1. A laptop.

2. Lovely perfume

3. Sung perfume

4. $$

5. gloves

6. picture frame

7. coach keychain

8. a recycled etched glass block from emelia’s room (she wrapped and gave to me after giving my MOM the school mom gift!

9. a candle and candle holder from melody

10. a sweater and vest

11. smoked salmon (from matt’s cousin hyla and her friend pj who live in washington state)

12. a christmas jingly bracelet

13. a cookbook!

None of these presents were more fun that watching the kids open their gifts! It is more fun to give than receive!!

I would love to visit Ireland! Since reading the book “Angela’s Ashes,” I have wanted to visit. I am also part Irish so it would be a very interesting place to go. Matt’s sister Jane Ann recently visited Ireland and brought me a crystal cross back as a souvenir.

The Ring of Kerry is without doubt Ireland’s most popular scenic drive. I know this site is mostly about walking, so there are I can tell you many great walks off the Ring of Kerry, often along the Atlantic coast.

It is possible to use any of the towns along the Ring as starting point as it is a circular route. From Killarney take the N70 to Killorglin along the side of the River Laune. Killorglin is known worldwide for its annual horse and cattle fair, the “puck Fair”. Continue on to the picturesque village of Glenbeigh a popular holiday destination for families due to the Blue Flag beach, which is located just beyond the village at Rossbeigh.

The cliff section of the road between Glenbeigh and Cahersiveen offers spectacular costal views. Visit the Barracks Heritage Centre, which is superbly located in the former Royal Irish Constabulary barracks.

Continue to Waterville, a picturesque village frequented by many famous visitors. The next point of interest is at the Coomakesta Pass, where you can take in the views over the Kenmare River, Scarrif and Deenish Islands.

Visit Derrynane House, the home of Daniel O’Connell, which is just before the village of Catherdaniel. The house is part of the extensive Derrynane National Park, a paradise for botanists and ornithologists, which includes a nature trail and one of Ireland’s most outstanding beaches. Another must see is a visit to the Staigue Fort, which is one of the largest and finest examples of a circular stone fort in Ireland.

From the Staigue Fort, visit the picturesque village of Sneem. Continue east to the Heritage Town of Kenmare. Visit the Heritage centre, which outlines the history of the town and its famous visitors. From Kenmare, travel north to Killarney via Moll’s Gap and Ladies View, with breathtaking views of the spectacular Lakes of Killarney. Returning to Killarney stop at the spectacular 60ft Torc Waterfall.

1 store-bought roasted chicken
1 cup diced onions
1 cup diced celery
1 cup diced carrot
4 (14-ounce) cans low-sodium chicken broth
2 (10.75-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup with roasted garlic
2 teaspoon fines herbs*
Salt and pepper
2 cups egg noodles, cookedRemove the skin from the chicken and shred the meat from the bone. Put the chicken into a slow cooker along with the onions, celery, and carrots. Stir in broth, mushroom soup, and fines herbs and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on high setting for 3 to 4 hours or low for 8 to 9 hours.

When soup is finished, stir in egg noodles. Adjust seasonings and serve.

Visit Sandra to see more slow cooker recipes!

Do you have bed bugs? I remember an episode of Oprah where they magnified a woman’s mattress revealing millions of bed bugs! I had trouble sleeping for a while after seeing that and began vacuuming my mattress. Have you considered steam cleaning bed bugs?

Unlike vacuuming, steam cleaning is generally very effective at killing any bed bugs or eggs that come into contact with it. Extreme heat will kill them quickly (anything over 120 degrees Fahrenheit or so), and most steamers will exceed this temperature. You will probably need to get a commercial steamer, because you will need to run it for awhile and cover most areas in your bedroom. You will want to make sure you cover all the areas they could be hiding, even inaccessible ones. If you hire a pest control company, sometimes they will use steam cleaners in addition to applying pesticides. You should also strongly consider going with what is called “dry steam” - low moisture steamers, which have a lot less risk of mold (a big potential problem given that you will be using it around your bed).

My plans for today are to go shopping for a calendar for my kitchen! I have a wooden holder purchased at a craft show many years ago and I love choosing a new calendar for it! I have found that the mall has a great calendar store and discounts the calendars by half on the day after Christmas!

How many ink jet cartridges do you go through in a year? You don’t think about it until you go out to purchase a new one. They can really be expensive, especially the color ones. I remember right after we purchased our current printer Bailey was printing a lot of color full pages and I didn’t even think about it…. until the color ran out and I was off to the office store to replace it. I came home with a one page a day rule!

For instance, you may need to replace your Hewlett Packard laser toner, you can visit this site to find cheaper prices on replacements for many brand name printers.

Visit Carrot Ink at CarrotInk.com for premiere savings on high quality inkjet and toner cartridges, both compatible and remanufactured. Pay up to 70% less than what the manufacturer charges! CarrotInk supplies inkjet cartridges, thermal fax film, laser toner, and printer and photo paper. They offer same-day shipping and personal online and telephone service as well as a satisfaction guarantee when you buy from them. Find ink for virtually any name brand printer, including Brother, Canon, Xerox, HP, Dell, Apple, and Lexmark. Carrot Ink Coupons

Good luck with your ink :o)!

I’m so thankful this thursday that we are all healthy, happy, blessed and highly favored by God. God has so richly blessed and cared for us. I see His hand in all areas of my life and I am amazed at His works.

I’m also thankful that I finished updating izzy’s blog template. It’s not perfect, but neither am I or my skills so I’m thankful to have it done (sort of :o).

I’m thankful for my bloggy friends!

I’m thankful for the opportunities to make cash while blogging and snuggling little izzy. It is yet another blessing.

Are you interested in playing Casino Games Online? I am not really a gambling person. I don’t gamble. I’ve mentioned before that my brother does enjoy playing casino games online as well as going to the casino that is close to his office. He usually eats lunch there with his co-workers and then plays a little. My parents raised me to believe it is not scriptural to gamble. I mostly feel that I would rather do something with my money rather than toss it away… But, I feel like it is a choice each person has to make for themselves without being judgmental.

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