Who doesn't love kitchen appliances??

Image via Wikipedia

Are you one of those people who loves gadgets and gizmos for your kitchen? I have to be very careful about what I purchase to use in my own kitchen only because I don't have the space to store all the things I would like to buy. Shopwiki is a terrific website to help when you are looking for kitchen appliances.

Most search websites will only show you sales from stores that have paid to put their ads on that particular website. Shopwiki crawls the entire web to show you everything!

Recently I was in the need for a blender. This is no simple task for me. When I want to purchase something like this, I read consumer reviews and compare prices at as many stores as I can so I can get the best price possible. Shopwiki was an excellent source to turn to because they gave me a ton of information, Good Housekeeping recommendations and then all the prices they could find on whichever appliance I was interested in.

I ended up choosing a blender which has a food processor attachment (since I didn't have one of those yet either) and I have used both pieces and been extremely happy with both!

Warmer weather = butterflies, birds and squirrels oh my!

Image via Wikipedia

We have had the most wonderful weather the last two weeks. High 70's - low humidity, gentle breezes...ahhh, I love it! I have been itching to get out and work in the yard but I've been putting it off until I return from Hawaii the first weekend in April.

With Spring in the air the birds are back again in full force. I have a couple of bird feeders in my back yard but neither of them are squirrel-proof so every time I look out my window those pesky squirrels are IN the bird feeder! I need a squirrel-proof bird feeder! I am going through bird feed like crazy (and sending my dogs out to run the squirrels off.)

In searching for different bird feeders and hummingbird feeders for my back yard, I found this website which searches the entire web for Home and Garden products - not just websites which pay for the ad space. I can't wait until I get back from Hawaii. I've been spending time just planning out what I want to do in the back yard...I am ready to get my hands dirty!

Using what's in the pantry

Image via WikipediaOne of my goals for 2009 is to cut back on expenses. In doing this I am trying to cook at home more using what's in my pantry. Translation: more "home-cooked, made from scratch" meals instead of "pop-it-in-the-microwave/oven/
toaster-bam-it's done-type" meals.

Do you know how difficult this is?!? I actually have to PLAN MY MEALS! No more waiting until 5:00 to decide what we are going to eat at 6:00! Geez...what was I thinking?

Thank goodness there are helpful websites out there that I am relying on daily to lead me in the right direction in this new undertaking of mine. My prayer is that this WILL get easier as I continue to do it. I am actually thrilled that I haven't gone grocery shopping in a few weeks but we are not starving to death...and I am still managing to crank out healthy meals every night.

Here's some of my favorite websites I use for recipes...what are yours?
Supercook
AllRecipes
Betty Crocker
Meals For You

Oops, it's 5:20 - guess I better go figure out what to make for dinner tonight!

The Season of Gift Cards?

Image by robinsonsmay via FlickrDo you like to give Gift cards for Christmas presents? What about receiving them as gifts - are you happy when you get a gift card? I keep hearing that every year gift card sales continue to climb.

It's true that they are an easy gift...no thought needed to shell out a few bucks in exchange for the plastic "money" to the recipient's favorite store, restaurant, gas station, or entertainment complex. I am amazed at all the places you can get a Gift Card for!

I found this Gift Card site online where you can actually go and put in filters as to who you are buying for

• Gift Cards for Him
• Gift Cards for Her
• Gift Cards for kids/Teens
• Gift Cards for Sports Lovers

There are HUNDREDS of gift cards to choose from! You can even design your own by adding a photo, art or logo to the gift card. What a neat idea!

I personally LIKE to give (and receive) gift cards because I am a cheapskate and there are some GREAT deals to be had AFTER Christmas. That way we can take advantage of the sales with our "plastic" money we received for Christmas.