GEARING UP FOR BLACK FRIDAY

Well it is that time of year again. Black Friday. It makes you feel like that you are way behind in your Christmas shopping even tho that is when it is supposed to began.
 With all of the stores opening up around here around 3 o'clock in the morning that means not much sleep for all us ladies.
My husband says you have got to be crazy to get up this early to go shop. Just like a man lol.
My daughter and I decided we would get up early last year as most stores were opening at 5. So here we go, grap us a parking place in front of Belk's to wait. We were the only ones there that early and was sort of scared. We pulled out our throws and got comfy. It did not take long for the car to get all steamed up and boy what a laugh we had.
But in just a little while in rolled more and more cars sitting waiting.
Then when it was about time to open we found out we had to go into the mall to get in.
So it did not pay us much good to sit and wait as there was a line aready almost out the door. But at least it was warm in there.
We went from there to Walmart. Found us a buggy and waited. She was wanting some DVD's and was in line and they started pushing her and her friend as they were up front and they both about got tramped on.
So that taught us a lesson. Don't be up front in no line because people will tramp you down.
 It was so hot we both got sick and just gave it up and left. But I have learned that the small Walmart's are better to go to and not the Super Centers. You can get what you want without all the hassle. I am sure it is like this at all stores including Target and all the major stores.
So this year I think we will wait and not get up so early as most of the time you can still get the bargins you want later on.
 I like to shop on Thanksgiving Day as there are not many people out and they have good sales that day also. I like to go to Walgreens as they always have good sales on for Thanksgiving day.
 Just be carefual and do not be up front and watch your bags as our friend was paying for a expensive camera and they had put it up on the top of the pad where you check out and a lady came along and grabbed it and ran out the door. They caught it on tape and they had to let her have another one.
 If it is dark don't be by yourself walking as we had a friend who got knocked down and they took her purse and she had to go to the hospital. Lucky she was not hurt to bad and recovered from being dragged in the street.
Don't forget to get that big cup of coffee to keep you pumped up because if you stood on your feet and cooked Thanksgiving I am sure you are very, very tired. I always take a vitiam b12 that day for sure. It will really help and give you some energy.
Make sure you were light clothing. It may be cold but trust me when everyone gets in the stores it gets so hot you can not hardly stand to stay in line. Hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving and Christmas.

BAKED KALE CHIPS

Everyone is talking about how good kale chips are. Even on the doctors I think they were talking about them. I do know that they ae good for eating for a snack if you are dieting. So here is a recipe that is quick to make. In the spring if you have a garden plant some kale. The best variety is the tuscan kale.

1 Bunch Kale, curly variety  but Lacinato is better
1/2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
Sea Salt
Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese

Preheat the oven to 350. Rinse and dry kale so it will not be soggy. Tear into bite-size pieces, discarding tough stems. Toss kale with olive oil, just to coat very lightly. Spread kale across baking sheets in one layer. Sprinkle with sea salt and freshly grated parmesan. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes until edges are starting to brown ad kale gets mostly crispy. Remove from oven and remove from tray, laying kale chips out on a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve at once.

PICKLED SNAP PEAS

11/4 Cups White Vinegar
11/4 Cups Cold Water
1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt
1Tablespoon Sugar
1 LB. Sugar Snap Peas, ends trimmed and strings removed
4 Cloves Garlic, sliced thin
Few Pinches Red Pepper Flakes

In a non-reactive saucepan, not an alium one. Heat the vinegar, salt and sugar until both are dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the cold water. When the vinegar mixture is cool, pack the sugar snaps, red pepper flakes and garlic into jars or a large bowl. Can use 3 one pint jars and the pour the brine over them. If you do not have enough brine, mix equal parts of water and vinegar to add to the jars. Make sure you heat it up. Cover with a lid or plactic wrap if using a bowl. Store in the ref.They should pickle within 5 days. You are supposed to wait for at least a week for all of the flavors to blend. Keep ref.

BLACKBERRY LOAF BREAD

This bread is like banana bread. It is so good with a cold glass of milk. I like it better than banana bread. You can put some nuts in it if you like. I would put a few chopped walnuts.

11/2 Cups All-purpose Flour
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/8 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
11/2 Cups Blackberries, fresh or frozen
1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Milk
1/3 Cup Butter or Marg. melted
2Large Eggs
1 Teaspoon Lemon Zest
2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice

Preheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl stirr together flour and next 3 ings. Stir in blackberries. Wisk together sugar and next 5 ings. until thoroughly blended. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until blended. Pour into a sprayed loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool on a wire rack for 1 hour.

DISH TOWEL HOLDERS

Are you like me, always having to find your dish towel. I have a hook for mine to hang them up by but it always slides off the hook. It is too big to hang over the hook. A simple fix is buy a piece of elastic and just sew a loop on them in the back  corner. Then hang it on the hook. That way, they are not always lying about the kitchen and will not drop off on the floor. You could also you a piece of flat string or rope or even a small piece of material sewed like a button loop.
I put mine from one corner edge to the other and it makes it big enough to hang thru the hook. Can just sew them on with a needle and thread if you don't have a sewing machine. Some companies are now making a loop on the back of them to hang them up by.

PAINETED BOBBIE PINS

If you like to use different color bobbie pins for different outfits then paint them with nail polish. They are expensive to buy and you can put then on a piece of cardboard to hold them and just paint with diffenent colored nail polish.

HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING

3/4 Cup Sour Cream
1/3 Cup Mayo
1/3 Cup Dijon Mustard
1/3 Cup Honey
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice (I use slightly more)

In a mixing bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise and mustard.
Blend thoroughly using a whisk.
Slowly pour in the honey and lemon juice, continue mixing until smooth and well combined.