Todays post may seem like it is for kids, but it's not. It is for everyone. We are going to make ornaments. Kids would like this project, but adults can have fun with it as well.
I will list ingredients for making 2 types of ornaments. Both can be made with cookie cutters, stencils, or about anything you can trace around.
Have fun.
CINNAMON CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS
These smell so good.
1 C cinnamon (buy at Dollar Tree)
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. nutmeg
3/4 C smooth applesauce
2 Tbsp. Elmer's white glue
Combine all the ingredients until it forms a stiff dough, kneading well with hands. Roll out dough on a cinnamon dusted surface, about 1/4" thick. Use cookie cutters and cut out any design you wish.
Lay ornaments on wax paper and cut a small hole in the top (use a skinny plastic straw) and then place in a safe place for drying.
Depending on how dry your home is, it can take 2 - 4 days to dry. Be sure to turn them over several times each day.
When dry, you can paint with fabric paint if you wish. Use a thin ribbon or jute twine as a hanger.
SALT DOUGH ORNAMENTS
1 C of fine salt
1 C flour
about 1/2 C water
Mix the flour and salt together in a large bowl. Make a well in the middle add water. Knead till smooth and elastic like and non-sticky.
Roll out about 1/4" thick and make cut outs with cookie cutters. You can also form it into small forms. Insert paper clips for hangers and bake at 200* until hard. Check frequently, so they don't burn.
These can be painted as well.
Dough can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container or plastic wrap.
These both make the cutest ornaments. You can make them as small or large as you wish.
Get started now!
HAVE FUN
Monday, November 9, 2015
Healthy Recipe
Here's a healthy and yummy recipe for muffins. No flour and no sugar!
BANANA OATMEAL MUFFINS - NO SUGAR NO FLOUR
2 1/2 C old fashioned oats
1 C plain Greek yogurt
2 eggs
1/2 C honey
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
2 Tbsp. ground flax seed
1 tsp. vanilla
2 ripe bananas
Preheat oven to 350*. Lightly grease muffin pans.
Place oats in food processor and pulse for about 10 seconds. Add remaining ingredients to processor and mix well.
Bake 18-20 minutes.
YUM
I am figuring if you have flavored yogurt to use, that it should work fine. If your yogurt is sweet, you may want to adjust honey a tad. Just play with the recipe to utilize the yogurt you have.
ENJOY
BANANA OATMEAL MUFFINS - NO SUGAR NO FLOUR
2 1/2 C old fashioned oats
1 C plain Greek yogurt
2 eggs
1/2 C honey
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
2 Tbsp. ground flax seed
1 tsp. vanilla
2 ripe bananas
Preheat oven to 350*. Lightly grease muffin pans.
Place oats in food processor and pulse for about 10 seconds. Add remaining ingredients to processor and mix well.
Bake 18-20 minutes.
YUM
I am figuring if you have flavored yogurt to use, that it should work fine. If your yogurt is sweet, you may want to adjust honey a tad. Just play with the recipe to utilize the yogurt you have.
ENJOY
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Frugal Happenings 11/8
Howdy all! Here we are at yet another Sunday. Wow, just 2 1/2 more weeks and it will be Thanksgiving! This year sure has flown by.
We have been having lovely weather for this time of the year. Despite having seen better days, we even have some flowers still blooming - geraniums, a couple potted plants, and roses. Roses are still blooming every where I go. We have some warm days, then fall-like days, then back to warm. I am loving this!
I have read some sources that have said we are to have a nasty winter, but the other day our paper said it should be above normal temps and below normal snow. I'll take it!!! Supposedly it because of a strong el Nino. Why is it, we never heard of those when we were kids??
I had a nice week. I got to work in the yard some - raking leaves. I did a lot of cleaning and got caught up on laundry. I even got some great deals. I got to open windows and air out the house, and we used very little heat.
Here are some of my bargains this week;
I plan on giving a lot of gift ideas this week. Things you can get ready now and that will cost little or no money. Get ready!!!!
Here's one little area of my basement stockpile for winter and future. Click on picture to enlarge.
It sure does help. I always buy cheap and save $ later! Behind the curtains are jellies and jams and all my tomato products (home canned).
"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take great pride in making my dinner cost so little." Henry David Thoreau
Wise man! My thinking as well.
Wishing all a fantastic and safe week. May the Lord shower you with blessings.
Cheryl
We have been having lovely weather for this time of the year. Despite having seen better days, we even have some flowers still blooming - geraniums, a couple potted plants, and roses. Roses are still blooming every where I go. We have some warm days, then fall-like days, then back to warm. I am loving this!
I have read some sources that have said we are to have a nasty winter, but the other day our paper said it should be above normal temps and below normal snow. I'll take it!!! Supposedly it because of a strong el Nino. Why is it, we never heard of those when we were kids??
I had a nice week. I got to work in the yard some - raking leaves. I did a lot of cleaning and got caught up on laundry. I even got some great deals. I got to open windows and air out the house, and we used very little heat.
Here are some of my bargains this week;
- 8 oz. bags of organic whole almonds for 1.50 (was 5.49). That is $3 a pound!!! I got 5 lbs. which was all they had (Kroger)
- Cashew/almonds/pistachio salted mix - 10 oz. bags for 1.49 (was 6.99). Got both bags they had. All nuts were dated 8/2016 (Kroger)
- 2 bags - 80 count each - of full size Tootsie Pops for 1.99 each! Think kid's Christmas!!! These were from Aldi.
- 4 boxes of Asiago/sundried tomato crackers (6/2016) for .99 each (were 2.99) (Aldi).
- 1 1/2 lb. container of plain Greek yogurt for 1.49. I will use in baking this week. (Kroger)
- I was gifted a 4 piece set of kitchen shears - poultry, utility, bent, and all purpose
- We are still eating tomatoes that are ripening indoors from our garden
- I was gifted 20 paperback books of an author I love. I am set for winter
- I washed the pick up truck with rain water. That poor old truck looked bad - it has set most of the summer and needed a bath badly. Needed to use up rain water - still lots out there to drain.
- Put all the leaves I raked in our garden beds
I plan on giving a lot of gift ideas this week. Things you can get ready now and that will cost little or no money. Get ready!!!!
It sure does help. I always buy cheap and save $ later! Behind the curtains are jellies and jams and all my tomato products (home canned).
"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take great pride in making my dinner cost so little." Henry David Thoreau
Wise man! My thinking as well.
Wishing all a fantastic and safe week. May the Lord shower you with blessings.
Cheryl
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Aldi - Holidays
Good afternoon all. Hope this day is finding you in good health and spirits!
Today I want to talk about Aldi. If you have one in close proximity to you, be sure to take advantage of it this holiday season.
They have so many special items that can only be had till shortly after the first of the year, and let me tell you, many of them are wonderful!
They have their Holiday booklet available at the front of each store (by exit door). There are many yummy specials.
I most generally buy my ham there, as their spiral sliced hams are usually the cheapest around. I absolutely LOVE desserts at the holidays, but don't always feel like baking them after doing all the other food. I do make cookies and candy at Christmas, and I do make my pecan pie - other than that I buy them at Aldi.
They have the BEST cheesecake sampler imaginable. It is sliced and you get 3 slices of 4 different topped cheesecake pieces for like 8.99. We sure don't eat it all at once, so I freeze the remaining slices, and we have treats for a long time. Trust me, frozen cheesecake is heavenly!
For those that drink alcohol. they have many special lagers, ales, and hard ciders available at very reasonable prices. They also have a great assortment of domestic and international wines. The prices are quite good. They even have their own brand of flavored Irish creams.
They carry about every item you could possibly need for baking and for MUCH less than traditional grocery stores (excluding super sales).
If you like specialty items to serve at the holidays you can get Biscotti, Stollen, Baklava, gourmet truffles, and a huge variety of cookies and candies for pennies compared to other stores.
We have some specialty stores in our area, and the prices they charge for breads and sweets is out of this world. The quality of Aldi brands that I have purchased in the past, has been wonderful.
There are many types of cheeses, crackers and meats available for appetizers. They have a bigger assortment to choose from during the holidays.
They also have everything you would need for your traditional or non-traditional holiday meals.
The one thing I have found to be MORE expensive than other stores during the holidays is turkey. They never seem to have the great deals other stores do.
I just love this store, and it where I buy the bulk of my groceries any more, except all the clearance items I get at Kroger and pet food - my kitties don't like the Aldi brand!
Be sure to watch the ads for the other grocery stores as well. Now is the time to stock up on sale items. There are going to be some fantastic prices in the next few weeks, as every store in town wants your business. They get mine but only for their specials!!!! Odd are they aren't making much off me!
Be vigilant and pay attention to holiday pricing and stock up when possible. The items you purchase for pennies now, will only COST MORE later!
Be willing to try something new this year. If you haven't given Aldi a try, think about it. Good food for good prices.
You can even go to their web site at WWW.ALDI.US for a lot of specialty recipes.
NOTE: I get nothing for mentioning this store - I just like them!
Have a fantastic day!
Today I want to talk about Aldi. If you have one in close proximity to you, be sure to take advantage of it this holiday season.
They have so many special items that can only be had till shortly after the first of the year, and let me tell you, many of them are wonderful!
They have their Holiday booklet available at the front of each store (by exit door). There are many yummy specials.
I most generally buy my ham there, as their spiral sliced hams are usually the cheapest around. I absolutely LOVE desserts at the holidays, but don't always feel like baking them after doing all the other food. I do make cookies and candy at Christmas, and I do make my pecan pie - other than that I buy them at Aldi.
They have the BEST cheesecake sampler imaginable. It is sliced and you get 3 slices of 4 different topped cheesecake pieces for like 8.99. We sure don't eat it all at once, so I freeze the remaining slices, and we have treats for a long time. Trust me, frozen cheesecake is heavenly!
For those that drink alcohol. they have many special lagers, ales, and hard ciders available at very reasonable prices. They also have a great assortment of domestic and international wines. The prices are quite good. They even have their own brand of flavored Irish creams.
They carry about every item you could possibly need for baking and for MUCH less than traditional grocery stores (excluding super sales).
If you like specialty items to serve at the holidays you can get Biscotti, Stollen, Baklava, gourmet truffles, and a huge variety of cookies and candies for pennies compared to other stores.
We have some specialty stores in our area, and the prices they charge for breads and sweets is out of this world. The quality of Aldi brands that I have purchased in the past, has been wonderful.
There are many types of cheeses, crackers and meats available for appetizers. They have a bigger assortment to choose from during the holidays.
They also have everything you would need for your traditional or non-traditional holiday meals.
The one thing I have found to be MORE expensive than other stores during the holidays is turkey. They never seem to have the great deals other stores do.
I just love this store, and it where I buy the bulk of my groceries any more, except all the clearance items I get at Kroger and pet food - my kitties don't like the Aldi brand!
Be sure to watch the ads for the other grocery stores as well. Now is the time to stock up on sale items. There are going to be some fantastic prices in the next few weeks, as every store in town wants your business. They get mine but only for their specials!!!! Odd are they aren't making much off me!
Be vigilant and pay attention to holiday pricing and stock up when possible. The items you purchase for pennies now, will only COST MORE later!
Be willing to try something new this year. If you haven't given Aldi a try, think about it. Good food for good prices.
You can even go to their web site at WWW.ALDI.US for a lot of specialty recipes.
NOTE: I get nothing for mentioning this store - I just like them!
Have a fantastic day!
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
ACTIONS
This morning I went up to the polling place and voted - not that I think it matters one iota!! I am very cynical about our voting in this nation. But that's another story entirely!
After voting I decided to run up to Aldi for milk. I go by 2 Kroger in that area - and of course I can NOT drive by a Kroger without going in and checking out the clearance section.
Just so you know - we have 4 Kroger stores within about 10 minutes of our house, and each is either being remodeled or being rebuilt. Kroger no longer wants back stock in their stores - so clearance has been wonderful lately, especially with all the remodeling.
I stopped at Aldi and 2 different Kroger stores today.
I am getting ahead of myself again! I DID get some awesome deals which I will tell you about in Frugal Happenings on Sunday.
The story is about ACTIONS - our and others. In the last store I stopped in, I find a few clearance deals. I got into line behind a gal using W.I.C.. I totally didn't think about stores being busy today with S.N.A.P. and W.IC. (3rd of month here).
I was in no hurry and only had a handful of items. I don't do self - check EVER!
The gal in front of me seems so demure and embarrassed about using W.I.C. She looked like she was trying to wear blinders so no one would see her, with her head down. Another cashier came up to me and very LOUDLY said "I'll take you down on 10, that lady has W.I.C. and she'll be here a while". Oh crap - no you didn't just basically scream that for all to hear!
My response was that I was in no hurry, had my stuff on the beltway, and I would wait. Thanks anyway.
The gal in front had found 3 gallons of milk marked down to $1 each, and she had fresh fruit and veggies that were marked down as well. To break the ice for this poor sweet child - I said "Man did you luck out today". She looked at me shyly and puzzled. I told her how great her deals were with all those markdowns and how wonderful it was that she could get extra for being so smart and shopping wisely. She started to smile!
I told her to look at my stuff - it all had clearance stickers on it too. I said I think it's just downright SMART to get the best deals you can and to stretch your money as far as possible.
Well, by the end of her transactions she was holding her head up and she was grinning.
She bent towards me and whispered "thank you".
I told her I hoped the rest of her day would be blessed.
I KNOW MINE WAS! SHE HAD A BEAUTIFUL SMILE!!!
Just remember - words and actions speak volumes.
After voting I decided to run up to Aldi for milk. I go by 2 Kroger in that area - and of course I can NOT drive by a Kroger without going in and checking out the clearance section.
Just so you know - we have 4 Kroger stores within about 10 minutes of our house, and each is either being remodeled or being rebuilt. Kroger no longer wants back stock in their stores - so clearance has been wonderful lately, especially with all the remodeling.
I stopped at Aldi and 2 different Kroger stores today.
I am getting ahead of myself again! I DID get some awesome deals which I will tell you about in Frugal Happenings on Sunday.
The story is about ACTIONS - our and others. In the last store I stopped in, I find a few clearance deals. I got into line behind a gal using W.I.C.. I totally didn't think about stores being busy today with S.N.A.P. and W.IC. (3rd of month here).
I was in no hurry and only had a handful of items. I don't do self - check EVER!
The gal in front of me seems so demure and embarrassed about using W.I.C. She looked like she was trying to wear blinders so no one would see her, with her head down. Another cashier came up to me and very LOUDLY said "I'll take you down on 10, that lady has W.I.C. and she'll be here a while". Oh crap - no you didn't just basically scream that for all to hear!
My response was that I was in no hurry, had my stuff on the beltway, and I would wait. Thanks anyway.
The gal in front had found 3 gallons of milk marked down to $1 each, and she had fresh fruit and veggies that were marked down as well. To break the ice for this poor sweet child - I said "Man did you luck out today". She looked at me shyly and puzzled. I told her how great her deals were with all those markdowns and how wonderful it was that she could get extra for being so smart and shopping wisely. She started to smile!
I told her to look at my stuff - it all had clearance stickers on it too. I said I think it's just downright SMART to get the best deals you can and to stretch your money as far as possible.
Well, by the end of her transactions she was holding her head up and she was grinning.
She bent towards me and whispered "thank you".
I told her I hoped the rest of her day would be blessed.
I KNOW MINE WAS! SHE HAD A BEAUTIFUL SMILE!!!
Just remember - words and actions speak volumes.
Monday, November 2, 2015
November Musings
Oh what a beautiful morning......Oh what a beautiful day!!!!
I wish I could sing, because I would be singing that old song at the top of my lungs. What a lovely day we awake to. It is to get into the 70's today and the next few days.
This is my view from my front porch looking to the East in my neighborhood. Sure is pretty.
This was last evening looking to the West from the porch. WOW! The oranges and pinks were just stunning. I happened to look around and there were dozens of neighbors standing outside looking to the sky. It was magnificent - pictures can't do it justice.
Now that Halloween is over, is it time for us all to get into holiday mode!
It is time to start thinking menus, gifts, decorating, donations, etc. I truly don't understand why adults buy adults gifts. Most adults can afford what they want when they want it, - and if they can't, they shouldn't expect someone else to buy it! I love the idea of food for adults. Most of my family has finally gotten into that mindset as well. If we don't give actual food, then food gift cards are given. My logic is - everyone has to eat! Why not make it fun?
I try to save the actual gift buying for the kids. They get into the excitement of it all. However we do not spend a lot on the kids and I keep the gifts simple, as they get gifts from all kinds of people. Kids end up with WAY too much.
If you have children or grandchildren - now is the time that they should be cleaning out their rooms and toy areas of all those items they no longer use (good condition) and those things should be donated to shelters or churches to be gifted to children who may not get Christmas otherwise. Closets need to be cleaned as well of all those clothes they no longer wear.
I just can not imagine what would go through a child's mind that gets no gifts. Why didn't Santa come to them? Are they not deserving? It makes me want to cry. NO CHILD should do without at least something small at Christmas.
Now it is not just the kids that should get busy. We should all clean out coat closets, and donate any unused coats, scarves, hats, etc. Clean out your clothes closets and donate. Do you have too much stuff just taking up space around the house? Donate it.
Our local church up the road, collects and donates to families at Christmas, more than just the food pantry they do every month.
I always go to Dollar Tree and buy color books, story books, small toys, and I also get lotions, faux perfumes, bath gels, socks, gloves, hats, etc. to donate. The smallest thing, could just makes someone's day or week brighter.
I even have a lot of canned cat food that NONE of the cats will have anything to do with. I guess it's just not their flavor! I plan on donating that to the pantry up the road, as people hard on their luck, often have pets as well. We can't forget the fur babies!
This was Coogy's response when I said I was donating some of his food! Note the little pink tongue! Stingy kitty. Haha
I hope each of you look within your heart and home and find some items that may bless someone else this holiday season.
Not only should we be thinking of our family get-togethers, but of strangers as well. It is the right thing to do.
Let's all get busy and have a great holiday season. If we do most of the planning and work now - we can truly sit back and enjoy the real meaning of the season.
Blessings all.
I wish I could sing, because I would be singing that old song at the top of my lungs. What a lovely day we awake to. It is to get into the 70's today and the next few days.
Now that Halloween is over, is it time for us all to get into holiday mode!
It is time to start thinking menus, gifts, decorating, donations, etc. I truly don't understand why adults buy adults gifts. Most adults can afford what they want when they want it, - and if they can't, they shouldn't expect someone else to buy it! I love the idea of food for adults. Most of my family has finally gotten into that mindset as well. If we don't give actual food, then food gift cards are given. My logic is - everyone has to eat! Why not make it fun?
I try to save the actual gift buying for the kids. They get into the excitement of it all. However we do not spend a lot on the kids and I keep the gifts simple, as they get gifts from all kinds of people. Kids end up with WAY too much.
If you have children or grandchildren - now is the time that they should be cleaning out their rooms and toy areas of all those items they no longer use (good condition) and those things should be donated to shelters or churches to be gifted to children who may not get Christmas otherwise. Closets need to be cleaned as well of all those clothes they no longer wear.
I just can not imagine what would go through a child's mind that gets no gifts. Why didn't Santa come to them? Are they not deserving? It makes me want to cry. NO CHILD should do without at least something small at Christmas.
Now it is not just the kids that should get busy. We should all clean out coat closets, and donate any unused coats, scarves, hats, etc. Clean out your clothes closets and donate. Do you have too much stuff just taking up space around the house? Donate it.
Our local church up the road, collects and donates to families at Christmas, more than just the food pantry they do every month.
I always go to Dollar Tree and buy color books, story books, small toys, and I also get lotions, faux perfumes, bath gels, socks, gloves, hats, etc. to donate. The smallest thing, could just makes someone's day or week brighter.
I even have a lot of canned cat food that NONE of the cats will have anything to do with. I guess it's just not their flavor! I plan on donating that to the pantry up the road, as people hard on their luck, often have pets as well. We can't forget the fur babies!
I hope each of you look within your heart and home and find some items that may bless someone else this holiday season.
Not only should we be thinking of our family get-togethers, but of strangers as well. It is the right thing to do.
Let's all get busy and have a great holiday season. If we do most of the planning and work now - we can truly sit back and enjoy the real meaning of the season.
Blessings all.
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Frugal Happenings 11/1
HAPPY NOVEMBER!!!!
Well, here we are with just two short months left in this year. That sure seems crazy.
Daylight savings time has started again - YAY said no one ever! I absolutely hate that it will be getting dark early again. I think this is really one of the worst parts of winter. I can handle the cold, SOME snow and ice, but the darkness is what really gets to me.
Halloween is over and we are onward to Thanksgiving. Last night was really disappointing in our neighborhood. We had 64 kids, but that is nothing! That is the lowest number in 30 years. My problem is the neighbors. Poor kids really had to work at it, to get candy. Hardly no one had their lights on. It seems as the older neighbors have left - so has the neighborhood friendliness. The younger folks just don't care.
Needless to say, I have 'bunches' of goodies left! Many will get put back for treats this winter, and others will be added to goody baskets this Christmas. It won't go to waste for sure.
It has been a chilly and damp week here in our area. Today the sun is shining, which is lovely, and the temps are getting back into the 70's this coming week. Sure can't complain about that.
The Sunday paper looked like a holiday weekend today! It was sure fat and full of ads. Both Meijer and Target had special holiday toy ads (books!) in the paper. Lot's of coupons too this week - I haven't gone through them yet. I guess we should get ready for the holiday commercial onslaught now!
Yesterday there were Christmas shows on TV, I have seen holiday commercials on TV already, the stores have had Christmas stuff out for ages, and now the paper ads begin.
This has been a pretty quiet week for me. I have done all my usual frugal things, but not a lot out of the ordinary.
Other than buying the couple of clearance items at Kroger, again I did not buy any weekly groceries.
Oh, I thought I would mention, I think today is like Post 60 since I started the blog, and I noticed the other day that I have had over 8,500 views! I was totally amazed. I didn't figure too many people saw the blog, but I guess a few have!!!! Thank you too all who are following and reading. YOU are the reason I am doing this.
Have a wonderful and blessed week. God bless you all.
Well, here we are with just two short months left in this year. That sure seems crazy.
Daylight savings time has started again - YAY said no one ever! I absolutely hate that it will be getting dark early again. I think this is really one of the worst parts of winter. I can handle the cold, SOME snow and ice, but the darkness is what really gets to me.
Halloween is over and we are onward to Thanksgiving. Last night was really disappointing in our neighborhood. We had 64 kids, but that is nothing! That is the lowest number in 30 years. My problem is the neighbors. Poor kids really had to work at it, to get candy. Hardly no one had their lights on. It seems as the older neighbors have left - so has the neighborhood friendliness. The younger folks just don't care.
Needless to say, I have 'bunches' of goodies left! Many will get put back for treats this winter, and others will be added to goody baskets this Christmas. It won't go to waste for sure.
It has been a chilly and damp week here in our area. Today the sun is shining, which is lovely, and the temps are getting back into the 70's this coming week. Sure can't complain about that.
The Sunday paper looked like a holiday weekend today! It was sure fat and full of ads. Both Meijer and Target had special holiday toy ads (books!) in the paper. Lot's of coupons too this week - I haven't gone through them yet. I guess we should get ready for the holiday commercial onslaught now!
Yesterday there were Christmas shows on TV, I have seen holiday commercials on TV already, the stores have had Christmas stuff out for ages, and now the paper ads begin.
This has been a pretty quiet week for me. I have done all my usual frugal things, but not a lot out of the ordinary.
- I did fill up the Blazer with gas at 1.89/gal.!!!
- While out, I ran into Kroger to check clearance ONLY! I got 2 bottles of Rit denim colored dye for .75 each. The jeans are sure to need it before winter ends!
- I also got a 4 lb. box of non-fat dry milk for $7 (regular 17.99) for my stockpile.
- I also stopped at the orchard. Not so frugal, but yummy. I got cider and apples. Lots of good healthy eating
Other than buying the couple of clearance items at Kroger, again I did not buy any weekly groceries.
Oh, I thought I would mention, I think today is like Post 60 since I started the blog, and I noticed the other day that I have had over 8,500 views! I was totally amazed. I didn't figure too many people saw the blog, but I guess a few have!!!! Thank you too all who are following and reading. YOU are the reason I am doing this.
Have a wonderful and blessed week. God bless you all.
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