Becoming Cool

I am feeling a bit like Barbara Mandrel these days. Do you remember her song I was country when country wasn't cool? I discovered that the new trend in decorating is called granny chic. You know it is in when it makes the morning news shows. I have lived and loved granny chic way before it was chic or I was a granny. That is just the cozy type of person I am.

Kind of reminds me of a day in a craft store years ago getting a pair of knitting needles. The young clerk taking my money said, "I think it is so cute that people still knit." I imagine her a few years later in a knitting group of young women because knitting became cool again.

All I have to say now is long live crocheted afghans and potholders. The frugality and simple pleasure of creating your environment with your own hands should never go out of style.

Real Estate Stimulus

Did you know that if you are considering buying your first home or moving up to a new home there is a tax credit waiting for you? Unfortunately we don't fit the requirements in our anticipated purchase but maybe you do.

To receive the up to an $8000 tax credit you need to be a new home buyer or not owned a home for 3 years. If you currently own or are buying your home you are not left out of this opportunity if you have lived in your primary residence for the last five years. If this fits your situation you may qualify for a credit of up to $6500.

The income requirements in either case are $125000 per year for individuals or for couples a yearly income of not more than $225000.

This is the time to check with a real estate of financial professional for all the details. Your purchase of a new home in either case, as a first time buyer or a move up buyer, must be under contract by April 30, 2010 and you need to close before June 30, 2010.

To learn more about the Real Estate Stimulus package from the government and if and how you could benefit the video below is a good place to start.

Happy house hunting!

I Baked

I bought some yeast on my last grocery trip as well as flour. I love homemade cinnamon rolls and today I indulged myself by baking some. Yeah I will share with Jim. Half of them are made with almonds for me and half without nuts for him.

I think it is time for an afternoon cup of tea and a freshly baked roll. Don't you?


I got the recipe from breadworld.com. Who needs cookbooks anymore with the internet. I can google a recipe faster than I can find it in my stack of books. Love that.

Things to Consider

I just spent some time looking at information about life insurance because I am weird like that sometimes. I wanted to know what factors were considered to determine the premiums when you get a life insurance quote and I found basically what I expected. First on the list is lifestyle and includes things like smoking and high risk or dangerous jobs. By the way I am glad I quit that a couple years ago. There are other health considerations as well and they include inherited diseases and conditions and your weight. Your current age plays a role too. There are charts out there that give insurers information on the average life expectancy for a person your age. After that the insurance company creates a premium structure that they hope will give you piece of mind and give them a profit.

Tis the month

February. The month of hearts, roses, valentines, chocolates, a son in law's birthday, a friend's birthday(hi Laura) and a nieces birthday. Pink and red will be everywhere. I remember some silly rule about dressing when I was growing up that you should never wear them together. Those days must be over because I found the combination on many, many things on ArtFire.

This pink and red combination can be seen in my own shop in this headband.

How about this beautiful bag from Sew Christine?

If it is still chilly where you are you might like this scarf from Tyler Rae's Boutique.

Beyond these three things there are lots more. Browse ArtFire and see for yourself!

Come back and leave a comment and let me know what you find.

This post is part of the BlogFire Guild blog carnival and will be part of a post on the guild blog this Friday, February 5th.