Favorite Things: Table Top Puppet Theater

Why not give the gift of imagination? This table top puppet theater will provide hours of fun for little and big people alike. For just over $20, this is a great birthday or holiday gift. For the gift that keeps on giving, you can buy puppets for the gift recipient for holidays throughout the year. Or even make some characters of your own as a fun activity. I can't wait to see the stories that my kids conjure up with this new addition to our toy chest.

Cheap and Cheerful Cooking: Giada's Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables

Wondering what to do with all of those veggies from your CSA box? I think they would taste delicious in this dish! This would also make a good "side" for the vegetarians at your holiday table.

Ingredients
• 2 red peppers, cored and cut into 1-inch wide strips
• 2 zucchini, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 summer squash, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 cremini mushrooms, halved
• 1 yellow onion, peeled and sliced into 1-inch strips
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 1 tablespoon dried Italian herb mix or herbs de Provence
• 1 pound penne pasta
• 3 cups marinara sauce (store bought or homemade)
• 1 cup grated fontina cheese
• 1/2 cup grated smoked mozzarella
• 1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus 1/3 cup for topping
• 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

Directions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
On a baking sheet, toss the peppers, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, and onions with olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and dried herbs. Roast until tender, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook for about 6 minutes. Since you will be cooking the pasta a second time in the oven, you want to make sure the inside is still hard. Drain in a colander.
In a large bowl, toss the drained pasta with the roasted vegetables, marinara sauce, cheeses, peas, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Using a wooden spoon, gently mix, until all the pasta is coated with the sauce and the ingredients are combined.
Pour the pasta into a greased 9 by 13-inch pan. Top with the remaining 1/3 cup Parmesan and butter pieces. Bake until top is golden and cheese melts, about 25 minutes.

Favorite Things: The OK Book

Our 4 and a half year old son is the first born son of a first born son of a first born son of a first born son. Perhaps it isn't his "fault" that he tends to like things a certain way? Hey, I've got a stubborn streak myself even if I can't claim birth order destiny of any sort. This great book will be in our son's "stocking" this year. But I look forward to reading it with him and reminding myself that it is OK to be "just OK" at something. Or even at a lot of things. Actually, it is better than OK to be just OK; it is completely, 100% normal.

Favorite Things: A. Tierney Baubles and Beads

Umm, I love just about everything on this site. Like this necklace. And this bracelet. There are so many cute gifts on this site -- for your mom or your sister, or even your friend or babysitter. There are also preppy, monogrammed gifts for kids. The prices are great and the styles are fun and fresh. Santa just might have found a new supplier.

Deal of the Day: Spooky House Gingerbread Kit

I've spotted this fun craft (and snack?) all over town. Who says gingerbread is just for Christmas? And the walls of this spooky, kooky castle come glued together! Perfect for kids (and their helpers) who would prefer to have fun decorating the domicile rather than waiting for the walls to hold their shape. One candy corn for me, one for the roof, one palmful of jelly beans for me, one palmful to add to the walkway. Now, that's my kind of cheap and cheerful family fun. This Wilton brand kit retails for between $10 - $13 dollars at Walmart, Target, Michael's, drug stores, etc. So get your goblins together, make some hot cocoa, play some tunes on your iPod, and glob that icing on the roof. Just make sure you have some extra "decor" on hand for those, like me, who sample the spooky swag while they work.

Favorite Things: Deep Thoughts

Some people sit around and drink hot toddies after holiday meals. Others watch sporting events or take naps. If you are at my house, you linger over dessert and read from Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey. Who even remembers now what year we started this hilarious, gut-busting-laughing-like-crazy ritual? If you love laughing with your friends and relatives, pick up a copy of one of the classic volumes. I dare you to read a few pages without busting out in giggles.

Cheap and Cheerful Chatter: Putting a price on customer service

If you are reading this blog, I assume that you like saving money as much as I do. But is your favorite part of saving money being able to do so without sacrificing a positive shopping experience? It is certainly what I prefer. After a particularly unsatisfactory transaction today at a local retailer, I've been pondering the "price" of good costumer service. As prices plummet and stores compete for business, will the shopper get better service or worse treatment?

Cheap and Cheerful wants to know: What has been your in-store experience during the down economy? Any good dirt to dish on getting good or bad service.

We're all ears.