68 one day, 40 with snow another

Snow, yes it is beautiful to look at with the gleaming Christmas lights, and it's fun to see kids have fun in it (I used to have fun in it, especially when my brother's sled would hit a tree - that was funny, he wouldn't steer out of the way!), but I really dislike it.  Driving in it stinks, other people not knowing how to drive in it stinks, and the next day when it's all gray and black and dirty looking, it stinks.  Also, I help people who have auto accidents as my profession, so while I enjoy helping each and every one of them that needs my help, this gets to be quite the busy/stressful time of year at work.  I just hope I can help everyone thru the process and remind them that a car is just a car and as long as they're okay, then everything will be a-ok.

So what does this have to do with food?  Nada!  I made a great dinner tonight if I do say so myself, but am on the couch now resting and relaxing for what I know will be a busy week, especially after being down last week with the stomach bug.  I will post the recipes and pictures of my meals tomorrow, along possibly with some icksnowick pics;) 

Also tomorrow, since I received all of my supplies, I must start my Christmas cards and also continue working on my Christmas scrapbook.  I'm taking pictures as I go, so I'm just kinda writing down, or journaling, as I go as well, and then when I have the pictures printed, I will put it all together.  I follow not only alot of cooking blogs, but also alot of scrapbooking blogs, and I've learned so many techniques, designs, and just to go for it - I've always been afraid to use too many colors or papers/textures overlapping eachother, but I know I need to get over that and just go!  I can't wait to see what happens!

Talk to you all tomorrow:)  If you have to drive in the snow, drive slowly and be mindful of the other drivers out there:)

Grocery shop like a pro!

I, for some reason, like grocery shopping. I like people watching, so maybe that is why, or maybe b/c I like to see what's new out there, who knows. But I do not like spending a ton of time (more than 45 mins) at the grocery store, or really any store for that matter. Here are some of my tips on how to be, or become, a great grocery shopper!

1. Eat before you go shopping, even if it's just snack - that way you don't buy every box of twinkies or bag of chips you see;)

2. Look at the weekly flyer for the particular store(s) you go to, see what's on sale, and plan EVERY meal that you are going to cook that week. This way, you do not forget anything, and you only buy what you need. To plan your menu's, use magazines like the Kraft Magazine, cookbooks, or websites, like mine and many other cooking blogs; also use a fave of mine, www.cooks.com!

3. Make a list so again you don't forget anything, but make the list by aisle! I learned this from my mom - going to the grocery store every week, we know where most things are located. Again, this way you are organized and not forgetting anything and having to run around the store crazily, nor go back during the week (what a pain!).

4. USE USE USE coupons - they are there to save you $! I like to use coupons from flyers in the mail, the regular store flyer, if they have coupons that week, couponsuzy.com and/or coupons.com (they are usually pretty similar).

5. Bag your own groceries;) Okay, so this won't make your experience "better" persay, but if you go to a line where there is no bagger, just go ahead and get in there - you know where things in your house go and can bag accordingly. I prefer to bag my own groceries, and not because I think the workers at the store do a poor job or because I worked at a grocery store during college, but because again I know which things go in the same cabinets in my house, etc - makes it easier on everyone:) Also, use the recyclable bags - I know my Stop and Shop takes 5 cents off my order for every recyclable bag I use:)

And always remember - the grocery store will always be a madhouse the night before a snowstorm or holiday - plan accordingly; also remember that if the power goes out because of that snowstorm, the Lean Cuisine's you bought are no good, so buy staples like bread and peanut butter instead;)

Tomorrow, finally, the pumpkin pie/crust/whipped cream recipe:)