Every so often, tv viewers see little glimpses of another Martha on her television hit The Martha Stewart Show. A word slips out like “turd,” undercover forays to competitor shows, terse reminders that a member of the staff/crew has forgotten a utensil or something was not prepared correctly, the repeated emphasis on guest Lindsay Lohan being young and wanting to have fun and “play,” or the apparent awkwardness sensed when cooking with children. These moments, admittedly are few, seem out-of-character with the persona that Martha Stewart likes to present to her viewers and followers. They are until you read Jerry Oppenheimer’s Unauthorized Biography of Martha Stewart called Just Desserts. Even her trial and conviction for insider trading seems to fit into the portrayal by Oppenheimer of an obsessive, avaricious, egocentric personality. Her attributes seem to be that of a modern day Svengali. Whether you view this book as another sensationalized piece of mudslinging or insightful, it is an entertaining book that you will find hard to put down. Because this book has been around, you can purchase it a a bargain price.

A good read for little money, at Amazon

Well, the Harry Potter series has ended, or has it? Just when you think that you won’t get your children to read another book along comes J.K. Rowling to save the day with The Tales of Beedle the Bard. t It contains all 5 wizardry tales left to Hermione from Dumbledore in the final book of the Harry Potter Series.

This new and next bestseller will be released December 4, 2008 and can be pre-ordered now at Barnes & Noble for $8.44+sh online price.

Markdown Mom loves instructional DVD’s, she also loves colored and step-by-step photos in cookbooks. For her this is as close to a hands-on experience you can have without going to school. That is why it is particularly difficult for her to pan a DVD, especially a cooking DVD.

However, Lidia’s Matticchio Bastianich DVD’s at $14.95 a pop are not a great buy. For instance, Lidia’s Italy, Kneading With An Old Friend, is a DVD you can skip, not because you won’t learn a couple of tricks of the trade like rolling and cutting homemade pasta, but because for $14.95 you should get more than 26 minutes of a cooking class, especially when you leave out a key ingredient’s measurement and you fill a good part of that 26 minutes with advertising. If nothing else, Lydia, undoubtedly a talented chef, rather than making a separate DVD for just a few recipes should wait and compile a comprehensive set at a price comparable to her cookbooks.

So, until that happens MDM recommends, tape her shows, and save the $14.95. to apply towards her cookbook , Lidia’s Italy, reg.$35, sale priced $23.10 at Amazon–at least you will find out how much flour to use to make homemade fettucine!

Mark Twain once said that " The man who doesn’t read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them."   

At the Half-Price Books store located in St. Paul, Minnesota  you can buy great books, magazines, and records at more than half-price, and take a tour of their rare book collection which includes a volume sporting Mark Twain’s signature; however only serious buyers of the $10,000 book are allowed to view it.  This is a chain of 85 bookstores in 14 states and for Minnesota, reviews have been particularly favorable for the Half-Price Books store located at 2041 Ford Parkway as having the largest inventory of clearance books.   Celebrating their 35th Year in business on July 27th, Half-Price Books is a great place to look  for that special coffee table book at half the price of national chains or vintage LP’s.  Periodically these low prices are further reduced by sales and coupons obtained by registering at their online location. Wander to the lower level and you will find those bargain basement deals  where prices for books and vintage magazines and journals are as low as $1. Not only sellers of books and mixed media, additionally this store is a buyer where you can trade in your old favorites for some new ones.   Take your children and spend an afternoon perusing these treasures–you’re bound to come away with a sack of special finds that will provide hours and hours of enjoyment–MDM did!

simply autobooks has free downloads of classic books.  These are great for your student who has an aversion to reading, or for people with diminished occular abilities, or just for self-enjoyment.  You can download these digital MP3 masterpieces and listen to them on a MP3 player, computer, or burn a CD. Rent, buy, download or listen–your choice!

MDM, in her role as community education devotee eons ago, took a class to make custom pinch pleated drapes and roman shades.   The draperies were for her children’s room and were lined with insulating thermal lining that also was room darkening in hopes that her children would go take a nap or sleep longer.  Well, that didn’t exactly work out, but the drapes have lasted through the years and are boxed away for the next generation, or her estate sale whichever comes first.   

The roman shade was for the kitchen and that met with an early demise.  Making this popular windowcovering  was no small feat for MDM, but she was grateful that she possessed a buttoneer that attached the rings so that the shade could be raised and lowered.  But, alas, raising and lowering the shade in such a busy room of the house was the reason for its’ fate, and another was never attempted. 

 However, MDM is now reconsidering it because of seeing guest Pam Hastings on America Sews.  Pam joined Sue Hausman on Show #2210 Fast Changing Decor Ideas to change a look in a room in an instant  with minimal sewing using Velcro©.

If you are ready for an instant change, MDM suggests clicking on America Sews  for project details and if you would like more information and other design ideas click on  Pam Hastings to go to her website. 

 And if this wets your appetite to start a Spring Redecorating Project along with Spring Cleaning, then find books by Pam Hastings at Half.com at a bargain prices.  Just click on here and search by her name, all sewers and crafters whatever level are bound to get fired up, MDM did!

The Barnes & Noble store is a feast for the mind and spirit.  Travel to distant lands, sleuth along with the author and solve a complex mystery, learn a new craft, or just quench your intellectual thirst.  And now do it with an extra 15% off, instore or online.  For online use code H9A4U7J or print out the coupon for instore savings.  Offer good through 02/18/07. 

Vote for This Article at Judy’s Book

What will happen to the Wizard World now that Dumbledorf is dead?  Children and adults alike are awaiting the last sequel to this marvelous series by J.K. Rawlings.  Pre-order this at Barnes & Noble and get the discount rate for members.  List price is $34.99 and pre-orders come with a 40% savings for $20.99, members get additional $2.10 off at $18.89!

Also preorder at Amazon for $18.89  and WalMart for $17.87+97¢ shipping.

Vote for this Article at:  Judys Book

Remember all those goodies on PBS like movies, special investigations by Frontline, books, cooking recipes, and more?  One stop shopping, no more reaching for pen and paper only to miss the reference on the tv.    Purchase them by going to their online store to see the offerings by PBS .  Additionally you can save an extra $10 on purchases over $30 by using Google checkout option, and get special shipping rate until 12/13.  MDM just purchased Jacques Pèpin’s The Complete Pepin : Techniques  and Recipes on DVD.  Great gift for Holiday Cooking.

Check special pricing and offers in their Overstock Category.  This is a "Feel Good" Shopping site since you have an  opportunity to support your local Public Broadcasting System and get some great quality gifts.

Holidays can be extremely stressful and it’s always advisable to have a good laugh to relieve the stress.  MDM recommends taking a few moments, put your feet up and open the page of the playwright and comedian, Lewis Black. 

Irreverent tirades are interspersed in his autobiographical book entitled Nothing’s Sacred.  Written in a speaking and at times a ranting manner, you will find yourself, as MDM did, laughing out loud.  On sale at Amazon for $19.77/reg.$29.95.

Bound to bring a laugh this holiday season  even to the most recalcitrant Bah, Humbug person in your family circle!

 Rainy days on weekends are comfort days because the weather forces one to hunker down in our homes, wear our softest pj’s or sweats, our fuzziest slippers and find the most comfortable nook to relax in and read a book.  This is the way to enjoy the DaVinci Code©, if you haven’t read it as yet, and most assuredly after you have seen the movie. 

 MDM recommends seeing a movie based upon a book before reading the book.  Otherwise, you spend most of your time in the movie theater saying "That wasn’t in the book," or  "hey, they left out the part where…"  Whereas, reading the book after seeing the movie allows the reader to visualize those wonderful cinematic scenes and anything that was left out, just makes the read that more enjoyable.

 Now here is the Book Tip of the Week from MDM:  For all those that loved the DaVinci Code, MDM recommends the genesis code© by John Case.  With mysterious deaths, action-packed European venues, and religious undertones, it can’t miss!  And at half.com you will find this book in hard cover and paperback at unbelievable prices.  From $1.20+, they even have audio versions from $1.46-$3.25 +sh.  

 Be prepared to be pampered this Fall and Winter 

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