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FREE Napkin Folding App

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by This Diva

I like to see dinner napkins folded into pretty shapes. I think they add an extra touch of elegance to a table. I also think that they make the guests at the table feel extra special - I’ve witnessed this first-hand when my own dinner guests reacted with surprised pleasure at the sight of a decoratively folded napkin at their place setting.

I’ve never bought a book on napkin folding, because there are so many free on-line sites that give instructions on the art. I go to those sites whenever I want to fold napkins for special occasions, especially during holidays. I’ve memorized a couple of folds, and sometimes when I’m out to dinner with friends I’ll fold our napkins just to give our table some “style”.

I got to thinking how nice it would be if there were an app for napkin folding that featured several different designs, an app that I could just open up, no matter where I am, for step-by-step instructions. I immediately went to the App Store and began my search. Of course, being me, I searched for a FREE app, and…..I FOUND IT!

SERVETT is a FREE APP that features 15 folded napkin designs. Not only does it give step-by-step instructions, but they are accompanied by photos. An added plus is that you don’t need an internet connection to access the instructions when you open this app. As mentioned, previously, it’s available in Apple’s App Store, but I have not found it in the Android Market.

If you’re into napkin folding, and can download this app, then do so. You won’t regret it. Do you know of any other FREE napkin folding apps?

Thanks for visiting my blog, and please save something for me this week!

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Seafood Meals In Foil Pockets

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by This Diva

When I’m pressed for time, and I want a nutritious seafood meal, baking in foil pouches is my method of choice.

It is so easy. First, I grab a foil sheet, and spray it with olive oil. Next, I lay a bed of fresh spinach in the center of the the foil. Then, I lay fresh, well-seasoned fish on top of the spinach. Afterwards, I layer fresh vegetables over the fish. Finally, I fold the sides of the foil over everything, sealing the contents shut. In the oven it all goes to bake, at a high temperature, for about 10 minutes (the heat circulates inside the foil).

All ready for baking!

All ready for baking!

When the baking is done I have a delicious, succulent meal. Sometimes I’ll eat it alone. At other times I’ll eat it with rice or pasta.

Ready to eat!

Ready to eat!

Oh, and the cleanup? It’s a breeze. The foil gets thrown away, so the only dishes I have to wash are my silverware, the knife I used to cut up the vegetables, my serving plate, and my beverage glass.

When the summer comes, and it gets hot, I won’t want to turn my gas oven on, but I have other options for baking in foil packets. I can either use my toaster oven, or an outdoor grill.

Do you bake seafood in foil packets?

Thanks for visiting my blog, and please save something for me today!

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I Saved 90% Through Clever Couponing

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by This Diva

Yes, it’s true! I recently bought a brand new $29.99 (plus sales tax) book for $3.00 and change. I saved 90% through clever couponing.

As many of you know, I enjoy knitting. I like making things for myself, and others. Having this skill also enables me to own, and gift, unique items at much less the cost of purchasing them.

I’d been eyeing a particular knitting pattern book for months. Every time I’d visit my local craft store I’d wander over to the book stand to thumb through its pages. The patterns contained between its covers are absolutely exquisite, but the price was more than my books-budget could accommodate.

Knitting Books for Christmas!

Knitting Books! (Photo credit: LollyKnit)

Several weeks ago I received a $10.00 gift certificate from the craft store in exchange for the number of frequent shopper points I’d amassed (the reason why I try only to shop at stores that offer this kind of program). Well, my certificate was due to expire in one week, but I could not think of a single item for which I wanted to redeem it. I wasn’t going to buy just anything, simply for the sake of using the certificate, and time was running out.

Before the week’s end, to my surprise, I received a 55%-off coupon from this same craft store. I was ecstatic, because I knew I could combine it with the gift certificate. So, off to the store I went. As soon as I entered I walked over to the bookcase, and there it was, the $29.99 knitting book I had been eyeing for months. I picked it up, and waltzed over to the checkout counter with it. I handed the cashier both my $10.00 gift certificate, and my 55%-off coupon (an act which garnered a pleasant comment from her), and left having paid just $3.00 and change. It was, without a doubt, one of my best bargain purchases…..ever!

I certainly do enjoy saving money like this, how about you?

Thanks for visiting my blog, and please save something for me today!

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Macy’s Flower Show…..FREE!

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by This Diva

I was in Philadelphia, a few days ago, and made my way over to Macy’s Department Store to see their annual Flower Show. It was marvelous!

The Grand Court at Macy's - Downtown, Philadelphia

The Grand Court at Macy’s - Downtown, Philadelphia

Macy’s presents this annual flower show in 5 of their stores across the country. The theme of the show changes every year; this year’s theme is The Secret Garden.

So many scented flowers!

So many scented flowers!

The Philadelphia store spans an entire block, and I walked in through the back entrance. As I was making my way to the front of the store I slowly began to smell the fragrance of fresh flowers. When I arrived at the Grand Court I was awash in the intoxicating scent of brilliantly colored flowers, and blossoming trees.

I began to smell the fragrance of blossoms....

I began to smell the fragrance of blossoms….

There were garden-type arrangements in the Grand Court of the store, as well as atop fixtures in the surrounding jewelry, and shoe departments. In the aisles there were stand-alone displays of fresh flower arrangements, as well.

One of the garden-type arrangements

One of the garden-type arrangements

A fixture in the Jewelry Department

A fixture in the Jewelry Department

To add to the delight of being there was the organ concert that began while I was busy taking photographs. Formerly, the John Wanamaker Department Store, it’s founder (of the same name) had the pipe organ installed there over a hundred years ago. The organist thrilled us with selections from operas, Broadway musicals, motion pictures, and more. It all made for a surreal experience.

The Wanamaker Organ

The Wanamaker Organ

…..and the best part about experiencing such a marvelous event? I did so for FREE. I left that store deliriously happy without having made one dent in my entertainment budget!

Floral-fashion with red roses!

Floral-fashion with red roses!

There are still a few days left before the Macy’s Flower Show ends (see the Events line-up at the top of this page). If you’re in, or near, a city where it’s showing, will you be going?

Thanks for visiting my blog, and please save something for me today!

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How I Save On Salmon

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by This Diva

This week I saved on salmon, one of my seafood favorites! It’s touted as an essentially beneficial health food. In fact, many nutritionists advocate eating it at least once a week, but it’s expensive.

I discovered a way to save on salmon while browsing my local farmer’s market,Taken off Camera on March 11th 237 one day. I walked over to the fresh seafood area and noticed that the merchant was selling salmon chunks and salmon strips. Now, I’d never before seen salmon sold this way, so out of curiosity I ventured closer to the glass-enclosed refrigerator display case for a better look. What I discovered was that the chunks and strips were priced at a much lower cost per pound than the steaks and flanks.

Taken off Camera on March 11th 238My immediate thoughts upon seeing those lower priced chunks, and strips, of salmon were, “What’s wrong with them? There has to be some reason (bad) why they’re priced lower than the steaks and flanks.” The truth was that nothing was wrong with them. They were simply the ends that were cut off for aesthetic purposes (to give the steaks and flanks a more uniform look).

My next thoughts were borne of my practical sense…”Hey, if I buy a salmon Taken off Camera on March 11th 240steak (or flank), I’m not going to eat all of it at one meal. I’ll save half of it for leftovers. Also, I’ll probably eat the leftover half in a salad, which means I’ll wind up cutting it up, anyway. If I buy these chunks, or these strips, then I’m saving myself some meal prep time, and, more importantly, some money.” So, I bought myself some strips.

I frequently buy fresh fresh salmon chunks, and strips, and this really helps to stretch my weekly grocery budget. If you’re now thinking of doing the same then let me caution you to be on the watch for strips that are more fat than meat. Other than that, you should not have any worries.

SalmonStripsThe bottom line is that a pound of fresh salmon is a pound of fresh salmon whether in the form of a steak, or in chunks, or strips. When it’s cooked up it tastes the same no matter what the form. If steaks and flanks average $10.49/lb, and chunks are $3.99/lb., strips $4.50/lb., then I figure out how much of my grocery budget money I want to save, and I buy accordingly.

How do you save on salmon?

Well, thanks for visiting my blog, and remember to save something for me today!

 

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New Theme

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by This Diva

One saving thing I’ve done this week is to change the theme for this blog. It’s past the middle of March, and it’s been a long time since my last post…..months!

The old theme was requiring too much time for me to maintain, to the point where I’d decided to abandon this blog. That decision gnawed at me, so I had to reassess, and reevaluate. That’s when the thought occurred to me change the theme to something that required less maintenance time. So, voila! Here’s the new look!

Thank You

Thank You (Photo credit: drp)

To my 74 Facebook Like-ers I say, “Thank you.” You are a large part of the reason why I’m continuing to blog, so please accept these gorgeous roses. I’ve chosen them especially for you.

Well, thanks for stopping by my page, and remember to save something for me today!

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5 Free Crockpot Cranberry Sauce Recipes

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by This Diva

Today, it’s FREE cranberry sauce crockpot recipes to make your Thanksgiving Day meal preparations a bit easier. Cooking foods in crockpots (or slow cookers) frees you up to do other things, because you seldom have to tend to the pot during the cooking process.

Cranberry sauce

Cranberry sauce (Photo credit: cjbakker)

If you’ve never had homemade cranberry sauce then you’ve missed out on a delicious food experience. I’ve made my own on many occasions, and I don’t know which was the better experience - making it, or eating it!

I’ve searched the web for the following FREE recipes. They require minimal, and low-cost ingredients. My aim is to help you stay within (and perhaps, under) your grocery budget.

Remember, if you want to slow-cook several dishes, but only have one or two crockpots it’s okay. You can always make some dishes, and refrigerate or freeze them, ahead of Thanksgiving Day.

Crockpot Cranberry Sauce Recipes

  1. Easy Crockpot Cranberry Sauce - 3 ingredients
  2. Cranberry Orange Relish - 5 ingredients
  3. Crockpot Holiday Cranberry Sauce - 6 ingredients
  4. Slow Cooked Cranberry Sauce - 6 ingredients
  5. Three Hour Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce - 6 ingredients

Cranberry Sauce 006

Cranberry Sauce (Photo credit: MGF/Lady Disdain)

So, do you think you’ll try making your own cranberry sauce?

Thanks for visiting my blog, and please…..save some meal prep time for me on Thanksgiving Day!

 

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4 Free Crockpot Collard Greens Recipes

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by This Diva

Today, it’s collard greens FREE crockpot recipes to make your Thanksgiving Day meal preparations a bit easier. Cooking foods in crockpots (or slow cookers) frees you up to do other things, because you seldom have to tend to the pot during the cooking process.

Slow-Cooker Collard Greens not at all like Mom...

Slow-Cooker Collard Greens not at all like Mom used to/still makes… (Photo credit: urbanbohemian)

I’m a child of the South, so collard greens are very important to me.
They are a staple in that part of the country, and a feature on most holiday menus.

I’ve searched the web for the following FREE collard greens recipes. They require minimal, and low-cost ingredients. My aim is to help you stay within (and perhaps, under) your grocery budget.

Remember, if you want to slow-cook several dishes, but only have one or two crockpots it’s okay. You can always make some dishes, and refrigerate or freeze them, ahead of Thanksgiving Day.

Crockpot Collard Greens Recipes

  1. Slow Cooked Collard Greens - 6 ingredients
  2. Slow Cooker Collard Greens - 7 ingredients
  3. Balsamic Collard Greens - 9 ingredients
  4. Slow Cooker Collard Greens - 11 ingredients (mostly common in all households)

Have you ever slow-cooked collard greens?

Thanks for visiting my blog, and please…..save some meal prep time for me on Thanksgiving Day!

 

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Free Crockpot Mashed Potatos Recipes

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by This Diva

Here’s some more FREE crockpot recipe links to help make your Garlic Smashed Potatoes, IngredientsThanksgiving Day food prep a little easier. My previous post featured links to FREE turkey recipes for crockpot cooking. Today, and all this week I will post links to side dishes.

Also, if you want to slow-cook several several dishes, but only have one or two crockpots it’s okay. You can always make some dishes, and refrigerate or freeze them ahead of Thanksgiving Day.

Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

  1. Buttery Mashed Potatoes - 5 ingredients
  2. Chive and Ranch Smashed Potatoes - 6 ingredients
  3. Crockpot Garlic Mashed Potatoes - 7 ingredients
  4. Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes - 7 ingredients
  5. Rustic Garlic Mashed Potatoes - 8 ingredients
  6. Creamy Chive and Onion Mashed Potatoes - 8 ingredients
  7. Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes - 8 ingredients
  8. Creamy Mashed Red Potatoes - 9 ingredients

Are you thinking about trying one of these recipes?

Thanks for visiting my blog, and please…..save some meal prep time for me on Thanksgiving Day!

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9 Free Crockpot Turkey Recipes

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by This Diva

herb roasted turkey breast

(Photo credit: annieseats)

I appreciate all of you visitors to my blog so much that I want to make your Thanksgiving Day meal preparation a bit easier.

I’ve searched the web for the following free recipes. They require minimal, and low-cost ingredients.

My aim is to help you stay within (and perhaps, under) your grocery budget.

 

Crockpot Turkey Recipes

  1. Tips on Cooking a Turkey in a Slow Cooker
  2. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast -2 ingredients
  3. Cranberry Turkey in a Slow Cooker - 3 ingredients
  4. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe - 3 ingredients
  5. Slow Cooker Cranberry Turkey Breast - 4 ingredients
  6. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast - 5 ingredients
  7. Slow Cooker Herbed Turkey Breast - 8 ingredients
  8. Slow Cooker Lemon Thyme Turkey - 8 ingredients
  9. Slow Cooker Savory Turkey Breast - 8 ingredients

 

Cooking foods in a crockpot frees you up to do other things, because you don’t have to tend to the pot during the cooking process. That saves you an abundance of meal prep time.

What do you think about cooking your turkey in a crockpot?

Thanks for visiting my blog, and please…save some meal prep time for me this Thanksgiving Day!

 

 

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