Mariannes Motifs

K-Cups on Sale .34 cents and Free Shipping

If you missed the first time I posted about K Cups on sale for.32 cents, then jump on this .34 cents  deal free shipping deal.  Amazon is now offering Timothy's brand K-Cups for the Keurig brewers on autoship.  This seems to be applying for the 50 packs.  They have the Timothy's coffee on sale to celebrate the new autoship deal.  And of course with the autoship you get an additional 15% off.

The autoship is the way to go, folks, because you can easily cancel and you can schedule the auto shippments in whatever interval you want - up to 6 months.

Timothy's has a nice selection, including a "German Chocolate Cake" flavored coffee, and dark roasts.

For the spelling challenged - Keurig, kurig, kurig, k-cup, kcup, coffee pod

Job Hunting

I am trying very hard not to be discouraged in the job hunting.  Yesterday I applied to three promising looking jobs.  As my Dad told me, employment statistics are a lagging indicator.  So if the economy is picking up, the jobs will take longer to follow. 

We were finally able to get the correct information on hubster's COBRA benefits.  The Recovery Act will be paying 65% of the COBRA health insurance costs, so our payment is not too bad.  Politically, I really think if we get a public option health insurance it will help boost entrepreneurship because small  business insurance is prohibitively expensive.  If someone has the option of starting their own business and not having to worry about paying like $1700 a month for health insurance, they would be a lot more likely to start up a company.

Hey mom - you need to send me that Red Beans and Rice recipe.  I bought dried red beans and salt pork so I am ready to cook it.

Revving up for the Fake Isle Hat

I've not yet done any stranded knitting, fair isle or intarsia.  Heck, I don't even really understand what's different about fair isle vs. intarsia.  Except I guess I get that Fair Isle you are carrying both colors of yarn with you all through the row. Intarsia is just a mystery to me at this point.  One thing at a time.

I picked up Noro Kuryon and some Dream in Color Smooshy for my Fake Isle hat.  This pattern uses the color changes in the Noro to make the design look more complicated than it really is.  Many people suggest this for a first Fair Isle pattern to try.  This is also my first try to knit from a chart.  Good times.

I have seen people alter this pattern by using their own knitting motif instead of the ones in the pattern.  I would love to try that as well.  I want this book - 1000 Great Knitting Motifs. Maybe if a few more people take advantage of the cheapest deal on K-Cups, I will be able to get a nice Amazon gift card and buy this book.

THE SQUIRRELIZER - Adds that ground squirrel to any image

I feel the need to Squirrelize myself and my kids this morning.  Therefore, before I start the daily job hunt Tuesday I am adding that pesky squirrel to random photos.

Beret In Action

beret
Originally uploaded by mar1annec

Here's another pic of the beret in action. The hubster said I look "chic" in it. I admit to wearing it all day even thought it is August in Atlanta. I am a nerd.

Next in line - a pair of fingerless mitts in the pattern "Fetching" in the same yarn. I am going to be warm and stylish this winter.

I have noticed that a lot of companies are getting very hi tech when it comes to notification systems.  I heard about a service called amgalerts.com that helps companies put together a plan for emergency alert systems.   Considering winter is coming with weather closings, H1N1 flu and other types of contagious illnesses, etc. it seems like an interesting business plan.  Comanies can do this stuff themselves for free with services like Twitter, IP telephony, group voicemail blasts, etc.

I have a friend who told me she has a Twitter account solely because her kids school told her to set one up for their alert system.  Twitter is down do ofter though...  I am not sure it would be reliable enough in a real emergency.

Finished Object - Slouchy Beret

slouchy_beret
Originally uploaded by mar1annec

This is the first hat I have made on DPNs. It went very fast - I am so glad I finally got the hang of working with the double pointed needles. What a great thing to have made a hat in a matter of a few hours. It took me just 3 days. I love short projects!

I did not turn this inside out, I found I prefer the stockinette side for some reason. Perhaps because this is a nice smooth heathered yarn rather than the suggested yarn which is a bit more bulky I think.

Last Minute "Purled" Beret
Pattern by Wendy Bernard of Knit and Tonic

New and On Sale - Timothy's World Coffee Original Donut Blend K-Cups

Let's face it, strange as it may seem Dunkin Donuts coffee is one of the best cups of coffee around.  It is fresh, flavorful, yet pleasantly mellow and not bitter.  Strong enough to stand up to a yummy old fashioned donut, yet with a mellow "breakfast blend" taste that doesn't make the spoon stand straight up in the cup. (Yes, Dad I am talking trash about your Puerto Rican espresso)

Now all us Donut shop coffee lovers have a new choice.  Brand new from FANTASTIC coffee roasters, Timothy's, is their Timothy's Original Donut Blend K-Cups .  Amazon is currently taking pre-orders which will ship soon.  They are offering a pre-sale price of $19.00  for a two pack of24 K-cups (48 total.)  That comes out to .39 cents per cup of coffee.  Orders over $25 ship free, and as well Amazon is offering .99 cents shipping on grocery items shipped by them, right now.

 

By the way, one of my personal favorite K-Cups is the Timothy's Kona Blend, K-Cups .  It is so smooth with the most wonderful coffee flavor.  I always heard that Kona coffee was fantastic and it's apparently true.  Timothy's is known also for their superior roasting which does not create that burned taste you get with a Starbucks brew.

 

Keurig Sigle Cup Brewers Seen at Costco

We did a Costco trip on Tuesday, and hubby pointed at a big display of Keurig Brewers and said, "Hey, isn't that your coffee maker?"

I believe that the Costco model is about the same as the B-60, but its packaged for them as the B66 and sells for $129.  Amazon sells it for $129 also - see pic at bottom of post.  And yes, this will ship free.

The best deal I have seen on K-Cups is on Amazon with the subscribe and save.  You can get Donut Shop K-Cups .32 cents a Piece. Also a lot of other types of coffee as well, but I can tell the Donut shop cups are popular because they sell the most from my affiliate reports.  (Yep, I get a teeny commission from Amazon when people buy from my link, which I use to get my own K-Cups.  Thank you so much! ♥ )

Or pay .38 cents a piece if you don't want to do the subscribe and save.  But really, why not, since you can cancel as well as have delivery scheduled for as far off as 6 months.

For the spelling impaired amongst us:  Kurig, Keurig, kcups

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

My little guy had a Preschool assignment to bring in a favorite family recipe.  I asked him what his favorite thing was that I cook for him and he said Mac and Cheese and Hot Dogs.  ::: sigh :::  So I came up with Chocolate Chip Pancakes because I know that he loves them.

**********

Adam’s Chocolate Chip Pancakes

 

4 TBSP Butter, melted in microwave

1 ½ C Milk

2 Eggs

2 Cups Flour

4 tsp baking powder

3 TBSP Sugar

½ tsp salt (optional)

Chocolate chips as desired

 

The secret to tender fluffy pancakes is to melt the butter and then add it to the cold milk.  It forms little clumps and helps to leaven the griddle cakes.

 

Beat milk, melted butter, and eggs in bowl.  Add dry ingredients and stir until mixed.  You may have to add a little bit extra milk if it looks too thick.   The mixture will be lumpy, that’s fine – don’t over mix.  Just mix until all the flour is all wet.

 

Heat griddle and drop pancakes onto the griddle.   Sprinkle some chocolate chips over the pancakes, and flip when you see the bubbles popping.  Brown the other side, and serve.

 

* If you use self rising flour, omit the baking powder. 

Thrifty Finds

Here's what I found in my customary skulking around Goodwill.

Pyrex Butterfly Gold 2 1/2 Quart Cinderella casserole - with lid.  (Don't even ask - ever since I couldn't sell the first one on ebay its gotten worse.  Now I have 4 pieces.  But hey - 2 match.

The casserole had some funky black marks on the outside but they came off perfectly with Barkeepers friend.  And it didn't effect the design at all.  (I was worried as some of the black marks were on the design.)  I didn't leave it on long.

 

The other thing I am excited about is a knitting book.  It retails for $22.99 and has some beautiful photos and patterns I would consider making.  It's called YarnPlay by Lisa Shobhana Mason.

It has the famous  "poppy" sweater on the cover.  I also like the looks of the Sloane vest.

I am always amazed at the wonderful things you can find at the thrift store.  Everything from wheelchairs to motorcycle jacks.  I swear I saw a snow globe of Jesus and the disciples at he Last Supper.  With glitter snow.