I posted about Costco savings  in the Shopping thread but thought people who don't look at that thread might be interested in my experience.

I'm sure the coupons are available wherever Costco has stores - I know they do in the UK because on another forum people post about super good deals.  This is the UK website.

I live alone but do entertain from time to time and I have "shopping buddies" with whom I share items that are a significant savings at Costco.
Many items are sold in very large amounts - meats, frozen bulk foods, etc., but I have a vacuum sealer and my friends and I have a routine where we divide meats, frozen chicken, frozen fruits (that come in huge bags), into smaller portions, vacuum seal them and weigh them and they pay me for the portions they take.

This is the mailer I got a few days ago, the cover and a random grocery page.

I'm posting this link for the folks who like new ideas for  decorating cakes.

I think this one is just adorable and I am so sorry that I can't eat chocolate.

Piggies in a mud bath cake.

I think the sides of the "pool" are Kit-Kat bars or something similar. 

I noticed this a few days ago in the local kitchen store and intended to post about it but forgot until I was reminded by today's America's Test Kitchen segment.

Pyrex has changed the shape of the glass measures and it makes no sense to me.
They have also added solid red paint around half of the outside, which makes it more difficult to read the levels.

It's not so bad on the larger measures - the 8 cup or 4 cup but for the smaller  1 and 2 cup measures to me they are awkward to use.

They still make a 2 cup that is the traditional shape with straighter sides and red spots to indicate the graduated measurement levels.

I already have a large supply of every size of the traditional Pyrex measures, which I intend to keep using.

If anyone has only one and like the way it works, see if local stores have any of the "old" style still on hand and buy at least one backup.
Otherwise, watch yard sales and thrift stores and pick up what you may need in the future.

I know these are just available in the US but since they are so darn cute, I thought I would post this link to

Cooking.com

Crusty Kaiser Hard Rolls

Yield: 20 Rolls

Temperature: 425 degrees F

Time: 15 to 20 minutes; 2 minutes

2 cups warm water (115 degrees F) 
1 envelope dry yeast 
1 tablespoon sugar 
2 teaspoons salt 
6 cups flour (approximately)
Soft shortening 
1 egg white, lightly beaten 

Method:
1.Measure water into large bowl; sprinkle yeast over it, stirring until dissolved. 
   (I use Kitchenaid mixer with flat beater)

2.Add sugar, salt, and 3 cups flour.
Stir to mix; beat until smooth. 

3.Stir in remaining 3 cups of flour, 1/2 cup at a time.  (If mixer strains, knead last cup in by hand.)

4.Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes). 

5.Place in large, greased bowl, and brush top with soft shortening.
 Cover and let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk (about 1 hour). 

6.Punch down; turn onto lightly floured surface.

Divide dough in half; form each into roll about 10 inches long.
Cover and let rest 5 minutes. 

7.Cut each roll into 10 equal pieces, and form into small balls.
Place about 3 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheet.

Cover and let rise until doubled. 

8. Press with a Kaiser roll stamp or flatten with palm and score with razor blade across the full width of the roll.

9.Bake at 425F for 15 to 20 minutes.

Remove from oven; brush each roll with egg white, and return to oven for 2 minutes.

Is anyone in the Adelaide  planning on attending  Tasting Australia 2012?

I have been reading about it on the Lambs' Ears and Honey blog.

It sounds like a lot of fun - makes me wish I could visit Oz.

This showed up in my email a few minutes ago and I'm passing it along for the forum chocoholics to play with.

Upside-Down Hot Chocolate Pudding

I did a search but couldn't find a specific "braiding" topic for breads (or whatever)  This came into my email inbox a couple of days ago and I am passing it on because the photos show the process so well that anyone should be able to create breads with this braiding method.



I did make a comment - at one time this type of braid was done in quite lengthy pieces and formed into a ring to make a "crown" ring.
It was difficult to get an even "crown" and was frustrating. 

In any event I'm posting this just in case someone might find a use for it.