Sabrina’s Money Matters

This year I got inspired when I received a few gifts. I was given dishes, a place setting for four people, that match my decor in my kitchen. We’ve been going for a sort of Italian/Tuscan Bistro type of a look, at least those colors anyways. We like the rich mustard yellow and the depth of the dark reds and greens often used in Italian decor. I got a few other things that further compliment our style in our home and what’s really great is I was lucky enough to receive a gift card for a substantial amount!

Here’s the inspiration part I promised, lol. I used my gift card to buy paint and paint supplies to paint my kitchen the colors that will complete our look for that room. I’ll post pictures here tomorrow when we’re finished with it all, we started last night after going out to buy the supplies on a spur of the moment type decision. I toyed with buying a new game for my Nintendo DS, or buying clothes from my favorite store, I could always use more to wear to work.

But I finally decided what greater reward and appreciation of the gift than to use it for something that won’t wear out for at least ten years, guaranteed?

It’s something that the whole family can appreciate. That’s what I call a gift! When the room is done I plan to send a thank you card to the person that gave me that card with pictures of what they enabled me to get with their ever so gracious gift.

So here’s what we got at Wal-mart:

One $10.00 kit of painting supplies with:

2 rollers
An extension for the roller wand;
& A pan we can use the rollers in with paint.

2 cans of paint, $12.50 each for Semi-Gloss:
1 in a rich maroon
& 1 in “Golden Sun”.

(We had a drop cloth already from our new home owner’s kit).

We took a painting from the wall our kitchen to compare the swatches of color with and had them color matched.

So far we’re very pleased with the outcome and we only spent around $35. We’re painting part of our dining room and our entire kitchen, our island and a hallway.

That’s a lot of damage. ;D

This just goes to show you can make a big change in your home without spending a small fortune, sure we’ll decorate further, but over time. We got our paintings at a local discount store and, well the rest you’ll see when I post the photos - stay tuned!

All of you have a safe and very enjoyable New Year’s Eve and I hope you don’t have too bad of a hangover to stop by tomorrow to see what I’ve been doing on my New Year’s.

Note to my regular readers: You may have noticed a few of changes in the sidebar - all the same stuff is there, I just cleaned it up a little for your uncluttered viewing pleasure.

See you tomorrow - same channel!

We’re back from a three day week with two fun videos that I’m sure you’ll think are amusing as well.

Check ‘em out:

Some people shouldn’t take time off for the holidays….

Ha! That took a lot of time….could’ve been reading this blog and saving some money. (Shameless plug.)

Check out this gift from Christmas…

Ha, not sure that’s any kind of perfume I want! It burns?

I love the Antonia skits from MadTV - they’re great. Have y’all noticed that Saturday Night Live isn’t as funny as it used to be and now MadTV is hilarious?

Strange. Check ya later!

I’ve shouted out to other bloggers. Today, as a tribute to all the other bloggers out there that make me a better, funnier, more knowledgeable blogger I will be linking to my favorite ones - get ready for one heck of a list!

I check on John Cow every day - he’s always kickin’ up some hay somewhere, and DCR is a can’t miss, there’s always a great read there, and has a great idea for being elected President in 2008. I think I’ll vote for him if I see it on the ballot!

Shoemoney cuts right through the B.S. about everything under the sun about blogging and marketing - I’ve learned tons from him and will continue to do so as long as he is around.

BlogNerds is new to me, but very enjoyable as well and CHESSNOID employs a fantastic example of the term, “artsy fartsy”. I thought that was great!

I Do Things is hilarious and I find myself looking forward to the next post - as they are always wrought with humor and familiarity to my own life. The most recent Christmas Q & A was fantastic.

Dazed and Confuzed reminds me of a hilarious movie I’ve seen more than once and says reality sucks and life goes on. So it goes. (Can anyone tell me what that’s from? I’m curious.)

InCinq is an inspiration and Bloggrrl is rockin’ my world with sass.

Startblogging.net can get you started in this wonderful world of bloggers and I’ve Tried That can get you working at home and avoiding scams in no time with your own home business, because they’ve tried them - and if they haven’t they will; or you can become a Daily Telecommuter and start claiming an extra exemption on your taxes for a home office.

One of my favorite blogs to steal away to and wander the ether always reminds me of a great discussion with my best friend. It’s not often I get to slow down and really catch up with her and it’s been a week now since I’ve talked to her…

My favorite for today is Blog Baron who linked to a Free Arcade Pack that is going to keep my family busy for the next few hours!

See you back here tomorrow!

I must confess, I’ve never had a fruitcake presented to me that looked like something I wanted to ingest. Ever. A lot of other people that I know can say the same thing. It is something we often joke about, but never have had, or have any intention of having. But I do think I may have found a recipe that could change all that, for me and others.

About.com is always an informative place for these types of things and many many others…so check out all the fruitcake recipes that are available there.

I was given a fruitcake by DCR and feel compelled to share the wealth. ;D

And now I want to share that recipe I mentioned:

It’s a recipe for a Chocolate fruitcake:

Chocolate fruitcakes with candied red and green cherries, nuts, and candied pineapple, along with chocolate and other ingredients.
INGREDIENTS:

* 1 cup butter
* 6 ounces semisweet chocolate
* 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
* 3 large eggs
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup halved red candied cherries, halved
* 1 cup halved green candied cherries
* 1/2 cup chopped candied pineapple, optional
* 1 1/2 cups pecan halves or combination of walnuts and pecans
* candied red and green cherries, for garnish

PREPARATION:
Melt butter and chocolate in a large heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring often. Remove from heat, and cool for about 15 minutes.

Stir in sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each addition.

Add flour and salt, stirring until blended. Stir in candied fruits and nuts. Spoon mixture into 4 generously greased and floured 5 x 3 x 2-inch loaf pans.

Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool on wire racks.

Seal cakes in heavy-duty plastic wrap and chill thoroughly before cutting. Garnish with candied cherries, if desired. These loaves can be frozen.
Makes 4 loaves.

That sounds like a great recipe - and one reviewer wrote that it was a sought after cake, even by people who never eat fruitcake.

Since this recipe makes four loaves, give them to people who eat cake - and those you think a gag gift would be in order for - or just cut the recipe in half and make them for any get together you may have, put a scoop of ice cream next to a slice and enjoy!

See you back here tomorrow!