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:

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

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  2. 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.

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  3. 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!

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  4. 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 :)

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  5. 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

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

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  7. 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.

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  8. 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.

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  9. 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???

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  10. 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!!

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

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

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