Our son is in his third year of college. Seems impossible that he’s over halfway through college sometimes. I remember all of the years that we checked out video game software for Christmas and birthdays, not that he’s too old for it now. In fact, our son-in-law is twenty-nine and still loves video games. I must admit that even I enjoy them from time to time (but I won’t tell you how old I am).  I guess some games will remain ageless!

December is here, and it’s time to get in high gear getting ready for Christmas. I have plenty of wrapping paper that we got after Christmas at Target one year , so we’re doing fine in that department. Now, I just need to check and make sure we have tape, utility knives, scissors, and packing tape for any packages that need to be mailed. We have just about everything on our gifts-to-buy list. I still need to find several gifts for the people I work with and some friends, but we already have gifts for family, gifts for my students at school, for the two tutoring students, etc. I keep checking my list, though, to make sure I haven’t forgotten anybody or anything.

Who doesn’t like to come home from work or from a busy day running errands and have dinner waiting in a slow cooker. Just walking in the door and smelling the aroma of a delicious home-cooked meal is so inviting. Well, Food Network has eleven tips for slow cooker meals that are definitely worth checking out. I already see one tip I need to remember, the one that talks about how it’s better to fill a slow cooker halfway to two thirds full.  Also, here are eight simple slow cooker recipes from Food Network that sound so good!

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With the holidays coming up, a lot of us will be taking desserts, dips, snacks and appetizers to parties. What better way to keep them warm than in a slow cooker. If any of you have eaten at Qdoba’s and love their queso, here’s a recipe for a lower-fat version of Qdoba’s 3-Cheese Queso.

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Don’t have a slow cooker?  Check out these from Amazon.  I’ve started ordering from Amazon more and more the past couple of years after realizing how easy and convenient it is.  And I nearly always find the best price on something at Amazon plus a lot of items qualify for free shipping which saves money! A lot of you probably figured this out a long time ago.

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I can’t get over how fast the weeks are going by. That’s what happens when we’re super busy, I guess. Many of you know exactly what I’m talking about. Christmas things are already out in stores and shopping is the last thing on my mind right now. Some people have their lists already made with things like polaris sportsman parts for hubby, video games for the kids, a Christmas outfit for the baby, etc.
Right now, my list consists of a mostly blank sheet of paper with one gift idea for someone on it (I won’t say who).  The list should be complete in another month, though!  And then my shopping will consist of shopping on Black Friday and then shopping online.

Some people are so creative and are always making some neat looking craft. I’m not one of those people, although I have made some crafts in the past. You won’t find any blue moon beads, paint, unfinished wooden craft pieces, etc., on my shopping list.  My list just contains the basics.  I know, that’s not very exciting.  However, I do get some craft item for an art project at school every now and then.

It’s nearly October! The weeks are flying by! Some people are already getting their Christmas shopping done, buying decorations, and probably even planning meals. Whether they need a doll for their niece or acid cigars online for their uncle, they have it all planned.
I haven’t even thought about Christmas much except for a fleeting thought here and there. School keeps me too busy. But I know that in another month, I really do need to start thinking seriously about it because I don’t like to do last minute shopping.
I’m looking forward to Black Friday shopping with our son. Our daughter got me started shopping on Black Friday, and we had so much fun! It’s kind of like being on a scavenger hunt plus the fun of shopping in the wee hours of the morning while it’s dark and then going to get breakfast. So, check back in another month and Christmas planning will probably have started around here.

This summer has flown by so fast. In fact, time is passing so fast! Before we know it, it will be Valentine’s Day and people will be thinking about gifts and flowers to give their sweetheart, possibly checking out Boston Valentine’s Day flowers. It’s a nice time of year when people are thinking of others and are giving gifts from the heart. It’s not only for sweethearts, but people also like to send flowers to their grandmother, aunt, or maybe someone who needs cheering up on this special day. And what a good way to cheer someone up with a beautiful arrangement of flowers.

Back when we had our own business years ago, we had a stamper with our business name on it.  A lot of people nowadays have stampers for their own home use such as the invitationbox.com self-inking stamps.  Some prefer labels because of the cute designs, but stamps can have just as cute designs as the labels.  Either way, they are a big convenience when addressing just a few envelopes or a whole stack of cards or invitations.

Here’s a recipe I would like to try:  Grilled Portobello and Arugula Burgers.  I haven’t tasted anything made from a Central Market recipe that I haven’t liked.  By the way, the best time to shop at CM is around noontime.  They have lots of samples, the best one being back in their meat market.  You can usually get a little plate with samples of some type of  beef, some type of fish, and a delicious salad.