Christmas snowflake cut out cookies Pope's Valentine Cookies

Photo from: http://whatscookingamerica.net/Cookie/SnowFlake1sm.jpg

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 ½ pounds butter (softened)
• 7 ½ cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar (sifted)
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 325 °F.
2. Mix butter in a mixer until light.
3. Add remaining ingredients.
4. Knead until velvety. 
5. Roll one-half of the dough at a time to about 1/4 inch thickness, using the smallest amount of flour possible.
6. Cut out and bake on a lightly greased pan for 12 minutes. Cookies will be almost white when cooked.
7. Decorate with sugar or icing.

Until next time, when we can chit-chat again! 
~T.

Quick & Easy - Dinner - Penne Pasta with Spinach & Curry Shrimp

Ingredients:

2 pound large shrimp Apx $16 (Shelled & deveined. You may also used precooked shrimp)

1 pound Penne Pasta Apx $3

2 tsp green or red curry powder Apx $3/bottle (Avl in Asian or west Indian market)

1 large Onion sliced Apx$1

1/2 tbsp olive oil Apx$6/bottle

6 limes Apx$1.00

1-2 pounds Spinach bunch Apx $1.50/LB (substitute w/bag spinach or asparagus )

1/2 can unsweetened coconut milk Apx$1.50 (optional)

Sugar Apx$2

Vinegar Apx$2

Salt (to taste)

Black Pepper (to taste)

Vinegar

Instructions:

Wash bunch or bag spinach well discarding any course stems. (I like to salt the leaves in a colander then rinse well.

Spin dry spinach or leave to drain in a colander.

Cook penne pasta as directed on package.

Rinse shrimp with vinegar & remove any additional veins; Soak shrimp in juice of 1/2 lime for apx 1 min; Rinse shrimp again with water; in a sauce pan place the oil, sliced onions & shrimp. Sprinkle curry powder & turn mixture. Add coconut, turn again, cover & cook 5-10 min or until shrimp are cooked.

Combine pasta, shrimp and spinach. Turn & serve.

Serves 8

Until next time, when we can chit-chat again!

T.

Treats on the cheap: Grand Opening Event for Kimberly's Bargain Boutique!!!!!!!!!!

If you live in the Oklahoma city, OK stop in & check out this place.

Kimberly's Bargain Boutique May/2009 Welcome to   Kimberly's Bargain Boutique   Greetings!  We are a new consignment and resale store located at 6601 NW 38th St. in Bethany.  We are on the corner of NW 38th and Peniel, one block south of 39th Expressway.  We carry clothing and accessories for the whole family!  In addition we also offer housewares, home decor, books, electronics, and furniture.     We are located at 6601 NW 38th St. in Bethany.  We are on the corner of NW 38th and Peniel, one block south of NW 39th Expressway.  Our hours are: Mon-Sat 10:30-6:30.   Heroes and Hardball    If comic books and baseball cards are your thing, then be sure to visit the store within our store!  Heroes and Hardball will get you hooked up with all your faves!   Become a Consignor!   Becoming a consignor is easy! Just bring us your gently used items.  If you bring us clothing, make sure it is in season, freshly cleaned, pressed, and on hangers.    Kimberly's Bargain Boutique sets the selling price.  Once an item sells you receive half of the selling price!  Come in anytime for $ owed to you or we can mail you a check at the end of the consignment period.   After your first visit you can make use of our Drop and Run service to save time!  Issue: 1 Grand Opening Extravaganza!! Kimberly's Bargain Boutique will be celebrating our Grand Opening on Sat, May 30, 2009.  Bring the whole family and enjoy FREE hot dogs, popcorn, and snow cones!  We will also have a large inflatable for the kids to play on!!  While enjoying the festivities, be sure to check out our store!  Also, be sure to enter the drawing for gift certificates.  We will be drawing , for gift certificates every day during our first week open! Kimberly McCright Kimberly's Bargain Boutique Save 10% Save 10% off of your entire purchase when you visit us during our first week open!   Offer Good - May 30. 2009- June 6, 2009

Kimberly's Bargain Boutique | 6601 NW 38th St. | Bethany | OK | 73008

Until next time, when we can chit-chat again!
T.

$40 - DINNER for 8 - Curry Shrimp with rice and Cabbage.

Ingredients:

1 Medium green cabbage Apx $2

2 pound large shrimp Apx $16

2 tbsp green or red curry powder Apx $3/bottle

1 large Onion sliced Apx$1

1 tbsp olive oil Apx$6/bottle

6 limes Apx$1.00

1/2 can unsweetened coconut milk(optional)Apx$1.50

Sugar Apx$2

3 cups Rice (precooked) Apx$4/package

1 Qt Vanilla Ice Cream Apx$4

1 Habanero or Jalapeno pepper (optional) APX$.50

Instructions:

Shred cabbage and steam with 1/4 teaspoon Olive Oil and 1/4 onion sliced in rings (cook on low flame) apx 5 min al dente

Rinse shrimp & remove any additional veins; Soak shrimp in juice of 1/2 lime for apx 1 min; Rinse shrimp again; in a sauce pan place the rest of the oil, sliced onions & shrimp. Sprinkle curry powder & turn mixture. Add coconut, turn again, cover & cook 5-10 min or until shrimp are cooked.

Cook rice as directed on package.

Juice the balance of the limes and add sugar, chill & serve.

Assemble cabbage in a bowl and make a nest. Pour shrimp mixture into the center. Place rice in a bowl. Serve with Limeade & scoop of Ice Cream for dessert.

Serves 8

Until next time, when we can chit-chat again!
T.

$20 or less: Black Beans & Rice

2 cans low sodium - black beans  $1.20  each

(No endorsement here but I liked the Goya & Bush's brand) or 

1  16oz package dry black beans  $2.00

1  tablespoon oil  $5.oo (light flavor virgin olive oil)

1  onion chopped $0.50

1  tomato chopped $0.50

2  strips bell peppers (chopped)  $0.50

1  teaspoon dry thyme or 1 sprig of thyme $2.00

1  bundle green onion $0.50 each

2  cloves of garlic $0.50 per bulb

2  cups uncooked rice  $5.00

Avocado or ripe plantain (optional) $2.00

a couple slices of jalapeno or habanero peppers (if desired) $.50

salt & black pepper to taste

TOTAL: $19.00 APX

Saute everything except rice & beans.

Empty can of beans into saute pan & combine.

(I like to empty the cans into a colander & rinse off some of the salt...if you do this you'll

need to add 1/4-3/4 cup of water to the pan.) - cook 10-15 minutes.

In a separate pan cook rice as directed on package

Plate beans and rice & garnish with sliced avocado or plantain.

Serves 6                

***If using dry beans follow package instructions & combine everything except rice, tomato, garlic & onions.  Cook until tender.  Saute everything else, except rice.  Pour saute over beans and combine.***

Until next time, when we can chit-chat again!
T.

Are you looking for a Job?

I thought I'd share this info that was sent to me.   Good Morning America's jobs series had some good tips that may help you in your job search.  Also, some people have found luck with utilizing their Twitter page.  Here are 50 Twitter users to follow for your job search.  Someone sent this to me and I'm keeping an eye on a few of them.  

If you are in the USA and  have Cobra, you may be able to get a bit of relief from your payments.  Additionally, if you are unemployed with out insurance, some Walgreen drug stores have in-store clinics that are giving free services.

Don't let the search get you down...

...Good Luck!

Until next time, when we can chit-chat again!

T.

Birthday Cupcake

If you don't already have all of these items in your pantry, here is an approximate cost:

box of cake mix APX $2.50

eggs  $2.00

& oil $4.00

1-(12) muffin pans (reusable)   $6.00

& baking cups $1.00

chocolate frosting  $2.00

squeeze frosting (in a tube) $3.00

tips for the tube (reusable) $2.00

total APX $22.00

Follow cake mix box instructions. Pour into muffin pans and bake.  Cool cupcakes, frost & decorate. Arrange on plate and serve.

Yields 20-24 cupcakes

Here's a hint you'll need 13 cupcakes to spell out Happy Birthday.

The end result....OK so it isn't the prettiest picture, but you get the idea & it was umm, umm goooooood!

Until next time, when we can chit-chat again!
T.

ITEMS: On the cheap

I found this article, Houston's ABC13 did an interview with the local cop-shop & found that they auction off all sorts of items that they seize from criminals.  Click here to check out the website.

If that's nor your cup of tea maybe you'll consider doing a  swap. That's right, trade away all the stuff you no longer need and get stuff you need.  Here's how you can get more free stuff.

Also, take a look at your own back yard, you can save at home.

Check out your food list as well, you may be able to save there too.

Until next time, when we can chit-chat again!
T.

Date ideas: On the cheap

1. Go to a movie:  Many movie houses have discounts for the first showing of the day...check theaters near you.  If there is a drive-in or outdoor movies shown in your area, pack a picnic basket and have at it.
2. Go roller or ice skating; bowling or darts.
3. Go to a local farm & pick fruits/veg then go home and make a feast of it.
4. Tour a candy factory or vineyard in your area.
5. Get cheap tix to a ball game some places they have them as low as $5pp
6. Go bike riding in a park
7. Go to a carnival...yes it's cheesy but it just might bring out the kid in you.
8. Check out restaurants in your area for specials and take the wife or husband on the town.
9. Visit a haunted house in your area.
10. Make dinner together (spaghetti and sauce no utensils...I'm just sayin') or have a potluck dinner with other couples.
11. Visit a zoo.
12. Play 20 questions...but only if your really ready to hear the truth!

Until next time, when we can chit-chat again!
T.

Cities: On the Cheap

I found this website that helps you find fun things to do in some cities on the cheap.

It does not contain cities in all 50 US states, but does have some Hawaii & Toronto ideas...for the young at heart there is some Disney on the cheap stuff too.  Check it out they may list a city near you.

If you live in NYC there is a good PBS NYCTV show called $9.99. They have some good ideas on things to do in the city for a train pass and you guess it $9.99 in your pocket.

Until next time, when we can chit-chat again!
T.

$20 or less: Strawberry short-cake

I stumbled across this and thought I'd share the recipe here:

1 can of buttermilk biscuits or Hostess brand sponge cake shells- APX 1.60 = 1.60

2 lbs of fresh strawberry's - APX$4.99/lb = 9.98

juice of 1/2 lemon or lime - APX .59c each = 0.59

1/4-1/2 cup sugar - APX $2.00    = 2.00

1 can whipped cream - APX $3.50 = 3.50

GRAND TOTAL =$17.67

Slice strawberry's and combine in airtight bowl with sugar (to taste) & lemon juice.

Place in the fridge for 1HR - overnight 

Bake biscuits as directed 

Place 1/2 biscuit on plate

Place strawberry mixture over biscuit just prior to serving.

Add whipped cream as desired.

***Juice is not absolutely necessary to enjoy this.  Of course you can always make your own biscuits from scratch.***

Serves 6

APX: 190 Calories each

Fat: 2g

Until next time, when we can chit-chat again!
T.

To Visa or to Discover your visit to the hospital?

When I got home last night I got a letter in the mail stating that one of the many credit cards, that they so kindly gave me in my college years, has been cancelled.  Not because I didn't pay it on time, not because it was over drawn or over due or anything like that.  It was simply because I haven't used it in 24 months and so they figured I didn't need it.  (I haven't picked oranges of the tree in the back yard in nearly 3 years but I haven't cut it down because it's not useful)  I think the least they could do is notify me that they were going to do this to give me an opportunity to stimulate the card and keep it (and my credit score) alive and well.

This makes me think of all those people that the insurance companies WILL not give insurance to, because the breeze blew them that way.  A lot of those people depend heavily on balance free credit card when that little emergency surgery creeps up.  You see, most hospitals won't let them into the hospital without that insurance card or a $10K+ down payment (cash or credit only - no checks please).  When you find out at 7P at night that you have to have surgery the next day at 7A, where ever will you find that sort of cash?  

So Mr. Chase, Ms. Citibank and all you other credit card companies out there...please, please, please leave my credit cards alone.  Not only for my credit score, but possibly my life.  Be more prudent from now on with those who are causing you trouble or those credit applications that you are currently considering!