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Archive for November, 2012

And to think I was tired of political ads...

November 25th, 2012 at 09:41 pm

We are in day 3 of the official Christmas shopping season and I'm tired of the ads already. I haven't gotten to the point of frustration as I did with the political ads, but it is just getting to be too much.

I understand that merchants have to sell stuff to stay in business. A healthy economy benefits everyone.

But really, why is it the ads seem to claim you can't be happy unless you have the newest, shiniest, biggest, fanciest...does stuff really breed satisfaction?

Of course the merchants have turned any holiday into a shopping experience. I'm not sure veterans really benefit from my buying some at a Veteran's Day Sale.

And somehow I can't imagine Lincoln and Washington being especially happy if I buy something during the presidents' day sales.

I give and get my share of Christmas gifts. But, Linus was so correct when he spoke about Christmas becoming too commercial.

"Brandwashed"

November 23rd, 2012 at 02:16 pm

I picked up a book at the library the other day in the new arrivals section titled, "Brandwashed." I am about half way finished and although we probably think we know how brands determine our shopping, it is frightening to think how we often let them tell us what to buy.

The author says research shows that many companies are trying to get brand loyalty from the womb because change it hard once it becomes a habit. No kidding!

The author worked in advertising and mentioned how certain things in advertising make us crave things.

It is informative and I'd say worth checkiing out.

With that in mind, just coming off of a wonderful Thanksgiving, we were watching the nightly news and how folks started lining up at Best Buy Wednesday night to get in "first" at Midnight this morning. I guess I can't understand the desire for a television to give up a holiday with family. Maybe if it was for a kidney or something...

Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole

November 14th, 2012 at 11:57 pm




We tried a new recipe tonight. Saw it in a magazine and I changed it to fit our needs, but it was meant to use up leftover turkey. So, I kept the name, but thought since Thanksgiving is coming up, maybe some of you would like to try it.

Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
Preheat oven to 350.
4 cups seasoned dressing
4 cups cubed cooked turkey
2 celery ribs, finely chopped
½ cup chopped onion
¼ cup flour
4 eggs
3 cups 2% milk
1 can (8 ¼ oz) cream style corn
½ t salt
½ t pepper
1 T butter
Layer the first 4 ingredients in a greased 13 x 9 baking dish. In a large bowl whisk the flour, eggs, and milk until smooth. Add the corn, salt and pepper and mix well. Pour over stuffing mix. Dot with butter.
Bake covered 30-35 and uncover and bake 30-35 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean.


The original recipe also had a can of peas and a cup of cranberries. DH likes neither.

I made this for supper tonight and DH loved it.There was plenty leftover for lunches and overall, it isn't super expensive to make and DH claimed it was very filling. I did use up some leftover turkey from the other night.

"Our friend, Lester Holt..."

November 12th, 2012 at 12:33 am

First, let me say we don't really know Lester Holt.

However, we see him on the NBC news. And it appears this man works seven days a week and does many broadcasts as well as Dateline.

I looked his bio up and it states he's married and has children. I'm not sure when he's with his family because he is often traveling for his broadcasts.

So, I was tickled the other night when DH said, "Hey, it's almost time for our friend, Lester Holt."

Wonder if Lester would be pleased!

Christmas Club

November 5th, 2012 at 01:13 am

All last year we had been saving regularly in our Christmas Club. Since it is the first of November, it was time to get our money. We had over $1600.

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to go to Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg -- bus trip with the credit union where we have the Christmas Club -- $30 each. That is incredibly reasonable for a 170 mile (one way) trip.

DH has been scouring the ads and checking this and that. He knew what he wanted...a new suit for church. He saw one at our Penney's, but not in his size. The great thing was it was marked down a bit yesterday, so he got a suit and a new shirt and I still have quite a bit of money left.

Some friends asked how we could afford to just go and buy something like that and pay cash. I said because we saved all year. In fact, I just wrote a check for next year's Christmas Club tonight. Got to be regular and start saving.

We did some other shopping for other folks and other than a couple of things I need to get closer to Christmas, I think my shopping is done. I usually make baskets with goodies for many of my friends. We are at the point in our lives the last thing we need is more stuff. But food is always a good gift. I have most of the ingredients bought for my Christmas basket food making other than stuff like eggs. I have been finding baskets and found some beautiful napkins to put in them.

Oh, we and splurged! We bought some Godiva chocolates to enjoy in the next few days. Expensive, but rich, and paid for!