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We’re in for a busy weekend starting tomorrow morning with regional band auditions for my daughter and then we head off to a softball tournament that will take up the remainder of Saturday and most of Sunday.
I will do my best to visit all of my blogging friends over the weekend, but if I don’t get to your site, please forgive me! I’ll be outside enjoying the beautiful weather that we are FINALLY experiencing here in Dallas!

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I crafted this handy craft tote bag from strips of 100% quilt quality cotton fabric. It has a stiff inner lining that allows the bag to stand upright, even when empty and it adds strength to the bag. The bag is perfect for carrying just about any needle project you might be working on and is long enough to carry a pair or two of knitting needles, plenty of thread or yarn and a pattern or two. There are plenty of pockets inside to stash your cell phone and anything else you might take with you. The loop and fabric button keep the contents secure inside and the handles fit over the shoulder for easy carrying.

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Here are this week’s questions and my answers.

1. Name one bad habit you have in the kitchen. The only thing that comes to mind is that I tend to load up the dishwasher, but the few items that have to be hand washed may sit on the counter, next to the sink, for several days before I decide to run a sink full of dish water.

2. Do you have a tv in the kitchen? No, but our kitchen is completely open to our family room, so I have full view of the t.v.

3. What’s one food you can’t stand cold? I can eat it, but I can’t stand the smell of cold, refrigerated cooked chicken.

4. What’s your favorite juice? Cranraspberry from Ocean Spray

I invite you to participate by visiting Fun, Crafts and Recipes!

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I normally work part time from home, around 4 hours each morning, then I have the afternoon off to keep up with housework, grocery shopping, cooking and anything else that needs to be done. This week was an exception though. I had to attend a training class all week which meant I had to make the hour commute each morning and spend 8 hours each day sitting in a chair listening to someone talk and. It was so incredibly boring and exhausting at the same time.

Each day ended at 5 and I would then get back in my car to drive home. Now, normally, I would’ve started cooking dinner around 4 to have it ready at 6. Sometimes we eat earlier, depending on what we have going on at night, and, some nights, after dinner I drive my daughter to a variety of practices or events. I can tell you though, I honestly don’t know how people who work outside the home everyday, 8 hours a day, get everything done at home and still have time for family, much less cooking, cleaning and just plain ol’ relaxation!

So, I had to get creative in my cooking decisions and I found myself looking for things that tasted good but were quick to get cooked and on to the table. One of my favorite dishes is stir fry. It’s so easy and quick to make, but I can’t seem to get the seasonings just right when I do it from scratch. Well, I’m so happy to tell you that I discovered Sun-Bird Asian Seasoning Mixes and they have the perfect seasoning mix for stir fry! They have sauce mixes, seasonings, soup mixes and even 3-step meal kits to make cooking Asian food at a home a snap! Sun-Bird has come to my rescue this week! You can find these products at the grocery store and I am stocking my pantry.

While you’re at the grocery store, be sure to get your entry form and enter to win the 15 Blu-RayTM Disc players that Sun-Bird is giving away.. Entry forms can be found at your grocery store, where Sun-Bird seasonings products are sold. Hurry though because the contest only runs through October 31, 2009.

Yesterday was my final day of training and I had today off.   It felt great to not have to drive anywhere and I actually managed to get caught up on the laundry and a little bit of house cleaning.      It’s not like I cook huge gourmet meals every night for my family, actually, I never cook huge gourmet meals! But, I do take the time to cook a balanced meal usually. Life sometimes throws us a curve and takes away our time, so it’s great to have a selection of quick cooking meals.

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I had posted about this wall hanging a couple of weeks ago, but I wanted to show off the finished product.

I pieced this all together and then mailed it off to my sister Karen at Winding Threads to quilt and bind it for me. I wish I could post a better photo to show the actual quilting, she did such a fantastic job! :=D

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When I was much younger, I was fortunate in the fact that my parents were living and working abroad.  The opportunity for us to travel to a variety of countries was given to us and we took advantage of it.  We visited many places in Europe and even spent 10 days in Kenya on a photographic safari, absolutely amazing!  We never had the chance though to visit any place in Asia  or Australia and I know there are so many beautiful places there and so much amazing history.  I still have these two continents as places I would love to visit.

There are some great hotel deals you should know about if you are traveling to any of the following countries:

• Thailand
• Korea
• China
• Japan
• Hong Kong
• Australia
• Singapore
• Vietnam
• Malaysia
• New Zealand
• Fiji
• Indonesia
• Taiwan
• India
• Bali

Accor Hotels 3-Day Super Sale Asia Pacific will run from October 27-29 with a million hotel rooms on sale across Asia Pacific and rates will start at an amazing $30 US per night! That’s incredible! Hotels participating in the sale include Sofitel, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, All Seasons and Ibis hotels. This sale is coinciding with air fare sales to make travel to Asia Pacific super affordable.

So, here’s the deal. Book between Oct 27-29 for a stay between December 2009 and April 2010. This could just be the travel opportunity we’ve been waiting for!

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I had several days without my computer last week, so I did get a few other things accomplished, including making myself this small bag that I plan to use to carry my personal belongings when we’re attending softball games. My daughter’s team colors are red, white and black which is why I went with these colors.

This zippered purse is about 8×10 inches and includes a back pocket for quick access to my cell phone. The strap is approximately 40 inches in length for a convenient cross shoulder carry. This makes it perfect for carrying to the games without fear of losing it or setting it down and having it stolen.

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Right at the top of my getaway list is Branson, Missouri. My very favorite hotel in Branson, the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing is offering some really amazing packages. Santa’s Coming to town package is only $189 per night and includes a delivery of presents, cookies and milk from Santa himself, right to our room! My daughter (even though she is 13) would think that was pretty cool! I’m also considering the Polar Express Package for $289 per night which includes the hotel room and (I think this is so cool!), dinner on the Polar Express! The train will begin its run on November 6 and will continue on Thursday through Sundays for throughout the holidays. Now, I have to admit, my favorite would be the It’s a Wonderful Life package (one of our favorite movies), that is all about shopping, shows and relaxation. That’s my kind of holiday!

I love the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing because it’s right in the thick of everything in Branson and has such beautiful views, particularly of the fountain. The rooms are gorgeous and comfortable and restaurants and shops (more than 100) are all available right there at Branson Landing which is in historic downtown Branson. Of course, my second choice is just right across the street at the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel, another beautiful hotel.

Missouri and The Ozarks are so full of things to do and what a beautiful time of year to go. There is arts and entertainment in abundance. I love seeing Andy Williams who has his own venue. He really looks and sounds good for someone who’s been singing as long as he has! If you’ve never been to The Ozarks, it’s such a beautiful area. Although the leaves will have all ready fallen by the time we go, the rolling hills and lakes are always pretty, no matter what time of year.

Have you ever been to Branson? What was your favorite thing to do?

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