Gator Pam

Target used to be owned by Marshall Field's, but they split off from each other awhile ago. I believe Target and Mervynn's are still afilate though. No longer any Mervynn's IN FL that I know of though. A shame, as I heard Mervynn's does do a similar type of clearane schedule thing as Target, but I never investigated the detailsof it since they aren't aroun here. AFAIK, Target and Kohl's are two completley different companies.

Oh! Was that last year's scheudle then?

Keep in mind the cooking temperatures were reset higher about five years ago by the manufacturers. Many new crockpots cook old tried and true recipes in half the time stated in the recipes now. Slow Cookers Change as published in the Hartford Courant, Sept. 20, 2000 A reader e-mailed the Food desk to comment on a recipe story about crock-pots - or slow cookers, as they are now called - that appeared in the Food section last Wednesday. This man finds that his new crock-pot, a 6-quart Hamilton Beach model, takes less time to cook than his original cooker by the same company. Through some research, he found that his old model had a temperature setting of 140 degrees for low. The new model is 180 degrees at low. He says food reaches the boiling point in about 4 to 5 hours. A call to Hamilton Beach Proctor-Silex in Glen Allen, VA., confirmed that the new pots have a higher temperature on low. The change was made to prevent any food contamination and ensure that foods cook to the proper temperature. Crock-pot cooks should consult the manual that accompanies the cooker and adjust recipes they find elsewhere accordingly. As our e-mailer points out, he has found that a 4-pound pot roast, cooked in his new pot, "is over-done after six hours on low." He compared his experience with the recipe for flank steak with gravy, published in the crock-pot story, which listed cooking times as 8 to 10 hours on "low." This recipe was taken from an older crock-pot cookbook, whose recipes were developed for the older models.

I have always wanted to attend a La Vigilia feast. But being Jewish, and not knowing any Italians who do this has thwarted any invites. We get together with my FIL, who is not Jewish, and celebrate a secular Chr-stmas. So far my menu for a mid-afternoon dinner (got to get to Universal City Walk in orlando by 6:00 PM for their huge Universal Chanukkah celebration) includes: Deviled Eggs Turkey Matzah Ball Soup Field Greens Salad Standing Rib Roast a la Tyler Florence au Jus (sp?) Yorkshire Pudding Corn Pudding Broccoli-Artichoke Casserole Southern-style Green Beans (no squeekers here, and Paul had his Green Bean Casserole for Thanksgiving) Sweet Potato Casserole (yes, with the marshmallows) Crockpot Stuffing Mashed Potatoes Coconut Layer Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

allmfp shared the Chr-stmas clearance dates on the Perimeter Perusing thread already. You can find it on page 5 about half way down at http://forums.gottadeal.com/showthread.php?t=14835&page=5 However, as I am still farily new to gottadeal (truly nothing against you, alimfp) the only poster I have ever trusted to share the dates in advance was a poster on the mycoupons.com LWIF forum, as she was shown to be right again and again. But, I haven't been to mycoupons in a long time, and have heard she hasn't been posting lately. alifmp, could you tell me where you got the dates from? prdnme on mycoupons never said, but she was always dead on.

I don't remember a series for Maxwell House coffee like this, but I do remember an almost soap opera series of commercials along this theme for Tasters Choice instant. The last one I remember is where they had been dating for awhile, and then her ex-husband shows up or some such.

Spinach Artichoke Casserole Carrot Souffle Vanilla Glazed Sweet Potatoes Scalloped Cabbage Scalloped Eggplant Scalloped Turnips Acorn Squash with Apple Stuffing (also a good option as an entree for vegetarians) Gratin of Four Onions Hazelnut Mushroom Pilaf I have recipes for all. LMK if any interest you.

It really depends on the individual store, and how many Targets are in the area. The actual Chr-stmas merchandise may sell out, although I have seen full pallets of Chr-stmas items being brought out a week after Chr-stmas, but the 'hidden' items that follow the markdown even though they don't necessarily have an apparent Chr-stmas connection may still be in plentiful supply.

Here in the south US, there is a grocery chain called Publix. They have had seasonal commercials for about 20 years that I love. The first I remember was a family traveling by train to spend Chr-stmas with their family on a boat off the coast in FL. There was no dialog, just shots of the family cuddling together on the train and celebrating over a sumptious dinner on the boat while a Pat Metheney song played in the background. They have reached out to include Thanksgiving commercials with a pair of pilgrim salt and pepper shakers. Only their faces are animated, but the expressions are precious as they get passed around the dinner table. Last year they introduced a second set of salt and pepper shakers called the Lilgrims, which are supposed to be their two children. Another one is where a family is about to sit down to their holiday feast, and the ornaments and decorations around the house are all eyeing the food wistfully. The angel on the top of the tree pulls out her light bulb, so all of the lights on the tree go out. While the family tries to find which bulb is 'bad,' the camera focuses on them. When they return to the table, all of the food is gone, and the camera pans over the decorations and ornaments, which are swollen and stuffed. The last shot is of the angel on the tree top, smiling...angelically. Publix has several others that I have enjoyed over the years, but these are the ones that stand out to me. I have emailed their marketing department, asking if there is a way for them to put the commercials on their website as I had described them to online friends in other areas of the country for years, and they all wish to see them. The response I got back was that they didn't include web casts in their 'talents' contracts, so they didn't see it happening anytime soon. But, I put the idea into their head, so maybe someday...

Ooo... Any idea about the 90% off date? I haven't seen the person who usually informs us of the markdown date over on mycoupons.com in ages.

I would prefer to use the hyphen, but until I asked him (or you, as his Mom) I would write it out. But, it would bother me to do so...

My Albertson's missed out on ordering it for this week, but they expect it to come in on tomorrow night's truck so it should be on the shelves by Thursday. Perhaps that happened at Krogers as well. I suggest you ask the grocery manager. Alimfp, was that the shelf tag price? AFAIK, Albertson's has it on sale nationwide. The sale price at my store is $1.79, not 1.50, but with the dozen eggs that are on sale for 79 cents, I'll only be paying 8 cents per transaction once the product comes in.

Oh yeah! Target 90% off, especially on the 'hidden' deals, makes my season!

That's exactly the reason. I am Jewish, and to show respect for all dieties, I leave a letter out when writing a form of a name of HaShem. It's more my own further interpretation of the teachings, but it's what I do. My son goes to school where the majority of the administration and staff are devotees of Kr-shna. I generally refer to their religious organization as HK. The only time I run into a problem personally is when I am addressing a person with a name for HaShem as their own name. If I don't know them well, I will write it the way they use it, although it pangs me to do so. After I've gotten to know them, I ask if there is a nickname, abbreviation, or if they would mind if I hyphened out a letter of their name. I was taught that the term X-mas and X-tianity is actually preferable over Chr-stmas and Chr-stianity, as the X represents the cross, and that Easter, the cross, and the resurrection are really what Chr-stianity is all about. More so than the birth of JC at Chr-stmas. But, so many people have hopped on the 'Put the Chr-st back in Chr-stmas' campaign that more people get offended when I use the X instead of the hyphen. So I do that more often now, instead of what I understand to actually be more respectful of the beliefs of Chr-stianity. But, I truly mean no disrespect when writing the various names of G-d with the hyphen, and do it totally out of respect for all of the various names I recognize.

Not sure if this recipe would be eligible, since it came from a corporate recipe site. But it sure is holiday themed and an elegant ending to a festive meal. Pumpkin Pie Trifle Developed for Mrs. Smith's by Southern Living Cooking School 1 (2 lb, 14 oz pkg) frozen Mrs. Smith's Special Recipe Homemade Pumpkin Pie (I use leftovers from my own home made pumpkin pies from fresh pumpkin) 3 cups whipping cream 3/4 cup maple syrup, divided 1 tsp maple extract 1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted (optional) Remove and discard paper circle from pie. Place frozen pie in pan on a heavy baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 1 hour and 5 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack at least 2 hours. Cut pie into cubes. Beat whipping cream, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, and maple extract at medium speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Layer half of pie in a 3-quart trifle dish or bowl, or place evenly into individual brandy glasses. Drizzle with half of remaining maple syrup, and top with half of whipped cream mixture. Repeat procedure. Sprinkle with pecans, if desired. Serves 10

We already took advantage of the $59 each way fare last month to travel from Orlando to Newark and back so we can visit MIL next month. I emailed her the info, in case JetBlue is generous and lets her get the cheaper fare without putting a fee for changing the booking.

Snoopy's Chr-stmas mp3 Snoopy's Chr-stmas lyrics

Thanks Eve!

According to the website, the m/c has big time fees. $9.95 fee for a first time card and $4.95 fee to reload.

I'm so bad... Beorn's 12, and the only small stuff he's interested in are video games. So, the majority of his stocking is filled with tighty whities and socks, LOL. Then we stick two obsessed over video games on the top. Still winds up costing about $100 or so to fill.

As the Activities Programer for our Village, I organize our Caroling and Santa's Visit. We'll be doing it on December 10 this year. Could you post the link please? I have a set of lyrics, but would love actual sheet music for the International student families who don't know all of the tunes.

Rob, your signature makes me wish I wasn't on dial-up! I'll have to check the link out when I get to work tomorrow. Welcome to the GottaDeal forums.

Oooo... :::thinking I may have just found my son's teachers gifts::: Do you think male teachers would appreciate the Burt Bees products as well?

North Central FL. But on BF we travel to FIL's. Usually we're between Tampa and YeeHaw Junction, but may be in the Fort Lauderdale area if FIL doesn't get off from work this Thanksgiving.

OK, I tried sending myself an invite to BlackFriday2005 and wound up in blackfriday2005 with someone named GaDgADsbOgeN. Does anyone recognize that screen name?