Easy, Crunchy and Fat-free Potato Chips in the Microwave

But first a word from a product I won't be sponsoring only ---- copying! 

I have a few Pampered Chef items that were given to me by a daughter-in-law --- which I like a lot and use a lot. Until last month I had never been to one of their parties.  It was interesting and kinda fun but the cheapskate in me didn't like the prices, or the shipping/handling charge added to deliver it to the home of the hostess.

I'm sorry but that is just how I am or more than likely, how all cheapskates are.

I rarely buy potato chips because I love them and I cannot eat just one! I really liked the PC microwave potato chip maker that was demonstrated at the party but I was really turned off by the price and the fact that it is basically a one-purpose wonder.

I think my brain is conditioned to automatically start thinking up ways to recreate what ever makes my eyes light up. Or the dollar $igns!

 I wanted to buy something to support the party but after less than  two and one-half minutes of rationalizing $26 for two round holey surfaces of microwaveable plastic my brain kicked into gear.

Thus, the photos below I located on the internet (because Dave isn't home to take my pictures for me).

As soon as I got home I raided my microwave-able plastic-pieces storage box looking for holey things. I first  uncovered the old steamer thingey I've had for years (and has been buried and laying dormant for about the same length of time.)   It's the photo with the salmon, lemon slice and sprig of something. Rosemary maybe?

And it did quite a good job making potato chips.

The next day I found it necessary  to drop by the thrift store and found this extremely labor-intensive, and probably, up until now, one-purpose, microwave bacon cooker for $1.25 .  Bingo! (See the photo with the bacon carefully stretched and skewered between the uprights?) That's the Bacon Wave "as seen on TV" for $ 9.88. But,  if you call in the next 10 minutes. . .

Old steamer  thingey

The "Bacon Wave" as seen on TV. . .

Okay, here's what you do.

1. Scrub a potato or two really well but don't bother peeling. 
2. Use the thinnest slicer on the mandolin* to slice the potato. 
3. Place one slice in each of the upright slots. (It seems to work a little better if you either use just the two outer rows of slots or skip every other one. It won't take too long to experiment.
4. Microwave on  high for two or three  4-minute intervals, depending on your microwave.  They will crisp up as they cool down. (Cool off is probably more correct but I liked how crisp up--cool down sounded)

I didn't salt or season them because I knew we were going to dip them heavily into sour cream onion dip! But you could if you wanted. You could also very lightly spray them or rub them with oil but I didn't notice much difference so why the extra calories?

*Mandolin (sometimes spelled mandoline) --- a very handy item that slices and dices thinly and evenly (and will quickly remove part of your finger if you 1) do not use the guard and/or 2) are not careful). You can buy one at a PC party for a lot of money. I just found a used PC one on e-bay for $48.99 and it didn't have the box! You can buy other brands for more than that!

I did find an older PC one recently at my thrift store for $2.50 (also without the box) and I don't think it works any better than the one I bought for brand new at Bed, Bath and Beyond for $10.00, including the box! Actually, $10 is misleading, I used BB&B's 20 percent off coupon!

This is the one I use all the time and it hasn't  failed me yet.

Even if it does finally get dull, compared to the others out there, it would be a small price to pay for a new one. (Especially if you have a coupon!)

PS.  Just so you know I'm not totally cheap or clueless about these party things I did buy a stirrer/mixer/whipper thing that I couldn't figure how to whip up myself ----  it does do three things (stir/whip/mix)
and
I split the shipping charge with two neighbors!

Betty's Best-Ever Barbecue Sauce

Happy New Year --- a few days late.  Hope you all had a great holiday.

The big celebration(s) I mentioned were coming up (when last I blogged) were terrific.  All we'd hoped for and more!!! As the six days of activities were winding down, many of us came down with the nasty flu stuff that is going around. That is why this post is later than I had planned.

Two days ago the newlyweds stopped off for a few minutes on their way back to college. The next day a grandson, also on his way to back to college, spent the night. It is very handy living at about the half way mark between their homes and their schools.  And it makes a nice break for them in the many-hours-drive and a great chance for us to share a short visit.

But what does all this have to do with Barbecue Sauce?

I fed them barbecue chicken sandwiches using Costco canned chunk chicken and my homemade barbecue sauce.  They loved the sauce and, when they found out I made it, asked if it was on my blog. I was even surprised to realize I hadn't posted it, even though I have included it in the booklets I have written and in classes I have taught over the years.  Siera, the newlywed, made me promise I would blog it --- and soon.

So, here it is. This recipe was given to me about 33 years ago, soon after we moved to the Midwest where Betty  introduced us to brisket smothered in her delicious, quick and easy sauce.

Betty's Best-Ever Barbecue Sauce

Combine and mix well. 
2 cups catsup
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 T. Worchestershire sauce
1 T. liquid smoke* 

That's it!  It is ready to use immediately.  Store in refrigerator.

*I prefer Wright's Hickory Seasoning Liquid Smoke but Colgin's brand seems to be easier to find and does the job!

'til we eat again,
           Simply, Gail

Thoughts ---- 'Till We Meet Again . . .

On our second date, Dave brought me a long-stemmed single red rose that he had plucked from the garden on his way to pick me up. To me that was more romantic than a florist-arranged dozen roses.  And, that has nothing to do with my being cheap and everything to do with him being creative.

For some unknown-at-the-time reason I saved that rose. Today, more than 50 years later, the simple single rose, now dry and brittle but still red-ish, is in a small clear plastic box, among other treasures tucked away in a brown cardboard box labeled with a felt tip marker:  Mom and Dad's Treasure Box.

Simple things of priceless value.

As I write this, our 50th anniversary is nine days away, the wedding of our first grandchild to be married is seven days away and on the 29th our only daughter (Siera is their only daughter) and her husband will celebrate their 23rd anniversary.

As you read this, along with celebrating the sacred birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, our family will be all together* for the first time in a long time --- celebrating the many simple things of priceless value that make our family who it is. When our kids told us, a few months ago, what they were planning we knew it  would take a lot of coordination and effort to bring this to pass. They couldn't have given us a greater gift!

It is my prayer that, wherever you are, whatever circumstances you are in or how complicated your life is, you will seek and find peace and joy in simply pondering the wonder of His birth and all the great and simple things that He has given to and for us.

When we count our blessings, one by one, we will be amazed at what the Lord has done.

I am Simply, Gail and I will check in again as we enter a new year.

May God be with you 'till we meet again.


*except for one grandson who is serving a mission in Chile (and who will call on Christmas), and the new bride and her husband (who probably won't!)

Two Purrfect Gifts for the Kitty Cat

T'was two nights before Christmas and all through the house,  
The cat was napping after catching the mouse

When suddenly the lady awoke with a start
Her mind was racing; sorrow filled her heart

She'd forgotten the kitty when she bought all the gifts!
Her dear little hunter, how could she have missed?

Off to her computer in middle of night
To read Simply Gail who'd answer her plight

This rhyme is sooooo dumb---but the message is such
the creative cheapskate tries to be, always, in "touch" ----

at just the touch of the other mouse.

Sock it to 'em
Next to the stalking of a real mouse, catnip is high on the list of cat favorites and is a totally safe and long-lasting treat.  Want to keep your cats frolicking for hours and days?  You can buy catnip toys but since you are visiting this blog that is probably not your usual way of doing things. So, sew little pouches yourself  or, simply fill baby socks with catnip and sew the opening securely shut.

Blow 'em a gift

Never in my wildest dreams (or cat naps) would I have thought anything like this existed! When I was "mousing" for catnip information it took me to this Wal-Mart site.

I tried to capture the picture but that didn't work.  I tried my scanner and that didn't work.  So, the best I can do, if you want to see and read about  the "pure frantic fun" Kookamunga Catnip Bubbles, is direct you to the site. And, you may want to check out the reviews.  I can't guarantee it but it sounds like lots of good clean fun.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Kookamunga-Catnip-Bubbles-4-oz.-Bottle-Cats/3635183

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

The Creative Cheapskate Discovers a Sham . . .

is good for more than covering pillows!!!

My last post showed you (literally) our dog Puppy's new-to-him              t-shirt to help keep him warm on cool days--- and how to simply and cheaply create a cool shirt to warm your pet.

But, like I had mentioned in the t-shirt post, since the hair on  his lower back and belly has thinned so much and the temperature keeps dropping we knew he would need something more than just a shirt for his time outdoors.

This past fall we bought a king size quilt from the thrift shop to protect plants in our garden at early frost. The $5 quilt came with two pillow shams which we didn't want --- but neither did the thrift store. 

I looked at the shape of dog coats at the store and made a paper pattern using Puppy's neck-to-tail and around-the-belly measurements from the t-shirt project --- remembering, this time,  to cut the thigh area higher to avoid accidents when he lifts his leg.

I cut the coat from the quilted top of the pillow sham, covered the raw cut edges with seam tape, and sewed lengths of velcro-type hook and loop strips to the front neck pieces and the straps that fasten over his middle.

For some reason the color doesn't show up here
as the maroon it really is.
 

Pillow shams are large enough to make a vest or simple coat or a robe for a toddler or even slippers for a larger child or adult.  These are the times (or finds) where . . . 

This is Puppy several years ago, and the first (and up to now)
only wardrobe piece he owned.

putting on your thinking cap comes in handy.

Quick Do-it-Yourself Dog T-Shirt for Cooler Weather

Our neighbor Linda  has a very small dog, Lucky Lady, who has very short hair and gets cold easily.  The little Lady is lucky to have a big wardrobe.   One day last week she was wearing one of her coats and what appeared to be leggings on her front legs.  When we questioned  Linda she told us that she bought "onesies" at our local Wal-Mart for $3 or $4 and they made perfect dog t-shirts.

Our dog Puppy is a Lhasa Apso mix --- 
rescued from the dog pound about 
11 years ago, when he 

was three or four years old.

And, as you can see, clothes were not needed! (and this picture was taken when he had his summer haircut!)

That was then----




Now Puppy is, with what we consider quiet dignity, 
living with the hair-loss consequences of profound hypo-thyroidism  and he gets cold. 

And his previously long and bushy tail is just a few scrawny strands.

The Light Bulb Went On!
I'm not called the creative cheapskate for nothing

I measured him from neck to tail and around his somewhat ample belly (the medication has helped eliminate some of the weight) and headed to the local thrift store with the tape measure and a handful of change.

He is a perfect Toddler 4-5!

He was amazingly patient as we dressed him, even lifting his paws for the sleeves, and didn't try to get it off. He appears to be quite comfortable in it, even in the relatively warm house.

                                                                                                                                                                                         A little later, after a trip outside,  we discovered one problem that Lucky Lady didn't have because . . 
she squats and Puppy doesn't.

It only took a moment to shorten the belly-side of the shirt.
This starter piece for his wardrobe cost 50 cents!  He can have an entire wardrobe for the price of one onesie.



The forecast is 28 degrees for tomorrow.  My next post will show him simply decked out and ready.

At this Beautiful Christmas Season I am . . .

                                                                              “There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus Christ. 

It is the time to love the Lord, our God, with all our heart – and our neighbors as ourselves.       

It is well to remember that he who gives money gives much; he who gives time gives more; but he who gives of himself gives all.

Christmas isn’t just tinsel and ribbon, unless we have made it so in our lives.  

Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. 

It is happiness because we see joy in people. 

It is forgetting self and finding time for others. 

It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values. 

It is peace because we have found peace in the Savior’s teachings. 

It is the time we realize most deeply that the more love is expended, the more there is of it for others.”

May we, as did the Wise Men, seek a bright, particular star to guide us to our Christmas opportunity in service to our fellow man. 

May we all make the journey to Bethlehem in spirit, taking with us a tender, caring heart as our gift to the Savior, and may one and all have a joy-filled Christmas.”

The above is part of the 2012 message given at the annual LDS Christmas Devotional, as a gift to the world, by President Thomas S. Monson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Go here if you would like to watch the entire devotional and hear the beautiful Christmas music provided by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/archive/christmas-devotional/2012/12?lang=eng