- Good food, good company, good advice from Grandma

Have You Seen Parental Guidance? Win $25 Visa Gift Card For Movie Money!

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Fabgrandpa and I haven’t seen this yet, but we are planning to soon. He loves Bette Midler and has seen every movie she has been in more than once. The storyline is that and old school grandfather and his eager to please wife, played by Billy Crystal and Bette Midler, agree to babysit their three grandchildren while their parents go out of town for work.
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The parents, played by Marissa Tomei and Tom Everett Scott, are type-A helicopter parents, who strictly control their children’s lifes. They give very detailed instructions to the grandparents before leaving, but the grandparents toss the rules as soon as Mama and Daddy leave. It’s when 21st century problems collide with Artie and Diane’s old school methods of tough rules, lots of love and old-fashioned games, it’s learning to bend – and not holding your ground – that binds a family together.

It sounds like a great movie for any age to watch, but because the storyline focuses on how the grandparents in this family handle things, I am especially wanting to see how it ends.

You can see more about Parental Guidance, which came to movie theaters on Christmas Day, by clicking on the link.

WIN: One lucky reader will win the following prize package:

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$25 Visa for a day at the movies

· Retro cassette iPhone case

· Magnetic photo frame

· Crap at My Parents House book

To enter, use the Giveaway Tools form below.

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Eat Smart Precision Tracker Digital Bathroom Scale Review and Giveaway

Karen · 205 Comments

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Now that the holidays are over, and everyone, including me, is trying to lose the weight put on from all the goodies we ate, what one thing do you need to be sure you are losing it? A new EatSmart Precision Tracker Digital Bathroom Scale , that’s what.

The last time I had a new bathroom scale, I got it with S&H Green Stamps, so that tells you just how long ago it was. Times have really changed since then, because this Precision Tracker Digital Bathroom Scale can keep track of weight lost or gained for up to eight individuals. The touch screen interface and automatic person identification technology make it one of the most user friendly bathroom scales, and makes tracking your goals so easy! What I like most about it is that it has a lighted digital display, with large, easy to read numbers, so there is no squinting or guessing for this old grandma. Yep, that number went up since yesterday for sure!

Just look at these features:

Measuring Functions: Short Term and Long Term Weight Tracking Capabilities
Proprietary Automatic User Identification Technology; Stores personal data for up to 8 users
EatSmart “Step-On” Technology – Get instant readings!
Large, 3.5″ LCD display with white backlight – Easy to read.
4 High Precision Sensors – Consistent and accurate measurement
Measurement Modes: Pounds / Kilos
Graduation Increments of .2 lbs. / .1kg
Ultra thin, sleek design with high quality tempered glass platform
Max Weight: 400 lbs / 180 kgs
Auto Calibrated; Includes 4 AAA batteries

Buy it: You can purchase Eat Smart Digital Scales online at Amazon.com, where they qualify for free shipping with Amazon Prime.

Win It: On winner will receive an Eat Smart Precision Tracker Digital Scale. To enter, use the Giveaway Tools form below:

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What’s Your Perfect Night In With Friends?

Karen · Leave a Comment

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Since I have been recuperating from my surgery since May of last year, I haven’t felt much like going out anywhere. So, when we do see our friends, we usually have them over to watch a movie, play cards, or play games. I have always loved to entertain, and love making my guests feel at home. Part of that includes making some delicious snacks to share with them.

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If we’re going to be watching a movie, I keep it very simple–chips and dip and some cold drinks, along with some popcorn. I don’t want the food to be distracting from the movie. But, if we are going to be playing games sitting at the dining room table, I like to do something a little more fancy. Sausage Cheese Balls are always a good choice. I make them gluten free so everyone can enjoy them. This Gluten Free Cranberry Tangerine Quick Bread is so easy to make and tastes delicious with some cream cheese. It really doesn’t take long to prepare a quick and tasty snack for when friends come over.

The games we like to play are Yatzee and Scrabble. I have a deluxe Scrabble game with a turntable that I have hauled around with me in the RV for 13 years. I had it in our house for many years before that. We also love to play cards, with Spades and Gin Rummy being our most favorite games to play.

I recently started playing games online with my friends. It is so much fun to go to a website and login, and be able to play with people you know, no matter where they live. I play Words With Friends, Word Worm, and Hang Man. One of my favorite online games is online bingo from Ladbrokes. It is just like playing bingo at the VFW but you don’t have to leave the house. I highly recommend this game if you like to play online.

No matter what the games, or what food you serve, or whether you are playing with your friends in person or online, the object of the game is to have fun and enjoy yourself.

Redoing The Office/Sewing Room With Glidden Paint

Karen · 18 Comments

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We bought this house in December, 2011, but we didn’t move in until we got back from Arizona at the end of October, 2012. We had lots of plans to do some remodeling, or redecorating in the house, but then life happened and we had to scale back a bit. I think we have done pretty well with the short time we have been actually living in the house. Especially when you think about that we have gotten it all done with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and numerous doctor visits going on around us.

Here is what the room looked like berfore Fabgrandpa started painting:

It was a hideous color of yellow. The sun coming in through the window is great, but the more sun there was, the more yellow the room looked, and it actually hurt my eyes to look at it. Not to mention that the room was stacked up with my stuff in no particular order.

Glidden Paints sent me 8 quarts of their interior paint–4 quarts of Spring Bluebell, and 4 quarts of Swan White.

Fabgrandpa used to do some painting with a company he worked for, so he didn’t think that 4 quarts of paint would cover the little bedroom I am using for an office and sewing room.

But, when he was finished with the job, he said that this was a very good paint, and the 4 quarts covered the 8’X10′ room quite well. He also liked the way the paint went on the wall. It dried to a uniform color all around the room.

My office now looks like a peaceful place to be

I love the way it looks so fresh and peaceful now. Fabgrandpa helped me put all my things in order, and now even though I need some storage options for this room, I can sit in a relaxing atmosphere and it doesn’t hurt my eyes.

Fabgrandpa is quite proud of his handywork!

After working for me for two days to get this room in shape, the man deserves not only an AttaBoy! but also a nap in the recliner:

Fabgrandpa taking a well deserved break.

If you could redo just one room in your house, which one would it be? What would you have to do to get it in the shape you want it to be in?

Fabric Art For My Sewing Room/Office:Pinterest In Practice

Karen · 4 Comments

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156289049538176760_cIzRRH3T_c — Pinned from Hawthorne Threads Blog, but I couldn’t find the original post. Their url is http://www.hawthornethreadsblog.com/

While Fabgrandpa was painting the office for me today, I decided to work on a project that I saw on Pinterest. I saw it on the Hawthorne Threads Blog last year ,but when I tried to find the original post today it was gone. Good thing I pinned it! The idea is simple enough: you get some stretched canvas like a painter would use, and staple some pretty fabric on it. I loved the idea of it right away, because you know how I LOVE fabric.

Last week when we went to Rome for my gastro appointment, I saw a Michaels and asked Fabgrandpa to take me there after my appointment. We stopped there, and I got what I thought was a 2 pack of canvases. It turned out to be a grade 2, but with the packages that I bought, I wound up with 2 16″ X 20″ and 2 8″ X 10″ canvases, so it worked out to be enough.

Picking the fabrics to use was hard, because every piece I picked up, I thought of some other project I could use it for, but finally decided on four pieces to use.

For a 16″ X 20″ canvas, you need a 20″ X 24″ piece of fabric, and for an 8″ X 10″ one you’ll need a 12″ X 14″ piece of fabric. Iron the fabric to remove any wrinkles before you start.

Cut the fabric all around 2 inches larger than your canvas

Put the fabric face down on your work surface, then lay your canvas face down on the fabric. Fold the edges of the fabric over to the back of the canvas.

Fold the fabric to the back of the canvas

Us a staple gun to staple it in place.

Use a staple gun to staple the fabric to the canvas

Do the two longest sides first. When you do the two short sides, fold the fabric into a mitered corner.

Fold the fabric on the short edges into a mitered corner

Put one staple into the top edge of the canvas. Fold the fabric down onto the back of the canvas and staple some more.

Repeat on the other side, and you’re done. Be careful that you don’t staple your fingers. That staple gun if powerful! Also, I didn’t realize until I was finished that I got a blister on the inside of my thumb.

The finished product looks great hanging on the wall. I’ll show you the finished room tomorrow.

My Pinterest in Practice project looks pretty good.

Al Fresco Gluten Free Sausage

Karen · 2 Comments

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I received a package of samples from al fresco all natural gluten free chicken sausage. I have tried other chicken sausages in the past, but they lacked the flavor that I expect from sausages. These chicken sausages that I sampled were very good. They have a different texture from pork sausages, but they did taste good.

·           Al fresco’s chicken sausages contain 70% less fat than traditional pork sausage, a healthy alternative to brats or hot dogs

·             All al fresco products are all natural, and contain no artificial ingredients or preservatives.

·             al fresco makes chicken sausages in both pre-cooked and Dinner Fresh, as well as chicken burgers, chicken meatballs and breakfast chicken sausages in a variety of flavors.

I used the Smoked Chicken Andouille sausage to make a simplified version of Gumbo. I love gumbo, but to make it right it takes hours, and involves making a roux. Making roux with gluten free flour is tricky and takes a little more time than making it with wheat flour. So, I wanted something with the flavor of gumbo without having to spend hours in the kitchen.

Gumbo Soup

3 stalks celery chopped

1 onion, chopped

1 bell pepper, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

3-4 tablespoons olive oil

1 tsp basil

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp parsley flakes

1/2 tsp cayene pepper

1/2 tsp thyme

1/2 tsp marjarom

1 16 oz can diced tomatoes

1 can water

1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 12 oz pkg al fresco Smoked Andouille Sausage, sliced

1 cup rice, uncooked

Heat olive oil in a dutch oven. Add chopped vegetables and sautee until onions are translucent. Add the seasonings, the can of water, and 1 of the sausages, cut up into slices. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 30 minutes. Add the cup of rice and 2 cups water, cover and simmer for 20 minutes more. Stir in shrimp and the rest of the sausage, cover, turn heat off, and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

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Since the Smoked Andouille Sausage is fully cooked, it can be served up plain too, and is very flavorful all by itself. Al fresco comes in several flavors, and in fully cooked and fresh uncooked versions as well.

$50 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

Karen · 397 Comments

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visa-gift-card-giveaway I have been reading several bloggers ongoing review of their cosmetic surgery. One did a tummy tuck and a breast augmentation; one had rhinoplasty, better known as a nose job; and one had a procedure to reduce the size of her belly but not actually a tummy tuck. I appreciate their desire to improve their appearance, but since I had such a difficult time with my last surgery, I’m not so sure I could do anything that was purely cosmetic. What about you? What would you change about your appearance if you could? Would you submit to plastic or cosmetic surgery? Why or why not?

Dr. Patti Flint, M.D. is sponsoring this giveaway for a $50 Visa Gift Card. Here is a quote from her website:

“I feel it is important that patients be allowed to ask all of their questions and have them answered in a comfortable environment, without sales pressure. I welcome questions about my training and qualifications as well as my surgical experience. Seeking out a Scottsdale plastic surgeon who is Board Certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the best way to ensure a qualified surgeon is going to perform your surgery.”

A female Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Scottsdale AZ, Patti Flint, MD specializes in all aspects of plastic surgery including breast augmentation, facelift surgery, and tummy tucks, and offers a comprehensive skin care program using facial fillers, and Juvederm treatments.

To enter the giveaway, please make a comment on this post, take a look at Dr. Flint’s website, and use the Giveaway Tools Form below:

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Harvard Sweet Gluten Free Goodies Review

Karen · Leave a Comment

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Harvard Sweet Boutique, Inc. sent me some so very delicious samples of their gluten free goodies back in December. The package they sent me was a special one, made just for me, so it is not a combination that they normally sell on their website. They did this so that I could have variety of flavors to try. And OH, MY! I don’t think I have ever had such a good tasting ready made gluten free brownie since I started eating gluten free back in 2007.

When I took the samples out of the shipping box, it was so beautifully wrapped up for Christmas giving that I really didn’t want to open it up. They do a great job of presentation, don’t you think? But then, I did open the box, and the contents were equally as beautiful as the package:

Raspberry Brownie and Peanut Butter Brownie

I reeived a Raspberry Brownie, a Peanut Butter Brownie, a Mint Brownie, and a Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookie. All of them were really good. I mean, REALLY GOOD. Fabgrandpa ate some of them, and he said he wouldn’t know they were gluten free at all if I hadn’t told him they were.

From the Hardard Sweet website:

Gifts from Harvard Sweet Boutique reflect a sense of quality and care that makes giving one of our boxes of sweets feel thoughtful and personal — for both the giver and the receiver. Cookies, brownies and toffee are made by hand with the highest quality ingredients,and then lovingly tucked into fanciful boxes, adorned with designer ribbon and carefully — but swiftly — shipped to the lucky recipient. Gifts like this practically guarantee an “ooh” and an “aah” upon being opened.

I agree with that statement completely! I was wowed by the presentation of the samples I received.

Don’t worry about the Christmas packaging shown, though. They have lots of different package designs, making them perfect gifts for Valentines Day, Birthdays, Mother’s Day, or any other special day for which you’d send a gift.

The Gluten Free Raspberry Brownie: 6 brownies $25

Gluten Free Vanilla Sea Salt Brownies: 6 Brownies $25

I think this is my personal favorite! Gluten Free Brownie and Cookie Gift: An assortment of six brownies and 8 cookies, and you get to pick which flavors to include! $45.

While these are all made with gluten free ingredients, and I personally had no problems with gluten contamination, it is important to note that they are baked in the same facility that also produces non-gluten free cookies and brownies.

If you have a gluten free person on your gift list for any occasion, you should really take a look at this website. They have lots of non-gluten free choices as well.

P.S. Danielle from Harvard Sweets sent me this in an email after she read my review as a reassurance that they follow guidelines to make sure their gluten free treats are free of contamination:

For reassurance on the gluten-free treats, Harvard Sweet Boutique takes multiple measures to prevent cross-contamination with the wheat in the regular treats to the gluten-free treats. This includes using separate mixers, separate ovens, and waiting a period of no less than 24 hours from when wheat-based treats are made to prep and bake for the gluten-free treats. This helps make sure there are is no wheat-based flour etc. in the air, as well as in the prepping/baking area.