1000 Gifts – Part Two

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This is part two of my own journey to list my 1000 gifts; blessings to be thankful for every day.
It really does make a difference in my outlook when I realize how much splendor surrounds me on a daily basis. Whether it's a morning walk in the woods, the sound of my sweetie arriving, or the flowers blooming in our yard, there are so many things to be thankful for…all the little things that make me smile.
My mission is based on a book by Ann Voskamp titled One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. I plan to complete this journey by June 3o, 2013. Should you also feel inspired to remind yourself of all the things you have been blessed with (things that make you smile every day), please join me. Add a comment to this post and let me know you’re onboard; I'd love to read about your gifts too. And so my 1000 Gifts journey continues... One Thousand gifts I have been blessed with Part Two:
19.  My Sweetie stopping on the way home from work to get me a chicken pot pie20.  Receiving the catalog order before the anticipated arrival date21.  Opening a new bar of oatmeal and honey soap22.  Sunday Brunch at my favorite spot: Local Three23.  Braised Short Ribs that slice like butter24.  Whipped potatoes so scrumptious you go for seconds AND thirds25.  Fresh cut flowers on the counter in the kitchen26.  A hand written thank you note in the mail27.  A new keypad lock so I can’t lock myself out of the house 28.  Hitting the long stop light just right so I can dig around in my purse for lost treasures29.  Finding money in the pocket of the jeans that I haven’t worn recently30.  Being trusted by family to research cruise ship vacations to Alaska31.  Watching “The Bachelorette” (guilty pleasure) from a DVR so I can skip commercials32. Ear plugs at bedtime33. An extra purple pen to replace the one that dried-up in the middle of a conference call34. Reminiscing with a friend about “the old days” and experiences we shared at work35. Knowing that I’m loved when I’m having a bad day36. An express elevator trip from the 19th floor to the lobby with zero stops (very rare)37. Pictures of Puppies Playing38. Time to read favorite blogs today  Too be continued….

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But it doesn't have pockets.....

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Yesterday I noticed that my purse is starting to look shabby, not just a little shabby, it is way past what could be called “shabby chic”. The straps are fraying, the seams are coming loose, the leather is worn, and one zipper refuses to zip.
To me there is not a more excruciating chore than having to switch my purse, and I really can’t comprehend how some gals do it every day. I literally spend hours shopping for just the right purse. It can’t be flimsy, floppy, or refuse to stand solidly. It must have pockets, and dividers, and compartments, and zippers, and... you get the picture. For me, successfully using a purse involves close supervision of its contents. I tend to forget where I’ve put things so compartmentalizing is the key to my sanity. I work hard to be organized, but even then the multi-pocket idea is not fool-proof. I have to remember which pocket I put stuff in. Maybe voice-activated software would be useful—I could open my purse, say “chapstick”, and the correct pocket will vibrate, blink, or talk back to me.
So, today I started my search for a new handbag on Etsy. I always try to support small businesses and my fellow Etsy handmade artists, but I just wasn’t finding what I wanted. Don’t get me wrong, there were beautiful handbags in every color, texture, and shape, but I couldn’t find the perfect fit for me.
Then I stumbled upon these…..problem solved!


Organizer by Divide and Conquer

A purse organizer insert with pockets galore and stand-up sides so it doesn't go all flimsy inside the purse.

Organizer by Divide and Conquer

It has pockets inside and out and some have dividers and zippers too!

Organizer by Divide and Conquer

The organizers come in many differnt colors and styles; with or without handles.

Example Photos by PurseSitter.com

Just look how everything fits neatly inside this purse!

Organizer by: It's All in the Bag

There's even a mini organizer for your foraml clutch bag.

Keeping my purse organized just got a whole lot easier! No more digging around in the dark corners of my purse for cell phone, keys, check book, etc. Best of all, if I do decide to swap my handbag to match an outfit, I can simply lift the Organizer out of my everyday purse and the entire contents can be easily transferred to a cute trendy bag with NO pockets. It will be simple, quick and easy, no need to unload all the pockets to change bags. Yippeee!

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Joan Rivers Classics Collection Look of Ceramic Rectangular Bezel Link Watch -$59.69!

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TheShoppingChannel just posted there new deal of the day!  Get the Joan Rivers Classics Collection Look of Ceramic Rectangular Bezel Link Watch -$59.69! Also comes in Black/ Rose + two other colors!
Go here

• Type of metal: Rose tone or black tone (depending on style)
• Colour of face: White or black (depending on style)
• Rose tone or silver tone hands & sweep second hand (depending on style)
• Bracelet link adjustable strap (comes with 3 extra links), measures up to 8"
• Closure: Foldover
• Face: 38x30mm rectangular with stainless steel back & crystals along bezel
• Type of numbering: 12 & 6 Arabic with 10 raised silver dot markers
• Bracelet link adjustable strap (comes with 3 extra links), measures up to 8"
• Japanese movement
• Made in China

Logitech iPad 2 & 3 Bluetooth Keyboard & Carry Case by ZAGG w/ Bluetooth, Aluminum Frame and Shortcut Keys-$24.99!

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Head on over to 1saleaday for this deal!  Logitech iPad 2 & 3 Bluetooth Keyboard & Carry Case by ZAGG w/ Bluetooth, Aluminum Frame and Shortcut Keys-$24.99!   1SaleADay.com

Made with precision cut aircraft-grade aluminum, the Logitech iPad 2 and 3 Carry Case matches the iPad 2's sleek, modern style. Padded corners protect the iPad 2 from bumps while in transport and a full QWERTY keyboard offers a convenient way to input text to the iPad. Using Bluetooth technology, the Logitech Keyboard effortlessly connects to the iPad 2 and 3 without the need for docking or wires.




Todays Flash Deals! You can purchase Decorated Pillows $10 shipped!  Dakota 17x17 Pillow-$9.99!
There is also a nice selection of carpets, curtains, and other items for your home decor!
Go here

Crocs Sale: Up to 73% off + extra 15% off clogs, deals from $13 + free shipping

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Ths maybe the best sale on Crocs Shoes! Crocs takes up to 73% off shoes and accessories in its sale section. Even better, get an extra 15% off all clogs via coupon code "CLOG". Combined with free shipping on all orders via coupon code "shipcrocs",  Coupon expires June 20.

•Crocs Men's Crostrail Clogs (pictured) for $16.99-  Go here


•Crocs Men's Crocband Mammoth Clogs for $16.99- Go here

•Crocs Men's Islander Sport Clogs for $29.74- Go here

•Crocs Unisex Crocband Clogs for $29.74- Go here

•shop for more clogs in the Crocs sale section- Go here

Whole Wheat Tarts vs Plain Flour Tarts

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Lately, I've been playing around with tarts made out of whole wheat flour instead of regular pastry flour or plain flour for the reasons that it will be healthier choice. As you may or may not know, whole wheat products will provide you with a source of proteins, fibers, vitamins and minerals which are always good for your body. My mom cannot consume too much white flour, so in house, we have mainly whole wheat products when it comes to baked goods such as whole wheat buns and breads. My parents are quite conscious when it comes to eating healthy, and I don't even want to get into the kind of drinks that they blend up every morning for my sister and I to drink. But that aside and back to the point, whole wheat tarts.

There are many doughs out there for tarts and pies and endless recipes to match with it. But as I have learned, the key to a strong tart/pie dough is allow to time for maturity of the dough. This means you must let your dough rest, best overnight, thus giving time for the flour in the dough to absorb any fat or moisture in the recipe. When flour is mixed in liquid, gluten is naturally developed and it helps strength the dough's ability to stretch when rolled. Same goes for tart doughs made with whole wheat flour, and it may take longer periods of resting time compared to pastry flour. This is due to the slower absorption of moisture from the whole wheat flour.
 
Then through a few trials, I found that whole wheat tarts tend to take a longer time to bake, and you couldn't use the same temperature used for regular tarts. The color of the tarts became too dark before it was fully baked. The whole wheat dough itself is much more dense compared to the regular flour tarts, and therefore, the release of moisture through baking took longer, and this cause the oven to steam up, and instead of baking you are now, steaming. So I had to open the oven doors to let out the steam and continue baking. Normally, the best oven for baking tarts are the convection ovens, the ovens with the built in fan to circulate the hot air better. And better this, you can buy yourself a convection oven with a vent function to let out steam when built up in the oven. It will provide your tarts with a nicer color on the crust and also giving you that crispy shell which is always desired.

I prefer to bake my tarts a little longer to evaporate more moisture. I do this because, although the tart shells will be a lot more dry, but when I add in the fillings it will soak up juice and balance out. Also, when living in humid climate, baking your shells a little longer than required will also help prevent your shells from becoming soft too fast due to the moisture in the air. Nobody likes a soggy tart shell.

Mother's day freebies & more

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Aurora from Supercharged Science  is again giving awaya great free gift!

She has one of the top homeschool science curricula out there,and this is a free selection of activities and experimentsfrom her summer e-Camp program.


You're going to get actual sections of e-Camp, complete withall the explanations, step-by-step videos, and lots more.

And yet more... Currclick is giving away several Mother's Day freebies, one of which is my bookMath Mammoth Place Value 2. So, here's your chance to get one of my books completely free.


Enjoy!

Maria