Shopping Lists are great to help remind me what I need to buy in the way of groceries, toiletries, household items, etc.  I wouldn’t need anything like spring plungers but I might need a bathroom plunger.  I don’t like to have to make a special trip out for one certain item but like to buy it in advance when I’m shopping for several items.  That’s where lists come in very handy!

Cotton towels do the best job drying dishes, or at least I think so.  I saw towels from Ecokitchen, and they reminded me of ones we had when I was growing up, only ours were a lot thinner.  I remember my grandmother had 100% cotton dish towels, homemade from flour sacks many years ago.  I had a couple of  store bought ones that were OK  but not quite as good as my grandmother’s. She had so many towels through the years that by the time I came along, she still had some left.   I wish I had some of them.  Her towels were awesome for drying dishes or maybe it’s just the memory that’s so awesome!

Our daughter and son-in-law have done a lot of remodeling in their house and plan to put ceramic tiles in their hall bathroom for the backsplash. They got a good deal on the tiles, and they plan to install the tile themselves. Our son-in-law did an great job on the floor tile he laid when they first moved in, and no doubt they’ll do a great job installing the tile for the backsplash.   I know their bathroom will look awesome when they get everything finished.

This is such a busy time with substitute teaching almost every school day, doing my private tutoring on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and then trying to keep up with my two blogs.   The weekends are busy, too, with a trip every now and then to see the kids & grandbabies, with our kids coming to visit every so often, church on Sundays plus activities, and with all of the other things we’re involved in.  I haven’t used bowtrol, but I make sure to eat healthy, get enough sleep, try to work in a little exercise (not enough, but some is better than none, right?), and take my vitamins and supplements.

We went to visit our daughter, son-in-law, and two grandbabies a couple of weeks ago.  They are planning to do a little remodeling in one of their bathrooms by replacing the sink, faucet, and countertop.  I don’t know if they’re using a Kohler faucet or what brand exactly, but I know it will look sharp when they finish. They always do a great job on whatever remodeling project they do!

I haven’t tried this recipe, but it sounds so yummy!  This would make a great holiday recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 1/4 cup sugar (3/4 and 1/2)
• 7 tablespoons cocoa (3 T and 4 T)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
• 1 1/4 cups water, hot
• whipped cream

Mix together 3/4 cup sugar, flour, 3 T cocoa, baking powder, and salt.  Add milk, butter, and vanilla.  Beat until smooth and pour into ungreased 9 inch square pan.  Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, brown sugar, and 4 T cocoa.  Sprinkle evenly over the cake batter.  Pour the hot water over the batter.  Do not stir!  Bake for 35 minutes at 350 degrees or until the center is almost set.  Let stand for 15 minutes.  Serve warm, spooning the sauce in the bottom of the pan over each serving.  Top with whipped cream.

Do you order much online?  In the past, I didn’t because I preferred to buy it in a store.  I felt it would be easier to return if I needed to do that.  But now, I’m ordering vitamins and supplements online which saves us a lot of money.  The orders usually arrive in a week and are so well packaged that a box cutter would come in handy to make it easier to open the box.  I imagine I’ll be ordering more things online in the future, especially when I can save money!

We had our own business back in the mid to late 80′s.   From that experience, I know there’s a lot that goes into having one’s own business.  Today, some people have business plan consultants to help them and also other professionals.   It is wise to plan and do some market research before launching a business, especially in today’s economy.  I think the more that’s done, the higher the chance of having a successful business.

Here are some tips and techniques for the homeschooling parent or public school teacher.   Check back from time to time for new articles and ideas.