Thrifty Thursday - Great bargain hunter

There's only 75 shopping days before Christmas and so we decided to shop last weekend for deals at Kohl's.  The great part about Kohl's is if you spend $50 you get $10 Kohl's cash.  I usually get to spend it for something that I need and I usually find a great deal.  For example, I went with my friend last Friday night and I bought a top for myself and for my daughter.  Since I had a $10 reward and my friend Jean gave me her 20% coupon, I end up paying only $3.65 for what I purchased.  Both tops were Vera Wang and the price is between $40 and $44.  When my MIL and I are shopping, whatever Kohl's cash she gets, she give it to me to use for whatever.  A couple of weeks ago, I used it for a nice navy blue hat and a set of bracelets.  Yesterday, I found a nice black top for my daughter and again the regular price is around $40 and I bought it for $900 and with my Kohl's cash from the Christmas shopping we did during the weekend, I got the top for free.  When you have the time to look through the special racks that are 80% off, it's definitely worth spending some time.  I can go through the rack pretty quick because I already have an idea what I am looking for and I know what I want to pay.  We will most like do another Christmas shopping before the end of the month to avoid the line up and the crowded store.  I happen to chat with my next door neighbor the other day and they just came back from Christmas shopping for their grandchildren.  Are you organize enough to get your shopping done early?  Are you one of those who likes to wait the last minute for bargains?  Next month they will have the Black Friday sale which is the one day we stay away from going out.  Have you seen those videos of how people behave that day?

ONLINE SHOPPING is very popular to those who wants to avoid the crowds.

                                                
     

 

Tarty Tueday - I love these grapefruits

For a very long time, I stopped eating grapefruits because I was taking some statin for my cholesterol.  But one day I did some reading on what the benefits of eating grapefruits and I found out that as long as I  don't consume a large amount and do not eat it everyday, it would be too bad.  Here's what I found.

Grapefruit contains a chemical that interferes with your body's ability to break down or metabolize certain statin medications. When statin takers eat large amounts of grapefruit, the level of statins in their blood can increase, raising the possibility of side effects.

And then here's what I found regarding the benefits of eating grapefruits.

• Grapefruit may not be a miracle weight loss food as touted in some previously popular fad diets, but consuming grapefruit as part of a healthy diet may just give you a little boost
• eating higher amounts of a compound found in citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit may lower ischemic stroke risk for women
• One study found that a diet supplemented with fresh red grapefruit positively influences blood lipid levels, especially triglycerides
•  As an excellent source of the strong antioxidant vitamin C as well as other antioxidants, grapefruit can help combat the formation of free radicals known to cause cancer. 
•  Grapefruit, because of its water and fiber content, helps to prevent constipation and promote regularity for a healthy digestive tract. 
•  The risks for developing asthma are lower in people who consume a high amount of certain nutrients. One of these nutrients is vitamin C, found in many fruits and vegetables including grapefruit. 

Like anything else in life, moderation is the key.  Unfortunately my supplier of these wonderful grapefruits is moving and I can't pick fresh grapefruit from their tree.  I know they are available at every store, but nothing beats fresh. 

The biggest one weighs almost 2 pounds and the smallest one weighs 1 pound.

These grapefruits are juicy, sweet, sour and tart. 

 

Sports Sunday - Winning teams

What a dilemma each Sunday when figuring out which sports I want to watch.  Since we only have two tuners, I can only record two shows and then I have to watch something I have recorded previously.  It was good that I have recorded an LPGA yesterday so I could watch it while the baseball and football were being taped.  A funny story,  I wanted to make sure I recorded Game 3 of the ALDS since Toronto Blue Jays is 2-0 and of course they are in my home town.  I recorded what I thought showed Texas at Toronto telecast which starts at 430 pm PST.  When it was time to watch, the one I recorded was all in Spanish, which I didn't mind because the score will be still showing.  Until the 3rd inning, while flipping through the channels, I realized there was another channel covering the game and it was in English.  Well, I am sure you have heard that the Blue Jays won in a clean sweep against Rangers.  Of course on Sunday, there's a lot of NFL games as well and I am happy to say that my New England Patriots won again.  Just to make it clear, while I am watching all these games, I was busy sewing a new pool cue case for my new stick.  I found it at Big 5 Sporting Goods and I feel in love with it.  There was some ironing to do, so I also finished it while watching.  This way there is no wasting of my precious time.

My new case is made of black lace and it's lined and has a quilted pocket inside to protect the stick.

 

Good luck to your next round against whoever they maybe.  GO Jays GO!

Keep up the winning streak.  Your fans are with you all the way.

Film Friday - A heart warming movie

Can you remember the last time you saw a movie at the Theater?  Do you remember what you saw?  For me, it has been too long, maybe about a year and a half.  I went with my friend Jean and saw Cinderella.  We were in Reno for a few days and it so happen the hotel we were staying had a movie theater on their property.  While our husbands saw another movie that we were not interested.  Wait, maybe our last movie was maybe the Avengers or maybe Thor.  You see, this is what happens when it has been so long.  While my cousin was visiting us this week we decided to see a movie one day while Jeff was at work.  It was good that I remembered that I had a gift card for the movies that one of our neighbors gave to me for my birthday about 18 months ago.  I was happy to use it for all three of us since we were able to qualify with the senior rate, and it only cost an additional $3.50 for the three of us.  The movie we saw - The Queen of Katwe.  It was a Disney production and a bit long but well worth seeing.  According to the credits, it was based on a true story.  So if you are looking for something to do this weekend, this one I recommend as it's truly a heart warming story.

 

 

Tension Thursday - a new relaxing hobby

It's all about the tension of the thread.  That's what I recently learned when doing embroidery.  If you recall a few weeks ago, my MIL showed me how to do some easy stitches that I could use on some of my kitchen towel projects.  There were at least four towels that I have set aside for some of my friends.  Some of the towels my MIL did the embroidery but after I finished one, I decided to finish the rest.  It is so relaxing when I am doing it and a little addicting because once you see how the drawing gets transformed into an art work, then you would want to do make more.  Since there is only a few more months before Christmas, I am going to get busy making more and set them aside as gifts.  There's another small size of cloth and it is available in a variety of colors that I will have to get.  I love the idea that I can just design it or use a transfer and add my own creative art work.  After all the embroidery has been completed,  I chose a fabric that compliments the colors of the flowers, leaves, letters, etc.  So check these towels and hopefully you will like them and maybe one day have one of this in your kitchen.

 

Sleek Sunday - It was meant to be

Before I start my post for today, I wanted to share a funny story.  I was out with my MIL last week checking out the deals at Kohl's since she has a 30 percent off coupon.  The goal was o buy what we only need or if there were items that was truly a great deal.  We bought some items in the baby department for a friend who recent had a baby boy.  While checking the ladies section I found a couple of simple cut skirt that I thought my daughter would be able to use for work.  Since the price was so cheap, I decided to get her both black and grey one.  When I sent the photo to my daughter, she wrote back " Haha, you already bought me that skirt! By the time I got that message, I was already home and was not interested in returning the skirt for the cheap price.  What else can I do?  I decided to try the skirt and to my surprise it fits me like a glove.  I guess it would have been big for my daughter anyway.  It was meant to be for me.  Today's post is all about meant to be.  Before the citizenship ceremony I needed some sandals to wear and I found it at Broadway Shoes, it was the last pair in my size and a great price.  It was meant for me.  The last one is another footwear that I found at Ross.  I was not really looking for anything but I stumble upon a sleek slip on shoe in a golden color and my size and the only pair. But because the price was really good ($5.69) also, I made an executive decision to buy it. On all three scenarios, It was meant to be.  When you are retired, you have to stretch your money for as long as you can. 

 

The brand is Bandolino and the price is $5.69 plus tax - still under $10

My new $6.80 skirt that's perfect for work.

An evening wear sandals or for special event or just when I need to bling the outfit.

 

Sizeable Saturday - Maybe the last batch

One of the things I love about Jeff's vegetable garden is checking the growth of each kind of vegetables.  Unfortunately the season is over and now he would have to clean the garden bed and get them ready for the winter crops.  I am not sure what they would be this time.  So this morning I decided to check them out one more time just in case.  Surprisingly I found a few that were ready to be harvested.  Most of the time I would call Jeff to get them for me because I don't like those prickly tiny thorns that some of them have.  This time I decided to be brave an get them myself.  I found that tool that he left around the steps so I could easily see them if I wanted to use them.  Well, check out what I have found and of course I want to brag about them.  Aside from the vegetables, I also like picking some of the roses as well.

For some reason, this color has produced more than the yellow one.

This is plenty for Jeff and I to be used for our salad or salsa.