I'm seeing...DOTS....

My Kids just love the mystery and suspense of these Lego minifigures.  These little bags are sold for less than $3, and contain a mystery Lego minifigure.  Each series contain a mix of great characters. The only problem is that your son can get the figure skater with the pretty outfit including a blue skirt 3 times in a row.  That brings some frustration and tears, I happen to know first hand. 

Alas, but there is a way around repeatedly buying the same figure, and possibly choosing the one you'd really like.  It is no less frustrating, and it may bring tears, but they will be your tears, not your 6 year old's!  Lego apparently marks the packages with a dot system that must be an internal way for them to know whats what. 

These very hard to see dots are at the back of the package, on the bottom seal.  Arm yourself with the following dot codes, and you'll have a better chance at getting the hockey player, or whatever it is that your little one just can't live without!

I Get Some Strange Looks in Produce

It occurred to me that not everyone smells their cantaloupe before they purchase it.  I can't help it!  My Mom taught me most of these tips for buying the best of fresh produce:

Cantaloupe:  Smell it.  It should smell like cantaloupe. It should also be slightly soft at the stem area.  If it's green, you can leave it sit on the counter to ripen.

 Watermelon:  Knock on it.  If it sounds hollow, then, it's a good one.  The sweetest melons are cracked inside, and are ripe.  When you are knocking, if it sounds solid, move on.

Green Grapes:  Look for grapes that have a slightly yellow cast, particularly opposite the stem area.  They are the sweetest.  The really dark green ones are sour.

Pineapple:  This fruit should be yellow near the bottom.  I've also heard that you should be able to pull a leaf from a fruit that is ripe.  

Now I'm sure there are many more tips that I don't know about!  

What did your Mom tell you??

Happy Mother's Day

I hope you all get to spend some time today enjoying all of the reasons why you are a Mother.  I wish you unexpected hugs and sloppy peanut butter and jelly kisses!

Another Use For Coffee

I needed a fresh centerpiece for my kitchen table.  I've always loved ivy, and this verigated stuff I found at Lowes was so sweet.  I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but I bought 3 anyway.  When I got home, an idea came together. 

I fetched 3 pots from under the kitchen sink, planted the ivy, hmm, still not right.  I found a tray and lined the pots up on the tray.  Problem:  the tray is white, and the pots are cream.  They clash a bit.  ENTER: Coffee!  I dumped whole coffee beans on the tray surrounding the pots.  It's perfect.  The extra layer of texture and deep chocolate color are just what this little arrangement needed.  Plus, it smells good.  Bonus.