I'm back with a gift idea

I cook a lot but I've never had or even thought I needed a pasta pot.  But I got this one free last month from a Proctor Gamble cancer awareness refund.  

It quickly became one of favorite and go-to things in the  kitchen.  

It has a nonstick finish and the lid acts as the strainer or colander.  The lid locks on so it is so easy to drain cooked pasta or any cooked food like corn on the cob or potatoes to mash. 

Last week, I used it to cook a batch of fried rice.  

I thought I would blog about this pot in case anyone is trying to come up with a last minute gift for a cook.  

Or if someone is asking you what you would like for a gift,  this might be something to ask for. 

I did see them, in different colors, for sale on Amazon and I'm guessing about any store with a big kitchen selection also sells them.  

I had a sweet little observer while I cooked the fried rice.  

And would you believe that even though we are having winter weather and it's just a few days until Christmas,  this rose bush is still blooming?   I guess it is protected just enough being near our front door.  

This month

Hello everyone.  

I thought you all might like to see our Seven.  We were all together for lunch yesterday to celebrate my mother in law's 80th birthday.  

Life is good here, to say the least.  

One family group photo from the birthday party - it was at the clubhouse of our aunt's retirement home and was a very nice setting for a gathering. 

In the photo are my in laws, my husband and me, our 7 adult children&spouses and the 7 grands.  

My to do list and manicure from last week.....I haven't made my list for this week yet. 

The nails are Impress press on nails, with a sticker type adhesive and I really like them. 

My brother's tradition is to make fresh wreaths for us- here is this year's.  He decorates them different each year and they are always so nice. 

One of the pleasures of retirement- Grandpa and the grandchildren sharing lots of time together.  

CVS

I didn't go last week but I went yesterday. 

I used 4 $2 Tide coupons that were in a Sunday paper a few weeks ago and a $5 ECB. 

4 Tide detergent pod packs were $2.76 and I got back $5 ECB.  

Days are busy here and we have yet to find a routine with husband being retired but I think that will be happen after all the busyness of December.  

Would you all believe I have not bought or wrapped a single gift nor have I rounded up any stocking stuffers? And it takes a lot of stuffers for the 20 or so stockings that will here.  

So, this will be last blog post for 2015.  I hope to keep reading blogs and I plan to be back blogging in January.  

Merry Christmas everyone !

This week.....a list, CVS, sewing and sweet babies

It's a new week and a new month. I have lots keeping me busy and I expect you do too!
Here is my to do list - I've made a good bit of progress so far.

I have some Christmas themed washi tape and stamps but I'm waiting a bit to start any Christmas decorating.  Maybe I'll do it this weekend or even next week.  

I wasn't planning to go to CVS this week but my husband has had one of those long-lingering colds and he needed some more cough medicine.  I decided it would be much easier to stop at little CVS than either of the Super Walmarts in my town.

The Febreeze items are all buy 1 get 1 50% off.  Also I had a coupon from Sunday's paper on Febreeze- buy 1 get 1 free.  And when you spend $20 on Febreeze, you earn a $5 ECB.

I bought 6 Febreeze products, 2 packs of nail glue and 1 bottle of Robitussin(not in picture as my husband has already opened and taken a dose of it)

I used about $17 in ECB from last week.

Spent $15.09 and got back $5 ECB

I sewed 14 little bandana bibs for Charlie, our youngest grandchild.  They just need the buttons hand-Sewn on.  

Speaking of grandchildren,  I had such a good time seeing the 2 granddaughters that live an hour away.  This is 3 year old (closer to 4 years) Andie.  We like to take selfies together.

She says "Grandma, your hair is just like mine". 

Here is 4 1/2 month old Charlie and 6 month old Jackson.  They were fascinated with each other but had to be constantly watched as Jackson pulled Charlie's hair and Charlie scratched Jackson's face.

I expect these 2 cousins will be good friends just like the other 5 grands are.

Yes, Charlie is wearing little boots!  She had a headband on too but I guess she lost it while playing with Jackson.  

Have a good rest of the week everyone!