JUST SOME USELESS STUFF YOU DON'T REALLY NEED

Years ago I decorated with a traditional green Christmas tree inside, and outside I'd display a colorful one.  Sometimes my ornaments were Barbie dolls from Happy Meals or Hot Wheels that I've collected over the years.  Once I did all ribbons.  Now I just admire everyone else's trees, and don't use any of my own.

So the other morning while watching the news, I found out that black Christmas trees are trending.  Some people love it, and others say that's a big fat NO.  What are your thoughts? Is it too gothic or something fun to try?

DO YOU FEEL LUCKY?
If you do or you don't, be sure to get your name in the hat for a prize package of Oprah's Favorite Things that's worth over $16,000!  And yes, I enter every year. (lol) That's right, 12 people can win all these prizes by visiting https://oprah.com/12days up through 12/9/2018.  Some of the prizes include a Phillips Indoor Grill, jewelry, a mixer, slippers, sparkling water maker and lots more.  However, if you're looking for a special or unusual gift, everything may also be purchased at Amazon.

According to Gina Bria, author of Quench: Beat Fatigue, Drop Weight & Heal Your Body, eating an apple and drinking a glass of water is more effective than 2 glasses of water.  Fresh veggies and fruit have gel water(H3O2) and hydrates better than water.

SATURDAY
Deck the Halls on December 1 and celebrate National Christmas Lights Day!  Get lights on the cheap from the Dollar Tree, or go over the top with lights from high end stores.  Be careful to not get on your neighbors nerves though with too much glitter, which is the case in New Jersey. 

Appruzi Property

For the past 15 years the Apruzzi family has been lighting it up with over 10,000 lights, but his neighbors do not approve siting safety reasons and chaos in the neighborhood.  City officials are fining them $3,000 for each day they show off their display to visitors, and Mr. Appruzi refuses to pay.  That may force the show to shut down.  Let's hope it all works out for everyone involved. 

Okay, who wants to admit that they've used the original Polaroid camera, which was sold for the first time in 1948 for about $90.00? 

I remember getting yelled at by my mom in the 70's-80's because I wanted to take pictures all the time, and that color film was so dang expensive.  Also, everyone hated that there was no way to get the same picture twice without having to waste even more film.(lol)

Throughout the years, Polaroid upgraded to smaller digital styles, but in 2017, they offered up the new 2-step analog version, which ironically costs about $99, causing the company to pretty much come full circle.

Want a clean pan without all the fuss? Once it cools off, spread the surface of the pan with 2 Tbs. baking soda, 1 cup hot water and 1/4  cup vinegar.  Let it sit for 5 minutes before easily washing it out  because the chemical mix does all the work.  These ingredients will also clear a clogged grain, but the measurements are different.

CRANBERRY CHIP COOKIES (Taste of Home)

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1-1/2 cups dried cranberries

3/4 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup English toffee bits or almond brickle chips, optional

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips, cranberries, pecans and toffee bits if desired (dough will be stiff).
• Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Flatten slightly. Bake at 350° for 11-14 minutes or until set and edges are lightly browned. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.