Want to send something funny for the holidays? Check out this special deal.

O.k. so I have to be one of the worst when it comes to parting with things that I think may be useful at some point. I just know the second I throw it out, there will be a need for it *lol* However I am a firm believer that a handmade gift means more than a store bought item so turning “stuff” into “useful stuff” & giving as gifts is something I’ve done quite often.

So lets think of some of the things we can change… as shown in the pic above, the plastic drink mix containers (Crystal Lite, etc) can make fabulous gift giving packaging or storage containers for those small items laying around. Leave the lids off to make it a nice pencil holder or a great holder for drinking straws.

I found so many great ideas for ways to turn unwanted items into useful items for your home, office or to give as gifts. Check out some crafty recycling ideas here . We’d love to hear your thoughts or ideas.

It was actually yesterday, Jan. 23rd, but I missed it. I want to take a minute to share with you the importance of pie.

From the American Pie Council website:

• Pie has been around since the ancient Egyptians. The first pies were made by early Romans who may have learned about it through the Greeks. These pies were sometimes made in “reeds” which were used for the sole purpose of holding the filling and not for eating with the filling.
• The Romans must have spread the word about pies around Europe as the Oxford English Dictionary notes that the word pie was a popular word in the 14th century. The first pie recipe was published by the Romans and was for a rye-crusted goat cheese and honey pie.
• The early pies were predominately meat pies. Pyes (pies) originally appeared in England as early as the twelfth century. The crust of the pie was referred to as “coffyn”. There was actually more crust than filling. Often these pies were made using fowl and the legs were left to hang over the side of the dish and used as handles. Fruit pies or tarts (pasties) were probably first made in the 1500s. English tradition credits making the first cherry pie to Queen Elizabeth I.
• Pie came to America with the first English settlers. The early colonists cooked their pies in long narrow pans calling them “coffins” like the crust in England. As in the Roman times, the early American pie crusts often were not eaten, but simply designed to hold the filling during baking. It was during the American Revolution that the term crust was used instead of coffyn.
• Over the years, pie has evolved to become what it is today “the most traditional American dessert”. Pie has become so much a part of American culture throughout the years, that we now commonly use the term “as American as apple pie.”

Pie at Thanksgiving, Pie on Sunday with ice cream, Pie in the face, American Pie……….

Pie seems to have a long history and a lot of meaning to Americans.

Even Bill Gates got a pie to the face!

Someday I’ll win the lottery or marry that very rich old man with one foot on a banana peel and when I do, I’m buying this rustic decor bed for my cabin in Colorado.

When I first started looking at their website, all I saw was log cabin style furniture which isn’t my style at all. Then, I found this.  Isn’t she gorgeous? That is what natural beauty is all about ladies and gentlemen.

“This beautiful walnut mainframe is fused together with burl maple accents creating a vivid and lush look that will make your room become one with nature. ”

Why do I have to wait til I get rich? Because it costs  $4,299.99 !  That, my friend, is more than I paid for my car.

This is a sponsored post, but the opinions about the bed and website are actually my own and I even admit it.

I found this cool website based in the UK. While I don’t live there, I still think it’s a cool site.

The thing that cracks me up about this site is that they list gambling links ring on the side! You won’t see that in America on a large shopping site. They also offer shoes and computers. Kids and housewares and gifts are also apparently big sellers.

It kind of makes me think of Amazon, but it’s set up a little differently.

This page has Argos Vouchers that are good for things like free delivery of all TVs for a limited time or %50 off bedroom sets. I wonder if that’s free shipping to the US?

That page also has Argos discount codes for money off furniture and appliances like washing machines.

While we are on the subject of furniture and household appliances, I found this interior decorating how-to page which offers DIY and other tricks to help spruce up your joint. I love the post about the DIY upholstered headboard and the videos for decorating and storing stuff in a kids room.