Merry Christmas!! Hope your holiday season is filled with love and wonderful memories!
Sharing this recipe as a gift to you all.
Christmas Sugar Cookies
1 c. Butter
1 c. Sugar
3 Eggs
3 3/4 c. Flour
1/2 tsp. Salt
2 tsp. Cream of tarter
1 tsp. Baking soda
1/2 tsp. Vanilla
Mix together and roll out and cut. Bake at 350 for 8 - 10 minutes, being sure to check on it. On these I sprinkled sugar but you can frost. They are from when I was a child and they are the best I have had.
"Start now to create a plan if you don’t already have one, or update your present plan. Watch for best buys that will fit into your year’s supply. We are not in a situation that requires panic buying, but we do need to be careful in purchasing and rotating the storage that we’re putting away. The instability in the world today makes it imperative that we take heed of the counsel and prepare for the future." (L. Tom Perry)
We are working our way through advent bags.
This was one of mine, I got it at salvation army early in the year and put it in one of my bags.
This year I am following along with the Arne and Carlos Christmas stocking. They release six rows a day, it has been fun.
https://www.diaryofaquilter.com/last-minute-handmade-gifts/ - ideas for last-minute gifts.
https://www.thriftyfrugalmom.com/20-cheap-easy-homemade-gift-ideas/
https://frugalmeasures.blogspot.com/2017/12/toilet-paper-decorations.html
https://wholefully.com/homemade-soup-mixes-in-a-jar/ - gift ideas.
You are probably worn out from this busy time of year so be nice to yourself. Rest. You don't want to get sick and run down.
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/g37406365/crock-pot-soup-recipes/ - put on some soup and just rest.
https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/quick-slow-cooker-soups/
https://insanelygoodrecipes.com/crockpot-soup-recipes/ - put some soup in your crockpot and take it easy.
https://saladinajar.com/recipes/original-favorite-dinner-rolls/ - put some rolls in your bread machine or mix by hand and let rise while you put your feet up.
Missy says no doubt we are all feeling the budget being pinched even harder. Prices seem to continue to rise. Take time to ponder more frugal ways.
Tippy Longstockings says rest and look forward to the new year.
"A cardinal principle of the gospel is to prepare for the day of scarcity. Work, industry, frugality are part of the royal order of life." (Bishop Keith B. McMullin)
Here we are in the busy season, goodness it is so busy.
I have been making these jar openers for gift giving. This one is mine, have used it more than I can say. My husband too. You can pretty well figure out how to make it. When I am done, I make an X from corner to corner each way.
While having extra things on my to-do list, I still need to make yogurt (recipe HERE).
I use an ice chest and fill one quart jar of hottest tap water and put it in with yogurt, all have lids on. We like having this with our granola (get the recipe HERE)
I am starting a mitten as a challenge to myself - a winter project. You can see the puzzle going behind it.
https://www.todaysthebestday.com/20-easy-inexpensive-and-fast-neighbor-christmas-gifts/ - some fast gifts.
https://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/neighbor-or-teach-gift-idea-ho/ - more ideas.
https://ahundredaffections.com/classy-cheap-neighbor-christmas-gifts-free-printable-tags/ - cute ideas.
https://frogprincepaperie.com/sugar-cookie-snack-mix-christmas-neighbor-gift-or-teacher-gift/ - this looks yummy.
https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/recipes-for-gifts-in-a-jar/ - some ideas here as well.
Winter is soup time up here, brrrrrr... https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/cheap-soup-recipes-for-fall/
Find time to rest while you are in this busy season. My goal is to try to slow down.
https://bemorewithless.com/how-to-slow-down-in-life/
https://www.ramseysolutions.com/personal-growth/the-beauty-of-slowing-down
https://simplelionheartlife.com/how-to-slow-down/
https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/slow-down.html
https://bemorewithless.com/ways-to-slow-down/ - this one looks really good.
Missy says find time to rest, it will help you stay healthy and she rests a lot.
Tippy Longstockings says enjoy some music.
I bought some really beginner piano music I like a lot. I figure I can learn on this song then move to another. I am such a beginner but it is something I wanted to do as a kid.
This is the song I love it but mine is a very simple version - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ_VlQ8M5EE
"We encourage members worldwide to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings. We ask that you be wise, and do not go to extremes. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve." (All is Safely Gathered In)
Now with Thanksgiving behind us we need to turn to Christmas and the busy time of year. Let us remember to look for ways to give service and lift others.
This week I removed the cuffs, hemmed the pants, and shortened the sleeves on the last suit and also replaced a zipper in a winter coat.
I did a bit more moving things about and finished the fall clean. Now I can just enjoy the results which is good.
I have the puzzle set up to work over the holidays and winter days.
We try to do this every year as we set into a slower time after a hectic season of gardening and preserving food.
I needed to work on the cuckoo clock on Thanksgiving. After we ate our meal, the clock had slowed playing music (it plays Edelweiss). So I cleaned and oiled some and it is back working good again. I love that song. This clock was a gift from my sister, she knows I love that song.
Here are some budget ideas...
https://snailpacetransformations.com/25-christmas-traditions-for-families-on-a-tight-budget/
https://www.printablesfairy.com/christmas-traditions-for-families-on-a-tight-budget/ - I love the 12 acts of kindness
https://thekrazycouponlady.com/tips/family/21-free-or-cheap-family-christmas-traditions - I love the handprint tree skirt and really like the scavenger hunt.
https://www.busybudgeter.com/21-christmas-traditions-to-enjoy-on-a-tight-budget/ - peanut brittle party sounds yummy.
https://www.sandiegofamily.com/things-to-do/seasonal-happenings/budget-friendly-holiday-traditions - great ideas here as well.
https://www.thesimplicityhabit.com/the-best-simple-and-frugal-family-christmas-traditions/ - a list of frugal traditions.
https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/christmas-traditions-with-your-family.html
https://www.beautythroughimperfection.com/free-christmas-traditions/ - another list of ideas.
I know you are busy at this time so listen to wise counsel from the kitties...
Missy says do not run yourself down, you don't want to get sick .
Tippy Longstockings says find time for yourself rest lots and plenty of hot cocoa stay well.
