Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Black Friday Shopping

For years and years I refused to go out on Black Friday, especially after I had my daughter. Not because I don't love shopping (because believe me I do!) but because I hate dealing with the crowds. But here in the past couple of years there have just been some awesome deals available on that most infamous of shopping days that I couldn't resist.

In order to help me prepare for my Black Friday shopping day, I prepare by getting a game plan ready--this way, I spend less time dealing with the crowds. Last year I stumbled upon a couple of websites that help you prepare for Black Friday, way before the print ads come out. They are http://bfads.net/ and http://www.black-friday.net/. Both of these website are very user friendly and it's always nice to be able to get the scoop on where to go before everyone else does! If you are looking for specific items for gifts or even just because you want it on sale, going to websites such as these allow you to look for these items sooner and help you plan out where to go. This way you know what stores you need to go to first for those hot ticket items.

Last year I actually got up early early--which for me is anything before 7am. My mom and I got to Wal-Mart at 6 a.m. last year with the plan for getting specific items on sale that we figured wouldn't be flying off the shelf, but hoping that maybe, just maybe the huge 52" TV I wanted would actually still be there. Alas, it flew off the shelves before we even got there. My girlfriend had gotten there at 5 a.m. when the store opened and those TVs were already gone. I'm all about a good sale but I'm not going to camp out for a TV...lol!

So if you are looking for a little help before stepping out the door on the annual kick off day of the shopping season, check out these websites. Not only can you visit them and look over all the secrets they've uncovered, but you can also sign up for email notifications of new ads that will be coming out. Check them out....they will help you get the edge on other shoppers!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Lisa's Weekly Recipe -- Ono Banana Bread

Ever since I was a kid my mom would make banana bread, especially when we had a few bananas that were starting to get a little soft. "Ono" means delicious in Hawaiian and let me tell you...this is banana bread is awesome!

Ono Banana Bread

Ingredients:

2 cups sifted flour
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 cup mashed bananas
1 tsp. lemon juice

Directions:

Sift dry ingredients together. Add shortening, eggs, and 1/2 cup bananas. Stir to combine ingredients, then beat 2 minutes on medium speed on electric mixer.

Add remaining bananas and lemon juice. Beat 2 more minutes. If desired, fold in 3/4 cup nuts. Pour into a greased & lined pan. Sprinkle remaining nuts over top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Aloha and enjoy!
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