Blog Posts by ShiningLight

You've heard of Cash for Clunkers, well now there is Cash for Appliances. Start shopping now, money is limited in each state and will likely go fast. According to the U.S. Department of Energy website , state-wide programs will begin in 2010, pending approval, that will use mail in rebates to help replace those old appliances.

Cash for Appliances

Purchase a new Energy Star , ultra-efficient model and provide proof that your old appliance was properly disposed of to get your free money rebate check.

Appliances include:

• Refrigerators
• Clothes washers
• Dishwashers
• Gas storage water heaters
• Electric heat pump water heaters

The U.S. Department of Energy website states that the 300 million dollars in available funds for the rebate program comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 . Each state is receiving money based on per capita. The program will end when each state runs out of their allotted funds.

For a state by

Read More »from Cash for Appliances - Energy Savers Rebates coming in 2010

I found this recipe in one of those little magazines that are in the grocery store check out lane. I think every woman buys a few of these in her lifetime. Thoughts of a beautiful dinner table lit with candles, a handsome husband and perfectly groomed children smiling and laughing at the day's funny events. Pure fantasy. Dinner is often sandwiched in between trumpet lessons, wrestling meets, and trips to the grocery store.

This recipe must have come from Campbell's because the recipe border is the familiar red and white Campbell's colors. This is a quick recipe for a tummy warming soup. Serve with a salad, green vege, or cut up fruit or pour it in a thermos on your way out the door.

Tomato- French Onion Soup

• 1 can condensed tomato soup
• 1 can condensed French Onion soup
• 2 soup cans water

Mix all in a saucepan and heat through. Serve in bowls and place a slice of French or Italian bread or homemade croutons on top and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

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Nothing says Happy New Year better than Bourbon Slush. Bourbon is an American whiskey that is made mostly from corn in Bourbon County, Kentucky. I remember as a kid, I would sneak tastes of this as it lay in a plastic tupperware container in the freezer. I can't say that I felt bad about it either, it just tasted so good.

Bourbon Slush

You will need the following ingredients:

• 2 tea bags - seep in 1 cup of water for at least 3 minutes
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3-1/2 cups water
• 1 - 6 ounce frozen orange juice
• 1- 6 ounce frozen lemonade
• 1/2 cup or more bourbon

Mix all together and freeze. Scoop out with an ice cream scooper and place in a short tumbler. Eat/Drink with a spoon.

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Free printable calendars for 2010

Read More »from Ring in the New Year with Bourbon Slush

Forgot to buy a gift? Just remembered someone else is coming to the family dinner? Promised yourself that you are not going to the mall - again? These easy homemade gifts will keep you out of the parking lot at Walmart.

Kettle Corn - add nuts and food coloring and place in holiday ziplocs.

Yummy Chocolate Fudge

Peanut Butter Fudge

Homemade Peppermint Patties

You can't go wrong with Pudding Shots in a fancy or disposable ( no one will remember ) bowl.

Get the ingredients for German Chocolate Cake Shots and tie the recipe on one of the bottles with ribbon.

Southern Pecan Pie - pie is always good.

Homemade Granola

Scottish Shortbread Cookies

Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding

Read More »from Last minute food gifts from the liquor store, grocery store, and your kitchen

The doctor says, "What pharmacy do you want me to send your prescription to?" Instead of taking a piece of paper with your meds on it to your local pharmacy, the doctor's office will send it electronically for you. Oh, thanks?

Sounds innocent enough - but is it? I'm not sure. Perhaps I want to shop around and see who has the medicine cheaper? Perhaps I don't want to get the prescription filled right away because I want to go home and google the evil side effects before I decide to take it. Perhaps my health care insurance company just does not need to know where I shop.

Medicare E-Prescribing Bonus Payment Program Due for 2009 Launch is the title on the American Optometric Association website . What's this all about? Doctors get a bonus for this?

Rhode Island tracking H1N1 outbreaks with e-prescribing data is the title on this webpage. Is this a way around doctor privacy laws?

The way E-Rx is being sold to the general public is that it cuts down on errors. The

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Everyone needs a few tricks and tips up their sleeve when navigating the kitchen. These top cooking tips and tricks should come in handy. Feel free to add your own unique tricks in the Comments section below.

• Small marshmallows can be used as candle holders on cakes.
• Toss lemon and orange rinds into your wood burning fireplace for a spicy aroma.
• Place fresh or dried mint in the bottom of a cup of hot chocolate for a minty delight.
• One lemon makes about 1/4 cup fresh juice.
• One orange makes about 1/3 cup fresh juice.
• Protect a real silver serving tray with a layer of lettuce underneath acidic foods.
• When cooking veges that grow above ground, cook without a lid.
• A teaspoon of sugar added when cooking green veges, help them retain their bright color.
• To make your mashed potatoes really, really, white, add a little vinegar or lemon juice before draining them from the pan.
• Add crushed croutons, chopped nuts, or smashed-up crackers to the top of

Read More »from User post: 22 magic cooking tips and tricks

It's official. Santa and Mrs. Claus have met President Obama. Now, off to the North Pole to finalize arrangements for the big ride December 24th. Come see what's happening at the North Pole at Santa's Village. Get ready to track Santa as he makes his way around the globe.

On December 24th, Christmas Eve, Santa and his sleigh pulled by reindeer, will be tracked by Norad. You can visit the Norad Santa Tracker to find out how close he is to your house. You can also send an email on December 24th and the fine people at Norad will send one back to you and let you know where Santa is. The email address is: noradtrackssanta@gmail.com . You can also call 1-877-HI-NORAD ( 1-877-446-6723 ).

Official Norad Santa Tracker

Santa's Village at the North Pole - come see who is really busy right now.

Frequently Asked Questions about Santa - every child has a few.

What is Norad? Norad is an operation that The United States of America and Canada work on together. Norad pilots fly our

Read More »from Countdown: Norad tracks Santa Claus

You remember Lite Brite from when you were a kid. The cool punch out pictures and colored light game that lots of kids played in the dark or in their closet. As a parent, you probably stepped on a few of the pegs. Well now you can enjoy the free online virtual Lite Brite game.

Hasbro created Lite Brite in 1967 and it has been entertaining kids since then. The free online virtual version lets you create your own designs then print them out. It even has a power peg set of three so you don't waste too much time with the single pegs. This is a great game for young and old alike.

Free Online Virtual Lite Brite.

Have Fun!

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New music releases for December 2009 - great Christmas stocking stuffers

Christmas Shopping for New Moon

Read More »from Free Online Virtual Lite Brite