HollyB

What started as me baking 10,000,000 cookies due to new oven joy, turned into "well, this would have been easier if I owned cookie sheets." Instead of doing what a normal person would do, which is I don't know what because apparently I'm not normal, I contacted my local Pampered Chef dealer.  Turns out, it just happens to be bake ware on sale month!  I thought, hell, if I need stuff to pamper my inner chef, maybe my lovely friends do too. So, welcome to my online, catalog Pampered Chef... Read Full Story

Pig 1 is home sick today.  Fever, headache, the whole shabang.  Since Pig 3 had a Dr's appt, and Pig 1 was home sick, Pig 1 put Pig 2 on the bus, which is as funny as it sounds. Pig 1 is playing video games and resting. I know he's actually sick and not just pulling the "I really need to level up in Skyrim" due to the fever.  I did tell him, at some point he would have to turn the game off and take a nap.  Pig 3's ears... Pig 3 failed a school hearing screening in November. He was... Read Full Story

The new oven showed up Friday.  It politely knocked on the door and said, "where's that piece of crap I'm replacing?"  Not only was the new oven replacing the broken oven, but also this sweet little toaster oven.    I baked the hell out of some salmonella in this little oven!  I can't quit you, you're safely going to hibernate in the basement. There were a few minutes of stress when my beast of convection and traditional cooking was delivered.  Like when nice delivery guy unpacked the... Read Full Story

I've broken up with Stephanie Plum.  Cold turkey.  I had to stop.  I was beginning to think everyone was carrying a gun, and that my car may explode. I've been trying to stay busy in an effort to keep from slinking back to girly detective adventures.   I've organized a helicopter training facility.  Three Pigs, three radio control helicopters, and 15 minute at a time flying adventures.  These little choppers are amazing at inducing hysterical bouts of laughter. Shopping is always a... Read Full Story

So I got sucked into this series of books.  It's happened before.  I read all 20 of the Aubrey Maturin books, you know the series that inspired Master and Commander?   I can't tell you an intelligent thing about the Napoleonic Wars or much about global circumvention in a ship, but that Captain Aubrey was a lusty man with a big gun, and some cannons, and cutlasses, and don't forget the seamen!! The Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum wrote more than just the one book.  A whole series, and I had to... Read Full Story

Tonight is Frugal Fan Friday at Wings Stadium !  What does that mean to you?  You get a hot dog, a beer, for only a $1! The K Wings will be playing the Cincinnati Cyclones.  Game starts at 730. We're going out to support the K Wings, and to support our local Middle School's 6th grade camp program.  A portion of pre game ticket sales went to the program, but I'm in it for the hockey.  Or maybe the cheap beer. Don't worry, if you want to catch a great game, eat cheap hot dogs, and... Read Full Story

I take a lot of photos of the sink area.  It's my favorite spot in the house. Look!  Dirty dishes in the sink.  Honestly a cozy spot in the living room, bundled up under a pile of blankets is my actual favorite spot in the house.  But I do spend a lot of time time standing in this area, so I try to make it pleasant and well organized. I've been plotting the building of a new, fully operational (death star) kitchen since May 2011 . We've made a lot of updates and it's only a matter... Read Full Story

The painting is done! before... after!!! The photo makes it look like I just put up new curtains and moved the plants around, but it's done.  Sure, the cleaning, organizing and finding things that got neglected in the process, are still on going.  But I'm sure I could blast Alderaan and make a loaf of bread at this point. On the knitting front, I'm working on a Knitting Pure and Simple Neck Down Pullover as part of the Zombie Prom Date Knitters Knit A Long. Look, a... Read Full Story

I wanted share to glory of my fully repainted kitchen when it was a completely done and fully operational Death Star.  Before...and it's not much better yet. Probably due to the large amount of paint fumes I've been inhaling, it's been slow going.  Ok, it also may be due to the large amount of people that are still living in the house and attempting to use the kitchen. Another before. Still no after. Or, as with many of my projects, I work under the false impression that it's... Read Full Story

Saturday, in the middle of snow madness, we left our warm cozy home, and traveled to Holland.  Yes, you read that correctly, left the home.  Got into the little car and drove north and toward the lake.  The great lake of Michigan. What amazing adventure would lead me so far from my warm bed? FIRST Tech Challenge! Robotics event.. Bowled Over explanation and rules video  What is FIRST Tech Competition? Well, will.i.am is involved which makes it awesome. Wait, it was... Read Full Story