Isn’t this a beautiful picture?  I love the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, and this picture reminds me of them.  I don’t know where this picture was taken, but that doesn’t matter.  I just know that I really like it, and it makes me want to go to Colorado!

One thing I’ve noticed is that blog pictures add a lot to a post. I have often wished that I had a picture for something I was writing in a post. Well, now I have this great site to go to where I can get free, quality pictures for my blog.  These pictures are all properly licensed and ready to use on my blog or anyone’s blog who is a registered user.  And registering is very quick and easy.

In order to use a picture from acobox in a post on my blog, all I have to do is copy and paste the code they give me.  It’s that simple.  That’s what we bloggers need, right?  When we have a lot of things going on during the day, we certainly don’t need anything complicated or anything that will be a big hassle to use. Let me assure you that it is fast and easy!

#1. What’s the worst tasting food you’ve ever eaten?

Hmmm…I can’t remember.  I know I have eaten some bad tasting food before, though.
#2. Share a funny or embarassing story about a meal you’re made.

I can’t remember about a meal I’ve made, but I remember one about a meal I ordered…does that count?

When our son was a baby and sick one day with awful diarrhea, I was so tired from changing yucky diapers that I decided to call and have pizza delivered for supper.  My husband was at work, and the phone rang and when I heard him say “Hello,” I proceeded to tell him about our sick baby and this one awful, messy diaper that leaked all over the place.  When I finally finished, the man on the other end turned out not to be my husband and finally had a chance to say something and said, “Ma’am, this is Pizza Hut confirming your order.”  I turned the brightest shade of red and said that I was sooo sorry.  When the pizza was delivered, the delivery boy couldn’t keep from laughing when he handed me the pizza.   My family and I have laughed about that story many times! 
#3. What food do you burn or have problems cooking most often?

Sometimes toast.  I try to get it a little browner and end up burning it every once in a while.
#4. Name two foods you’ll be eating on this Thanksgiving.

JUST TWO???   That’s hard to choose which two.  I guess it would be turkey and dressing.

I love to get coupons, especially nowadays when money is tight!  I think most people are trying to find ways to save money and to cut back on expenditures in any and every way that they can.   Using coupons over time adds up, and it’s surprising how much money can be saved in a year’s time just by using coupons whenever possible.

For example, Freshpair coupons are a great way to save money on fashionable clothing. They have a lot of good deals going on right now where you can save $10 or save anywhere from 10% to 25% on your clothing purchase, even 75% on one offer. And they offer free shipping. So not only do you get a coupon that saves you money on the fashionable clothes you are wanting to buy but also on the shipping which can add up to a sizeable amount with other companies.  Another great thing is that it is so easy to go to their site, get the coupon, and save some money.  The more money saved, then the more money you have to spend on other things that you want or need.

Check out their site and see what great offers they have using their coupons!

This is a dip that looks like a cheesecake.  Perfect for serving at parties:

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, softened
• 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups sour cream, divided into 2 equal portions
• 1 envelope McCormick’s Taco Seasoning
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 1 4-ounce can chopped green chilies
• Salsa
• Tortilla chips or Ritz Crackers

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine cheeses and beat until fluffy.  Stir in 1 cup sour cream and taco seasoning.  Beat in eggs, one at a time.  Fold in chilies.  Pour into 9 1/2″ to 10 1/2″ spring form pan.  Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until center is firm.  Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes.

After “cheesecake” has cooled for a few minutes, spoon remaining sour cream on top and bake for 5 more minutes.  Cool completely on wire rack and refrigerate covered overnight.

The next day, remove “cheesecake” from pan and place on a pretty platter or plate.  Spoon on salsa.  Serve with chips and crackers.

Zenni Optical has a great selection of Holiday frames to choose from during this time of year. I saw several frames that I liked, and what would really be cool would be to get several different frames to color coordinate with certain outfits. If I were getting one pair, I would get a neutral color that would go with everything. But if I were getting more than one pair, I would consider maybe getting a red pair in the same style as those pictured above. Blue eyeglass frames would also be nice.   And there were some green frames that I really liked too!  See what I mean.
What’s great about Zenni Optical is their great selection, awesome prices (there is no middle man and that is how they can offer such low prices), and great quality. Eyeglasses can be ordered online to the exact specifications needed. They explain in detail on their web site how to order eyeglasses. They also have a 1-800 number if someone wants or needs to talk to an actual person in order to ask their questions. Info about their warranty, repairs, and returns is also available on their site. They aim to please.

This is a delicious and refreshing recipe from a dear family member:

• 2 cups raw cranberries, ground up
• 1 large can crushed pineapple
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 whole orange, ground up
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 large package raspberry Jello

Dissolve Jello in boiling water.  Mix all ingredients into Jello and pour into glass dish.  Congeal in refrigerator.  Serve with your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

Do you ever wonder what it would be like to live in another city?  I’ve lived in Texas nearly my whole life, but I wonder what it would be like in New York.  Thinking about the jobs in Manhattan and places available to live makes me think it would be so different.  Just about every place I’ve lived in Texas I’ve been able to see cows in a pasture every day within just a few miles of wherever I lived.  I love seeing the cows because they are such a peaceful, laid-back animal.  I guess they would have cows out away from the cities in New York.   Hmm…sounds like a nice place to visit, but I think I’ll stay in Texas.