The BEST Free Magazine!

If you haven't yet, you must...

Sign up for this FREE magazine! My bff, Kelly, introduced me to it's glory. It's the Kraft Food & Family Magazine. You can sign up for free at www.kraftfoods.com

It is full of recipes and tips for cooking that are all, I mean ALL yummy! Stephanie (my housemate) and I get giddy when we get one in the mail every season! I use recipes in it atleast 2 times a week, minimum... they are just so easy and always taste good!

My disclaimer.... it takes awhile for the initial magazine to arrive after you sign up. So prepare to wait 6-12 months to receive it. But it is WORTH the wait, I promise! :)

p.s. those cupcakes pictured there are to die for.... i ate 4 large ones in one sitting they were so good. no kidding. (regretted it a few hours later though, haha)

KONG is King!

I have found it; the best dog toy yet! It is called the KONG. Our beloved Bichon, Porter, is a great dog, But he has a whining problem (ever since we had kids). I think it's cause he gets bored & doesn't get the attention from Ross and I like he used to, although the boys play with him SO much.

I read an article about these dog toys called KONGs and figured I'd try it out. It has worked! You stuff some treats inside the rubber toy and it takes him over an hour to try to get it out. It not only keeps him busy but it bounces & rolls all around so he's moving too (not just laying around like he usually does).

Porter never ceases to amaze me. Every toy we have gotten him from simple plastic/ rubber balls to knots, and stuff he chews through and eats the entire thing. (I have a nasty story I'll share another time if the mood strikes me, having to do with a dog toy he ate.) So the Kong is great, it's the most durable dog toy yet.

So if you have a dog, you gotta try this toy- it will totally make them happy!

Proud Sistah :)

I just have to brag on my brother, now Dr. J. Matt Hoch!!! He completed his Doctorate yesterday after many long, hard years in school up in NY! Even though I am his sister he is making me call him Dr. Matt now. :)

I'm so proud of him on many levels... one being that I know I will never pursue any more degrees so I can live vicariously though him in that, and say at least there was one smart one in our family. haha. On the other levels seeing his hard work, persistence, and endurance in a hard program was inspiring!

Way to go bro! Anyone looking for a mad scientist to hire out there, my bro is the best in his field in studying Ecology & Evolution in Marine Biology... his disertation was on Barnacle penis' and reproduction (made for some hilarious conversation starters!). :) Here's a pic of THE Dr. Matt & of the celebration cake Olivia, his girlfriend, made for him... very creative & well done!