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Coffee Break with Liz and Kate » Liz’s Rants

Liz’s rant: 10 ways to just say no to the nail stalkers

Liz’s rant: 10 ways to just say no to the nail stalkers

PrintMaybe it’s just me, but ever since the little nail kiosk appeared in the mall, walking from store to store has become more an obstacle course with one mission: Avoid the girls at the nail kiosk at all costs. Maybe you’ve run into them. They’re the ones who hunt down every person who passes by their booth with a seemingly innocent, “May I ask you a question?” Memorize this word, dear readers: No. Because should you answer in … Read entire article »

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Liz’s rant: Santa’s coming!

Liz’s rant: Santa’s coming!

PrintCan you believe this is the week of Christmas? That in only a few days, Santa – the man in the big red suit – will be coming down the chimney? Maybe it’s just me but it seems like those last couple of weeks before the most wonderful time of the year always fly by. Sometimes, even that ritual visit to see Santa gets put off until the last minute. So this year, I figured I’d … Read entire article »

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Decorating the table: Veggie Candles

Decorating the table: Veggie Candles

PrintHow filled with fear do you people get when I start crafting? Pretty fearful, I bet . Anywho, this week, I wanted to bring you super simple project to adorn the Thanksgiving table. Not sure what else to call them, so we’ll just call them Veggie Candles. Here’s what you’ll need: Desired number of candles Green beans (about a half-pound per candle) One bunch asparagus (that will do one candle, as well) Rubber bands Ribbon of choice Making the candles: Wrap rubber band … Read entire article »

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Liz’s rant: Pardon me! And other turkey tidbits

Liz’s rant: Pardon me! And other turkey tidbits

PrintYep, this is it – the day of days for the gobblers out there. The day when one lucky bird gets the ultimate gift: a pardon. Meanwhile an estimated 45 million will be landing on our dining room tables. For that, I am thankful. Anywho, the presidential pardon will be given today. This whole pardoning thing began in 1989 with the elder George Bush, and has continued since. And two turkeys are pardoned, not one. (Think … Read entire article »

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Thanksgiving Craft – what else but… a turkey!

Thanksgiving Craft – what else but… a turkey!

PrintCall me sentimental, but this craft represents one of my favorite holiday decorations that Colton has brought home from school. Unfortunately, his is now old and faded, so he and I decided to recreate it! Let’s be honest. If we’re taking on this project, how hard can it be? It’s really a great craft for kids – and requires a relatively short list of supplies.  Chances are,  you already have everything you need on hand. What you’ll … Read entire article »

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Liz’s rant: Fast and Festive Fall Centerpiece

Liz’s rant: Fast and Festive Fall Centerpiece

PrintI needed a break from writing yesterday, but still felt the need to be creative. While I don’t really do much in the line of decorating for Halloween or Thanksgiving, I do enjoy bringing a touch of fall into the house. Just so you know, this isn’t a Liz Original. I think I ran across the idea at some point last year, when Coffee Break brought you the Craftdown to Christmas. And for whatever reason, it … Read entire article »

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We’re on vacation!!

We’re on vacation!!

PrintThat’s right, readers. After almost three years of posting to Coffee Break with Liz and Kate, we’ve decided to take a well-deserved hiatus so we can come back fresher and more exciting than we already are (please control the laughter from the peanut gallery). In the meantime, enjoy our fantastic quick and easy recipes, craft ideas and posts on life in general. Just search our categories or archives (over on the right)  and the world … Read entire article »

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The Coupon Queen – Liz’s rave

The Coupon Queen – Liz’s rave

PrintNo matter where I live, there’s always one drawer that’s devoted to the coupons. I’ll note one exception: that was when I decided I was done with coupons and would never clip another one. What, you may be asking, could possibly send me so far over the edge that saving money seemed more trouble than it was worth? Enter exhibit A. The coupon drawer. (You know you have one, too. Admit it. It will make you … Read entire article »

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If the shoe fits – Liz’s rant

If the shoe fits – Liz’s rant

PrintIf you’re house is anything like mine, back to school means a new pair of shoes. It’s tradition, I guess. Fresh start to the school year, fresh shoes to walk into the new classroom. Something like that, anyway. Suffice to say, someone in our house got a new pair of shoes, yesterday. Hint: It wasn’t me. Now, while I know there’s nothing out of the ordinary about new shoes, I do find my child’s reaction something … Read entire article »

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Back to school – Liz’s rant

Back to school – Liz’s rant

PrintWe’re at T-minus 3 days until the first day of school in our neck of the woods. Which means it’s time once again, to review the dreaded school supply list. Time to start going to bed a little earlier, maybe do a little last-minute studying, time to wish we’d done more over the summer break. Sigh… Time to ask probing questions, like: Are Ticonderoga really the best pencils? (Turns out that  yes, they are. And much … Read entire article »

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The weather spotter at it again – Liz’s rant

The weather spotter at it again – Liz’s rant

PrintSo here’s the thing. Poor Kate is stuck somewhere out west, on her way back from vacation – car trouble. Unfortunately, she’s had very little phone service, and of course no way to post. She is safe, though, and had checked into a hotel for the night, somewhere between vacation and home. So hopefully she’ll be back tomorrow. I have no excuses, though – except for a whirlwind storm, heavy rains and accompanying power outages. Anywho, … Read entire article »

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Caution: Zombies Ahead – Liz’s rant

Caution: Zombies Ahead – Liz’s rant

PrintEver have one of those days where you wake up and wonder what’s wrong with people? I have those mornings more than I care to admit. Today is no exception. As you probably know, hacking is apparently all the rage these days. From Wiki-Leaks to Sony to Mastercard, it would appear no one is safe from the hackers and their misguided quest to create chaos. Not even road signs. Enter this story, which, much to my chagrin, … Read entire article »

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Daughters, Marines and heat exhaustion – Liz’s rant

Daughters, Marines and heat exhaustion – Liz’s rant

PrintLast weekend, my daughter headed to North Carolina with her future in-laws (Lee and Cheryl) to welcome home our Marine, Adam, who has been serving in Afghanistan for more than seven months. There were months that went fairly quickly in retrospect, but some days seemed to take a year to get through. So I’m sure it comes as no surprise that Hannah was more than a little anxious to make the trip. As is typical with … Read entire article »

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The garden that didn’t grow – Liz’s rant

The garden that didn’t grow – Liz’s rant

PrintI am despondent. Totally, utterly despondent, I tell ya. Why? Because yesterday, I pulled up my three cucumber plants. Total summer yield: three cucumbers. Well, one was so large that I nicknamed it a zucchumber. I think it tipped the ruler at more than a foot in length. It doesn’t matter, though. I don’t grow them to break records. I grow them to pick when they’re approaching the perfect pickle cucumber size. Which is really … Read entire article »

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The feathers are flyin’ – Liz’s rant

The feathers are flyin’ – Liz’s rant

PrintRemember the last time you were packing 12 chickens around in your Dodge Neon and you needed to run into WalMart for something, so you thought to yourself, “Oh, I’m sure they’ll be fine if I barely crack the window. The heat index is only 117.” Me either. But apparently, someone with North Carolina plates in a central Kentucky WalMart who didn’t speak a lick of English was faced with just such a scenario this week. … Read entire article »

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