A small return

After a long period of inactivity I suddenly decided to see if I can make this work. So here I am again and I'm hoping to stick with it this time.

Nicolie-Olie's Meanderings: A Little Pill Called Love Release Blitz and Giveaway

Nicolie-Olie's Meanderings: A Little Pill Called Love Release Blitz and Giveaway: Welcome to my Fifth hosting with Enticing Journey Book Promotions!! This is a super sweet, heartwarming romance from author Jas T. Ward.  Am...

Nicolie-Olie's Meanderings: Sister Witches Book Tour & Giveaway

Nicolie-Olie's Meanderings: Sister Witches Book Tour & Giveaway: Welcome to my Seventy Fifth Hosting for Silver Dagger Book Tours! A Witch Series(!!!) AND Book One is FREE currently on Kindle!  Below ...

Nicolie-Olie's Meanderings: The Liar Among Creatures Release Blitz and Giveaway

Nicolie-Olie's Meanderings: The Liar Among Creatures Release Blitz and Giveaway: Book Two of the Howl For The Damned Series is now available for purchase!!! I was lucky enough to get my hands on both book one a...

Cassandra M's Place: The Geneva Project – Truth (vol.1) by Christina Be...

Cassandra M's Place: The Geneva Project – Truth (vol.1) by Christina Be...: The Geneva Project – Truth (vol.1) by Christina Benjamin Promo: on sale for $.99 Get caught up now. Book 3 releases Sept 1st ! P...

Nothing like ignoring my blog

I really can't believe I neglected by blog for such a long time. When I started I really didn't realize how much time it would take to keep it going. Then I just got busy and finally today I looked back and thought WOW - over 2 years!!

I'm heading to California for a wedding soon. Not only will it give me the opportunity to visit with family I haven't seen in quite some time it will allow me to get away from the routine that has sucked up so much of my time. I've developed some very bad habits that seem to multiply each day. I'm really hoping that this time away will let me start some changes.

I've been very neglectful of my poor blog this year. It seems like there is always something that is more important to do. It doesn't help that my job has gotten more stressful so when I get home I just want to do something totally mindless. A new baby is on the way. My granddaughter Tara is expecting her first and she should deliver today or tomorrow. She is already 6 days overdue so the doctor decided to induce. I really wish that wasn't the case but it isn't my decision.

Giveaways and freebies

Win $100 Target Gift Card from PersonalFinanceJourney.com!

Win a $100 Target gift card - expires 2/1
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Huge Blog Hop Giveaway from If Only Life Could Be That Simple
Lots of required entries to get the maximum chances.
Ends 2/1
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Getting Debt Free

I'm getting more and more determined to get debt free. I've read about creating a "debt snowball" by paying off the lowest balances first and then using the monthly payment from the paid off account to pay off the next lowest balance. It's a sound idea but when you are living with very little discretionary income it can be very difficult.
I just read an interesting article about setting up a personal financial checklist. Since I'm really in tune with lists I think this may help me immensely. Check it out at ChristianPF.

I've been thinking about the recipes I use primarily at holidays and this one is special.

Divinity is a lot of work and sometimes a failure so I don't make it year round.

Ingredients

* 2 cups sugar
* 1/2 cup water
* 1/3 cup light corn syrup
* 2 egg whites
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 cup diced candied cherries
* 1/4 cup diced candied pineapple
* 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, water and corn syrup; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture comes to a boil. Cook over medium heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 250 degrees F (hard-ball stage). Remove from the heat.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Slowly pour hot sugar mixture over egg whites, beating constantly. Add vanilla and salt. Beat until candy loses its gloss and holds its shape, about 14 minutes. Stir in fruit and nuts.
3. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.

I enter lots of sweepstakes mostly for practical things either I or my family can use. I found this sweep and I would really love to win because after all who can't use a gift card that is just like cash. Travel Sweepstakes Blogger is giving away a $50 AMEX card and you can enter too.

Let me know if you win and I will celebrate vicariously.

Update to Harlem Globetrotters

Well, I won the tickets and took my grandson and his two boys to the event. It was so much fun although prices for concessions are totally unreasonable.

I grew up being a fan of the Harlem Globetrotters. My favorite was Meadowlark Lemon. He was such a clown but boy was he good with the basketball. I never got to see them in person but now, so many years later, I have the chance. They are going to be here in Omaha on April 16 and I'd love to take my grandson and great grandson to see them.
There's a great blog Star Impulse that is giving away tickets to one performance nationwide. I'm entering because I really want to see the Globetrotters and if I can get free tickets, all the better.
Actually anyone can enter by going to the website and I'll even give you the link, but please don't try too hard. I really want those tickets for myself.
Star Impulse
I recommend visitors go to the home page and look at everything Star Impulse has to offer. I'd much prefer you look at the rest of the blog and not pay too much attention to the Globetrotters tickets, okay?

I really need to spend more time working on improving this blog and less time reading everyone else's writings. But how will I ever learn what draws people to a blog unless I read the very successful ones?
I know the first thing I have to do is get this cleaned up and organized.

Super Bowl XLV is just hours away. Which team will win? My daughters are big Green Bay Packers fans and I love Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers so we will be happy with either team.
My prediction is that the Steelers will win 28-21.
If you would like to have a new recliner to watch TV take a look at Leather Recliner and Ottoman here. You can also enter to win a new recliner here Go Recliners.com/

I decided to show some of the quilts I've made. I haven't done anything recently and looking at my pictures it makes me really want to start making quilts again. I have several I've started and put aside and I have enough fabric to make several quilts.

Do you have a favorite quilt design? I like things fairly simple but the neon quilt I made for Tara is definitely the exception. Initially it was supposed to be for a twin bed but Diane kept calling me and saying they had moved her to a bigger bed and I had to keep adding on to make it the right size. I think it turned out pretty well.

Sometimes you run across a really great giveaway. Out Of Debt Again is running one of those right now. I missed out on the first four days of entry but there is still plenty of time to win a very nice prize. Over $800 in prizes are being given away and there is something for everyone. From a Starbucks gift card to a Microsoft Windows upgrade and lots in between I would be thrilled with any of the prizes.
Ending on September 27th so hurry on over and enter.

New Giveaway for a $50 Visa card

Head over to Thrifty Wifey to enter for her latest giveaway. She is reviewing Cora Carolina and their wonderful products. Cora Carolina has some darling handmade dolls and offer so many choices every child can find one they would love.
Along with the review Thrifty Wifey is giving away a $50 Visa gift card. Who couldn't use that! The giveaway ends on 9/27 so don't delay entering.

I'm not doing this blogging thing well

I started this blog to share my love of all kinds of crafts. I planned to post photos of the things I had made and encourage others to try their hand. Instead I've gotten caught up in the contests so many bloggers are posting. I admit I've won some pretty nice things but I think it's time I got back to the real reason I started this.
I've been reading so many posts about pride of accomplishments and I'm realizing I'm not doing what I planned. So give me a couple of days to get some photos and I'll be back with something to show everyone.
This post was inspired by The Follower Appreciation Extravaganza over at In Through The Out Door!

I don't really do well at writing anything except dry boring reports. I nearly failed English comp because I tend to "report" everything instead of making it interesting.

Nevertheless, I decided to participate in Homemaker Honey's giveaway and as a result I am posting 10 random things about me.

1. I love to read, especially murder mysteries
2. I knit and crochet in my spare time
3. I've made several quilts, but only machine stitching, nothing by hand
4. I spend way too much time on the computer
5. Very few people ever realize that I really don't want to talk to them
6. I don't feel old until I realize that my great grandkids are starting middle school - WOW!
7. I just realized that I am now one of those old ladies who shouldn't be wearing shorts in public.
8. I'm a junk food junkie
9. I really want to retire but can't afford to
10. My friends think I'm very lucky at winning things - they don't realize it's my second job :)

That wasn't too hard so maybe I'll get the hang of writing something reasonably interesting eventually.

Want the ability to multi-task just a little easier? Well, we can't give you super powers. But you could win a Plantronics Discovery 975 Bluetooth headset and feel like a super hero while you get things done. Angie at 5 Vinez Monkeys is giving away a Plantronics Discovery 975 Bluetooth headset with a rechargeable case that extends talk time to over 15 hours to one lucky winner! To find out more and enter to win this awesome prize, just stop by before 11:59pm ET on May 9th. Don't miss out!

Win a great Henckels knife

Enter a great giveaway for a Zwilling JA Henckels Twin Signature 8" Chef's Knife from CSN Stores at A Bluebonnet in Beantown." linking to this blog post for three extra entries. Please provide a link to your blog.

Kroger Cart Buster Savings Event Review & $25 Gift Card Giveaway

I found this fascinating quote today:

I had the chance to test out an Oreck Halo Vacuum Cleaner. When I received the box I was very excited to take it out of the box and give it a try. Of course all the daycare kids were watching me as I open the big box wondering what was in it. I was really expecting a lot of pieces to put together but I was very surprised. I took it out of the box and the only thing I had to put on was the handle. It was very simple to put on. It also has two attachments and the hose that came with it. Soon as I got the vacuum together I plugged it right in and went ahead and gave it a try. I was very amazed at all the dirt that it got up. I actually saw the dirt vibrating to the vacuum. Here is a look at how the vacuum cleaned…Deborah Wellenstein, You can earn 1 extra entries each for doing any of the following (you must post a separate comment for each one that you do), Feb 2010

You should read the whole article.