Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Tempting Tidbits

tid·bit. NOUN: A choice morsel, as of gossip or food: "The book is chock-full of colorful tidbits about theater and theater people."

Today I have a few miscellaneous tidbits I want to share that I think you'll enjoy.

Synthia, who remains blogless, sent me a photo of her version of the Happy Jacks quilt. It's still "in progress," but I thought you'd enjoy seeing it--I think it will give you other ideas besides making Jack O'Lanterns.


Her addition of the vines, leaves, and acorns is wonderful, isn't it? Next year, I might be copying her ideas!

Synthia also sent me this tip for caring for our rotary cutting mats, and I thought it was worth passing on. I don't know about you, but I never really thought about doing anything to mine, but this sounds simple enough!

"CLEANING & CONDITIONING YOUR ROTARY MAT

Did you know that in order to clean and condition your rotary mat, you can actually give it a bath!! You are to put your mat in the bathtub and use 1/4 cup white vinegar and a couple of drops of a mild dishwashing soap. Using a mushroom brush or other mild bristle brush, create a lather and gently clean and condition your mat. Rinse the mat and let it air dry or dry with a Turkish towel. The mats love moisture. It helps keep them supple (love the word supple). This info from Charlie's E-Z Mat Cutters, a distributor of Olfa products."

Tonight I stopped in at Trader Joe's to pick up a few things and I saw these:


I nearly passed them up because although I enjoy caramel and dark chocolate, the thought of adding sea salt to those ingredients struck me as really weird. I don't know what made me decide to try them anyway, but OMG! They are just about the BEST sinfully delicious treats I can remember eating! If you visit Trader Joe's from time to time, pick up a box of these--I'm not kidding, you'll thank me for the suggestion!

Finally, I'll leave you tonight with this tidbit, sent to me by another no-blog friend who always manages to keep me supplied with chuckles:

14 comments:

Shirley--Knot-y Embroidery Lady said...

What a hoot!

Susie said...

Your candy find reminds me of the salty carmel hot chocolate at Starbucks. Try it; it is very good!

Busy Little Quilter said...

Her Happy Jacks quilt is great! I love the acorns and leaves.

We don't have a Trader Joes, but it sure looks good.

The cartoon is too funny.

MichelleB said...

I'm not sure I need to buy anymore treats at TJ's - there are already too many that I like! But, just for you, I'll try them ;)

That cartoon was hysterical!

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

I was thinking of making a similar treat for my Christmas treat buckets that I hand out to family and friends but I was hesitant about the sea salt. Maybe I'll go to TJs to pick up a box to test them out. I'm sure they are delicious!

Jen :)

Anonymous said...

OK, I'll have to give up my girlish figure and try the Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels. I'll blame my body size on you from now on. haha
A couple years ago I discovered Trader Joe's Irish Cream Chocolates. They are killers! But then when I went in to buy more after the holidays, I found out they are seasonal! They only have them at the holidays. So you might want to stock up!
Chris in Sacramento

Judy said...

Hillarious!!

Carol said...

Too funny! The rotary mat bath tip is very interesting. Mine could use a bath.

Shelina said...

I love the acorns and the leaves on the Happy Jacks quilt. Awesome idea! I didn't know about bathing a rotary mat. Sounds interesting - I have at least one that seems kinda dry.

Anonymous said...

Love the cartoon. They have a hot chocolate at Starbucks right now too that has salt added, I thought it was odd too, but I haven't tried it.

Red Geranium Cottage said...

OMG I have got to get over there and get that candy. Gee thanks Kim!! Your quite the friend. Now I have to walk twice as fast in the morning. But DARK chocolate and CARAMEL and SALT??? HEAVEN!!!
And where did you get that photo of me at the pool???

Lorraine said...

My cutting mat could do with a bath I think....it is getting on a bit now....bit like its owner...that cartoon is too funny! I havent been doing any blog reading for ages ...nice to catch up a bit and see what you are up to....just work and more of it here! but hopefully the weekend will bring some respite...if I get to leave work on Friday night that is!!

Kim said...

Kim, I think Ethyl visited TJ's once too many.. LOL thanks for sharing the mat tips too!!

QuiltNut Creations said...

love the pumpkins! and the comic-too funny. i also love the word supple too :)