Here is a picture of the assortment of cupcakes I baked for my son's political Meet and Greet last night.  I baked lemon, strawberry, carrot, German chocolate and red velvet cupcakes.  I piped on the frosting as this always makes cupcakes look more "finished" and special.  They were delicious.  There were a few cupcakes leftover so I took them to our staff at our church and also to a few neighbors.  Here is the link to the recipe.  For the chocolate frosting add 6 ounces of cooled melted unsweetened chocolate to the mixture.

Now on to Amy Dacyczyn. 

Here's a recipe that Amy gives in this book and it is perfect for this time of year when you need to use up those veggies from the garden. 

Corn-Broccoli Casserole

1 can corn, drained
1 can creamed corn
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
4 eggs, beaten
3 cups frozen broccoli, thawed and chopped into 1/2 inch chunks
1 small onion, minced
2/3 cup milk
1 sleeve saltines crackers, crushed
2 tablespoons margarine, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine first seven ingredients and 3/4 cup of saltine crumbs.  Pour into a 10 1/2 inch metal handled frying pan or large casserole dish.  Combine remaining crumbs with the margarine and use to top the casserole.  Bake uncovered for 40 minutes, or until firm.  Serves eight.

Per Amy, "Yellow squash, zucchini, cauliflower; and a wide variety of other vegetables can be substituted for the broccoli with impressive results." 

Tip One: - Freezing food in Ziploc bags

A reader wrote in with advice about freezing food.  Air is the main cause of freezer burn.  Here's a way to almost completely remove the air from food to be frozen in these bags. Place food in bag and almost seal the bag up completely.  Place a straw in the corner and suck all of the air out of the baggie.  Then, while still sucking, remove the straw and quickly seal the last section.  Then place the baggie in the freezer. 

I have read this tip before and it is worth a try.  Just be careful not to suck food into the straw.

Tip Two:  Buying Boots

A reader wrote in to say that she had saved up money for winter boots but was finding it hard to part with the money.  Out of desperation she tried the boys section, and found the same style and it fit her wider foot nicely.  The boots were half the price of women's boots.

I have done this when I bought boots two years ago.  I needed some real heavy duty boots for when I shoveled snow.  I was able to get boots that fit me in the boys section and they were cheaper. 

Well tonight you got some tips from Amy's book the Tightwad Gazette III along with pictures of cupcakes that I baked.  Tomorrow I want to post a few more frugal recipes that I have to pass on to my readers.  Sometimes I will try a casserole recipe because it isn't expensive to make and it ends up being a family favorite.  Perhaps a recipe that I post will become one of your favorite recipes.