Avoid Waiting for Customer Service Calls!

 Fastcustomer.com allows you to talk directly to a customer service representative and skip the long hold times. It's easy to use... and it's free.
Here's how it works... Using your cell phone, send a text message with a company's name to (936) 225-5757. Within minutes, you'll receive a phone call from a customer service representative with that company.
If you have a smart phone, you can download FastCustomer's app to easily access more than 3,000 companies. Just select a company from the list and choose the "Have someone call me" option.  
I used this with Comcast and I received a call back in about 3 minutes! 
(Comcast is notorious for its slow service. It was fined several years ago for making customers wait too long.) 
Even if you don't have a cell phone, you can use FastCustomer's service through your Internet browser. 

PS.  I encourage you to follow the link to the site.  There is a video.. but go to the bottom and click on the "What do we do with your phone number" link.  Answers are pretty funny. 

Awesome Apple Peeler

I finally bought an apple peeler/corer/slicer in the hopes of eating more apples and making apple crisp. Boy does it make the preparation of apples easy!!! It took no time at all to peel, core and slice 2 apples, and then I made a quick homemade applesauce out of it.

It will also peel potatoes and cut shoestring potatoes too! I usually leave the skin on my potatoes (I like the taste and texture) but may make some hash browns one of these days.

We are hoping to have some apple trees in our yard when we move to Tablerock Lake - I will be ready to freeze and can those apples when they fall from the trees!!!

I bought the Back to Basics apple peeler because it is made of cast iron with stainless steel - it is really sturdy and suctions right to the countertop. I wish I had this when my kids were little - I would have used it every day!

Mmmmmm.....homemade bread

One of my Christmas presents was a book called "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day" by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois. Their method is super easy (no kneading, minimal rising) - you basically make a big bunch of bread dough and it sits in the refrigerator for up to two weeks!! It only takes 5-10 minutes to mix up the batch of dough.

When you want fresh baked bread, you just pull off a section, shape it, let it rest for 20-30 minutes, and toss it in the oven. It's so easy and makes a nice boule, baguette, etc. The book has lots of different variations, but so far I like the basic recipe the best.

And the only equipment needed is a very large bowl or container, and a wooden spoon (although you could use a food processor or stand mixer if you wanted to - I don't happen to have either one of those and the spoon works just fine).

Of course this is not going to help my resolution to cut down on carbs!!

Power Dome Comes in Handy

Yesterday my "tires are low" light was on during our ride to church (and the car felt like the tire was too low). I pulled over and Scott pulled out the Power Dome, inflated the tire, and we were on our way in about 3 minutes (we weren't even late for church!!). Very handy little item to have (see earlier post).

Another great gift idea - gilded votive cups

The Internet is a wonderful thing....I just ran across an idea that is so cool (and seems so easy) that I wish I had found it a few weeks ago.  I haven't tried it yet, but it looks fun!!

Basically you need a glass cup/jar/whatever, doily, glue stick, and Sharpie metallic paint pens.

Check out her blog - she has lots of great ideas with tutorials!

Personalized Ornaments

I just bought some beautiful shatterproof ornaments in vivid colors (from Target), and decorated them to give to the kids that I babysit each week.  I wrote on them with acrylic paint pens, and drew a few quick Christmas designs.

They turned out great, and best of all, the kids don't need to worry about breaking them!!  (Also, my dogs can't eat them!).

Great Auto Safety Idea

A few months ago we got a portable jumpstarter for both of our cars....it allows you to jumpstart your car from this battery, PLUS it has a compressor (for inflating tires), power invertor, AM/FM radio with IPOD input, and 2 AC and 1 DC outlet (which will allow you to run/charge a laptop or other device).  It's just nice insurance for when things go wrong and AAA is far away.
If you have a teenager or youngster driving, this gives peace of mind as well.

There are several different kinds, with different features and levels of wattage.  We got the Wagan 400-Watt Power Dome EX via Amazon (currently $110 with free shipping).  There is a 200 watt one that is $80 and includes free shipping.  Check it out if you are interested!