Did you keep track of Christmas spending?

Are you surprised at what you spent?  It's ok, but it's important to have an idea of what you will want to spend next year and plan for it.  Some begin buying Christmas presents early.  The only problem I have is I can't remember why I bought it (or where I put it).  I transfer the accumulated money back into my checking account the first of December so I know what I have.  Peace of mind - in a not so peaceful financial drain - brings the opportunity to truly enjoy the season.  Even though it is filled with "hustle-bustle", you won't have to worry about money.

Do you only have one kitchen sink?

Many people have opted to have only one kitchen (farm) sink.  Although it is beautiful, it may have significant drawbacks.  When you fill the sink with hot soapy dishwater, it is great to have that much room.  However after a few "rinses", you have messed up the balance of soap/water ratio and also have no place to pour used liquid.  Solution:  Choose the largest pan to be washed and use it as a temporary dishpan.  You can maintain the proper dishwater and allow for hot rinse water to do its job too.  When finished, the pan is also clean and your sink is back to normal.

This is my Christmas prayer...

In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray for the people:  Those who have lost a son or daughter, husband or wife, father or mother and are facing their first Christmas without that loved one.  Each is irreplaceable and in Christ are waiting for us when we arrive in Heaven.  I pray for single mothers and single fathers who through circumstances are caring for the little ones alone.  For grandparents who have stepped up to the start line to raise their grandchildren because they consider them their own children and cannot/will not allow the children to endure family separation.  I pray for families who are together this Christmas for the first time in many years and for old war wounds to be healed.  For those who do not have enough and for those who have had a windfall of provision and are thinking the best way to be financially responsible.  Most of all, I pray that everyone will be able to hear and UNDERSTAND the Gospel.  (John 3:16) I believe that anyone who truly understands that  original sin passed down through all humanity from Adam and Eve, and because sin will not be allowed in Heaven, Jesus died on the Cross (through no sin of His own) in our place so we can come to Heaven and live with Him there.  God doesn't want us to be in eternally lost and separated from Him.  Are you one of these, I'm praying for you.  Merry Christmas means we are happy that we have found Christ - He's our wonderful Gift.

Are there two kinds of oatmeal? Huh!

Ever make cookies with oatmeal and they are wonderful and the next time they spread out all over the cookie sheet?  Problem solved!  There are two kinds of oatmeal:  Quick and Old Fashioned.  When making cookies, always use Quick.  It absorbs the butter and any other liquid.  The Old Fashioned kind would take too long to absorb liquid and the cookies would already have been in the oven the required time.  Who would have thought oatmeal had so much character?

Just a thought

Don't forget to keep track of your Christmas spending so you can plan for next year.  Surprise - Christmas comes every December 25...ready or not!  It's very important to look ahead so that you are not caught off guard and rack up credit card bills to pay in January and February.  That's a terrible way to start the new year!  God bless you and Merry Christmas 2013.

Busy holiday schedule is upon us!

It is so easy to plow through the holidays and not take a breath until January.  However, you've heard it over and over - take time to smell the roses ... in this case it's the cookies.  Everyone is hurrying around buying, cooking, and giving and feeling pressured to finish all that you have in your mind to do.

Take a breath ... breathe and enjoy this wonderful season.  The whole world is celebrating Christmas even if they are not Christian.  It's such a time of joy just like the angels said to the shepherds, "I bring you good tidings of great joy".  People don't even realize what is going on but it is the season to be jolly.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas.  Shop all you want.  Cook all you want.  Give all you can.  Enjoy the journey - January comes soon enough.  God bless you as we remember that the tiny babe is our JESUS. What a wonderful gift God gave to the whole world.  We pray that all would receive Him.

Those dryer sheets ...

The "used" dryer sheets are great for scrubbing off delicate surfaces - like hair spray off the bathroom counter.  There are probably many more uses - send yours in and share with others.

Maybe it's the holidays...

There are some old family recipes that I just happened to learn several years ago and they are mainstays.  Like Queen Apple Pie and Aunt Jo's Dinner Rolls - oh my gosh!  They bring back so many great memories.  It's probably too late for Thanksgiving, but give the rolls a try in December - they might just become "tradition".  If you have never baked bread or rolls before, this recipe is for you.  The hardest thing about them is that you have to wait about 4 1/2 hrs - start to finish - to enjoy them.  Take a test drive!

                                                          AUNT JO'S DINNER ROLLS

2 c. lukewarm water
1 pkg. dry yeast
1 egg
2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. sugar
3 1/2 c. all purpose flour
4 Tbs. melted butter
3 1/2 c. more all purpose or bread flour

Put yeast in the water and let it begin to bubble (proof).
Mix egg and salt together in a big mixing bowl and add the yeast water and stir.
Add sugar and 3 1/2 c. of the flour.
Mix well and add the melted butter and stir well.
Last of all, add the last 3 1/2 c. of the flour  (will be sticky - no kneading)

Put in a slightly warm place.  If you use the oven, turn on for about 30 seconds to 1 minute and then turn off.
Cover dough with a cloth (clean dish towel?)and let rise for about 2 hours (until double).
After the rise, make into rolls and let rise for 2 hours more hours.
Bake at 350 for about 20-30 minutes (until top is medium brown)
When it is done, brush the top with melted butter.
Be sure to try one as soon as they are cool.  No one will ever know!

Company "EASY" Quiche

I'm into SIMPLE!  Lots of years of trying different Quiche recipes and decided to make my own that was easy.   Here goes:

                                               EASY QUICHE
1   9" "store bought" pie shell
Mix together:
5 eggs
1 c. cottage cheese
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
3 Tbs. milk
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp.salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
DON'T TASTE FOR SEASONING - RAW EGGS.  Pour into pie shall and bake about 45 minutes at
350 F.  Quiche will be done when middle doesn't wiggle when slightly shaken.

Some additions you might like:  chopped spinach(one package frozen, run in microwave for 2 minutes and draine - squeeze out all liquid), cooked chopped bacon, 1/3 c. chopped onions (microwave for 2 minutes before adding), 2 Tbs. chives or green onions.

My desire to help

I have posted some of what the Bible has to say about wisdom:  My suggestions may not be wisdom from above, but hopefully they are at least helpful on this road on which we travel.  Send your comments with suggestions that will benefit all of us.

Cordless gifts for "olders"

There are so many wonderful house cleaning helps that I am discovering.  The newest is the great steam floor mop by Shark.  It sanitizes with no soap,and no puddles on the floor that you have to wait to dry.  I'm in!  Of the conveniences that I have, I wish some of them were cordless because it is easy to get your feet tangled up in the cord as you are working.  If you are considering a "cleaning" gift for an older person, you might want to consider cordless if it is available.  It has to be recharged, but moves with you without your being tethered and tangled.  Just a thought!

The wisdom from above ...

James 3:17-18  "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."

What is wisdom?

These Bible verses are precious to us as Christians.

Proverbs 8:11-21  "For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.  I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.  The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy,and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.  Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom:  I am understanding; I have strength.  By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.  By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.  I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.  Riches and honor are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.  My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.  I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:  That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures."

Using cash in a new way!

We have used cash for several years to keep better track of our money.  This is highly recommended if you owe anyone for anything.  Our bank has a points credit card and the return is very good.  We thought about it for a long time as we had changed to cash.  We did, however, come up with a plan that would do both things.  After I figured out how much we spend on gas, groceries, utilities and insurance, I took that amount at the beginning of the month and transferred it into the companion savings account for our checking.  When the credit card bill comes due, I transfer the amount from savings to checking and pay it.  I am still keeping the money within the month that we receive it, but am also receiving the gift cards.  We've used this system for the last two years, and have been greatly blessed.

Levelized billing for Utilities +

Our local energy company posted this in their monthly newsletter:  "Customers can spread natural gas costs more evenly throughout the year by choosing Average Monthly Billing or Budget Plan (Minnesota).  These levelized billing programs offer more predictable monthly payments..."  I have done this for years - paying the same amount year around - to keep our budget on track.  They adjust once a year and you will either get a credit, or they will bill you the difference and they change the monthly amount necessary for level pay next year.  It usually fluctuates just a few dollars.  I highly recommend doing this with as many of your utilities and insurances as they allow.  It keeps expenses on an even keel.

Easy cleaning of baked on food

By accident, I found the way to easily remove baked on food on a baking dish.  I had put the pan in the refrigerator overnight so I could clean it in the morning.  Surprisingly, the food scraped right off.  The moisture had dissolved the crust.  Sure beats scrubbing!

Leg Cramps - OUCH!

Leg Cramps - After years of horrible night leg cramps, I found a way to get rid of them fast. Even though the pain is so intense, take your other foot and push on the heel of the cramping leg to force it straight.  When you release it, you will find the pain gone.  Also, when you can, do a leg stretch by putting the cramping leg behind you and press the heel down.  It will hurt, but the pressure will stretch the cramped muscle free.

Christmas 2014

Not a wrong date!  Fast forward to next year's Christmas shopping. If this year causes you to ruin January and February, you might need a different plan for next year.  Add up your spending this Christmas, add taxes if you own your home, and add the things that you would like to do next year.  The figure might be a little staggering, but there is an answer.  Take the total amount and divide by 12.  That is the amount each month you need to sock away in a savings account (not invest).  It's like eating an elephant - one bite at a time.  You'll be glad you did next December. 

AAHHHH! FRESH HERBS

Have you ever bought fresh herbs because you needed a small amount then have them go bad before you can use them all?  My solution:  Wash the herb and get it as dry as possible.  Chop finely, use what you need and put the rest in a freezer baggie.  LABEL IT for another day.  (I use them all the time.  Right now, in my refrigerator freezer, I have cilantro, parsley, basil, also chopped onion, celery, green pepper, and red pepper.  You can take advantage of sales.  Labeling is most important because when they are frozen, some of them look alike.)

Stock market purchases and sales

Remember that different kinds of investments are sold differently. Know the way each kind work:  stock, reits, bonds, etc.  If you are selling a investment and it earns a fixed dividend, you might not want to sell it when the price goes down.  If you treat them all the same, you will not see the gains that might be available.

Too Gooey!!

I can't stand greasy dishwater.  I have found an easy way to avoid putting "stuff" in your dishwater.  I buy the cheapest tissues to use in the kitchen.  I wipe out greasy pans because I don't want the grease in the dishwater nor down the disposal.  I want to keep the hot soapy water to remain that way until the last dish is washed.  If not, it doesn't bother me to drain it out and start over.  "Floaties" just won't work at my house ... yuk!!!