NOT ALL GOODWILL STORES ARE ALIKE...

I recently went on vacation at Carolina Beach, N.C. and had a blast. During the middle of the week, it stormed, so we went to Wilmington which was only 10 miles away,to the 2nd Hand Stores and Goodwill Stores. We were so amazed at how nice and big the Goodwill building was and how extremely clean and unbelievably organized everything was. The prices were so fabulous and so was the merchandise.

I purchased an old trunk for $5.
We use it as a coffee table. The cats love to lay down on it.


Baby clothes was $.59 per outfit. I bought some "S'mores Mugs"(which I collect)for
$.99 each, and a cute tin snowman for $.99.

At the store,"Vintage Values", I bought a "Baby George Foreman Rotisserie" for only $7.00. (It works well.) Totally amazing!

I also bought several spoons and forks that are very similar to my set and each piece only cost $.10. It helps to have extras.
I purchased a beautiful green and white plate for $.99 to hang on my plate rack.
The picture on the plate is a scene in England, with 2 ol' gent's walking thru town together.

I bought a "sea Turtle mood ring" for $3.00 and a very pretty necklace for Ashley for only $5.00, and two pairs of really nice flip flops for only $1.00 per pair. I also got Ashley a really cute beach cover-up for $7.00.

I brought ribeyes to marinate and grill on our vacation,so,one week before leaving for Vacation, I went to the 2nd hand store and purchased 12 nice steak knives for $.25 each and was well pleased because they didn't have any good steak knives in the condo. I gave all the steak knives to my friend because we grill steaks at their home and they don't have enough for all of us(anywhere from 12-16 in all).

ps I brought my homemade dinner napkins and it was a big hit....we saved a good bit on paper towels .
example:

FOND MEMORIES AT THE CAMP....

My sister Jan, and my brother-n-law Tom, have a Camp on a lake . We spent the weekend there and my sis made a pot of "Taco Soup" during one of our annual trips to visit family,relatives and old friends.

The fireplace had a roaring fire going while we wathced tv together,then played a couple of rounds of "Hand and Foot" (a card game).
The Soup was delicious and even my picky-eater, Ashley said that she loved it.
Here is the recipe for that soup.
I hope you and your family enjoy it.

TACO SOUP

1 can corn, undrained
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 can pinto beans, undrained
1 pkg HVR salad dressing mix
1 can Rotel tomatoes 1 ½ lbs ground beef
2 16 oz. cans diced tomatoes
1 can black beans, undrained
3 cans water

Saute ground beef; drain off fat.
Add rest of ingredients, and simmer at least 1 hour.
Adjust seasonings, adding a little cumin and/or chili powder to taste, if desired.

**Can add chipotle pepper and little adobo sauce or a roasted poblano pepper to taste
Serve with tortilla strips or corn chips,sour cream,cheese and yellow or green onion.

Tamar