in the kitchen

I've gotten to where I like to cook. I especially like to bake. I have my favorite tools in the kitchen too. And some that I think could become my favorites. Here are a few that are my favorites or could become my favorites:

1. I love the silicone bakeware that I have

2. Air Bake bakeware

3. everyone thinks my can opener is cool

4. we love our juicer

5. I love my chopper and use it all the time

6. blenders and smoothie makers are a must for us

7. I prefer a pastry cutter over forks!

8. the mini scrapers are invaluable

9. my stoneware

10. my electric teapot

things to see in D.C.

The other day my friend told me they will get to go to Washington D.C. in the fall. (What a great time to go!) She asked me the top three things to see in D.C. I said "only three??" She told me they won't be there that long (they are going for a conference) so what would I recommend. Since I could not limit it to just three, here are a few of my favorites:

1. Lincoln Memorial

2. Washington Memorial

3. Capitol Building

4. FBI building

5. Ford's Theater

6. Jefferson's Memorial

7. Arlington Cemetery

8. Mint

9. Smithsonian (as much as you can--flight, natural science, history, etc...!!)

10. Vietnam Memorial


(I would add the White House and the Archives as well, if I can just lump all the memorials together, or just say "the mall" as one item....)

Repair Pal Directory

Our main car has nearly 200,000 miles on it! This is good, but it can also mean that at any time I might need to find a car repair shop . Now this is easier than ever with the RepairPal directory. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. easy

2. Are you looking for a San Francisco car repair shop? Simply type in your zip code to find one!

3. find local repair shops with no hassle

4. read ratings and reviews on local repair shops

5. get car repair estimates on what the repair should cost

6. play the auto quiz

7. independent and unbiased information

8. find Toyota repair

9. use the auto repair encyclopdia

10. free!

driver's ed

My son just got his learner's permit this week. It has been a huge thing to watch him DRIVE!! Here are a few of my favorite things about driving school:

1. completed in a few weeks

2. learns the laws and the proper way to drive

3. save money on insurance

4. other instructors and they teach good driving habits

5. he's got friends in his class

6. the instructor is a coach

7. fun watching his excitement

8. his first time to drive into the city won't be with me!

9. online scheduling

10. pretty soon he can run errands for me!

baby gifts

There are so many people I know having babies. I have gotten to where I keep a stash of gifts, so when there is a birth, I have one on hand! I have found that ShopWiki also offers Baby and Toddler items. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. diaper bags always make a perfect gift, and there are some really stylish ones these days

2. I loved using a baby carrier when my children were infants

3. strollers are a very nice gift, maybe from a group of friends or hostesses

4. a high chair is used for a long time and is always a much appreciated gift

5. bibs, spoons, cups and plates always make a nice gift package

6. infant clothes are fun to give and receive

7. a baby gym or play mat

8. activity centers provide fun for baby and a nice diversion for mom

9. nursery furniture would make an extra special gift

10. toys and books

cookies

My kids and I made up quite a few batches of cookies today for our upcoming Vacation Bible School. I love cookies. I thought I'd share a few of my favorites today:

1. chocolate chip

2. oatmeal chocolate chip

3. chocolate chocolate chip (there is a theme going here!)

4. peanut butter

5. sugar

6. snickerdoodles

7. almond

8. brownies (cookie or cake?)

9. pumpkin

10. yes, Oreos

The Prompt Writer Blog

Christine has brought back one of her favorite blogs. It is her first blog. It is called Prompt Writer . It is filled with all sorts of great ideas for writing prompts. I am going to use some of them with my daughter this fall. Here are a few of my favorite ideas she has listed:

1. NAVA

2. monthly theme ideas

3. Bible verses

4. From the Memory Books

5. In the Beginning

6. On the Market

7. In the News

8. Time and Place

9. Titles

10. What Would Happen If....

Disclosure Policy

Well, I just noticed after all this time that this blog does not have a disclosure policy. I like to have one and rather than go out and find one to copy and paste here, I'll let this post serve as my own personal disclosure policy. Here are a few of my favorite reasons to have a personal disclosure policy:

1. it lets the reader know that some of the posts I make are actually paid for by sponsors

2. it lets the reader know that I am going to be "up front" about posting ads throughout my blog, letting you know that I will only post my own opinion of the product, service or website, even if I am paid to write about it

3. it keeps me from having to post a disclaimer each time, and serves as a once and forever statement that I do write sponsored posts

4. making it personal is more fun than just a copy and pasted version

5. I think it's only fair

6. I don't like when I read through a blog and don't know that there will be ads throughout

7. it's fast and easier than having to look up stuff

8. it's my own words

9. it's free

10. it's done!

the new campground

The new campground was good. Of course, anything would have been better than where we'd been going the last few years, but this place was nice. Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. big kitchen

2. a/c in the kitchen

3. many stoves, meaning we could cook all the food at the same time!

4. walk in fridge

5. not having to store any food in our cabin

6. bathroom in the kitchen area

7. a/c in gym for kids in afternoon

8. lake

9. pool on site

10. reusable trays, glasses, utensils

stainless steel products

I came across a website today for stainless steel products. It looked pretty interesting. Here are a few of my favorite things I found on the site:

1. stainless steel shower shelf

2. chrome magazine rack

3. blomus stainless steel wall mounted cd rack

4. blomus stainless steel fireplace set

5. mounted wall hook and double hook

6. stainless steel umbrella stand

7. blomus stainless steel teaset

8. stainless steel magnet board and key hook

9. stainless steel paper towel holder

10. blomus stainless steel firepit

fourth of July

This year, we have had a lazy fourth of July...I love it! Here are a few of my favorite fourth of July activities:

1. long workout

2. nothing pressing to do

3. laze around together

4. make dessert

5. read

6. read some more!

7. eating out

8. spend time with family

9. usually at least one good history show on TV

10. watch fireworks