marymargaretripley

December Cakes – Step by Step Cute Snowman Cake

December is always a rush of holiday orders. With cookies and confections I only offer at Christmas time like chocolate covered peanut butter balls and cream puffs, this year I had more birthday cakes than usual, five in all. One was a very special, a 95th birthday for a man I have admired since IContinue reading “December Cakes – Step by Step Cute Snowman Cake”

What We Ate and How Much We Spent on Groceries – Week 1 of 52

Happy New Year! The new year started perfectly with January 1st being right on Sunday, which is of course my grocery shopping day. I shopped mostly the sales this past week, using only the super coupons given in the weekly ad at one store and stocked up on meat at another. Here are a fewContinue reading “What We Ate and How Much We Spent on Groceries – Week 1 of 52”

SAL-Project Joyce’s Rose #7

Happy New Year!! My one and only turned 21 yesterday, and boy, did we have a fun weekend with him. Still not a lot stitched in the last three weeks on this project but here goes… Here is where I left off last time I posted: And here is where I am now: Just aContinue reading “SAL-Project Joyce’s Rose #7”

Not Impressed With Our Debt 2022 Wrap-up

At the beginning of 2022 our debt to income ratio was pretty high. I am happy to say that by the end of 2022 that ratio has changed. Although I have struggled a bit in the last two months to finish paying off the one credit card completely it is down a whopping $5000 inContinue reading “Not Impressed With Our Debt 2022 Wrap-up”

SAL-Project Joyce’s Rose #6

I was definitely right, last update when I said stitching much would be a tall order. Cookie orders have been pouring in, so not much time to stitch. Here is where I left off last time I posted: And here is where I am now: Just a small amount stitched in the upper corner ofContinue reading “SAL-Project Joyce’s Rose #6”

SAL-Project Joyce’s Rose #5

Again, I got a lot stitched in the last three weeks. I hope to finish the underleaf, the rest of the section of rose and there is a huge leaf that needs to be stitched to the left of everything and I want to get that done. That may be a tall order with holidaysContinue reading “SAL-Project Joyce’s Rose #5”

What We Have Been Eating Lately

Food costs have been insanely expensive but last week I caught an amazing sale! When sales are offered that are that good it’s time to stock up. One piece of advice is don’t be afraid to pre-order sale items especially meat. When I saw the sale ad I called and ordered 20 lbs of bonelessContinue reading “What We Have Been Eating Lately”

Not Impressed with our Debt – October Update

Well, I really don’t have much good news for October. It feels like it was a total bust. For some reason I just couldn’t keep a positive balance in our checking account for the second week of October and I had to keep taking from my saved paycheck. On top of that my husband’s carContinue reading “Not Impressed with our Debt – October Update”

SAL-Project Joyce’s Rose #4

I am so excited about how much I got stitched in the last 3 weeks! I finished the one large leaf, stitched another 400+ stitches on the rose and started another underleaf. Here is where I left off last time I posted: And here is where I am now: This stitch-a-long is made up ofContinue reading “SAL-Project Joyce’s Rose #4”

SAL-Project Joyce’s Rose #3

Once again three weeks have gone by and I am happy with how much I have accomplished. Just the single leaf I worked on this time is almost 1000 stitches and I have it nearly complete! Here is where I left off last time I posted: And here is where I am now: Here isContinue reading “SAL-Project Joyce’s Rose #3”