Don't Try This At Home

WFMW: Chocolate Cherries

Today Shannon asked us to share our recipes that involve five ingredients or less. Since I figured driving to Taco Bueno for dinner probably wouldn't count as a recipe, I decided to share my recipe for chocolate cherries.

Chocolate and cherries? And it's in the crockpot? Easy and yummy. My two favorite things.

Ingredients

• 1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
• 1 (18 ounce) package chocolate cake mix
• 1/2 cup butter

Directions

1. Place pie filling in slow cooker.
2. Combine dry cake mix and butter.
3. Sprinkle over filling.
4. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours.

Now head back over to Shannon's for some additional foodie treats.

WFMW: 10 Common Grammar Mistakes (and Their Solutions!)

I love grammar. There is beauty in its order. A well-constructed sentence not only sings when it is read, but is beautiful to look at as well.

I realize not everyone feels this way; I am married to one who does not share my love of language or grammar (but he is very funny, so I keep him).

I will admit that I edit menus when I eat out. I am distracted by misspelled or misused words. I make these same mistakes myself and am mortified every time I realize what I've done. However, there are few things I never misuse and those are the items I want to write about today.

1. Cannot is one word.
2. A lot is two words.
3. Irregardless is not a word at all. The correct word is regardless.
4. The Oxford comma, contrary to what Toddled Dredge tells you, is essential.
5. Lose means to misplace something; loose means something is too big.
6. i.e., means "that is"; e.g., means "for example". They are not interchangeable. You must use a comma after both.
7. Could have and would have are correct; could of and would of are not.
8. It's is a contraction of it is or it has; its means of or belonging to (possession).
9. An ellipsis should only have three dots (...).
10. You only need one exclamation mark!

Grammar works for me.

Please be sure to visit Rocks In My Dryer for the rest of the Works-For-Me Wednesday tips!

WFMW: Keyboard Shortcuts

When you spend a lot of time on the computer like I do, you come to rely on many shortcuts to make your keystrokes as efficient as possible. Today I want to share with you some of the shortcuts I use most. Some of you may already be familiar with them, some of you may not. I hope these keyboard shortcuts help you move around your computer programs a little more efficiently. Every second you save with a keystroke can be used to find new blogs, right?

PC (You can find more Windows/PC keyboard shortcuts at http://support.microsoft.com)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Ctrl+X	Cut selection
Ctrl+V	Paste
Ctrl+C	Copy selection
Ctrl+F	Find on page
Ctrl+T	New tab in Firefox
Alt+Tab	Switch between open applications
Ctrl+O	Open a file
Ctrl+Number of Tab (For example, say you have three tabs open. You count them from the left. If you're in tab 1 and want to move to the third tab hit Ctrl+3.)	Switch between tabs in Firefox
Ctrl+Z	Undo
Ctrl+Y	Redo
Ctrl+A	Select all items in a window
Shift+Arrow key	Highlight block of text
Ctrl+W	Close tab or document
Ctrl+Q	Quit application

Mac (You can find more Mac keyboard shortcuts at http://support.apple.com)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Command+X	Cut selection
Command+V	Paste
Command+C	Copy selection
Command+F	Find on page
Command+T	New tab in Firefox
Command+Tab	Switch between open applications
Command+O	Open a file
Command+Number of Tab (For example, say you have three tabs open. You count them from the left. If you're in tab 1 and want to move to the third tab hit Command+3.)	Switch between tabs in Firefox
Command+Z	Undo
Command+Y	Redo
Command+A	Select all items in a window
Shift+Arrow key	Highlight block of text
Command+W	Close tab or document
Command+Q	Quit application
Command+Shift+3	Take a picture of the screen
Command+Shift+4	Take a picture of the selection
Command+Shift+4, then press Control while selecting	Take a picture of the screen, place in Clipboard
Command+Shift+4, then Spacebar	Take a picture of the selected window
Option+Command+Esc	Force Quit
Control+Eject	Restart, Sleep, Shutdown dialog box
Control+Command+Eject	Quit all applications and restart
Option+Command+Eject or             Option+Command+Power	Sleep

This post is cross-posted at Blogging Basics 101.

Head back to Works-for-Me Wednesday at Shannon's to see what's working for everyone else this week.

WFMW: Canvas Art

My WFMW today is pretty simple, but it brings hours of joy to my children.

Did you catch that? I said hours. As in completely immersed in their own creativity and basically quiet.

In fact, when I bring out the canvas art, my children have been known to become excited, yet calm. They encourage each other and praise each other's efforts. They are proud of their own accomplishments. In short, canvas art is the great equalizer and mother's best friend.

See the concentration?

I'll admit this is a project for older children. You won't want to let your toddler loose with paints and no supervision. My kids are 10 and 8, though, so I can put them in the garage with the door open and let them go to town while I blog surf do laundry and clean.

So what exactly is it? Oh, you'll laugh when I tell you. It's that easy.

Go to Michael's (or any craft store) and buy the cheapest canvas you can find. I've found that Michael's has sets of two canvases for $5. Wal-Mart may be cheaper (if you ask Shannon), but I haven't checked. And don't forget that Hobby Lobby usually has a sale on canvases so check their fliers.

As for paint, anything you have will work. We have used left over wall paint and acrylic paint. The kids love to feel like they are using "real" paint instead of their school-like water colors.

I set up two card tables in the garage and cover them with plastic sheets (you can use a shower curtain from the Dollar Store) or cardboard. The garage is cool enough for them and keeps the wind out. The garage is also a good place for paint spills as opposed to my kitchen or dining room.

I give them the paints and brushes we've accumulated and tell them to be as creative as they like.

We've done this three times so far and each time my children are beaming with pride for themselves and each other. And I have cheap art that's completely awesome--to me, anyway.

There is something about having a canvas that makes this project special. The canvas makes it professional for my kids. And the confidence and creativity it inspires works for me.

If you liked this idea, won't you kirtsy this post? Just click on the kirtsy this link below. Thanks!

Head back to Works-for-Me Wednesday at Shannon's to see what's working for everyone else this week.

WFMW: Etsy Pounce

I love me some Etsy. I could browse for hours and drool over all the cute crafty things people make and sell. Then I become overwhelmed and walk away with a glazed look.

So! Much! Cuteness!

Can't! Concentrate! or Make! Decision!

That is, until I discovered Etsy Pounce. Pounce is a feature that shows you what has just sold or who is waiting for their first purchase. You can see what others have bought and see what that same shop offers.

I have found it's less overwhelming to shop Etsy this way. I also have found some interesting things I may not have discovered otherwise.

Etsy Pounce. That's what's working for me this week.

You know the drill. Head back to Shannon's dryer for more WFMW!

WFMW: The Best Of Edition--Jon Udell's Library Lookup

Here's the scenario:

You have two browser windows open. One for Amazon so you can browse through books and find a few you'd like to read. The second window is for your local library so you can then look up and reserve the book you found on Amazon.

Well, do I have a new trick for you! It's called Jon Udell's Library Lookup. You are going to make me your hero and favorite friend after you start using this. You are going to wonder how you ever existed without it.

Here's how it works for Firefox (and you most definitely should be using Firefox as your browser!):

1. Go to the Jon Udell's Library Lookup site.
2. Scroll down to your state and find the library you want.
3. Simply click and hold on the link and drag it onto your browser toolbar.
4. Go to Amazon.com and look up a book (like this one).
5. Click on the Library Lookup button you just put on your toolbar. A new window will open.
6. Click over to the new window and see with amazement that you have just looked up the book at your local library and now all you have to do is reserve it.
7. E-mail Chilihead to tell her she is your favorite and you will tell the masses of her fabulousness. Name your first-born after her regardless of gender. Buy Groucho glasses in bulk and hand them out at your local library.

Here's how it works for Internet Explorer (which you really need to ditch and just start using Firefox):

1. Go to the Jon Udell's Library Lookup site.
2. Scroll down to your state and find the library you want.
3. Right click on your library's link.
4. Choose "Add to Favorites".
5. Choose the "Links" folder.
6. Go to Amazon.com and look up a book (like this one).
7. Click on the Library Lookup button you just put on your toolbar. A new window will open.
8. Click over to the new window and see with amazement that you have just looked up the book at your local library and now all you have to do is reserve it.
9. E-mail Chilihead to tell her she is your favorite and you will tell the masses of her fabulousness. Name your first-born after her regardless of gender. Buy Groucho glasses in bulk and hand them out at your local library.

To view more hints and tips, visit Rocks In My Dryer the original Works-for-Me-Wednesday tipster!

WFMW: Clipping Coupons & Not Using Them

That's what I said. Clip those coupons, but don't use them. At least don't use them right away.

I'm really not much of a coupon clipper, but I know many of you are. I found this tip at Boing Boing which pointed me to The Simple Dollar and, in case this will help you, I wanted to write about it.

The gist is that you clip the coupons, then hold on to them for about four weeks. At the end of four weeks you take the coupons to the store and you will probably notice the items with coupons are also on sale. Sweet.

The reason is that coupons are usually the first wave of promoting the sale of an item. As the weeks go by, other waves of promotion start. By the fourth week, the item is on sale in the store and, combined with your non-expired coupon, that means big savings for you.

Don't Forget That WFMW Will Be HERE This Week!

Shannon mentioned in passing last week that, since she's going to be out of the country, I'll be hosting and managing Works-for-Me Wednesday over here this week. I'm so freaking excited I can hardly stand it. I can't wait to host this carnival and read your helpful ideas!

I'll post the Mr. Linky just like Shannon does.

I'll delete your link if it doesn't follow the guidelines just like Shannon does.

I'm even posting a link to the WFMW Guidelines like Shannon does.

The only difference is that you need to come back HERE to post your WFMW links tomorrow. See you then!

WFMW: Favorite Online Shopping Source

Oh we're talking shopping today? Sign me up. I'm all about the shopping--especially if it's online. I am an online shopping junkie. That doesn't mean I always buy stuff online, but I luh-huv to shop online. Here are my favorite spots.

• Lands' End Overstocks. Land's End has quality clothes that last. Their clothes can make it through season after season and look brand new. The Overstocks section lists clothing and accessories on sale and the best part is that whatever is listed is usually not out of season. Also, Overstocks offers a link that's updated every Saturday called On The Counter. This is a list of limited-quantity items that are up for grabs at rock-bottom prices. Sizes are limited, but if you're fast you can get some great bargains. The prices on these items drop each day until the next update on Saturday (or until they're gone!).
• DealCatcher.com. Want to know what's on sale w
• here? This is your place. I've found exciting deals here. I bought a cocktail dress that had been $150 for $30 because this site had a coupon code! Sweet.
• eBay Auctions Misspelled Search. You would not believe how many eBay auctions misspell something in their title (e.g., Anne Taylor instead of Ann Taylor). These items get buried and aren't usually bid on as much. This search engine will help you find misspelled auctions and possibly get an even better bargain!
• Reprodepot.com. This is where I go to drool over fabric. I've never bought anything from here, but I wish I could. Right now I have too much fabric as it is and not enough time to sew.
• Shop Goodwill. Ha! Shop Goodwill from my computer for vintage clothing? Yes. Count me in. Again, I've not bought anything from this site, but I would. You can find everything from antiques to musical instruments on this site.

WFMW: Quick, Cheap Craft Cloths

The Dollar Store is a great place to pick up shower curtain liners and plastic/nylon tablecloths. I use these as picnic blankets (in the spring, the summer is too hot and we'd stick to them!), inside picnic blankets (year-round), and craft cloths (under all our painting mess). They're cheap enough that you can toss 'em when you're done and you don't have to worry about the mess you make.

It's short. It's simple. That's what works for me.

Shannon's rockin' it hard over at Works-for-Me Wednesday. Check it out.