Here We Go Again!

A new batch of parts has arrived in the mail and its time to assemble some SSRs for this year's upgrade. A total of 7 will be built and wired to handle the new parts of the show's lights. Where the new SSRs will be deployed in the yard is still open to ideas currently being batted around by my wife and myself. At least one of them will upgrade the side yard Megatree and perhaps 4 will be used to control 4 new Minitrees. Some talk of reindeer in a forest of trees has been discussed as well. Whatever is decided, we are sure the viewing public will enjoy it.

Deal or No Deal

As your display grows larger, you have probably already noticed how much things are costing. In order to achieve the effect that you are looking for, you will have to be the budgeted-minded purchaser. Buying items during non-Christmas time of the year is most likely the best time to get those super sweet deals. Shopping online is a big part of that. A place i like to shop is Craigslist. There is always someone selling holiday items there, most likely in yard sales, moving sales or "I just want it out of my garage!" sales. Pictured above is a purchase we made just after St. Pat's day. It is a mix of Christmas and Halloween lights and other items. Mostly for outside and some for inside. We paid $100 for the entire lot and we did get a bargain. Most of it was new and still in factory boxes sealed up. But what did we get? A list of items and store prices follows:

Santa and Reindeer Teeter Totter: $98
Yard Reindeer: $15
Yard Reindeer: $15
2' Spiral Tree: $7
2' Spiral Tree: $7
5 Holographic Bat Lights: $10
4 Candy Cane Lights: $10
4 Candy Cane Lights: $10
80" Merry Christmas Sign: $40
6' Spiral Tree: $16
10 White Star Lights: $10
2 Tote Bins of misc. Halloween stuff: $40
2 Tote Bins: $5
=============================
Total: $283 Approximate Value

Purchase Price: $100
Gas and Refreshments going to get it all: $10
================================
Total: $110

Value minus Expenses = $183 profit.
Smiles and Christmas Cheer: Priceless

Other Birthdays

Christmas is also a birthday party as much as a holiday. As there are birthdays every day of the year, some are special, more so if they are for your loved ones or family. My wife's birthday falls in the month of March and I made her a special cake.

Telletran's Strawberry Banana Twinkie Cake

Ingredients:

16 Twinkies (unwrapped)

1 LB Fresh Strawberries (washed and sliced- reserve biggest 1 for topping)

5 Fresh Bananas (peeled and sliced)

2 Containers of Whipped Topping

1 Chocolate Bar (shaved with cheese grater)

In a 9 x 15 pan, place Twinkies face up in rows to cover pan. Add Strawberries and Bananas. Spread Whipped Topping on top and press down into fruit with spoon. Sprinkle Chocolate shavings evenly over Whipped Topping. Place biggest Strawberry on top for garnish. For best flavor, refrigerate overnight to allow Strawberry juice to seep into Twinkies. To serve, scoop a Twinkie with some of the fruit/topping mix on top. Enjoy!