Birthday Present

Guest post by Gerard Mcdaniel

This is so random. For my birthday, my boyfriend went on www.securitychoice.com and got me set
up with a system. I had no idea what he was going to get me. I was secretly
hoping he was going to get me some jewelry, of course when he asked me what I
wanted, I said nothing. I guess that is my own fault. I opened the card, and
pulled out a piece of paper that stated he set me up with a system. I was like,
wow, thanks honey. He could tell I wasn’t all too thrilled. He said the sweetest
thing, though. He said, I just want to know you are safe and secure. That
actually really made me feel so loved and taken care of by him. Way more than a
necklace or something would have. He is really the sweetest guy ever. I am so
lucky to have a boyfriend who really cares about me and my well being. It turned
out to be a really great birthday this year with him.

Traditional Irish Soda Bread

I've been wanting to make Irish Soda Bread for a while.  Today was St. Patrick's Day.  Guess what I made!

Traditional Irish Soda Bread
4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
14 oz buttermilk

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Grease a round cake pan.
• Mix together all of the dry ingredients.  Add buttermilk and stir until it forms a sticky dough.
• Place on a floured surface and lightly knead.
• Shape into a round flat shape in a round cake pan and cut a cross in the top of the dough.
• Cover the pan with another pan and bake for 30 minutes.  Remove cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
• The bottom of the bread will have a hollow sound when tapped so show it is done.
• Cover the bread in a tea towel and lightly sprinkle water on the cloth to keep the bread moist.

And it really is that simple.  Just four ingredients.  And it wasn't too plain at all.  Butter a piece and enjoy with your favorite lamb stew!

New House and Cutting Costs

We are currently in the process of buying a home. This is a stressful and EXPENSIVE process! I'm looking for everyway possible to pinch pennies now. So far the most stressful part has been the negotiating of the price with the buyer. We've pretty much decided that we really want a paticular house and are trying to get the best price possible. We got a pretty good rate for financing. Needless to say we will be visiting thrift stores in the future for our purchases. Also we will be clipping coupons in the Sunday paper! You can find useful Digiorno Pizza coupons to save a lot of money. It is all for the good so our baby can grow up with a yard to play in!

Chinese Restaurant

This guest post from Edgardo Rosa

When my siblings and I were little, my mom would always take us to a Chinese restaurant near our house. The owner was so nice, and he always let us sit by the fountain. As we got older, we continued to go the restaurant and became friends with the owner and his family. Recently, I ordered take out from the Chinese restaurant and went to pick it up. When I got there, the phone was ringing off the hook with people wanting to place orders. It sounded like a lot of them did not have a menu to look at either, because the people working were having to read the menu to them. The owner apologized for the wait and made sure I had everything I needed. Before I left, I told him that he should start a website so that people could see the menu online and maybe even place the order online. He said he wasn’t sure how to do that and I told him just to search “t1 internet” online. He thanked me and I left. The next time I called to order take out, the owner was very happy to tell me that I could place my order online if I wanted to. I am so glad that he listened to me and had internet set up for his restaurant.