five Below is pretty hot!

 Often, when I find something new or that I deem worthy of sharing, I can't wait to share it with others!

I recently noticed that a new store had opened up nearby which I hadn't heard of before. The local Jo-Ann store had down sized a short while back(much to my dismay), and what was once their large store, was now two separate stores.  I had mentioned to my daughter my disappointment of their downsizing and that I had noticed the new place was called five Below.  She raved about five Below and how it was a type of dollar store, except everything is five dollars and under, or five below!  "Oh, five below, I get it now!" I said.  Funny, I was thinking it was winter gear as in five below zero or something?  I had envisioned ski gear, winter sports equipment and such, along with hats, scarfs and boots.(Uh, I think the winter has gotten to me, it's been too cold, what can I say ?)

Well, I knew I had to go check it out for myself, and in doing so quickly found that I liked it!  At five Below everything in fact is from $1 to $5 dollars!  There are many great items to be had there, personal items, bath & body, makeup, and hair accessories.  Sports goods, team gear, toys & games.  Party goods, candy and snacks.  Room decor, organization supplies, office and school supplies.  Media items-cell phone cases, headphones & speakers, video games and DVDs, and so much more.

I noticed that five Below also sold gift cards for $5 and $10 or you can choose your own amount.  They even have some craft supplies! This proved handy for me because I had planned to start on shopping for my Easter basket goodies for the grands, and found some great stuff there for those.  Quite pleased with that for sure, and since much of the items were better than what you might find at the dollar store.  This is one of those 'change is good' moments for me...I was disappointed by loosing part of a favorite store, but now I've gained something to like and enjoy!  Check them out at fivebelow.com, you may find one near you, and that you like it too!

A few items from my visit to five Below:

I thought this cute little computer lamp would be great for those late night blogging sessions.  It attaches via a USB port, and you can twist it to any position.  Also I really like the color! Cost: $5

When I saw this dish drying mat I got the idea that it might be great to use for stepping onto, out of the shower.  It measures 19" x 16" and I sure do like the color of it too! Cost $3

The many cell phone accessories were a pleasant unexpected find, like this case! Cost: $5

I think the Grands will enjoy these cute Barbie and Disney Princesses kites! Cost: $2 each

These bamboo baskets will be perfect to fill with goodies to make 

fun Easter Baskets too! Cost: $1 each

And a few sweet treats to add to those baskets. Cost: $3 

I'm sure I'll be wanting another visit to five Below before very long!...
~ Tammy ~

Eyesight - I See!

~ A new vision for me~

I've been experiencing what I call, that over-the-hill loss of near vision, for some time now.  I've learned the term for this is Presbyopia - a vision disorder that develops as we age, decreasing our ability to focus on near objects and small print.  Actually I believe it started for me around forty five-ish, (no wait, I'm only 39...*wink*) when I started feeling like I needed longer arms so I could read what I held out that far, at arms length.  

Keurig - A Coffee Lover's Dream Machine

Keurig, The new way to enjoy coffee!

~I love my Keurig!  I had been noticing these types of coffee makers out on the market, but was apprehensive to change.  I fought the conversion for some time.  My reasons being the little individual packages of different coffee types that are required, and flavored coffee is not really my thing either, and I was pretty set in my love of the coffee I was drinking, the way I made it, and with what I used to make it!  I figured why change?  You know the old saying "If it ain't broke don't fix it"!

I was looking at one type of machine one day and discovered that I could purchase and use a reusable filter and eliminate the other method of using the little disposable cups, aka K-Cups, also I could use what ever type of coffee I choose.  Hmm OK, so now I was really taking notice and considering this.  Consideration over!  I did it, I bought a Keurig coffee maker made by MrCoffee and the extra filter attachment.  I figured the husband would be a harder sell than I was, but was quite surprised that he liked it too.  "Even better", I thought.  We used it a short while and it seemed a bit messy with some water overflow out of the back.  Possibly even from over fill on our parts.  We had to add water before each cup, because it had a small reservoir which only held enough water for one cup of coffee at a time.

In the meantime my daughter told me her husband bought them the "MacDaddy of Keurig machines" (as she called it) and they liked everything about it, and said it had a huge water reservoir.  They had purchased it at Costco and it came with several varieties of coffee also.  Lucky for me she was coming to visit and she actually brought it with her so I could check this one out while she was visiting us.  We too liked everything about this Keurig and decided this was indeed the way to go also, so I returned the MrCoffee Keurig, and then Hubby and I went to Costco to get our new Keurig.  We purchased the Keurig Brewer made by Keurig.  Did I say already that "I Love it"?!  I really do!  It's just so simple and easy, and very quick!  A worthwhile expense!  It's a great cup of Coffee!  There are several varieties of K-Cup Coffee, Tea, and also Hot Chocolate and Cider to use with the Keurig brewer.  You can adjust the size of cup to make, which adjusts the strength.  Some K-Cups are made for brew-over-ice to make iced coffee and iced tea.  I do enjoy these also for a fresh brewed glass of iced tea.  No need to make a whole pitcher.

I later found (via amazon) another type of reusable K-Cup filter that requires paper filters, the Perfect Pod EZ - cup and Filters. Awesome!  Love it too!  Less package throw away and a bit more cost effective also.  We enjoy the convenience and the gratification of a quick cup of fresh coffee now.  One of the best parts is that it is, one fresh cup at a time!  Not a whole pot sitting and getting stronger or having a burnt taste like the way we used to make coffee with my drip coffee maker!  Sometimes, change is good! :o)

<~~ I look forward to these words in the morning!

Actually, this word is really even better!  ~~>

Oh Yeah!  

That's what I'm talking about! 

This is my morning happiness in a cup! :o)

We tried different types of coffee that came with our Keurig, and we both found a favorite.  He (Hubby) likes the Newman's Own Special Blend and I love, love the Tully's Italian Roast.

His  and  Hers

The K-Cups in many varieties can be found at most stores now and I also sometimes order from Keurig online, if you sign up with them you get a discount on the price per box and can also get free shipping on larger orders.  

These are the reuse filters. 

The gray type has a reusable filter basket. 

The Perfect Pod EZ-Cup requires paper filters.

The gray filter can usually be found near the Keurig machines.  

I found the Perfect Pod EZ-Cup and Perfect Pod EZ-Cup Filters online and purchased them through amazon.

I also found info for another type of reusable filter, use this link:

ekobrew-reusable-filter-keurig-single-brewers-

For now this is my desired method of making, and enjoying my coffee.
I hope to continue to be pleased with it!

I do recommend the Keurig machine to all other coffee drinkers and lovers of coffee, and hope this info may help you if you are considering making the change to this type of coffee maker.

Happy sipping to you, from this coffee lover!...

~Tammy~

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Labels: Coffee Coffee Coffee , FYI , Gadgets and Gizmos

Pinterest - To pin or Not to pin?

Pinterest - For those who do not know what it is...

It's a fun and interesting way to save links to items, recipes and ideas found on the internet.  On your Pinterest account you create boards, which are categories, and you pin links to these.  Links of interest to you that you pin.  Pinterest!  As I said, you pin these links to your pinterest spot on your wall boards, this is called pinning.  It's another type of social media as well and you can share your pins with others and vice versa.  Some people really like using it, and some say they spend too much time there.  It can be addictive!  I do enjoy using it also, although I find that all the food I see there always makes me hungry!  

Recently I have been seeing posts and info stating that some people were deleting all their pins, and or their pinterst account due to legal reasons, and or copyright laws.  There were pins showing up notifying people to look more closely at the photos they pin. That pinning them could be illegal, because someone owns that photo, and there might be a copyright on it. It seems that some people just re-pin something from someone else and it may just be a photo someone copied from somewhere, and there is no link to it other than to the person who pinned it.  Pinterst is supposed to be a link to something, as in a website for a business, or a product, recipes, or a blog, etc. 

You can usually find the original source for most photos by doing a search. So this is where I suppose the legal issues come from.  I recommend that you check to see if there is a link to the pin, that it is legit, is from the original source, or pin from sites that have a 'pin it' link on them.  I am not a lawyer nor do I claim to be!  But, I did do a little research on this matter and I found some info that is informative and helpful to make up my mind on this subject, and what actions to consider.  There are a couple links below.  I hope this helps you too!  Pay attention and be aware, and be careful out there!

a-word-of-caution-for-pinterest-users

the-great-pinterest-divide-to-opt-out-or-not

Very Pinteresting...

~Tammy~

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Nutella - getting a bad rap?

My Nutella is getting a bad rap! :(

This is a bit ridiculous to me!  Ok, well maybe it's not really a health food per se.  People really do need to take responsibility for their choices, though.  Suing the company for claiming that Nutella is healthy?!  Really?!  I know there are many other foods falsely advertised as healthy?  It's not hard to read a label and see what is in a product!  Moderation, moderation, moderation!  Come on people!

I'll admit, I love this stuff, Nutella that is, and I know it has a lot of sugar in it, and per serving that it has 200 calories for two tablespoons!  In fact, I have recently lost fifteen pounds, and on many days for breakfast I'll have a whole wheat bagel thin with a heaping tsp. of Nutella on each half, along with a glass of skim milk! ...Or a snack of a Banana with Nutella on it! 

I shall happily Nutella on!.... :D

(This reminds me of the person suing over spilled hot coffee, ahem... it's coffee, I'm sorry the person was burned by the coffee, but it's supposed to be hot unless you ordered it iced, ya know?!!) 

The real problem, or shall I say crime, is people getting away with these silly lawsuits!

Nutella-fined-3-million-dollars-for-misleading-about-health

Continuing my love for Nutella!...

~Tammy~