My mother's brownie recipe (which is only one I use) calls for cocoa.  She always made a vanilla (white) frosting to go over the top, so I do, too!  Only difference--I usually sprinkle chopped pecans over the top of icing!  Yea, boy!  These brownies are BIG good, y'all!  Miss Paula in Texas

I know that most of this readership is not located in southeast Texas (Houston area), but this very problem is being addressed in a very CUTE way here.  The most popular brand of ice cream in Texas is Blue Bell, made at the Little Creamery in Brenham, Texas, a small town about an hour northwest of Houston.  Their TV commercials ...

Today has been a great SAVING day for me!  I was able to purchase $218 worth of groceries at Target/HEB for $93!  I didn't purchase ANYTHING that didn't have a corresponding coupon.  Best deals?  Our Target has Dr. Pepper, 7UP, Sunkist, A&W 12-packs--3 for $7; I had Internet printed coupons for $1 off each 12-pack, ...

I usually give an assortment of baby items, such as soaps, shampoos, lotions, bath toys, etc and keep the cost under $20.  I try to use coupons on these things or buy store brand; Wal-Mart and Target both have great baby items. How about an envelope full of baby-item coupons?  These can be printed off from the computer and/or ...

Girl, I'm with you!  Seems that there should come a time in our lives when we can eat WHATEVER we want without guilt!  HA!  I tell my mom all of the time that she is the reason that I'm overweight.  When she questions my logic, I say, "Mom, when I was a little girl who cried, you would give me cookies to "make ...

I'm with you, Lynn--there's never enough left over from the "we're-celebrating-'cause-we-got-candy-on-SALE" binge to have to worry about storing it--HA!  Miss Paula in Texas

Ohhhhh Yeahhhhhhh, mommatothree--you're talking my language--hardcore, cut-to-the-bone, searching-under-the-couch-cushions-for-change FRUGALITY!  Girl, I don't believe Amy Dacyszyn of the Tightwad Gazette has a THING on you!  To be compared to the Freud of Frugality, the Maven of Making-Do, Amy D., is the highest form of flattery ...

Smart investment, Walt!  One of my chores as a teenager was to gather all of the saw blades, axes, and hatchets and take to Mr. Hill to have him put a "blade" on all--your post brings back good memories!  Thanks--Miss Paula in Texas

I NEVER choose cold cereal--don't keep it--not a frugal choice, in my opinion!  My favorite breakfast is fresh eggs (from my laying hens), chopped onions and green peppers (either fresh from the garden or from the freezer where I have lots stored), real homemade biscuits (not Bisquick) and sausage from either Green's Sausage House in ...

What skills/talents do you/your family have that could be bartered?  My mother, sister, and I--all decent seamstresses--have traded sewing/alterations for food, services, etc.  My husband does taxes and recently received a whole butchered hog for providing tax consulting work for a man who could not afford to pay for it!  I have ...