PEEPS!!!

As Easter approachs, the Dollar Store is the perfect place to fill your basket. And yes, they have Peeps -- traditional multi-colored marshmallow based, or even chocolate coated -- whatever your pleasure, or perversion, look no further.

Sweet Dreams.

My Peeps

I have a very soft spot in my heart and my head for the folks I encounter in the Dollar Store. Simply put, they're my peeps.

All kinds of characters shop where I shop, and they are a constant source of amusement, inspiration, and empathy.

I was actually in the 99 Cent Only Store looking for Peeps when I overheard a short conversation between two mature ladies. One was wearing slippers, a mismatched outfit, talking to herself, and pushing a shopping cart full of all sorts of merchandise -- the other was sartorially better syncopated and generally more lucid, but had probably seen better days herself.

Their brief interchange as they met in the aisle cart to cart went something like this:

"I'm sorry, but I've lost my mind."

"I've lost mine too, but I don't want to find it."

So in honor of these wonderful women (and the glimpse into my future) I offer a favorite of mine by Waylon Jennings.

White Bean Salad

I love beans, and one of my favorite is the Great Northern White Bean. Buy a can of these beauties and whip up an easy, tangy salad.

I rinse the beans, then add Fat Free Italian Dressing and Balsamic Vinegar. Then I chop up some red onions, celery, maybe some tomatoes and mix them in. If you don't have tomatoes, salsa or picante sauce will also work and give it quite a kick.

Refrigerate for awhile and enjoy!

Ritz Crackerfuls Garlic and Herb

These Ritz Crackerful Garlic and Herb snacks are pretty delicious, and I might even pay full price for them, but because the showed up on the shelves of my local 99 Cent Only Store this week I don't have to.

They taste as good as you hope a combo of crackers and garlic herb cream cheese would. I'm usually a little suspiscious of a cheese filling that doesn't need to be refrigerated, and this filling is pretty soft and creamy, but I guess that is the miracle of modern technology.

Dole Bag Lettuce -- Fresher Than the Grocery Store!

The 99 Cent Only Store usually has Dole bagged lettuce in their refrigerated case, and it is usually fresher (and certainly less expensive) than what you will find at the grocer's.

Cracker Barrel Cubes -- Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese

A few days ago I extolled the delicious virtuous-ness of Monet Vegetable Crackers, but man does not live on bread alone . . . so I've been pairing up those crackers with Cracker Barrel Cubes.

I bought a package at the 99 Cent Only Store, and I've been enjoying this simple yet incredible combination for days.

Monet Vegetable Entertainer Crackers from the Dollar Tree

These Monet Vegetable Entertainer Crackers are simply delicious, and sometimes the simple things are best.

You can buy them by the case at the Dollar Tree website, or simply swing by a store and pick up a few packages. You won't be sorry!

A crunchy round cracker that’s great for snacking!  Entertaining crackers with savory vegetable flavor have zero grams of trans fat and are a wholesome snack for kids. They’re also great for entertaining, catering, appetizers, and recipes... and ideal for resale in gift shops, groceries, and convenience stores. Case includes 12 – 8-oz. boxes of Monet™ vegetable entertainer crackers.