I learned a lesson in "sale" advertisements in the newspaper today.
Today was what I thought to be my last opportunity to finish my Christmas shopping since the weather will likely be bad for the rest of the week. I was pretty much done except for Jonathan's gift. I've been watching the ads, waiting for the best "sale" price to pop up on what I was looking for. Well, this Sunday's ads weren't the best but I had put it off for too long and it was now or never. I looked in other stores last week for their advertised prices, but never seemed to find the advertised "sale" price on the shelf. I would then walk out of the store frustrated because I couldn't finish my shopping. It seemed all the stores were advertising the same item for about the same price, but the item never seemed to be available when I got there.
This weeks ads had only one store advertising what I wanted and thankfully for the same price as the other stores from last weeks ads. Since I know the husband will read this post, I will need to leave the item and the certain office store anonymous. So, I made sure to hit the store today, Monday, to make sure they would still be in stock. I made sure to take the ad with me this time and thankfully I did because the store did not have their ad sitting out for people to browse.
I proceeded to search the store for the item I was looking for. Just as I was about to give up and ask for help, I found what I was looking for. I compared the item numbers to make sure they matched up to the ad I had in my hand. I then noticed that the store did not have the sale price marked next to the item in the store. In fact, the item was marked in the store $100 more then then ad. I looked up and noticed that there was a sign next to the model that said "out of stock". I was crushed and nearly had a meltdown right there in the store. I had waited too long for the best price and now I couldn't afford any of the others that were not on sale.
I continued to stand there and ponder a plan B but couldn't come up with anything else. I then looked at the item again and saw that even though the item showed as "out of stock", there were still tags left to be pulled for the item. So.....I pulled a tag. I began to plan how I was going to handle this when I took my tag to the counter for my "out of stock" item. I was preparing myself to play dumb when they would tell me that it was out of stock and then I would ask for a rain check for my item at the sale price. I thought it was pretty silly that they would be "out of stock" of an item they were just advertising the day before which is why I thought a rain check would be fare.
So I stepped up to the counter and just when she was about to take my tag, the phone rang. The girl took the call to help another customer. As she was on the phone, I began to sweat. I was nervous! I was starting to think I was going to crack under the pressure. After what seemed like forever, the girl got off the phone and took my tag and said,"hold on a minute". She went to the back counter to talk to someone with my tag in her hand. They both looked at me and then I heard her say "well...she has an ad with her". The other person nodded and then my checkout girl went to a back room and came out with the "out of stock" item in her hand. Once I got over the relief I felt for not having to put on the act, I started to feel a little manipulated by the "out of stock" sign they had by the item when I first saw it in the store. And of course I had to show the girl the ad in order for me to get the sale price. Then I said "oh wait a minute, I have a coupon". Her jaw dropped as I gave her my 10% off coupon. If I could have read her mind right then, I know she was thinking "I just took $100 off this thing, now she wants another 10% off? the nerve!" Yes folks, I had the nerve!
I then paid for my item and wished the girl a Merry Christmas.
Shopping lesson for the day: Never assume the signs in the store are correct AND always take the ad with you. Sometimes you just have to get the nerve!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
You Are More
As I was on the road tonight, I heard this song on the radio. A song I've heard many other times, but for some reason, I was listening more closely to the lyrics tonight.
So often I find myself wondering how it's possible that God can still love me knowing my past sins. This song reminds me that I cannot define myself by my past mistakes because I have been remade. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
You Are More by Tenth Avenue North
There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide
She says, "How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love"
But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight
She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try
But don't you know who you are?
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
'Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to
This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
So often I find myself wondering how it's possible that God can still love me knowing my past sins. This song reminds me that I cannot define myself by my past mistakes because I have been remade. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
You Are More by Tenth Avenue North
There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide
She says, "How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love"
But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight
She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try
But don't you know who you are?
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
'Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to
This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Clifton Mill 2010
This year for Christmas, we got to do one of our favorite things, we visited Clifton Mill in Clifton, Ohio. If you have never experienced Clifton Mill, you MUST add it to your list. If you are feeling a bit sluggish this Christmas season, this is the place to go to put yourself in the Christmas spirit. Thankfully it was only cold and not super cold and this is likely to be the only decent night of the weekend before the weather moves in to keep us all indoors. Needless to say, this place was paaaaacked! But as packed as it was, people still maintained the Christmas spirit.
The first Clifton Mill light show was in 1988 which started with only 100,000 lights. They have now expanded to over 3.6 Million lights and ever since the beginning, it has become a favorite for both of our families. We don't go every year, but when we do, there is always something new that's been added. This year was no different.
The 2 of us in front of The Water Wheel of Lights. After trying to take our own pictures of the 2 of us, someone offered to take it for us. LOVE this picture!
That's me.
These are the lights on the covered bridge. Since we were here 2 years ago, they have since added "The Covered Bridge Light Show". A motion light show done to the Trans Siberian Orchestra classic song, Christmas in Sarajevo. On the weekends they do this show every half hour. All the lights go out through the whole mill and the show begins on the bridge. Very awesome.
This is "The Waterfall of Lights".
A picture of the 7 story mill all lit up.
Part of the animated miniature village of Clifton. This is a miniature version of the Clifton Mill at Christmas.
This is also something new that has been added since the last time we were here. This is part of the miniature village. A moving Ohio State game! You can see the team in the back playing the game and the band in the front spelling out O-H-I-O, complete with a little man popping up to dot the I.
The first Clifton Mill light show was in 1988 which started with only 100,000 lights. They have now expanded to over 3.6 Million lights and ever since the beginning, it has become a favorite for both of our families. We don't go every year, but when we do, there is always something new that's been added. This year was no different.
The 2 of us in front of The Water Wheel of Lights. After trying to take our own pictures of the 2 of us, someone offered to take it for us. LOVE this picture!
That's me.
These are the lights on the covered bridge. Since we were here 2 years ago, they have since added "The Covered Bridge Light Show". A motion light show done to the Trans Siberian Orchestra classic song, Christmas in Sarajevo. On the weekends they do this show every half hour. All the lights go out through the whole mill and the show begins on the bridge. Very awesome.
This is "The Waterfall of Lights".
A picture of the 7 story mill all lit up.
Part of the animated miniature village of Clifton. This is a miniature version of the Clifton Mill at Christmas.
This is also something new that has been added since the last time we were here. This is part of the miniature village. A moving Ohio State game! You can see the team in the back playing the game and the band in the front spelling out O-H-I-O, complete with a little man popping up to dot the I.Great times at The Clifton Mill.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Old Fashioned Chicken N Dumplings
Two years ago, I was introduced to Old Fashioned Chicken N Dumplings at Thanksgiving Dinner with Jonathan's brother and family. As soon as we got home that weekend I became obsessed with mastering the old fashioned dumpling. My previous tasting of Chicken N Dumplings consisted of a batter like dough that was dolloped and steamed on top of a chicken stew. Don't get me wrong, I still love this version of Chicken N Dumplings (especially when Carol makes it), but I was determined to learn how to make an old fashioned rolled Dumpling.
So my obsession began this time, 2 years ago. I was able to get the recipe for the dumplings from Steve's family and I was able to use a traditional chicken stock recipe for the broth. In the last 2 years, I have made this recipe enough and manipulated it enough now to say that I have mastered it to what I think is a GREAT Old Fashioned Chicken N Dumplings. I am now officially ready to debut my recipe with the hopes that someone else may have their interest peaked enough to give it a try. Keep in mind that everything in the broth can be modified to your taste but the dumplings should be made to the recipe. The key to this recipe is to have a very flavorful broth and to roll the Dumplings to just the right thickness. Do not be intimidated by the wordiness of my recipe, it really is quite simple. Below is the recipe and the finished product that was made tonight.
Old Fashioned Chicken N Dumplings
Stock------
3-4 lbs. of chicken parts or 1 whole chicken, rinsed thoroughly.
4 Celery tops with leaves, rinsed (the leaves have the most flavor)
1 large carrot, peeled and cut into thirds
1- Med. Onion, peeled and cut in half
1/2 tsp minced Garlic
2 Bay Leaves
3 Tbsp SALTED Butter
1 tsp pepper
1-tsp salt
2-tsp Chicken bullion Granules (optional for those watching salt intake)
Put Chicken in large stock pot and fill pot with cold water until water comes about 1" over chicken. Add all other Stock ingredients except Chicken Granules.
Bring stock to a rolling boil on high, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour. Remove pot from heat then remove chicken to cool for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, strain all other ingredients from the broth and discard, leaving only broth. Add Chicken Granules to broth and stir to dissolve. Taste broth at this point to test the salt and pepper. Continue to season to taste if necessary. When chicken is cool enough to handle, remove and discard all skin and bones and begin to pull chicken meat apart with hands into bite size pieces. Add pulled chicken back to broth.
Dumplings-----
2 cups All-Purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3 Tbsp SALTED butter
1 cup milk
Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add cold butter and cut in with a pastry blender until small crumbs form (cutting the butter in with 2 knives will also work).
Add milk and stir with a fork until a sticky dough ball forms. Turn dough out on to a wide floured surface. Lightly flour the top of the dough ball and a rolling pin.
Begin to roll out dough, and adding only enough flour as you go to keep from sticking to rolling pin and counter. Roll dough to about 1/8" thick (when dough cooks, it will plump to about 1/4").
Take a pizza cutter and begin to cut dough into long 3/4" wide strips and place on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Add a second layer of wax paper if necessary for a second layer of dough strips. When dough is all on cookie sheet, place in freezer to firm.
This can all be done while the broth is simmering.
When the chicken has been added back to the pot, return pot back to burner and bring to a boil. As soon as the broth starts to boil, the dumplings can now be added. Pull dumplings from freezer and begin snapping each strip 1 at a time into 1 1/2"-2" pieces and adding 1 piece at a time to the broth. Stir lightly. Once all pieces are added, reduce heat to a light simmer and cover pot. Continue to simmer for 20 minutes. Old Fashioned Chicken N Dumplings is now ready to serve!
Hopefully this VERY inexpensive comfort food will keep your family warm on a cold winter day.
Merry Christmas!
So my obsession began this time, 2 years ago. I was able to get the recipe for the dumplings from Steve's family and I was able to use a traditional chicken stock recipe for the broth. In the last 2 years, I have made this recipe enough and manipulated it enough now to say that I have mastered it to what I think is a GREAT Old Fashioned Chicken N Dumplings. I am now officially ready to debut my recipe with the hopes that someone else may have their interest peaked enough to give it a try. Keep in mind that everything in the broth can be modified to your taste but the dumplings should be made to the recipe. The key to this recipe is to have a very flavorful broth and to roll the Dumplings to just the right thickness. Do not be intimidated by the wordiness of my recipe, it really is quite simple. Below is the recipe and the finished product that was made tonight.
Old Fashioned Chicken N DumplingsStock------
3-4 lbs. of chicken parts or 1 whole chicken, rinsed thoroughly.
4 Celery tops with leaves, rinsed (the leaves have the most flavor)
1 large carrot, peeled and cut into thirds
1- Med. Onion, peeled and cut in half
1/2 tsp minced Garlic
2 Bay Leaves
3 Tbsp SALTED Butter
1 tsp pepper
1-tsp salt
2-tsp Chicken bullion Granules (optional for those watching salt intake)
Put Chicken in large stock pot and fill pot with cold water until water comes about 1" over chicken. Add all other Stock ingredients except Chicken Granules.
Bring stock to a rolling boil on high, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour. Remove pot from heat then remove chicken to cool for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, strain all other ingredients from the broth and discard, leaving only broth. Add Chicken Granules to broth and stir to dissolve. Taste broth at this point to test the salt and pepper. Continue to season to taste if necessary. When chicken is cool enough to handle, remove and discard all skin and bones and begin to pull chicken meat apart with hands into bite size pieces. Add pulled chicken back to broth.
Dumplings-----
2 cups All-Purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3 Tbsp SALTED butter
1 cup milk
Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add cold butter and cut in with a pastry blender until small crumbs form (cutting the butter in with 2 knives will also work).
Add milk and stir with a fork until a sticky dough ball forms. Turn dough out on to a wide floured surface. Lightly flour the top of the dough ball and a rolling pin.
Begin to roll out dough, and adding only enough flour as you go to keep from sticking to rolling pin and counter. Roll dough to about 1/8" thick (when dough cooks, it will plump to about 1/4").
Take a pizza cutter and begin to cut dough into long 3/4" wide strips and place on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Add a second layer of wax paper if necessary for a second layer of dough strips. When dough is all on cookie sheet, place in freezer to firm.
This can all be done while the broth is simmering.
When the chicken has been added back to the pot, return pot back to burner and bring to a boil. As soon as the broth starts to boil, the dumplings can now be added. Pull dumplings from freezer and begin snapping each strip 1 at a time into 1 1/2"-2" pieces and adding 1 piece at a time to the broth. Stir lightly. Once all pieces are added, reduce heat to a light simmer and cover pot. Continue to simmer for 20 minutes. Old Fashioned Chicken N Dumplings is now ready to serve!
Hopefully this VERY inexpensive comfort food will keep your family warm on a cold winter day.
Merry Christmas!
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