Start the New Year off Right!

The custom of making resolutions goes back four thousand years to the Babylonians - their favorites being paying off outstanding debts and returning farming tools and cooking utensils. If neither of those works for you, here a few that might. Resolve to be...

1. Organized. Clean out one drawer. Not all, just the really messy one.

2. Unselfish. Find one opportunity to give of your time or resources to children, other adults or to charity.

3. Cheerful. Spend one day finding the good in everyting.

4. Healthy. Take a half-hour walk on day, just one day, to see how you like it.

5. Improved. Take a class, go to an art museum, listen to some music you don't usually listen to - learn something new!

6. Kind. Do a favor for someone who needs it, but would never ask.

If your resolutions make you feel like a failure by February, try several of these and see what a difference they can make.

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How to Get Santa Size savings at the grocery store

Grocery bills can mount - especially around the holidays. So before you head to the store, read this and save more.

Compare different brands by price-per-weight or price-per-unit. Just because boxes or jars are the same size, doesn't mean they cost the same.

Buy bouillon cubes. Cubes are much cheaper than canned broth.

Buy only groceries and food related items. A discount store is your best bet for nonfood items such as shampoo, toothpaste or deodorant.

Choose produce by weight. Use the scale to get the best value on fruits and vegetables. One head of lettuce may be larger but less dense than another.

Use reconstituted dry milk or diluted evaporated milk for cooking or baking.

Steer clear of packaged foods. Usually the deli counter or the bakery will have better buys.

Skip those pricey premade burger patties. Make your own from a family pack of meat. Freeze any extra patties for another night.

And finally, don't forget to read the small print on flyers. You'll be out of luck if you do your grocery shopping on Tuesday for a sale item that might be limited to "Friday only."

What are you doing for the holiday's?

We normally house hop! That's when you try to visit all your family that lives in the general area. After that we hit the road for a short road trip to my grandparents house. That's where we all actually sit down and have dinner, laugh, talk and just be thankfully for everyone and all the things we have.

So what are your family traditions? Do you have any? Or are you planning to start some of your own?

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Welcome to Brownie Daze Blog!

It's always Brownie Daze somewhere! When everything is happening all at once and you can barely hear yourself think. The kids are pulling you in a million directions, you have homework to help with and you have dinner to make.

I'm here to blog about all the things that interest me not only as a designer and boutique owner but as a mother and a boutique buyer as well.
I thought I'd start this blog off with a great recipe.

Loaded Potato Soup

2/3 cup of butter
2/3 cup of flour
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 tsp salt (or season to taste)
1/2 tsp pepper
7 cups of milk
4 large baking potatoes diced and peeled about (4 cups)
1 medium onion finely chopped
3-4 stripes of bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled
1 cup of sour cream
1 cup of cut broccoli
1 can broccoli cheese soup
(no need to add extra milk to the cheese soup, it's included in the 7 cups)


what to do:

Melt the butter in a large pot, stir in flour, can of broccoli cheese soup and gradually add the 7 cups of milk. Stir until frothy. Add potatoes and onions and bring to a boil stirring frequently. Turn down and simmer on low for about 15-20 minutes. Then add everything else and stir until cheese is melted.


Serves 6 - 8


Enjoy!