Thought for the Day....

"Whatever you consistently feed yourself, you will start craving."

Think about that for a few minutes. This applies to both your physical and spiritual self, and both positive and negative things.

If you regularly dine on fast food, you will crave fast food. If you feed yourself healthy foods, you will grow to enjoy and crave healthy foods.

This applies to television, books, internet, friendships, pornography, exercise, or lack of it, prayer, church attendance, the type of music you listen to, and the list goes on.

I want to choose what's good for me, in every area of my life, and feed myself that. Chew on it.

Dollar Bill Shirt

Would you believe tipping can actually be fun? Turn your paper money into a piece of art, and people will be clamoring for your money...I know...they all want your money anyway.

The Dollar Bill Shirt is one of the easiest origami designs to make. You can find the instructions at the following website:

http://members.cox.net/crandall11/money/shirt/

You can also google to find some video demonstrations.

I've had a lot of fun giving these to waiters or putting them in birthday cards. My son Austin can make even more complicated designs, but I'm sticking with this one.

So, now you can give someone the "shirt out of your wallet" instead of the shirt off your back. It would be especially fun to carry a stash of these if you're going on a cruise.

Z-Bread

I make my famous Zucchini Bread once a year - for my sister-in-law Linda's birthday. Her birthday happens to land right in zucchini season, and it is one of her favorite things in life. So, I made it the other morning and took a picture and decided to share the recipe with you. I have no idea where this recipe came from -- it's been handed down in our family -- but it is good. Not that I can even taste it. I gave up sugar and gluten quite a while ago. I need to use the rest of my zucchini for some good gluten-free zucchini muffins!

I make this bread with my antique Kitchenaid mixer because it makes a really thick batter until you add the zucchini at the end.

Zucchini Bread

• 3 eggs
• 2-1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup canola oil
• 3 tsp. vanilla

Beat eggs well, add sugar and beat again. Then add oil slowly and beat well again. Add vanilla.
Mix together the dry ingredients, then add slowly to batter:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 3 tsp. cinnamon

Finally, add:

• 2 cups shredded zucchini (I shred in food processor, takes approximately 1 large zucchini per cup)

Fold in:

• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Pour into loaf pans sprayed with cooking spray. This makes 2 large loaves. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 60 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. [Six baby loaf pans will take approximately 40 minutes.) After removing from oven, let sit for 3 to 5 minutes, then remove and cool on a baking rack.

Bonus hint: Since my baking pans are nonstick, I use a plastic knife to run around the edges of the loaf pan as I remove the loaf (to avoid scratching the surface).

It's Time to do the Snoopy Happy Dance!

Except for one three-week period, we've had one of our sons serving in Afghanistan since March 14, 2006. Well, this week that finally ended. Our youngest son, Barrett, returned to Germany to live with his wife Beccy happily ever after (wherever that may be). He sounds calm, contented, grounded, and is relishing every luxury: ice, tennis, their own apartment, hot showers.......and we are doing the Snoopy Happy Dance! !

Austin returned in May 2007, just before Barrett deployed. How do a mom and dad make it through almost two and a half years of deployment? Only by the grace of God. We are so proud of all of our sons -- they have each become fine men despite all of our mistakes. And today I am overflowing with gratefulness that they are all safe and sound. Thank You, Lord! And God bless all of our military and their families for what they sacrifice for our freedom. Join me, if you will, in the dance. With all its problems, we still live in the most amazing country in the world, and we all have a lot to be thankful for.

**Snoopydance copyright Metaphor, and the characters of Snoopy & Woodstock are copyrighted by United Features Syndicate. http://www.darkharbor.com/snoopydance/

Blast From the Past

You can tell what era my favorite wedding picture is from -- early 70's. 1970's, that is -- scroll down to the second picture. (He's tossing the garter.) This year we celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary.

On our 25th anniversary, Dear Hubby's family gave me a trophy that was engraved with "25 Years of Endurance". I display it proudly in my office. I keep telling them as we approach 35 years, "I'm going to need a bigger trophy!"

Financial Survival Technique

Budgeting is essential! (For more info, see www.daveramsey.com) But today I want to share just one budgeting tip that I think is crucial.

When you're budgeting, allow some pocket money for each spouse. Whether a little or a lot, this "allowance" should be money that you do not have to answer to anyone for how you spend it. If you want to save up for something big, you can. If you want to spend it as fast as you get it, you can. And no one has a right to say anything about it. I think this technique has been a real lifesaver for us. Over the years, we've been able to give ourselves a raise in "allowance" now and then. And payday is a little more fun when you get to stash a little cash for whatever YOU like to do.

Travel Tips, Part 4

For several months, I've been watching the airline prices for a future trip overseas. A tip from my friend Juliet really helped me out. She referred me to www.travelpapa.com, which compares a lot of airline ticket prices in one place. I checked the site everyday for a long time, and finally found an acceptable price and bought the tickets. I will keep checking it, too, because if the price goes down before my trip, I can call the airlines and get a credit for the difference in price. (A credit with the airline, not a credit in my bank account, unfortunately.) It was a good thing I was watching, because the prices went back up within 2 days. It's actually not the airline ticket that is so pricey, but several hundred dollars in taxes and fees that are being added now. You don't have to buy your ticket from Travel Papa, you can go directly to the airlines, but I did because I appreciated the service they provided. It cost $10 extra per ticket (but saved me a lot in the long run).

From what I've read, airlines often post their sales on Tuesday evening, so if you're not going to check every day, at least check on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning each week.

A bonus Dear Hubby travel tip:
He claims his seat, puts his carry-on luggage away, then stands at the back of the plane until the doors close. This way he scopes out any empty seat that he might like better than the one he has, and grabs it after the doors are closed. It's mighty nice when you have the luxury of an empty seat next to you!

Travel Tips, Part 3

Remember the good old days, when we could take as much luggage as we wanted? Well, now, at least with some airlines, we have to pay $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second one, EACH WAY! That could cost $30 to $80 per trip! And, if your bag is over 50 lbs, you'll pay a lot more than that.

Here are some tips to handle this situation. First of all, if you buy a new bag, get one that is as light as possible, but still durable. They're making them with this in mind nowadays.

Secondly, be mindful of the weight of things you pack. Try not to take a lot of shoes, and wear the heaviest ones if you can. If you're taking books, consider putting them in your carry-on bag or tote. Toiletries can be heavy, so carry the smallest, lightest bottles that you can. I recently discovered that a complimentary hotel shampoo and conditioner and lotion will last a week for me (and if you're staying in a hotel, more will be available). BONUS TIP: Don't use flip-top bottles. They are much more likely to leak under pressure than those with screw-on lids.

I'm pretty good at lifting my bag and estimating whether it reaches the 50-lb. mark or not. On the way back from my last trip, with extra things I had bought, the porter said, "Hmmm...heavy bag..." and placed it on the scale. "49 lbs." I'm good! (I was prepared to remove a couple of books and put them in my tote bag if necessary.)

Tomorrow, the last day (for now) of travel tips. Stay tuned.

Travel Tips, Part 2

Continuing with travel tips, today let's talk about identifying your luggage. Unless you have a very distinctive bag, it's hard to tell when yours is coming around on the carousel. Of course, you need to have your name and phone number on the bag -- preferably your cell phone number. But I also like to make mine a little more memorable.

I recommend you find a distinctive bandanna, like the one shown, and buy several. Tie it on your bag(s) in a place where it won't easily come off. Rather than on the handle, I tied mine on the metal ring that holds the handle on the bag. Now I can spot mine from a distance, and it's not likely someone will mistake my bag for theirs.

I've also had my bag go ahead of me when I got voluntarily bumped from a flight. In that case, I had to pick my luggage out of a large crowd of luggage, and this helped a lot. The sight of this bandanna brings unspeakable joy -- knowing that my bag was not sent to South America is priceless.

Tomorrow, another luggage tip.

Travel Tips, Part 1

Since I just got back from a trip, I'm reminded of a few travel tips to share with you this week. With all the airline restrictions imposed on us now, it's easy to get confused, and you need to have a few tricks up your sleeve.

On the airlines, you're only allowed to carry on one bag and a personal item. Ladies, pay attention -- that means your purse also. So, if you have a piece of carry-on luggage or a laptop bag, that's all you can have along with your purse. BUT -- here's a great idea. Take a smaller purse, and a tote bag that it will fit inside of.

The tote bag can hold your healthy snacks, magazines, etc., and that bottle of water you have to purchase after you clear security. (I think they should sell CHEAP water bottles just inside -- I don't like paying $2 or $3 for a bottle when they won't let me bring my own!) You can put your purse in the top of the bag when you're going through security and boarding the plane. This tote bag will fit under the seat in front of you.

When you're flying alone, you can't leave your purse at your seat when you're going to the bathroom, so you can pop it out and take it with you, or put it in the overhead bin until you get back (where everyone can see if someone gets into it).

I've been flying since I was 6 years old, and I'm not very happy with the current claustrophobic conditions, but still a 3 hour plane ride beats 2 or 3 long days of riding in a car!

More travel hints tomorrow!

I'm in Hot Water

My Dear Hubby thinks in mysterious, but interesting, ways. Today as we were finishing our morning walk, he asked, "Now, if you needed to turn off the water going to the hot water heater, how would you do it?" Even though he's shown me before, I couldn't remember at the moment. But when I opened the door to the hot water closet, I found he had made it abundantly clear. Notice in the picture, he wrote on the hot water heater with a Sharpie marker -- how to shut it off, when it was installed, the dates he drained it, etc. (It needs to be drained once a year to clear sediment from the bottom.) If your hot water heater is leaking, it might just keep filling up with water as it drained out -- not a good thing. So, take a hint from Dear Hubby and make an emergency plan, which might keep you out of hot water....

At some point, we're going to switch over to a tankless hot water heater, but that's a story for another day.

Then and Now - Leslie

Today I bring you another little sister -- I never run out, do I? This is Leslie, a teacher, with her sweet family: Tony, Brenna, Tyler, and Abby the dog. It's not THE most current picture, but the most recent one I could put my hands on right now. The kids are a little older now -- Brenna's in high school and Tyler's gone off to college. I love the young picture of Leslie that I took (can't remember where). She's a good sister and a good friend to me and many others.

Just Because

Today's post is not useful at all, but I'm posting it just because I like it. And, after all, this is Deb's Favorite Things!

My quilting buddies will like this. It looks like an old sewing machine, but it is actually a cake. Everything in the photo is made of cake or frosting. I believe this picture is from a Russian cake decorating contest. My goodness, whoever did that is GOOD! I could never bring myself to spend so much time making a work of art that someone is going to eat...I guess that's why I like quilts -- much more enduring. But I admire people who can do things like this.

Stephanie's Frozen Dilemma

A great hint from my friend Stephanie:

My roommate buys individual portions of edamame from Sam's and it comes in a big bulky box. Not helpful for our fridge freezer. So I just cut the directions out on the box, post them on the fridge and I can stack the edamame neatly and efficiently without the bulk! And..no one forgets the directions for heating :)

(Note from Deb: You could also stick the directions in a certain place IN the freezer, or in a drawer nearby, if you don't want them posted directly on the fridge.)

Rock On!

I was riding along, with a rock chip in my windshield, when I saw a sign that said "Free Windshield Repair". A guy had a mobile unit set up under a canopy at a full-service car wash. I had seen that sign before, but didn't have time to stop. This time I decided to check it out. It turns out, it's not exactly free, but not a bad deal. The guy took my insurance information and called my insurance company for an authorization. He said they normally waive the deductible on a windshield repair because it's much cheaper than replacing the whole windshield. Sure enough, they did. It was interesting to watch as he injected some stuff into the chip. In about 15 minutes, my windshield was repaired and I was on my way. Some places claim they can repair a crack up to 24 inches long.

As I looked online, I saw an article (link below) that said you can go to a glass repair shop and get this fixed for around $25. Hmmm. It also said you can buy a repair kit at the auto store and do it yourself for around $10. I didn't know that! I haven't done this myself, but I think it sure would be worth a try. The instructions are in the article on this website:
http://af-artscrafts.com/windshieldChip.html

Note to self: Don't follow too closely behind big trucks. And ROCK ON!

Make-Up-Ur-Own Rubber Bracelet

You can't really see the inscription on the bracelet shown, but it says "Live Like the Lizard". In my April 20 post, I told you about my brother-in-law, nicknamed "Lizard", who died from melanoma. Even though he battled the disease for 6 years, he always had a great attitude about life. He knew how he wanted to live out whatever years he had left, which was pretty much the way he had always lived, and he successfully did that. He didn't waste any time feeling sorry for himself -- he just squeezed as much joy as he could out of every minute he had left. His family was so blessed by that.

So, his daughter had a lot of these bracelets printed and gives them out as a reminder to treasure the things that are most important in life. You can order bracelets like these imprinted with whatever you want from several companies online, and it might be a good fundraiser idea for certain circumstances.

I read the following in the Hints from Heloise column:
"Here is another hint for a contact person while traveling, in case of an emergency: If my husband and I are separated, we each wear a rubber bracelet with each other's name and cellphone number on it so we can be reached if needed."

That started me wondering if you could order these without getting large quantities. After a little searching, I found a site that will let you order as few as one. I ordered 2, at $4.75 each, with $2.50 shipping and handling. Not bad for something that is personalized! [And these are actually silicone rather than rubber.] What a great gift idea for your young loved ones. The website is:
http://www.wristbands-with-a-message.com/

Since my wrists are very small, I ordered the youth size. Dear Hubby and I will wear these when we're traveling, in case of emergency. This company did a great job, and the price is right, so I won't hesitate to recommend them.

Of course you can get these a LOT cheaper if you order in bulk (as low as 27 cents each if you order 1000). If you have other ideas for using these, please let me know!

Corral Your Chemicals

Here's another good hint from Dear Handyman...er...Dear Hubby.

He recommends storing all your chemicals in plastic tubs. Especially when stored in the garage, these bottles sometimes leak and will leave nasty stains on your shelves. If they're in a bucket, at least the mess will be contained.

This is a good idea for inside or outside. You could also carry this idea into your pantry, and store honey, oil, or anything else that might be sticky on the bottom in a tray or a pan on your pantry shelf.

The dollar store is a good place to find all sizes and shapes of tubs and buckets.

Guest Towel Etiquette

When you have a party, no one really likes sharing the same hand towel in the bathroom with all the other guests.

My sister Susan has a good solution for this. At places like Linens N Things or Bed, Bath, and Beyond, you can find disposable guest towels, and pretty trays to hold them in (see picture).

It's wouldn't be cost-effective to use these all the time, but very considerate for those occasions when you have a party. Tres chic!

Then and Now - Tina

Today I honor my sister Tina. She is an esthetician, and has her own business in Hollywood. (That means she is trained to administer facials and other skin-care regimens to help you look and feel beautiful.) I've been blessed to receive some of her services, and I must say, she is good!

If I Could Catch Paint in a Bottle

Here's a Dear Hubby hint for you. Since latex paint can rust through a metal can, he likes to keep paint in clear plastic juice bottles. This not only makes it last longer, but is easier to open and pour.

As you can see, he clearly marks each bottle with the brand, color, and number, and also designates where the paint has been used in our house.

Every so often, he goes through the house and touches up the paint wherever it needs it. That makes a huge difference in how our home looks.

No, I do not rent out my handyman. So don't even ask!

(Happy Anniversary, Sweetie!)

Hula Hoop for Health

At our recent family reunion, we had a hula hoop contest. After several tries, I was able to get that hula hoop going and keep it going indefinitely. The next day, when my obliques (muscles on the side of your waist) were sore, I decided I needed my own hula hoop. They make nice ones now, that are weighted and easier to use. You don't want kid-size, I can tell you that.

After looking online, I found there's a whole hula hoop system of fitness -- with videos, classes, and special adult hoops. Some of the hoops even come apart or fold up so you can take them with you when you travel! I had no idea this was going on.

But, you can keep it simple. Find a hula hoop with some weight, put on some music, and get going. It's surprisingly aerobic and pretty fun. Learn how to hoop in both directions. Now I wish I'd bought 2 hula hoops so we could have contests. (I'm rather competitive.) Watch this short video for inspiration. Then get in touch with your inner kid and start hooping!

One Bite at a Time

Okay, that picture is ugly. But I'm trying to make a point: One bite at a time.

You say you don't have time to read a book? If you read only one chapter on most days, you will have read at least one and maybe two books in a month. That's 12 to 24 books a year! One bite at a time.

Got a big project that's bugging you? Me too. Just start. Get a chunk of work done and then it's easier to find chunks of time later. One bite at a time.

I love to make quilts by hand. Looking at the whole project is overwhelming, but if I sit in my easy chair at night and stitch for an hour, I will have 30 hours of stitching done in one month. That goes a long way! One bite at a time. Some nights I don't get to it, but other nights I might get in 2 hours.

I'm ashamed to say that on the day I write this, I started the day with over 400 e-mails in my inbox. I decided today was the day I dealt with it. I gave myself a break after each 100 I cleared out. One bite at a time. Now there are only 70 that need some serious work. I'll tackle those, too, one bite at a time. Then, on to the next project.

What have you been putting off that needs a big bite?

Donate It!

I love going to garage sales, but I hate having one myself. Too much work. So I keep a box in the garage that I toss things into when I'm ready to part with them. And when the box is full, I donate it.

If you do the same thing, here's something that will pay off. Keep a good record of exactly what you donate, and the value of each item, for the tax deduction. In the past, I just generalized and underestimated what my donation was worth. Now you can go to www.salvationarmy.com and find out what it's really worth for tax purposes. From the home page, click "Ways to Give", then "Donation Receipts - Valuation Guide". On that page, you will find an extensive listing of items, with low and high values, depending on the condition. You can use this as a basis for your tax deduction. For example, a man's overcoat could be worth $7.50 low or $60.00 high.

Again, keep good records, and it would be good to even print out the valuation page from the Salvation Army website to keep with your tax records. You might be better off donating than having a garage sale!

Blast from the Past

Remember the 8-track tape player? Mine was not as nice as this one. We've come a long way -- now I play better sounding music on my cell phone.

I've just discovered a website that lets you download music for free -- legally. I was able to download some music from my 8-track tape days that I'm thoroughly enjoying. The website is www.spiralfrog.com.

In order for the music license to stay current, you have to return to the site within each 30-day period and answer a few questions. The format is compatible with most mp3 players, but unfortunately not the iPod or iPhone products. Still, I've downloaded the music to my computer and play it while I work at my desk. The quality is amazing. Also, I can pick out which songs I REALLY like, and purchase them through iTunes.

Whether you're looking for old tunes or new ones, I think this site is worthwhile. My 8-track never sounded this good.

Recipe Roundup

I've not been in cooking mode for a while. You can tell because I haven't been posting recipes. But I am good at collecting recipes and cookbooks. Trouble was, I never could find a recipe when I wanted it. Finally I devised a system that is working well.

First, I made hanging folders in categories and sorted all the untried recipes that still interest me (a whole lot went into the trash).

Then, I made a binder that is only for recipes that are tried and true -- we know we like them. It is also divided into categories, and each page is in a plastic sleeve. I've got a spiral notebook in the front for making notes or lists.

If I'm in the mood for experimenting, I dip into the hanging folders and try something. Otherwise, I go straight to the "Tried and True" binder and pick something I know will work. My plan is to copy any favorite recipes from cookbooks and put them in the binder also so I don't have to go searching.

Hopefully this binder will be something I can copy someday and pass onto my grandchildren (who aren't here yet).

If you've ever stood in the kitchen and gone completely blank about what to fix for dinner, or dug through piles of recipes trying to find something, this plan is for you.

Congrats!

Special Announcement:

After three years of dating, oldest son Michael and Christie are finally going to tie the knot! We are very excited.

Christie, we look forward to welcoming another beautiful daughter-in-law into our family next month.

Hanger Management

Here are a few tips to keep your closet more organized. Sometimes it seems hangers just multiply when you're not looking, doesn't it?

Dear Hubby put a closet rod over our washer and dryer that is just the right space for putting empty hangers -- quick to grab when hanging up laundry and it clears up space in the closet.





Use plastic colored clothespins on the hanger to indicate something that is currently too small or too large (am I the only one who has this problem?). Use wooden clothespins to indicate that something's been worn and not laundered.

Got too many clothes in your closet and don't know which ones to get rid of? Try turning all of your hangers (with clothes on them) backwards on the closet rod. When you return them to the closet, hang them the right way. After a few months, you'll be able to clearly see which clothes have not been worn and should be considered for dismissal from the inventory.

This is kind of a cool tool -- a place to put extra hangers and/or carry them back and forth to the laundromat. Once this is full and I still have lots of hangers, I start to recycle them. How? Return them to the dry cleaner.

Something's (not) Fishy

I'm sure you've all been hearing how beneficial fish oil is to your health. It's absolutely true. I'm not going to list the benefits here, because it would take a long time and you would get bored (unless you're a health nut like me). But you can Google "Benefits of fish oil" and read all day.

The good news is, good supplements no longer have that fishy taste that comes back on you. They are quite pleasant tasting now. Many are adding a citrus taste, and you wouldn't guess it's fish oil if you didn't know.

So, you have no excuses. Some of my favorite brands: Cooper Complete, Nordic Naturals, and Pharmax Finest Pure Fish Oil with Essential Oil of Orange (liquid). Buy a good brand at a reputable health food store so you don't end up wasting your money or getting unnecessary exposure to mercury. Go fish!!

9 Months Free

Here's an opportunity you might not want to miss. As settlement in a class-action lawsuit against Transunion (one of the three major credit bureaus), you can sign up to receive 9 months of free enhanced credit monitoring. Everyone who had a credit file open between January 1987 and May 28, 2008 (most adults) qualifies. When you go to the website and sign up, they will let you know when the settlement is completed and you can begin your free 9 months. You have the choice of this, or 6 months of credit monitoring with the possibility of a cash settlement. After studying it, it appears the amount of cash would be somewhere in the neighborhood of $2.50, so I opted to go for the 9 months. With the enhanced credit monitoring, you will be able to check your credit and your Transunion credit score anytime during the 9 months. The article I read also suggested you sign up your children. If they don't have a credit file, they will be rejected. But you need to know if anyone is using their identity.

To sign up: www.listclassaction.com or call the Transunion settlement number at 1-866-416-3470.

Now, I wish I could figure out how to get 9 months of time free!

Fry Tithe

I've been health conscious for so many years, I almost never order french fries for myself even though they are delightful to the tongue. When the boys were little, I instituted the "fry tithe". That meant "10 percent off the top before your dirty little hands touch it." You don't even want to think about what germs are thriving on little boy hands. I didn't actually take 10%, but I got a taste of the fries without indulging too much. Even today, as grown men, they will push their plates toward me and say, "Go ahead, Mom, take your fry tithe". Sometimes I can convince friends to offer up the fry tithe also. :)

Did you know that in some places people dip their fries in mayo rather than ketchup?? True.

Did you know that you can make homemade fries that are tasty and a lot healthier than you get at restaurants? Here's my recipe.

Oven Baked Fries

• Potato(s), white or sweet
  
• Healthy oil (avocado oil, macnut oil, coconut oil)
• seasonings of your choice (pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, all of these, or whatever...)
  

Cut up the potato(s) in the shape you desire. Put in a bowl. Drizzle a little oil and sprinkle your seasonings over the top. Toss until coated. Spread in one layer on a cookie sheet (oiled or sprayed with cooking spray). Bake at 400 to 450 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes, stir at least once in the middle of the baking time, and watch carefully to reach desired doneness.

These are absolutely delicious. You can actually substitute zucchini for the potatos and get a tasty dish also. The reason not to use olive oil: it is a very healthy oil, but turns into a trans-fat when heated to a high temperature, according to cutting edge alternative health doctors.

Bargain Alert!

Today's hint is a quick one -- if you want any of Dave Ramsey's Money Management materials -- for yourself or to pass along to a loved one -- lots of them are on sale for $10 up until July 4. He does this periodically, especially near holidays. I can highly recommend the book Total Money Makeover (normally $24.99), and there are other items up to a $30 value you can get for just $10. Following Dave's principles has really, as he says, "changed our family tree".

Cha-ching! www.daveramsey.com