Oatmeal is good for cholesterol.

Just wanted to share a recipe for baked oatmeal from Cooking Light Magazine 2003.
Let me start by saying I hate oatmeal. I knew it was good for me but I just couldn't swallow it. I hated the texture. I decided to try this recipe and now am in love with it. I have it every morning for breakfast. I have it for afternoon snack sometimes also. It is like having dessert but it is healthy. Try it once and let me know if you agree.
My husband makes me a batch Monday morning and it lasts me through Friday.

Yield

5 servings (serving size: 2/3 cup)

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked quick-cooking oats
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups fat-free milk
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 large egg, beaten
• Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°.

Combine the first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl. Combine the milk, applesauce, butter, and egg. Add milk mixture to oat mixture; stir well. Pour oat mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Is it the economy stupid?

In order to move some inventory from my Etsy.com shop I decided to have a one day 50% off sale. Half price! But not one sale came of it. I know the prices are not to high and my items have several hearts, so do I chalk it up to the bad economy, columbus day weekend or poor advertising?
Once if figure it out, I will let you know.

My Handmade pillows with Crate and Barrel and Brookstone, who knew?

My handmade pillows with Crate and Barrel and Brookstone - Who knew?
Category: Fashion, Style, Shopping


I was alerted to my handmade pillows being featured on:
http://www.greenyourdecor.com/2008/10/09/green-rooms-in-a-box-series-colorful-patio-under-2000/


Imagine my surprise when the other items in the article are from major retailers like Crate and Barrel and Brookstone!

Linda
http://mustlovehomedecor. etsy. com

The squeaky wheel gets the oil!

Last year, 2007, I decided to go for the Comcast Cable bundle package of internet, phone, and cable. The price was slightly higher than what I was paying with other providers but then I saw a chance for a $250 rebate if we went through buycomcast.com. So I though that would cover the increase for getting digital tv and a dvr.

I sent in the multitudes of originals and copies needed to comply with the rebate.

I called the company in June and was told my name was not on the "list" but that the rep. would add my name. Ok, one mistake, no big deal. I call back in July, well I am on the list but my name has not reached the top yet. I call back in August, oh it will probably be two more weeks. OK I am a patient person but I could see this was going nowhere. I started doing searches on the net and found many unhappy customers of this website. The website now actually points one to a real estate company.

So I decided to email my attorney general with a cc to my public utility control. Well the next day didn't I just get the sweetest call from my local cable provider apologizing profusely and telling me they would never use that website service again. They promised the credit would show up on my next bill. My public utility control rep. called to let me know when the credit arrives. If it is not on my next bill she will take it from here!

I love Connecticut. Thank you public servants.

Body Art

Isn't this amazing body art? See the giraffe


I just love this site!

Front page Exposure

My valance made it to the front page of etsy.com.
Oh happy day!!!

Roses are Red

As part of the etsybloggers we were asked to share our favorite colors and how we use them in our work.
My favorite color is red. The shade of red depends on; how it is being used. For clothing, I favor the more bluish reds but for home decor in my own home I prefer the orange reds. I find the color warm and soothing.
By visiting my ship at craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com you will find lots of red items.
When I walk into a fabric shop, I am drawn to red fabric like a moth to light. With my love of red you may think I am a bit showy and outrageous but I am actually quiet and introspective. It must be a wild side trying to show itself. :)

Need a Good Read? Cheap?

I am emptying book shelves and closets so I have listed many great books for adults and children. I would love to see these books go to good homes. If your kids are bored, get them some pokemon books or books on tape.

http://shops.half.ebay.com/craftlinda_W0QQmZbooks

underwhelmed by sales

Online selling, much like brick and mortar selling, has come to a screaming halt. I guess it is the lack of gift giving events in the summer. Because of this I propose August 1 to be give one person a gift day (preferably one from etsy.com). We craftspeople cannot spend our summers only to prepare for the Christmas season. I do not want to handle Christmas fabric in July. Give us a break.

There are fewer birthdays, graduations, weddings etc. in the heat of the summer. We need one gift giving holiday to get us through until Christmas.

I am looking for names for this new special day. Please comment with a good name for this new international holiday. :)

P.S.
Whichever Presidential Candidate supports this plan, Obama or McCain, gets my vote.

Http://craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com
http://mustlovehomedecor.com

Indoor Outdoor throw blanket - striped with bold colors

Indoor Outdoor throw blanket - striped with bold colors
Originally uploaded by crafts from the heart at etsy.com

It is just too hot too soon! Electricity is expensive to run air conditioners, gas is too expensive to drive to the movies where it is cool, the pool is not clear yet. What is a crafter to do. I go into my second floor craftroom to add a secret pocket to this beach blanket.

Why do I torture myself this way? Who knows? Maybe if I sell a few items soon, I can afford an air conditioner for my craft room and the electricity to run it. :)

The summer slowdown has begun in online selling. People don't spend much time in front of the computer as they do other times of the year. I am trying to take it in stride but do you think my bill issuers will take it in stride also? I think not.

Off to get more iced tea.
Linda

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Classy American Idol, David Cook.

Congratulations David Cook! You are one classy guy. I love the way you shared the stage with all the others. I love the way your family was there for you. I wish you tons of success and happiness.

Lost billy joel tickets!!!

If you were 6 very expensive Billy Joel Tickets that have been misplaced one week before the show, where would you be? I have looked everywhere, prayed to St. Anthony and even recruited my teenager (why bother?) I have a feeling they are either somewhere very safe or in the garbage.
So if you were my tickets, where would you be?
Desperate,
craftsfromtheheart.etsy.com

Mother's Day

The day is fast approaching. The day we honor our moms. I know it sometimes seems ridiculous to just pick one day to honor mom for all they do all year, but you know if you don't it spells trouble.
I have a few gift ideas from my etsy shop. They are all reasonably priced and can be delivered to you by Mother's Day.

Cow Pillow Farm Scene Bolster Cushion with solid black back

Come check out all the new items in my etsy.com shop. I have great items for sprucing up your home, children's clothing, men's clothing and lots more fun stuff.

Busy Busy Busy

I had this week off from work and I have been busy sewing and creating. The weather has been beautiful in Connecticut so I feel kind of guilty being inside all day but I am addicted to getting these items out for sale. I don't have the storage space and the money wouldn't hurt :)

I have mostly been working on adding pillows but I also have some men's extra large shirts including a redneck shirt for dad on father's day.


Pretty pillows

Baby Blanket

Are you having a baby? Someone you know having a baby? Know someone who needs a new blankie? Visit my etsy.com shop to find some really cute, soft blankets and burp cloths.

my shop

Animal Print with Red Fringe Skirt for Girls

I just finished this great one of a kind skirt for a little girl. I think it is just precious. It has an animal print with a flirty little red fringe.
I love sewing items for girls because I have two grown boys and never had that chance to buy the pretty fabric and notions that girls adore.
I hope you take a look in my shop. If you would like me to make something for your little princess just let me know.

Window treatments

I have just added some great new valances to my etsy shop. I would love to make some in your color palette. Just visit my shop and click contact under my username and we can discuss details.
Linda

Oprah's Big Give

Do we really need another reality series which pits people against each other? Even though worthy people received lots of money, I found myself being embarrassed for them. The "players" became beggars for these people. Would it not be nicer to do this off air and just help these people some how? Does Oprah really need the income from this show to survive or is it an addition to an ego trip?
She and her fellow judges were on The Oprah Show and were gushing how inspiring this show was and it would help others realize how much we can all do to change lives. Well Oprah and fellow millionaires, believe it or not most of us do contribute to charities and volunteer in our communities. In fact, poor people are much more likely to give than are wealthy people. We do not need this type of exploitment to change the world.
I hope this show does not survive long.