If the avocados weren’t in the picture, would you know the name of this utensil?  If I didn’t already have one, I wouldn’t know.  My daughter and son-in-law gave this to me last year, and it has been so handy.  My first attempts to use it ended up with smashed looking avocado slices, but then I finally figured out the correct way to use it.  It’s so quick and easy to make nice looking avocado slices now.

These cookies bring back warm memories of childhood and growing up.   My mother made these often, and they were so delicious warm out of the oven.   They’re like a brown sugar cookie, and kids of all ages like them.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 eggs
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1/2 teaspoon Cream of Tartar
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• (1 cup nuts optional – we don’t add the nuts)

Cream the eggs, brown sugar, and butter.  Add the dry ingredients.  Mix well.  Form cookie dough into a long roll about 2 inches in diameter.  Wrap well with wax paper.  Chill for a few hours.  Slice and bake at 350 degrees as needed.  Bake 8-9 minutes for a soft cookie and 10-11 minutes for a crisper cookie.

The cool thing about this recipe is that the dough can be made a day or several days before it’s needed as long as it’s well-wrapped.  If it’s going to be kept for several days, it would be good to store the dough in a large gallon size plastic bag after wrapping with wax paper.

A lot of people are concerned about their weight, and there are many different ways they try to lose weight.  Some cut back on how much they eat and try to get more exercise.  Others might check out a weight loss pills review to find what might work best for them.  And others try one of the many diets available.  Each person has to decide what works best for them and check it out with their doctor.

Austin is a fun place to visit and can provide an inexpensive vacation.   It really is a pretty area, and one part of the vacation can include driving on the west side of Austin and enjoying the beauty of the hills and the Colorado River.

There are several free things to do while visiting Austin.

Freebies:

* Texas State Capitol - open daily.  It’s 14 feet taller than the National Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., and is recognized as one of the nation’s most distinguished capitol buildings.  It is definitely impressive inside and out.  The view from the ground floor looking straight up to the top of the rotunda area is awesome!   Children enjoy going up the beautiful staircases.   Located at 1100 Congress Ave.  (512) 463-0063

* Austin Nature and Science Center - provides families, individuals, and also groups with recreational and educational experiences including a “living museum,” trails,  interpretive exhibits, programs, and collections. Open on Saturday 9- 5 & Sunday 12- 5.   Located at 301 Nature Center Dr, Austin, TX.

(512) 327-8180

* Texas Memorial Museum - a natural history museum which contains exhibits about Texas’ geological and zoological history.  Children especially enjoy the first floor.  They are open on  Saturday from 10 -  5 & Sunday from 1-5 and are  located one block north of the UT football field at  2400 Trinity St.  Austin, TX  (512) 471-1604.  Free admission.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS WITH ADMISSION FEE:

• Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum - an excellent museum worth visiting!  Located at 1800 North Congress Avenue.  (512)-936-8746
• Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum – also a museum worth visiting.  Located at 2313 Red River Street.  (512) 916-5137
• Austin Children’s Museum located at 201 Colorado Street.  (512) 472-2499

* Texas Rowing Center located on the Hike and Bike Trail on Town Lake – a fun place to rent canoes.  They are open 6 AM until dusk every day.  (512) 467-7799.  (We have done this a couple of different times, and it’s a fun activity for the whole family.  Town Lake provides a great view of downtown Austin.)

#1, Kelly’s question. What is your favorite memory associated with the smell of a certain food? As in, you smell it, close your eyes and are instantly drawn back to a magical moment in time….

It would probably be the smell of my grandmother’s recipe for brown sugar “ice box” cookies baking in the oven.  My mother made those a lot when I was growing up.  (It’s a great cookie recipe that you chill in the fridge and then bake whenever you want.)
#2. Name something red that is in your cabinets.

Spaghetti sauce
#3. Ice. Do you have an ice maker, use ice cube trays or buy by the bag?

We have an ice maker and also use trays to make distilled water ice cubes.
#4. Pepper. What kind do you use most often? Is it in a grinder or a shaker?

I have both kinds, but we use the pepper grinder the most.

• Check ALL of the grocery ads every week.  Sometimes I will go to three different grocery stores in one week to buy their sale items.  I try not to make a special trip but stop at each store when I’m in that area anyway.
• Stock up when often-used items are on sale. If something is on sale at a great price and it’s something I use often, then I’ll stock up on it while I can get it at a bargain.  For example, if I can get cereal half price then I’ll buy two or three boxes.  If chicken breasts are on sale for 99c/pound, then I’ll buy several packages and freeze most of it.  If it’s a large package, then I will separate it into two or three smaller packages.
  
• Buy store brands. For the most part, store brands are just as good as name brands.  Through trial and error, though, I learned which  items need to be the name brand.
  
• Cut out coupons! Remember stores other than grocery stores will take coupons. (such as Walmart and Target)  Check and see if they do.  Also, try to find stores that double and triple coupons.  Remember, it defeats the purpose to buy something just because it’s on sale.  If it’s a huge bargain and you don’t need the item, donate it to a food pantry, benevolent center, etc.
  
• Plan your errands! In order to save gas, group your errands according to general areas.  For example, I try to stop by a certain grocery store because it’s on my way home.  Or I go to Sam’s Club, Target, and the bank on the same trip because they’re close to each other.
• Re-use paper towels that are barely used.  I save paper towels that I’ve dried clean hands on or towels that are barely used.  I let them dry and then store them in a pretty dish or canister.  Whenever there is a spill, I use those paper towels.  Why get a brand new towel just to clean up a messy spill off the floor?
  

#1. Mashed potatoes. Do you usually buy the boxes, the frozen or make from scratch.

Make from scratch.
#2. Cottage cheese. What kind do you like? (large curd, small curd, 2%, 4%, no salt, etc)

I buy low fat cottage cheese.
#3. Is there a food that you are brand loyal to?

For lunchmeat, I always buy Hormel Natural Choice Turkey with no nitrates or preservatives.  Get coupons!
#4. When cooking do you usually use fresh onions or the ones from the spice aisle that are chopped or powdered?

I nearly always use fresh onions.