Donate usable items before the end of the year!

It is that time of year to donate your usable, unwanted items to charities. Today we are taking several boxes full of usable, good quality items that we don't need to Deseret Industries. Here are some helpful hints for donating:

1. Make sure that the items are usable...that means in good working condition. I know that Deseret Industries has to throw out a lot of trash that people bring in. If it is trash, then put it out in your own garbage can!!
2. Donate clothing items that are clean. Put them in the wash first if needed. Charities do not wash clothing first before selling it.
3. Check with your local charity first if you are uncertain about what they accept and for their donation acceptance times.
4. Be generous. If you still have items that you have used in years, and aren't likely to use it in the years to come, then give it away. Maybe someone else needs it!
5. If you want a tax deduction, make sure you get a receipt for your donation and make a list of the items you donated. Keep this information with your important tax records. Your tax preparer will appreciate it!

Pug and Luigi napping by my feet

I've been working on the computer this morning, posting over on my other blog http://thelittleredhenfoodsite.blogspot.com and thought I'd post a bit here about Pug and Luigi. The dogs like to sleep near me when I'm on the computer. Luigi is under the desk, wrapped up in his fleece blanket, on his bed. You can see his little head sticking out. He is such a sweetheart!

Then, there is Pug. Pug has been gently snoring all morning. He is very funny, even when he is asleep. Every so often he'll wake up from snoring, lick his lips, then lapse back into a semi-comatose state, snoring again.

You gotta just love a pug sometime...they are really fun. Notice how the curly tail is relaxed when he sleeps. In a minute, we are all going out for a walk, then sleepy time is over for the dogs!

Twenty Five Main, St. George, UT ...Cupcakes!

DS #4 had his group cello performance group this morning. This gave me the perfect opportunity to scope out some businesses in St. George this morning, and go to the farmer's market (see my other blog... http://thelittleredhenfoodsite.blogspot.com/ for the farmer's market report). Anyway, I was driving on Main St. to the farmer's market and noticed this little shop....Twenty Five Main....with a sign that said "cupcakes". OK, maybe you are unaware of how popular cupcakes are lately. I was just checking some food blogs the other day, and came across a cool web site for a mini cupcake store in SLC, so I was motivated to stop and check out Twenty Five Main.

They were just putting the trays of cupcakes out when I arrived. They have a cupcake menu for the week.....hmmmmm....which one should I choose?? Decisions.... I finally picked the banana breadcake. I took it outside and took a bite....oh yea, it was more than good...it was cupcake heaven! I went back inside and took this picture of the cupcakes....are you drooling yet?

I bought 6 more for tonight's dessert. I got 3 peanut butter cup and 3 chocolate strawberry. This place is also a restaurant. The menu looks good, and they had did have tables filled with customers. I will have to check it out for a meal, but for right now, the cupcakes are good enough for me!

Check out their web site: www.twentyfivemain.com

Desert Scenery

First off, I have been so stinking busy this week, I haven't had time to blog. DS # 4 was recommended for a role in a Disney pilot, so we have been gathering videos of his guitar playing, reading lines for the camera and having his head shots taken. He does attend a performing arts high school, but I was shocked when it was suggested to us.

Anyway, I was just stepping into the backyard, when I saw this cool bird on the back fence....and realized that it was a roadrunner! Cool, I had a roadrunner in my backyard! Had to snap a picture just because, well, would you have believed me?

I think it was yesterday morning when I took DS #4 to school, and saw an incredible sunrise/sky. Had to get a picture of course. I think I'll email this to KSL...maybe it will be featured on the weather segment with Mark Eubank! Let me know if the picture does get on the news, cause I never have time to watch it anymore.

We went to see "Thriller" at Tuacahn Theater last night. What a great performance by the Odyssey Dance Theatre. It was fantastic! I know that this is performed in various cities in Utah this month. If you haven't seen it, mark your 2009 calendar.

Pug plays Phase 10 or something funny for Floy

Sunday is a day where we have our young adult children over for dinner (they are welcome any time, but Sunday evening they are usually available). After dinner, we gathered for a game of Phase 10. Pug decided that he wanted to get in on the game.

Now, lest you think that he really likes to play cards, DH had a little cup of dog kibble, and he would put a piece or two up on the table. Pug is so food oriented, that at one point, he nearly jumped up on the table. It was easy to get him so that he looked like he was playing cards.

Pug is a very funny dog. What will he learn next? My friend Floy wanted me to share something funny ......does this count, Floy?! Does your dog do anything funny? Post a comment and share one of your funny dog (or pet) stories.

Bad Luigi

First it is Pug, now it is Luigi......do they ever learn? Actually, it is me that never learns because I still need to trim the shrubs.

It was General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this weekend. As always, I learned so much from the speakers. Two of my favorite phrases from the conference are these:

President Monson: Enjoy the journey

Elder Cook: Just because there are rain clouds in the distance, does not

mean it will rain.

Ok, I might not have gotten these word for word, but they are close. Of course, they were just a portion of the talks they gave, but I appreciate these phrases.

Urban Renewal....the store!

One of my favorite stores in St. George is Urban Renewal. It is a home decor/clothing store. There is enough very cool second hand stuff to peak my interest and some new items as well. If you are tired of your own decor items, you can take them there and sell them on consignment. When I was decorating my Mapleton home to sell, I found some items here that were perfect and they were very reasonably priced. They also sell furniture that has been previously used but in good condition. This picture is of the back of the store...the front would have made a better picture, but there was so much traffic yesterday (St. George Marathon being run today).

I saw this wonderfully shabby chic section of fencing and really wanted to buy it, but talked myself out of it. I really have no place to put it. I think you could make a very cool headboard for a twin bed out of one section. If you ever watch HGTV, you have probably seen them do something like that with old fencing.

Anyway, if you ever travel to St. George, Utah, you really should check out Urban Renewal. No, I don't know the owner or anything like that! But now that I think about it, it might be a great place to get a part time job!