Blog LOVE-Gus and Lula

Ok...I come across a lot of really creative blogs. I am on the internet way too much looking at all the amazing creations everyone comes up with...but today I came across a blog that is my new favorite. This blogger (Britt) is so amazingly talented and creative. She came up with so many ideas that barely cost anything and look like she spent a pretty penny. Here are a few of my favorite that I just had to share: (you can find the link to all of these projects here)






She HANDPAINTED this!!!!

Created this light using a pot lid and a candlestick base...genius I tell you..genius!!!!

And finally..something I am so happy she shared because I could totally use this idea in my house!!!! Mini blind makeover!

Etsy Love

These are a few of my favorite things...from Etsy right now. A few are Valentine's related..which is my second favorite holiday...1st of course being Flag Day...hehe..ok..really you know it has to be Christmas! I am thinking of forwarding this to my Valentine for some "suggestions".

Watercolor Dress

Baker's Twine

Edible Butterflies-Awesome used at a Baby Shower I just hosted!

Cross Stitch Love

Carved Lovers Initials

Summertime In January???

Wow...what a beautiful past few days we have had here in lovely SoCal, huh? Today was the first day I actually went out. I started to water my plants and could not go back inside! Shane woke up from his nap and so we stayed outside for awhile and picked some lemons to make...what else..but...LEMONADE...mmm.

Baby Shower Recipes

I forgot to post all of the recipes I used at Heather's Baby Shower so here they are...Enjoy!

Chicken Salad (from Allrecipes.com):

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups diced cooked chicken
4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts,
drained and chopped
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
1 cup halved green grapes ( I left the grapes out)
3/4 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
2 teaspoons finely minced onion
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 dash Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1.
Combine chicken, bacon, water chestnuts, celery and grapes in large bowl; set aside. In another bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients; add to salad and toss to coat. Chill until serving.

Devil's Food Cupcakes with Ganache Frosting and Center

(From bakespace.com)

***I made these before with the Ganache centers...but for the shower I omitted the center. I whipped the ganache with the whisk attachment on my mixer until it was light and fluffy..perfect for frosting. These turn out perfectly round each time and are so moist...love love love them.

INGREDIENTS
Servings: 12
GANACHE:
13 ounces heavy cream
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate (you can also use semi sweet..I tried both and like the semi better...I also use chocolate chips for the chocolate.

DEVIL'S FOOD CUPCAKE BATTER:
1/3 c cocoa

1 c boiling water
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 c mayonnaise

2 c sifted cake flour

1 c sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS
Ganache: In a sauce pan bring your cream to a light boil.
Then pour in the chocolate chips and start stirring immediately. Keep going until you have a smooth mixture. At first this will seem like it's not working as the chocolate hasn't begun to mix with the cream. Then, in second it will start to form. Just give it time.
When you are done you are supposed to pour the chocolate through a sieve if you have one.Turn off your burner and set aside to cool. Don't be tempted to taste throughout the cooling process as you're not supposed to touch the ganache until it sets.
Put ganache in fridge until you're ready to use.

TIP from Bakespace.com: I usually wait until the very last minute to make these - when I need them in a few hours and I forget that the ganache has to sit over night in the fridge OR do what I do and let it sit enough to cool the pan and then put it in the freezer for about an hour or so (keep checking to make sure it's not frozen. It will be perfect.
If you're making these in a hurry, start making the batter. If not, make the batter when you're ready to start baking your cupcakes.

Cake Batter: Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
Line cupcake tray with cupcake papers
Whisk together water and cocoa. Set aside and let completely cool. (you can put this in the fridge too)
When cocoa mixture is cool, whisk in the mayonnaise and vanilla until smooth.
Meanwhile, combine dry ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer and mix on low until combined.
Once mixed, increase speed to medium and beat in cocoa mixture for one minute.

Pour batter into a measuring cup with a spout and fill each cupcake 1/4 the way full.
Now take out your ganache and with a spoon make a small ganache ball and set one ball in the center of each cupcake.
Continue to fill each cupcake until it's 3/4 the way full to prevent spilling batter. ***Note-if you are not going to make the Ganache centers...just fill them a little under 3/4 way.***
Check to make sure your oven is at 375 and bake for 15-20 minutes until cupcakes are set. Poke with a toothpick to confirm they are done. The toothpick should slide out smoothly without any cake on it.
Once completely cooled (make sure you cool the cupcakes or your ganache will melt) frost with the rest of your ganache frosting. You should have extra ganache left over - about a cup.

Raspberry Lemon Cupcakes

(From mybaking addiction.com)

Raspberry Lemon Cupcakes
adapted from Dorie Greenspan makes approximately 24 cupcakes
For the Cake

2 1/4 cups cake flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups buttermilk

4large egg whites

1 1/2 cups sugar

lemon zest from two lemons

1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon pure lemon extract

Getting Ready: Center a rack in the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare cupcake tins by using liners or spray with non-stick cooking spray
To Make The Cake:1. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.2. Whisk together the milk and egg whites in a medium bowl.3. Put the sugar and lemon zest in a mixer bowl or another large bowl and rub them together with your fingers until the sugar is moist and fragrant. Add the butter and, working with the paddle or whisk attachment, or with a hand mixer, beat at medium speed for a full 3 minutes, until the butter and sugar are very light. Beat in the extracts, then add one third of the flour mixture, still beating on medium speed. Beat in half of the milk-egg mixture, then beat in half of the remaining dry ingredients until incorporated. Add the rest of the milk and eggs, beating until the batter is homogeneous, then add the last of the dry ingredients. Finally, give the batter a good 2-minute beating to ensure that it is thoroughly mixed and well aerated. Place the batter into the cupcake tins.4. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the cupcakes are well risen and springy to the touch – a thin knife inserted into the centers should come out clean.Cool on wire rack.

For the Raspberry Buttercream

Ingredients1/2 cup raspberries (blended into a puree and pushed through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds)

1 stick salted butter – room temperature (I used another stick of unsalted instead of the salted)

1 stick unsalted butter – room temperature
1/2 cup shortening*

1 tablespoon clear vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon of raspberry extract*

1 1/2 pounds confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar, 10x)

2-4 tablespoons very cold milk (add until you reach desired consistency)

Directions1. Cream the butter and shortening in the bowl of an electric or stand mixer. Add extracts and raspberry puree and combine well.2. Begin adding in the sugar and mixing thoroughly after each addition. After all of the sugar has been added and mixed thoroughly, begin adding the very cold milk… one tablespoon at a time, combining very well after each addition (mixer on medium-high to high speed) until you reach the desired consistency.

Notes:*If you don’t have raspberry extract, simply add a little bit more raspberry puree until you reach your preferred level of raspberry flavor. If you add more puree, cut back on the milk.*If you do not like to use shortening, simply sub in butter. The frosting will not be as structurally sound, but will taste just as delicious.

Joyous Shower

I had the privilege of throwing my bestie her baby shower. All children are such a blessing and Heather's little girl is no different. She has taken awhile to get here...but we are all so excited that she is being carefully grown in her mama's tummy:) and can not wait for the day she graces the world with her presence! Heather and her husband Ryan have been trying for many years for a little one. After many failed invetro tries they finally received the good news months ago that Heather was preggo!!!! Oh Happy Day! There have been a few bumps (Heather falling at work and a bad car accident) but God was watching over this little one and she is due to arrive around March 18th. I did all the food and my sister in law helped with getting set up and all the games. We had so much fun preparing for this special day and here are a few pics of the cupcakes I made. Luckily my sis took all the pics so I will get those soon and share the rest.

The Great Bedding Search

I tend to buy things on impulse. Especially when something is on sale or clearance..I have a condition that does not allow me to pass on it. If I do I think about it day and night and can't go on living until I get it. So..I have told myself that this year I am going to ask myself each time I find something...

1. Do I really need it?

2. Do I have a place for it?

3. Do I love it?

Then and only then am I allowed to buy it. I found myself not loving any room in my home because it was filled with little tchotskies that were cheap so I bought them. Or a pillow that was on clearance and I thought that it would go ok in a room. But I wasn't buying quality pieces or pieces that I love. Part of it too is that I am impatient and I need to have things now(definitely working on this in the New Year). lastly, I also usually have a pretty good idea of what I want but it is either hard to find or wayyyy tooooo expensive. What can I say I have extraordinary taste and it is costly...hehehe totally kidding...but I do have Champagne taste on a generic brand coke budget.

So, here are a few of the bedding choices that I have come across and absolutely love. I am going for a Hollywood Regency look. So I want something elegant but also something The Hubs would like. My room is Grey and I am having a hard time finding a good grey. It literally has taken me all year to try and find something in my budget, in my color/style and not a DUVET. I do not like Duvets!!!! So here they are:(All are Duvets...I believe...go figure:)).

Anthro Chambray Crane

Anthro Cirrus

Urban Outfitters Waterfall Ruffle Duvet

It really is MAGIC!!!!

So I don't believe in magic...but after after trying the Magic Eraser from Mr.Clean...I am beginning to think Mr. Clean has some sort of powers:). I have tried them in the past on my walls. For a mom they really are a necessity. With just a little pressure those crayon marks are gone...shoe scuffs...gone...dried on mystery substance....gone!!!!

So...why the recent light bulb moment?? I already know these are the miracle tool...but I never thought to use them on my floor...until last night. We moved into a home built in 1975 in March and I have the feeling the floors were not scrubbed since about 1987. Seriously, I just convinced myself that the tiles were supposed to be a lovely shade of dirt. I have tried to get down on my hands and knees and scrub with a brush and the most heavy duty cleaner imaginable....but nothing worked. I just gave up. It took me hours to just do a few tiles and it is through out our home. So, I live with dirty, filthy floors. It is so embarrassing(well I guess not that bad because I am telling all of you). But, my socks are always stained and I know that when people come over they are like.."oh my goodness..Summer is a dirty...dirty girl". I know they see it because I notice everything in other peoples' homes...or maybe I am just paranoid..but no one really comes for a repeat visit....oh noooooooo...they HAVE seen my filthy floors. Ok I am getting a bit dramatic...but seriously people...it is gross.

In my landlords defense...because she is wonderful...and I don't want anyone to think she is a dirty girl either..they had to rush to be out and didn't have much time to clean and she apologized.

Alright, back to this Magic Eraser. I was at Home Depot and picked up a box. When I got home I thought I should try it out on my floors. So, I did and it was just amazing what the tiles were really suppose to look like. It is like I have all new flooring. I rushed then to Target and bought the Magic Eraser mop, which works good but not as well as the small pads. Still it cleaned up really well and I will go back by hand and clean the grooves in my tile and the grout(yes, it even cleans grout)!!!! So if you are looking for some magic in the cleaning department these things work!!!!! Thank you Mr.Clean....now if I could only figure out away for Mr. Clean to appear and do the housework for me????:)

(Can you tell which tiles I cleaned..ewwww)

Christmas Day Desserts

I made two desserts this year for Christmas Day. The first one is my Apple Pie that I have made a million times. You can find the recipe in this post. I also tried out a Baklava recipe from Martha Stewarts' show. I was so afraid to make Baklava. I thought it would be extrmely hard with all the layers of phyllo dough..it was a little difficult but not bad. It was my first try and there are a few things I would change. For one I miss counted the layers and so the tol was thicker than the bottom. Also I think the recipe called for too many nuts. It was still delicious though. I enjoy it fresh...so when I served it the next day it wasn;t as gooey from the simple sugar. I am so hard on my self...oh and sorry if anyone found pieces from my pastry brush!!!! I guess I need some new ones...they were falling off and I didn't realize it until I cut it..oh well!!! Now I am off to clean up the mess. I think it may take all week!!!

Annual Baking Day!

My sister, my mom and I always get together and have a baking day before Christmas each year. This year we made a few different cookies each. My mom made Chocolate peanut clusters, Finger Frets, and Peanut Butter Blossoms..my fav! My sister made English Toffee and Thumbprints. I made Thin Mints and Soft Ginger Cookies...my other fav. It was really fun...we always enjoy ourselves and eat way to many cookies. Here are the recipes:

Big Soft Ginger Cookies-allrecipes.com

2 1/4 c Flour

2 tsp Ground Ginger
1 tsp Baking Soda
3/4 tsp ground Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Ground Cloves
1/4 tsp Salt
3/4 c Margarine, softened
1 c Sugar
1 Egg
1 TBS Water
1/4 c Molasses
2 TBS Sugar
Preheat 350
Sift flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl. cream margarine and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg. Then stir in the water and molasses. Add in the dry ingredients gradually. I like to refrigerate my dough for about 30 mins. If you don't have time it is not necessary. Then shape into balls, about the size of walnuts, and roll them in the remaining sugar. Place on cookie sheet and flatten down slightly with the bottom of a glass.
Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes and they are ready to eat!

Chocolate Glazed Peppermint Cookies...aka Thin Mints

1 c. Butter, softened

1 c. Sugar

1/2 c. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

1 Egg

1 tsp Vanilla

2 1/2 c AP Flour

Chocolate Peppermint Coating

1. In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, add salt. Beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour.

2. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a 10-inch roll. Wrap each roll in plastic. Chill about an hour or until firm enough to slice.

3.Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut rolls into 1/4 inch slices. Place slices one inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Bake in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes or until edges are firm. Transfer cookies to a wire rack;cool.

5.Dip each cookie into the Chocolate-Peppermint Coating, turning to coat all sides. Scrape off excess on bottom with thin metal spatula. Place on cookie sheets lined with wax paper. Chill until coating is set. Makes about 40 cookies.

Chocolate-Peppermint Coating

In a medium saucepan, combine two 12-oz packages semi-sweet chocolate pieces, 1/4 cup shortening and 1/2 tsp peppermint extract. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until chocolate and shortening are melted.

Cookies can store in freezer p to 3 months!

Christmas Brunch

I was seriously considering bailing on the Christmas Brunch this year when I heard that my Aunt(who caters it) said she was not asked to make her wonderfully, delicious, smack yo mama stuffed french toast!!!! But I snapped out of my depression and knew that I had to set up my table and not disappoint my ladies. I love setting up my table each year. It is my most favorite thing to do and I started planning like 8 months in advanced. I actually already have next years theme!!!! We are asked to set up 6-8 place settings and do a centerpiece, napkins, name cards...etc. It is so fun to see all the different tables. This year I did a twist on the Three Wisemen. My dad made me the cutest manger and I got gold bulbs and filled an apothecary and stuck the lyrics to the We Three Kings in it. I also had a candle in a pretty holder and a perfume bottle..representing Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

No Christmas this year

It is not beginning to look a lot like Christmas at my home. There has been no Decking the Halls...until....last night!!! Yeah I know there are only 10 days until Christmas and I have no tree up. I am the type to have a "devil tree" as The Hubs calls it...yep straight from satan he says. There is no Jesus in a tree that has matching bulbs. No Jesus in a tree that does not have tinsle or colored lights!!! Oh geez..he has so much to learn. I do have matching bulbs and huge amounts of ribbon cascading down my tree each year...but I also have my ormanets that I received each year growing up. I also have some of Scott's...(however, his Snowboarding Polar Bear is always placed safely in the back of the tree)shhhh:).

I have been so overwhelmed lately. I finally just had enough and told The Hubs to just start taking boxes out and hopefully that would get me in the Holiday Spirit. It worked...I feel much better... still need my tree but it does feel more like Christmas. I am trying to not get too bogged down and keep the true meaning of Christmas in my heart. After all Jesus is the Reason for the Season and this year he has blessed my family so much..the least I could do is put up a few decorations in his honor.

As you can see in the pics Shane is loving the decorations. This year is going to be so fun. Whenever he sees lights he says " wooooow"!!! I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and take sometime to enjoy this holiday season with your loved ones!

New Blog Design!!!!!

I have to say this is a little premature...but I just can't wait to share my new blog header. My talented Graphic Designing sister made it for me..thanks Leah!!!! I decided to move all of my posts from my blog SummerShares over to this one. I never liked the name of my other blog and soon I will be deleting it. Leah still has a little more tweaking to do but it is coming along great!

Flour power started in my little brain when I was in High School. That is when I decided to go to Culinary School. I wanted to open up a bakery once I was done with school and call it Flour Power! It was going to be retro and just so fantastic...but after two years as an Event Planner I decided that I prefer to bake as a hobby and the food service industry was tough!!! The Hubs has however reignited my fire for owning my own bakery or restuarant of some sort..who knows maybe once our lil' guy isn't so lil' anymore I can start to think about it again. For now I will try and bring you great tried and true recipes here on my blog. I am a first time, full time mom with another full time job as a Criminal Researcher, so no promises on how often you will get these tasty lil' nuggets!!!!

Thanksgiving Day Delights

Happy Thanksgiving!
I have about 10 minutes before I need to finish up my work day so I thought I would share a few recipes that I am making this year. The first one is a recipe from one of my favorite Chefs...Tyler Florence. It is sooooo good! It is a Brussel Sprout Hash. I never knew my love for Brussel Sprouts until I saw him make this on his show and they looked so good I had to try it. Now I make it about once a month. Since we are already making mashed potatoes I will omit the potatoes.

Bacon and Brussel Sprout Hash

Ingredients:
Extra-virgin olive oil...2 Counts
4 slices of thick-cut bacon
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 lb of fingerling potatoes, split down the middle
2 cups Brussel sprouts, cut into thick slices
1/2 lb red pearl onions, peeled
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 bunch flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Set a large saute pan over medium heat and add a 2 count of olive oil. Cut bacon into long strips and add to pan together with thyme. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes to render the fat then strain and set aside. Discard half the fat in the pan then add brussel sprouts, potatoes and pearl onions. Season with salt and pepper and cook until slightly browned. Add chicken stock and steam for 3 to 5 minutes until liquid has evaporated and vegetables are tender. Add balsamic vinegar and toss to coat. Cook until balsamic has reduced then fold in fresh parsley and bacon.

The second is Williams-Sonoma's Cornbread Stuffing Recipe. My family always asks for it. I almost didn't make it this year because The Hubs calls it "Fancy Stuffing" and he doesn't like it..but sorry babe everyone else does so you can have unfancy stuffing..which is delicious too:).

Ingredients:
8 cups cubed day-old corn bread (1-inch cubes)
2 cups cubed day-old country-style white bread, crusts removed (1-inch cubes)
1 1/2 lb. mild Italian pork sausage, casings removed
1 to 2 Tbs. olive oil, if needed
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 cup roasted and peeled chestnuts, quartered (I do not add this to my stuffing)
1/4 cup chopped mixed fresh herbs, such as sage, rosemary and thyme
3 cups low-sodium chicken stock
Directions:
Preheat an oven to 375°F. Butter a shallow gratin pan.Spread the corn bread and white bread out on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven until light golden brown and dry to the touch, about 20 minutes. Set aside. In a sauté pan over medium heat, brown the sausage, stirring and crumbling with a fork, until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Return the pan to medium heat. Add the olive oil to the accumulated fat in the pan, if needed. Add the onion and celery and sauté, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to the bowl with the sausage. Add the corn bread and white bread, the chestnuts, herbs and stock. Season with salt and pepper and stir gently to combine. Transfer the dressing to the prepared gratin pan, cover with aluminum foil and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until browned and crispy, 35 to 40 minutes more. Serves 10 to 12.

Craft Night and Master Bedroom Accessories

I hosted another craft night this past Friday. There were five of us that got together and made Christmas wreaths. They all turned out so cute.

However I forgot to take pictures of them all:(

I also went to a Holiday Limo Tour of about 5 gift/antique shops in Riverside with my mom and a few of her friends. It was really fun. The limo took us to a shop that was participating in the tour and we got out and shopped and then got back in the limo to take us to our next shopping destination. I did not find anything until the very end at an antique store called Old Glory. I have never been there and I can't believe that it is only a few minutes from my house!!! I found the white horse chess piece pictured below!!! It was only 22.46. It is going to go great in my new Master bedroom. I also picked up the votive candle holders below at Michaels for like 1.00! I had just seen them in a magazine for a lot more so I was so happy I ran across them. And finally, another accessory for my Hollywood Regency room that I am so excited about. I made my own Starburst Mirror from two items from the Dollar Tree. I knew I wanted to use bamboo skewers for the Starburst portion...I had the gold paint and when I went to the Dollar Tree to find items for my Christmas Wreath I was so excited to see a round mirror and then a little ways down I saw a Styrofoam round that the mirror would fit perfectly on. I just inserted the skewers into the Styrofoam round(after painting gold) and then glued on the mirror. For a finishing touch I added some gold banding to cover the ugly parts:). It of course is not super amazing but for 2.00 and some change I would same I am very pleased with it. I can not wait to put this room together.

Money vs Time

I have really been taking a look at areas in my life where I can shave off a little fat. That really just made me think of loosing weight and that is so not where I was going with this..but I guess I should think about that too. Another time. Back to the situation at hand-money$$$. It is no surprise that so many people are struggling right now and are taking a look at what they truly need rather than what they want. It really is a more simpler life. Less stress, but the finer things in life are missed. I am not one to wash my used Ziploc bags and hang them to dry..or use cloth diapers..or really even recycle...but I think that whatever works for your family is great.

I recently joined a coupon site online. CouponMom.com is a great site that lists grocery stores or Drug Stores that feature certain discounts, along with coupons. My goal is to get something for free! My first good deal was at Vons. Yes, I know most people think Vons is expensive (including The Hubs) but the people there are so nice and helpful and it is never busy and the checkers don't talk to the box people like a certain store that I HATE. I will give you a clue it rhymes with Cater Pros..sorry that was lame:(. Anyways, I hate grocery shopping so I need to prove to The Hubs that I can shop at a nice store and still get some great deals. I saw there was a sale on Glade products. If you bought three you got them each for .99cents each. Then I had a $1.50 off coupon if I bought two. So, originally they were 1.99 each..that is 5.97 and I got them for 2.97-1.50=1.47...a grand total of .49cents!!!!!

The checker had a hard time finding the coupon though. I was in line forever as she looked for it as it was an in-store deal. Finally, the manager just did an override of the system and gave me the discount. This discouraged me a bit. This is the reason I don't use coupons. I am always behind someone who does and there seems to be some sort of an issue. So, all this to say is your time more valuable than money.

We use products these days that are made to cut down on time for daily tasks. Such as those Swifter products. I use the dusters and the floor cleaning pads. It is great ...I don't have to take the duster outside and pounce out the dust as it gets all over me. I don't have to bring out the mop bucket and mop. But.....is that really worth the amount of money I am spending monthly to purchase the refills? Maybe I am going to the extreme. I feel though that we have become a society that needs instant gratification. Who has the time to get out that mop bucket, or prepare a meal instead of waiting a few minutes to get some fast food. I am guilty of even waiting for my fast food any longer than 5 minutes and getting irritated. When my computer is slow it is so frustrating. I started to think back to what I did 5 years ago, then 10 and finally 20. Then what my parents did that seems so ancient or prehistoric now...sorry they probably would not appreciate that reference.

Just think about the evolution of the phone. Just in the last 50 years there have been so many changes. From the rotary dial, to the push button dial, to voice prompted dial..I am always amazed at what they can do with technology. Is this all too much? Have we become lazy and dependent of technology to get us through the day. 100 years ago I wonder how my Great-Great Grandparents announced the news of my Great-Grandfather's birth. Today I could have someone videoing my son's birth with their Smart Phone and have it uploaded to Facebook in seconds or better yet YouTube for the whole world to see...not that I would appreciate that technology..but it could happen!

So, in conclusion, I am not going to turn into one of those super frugal mom's, who sews their children's' clothes and makes their own baby food. That just isn't me. I am however, going to not waste my money in areas that I could be saving a lot. I want to be a smart shopper. CA is so expensive and with this past election I do not see any change for the good. We would love to have another child and be able to allow me to not have to work anymore. That would be so wonderful!!!! So I figure unless I have no knowledge of currently being pregnant..I have at least about a year to save and learn to live on less and take more time to do things that will save me that hard earned cash$$$.