When our daughter was a teenager in high school, there were so many activities going on plus when she was home there were always a dozen friends wanting to talk or chat online.  So one night every week we would have “Family Night” where for two or three hours we would do something as a family.  Sometimes it might be playing a board game or maybe watching a movie all together.  It really didn’t matter what it was that we did.  It was just the fact that our whole family, all four of us, was together.  Here were our guidelines for family night (or at least what I can remember):

• Set aside one evening every week for Family Night, preferably the same night every week.  Things happen, so change to another night one week if necessary.
• Don’t answer the phone during that time.    That’s what answering machines and voice mail are for.
• Choose something that the whole family enjoys, whether it be a board game, movie at home, or a family outing.  (Vote if necessary.)
  
• Keep it fun!  Enjoy laughing and sharing thoughts together.

I’m sure several of you do this and have great ideas.  If you have time, I’d love to hear some of your ideas.

There are a lot of households that own at least some type of game system.  One system that is very poplular is the xbox 360. In fact, our son-in-law and daughter own an Xbox.   They are young professionals with a 14 month old baby and another one on the way, and they still enjoy playing a game on their Xbox from time to time.

If someone in your family is wanting an Xbox Pro System, keep in mind that Buy.com has an Xbox Pro System Holiday Bundle which includes Kung Fu Panda and LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventure!

Last Christmas, our daughter and s-i-l gave me a digital camera.  I have enjoyed using it and plan to use it more to take pictures for this blog.  In fact, I have two SD cards and have pictures already on both of them to download and use in various posts.  If I ever need another SD memory card, then I’m going to check out Memory Suppliers.com.  They have good deals on SD cards and also micro sd memory cards.

FIRST, I WANT TO SHARE SOME EXCITING NEWS WITH Y’ALL.   OUR DAUGHTER IS EXPECTING ANOTHER BABY IN APRIL.      BABY J IS GOING TO BE A BIG BROTHER.    HE WILL BE 20 MONTHS OLD WHEN THE BABY IS BORN, AND THAT WILL MAKE TWO GRANDBABIES FOR US!

#1. Share a cupcake, muffin or cookie recipe.

I don’t bake much anymore.  I’m collecting healthy muffin recipes, but I haven’t tried them yet so I’ll wait to post any of those.   One of my friend’s favorite cookie recipes came to mind, so here it is: Company’s Coming Cookies
#2. Cupcakes, muffins and cookies require something to drink. What do you drink with them?

When I was young, I used to drink milk with them.  When I started drinking coffee, then it was either milk or coffee.  Now I don’t drink either, so I really don’t drink anything with them.  I might have tea later.
#3. Which do you prefer, mini muffins and cupcakes or full sized ones?

It’s the taste that counts.  I like both.
#4. What type of muffin or cupcake pan do you use?  Silicone, disposable, etc.

I use a regular muffin pan.  Sometimes I will use paper liners, but I prefer not using the liners because I like the crust on the muffins or cupcakes.

These are the favorite cookies of a friend of mine:

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
  
• 1 cup butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 3 cups oats
• 1 cup pecans

Blend together the sugar, brown sugar, and butter.  Add the eggs and vanilla.  Stir in the flour, soda, cream of tartar, oats, and pecans.  Bake at 375 degrees on grased cookie sheets for 10 minutes.

I read that you can rub a cut onion on a mosquito bite or bee sting, and the anti-inflammatory powers of the onion will take away the itching or stinging.  I have not actually tried this but plan to next time I’m bitten by a mosquito or stung by a bee.  There are a lot of natural remedies that I would love to find out about!

It’s important to keep your car healthy, especially the engine, transmission, power steering, brakes, etc.  Sometimes repairs are expensive, though.  There is an alternative to cutting down the prices.  You can order parts such as a steering box or a power steering rack online from the Power Steering Pros, parts that originally only dealers could get.  They have full warranty and free shipping.  Check out their site if your power steering is not working like it should!

INGREDIENTS:

• 10-12 corn tortillas – cut into fourths
  
• 8 ounce package shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  
• 10 ounce can green chili sauce (Hatch Medium is the best)
  
• 10 ounce can cream of chicken soup (I use 98% fat free)
• 4 ounce can diced green chiles
• Cooked or canned chicken (If you’re using canned, use 1 large can chicken breast)
  
• 1 cup chopped onion, sauteed for 5 minutes in olive oil
  
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic (or garlic powder)
• Salt & pepper to taste

Mix the green chili sauce, soup, diced green chiles, chicken, onions, garlic, salt & pepper together.

Layer the following:

1. Corn tortillas
2. Chicken & soup mixture
3. Shredded cheese – half of it
   

Add another layer of the above three.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

(You can put this together the day before you need it and then bake right before eating.   This recipe can be doubled if you need an extra-large casserole.)

I wear reading glasses right now, but soon I need to get some neweyeglasses. My doctor has suggested progressives which is what I’m seriously considering. But when I saw the price they would be, over $500, I decided that I would wear my reading glasses a little longer. The doctor also said that I would definitely need to start wearing progressives all the time by next year, so I know I can’t put off buying new glasses forever.
I was excited when I read about Zenni Optical and the positive reports from Fox News TV. Clark Howard, popular U.S. talk radio host, and his staff have gotten eyeglasses from Zenni Optical and recommend them.   Eyeglasses start at $8 and progressives start at $37.  How can Zenni Optical sell them for such a low price?  By selling directly to the consumer and skipping the middleman is how they’re able to offer unbelievably low prices.  Now that is really exciting to know that I don’t have to spend over $500 on new eyeglasses.

New frames are in, and they have a huge selection of frames to choose from. I have a sensitivity to metal, so I have been looking at the stainless steel and titanium frames. And I really like the rimless frames, but someone told me that the half-rim frames are sturdier. So I’m thinking I might get some frames similar to what are pictured here and add the premium anti reflective coating.

If you’re looking for new eyeglasses, check them out.