When Doves Cry...at the Supermarket

You know what changes an ordinary, everyday errand for me? A good soundtrack. I was in Bed, Bath & Beyond the other day when Prince came on: suddenly my mood shifted from tiresome to sassy. Or another recent trip to Walgreens that went from mundane to peppy because an old song brought me back to being in the back of my mom's minivan in 1988.

I often think that there aren't enough opportunities to dance with friends - except for a occasional family wedding or yearly girl's weekend at some dive bar. But thanks to the good folks behind the soundtrack at places like Ocean State Job Lot, Stop & Shop or Kohls...I often find myself dancing through isles of produce, bopping my head when picking out socks, or even singing out loud in dressing rooms.

These small things in life make it so enjoyable!

- siz

the Taboo of Boxed Wine

There's definatly something about opening a bottle of wine that is nice, however over time the more you open (sometimes with a screw driver like us ladies) the more you can really come to appreciate the spout on a box of wine. But, there has always been a certain stigma that has gone along with buying and drinking boxed wine- and I want to put an end to it!

Many benefits of boxed wine include:
...readiness in time of need.
...if you only have a glass or two the rest of the bottle is not forsaken.
...Saves you Money!
...fits in your fridge or pantry easily.
...doesn't spoil as quickly (can last up to 2 weeks or more?)
...when you think the box is empty- one final glass can be found if the bag inside is taken out and milked.

Remember the only difference is that there isn't a cork, so if you are an average wine drinker like me (who doesn't mind the cheap stuff) "Try it, you'll LIKE it!"

M.L.E.

Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Cookies

Everyone has there favorite sweet, whether its cookies, ice cream or cake. Well this is mine, with or without the chocolate. Delicious shortbread cookies that melt in your mouth! They are simple, CHEAP, easy and quick to make ...

1 1/2 c. softened butter

3/4 c. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

3 c. flour

1 tsp. salt (1/2 if desired)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl combine butter, sugar, vanilla and beat until creamy. Blend in flour and salt. Shape dough into balls about 1 inch using slightly rounded teaspoonful for each cookie. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and flatten with bottom of glass (about 2 1/2 inch) dipped in sugar. Bake about 10 minutes until lightly browned on edge. Remove from cookie sheet and cool completely.

DIPPING:

1 (12 oz.) bag semi sweet chocolate morsels

1 tbsp. solid shortening

Melt over hot (not boiling) water the chocolate morsels and shortening. Dip each cookie halfway into chocolate. Yields about 5 dozen.

- Gigi

Source: Cooks.com