Random Nibbly Bits (that I'm loving)

In no particular order...

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• Last month, Amy (from 3 to Get Ready) and I had a fun girl's lunch out.
  There was much chatter, there was much Thai food eaten, and then there was much shopping at Knitch. A pretty fun way to spend a half a day, I must say.
  
  I think I bought a set of tapestry needles, as I had just broken the eye on the only one I owned. Such a glamorous purchase, right?
  
  I think that Amy bought something small as well, but mostly we were browsing and compiling/comparing our wish lists....
  
  One of the things that I saw that caught my fancy was a kit to make a felted poinsettia wreath. It was reasonably priced - somewhere in the $30 range, perhaps?
  
  But I don't spend money easily. I really have to mull and think over things. My typical shopping strategy is to make a note of it, and then go home. If, a few days later, it is still stuck in my head like a big shiny diamond, then I am allowed to go back and buy it.
  I guess that makes me the anti-impulse shopper.
  
  Anyhow - the wreath kit had kind of stuck in my head, like the proverbial big shiny diamond. I just hadn't had time to go back for it. But it was still in my mind's eye, twinkling away.
  
  So imagine my delight when I got an email from the Lion's Brand Yarn people, informing me of a sale at their site.
  
  Thought I'd check it out - and what did I find. A Felted Poinsettia Wreath Kit! Which looks exactly like I remember the one at Knitch looking...
  
  Regularly $24.95 - on sale for $19.95! WooHoo!!!!
  
  But it gets better...
  
  Did I mention that I don't spend money easily? Well, Bubba says I should tell everyone my "little online shopping trick." Personally, I don't think this is a trick, and I suspect that everyone does this, but Bubba says he disagrees... Anyhow, here 'tis.
  
  Before I buy anything online, I go to Google and I Google whatever the name of the site is + "Coupon Code."
  (For example, I ordered Christmas Cards from Shutterfly last night - and before I checked out at the site, I went and Googled:
  
  shutterfly.com, "coupon code"
  which sent me to a site with a 20% off code. WooHoo! I *like* saving money...)
  
  So I Googled and learned that the LBY people had just done a pod-cast, featuring the Yarn Harlot. And that if I listened to the pod cast, they'd give out a code good for 15% off any purchase through the end of December.
  (FYI - if you don't feel like listening to the whole podcast, they announce the code at the end of the podcast. Or, if you really, really don't want to listen, just e-mail me. I'll tell you the code... But it was very entertaining, so if you have time you should listen!)
  
  So, squeeee! I listened to the podcast, got my 15% off code, and ordered myself a discounted wreath.
  I see many days of pressing my face against the window wistfully - as I wait for the PostalCarrier to bring me my new toy - in my future....



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• Speaking of nice mornings out with good girlfriends....
  Yesterday, I got to meet the fabulous Sandy, aka HockeyMom Knits - for a chatter-fest over lunch. You couldn't ask for a nicer lunch companion!
  My only complaints? Seemed like lunch was over way too quickly...
  And I think that my face is sore from smiling, and my sides are sore from all the giggling and tee-heeing I did...
  (Sandy also scores big bonus points for not taunting me about my lunch order: a hot dog, with a side order of green beans.
  'Cause you know, green beans are healthy. And they're totally going to cancel out that hot dog, right???)



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• Last, but not least - I've been enjoying reading The Pioneer Woman Cooks. I like her writing style, and she photographs everything real pretty. I also like that she uses easy, readily obtainable ingredients - no matter where you live, you ought to be able to duplicate her recipes...
  
  Tonight - I tried her Punk-Ass Penne Pasta (I mean, c'mon... with a name like that how can you not want to give it a try...)
  
  Sweet Cracker Sandwich - that was some good stuff. Serious good...
  And that's even after I made some (ahem) "healthier" modifications to it...
  Basically, I cut all amounts of oil and butter by at least half, and I used 1/2 cup fat free half and half and 1/2 cup of heavy cream instead of the full cup of cream called for... It was still sinfully good!
  
  I highly recommend you give it a try!
  



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• The final thing I'm loving tonight? Newly washed flannel sheets on the bed. Which are calling my name....
  
  G'night!