Readers!

It's still so cool to me that people are reading my blog! I have two separate counters keeping track of readers {22 on my last post!} as well as where they are from. Awesome! Thank you. I would love for you to comment on my posts and/or leave your blog address. I would love to read your blog!

God bless you all!

declutter update and a simple Christmas

I have been so busy with getting ready for Christmas, that I have fallen behind in my decluttering challenge. The past two days, I have been going through closets and drawers like a crazy woman. I will have 2 bags to donate today. That feels good.

I have been receiving small gifts from friends lately. My friends and I agree that giving a gift to someone that you found in your home has just as much meaning as one that you went out and purchased! I had two books that I really enjoyed,{both bought on clearance} and I knew two friends that would enjoy them as well. One friend gave me a lovely teapot that she had loved, but she knew that I would enjoy it. I love that idea! Why go broke looking for the "perfect" gift

I also received a gift that I know was found at a thrift store. How cool is that? She went out, thinking of me, and spent a small amount on a gift that she knew I would adore! That makes my heart happy.

I found gifts for my children at the Goodwill. Will they care? Not likely. I found my son some brand new guitar strings. I was in a music store recently and found the same strings for $99! The set that I found is missing a couple, but was $5! He will be thrilled.

homemade gifts, a gift recipe and a simple Christmas

I feel very strongly about home made gifts. Especially at Christmas! It just means so much more to me, if you give me something that you have made. I don't care if it cost you less than a dollar to make. It's the time that you took. You were thinking of me when you took time to create something! It's like a hug everytime I look at it, or eat it! =)

I really enjoy making gifts and my family and friends seem to enjoy receiving them.

I always make something for my extended family. In the past, these have included: candles, soap, smelly jelly {air freshener}, scrapbooks and just last year I made photo candles. These were super easy and looks amazing! The candles looked like they had pictures printed right onto them. My family loved them!

Our extended family gets together every year before Christmas. We have a potluck dinner and a White Elephant gift exchange, with an emphasis on really silly gifts. We keep a max on the dollar amount spent. It is so much fun and we can just enjoy each other without the stresses of shopping.

I always bake yummy goodies for Christmas. These are included as part of our gift. I only bake certain items for the Holiday, so that they are more special. For example, my family knows that they only get peanut brittle, fudge and molasses cookies once a year!

I also bake for my neighbors. I have never had a neighbor give us a gift, but I honestly don't mind. I would prefer that they didn't. They all seem genuinely happy to receive my home baked goodies! {I always wrap them some pretty way, so it seems more like a gift}

photo candles:

1 candle, any size, white {I bought mine at the dollar store}

digital pictures or scanned pictures ready on your computer

tissue paper, white or light colored

hair dryer or heat embossing tool

straight pins

To print the picture onto tissue paper was the only tricky part. Tape a small piece of tissue paper to copy paper. {I discovered that the tissue would wrinkle if I didn't tape all sides} The size I used was approximately 5X7 inches.

The best way to figure out where to tape it onto the paper is to print a picture on a sheet of copy paper first. Then you know where the pictures will be printing.

Next, print the picture. After testing it, it should print right onto the tissue paper. Remove tissue paper from copy paper. Then you want to trim the tissue paper picture to fit the candle. Use the straight pins to secure the tissue to the candle.

Here's the fun part. Take the hair dryer or heat embossing tool and glide it side to side all over the picture. You don't want to leave it too long in one place. It's okay if some of the wax drips. You can smooth it out with your finger or a popcicle stick. The effect is a picture that looks like it was printed inside the candle. You want to make sure to completely melt wax over the entire picture. When it cools, you will see any spots that you may have missed. You shouldn't see or feel the tissue paper. Just keep melting the wax until effect is achieved.

Let cool and wrap in cellophane and tie a ribbon at the top.

I'd post a picture, of the ones I made for my family, but I like for the blog to anonymous. =) sorry

a great deal on frozen veggies!

Green Giant boxed veggies are normally $2.19 per box! WHOA! My hubby really likes these for his lunches, so I watch for the sales. This week, they are $0.88 per box. I searched for coupons and hit the store. Since my store only allows 3 coupons, of the same item, to be used at at time I had to go back in a few times. No big deal.

So, for $0.55 per box, I purchased 20 boxes. {$0.88 each, minus $1 off of three coupon equals $0.55 each}

{the picture isn't of the kind that I bought, I just didn't have time to take a pic!}

easy peanut butter cookies

My son asked for cookies. I had very little time. Enter these very quick and very easy cookies. They are so yummy!

Peanut butter cookies

1 cup peanut butter, chunky or smooth
1 cup sugar
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and grease cookie sheets. Combine ingredients and drop by tablespoon onto cookie sheet. Flatten with a fork. Bake 12-14 minutes, or until browned. {don't cook too long, or you will have cookie crumbles instead of cookies!} Let cool slightly before removing to wire rack. These are really moist until they cool, and fall apart easily.

Borders.com sale and free shipping!

I am trying so hard to find the one DVD that my son wants for Christmas. It is sold out everywhere. I found a copy on Borders.com.

Today only, they have free shipping. Also if you are a Borders Rewards member, you can save 33% off of any item. They must be awfully busy right now, as I've been trying to load their page for a while! For a 33% savings, I will be patient.

*update: It has been 24 hours and I am still waiting to get my order placed. How's that for patience?

I love freebies!

Our grocery store has Clif Bars on sale for $1.00 and doubles coupons.

I had 7- $.50 off coupons.

You can only use 3 at a time.

I had to go into the store a couple of times.

Our city recently eliminated food sales tax.

Normal retail value- $1.49 each.

Result? 7 free Clif Bars!