Ever since we got our digital TV converter boxes, I’ve been hooked on CreateTV. It’s one of PBS’ digital-only channels, and it is free if you have a digital TV or one of the aforementioned converter boxes. No cable or satellite subscription needed.
The programming consists of shows about cooking, crafts, home improvement, gardening, and travel. I’m not sure what travel has to do with creating anything (creating memories that you can photograph and scrapbook, maybe?), but the shows are good anyway. My favorite is Rick Steves. I like his show because it gives a lot of information that regular people can use. He is always giving tips on how to save money (but still be comfortable and eat well). And he shows you many “off the beaten path” places, places that are away from the usual touristy areas. If we were to take a trip to Europe, I would definitely buy the latest edition of his guidebook.
Another show I’ve been watching a lot of is For Your Home. It’s hosted by these two women…I think they are mother and daughter. I think it’s cool to see women doing home improvement projects that you normally see only men doing. On the last show, they were in the midst of remodeling a bathroom completely, they were showing how to install new toilets and bathroom vanities and all.
I’m also glad to NOT see them using pink power tools. I swear, those things annoy the living crap out of me. I saw some bimbos on one of the network morning shows; I forget which one, probably the Today Show, using them. I halfway expect to see a Barbie logo on these things, they look like silly little girls’ toys. I prefer to use REAL power tools, thank you very much!
And, of course, I love all of the cooking shows! I’m happy that I can watch cooking shows every day if I feel like it, and not have to pay for cable to watch the Food Network. I like the Food Network, I watch it when we’re in hotels and such…but I’m still too cheap to pay for cable. There’s just not much I’d watch to justify the cost. I do buy Food Netowrk DVDs so I can watch shows like Good Eats at home, and whenever I want to. That’s really good enough for me!
