Photo by Cyndi CoonThat’s right, the 80-degree days are around the bend, which, around here, means a few of us are more than eager to pull out the winter wear, boots and jackets. So for a thrifty fall project to get you in the mood why not make a no-sew…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, not that (sorry, Santa). It’s Pumpkin Season! The goods from Charlie Brown’s Great Pumpkin Patch are at their peak and ready for picking. So smart restaurants both local and corporate are adding pumpkin to their menus — for a limited time only, both savory and…
Looking for a taste of fall without having to work too hard? Pick up a can of pumpkin puree and everything thing else for this recipe is most likely in your cupboard already. This is a quick and tasty soup made from mostly canned goods, so if you don’t have…
Tiffany’s has a new leather and exotic skin line filled with bags, purses, journals, key chains and luggage tags. The leather goods are in brown, black, silver and Tiffany blue. They are, of course, beautifully made and are items to covet, but if you don’t want to splurge on the…
Photo by Cyndi CoonWith the ongoing popularity of Antiques Road Show, Pawn Stars and American Pickers, we knew the next guilty pleasure, trash-or-treasure show to come was a reality TV auction show. TLC knew too. The cable channel has a new show, Auctioneer$, in their line up this fall. But…
This recipe is a throw-it-all-in-there breakfast inspired by Jamie Oliver’s Pukkolla. It isn’t even a recipe, really, but more of a handful of this and a handful of that sort of thing that will make your tummy happy. What do you do when you take a peek in your cupboard…
Do you have too many tomatoes from the garden or perhaps you bought some and didn’t get around to using them in time and now they are heading for the compost bin? Well stop right there and read on so that you know what to do with your about-to-expire tomatoes…
From time to time, the Thrifty Maker will find, bargain, borrow, steal (not really) to create something a little different. She’ll rely on her own skills as a scout of treasures and will sometimes bring in a few experts to help. Q: With World Rabies Day fast approaching we must…
Yep, that used to be a parking spot … and it probably will be again tomorrow. But today, on Mill Avenue and in other public parking spaces in Phoenix, small PARK(ing) spots have taken over. The guerrilla campaign, PARK(ing) Day, is a worldwide event that aims to raise awareness about…
You’ve heard that dried spices and herbs only last so long before they lose their potency and should be tossed. Well, what if you are cheap and can’t part so easily with your spices? They are expensive, after all. Here is a recipe to use up your about-to-expire green spices to…
From time to time, the Thrifty Maker will find, bargain, borrow, steal (not really) to create something a little different. She’ll rely on her own skills as a scout of treasures and will sometimes bring in a few experts to help. Q: How do you take the current climate in…
Got a little bit of yogurt left in the refrigerator but not enough for your brunch in the morning? Use the remaining amount to create a new batch of homemade yogurt. Yogurt takes time to make. We all take this for granted because we can buy it for fifty cents…
From time to time, the Thrifty Maker will find, bargain, borrow, steal (not really) to create something a little different. She’ll rely on her own skills as a scout of trashy treasures and will sometimes bring in a few experts to help. Do you have a post-Labor Day BBQ mess…
Every week, artist, writer and cook Cyndi Coon will bring you an idea for making the most of what you’ve already got in the pantry or the fridge. Ladies and gentlemen, we introduce the Thrifty Cook. How many times have you ventured into Costco for a single item and walked…
From time to time, the Thrifty Maker will find, bargain, borrow, steal (not really) to create something a little different. She’ll rely on her own skills as a scout of trashy treasures and will sometimes bring in a few experts to help. This week’s question: Are you crafty and you…
From time to time, the Thrifty Maker will find, bargain, borrow, steal (not really) to create something a little different. She’ll rely on her own skills as a scout of trashy treasures and will sometimes bring in a few experts to help.This week we ask: Q: Now that the Primary…
When I was pregnant with my first daughter four years ago, a craving for chocolate milkshakes grabbed hold of me. I blissfully spent my pregnancy drinking shake after shake. When I was in the hospital for the delivery, a nurse asked whether I had tried milkshakes all around town and…
