When you started living on your own, did you ever do anything stupid? Like really, really stupid? I did and Sexy Nerd is never going to let me forget it.

Geez, I was stupid. Perhaps I'm not the only one though. Let me ask you a question...

What is this?
If you answered "I don't know what the heck that is," you'd better read on and learn from my mistake.
I have a little disorder known as 'frugalitis'. Some people would insist that I'm just very cheap, but I assure you that it is a serious condition that's completely out of my control. I don't normally spend money on anything frivolous, but I love those little candy bars that used to go on sale for 10/$1. There are a lot to choose from. Kit Kats, Milky Ways, 100 Grands, etc. A few years ago, Hershey changed these to 8/$1 - a 20% increase! I have not purchased them since. This story takes place before Hershey jacked up the price.
The packages of candy bars were on sale for $0.89 for a 10 pack (a…

Sexy Nerd and I are the worst aunt and uncle in the world. The last time we saw our little niece (10 months ago?) she wanted nothing to do with us, which is understandable since we never, ever spend any time with her. Truth be told, as childless thirty-somethings, we were probably more scared of her than she was of us. 

I tried to win her over by sitting to watch Aladdin, but my presence in the room was too much. She didn't want to watch a movie if I was also going to watch it. Sexy Nerd was zero help, declaring it a hopeless effort to get to know his niece and saying that maybe things will be easier when she's older.

 Maybe we can bribe her with some McDonalds? Kids still love McDonalds...right?
I brought the issue up again yesterday, stressing to Sexy Nerd that we really should make more of an effort, and that it's only going to be harder the longer we wait to get involved. He explained his feelings, in complete seriousness, as follows:

"It's hard to be around kids.…

Many years ago, when SN and I tackled our first major decorating and remodeling project in our first home, we played it safe. We ended up with a beautiful kitchen and received many compliments. It was great...but also sort of underwhelming. Granite counters? Us and every other kitchen in America.
For future projects, we knew we wanted to amp up the "wow" factor, even if it meant taking on more risk. Go big or go home, right? And we were already at home! A waterfall running directly over our patio. An arched wall with a chandelier over a Jacuzzi. A dramatic stripe of river rock running along the floor. A pitch black painted ceiling. (That last one actually turned out to be the ugliest thing ever. SN is never going to let me forget it.)
One of our favorite dramatic decorating choices in our last house was the wallpaper mural we installed in the dining room, framing each side of the fireplace. It was a single image that we split into two halves. I don't think a visitor eve…

Avocado and Egg Salad Recipe
Perfect for summer BBQs and for company. We recently served this at a dinner party (1/2 an avocado per guest) to rave reviews.


Ingredients
(serves 4)
1 diced avocado (2 if you want to be fancy and serve this inside the shell)1 can of diced tomatoes with Italian seasoning1/3 cup feta cheeseDiced red onion (just a sprinkling, unless you really love the taste of raw onion!)2 hard boiled eggs1/4 cup mayonnaise (I use low fat with olive oil)1/4 cup sour cream (I use nonfat)Generous sprinkling each of Dill, Paprika, Garlic Powder, and Oregano20 crumbled crackers (Add right before serving)  How to Make Avocado and Egg Salad
This recipe is so easy peasy, let's learn it through pictures. You're really just throwing everything together in a big bowl.
We aren't the only ones around here who looove avocado.
This photo shows "sliced", not "diced". Tsk, tsk!
You'll want to squeeze out most of the juice. Don't be a dope like me and r…

If you're a cheese simpleton like me, you might see this post and wonder What does Gouda taste like? It has a strong, rich flavor. I think the best way to describe it is that Gouda tastes fancy. (Yes, fancy!) Old Amsterdam is an aged Gouda cheese made of cow’s milk. Compared to a younger Gouda, it has a harder texture, more deepened color, and an intense, buttery flavor with the slightest sweetness.

Have you ever made a sandwich, only to have your slice of cheddar add pointless, wasted calories because you can't taste it among all the other ingredients? This isn't a problem with a bold slice of Old Amsterdam Gouda. It also pairs well with simple ingredients, such as fruit, chocolate, and nuts, elevating a lackluster grouping of ingredients into something special. What sells it for me is the fact that Old Amsterdam Gouda can take an everyday food and dazzle it up.

A glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or a rich, ruby red Port (Sexy Nerd's favorite - it tastes like raisins to me!)…