Archives for January 2012

Bosch ICON Wiper Blades

This giveaway is now closed. The winner has been notified by email. Thank you to everyone who entered.
bosch icon wiper blades Have you ever wanted to go along on a high speed chase, looking for tornadoes with a storm chaser? I have thought about it, and while part of my really wants to do that, there’s another part that says “No way! I’ll just watch on TV.” But, if you are that person who is ready to jump in the car, now is your chance to win a seat in the storm chaser car!

To celebrate the introduction of their new ICON Wiper Blades, Bosch is holding a contest where one lucky Facebook fan and a guest will win an experience of a lifetime: an all-expenses-paid, five-night VIP Storm Chasing trip for you and a guest, with Reed Timmer of Discovery Channel’s STORMCHASERS. Watch this video to get more information about Bosch ICON Wiper Blades, then click here to enter to win their fantastic giveaway on Bosch Facebook Fan page!

You can also win a prize pack from Bosch right here at Fabgrandma! Just leave a comment telling me your most frightening tornado or storm experience, and you could win this prize pack that includes:

• A set of Bosch ICON wiper blades ($50 value)
• “Storm Chasers – Season 4” DVD ($55 value)
• A signed copy of Reed Timmer’s book “Into The Storm” ($20 value)
• A Bosch C3 6V/12V Fully Automatic 4-Mode Battery Charger ($70 value)

For extra entries:

Follow Bosch on Facebook

Follow Bosch on Twitter

Follow Fabgrandma on Twitter

Tweet (one time per day only) about this giveaway: “Bosch Icon Windshield Wipers clear the way! http://bit.ly/A9pUUT #win a prize pack for yourself @fabgrandma! #giveaway”

This giveaway will end on February 20, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST. One winner will receive (1) Bosch Prize pack as described above. The winner will be selected using And The Winner Is…plugin. Giveaway open to US mailing addresses only. Winner will be notified by email, so please make sure you use a valid email address when entering. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to the notification of winning. If the winner does not respond in 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen. You can enter once each day by tweeting about the giveaway one time each day per twitter account. Giveaway is open to residents of the United States and must be 18 years old or over. Prize is the responsibility of and will be shipped to the winner by the sponsor. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery after the giveaway closes. I was provided with a pair of Bosch ICON windshield wipers as compensation for hosting this giveaway.

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Out And About: Backwoods Steakhouse, Tallapoosa, Georgia

Karen · 9 Comments

We had heard a rumor that there was a great steakhouse out in the country not far from our house. Saturday afternoon, we put the address for it in our new GPS and went for a drive. Sure enough, Backwoods Steakhouse is only about two or three miles from us.

We decided to go there for dinner that night. When we arrived at 5:00 p.m, there were already lots of cars in the parking lot, but we were seated right away. Tiffany, our waitress, told us that the owners, Eddie Williams and his wife, built the building themselves 9 years ago. They cut the timber, cut in their uncle’s sawmill, planed it, and then put it together. Amazing, especially when you look at this building and see how beautiful it is.

home made yeast rolls

We placed our orders, then helped ourselves to the salad bar. Tiffany brought out some home made yeast rolls that smelled divine! Yes, I did eat part of one, because I just couldn’t resist the smell, and it was delicious!

backwoods steakhouse tallapoosa georgia

The steaks arrived very quickly–I had the 12 ounce ribeye, and Fabgrandpa had a 16 ounce ribeye. They were both cooked to perfection, and served with a baked potato. I also had some sauteed mushrooms and onions with mine. There were several appetizers available on the menu but we chose not to get one. You could also choose to have green beans instead of a baked potato.

backwoods steakhouse tallapoosa georgia

While we were eating, Eddie came over and introduced himself, and talked to us for a few minutes. He is very personable and friendly, as is the whole staff at Backwoods Steakhouse.

We spent a lot of time just looking around at the building. It is definitely an interesting place.

backwoods steakhouse tallapoosa georgia

This turkey was perched up there above the cashier stand.

backwoods steakhouse tallapoosa georgia

If you decide to go, it would be best to use a GPS to find this place. It is way out in the woods, off the beaten track.

map — The orange marker shows where it is located

Backwoods Steakhouse is located at 2386 Steadman Road, Tallapoosa, Georgia. They are only open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m to 11 p.m. Call them at 770) 574-7050 if you need directions. Oh, and they don’t take debit or credit cards–checks or cash only.

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The Diaper Bag Is Finished, Now On To The Quilt

Karen · 3 Comments

diaper bag, tote bag, carry all bag — Monkies all over this bag

This diaper bag turned out really cute: it has long handles, and lots of pockets inside. It matches the nursing cover and changing pad, too.

diaper bag with lots of pockets — Lots of pockets inside

When I finished the bag, I started on a baby quilt. I began by cutting 3″ strips, and sewing them together. After they were all sewn and pressed, I cut them into 3″ pieces, and sewed those together. I now have twenty-four 7.5 inch squares. I think I need one more, so I can have a 5X5 layout instead of a 4X6.

nine patch squares — These 9 patch squares turned out pretty good.

I laid them out on the floor, and I do think I need one more square:

nine patch baby quilt — Baby quilt squares laid out on the floor

Tomorrow I’ll make one more square, and then decide what to do about sashing.

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Crocheted Neck Warmer Tutorial

Karen · 4 Comments

I have had a little bit of time this week to work on something other than, gasp, sewing. Yes, I CAN do other things. I decided to make a little “mini-scarf” or neck warmer. I used cotton crochet yarn because I don’t like wool up against my neck. This little scarf if just right to wear when you don’t need a big jacket:

mini scarf — it's all single and double crochet, easy to do

crocheted mini scarf, crochet projects, neckwarmer — Braid the ends, and make a tassle and you're done.

It was a fun little project to do while I was sitting waiting for other things to happen, and I got a nice little wardrobe accessory to boot!

To make this:

Chain stitches to be the lengtht you want (measure around your neck). # of stitches must be divisible by 5+3 stiches. I used 73 stitches.

Rows 1-3 Single crochet three rows. 4th row, *Double crochet three, chain two, skip next two stiches*, continue to end of row, ending with double crochet three. 5th thru 7th rows, single crochet.

Cut 18 strands of yarn, 18 inches long each. Attach 9 strands on each end of the crocheted piece. To do this fold each strand in half, and pull the loop through with crochet hook. Once you have all the strands attached, you’ll have 18 ends on each side. (2X9). Using two strands for each part of the braid, braid the strands into three braids. Then braid the three braids together. Wrap a piece of yarn tightly around the ends, about3.5 inches from the unbraided end, and tie tightly. Unbraid to the wrapped piece of yarn, then trim tassle to 3 inches. You’re done.

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Guest Post: Does Your Dog Need A Gluten Free Diet?

Karen · Leave a Comment

While you suspect your dog has an intolerance to your choice dog food, it’s recommended you consult your veterinarian for food change suggestions. Sudden dietary changes can be hard on a dog’s stomach. [Read more…] about Guest Post: Does Your Dog Need A Gluten Free Diet?

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What Did He Just Say????

Karen · 18 Comments

I want to say, that I normally keep my political and religious views to myself, but the stuff that is going on in this presidential race are so very absurd that I can keep my mouth shut no longer.And let me just say here, that I have NOT decided who to vote FOR, I just know for sure some of the ones I WON’T vote for.

1. Mitt Romney–He actually joked that he was unemployed while he was speaking to a group of unemployed people in Florida. What? How crass and out of touch with reality is that? Watch the YouTube Video here.

While I am unemployed at the moment, it is by choice, and I have a job to go to in the spring. To me, a presidential candidate who makes fun of being unemployed is just inappropriate.

2. Newt Gingrich–he said in a speech that ‘by his second term in 2020, we would have space station on the moon.’ This is the very same candidate that is touting cutting spending, and repealing Obamacare. I for one want to know why it is ok to spend money to build a motel on the moon, but we can not spend the money to feed the poor or provide healthcare to the people right here on earth.Oh, and he also said that he would offer former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin a “major role in the next administration if I’m president.”

3.Ron Paul–he also wants to repeal Obamacare. While I don’t know if Obamacare is a good thing or not, it is the only plan they have come up with so far in Washington that even partially addresses the healthcare needs of the uninsured in the country. Mr. Paul also wants to abolish five cabinet departments,one of which is the Department of the Interior. The Department of the Interior oversees the National Parks, which I personally believe would be a tragic thing if we lost them to commercialization. The parks are there for everyone in this country, in the world in fact, and if they were not protected and maintained they would be trashed, mined, pulp-wooded and sold to the highest bidder. Imagine a United States without a Grand Canyon National Park. I can’t. So, unless he can say exactly what he would do to protect our national treasures, I’d never vote for him just because of that.

I still don’t know who I will give my vote, but I know for sure it won’t be these guys. Hate me if you must. This is all my opinion and we all have one.

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Dreaming About My New Kitchen

Karen · Leave a Comment

Well, here we are, living in the back yard of our house, in our RV. We’d love to move on in to the house until we have to go back to work, but alas, there is no stove, no refrigerator, no bed, no sofa, and no TV over there. Even if we bought a bed and slept in the house, we’d have to get dressed and walk through the yard to the trailer just to get a cup of coffee in the morning.

We aren’t going to do the remodeling on the kitchen until November, but that doesn’t mean I can’t dream about what it will be like once the work is completed. I know we will get rid of the dishwasher–we won’t use one just for two people. That will create more storage space in the kitchen cabinets.

dual fuel cooker

We’re also going to get rid of that old electric cooktop, and get a freestanding gas stove. I actually found a Hotpoint Dual Fuel Cooker online, which is a gas stove with an electric convection oven. I never knew things like that existed, but it would give me the best of both worlds!

I know there will be new counter tops, a refrigerator, maybe a new sink, and possibly new cabinet doors, if the existing ones can’t be matched. It’s fun to think about all this, and think about how my new kitchen is going to shape up.

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Gluten Free Blueberry Muffin Recipe

Karen · 3 Comments

gluten free blueberry muffins, glutenfree blueberry muffin recipe

This morning I wanted something different, so I decided to make some gluten free blueberry muffins. These turned out moist and yummy. Even Fabgrandpa loved them.

glutenfree blueberry muffin recipe

Gluten Free Blueberry Muffin Recipe

1 3/4 cup Nuts.com Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour

2/3 cup sugar

1 tsp xanthan gum

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1/3 cup canola oil

2 eggs, slighty beaten

1 (6oz) container greek yogurt, any flavor (I used pineapple for this recipe)

1/2 to 1 cup Nuts.com Dried Blueberries

Mix all dry ingredients together in a medium bowl. Add eggs, oil, and yogurt, and mix well. Place batter, which will be very stiff, into muffin tins that have been sprayed with oil. Bake at 350º for 25-30 minutes, or until browned on top.

glutenfree blueberry muffin recipe

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