Amazon Reviews are so Helpful!

I love being able to go to Amazon and read about items before I buy them. Polly Pocket play set are notorious for not working right and falling apart too easily, so we have saved a few bucks and a few broken hearts by sticking to just the dolls and clothes. Littlest Pet Shop stuff has been slightly more durable, but Barbie still reigns supreme. We still have a few bits and pieces of hers from when I was a kid, and theyre still going strong!

As for moral quality, the "My scene" styles we wont touch with a ten foot pole, and Bratz are just out of the question. We often make gagging noises when passing them in the aisle. There isnt anything appealing to me about a doll with huge silicone lips and a mini skirt so short she couldnt bend over without revealing an R rated movie scene. If I want to see that i'll visit the local strip club... but I wont be taking home one of the strippers to babysit my kids. Apparantly im not the only that feels this way. So does this person, and this person, and this person, and this person, and this person!

But that is a bit off topic now, isn't it? Perhaps I should design my own toys :)

Mother-in-law Dog-sitting Etiqutte

Ok, so we "babysit" for my Mother In Laws dog every other month or so for about 5 days at a time. This time my hubby finally asked her to provide the poor dog with certain necessary vet care but she assumed he asked only because I encouraged him to, because im such a "neat freak" (I dont think it is an unreasonable request!) and her hubby even made a comment about it as they were leaving. I have never said anything about it, I kinda feel like it is hubbys place to do so, and if it were my parents I would be the one to say something.










(Their dog looks a lot like this!)

Anyway, this time around the 40 pound dog crawled up on my daughters bed and urinated on it, down comforter and all. They normally let the dog sleep in bed with them but I put up a babygate to keep it out of our rooms. Apparantly her bedroom door wasnt latched as I thought it was though. So our total bill from the dry cleaners for that was about $40. Here is my question... would it be rude to ask her to pay it? My husband prefers that we just dont mention it at all , but I would prefer to bring it up. Should I just keep quiet about it to keep the peace?

Is Hannah Montana Growing up too Fast?

Showbiz tonight asks this question and most people (86%) say YES! But sexy sells, so Hollywood wants her to head down that destructive path ASAP. It reminds me a lot of Britney Spears, who also happened to start out sweet and innocent (in the Mickey Mouse club). It almost seems inevitable at this point, but I hope for her sake that she keeps to her roots of high morals and doesnt buy into everything these money hungry people are feeding her, but I doubt it. For the people that were hoping for a good role model for their children, she may have been close once but I think that her innocence is lost. Just watch the nature of the photos... How did she go from this...

To this?

I love easy meals!

I kind of like cooking, as long as its not too complicated or expensive. One site that I just adore is Krafts food & family - they send a free magazine each month (Last months had a coupon for a free full size bottle of their dressing!) Here is the LINK. You can sign up for their mag and see their archive of very easy recipes. Of course its meant to endorse their products, some of which I use but for things like fresh chicken I buy the cheapest rather than what they promote. Another great thing about their recipes is that they often list a way to use the leftovers from your entrees. Anyways, go see it!

Here is a menu I like taken purely from that site -


Cinnamon Spiced Coffee

Prep Time:20 min
Total Time:20 min
Makes:8 servings, about 3/4 cup each
2/3 cup ground MAXWELL HOUSE Coffee
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 qt. (6 cups) cold water
PLACE coffee in filter in brew basket of coffee maker; sprinkle with cinnamon. Place sugar in empty pot of coffee maker.
ADD water to coffee maker; brew. When brewing is complete, stir until well blended.
SERVE with milk and additional sugar, if desired.


Rice, Broccoli 'n Cheese Cups

Prep Time:5 min
Total Time:30 min
Makes:8 servings, 1/2 cup each
1 cup instant white rice, uncooked
1 cup chicken broth
1-1/2 cups frozen chopped broccoli, thawed, drained
2/3 cup KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1/4 cup KRAFT Ranch Dressing
2 eggs, lightly beaten
PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Prepare rice as directed on package, substituting chicken broth for the water. Place cooked rice in large mixing bowl; cool slightly. Stir in remaining ingredients until well blended.
SPOON mixture evenly into 8 greased muffin cups.
BAKE 25 min. or until lightly browned.


Quick & Easy Pork Chop Skillet

Prep Time:10 min
Total Time:29 min
Makes:4 servings
4 bone-in pork chops (1-1/2 lb.), 3/4 inch thick
1 tsp. oil
1 small onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp. dried rosemary leaves, crushed
1/4 cup KRAFT Light Balsamic Vinaigrette Reduced Fat Dressing, divided
1 can (15-1/4 oz.) pear halves in juice, undrained

COOK chops in oil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat 3 min. on each side or until browned on both sides. Remove chops from skillet; set aside.
ADD onions, garlic, rosemary and 2 Tbsp. of the dressing; stir. Cook 3 min., stirring occasionally. Return chops to skillet. Add pears and remaining 2 Tbsp. dressing. Reduce heat to medium; simmer 10 min. or until chops are cooked through (160ºF).
SERVE chops topped with the sauce.

Fluffy 2-Step Cheesecake Minis

Prep Time:10 min
Total Time:3 hr 10 min
Makes:1 doz. or 12 servings, one cheesecake each
12 NILLA Wafers
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
1/4 cup BAKER'S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut, toasted
PLACE 1 wafer on bottom of each of 12 paper-lined medium muffin cups; set aside. Beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with wire whisk or electric mixer until well blended. Add 2-1/4 cups of the whipped topping; mix well. Spoon evenly into muffin cups.
REFRIGERATE 3 hours or overnight. Spread tops with remaining whipped topping. Sprinkle with coconut just before serving. Store leftover cheesecakes in refrigerator.