is my "fun find" this Christmas season and as you can tell I am very happy about it! My neighbor has tree lights that have different settings and can blink, flicker; etc. You may already have this system but it's going to be ours after Christmas this year. I'll find it on sale somewhere! That will be my "next years" purchase. I love the idea!
You know, this time of year we spend lots of time indoors and half during the night time since daylight is short. This is the time to tackle the "little" stuff like re-caulking areas in the bathrooms that desperately need it! If the nice white caulk is cracking, peeling or discolored, it's time. It really makes a difference in the look of your bathroom too! Get the waterproof type that comes in the can, like I've mentioned in previous blogs, with the attached tip. The old stuff comes off easily with a caulk scraper. Seriously, it's easy and the difference will make you smile!
Oh yes, I have to tell you my very latest find yesterday! I have a tri-ply stainless steel pan that I severely burned rice in last week! My house was so smoky and stinky. I forgot it was on the stove since I have the smooth cook top system. I left to talk to my father in law next door asking some general questions about pruning. Anyway, I was so upset as my pan looked destroyed with dark black residue inside and out. I boiled water to cook some of it off and that worked but still, lots of black residue remained. I asked a worker at Bed, Bath, and Beyond if they sold this particular pot individually. Most pots are sold in sets. And when I checked online, the price was 95.00 (ouch!). This pot set was a wedding gift. The worker shows me this can of cleaner called Bar's Keeper. It's packaged like comet cleaner and cost 2.99 for this nice size can. I read the instructions, and went to work on my pan. I'm ecstatic to report my pan looks BRAND NEW! I can't believe it! This product has been around since the 1800's and originally was used in bars for clean up. It also works on brass, fiberglass, glass cook tops like mine, and stainless steel. I shared this discovery with my friend and then she remembered using this product back when she used to bar tend. Interesting, huh? So, it'll clean up all the stainless steel pots and pans making them look brand new! How wonderful! And only 2.99! Beats a new 95.00 pan!
Finally, I thought I'd share how I do most of my Christmas shopping online at amazon.com. I only purchase items that are cheaper than the local stores and with free shipping or if shipping is being charged, that it's still less than the local store price. Also, some toys stores just don't carry particular toys so it's nice to be able to still purchase them for my kids! So, I'm done with all my shopping. I just need a few more stocking stuffers. Oh yes, Costco usually has a sale on photo calendars in Sept. every year which prompted me to get those done before the sale ended which was the last day in Sept. The calendars are the gifts to all the grandparents this year! They've been asking and how nice to have been done with that a month ago. Now, I just have to remember where I put the darn things! Can you believe that? We all do it! We are so smart to get stuff early and then forget where we hid them! I don't have many spaces to hide so I've have to split stuff up. Now that makes for a hard scavenger hunt! Wish me luck!
I'll blog soon! Stay tuned and take care!!!!!