Sunday, December 23, 2018

Frugal Happenings 12/23

Happy Sunday to everyone.  It is Christmas Eve - eve!  My goodness the time has just flown by this year.
This past week was quite busy on our home front.  We have had or been to 2 different holiday get togethers.  We have had company twice.  I baked and made candy.  I finished up the small odds and ends for gifting.  This old gal is pooped!!!!!!  It is a good pooped though!
I slept better last night than I have in ages!

We have had 40's just about all week - then it starting getting colder Friday.  We had rain as well - but we did manage to have 4 - 5 days with sunshine!  WONDERFUL!  NO chance of a white Christmas here.
The daylight hours will start getting longer again, for that I am thankful!
Did anyone see that glorious full moon on Saturday night?  It was so pretty.

Last Sunday was a nice meal with my brother and sister (thanks to my sister).  We had a wonderful time telling stories of old!

Yesterday the kids (my niece and 2 nephews) and their families were here.  What a wonderful time that was.  I love when they all come up and spend time.  It doesn't happen often. 
My niece became a Grammy this week!  My gr.gr. nephew Maverick Neal was born 2 weeks earlier than predicted.  Oh he is such a little angel face.  We are all in love.
I have one more visit to make for a short while on Christmas day - then we are done with the holiday events.

My frugal week:
  • We got some lovely gifts from brother and sister.  GC from Kroger, home canned goods and cash.

                                   A big Aldi reusable bag full of home canned items!  YUM
  • My sister gave me back a quilt I made for her years ago.  She no longer has a bed it fits.  Gosh it is probably 25 years old.  It needs a few repairs - then I think I will use it. (I have been wanting new bedding!)
  • Made candy and cookies from items from the pantry
'Mounds' cookies - Oh my goodness - so gooey and good and so easy to make.
 

           Fruit/nut bark and 'sort of ' turtles.  Just a couple things I remembered to take pictures of.
  • Sis sent home leftovers from Sunday dinner - I used them and reinvented one for Monday's dinner
  • Finished up the small items I needed to get for gifts
  • Our menu buffet on Saturday was all from items that we had here at home.  Didn't need to buy anything at all.
  • NO grocery shopping this week
  • We got so many lovely items from the kids.  I can't begin to mention them all - but a few were 2 handmade super sturdy squirrel feeders (mine is so old), a huge candle (the likes I have never seen before) A beautiful new cutting board, and food, food and more food items.  There are tons of snack items and fancy pastas, oils, vinegars  and mixes - oh my.   We have been blessed beyond measure!!!!!!
OUR BUFFET
6 b. sloppy Joes
BBQ meatballs and little weenies
Cheesy potatoes
Beef stick and various cheeses sliced
Dip and chips
Veggie plate
Lots of sweets
We always have lots of finger foods and easy stuff and folks can eat whenever they feel the desire.
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Last weeks meals:
Dinner at sis's
Leftover roast, carrots and made potato cakes with leftover mashed potatoes (all from sis)
Taco salad
Enchiladas
Hamburger goulash
Leftover goulash and green beans
Buffet foods leftover

I hope you are all winding down on cooking and baking.  I pray you all have your shopping done.
I LOVE the holidays, but will be glad when it is all done.  I am ready to just get back to 'normal',  I am looking forward to 2019!

I will not post another blog until Wednesday, however I will be answering any comments.
I wish each and everyone a happy winter solstice, and a very Merry Christmas.
May you and your families make memories to last for years to come, may you each enjoy your family and friends, and may you all stay safe and healthy.

HUGE blessings from our humble home to yours.

22 comments:

  1. Hi Cheryl
    I only recently discovered your blog and really enjoy reading your frugal posts.
    I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy new year!

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    1. Hello Debbie. I am glad you have joined us. We love having lots of people sharing ideas. Glad you are enjoying yourself.
      Merry Christmas to you!!

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  2. We've been to two get togethers this month too and are going to another one tomorrow. They are so much fun! The full moon was beautiful and lit the stairs for us as we got home late from one of the parties. It's cold here today and there is snow on the mountain. Congratulations on the arrival of your gr.gr. nephew Maverick Neal as the newest addition to your family. The bag full of home canned items would be a welcome gift here, what a great present! Your homemade candy looks delicious. Your buffett sounds delicious too, we always had sloppy joes on Christmas Eve back when I was growing up. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas too, Cheryl. Blessings to you and yours! :)

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    1. I am glad you are enjoying your get togethers as well. It is just fun being together!
      Snow on the mountain sounds lovely.
      Thanks on the newest family member - he is a doll!

      Food gifts are always welcome at my house. I have given them for years and it is starting to catch on with other family now! I love it.
      Merry Christmas and enjoy your family!

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  3. Your treats looks so good Cheryl! We need to live closer to each other ha ha! Have a Merry Christmas.

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    1. I wish we had all our gals in a frugal neighborhood setting - that would be FUN!
      Merry Christmas!

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  4. Those Mounds cookies look fabulous!

    Merry Christmas to you Cheryl.
    Looking forward to continuing reading your blog in 2019.

    Debra

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    1. Hi Debra. They are the easiest thing to make. I will post the recipe after the first of year.
      We look forward to sharing and learning together.

      Merry Christmas

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  5. Merry Christmas!! I've enjoyed reading your blog, I can't wait for what hints and tips you'll have for us this next year!!

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    1. Phyllis thank you for coming along. I look forward to a new year and here is to us all learning lots of new things!!!!
      Merry Christmas

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  6. What a lovely post. I could feel the love between you and your extended family. I loved reading about what you ate and cooked too. Tomorrow will be a baking day - I just made a pudding for Poorly Daughter this afternoon - Apple Dappy, which she had with custard and I had with ice cream. Oh my! We also went out for a walk and foraged the rest of the greenery for the Christmas Wreath, now on my blog. Not a bad one, though I say it myself!

    Merry Christmas to you and your family, and looking forward to your posts in the New Year.

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    1. Hello Bovey. I see you are from Wales. I love that this little spot in the blog world brings in folks from other countries. I find that so flattering.
      Your wreath is quite lovely.

      I do love my family and it is so nice to get to spend quality time together.
      I look forward to hearing ideas from your side of the pond as well.

      Merry Christmas to you and yours.

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  7. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and may 2019 bring you health, wealth, and wisdom!

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    1. Thank you dear lady and the same to you and your family!

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  8. Congratulations on being a great great aunt. Babies are such a blessing. I hope he and his momma are doing well. It sounds like you had a wonderful and busy week. You got some great gifts. I love getting food items. Have a Merry Christmas.

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    1. Thank you - I have a big bunch of gr.gr. nieces and nephews. It is amazing each time!
      Food is one of my favorite gifts!
      Merry Christmas

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  9. Have a wonderful Christmas Cheryl! And I hope 2019 will be good for us all! xxx

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    1. Thank you Annabel. Merry Christmas to your family.
      YES, I hope we each have a blessed new year.

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  10. Hello Cheryl
    Yes I too seen the stunning full moon on Saturday evening. I WhatsApp a picture to all my children. They also were looking at it. It sounds like you had a wonderful family time with your dear ones. I wish you and yours a blessed Chrismas!!

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    1. Sometimes the world of nature provides us with the most incredible things to see! It was stunning.

      I wish you and yours a lovely Christmas.

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  11. It's pouring here in Kansas! So unusual in December. It might be heading your way, Cheryl. This is a good thing because it spares my husband a day in the frigid cold watering the trees and shrubs.

    We spent a wonderful 4 days hanging out. Went to the Bark Park twice (before the rain) and played in the sun.

    My 5 month plan worked great, even though I just finished month 3. All I have left is the fun stuff and everything else was super easy spread out over 3 months. I already wrote up the 2019 plan to make it even easier! And it was all easily paid for with cash.😀 Husband agreed that it was a great success.

    I can't believe another year is nearly gone....sheesh!

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    1. Debby the rain will be here in a few minutes actually! Supposed to rain all day.

      So glad you had a great time. Don't you just love it when a plan works??!!!!!! So happy for you. I bet you and hubby are both proud.
      I have ideas of what I want to accomplish after the new year - hopefully it all works out.
      This year has flown by for sure.

      Happy New Year and hopefully it is successful one.

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