The Sewing Mom

One of the things that the internet has done for me is that it has made shopping for hard to find items so much easier. Just a few weeks ago I had to buy a new automatic pool sweep for our swimming pool. No pool stores around us carried what we needed and wanted to charge an arm and a leg for a substitute replacement. I was able to find the exact model of what we needed by using the internet to find a pool supply store in California. It can be a bit scary though to give out credit card information for payment to companies that you don’t really know or aren’t familiar with. I try to check them out thoroughly before making any purchase.

As a precaution, I am also pretty good about checking credit card statements every month to verify purchases. That would be why when I got the $15 charge from Russia on one of my credit cards I was able to immediately contact the credit card company and close down the account. I was also not held responsible for that charge. While it was only $15, the cc company informed me that credit card or identity theft usually begins with small amounts and works its way up. From that day forward I’ve had fraud protection on my credit cards.

I’ve recently learned of a new service, Shop Shield®, that provides identity theft protection when you shop online. Considering how much shopping I do online, I think this is definitely worth taking a look at. This is a free service too and it provides protection for:

* Credit Card Numbers
* Bank Accounts
* Billing Address
* Email Address
* Login Information

Their service, besides being free, is 100% guaranteed. All of a consumer’s personal data is encrypted and stored in independent data bases. On top of all of that, they even provide free victim resolution services and will reimburse up to $10,000 above what your credit card company or bank will provide. I think the sense of security you can get from knowing there is someone watching out for you and there to help when you need it is worth the effort of signing up.

To Learn More Visit Shop Shield®

I am quite honored to have received the Arte y Pico Award from Carol who’s Down Syndrome blog is dedicated to her daughter Shannon. She blogs about what it’s like to be the mom of a Down Syndrome.The Arte y Pico Award was created to be given to bloggers who inspire others with their creative energy and talent whether it’s writing or artwork in all types of media (including sewing). When you receive this award it is considered a “special honor”. Once you have received this award, you are to pass it on to at least 5 others.
Please read more info on this wonderful award , visit: Arte y Pico.

I am honored that Carol has chosen me as a recipient of this award and enjoys the fabric purses I post about. Thank you Carol!

I am also going to choose 5 bloggers to pass this award on to and this is no easy choice because I am inspired by so many for so many different reasons.

First, I choose Winding Threads one of my favorite quilters and fellow fabric bag maker. She just got a brand new sewing machine too that I’m sure any sewer would like to have. Be sure to check it out.
Next I have to choose Kater-Bug Cakes. Robyn has created some of the most beautiful and some of the most fun cakes for special occasions I’ve ever seen. Her cakes are truly inspiring and a must see by an aspiring baker.
I also want to award an inspiring knitter at Cass Knits who is also responsible for the Online Craft Club, inspiring for any crafty blogger.
For photography, I pass this award on to Robin at Robin’s Woods who posts some of the most beautiful photographs that she takes in the Pacific Northwest.
And finally, I award this to someone who inspires me not only as a mom, but as a fellow blogger, Elizabeth at Table For Five inspires me with her knowledge of blogging and the fact that she’ll go out of her way to help others.

I want to say that it was not easy to narrow down my choices because I have so many crafty friends who create beautiful things and so many fellow bloggers who have stepped up to help those of us who don’t know so much. If I’ve not passed this award on to you, I apologize, I could only pick 5 and it was the hardest thing I’ve done. Know that in my heart, you are all deserving of this award!

We just got home from spending time at the outlet mall.  We only went in a few stores, but they were exactly where I wanted to go.

You see, I just had to go shopping for our grand baby!  I love buying baby clothes, and it’s even more fun when she’s here visiting.  We went in the Carter’s store and OshKosh.  I lost track of what all we bought, but I have to say, it was so much fun!  We bought pajamas, onesies, coordinated outfits, and even a cute little pair of sun glasses.  We also went into the Converse store and got her another pair of sneakers that are no bigger than my hand.  This is one well outfitted little girl!

Having my step-daughter here brings back so many memories. When she was just a kid she would come out to visit with us a couple of times a year and we’ve been sitting around the last couple of days looking at old pictures and reminiscing. All of the memories are great, except for one, that is the memory of the car accident.

One summer we had her out along with my niece who is close to the same age. We were having tons of fun and decided to go meet my mom for lunch. I had both girls in the back seat of the car and thankfully both were wearing their seatbelts and so was I. Everything was going according to plan and we were almost to our destination when a semi-truck turned in front of us at an intersection. I hit the brakes and did the best I could, but, through no fault of my own, we wound up going underneath the truck and the front end of my car hit his gas tank. It was so scary.

Amazingly, we all walked away from the car accident. The bad news? The car was totaled. The auto body shop said that there was no way to fix all the damage, plus, the engine had taken the brunt of the force and would probably never run correctly again. We did receive our insurance payment, but I wish I had also known how to get compensation for the diminished value of my car. I have always just been thankful that neither of the girls who were with me were hurt. It was a horrible experience, one I never want to have repeated.

Have you ever been in an auto accident that wasn’t your fault? Did you know that you can get a FREE diminished value estimate to help you get the money you’re owed?

I have to say it, thank goodness it’s Friday! It has been incredibly busy around our house the last couple of weeks, not to mention hot, so I’m ready for a day with no plans and some time to relax. To kick it off, I’m very happy to do Four Foods on Friday, my favorite meme. If you’d like to join in, please visit Fun, Crafts and Recipes for all of the instructions and to leave Valmg a comment.

This week is a little different, instead of questions, it’s posting recipes or menu ideas for the following items:

A – asparagus, applesauce

B – balsamic vinegar, bread

C – chicken, cinnamon

D – dressing, dumpling

Asparagus is very simple, I love it plain and simply steamed with butter and a touch of seasoning on it. As for applesauce, I’ve never made this before, but I love applesauce cake for dessert. It’s also quite tasty for breakfast!

The only thing that comes to mind for balsamic vinegar is salad dressing, sorry, not too creative. As for bread? I haven’t used my breadmaker in a number of years, but one of my favorites was a recipe that called for half wheat flour and half white flour. It made it not so dry and a bit healthier than all white bread.

I think I’ve all ready shared most of my chicken recipes, so I love cinnamon and right now, with it being so early, I’m thinking cinnamon toast. Toast your bread, smear with butter, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.

I love mixing dressing with chicken and baking it like a casserole. Use chicken broth to add moisture before baking. I’m not originally from the south and am no expert on dumplings. The only ones I know how to make are from Bisquick and are dropped in for the last two minutes of cooking a chicken stew.

Now that my brain is on the food track, I think I’ll go make myself some cinnamon toast!