http://www.its-a-gift.info Some helpful tips on how to clean and care for jewelry, free recipes, general philosophizing on gifts and giving, and whatever else might turn up along the way. Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:58:11 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I can't believe that I'm the only one who is sick and tired of all the political ads, "debates", news articles, etc, etc, ad infinitum. Tonight I am hunched over the computer trying to avoid the TVs on both floors of this house. Seems to me that the ... http://www.its-a-gift.info/2008/10/02/the-political-games-are-wearing-me-down/ Although large sea scallops have become a budget buster of late, a local supermarket had them on sale and we decided to indulge ourselves. I checked the web for a seared scallop recipe and found one that sounded pretty good except that the amount of butter it called for ... http://www.its-a-gift.info/2008/09/13/my-version-of-pan-seared-scallops/ In a previous post, I mentioned the "just because" gift and stated that it was the best type of gift of all. At that time, my husband had surprised me with a container of crocuses for no other reason then that he saw them while shopping for some groceries ... http://www.its-a-gift.info/2008/07/21/a-very-unexpected-gift/ If you live in New England, I don't have to tell you about the new crop of stones that will appear in your garden every year, no matter how long you've been tilling the soil! Partly due to this and partly because I just ran out of room within ... http://www.its-a-gift.info/2008/06/24/raised-bed-gardening/ Just thought that I should follow through on my last two posts. The promised coupons for more Aerogarden goodies showed up a couple of days ago and my replacement grow-light bulb came in yesterday's mail. Now I just have to control myself so that I don't break the budget (especially ... http://www.its-a-gift.info/2008/06/07/aerogrow-people-are-true-to-their-word/ Just wanted to up-date anyone who had read my previous blog entry and was curious about the Aerogarden. Much to my surprise, when I called the number provided and asked for customer service, I not only got through to a very courteous company rep, I was also given advice ... http://www.its-a-gift.info/2008/06/01/aerogarden-re-visited/ Have you seen the ads for this gadget and thought about buying one for yourself or as a gift? If so, I hope that this article might help you. I live in an area with quite cold Winters (zone 5a) and the poor light levels inside make it nearly impossible ... http://www.its-a-gift.info/2008/05/12/aero-garden-pros-and-cons/ It finally feels a bit like Spring around here --- at least it has in the past couple of days. Unfortunately, the weather forecast for the coming weekend features (I'm sure you've guessed by now) SNOW! I'm afraid that the daffodils, tulips and helebore are on their own ... http://www.its-a-gift.info/2008/04/10/springtime-somewhat-delayed/ Well, it was only one of those $400.00 mail-order greenhouse kits, but it was the only greenhouse I'd ever had and I'd been wanting one for years. It was far too drafty for us to even try to heat in our Zone 5 climate, but it was still a ... http://www.its-a-gift.info/2008/03/14/the-great-greenhouse-disaster/ Somehow it seems to me that most of the advertising and focus for Valentine's Day is directed towards the women. What about the other half of the population? I'm curious as to what others out there are giving to their menfolk. Although I have a page on my business ... http://www.its-a-gift.info/2008/02/09/what-are-you-giving-your-guy-for-valentines-day/