Are you staying frugal?

Eats lately:
I have forgotten to take pics of what I'm eating. Though these two photos may reveal why I have gained five pounds over the past several months. Well, part of the reason. (The other part would be potato chips and Top-the-Tator dip.) I can't seem to curb my fruit cravings. (Or chips and dip.) Also, portion control has become an issue. Anyway, first pic is of Spam,spinach & eggs topped with white cheddar and a clementine. Second pic is pre-seasoned chicken breast from off the grill, salad and cottage cheese with pear slices.

Frugal doings:
>Bought two graduation cards at the dollar store at 2 for $1.
>Refashioning a keychain out of a couple gifted items and a clearance purchased item.
>Repaired the crotch of J's favorite pair of pull on pants. He has a habit of wearing pants over his pajama flannels a lot and it increases the wear on his pants, grr. His second pair are waiting to have the button replaced that had popped off a few days ago. Again, worn over flannel pajamas. Men.
>J took on a portion of another contractor's route. He's doing a month long trial run before committing completely.
>Since we do not have health insurance, I have been taking advantage of a slow period at work and have been resting my legs a lot. I've had lots of knee pain (both knees) for the past several weeks. It seems that the concrete floors and long standing periods at work may be contributing factors.
>Bought a solar lantern for $15. I like the idea of having it for power outages, as well as reducing electricity use by using it to read by in the evenings. Now if I could just remember to get it out in the sun to charge it...
>Went back on the sub list as a school lunch lady. It's only a few hours at a time and may only happen twice in a school year. But I like the little ones (only subbing for the elementary school) and one of my friends is a former coworker and I enjoy working with her, too. Also, in the summer when there is no school it is our busy time at my "real" job as the tourists come to town.
>Considering selling my Leslie Sansone dvd's and just doing some regular walking once my knees are good to go again. The kicking in those videos were when I first realized the knee pain some years ago and I think it's time to let them go.
> Bought two bookmarks at Barnes & Noble from their 50% off tables, as well as a tote bag, that will be a couple of stocking stuffers and a birthday gift.
> Noticed in my new members coupon booklet from Sam's Club that they offered a free dozen croissants in addition to their other already advertised freebies (rotisserie chicken, dinner rolls and an apple pie). It's far more bread than this house can consume while it's fresh, so I froze a few of the dinner rolls and croissants and J will bring some to his mom, along with part of the pie.
> Used rhubarb from garden to make some tartlets that I brought along for coffee at a friend's house. We also played Mahjong again.
> Took chicken salad to work for lunches instead of buying something there. Although we have cheap food items, it comes at the expense of my health.
> Received a check from US Treasury that they say is due us because we've overpaid. I think they've made a mistake. I put it into our tax account at the bank until they catch up to it or I call and get it straightened away. Until then it may as well grow interest.
> Downloaded a few books onto my kindle from the library. I haven't done this for a while as I prefer to hold an actual book. But I haven't found any good ones lately. This feels less wasteful of my and the librarian's time and I can delete them right away if they don't catch my interest fast enough.
> Came across some forgotten, frozen blueberries in the freezer from several years ago. I heated them with some store brand pancake syrup, a bit of vanilla and a gob of brown sugar to make a blueberry syrup for J and D for their waffles.
> Have greatly reduced meat purchases as I still try to reach the bottom of our freezers by using what we have. It's gotten frustrating as we don't tend to rotate that stuff to the top. Grr.
> Have spent time with two friends where we played cribbage and had coffee together as well as played Mahjong and ate a lunch of one friend's Memorial Day leftovers.
> Along the line of game playing, we have discovered that a group of people get together in our little hometown on Thursday evenings to play Mahjong. We will be going for the first time tomorrow night!

Sights lately:

Oriole, couple turkey vultures (neighbors guinea hen had just been hit = roadkill supper), hummingbird, evening grosbeak and a little bird with a strange growth on its leg.

Simple Holiday Craft Idea

Here's a couple of holiday ideas that I wanted to make sure I posted prior to Christmas, for any last minute elves...

I made 4 of cellophane wrapped gift baskets for my coworkers. The first pic is of an Epicurean brand cutting board (cost $0 as was given to me), a Linden Sweden cheese spreader (about $2 each), and a cheeseball (bought for $6 each from a church fundraiser) all tucked into a $1 basket and wrapped with a 50cent cellophane bag and tied with ribbon I already had. Each basket cost me $9.50 to make.


I pried off the plastic ring of a jar candle lid prior to recycling the glass. I thought there surely had to be something I could make with it. I found a similar idea online to what I made. Just wrap a bit of tinsel garland around it, tying or gluing to secure, then hot glue on a darling little bow.




After making that one I remembered I still had two other gifts to make for friends. I hit the dollar store for ribbon in their favorite colors and while there came across 2pks of votive glasses which fit perfectly! They can either use them on their Christmas table or hang them from their trees (minus the votive cups, of course).

Making bows has been a bit of a challenge for me in the past. So I found a tutorial online for making small bows on a fork. However, that was a bit smaller than what I was after so I put on my thinking cap for a moment and realized my wide tooth comb would allow me to customize the size well.

Cherry Almond Dark Chocolate Bark Recipe

Cherry & Almond Dark Chocolate Bark
1 - 3.5oz 85% dark chocolate bar (I like Lindt.)
1/4-1/2c dark chocolate or semi-sweet chips*
1/8-1/4tsp cherry flavoring* (I used LorAnn.)
1/4tsp almond flavoring
1/4-1/2c toasted blanched almond slivers*

Line an 8" square pan with parchment. Melt chocolates and flavorings in a double-boiler, stirring often until smooth. Remove from heat, wipe bottom of pan dry with towel so it doesn't drip, then pour into pan and spread out with spatula or back of spoon. Sprinkle almonds over top. Refrigerate until hardened, then chop or break into chunks.

*I gave a range of amounts for several ingredients because I began with the lesser amount and then adjusted to taste by either measuring out more (in the case of the cherry flavoring) or "eyeballing" it (in the case of the chocolate chips and the almond slivers).

My almonds were toasted a day prior as they were used in another recipe. I just spread them out onto a pan and kept a close eye on them as they toasted in the toaster oven. Also, this is my first time trying LorAnn Oil, the cherry flavoring that I used. I don't know how other brands compare, but this flavoring is very... intense, in my opinion. So, please, please, please taste before adding a larger amount. I paid $1 for the pictured bottle that is .125 fl oz. You can barely tell that I used any and it appears I will get years more of use from this little bottle. This was purchased from a local clinic's pharmacy check-out counter. As for the chocolate chips, you certainly could try the sugar-free ones, though I have not and do not know if it'd turn out. I imagine you could also just skip them altogether and add a little more 85% chocolate bar. However, I have a hard time enjoying it that dark.

I can't wait to try a couple other combinations. I think this would make an awesome gift for co-workers next Christmas!

Mmm... Alfredo Sauce... and a couple frugal holiday gifts.

Super-Simple Alfredo Sauce
(adapted from this recipe at allrecipes)
1/4c butter
1-8oz pkg cream cheese
1/2tsp garlic salt
2tsp minced garlic
1c h&h
1c milk
3oz parmesan & romano cheese shreds
1/4tsp freshly ground black pepper
1tsp dried parsley

Melt butter over medium heat, add cream cheese, stir until all's melted and combined. Add garlic salt, garlic, h&h, milk, pepper and parsley. Whisk. Add shredded cheese while continuing to whisk. When melted and slightly thickened, remove from heat and serve.

Changes I'd made to the original are cutting the butter in half, using minced garlic in place of powdered, substitute half of milk called for with half & half, used stronger flavored cheese so I could use less, at least doubled the pepper and used fresh coarsely ground.

We ate about 4 or 5 servings at lunch and there looks to be about the same amount left. So I'm guessing this serves about 8, depending on how saucy you like your meal.

I was very surprised to have been so satisfied with this served with beef meatballs and steamed chopped broccoli. For one thing, I am not a big broccoli fan. Second, I'd been mighty tempted to make some Dreamfield's pasta so I could enjoy it like I normally would. But I'm learning to like a new normal, I guess. Who knew I would look forward to the leftovers of this for lunches in the upcoming couple of days?!?

Has everyone else been "behaving"? I certainly have not. Just too darn many goodies. It's been an all-out pig fest for me since about Dec.19th. And, boy, have I paid for it. I've felt pretty yucky each day, and I finally jumped on the scale yesterday to see the damage. There was a 5-6 pound increase. But I began easing back into eating better yesterday. My sweet tooth has been assuaged with some dark chocolate covered dried berries that I'd received at Christmas in my stocking from J, which I try to just eat a small handful of. I've also cut back on the amount of diet soda I was getting into (trying to replace with carbonated coconut flavored water but don't like it), gave away some sugary treats I'd been gifted, froze some dark chocolate gifts that I can't bear to part with and have dug out the Atkins, South Beach, Protein Power and Belly-Fat Cure books that I have and placed them by my side of the bed to peruse through each night.

On a different note, here's the wool mice I made with the scraps from the coat I'd used to make mittens:

I stuffed them with catnip for fun, too. The boys like to bat them around.

I also made my nieces and nephews each a candy sleigh. I included a gift card on the sleigh. The sleighs were an idea I saw on another blog. But because these were for teens, I wanted to include the gift cards.

Have you seen Sweater Mittens yet? Frugal gift idea!

I recently read another reader's comment over at The Prudent Homemaker's blog where she mentions someone else having made some sweater mittens. I did an internet search and found some simple directions... Simple enough even for someone as inexperienced with a sewing machine as myself. The following day I and a co-worker were having lunch in a local pizza/coffee shop. They have a few gift items throughout their cafe. One of those items were sweater mittens. Now if that's not a clear enough sign to try something... Later that night I checked in with my daughter on Facebook where I discovered she had received - you guessed it - a pair of sweater mittens that one of her roommates had made for her!

Well, between J and I, there isn't a sweater between the two of us. I did, however, have a 100% wool jacket that I'd bought at a thrift store months ago that I'd washed in cool (evidently not cool enough) water and hung to dry. That lovely, $8 wool jacket shrunk. I tried stretching it to no avail. I tried soaking it in cold water with a touch of conditioner... No do. It had been hanging in the laundry room ever since, waiting for a second life. Which I gave it today. I got two pair of sweater mittens out of the jacket. Plus I removed the zipper and stashed it in my sewing tote in case... Well, you never know. I even kept a few scrap pieces that I'm considering making into catnip toys for our two furry brats for Christmas! Ha ha!

I'm not sure if the pattern pieces I used were what affected the slight "not-quite-right" feel, though I suspect it was the fact that I used wool rather than a knitted fabric. It just doesn't move the same way. But they still turned out adorable and warm. So just do a search and you should get plenty of pattern ideas. I used one that has 3 pieces.

For lining them? I've had a pair of J's longjohns sitting on my dryer for months that had a hole-y knee. Perfect. Oh. Yeah, you know it. I kept the elastic from the waist. And the buttons came from Dad's inherited button collection from Grandma!

Frugal Holiday Crackers & Are you being frugal?

Frugal Holiday Crackers

While looking for a craft project using cardboard toilet paper rolls recently, I came across someone's idea of using them as a holiday cracker. Although they look like a cracker, I'm not sure that they will, in fact, crack open when given a good whack. But that's okay, we'll tear 'em to shreds when the time comes. I've got more to make but thought I should share the idea now while it's fresh in my mind. Stinks being forgetful.

Gather your goodies to fill them with and your wrapping supplies. I placed a small wad of tissue paper on either end inside each tube so that the kids(or adults, for that matter) won't try to cope a feel to figure out what's inside each tube. I'll be picking up more gum and individually wrapped candies to make more soon, as well as some sugar-free goodies so that the sugar-watchers can enjoy, too. Might put a dollar or two in a couple, maybe small toiletries, and even a lottery ticket. Not sure what sort of game we'll play with them yet. (Any ideas?) Once loaded with sweets, roll up in a piece of tissue wrap, tie off each end and trim off extra paper. Then decorate as you please. I used some leftover gift wrapping scraps. Oh, and if toilet paper cardboard turns you off, you could use paper towel cardboard.

Frugal doings: 
1.) Resisted going out to eat. Ma & Pa went to some county hall meeting and ate soup and sandwiches that were provided for those who attended. While this scenario often leads to us running into town for fast food, we stayed home and popped a frozen pizza in the oven which had cost $1.88 with a coupon this past week. While I did have a half piece of low-carb pizza that I'd made with a low-carb wrap last week, I did cheat and also eat a piece of D & J's pizza, too. I know... I know... At any rate, $1.88 for all three of us was awesome! So glad we didn't waste gas driving into town and on fast-food.
2.) This involves money spent, but... I'd purchased 4 notepads with pens at a book sale at work. I paid $5 for each, though they have a list price of $12.95 printed on the back. These will be for "A" (not reading this, are you?) and her 3 roommates at college. They put their tree up last night in their apartment and I thought it would be nice to put a gift under there for each of them right away. I wrapped them in brown paper that I'd saved and rolled up from an Amazon package to disguise the shape some, then wrapped in the remaining 4 sheets of super-messy-glittery gift wrap that my sister had given me some years ago. I'll finish them off with some twine that I already have and some homemade tags made from past Christmas cards.
3.) Thanksgiving meal won't cost us an arm and a leg! Decided on making a low-carb raspberry & coconut cream pie for Thanksgiving. I have all the ingredients, including garden raspberries, in my freezer and pantry! Woot! (I'll post the recipe if it turns out well.) Parents have already bought a sugary pumpkin pie - blech! I have a bag of cranberries in the freezer that I'd got for under a dollar with a coupon a few weeks ago and will make a low-carb sauce. Ma & Pa will provide the sugary kind - blech. Bought my turkey with a store coupon for 66cents/lb. If there was room in the freezer I would buy an extra at that price! I also already have the ingredients to make a low-carb bread of some sort for stuffing, too. Parents bought carby Stove-Top - blech! I also had bought a carton of sugary peppermint stick ice cream a couple of weeks ago with a coupon for less than $2. No "blech!" there. I may give in to that sugary goodness, though. But it's another cheap dessert option for others.
4.) I called around to see if underbelly tape was available in our area. Of course it is not. So I ordered it off of Amazon, which did look to be the cheaper option of the two that I'd found. It was just under $40 shipped. Which sounds crazy for tape. But it is 4"x108', can tolerate heat and extreme cold and, unfortunately, is a necessity. There is a tear in the underbelly material under our trailer that "J" repaired with duct tape. But that doesn't last very long, loosening with the cold temps. This tape is a far more affordable fix than letting the current fix go and risking critters chewing or clawing it open further. The material that covers the underbelly is over $230!
5.) Recently ordered and received 20 photo Christmas cards for free from Walgreens. If you "liked" them on facebook you were given a code to redeem when placing the order. They are flat, one-sided 5x7 cards. Yes, it would be free to send email greetings. But I'd rather pay the postage and send the real deal. It's not the same to get that electronic greeting as it is to receive a card in the mail. I think that it shows more effort and care to send an actual paper card. They look great.
6.) Told a s-i-l that, as long as they are in agreement, we would like to not have to worry about buying new for gifts and would like the option to either buy gently used or homemade. Haven't heard back yet. But assuming that they will be greatly relieved from this pressure, too. Sometimes we are basically just exchanging gift cards anyway, which seems a bit silly to me.
7.) I know some will say this is not a frugal idea. I signed up for a Walmart charge card through a deal they have going on right now where you get a $25 credit on a purchase of $75 or more. The thing to remember is that you must make your purchase the same day that you are approved the credit. "J" and I had intended to buy a $100 tablet there anyway.We've got the money already set aside to pay off that balance and will close the account with that payment. Sweet!

Are you being frugal? (Also, a reduced sugar grape jelly recipe!)

What kind of squash is this? Is it a delicata?

I stopped in at a grocery store that I don't typically shop. They had a huge bin of all sorts of squash and gourds all jumbled together and they labeled them only as, "assorted". Not very helpful. I assumed they were edible. They were very good.

On the frugal front:
1.) I put my dried heirloom pea seeds in an envelope, labeled them, and placed that envelope in a sealed baggie, then into the freezer for a couple of weeks. I'm not sure if this is the right way to save them. But it's my current plan. I also cut a couple pieces of pantyhose and fit them over two drying flower stalks on one of my heirloom lettuces out in the garden. I then cut a couple of stalks that had fallen over and put them in a window to continue to dry. When the buds dry up I will shake them into a bag and see if I get any seeds. Again, I don't know if this is the right way or not. But it's the plan that I have right now. I have a second type of heirloom lettuce out in the garden. But it never sent up any flowers or stalks. So I'm not sure what to do with that one. Guess I'll just count it as a loss and maybe plant a little earlier next year and hope that that longer season will provide seeds to save. Suggestions are welcome, of course.
2.) I received a Keurig sample in the mail. It has 4 cups in it. It's going in my Christmas stockpile of little goodies. It will likely be given to my s-i-l (no, I don't think she reads this...) as part of their family gift. I'm planning on doing one big stocking of random goodies for her, my brother, and their two young teens. We'd agreed to not doing any gifts this year. But I can't help myself sometimes. Also received two sweet coffee drink mix samples that will go in a stocking for someone else.
3.) Low-sugar Grape Jelly! Finally made some! This was made with a quart of grape juice that I thawed from our freezer from Dad's grapes last year. I did have to add some sugar, as our grapes are extremely sour and the xylitol & stevia hadn't quite done the job. This was frugal as I had everything already.
4.) Canned applesauce. Unsweetened, of course. Love having this during the winter months. Normally I freeze applesauce. But there's no freezer space right now. Also dried some apple slices and rings. Plan to do some more of those.
5.) Picked the last of the broccoli from the garden. Used it to make beef & broccoli.
6.) "A" ran out of dining dollars at her college. Rather than spend a ton of money at the store to feed her for the week, I went through our freezer and divided some veggies into single servings so she can make a couple stir-fry meals, baggied a couple chicken breast strips so she can add to those, found a block of cheese, gave her a bag of garden green beans and a bag of sliced almonds to dress them up with, baggied up a couple servings of spaghetti meat sauce and found a box of pasta in the pantry. We still need to stop by the store and pick up some toilet paper and a small package of steak/beef for another stir-fry option. Oh, and I found a small package of frozen hamburger and a packet of meatloaf seasoning, for which I had recently just bought some disposable mini-loaf pans. She'll also take some dried apple slices for snacking and a couple small potatoes from the garden.
7.) I've been unplugging a couple of power strips each night that our laptops, television and game system are plugged into. There was more than a $40 difference from our last bill. But the air conditioning that Ma & Pa use now and then hasn't been used either. So I can't really tell. Anyone do this and notice any savings?

Low-Sugar Grape Jelly
(adapted from Ball pectin package) 
(makes 2 pints)
3 & 1/3c unsweetened grape juice
6tsp lemon juice
2 - 0.4oz packets Ball Low or No-Sugar Needed Pectin
1tsp butter
1/2c xylitol
1/2c Stevia In The Raw
30 drops liquid vanilla stevia
1/4c sugar


Heat juices over high heat. Whisk or stir in pectin gradually. Bring to boil, stirring constantly. Add butter, stir until melted. Mix xylitol, powdered stevia and sugar in a bowl, then add to juice mixture. Bring to boil again, stirring constantly, and boil for 1mn. Ladle into two clean pint jars and place lids on. Let sit to cool for about half an hour. Then store in refrigerator.

Low-Carb Pancakes

I've made a low-carb pancake in the past that uses protein powder (I had Jay Robb vanilla) and was somewhat unhappy with the result.  Much too sweet, primarily.  I've come across many others and had been pretty turned off to them since that failure.  The other day I thought I'd give it a go again.  After all, I still had a packet of Cashew Butter from Artisana that I wanted to experiment with.  I mixed all my ingredients before going to bed and refrigerated it overnight.  Of course, my memory is crap, so I forgot to make it the next morning.  But the next morning I remembered and fried 2 lovely pancakes in a bit of coconut oil.  Tender and light...  Not too sweet at all.  I was a bit naughty and used some sf syrup that was sweetened with Splenda.  But I'm not big on drowning my pancakes in syrup so it wasn't much.  The butter on the other hand?  Yeah.  Great big gobs of that.  If you like a little more sweet, maybe add a splash of vanilla to the batter.

Low-Carb Pancakes
(made 2 average/large sized cakes)
1 - 1.19oz pkg. Artisana Raw Cashew Butter
1 egg
1/4c coconut milk
2tsp coconut flour
1/4tsp baking powder


Mix all.  Fry.
I don't know if the outcome was affected by letting the batter sit more than a night in the fridge.  But it sure didn't hurt it any.

11/20 - I beat 30 loops through our elementary school last night.  On loop 28 I had to slow down as I felt a little "zing" in my chest.  No other symptoms.  I believe I'd been told that 8 loops were equal to about a mile.  So I got in over 3 miles while D was at judo class.

11/21 - We went to an indoor waterpark and played for a couple of hours.  And, yes, I did do more than just float in the lazy river.   Shot down the tube slide a couple times with each - D, then J, then my sister and was only thrown out of the tube one of those times.  It was fun.  I felt good and pooped after trekking up the stairs to the top of the slide and lots of screaming as we rode it down.

11/22 - Had way too much goodies.  But this was planned, so I don't feel terribly guilty.  Just a little on the disgusting side from too much sugar...  Days like this make me look forward to going back to eating right the next morning.

11/23-11/24  Back on track and feeling fine.  I'd like to workout but the kids have had company and I'm not working out in front of them.  Made cranberry relish with stevia & erythritol, turkey, low-carb dressing and a reduced-carb mashed "potatoes" for supper last night.  (Yes.  It was a day late.)  It was only reduced-carb because I added two small red potatoes to make it more palatable to everyone, myself included.  I've tried just mashed cauliflower and was not a fan.  But I'll work at it.

Christmas Gift Idea
Here's what I put together for teen nephew and niece:  I bought the little initialed sock for $4, earphones were on sale for $5, pack of gum & some Hershey Kisses are in the toe of the sock, and the envelope underneath has a $10 Amazon mp3 giftcard in it. The one pictured is for my nephew.  My niece's is exactly the same but in a purple sock with purple headphones and a purple pack of gum.  I try to keep my spending under $20 each for extended family and went over by just a buck or so.  Christmas packaging to the right of the sock was dirt cheap after the holidays last year or the year before.

Pink Peppermint Popcorn Recipe - Not low-carb

Popcorn experiment was a success!  So yummy!  I had too many tastes to make sure it was good.  But I certainly can't give something as a gift that I don't know if I'd like myself, right?!?  So, so good.  I'd been hunting for a recipe to follow and couldn't find one that fit what I had envisioned.  There were recipes that were close, but just not right.  Once I ground the mallow bits up I knew this would work fantastically.  It's a cinch to make and so addictive to eat.  (This batch pictured was brought to J's mom's house on Sunday.)  Here's what I did:

Pink Peppermint Popcorn
1/4c popcorn kernals, air popped
6 blocks white almond bark (about 10oz)
1/2c Kraft Peppermint Mallow Bits, ground to a powder
1 tsp red sparkling sugar
few dashes of salt to taste

Melt almond bark in double boiler as you pop the popcorn.  Pulverize (in food processor, or I use my  shake blender cup) the mallow bits, then add the red colored sugar.  When almond bark's melted slowly drizzle over popcorn while gently tossing the popcorn around to evenly coat.  After using about half of the almond bark I added about half of the peppermint mallow bit powder mix.  Then repeat with remaining bark and powder.  Shake on salt to your preference.  Lay out evenly on a pan to cool.  I used a couple Silpat liners. 

I will be making this as part of the Christmas gift exchange we do at work in the kitchen at the school.  (It's so nice working with such a small group of wonderful ladies!)  I've got cute little buckets that I'd bought end of season last year that I will package this popcorn in, too.  I think I will also drizzle a little extra white chocolate over it once it's on the pan to cool, then crush a couple of mints and sprinkle those so that they stick to the drizzle for an extra minty boost.


12/23/12 - Wanted to update.  I was unable to find the Mallow Bits anywhere!  So I found a great alternative.  Jello has a pink peppermint pudding mix that was a fantastic stand in in this recipe.  Everyone loved it!

Grand Opening!

I'm helping my dad open an Etsy shop.  He has more pieces in progress, but currently he is offering 3 varieties of freshwater fish that he has cut, painted and sealed himself.  The shop is called FlossieFish.  These might make a unique gift for an outdoors man for Christmas or a birthday.  Dad's been working on these for some time and while I'd suggested he look at selling them before, he has never looked into it himself as the internet and technology can be too complicated sometimes.  With winter coming and chemo keeping him indoors more, I thought now might be the time to give him a little direction.  If interested, please visit our shop below or forward the information to others who may be interested.  Thanks for looking! 
FlossieFish

Dinners and a movie...

This is such an easy week, mostly because I am going to be away for two days.  D (son) and I are on spring break from school & work and are going on a day trip with N, sister-in-law.  We'll be visiting a pirates themed exhibit at a museum and shopping.

Monday (check!) - Hawaiian Chicken Sandwiches, Fries, Salad
Tuesday - on your own (I'm not home.)
Wednesday - on your own (I'm not home.)
Thursday (check!) - Chicken Rice Soup, Salad
Friday (check!) - Pork Roast & Root Vegetables
Saturday (check!) - Orange Chicken & Broccoli Stir-Fry
Sunday (check!) - Spaghetti w/Meatballs

D and I went to see The Hunger Games at the theater.  While I'd read the trilogy, he had not.  Hopefully this will interest him enough to get him to read an actual book.  He reads manga/graphic novels for the most part.  I wish he'd realize just how much more is out there!  As for the books, I give them a thumbs-up.  While they are not as detailed or written in a fashion that I typically enjoy, I realize that they were written for a more juvenile audience and think that they were very well done with that intention.  The movie?  That turned out to be pretty good... and that opinion comes from D, too, though he originally didn't want to go see it with me.  (I'm such a mean momma, I made him go along.)  Anyone else see it?  What'd you think?

I've been craving sweet, hot drinks.  Coffee's been getting a bit tiresome.  So I made myself some low-sugar and low-carb chai mix.  I figure this recipe below is about 2g sugar and 5g carbohydrates per serving, so 2/1 for an s/c count.  I realize there are many variations and even lower sugar and carb recipes.  But I really wanted the convenience of the dry mix.  However, I will soon try steeping a mug of spiced tea and adding heavy whipping cream and stevia/xylitol some time, just for comparison's sake.

Low-Sugar Vanilla Chai Mix
(adapted from Southern Plate site)

1/2c non-fat powdered milk
1/2c non-dairy powdered creamer
1/2c sugar-free vanilla powdered creamer
1c stevia (I use Stevia In The Raw)
1/2c unsweetened instant tea
1tsp ground ginger
1tsp ground cinnamon
1/2tsp ground cloves
1/2tsp ground cardamom
1/2tsp ground nutmeg
1/2tsp allspice
1/8-1/4tsp ground white pepper

Blend all in food processor until mixed well and fine.  Pour into a storage container with a lid.  To make, add two level tablespoons to an 8oz mug of hot water.  Stir and enjoy.  

I cut the original recipe roughly in half.  Accordingly, you are supposed to get about 3c of mix, or 24 servings using the amounts above.  Less, of course, if you choose to use heaping Tbsps. when making yourself a cup.  Keep in mind that you will end up with a little "silt" on the bottom of your mug when you're down to the last sip as the spices do settle.  Tastes fantastic!  As soon as I pick up another bottle of instant tea, I and dd will make another version using regular sugar that she can give as a gift for a friend's birthday next week!  Yum yum!

Here's a yummy idea to use next Christmas!

Okay. I'm not a drinker at all. But due to the previous post and now, this new post, it may appear that I am. This photo is actually from this past Christmas. My sister had made and served these on Christmas Eve at her house. Please keep in mind - These are not for children!

Drunken Gummy Bears
Doing a quick online search I found that these aren't anything new. They were new to me though, and likely would be new to my co-workers whom I've been thinking these would make a fine little gift for for next Christmas. Of course you could tailor them to suit your needs with other gummy shapes.

They're simple to make. Place desired amount of gummies in a dish and pour on vodka. Some people end up with a gooey mess instead. The consensus is that they used too much vodka. So I would suggest using only enough to come up to just under the top layer of gummies so they can absorb the alcohol more easily. After a day of soaking, drain off any liquid (which you could keep for a fruity drink), put in a storage bag or container and refrigerate to store. Wouldn't these be darling in clear cellophane all tied up sweetly with curly ribbons?

Got my Raspberry Christmas Cheer ready to deliver!

Just wanted to post a quick shot of the "done up" bottle and after it was wrapped. I'd also like to thank and give credit to the lovely that designed the tags on the bottles - http://misscutiepiegoes80s.blogspot.com/2010/02/freebie-printable-labels.html













This shot of the back of the hang tag's a bit blurry. Just wanted to show the other side. I printed this on some cream colored card stock I had lying around, cut them out, glued them back-to-back, punched a hole with a hole puncher, then strung some sisal (that I'd intended for some other project that hasn't happened) and knotted.













The bag's a leftover waxy one from a few Christmases ago. I had to bunch up some tissue on either side to make sure the bottle doesn't get tipped. I can't wait to deliver them in the morning!

Here's an inexpensive gift idea: Homemade vanilla extract. Recipes abound upon the internet. I loosely based my recipe upon some that I'd come across.

Homemade Vanilla Extract
10 vanilla beans
3 cups vodka
1 quart canning jar

Cut vanilla beans in half, keeping out two. Cut the remaining two down the center vertically and scrape out bean seeds. Place all in quart jar, pour vodka over, seal and store in a cool dark place. Many recipes state to store for several weeks prior to use. (Mine will be stored for a couple of months as this will be jarred in decorative glass bottles and given as Christmas gifts. I'll let you know how strong it gets.) When ready to transfer to clean bottles for use, strain through cheese cloth or a coffee filter first. Though some people prefer to either not strain or to include a bean when bottling.

Also, I read that if you choose to keep a vanilla bean in the bottle, you can keep adding vodka as you use to replenish it almost indefinitely, or at least until the flavor is too weakened. Additionally, the used beans can be set out to dry and once dry they can be stored with granulated sugar to flavor it. Stored with some large crystal decorating sugar, this in combination with the extract, could make a cute little baker's basket for a gift.

As a little side note, I know vanilla beans are expensive, especially if you are buying them from your grocery store. Typically you get just a couple of beans in a glass vial for around $7 or so. I bought mine on ebay. I was able to get these ten beans used in this recipe, plus about 10 more beans that I haven't used yet, for $10 shipped. So check there for a great buy.

Birthday Cupcakes & Favors

I made my daughter these bright treats for her 16th birthday that she celebrated with her couple closest friends. I made a white cake batter, flavored with melted white chocolate chips, then separated it into three bowls. I tinted each with a gel coloring; orange, aqua and purple. Then marbled them in each cupcake liner in the pans. The frosting was a basic buttercream (butter, vanilla, powder sugar and milk) that I also flavored with melted white chocolate chips. Again, I divided the frosting into bowls and tinted with more gel coloring. A friend helped frost these as she had some piping tips. The clear plastic cupcake trays were bought from Cub Foods' bakery department at a dollar each. I already had the yellow sticker labels, so just ran them through my printer using a cute font that seemed fitting. Aren't they adorable?


I also wanted to post a photo or two of the party favors. We decided to buy a couple mini hatbox style giftboxes rather than using tulle or plastic to contain them so that the teacups would be protected from bumps and breakage. We put in those creamy pastel mints, an organic chocolate bar, organic tea, maple sugar candy and thin, crisp sugar cookies.