AFTER CHRISTMAS LET DOWN

 

Christmas is over, you have spent the last few months being excited for the Holidays and now it’s over…  It isn’t unusual for you to feel a little depressed or anxious that Christmas is finished this year.

            It is time for a New Year, be excited about that.  You have so much to look forward to so think about that instead.  Think about what you would like to do the first of the year.  Do you want to rearrange or remodel a room?  Is it time to make that closet over and put in the shoe rack you have always wanted? 

            Find new things that excite you, maybe it is taking that trip to an event or exhibit you have wanting to go to.  It doesn’t have to be expensive, just something to look forward to.

 

 

WHAT SHALL WE GIVE

 

It is finally here, Christmas Eve.  May you have a good Holiday and remember the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate this wonderful time of year, the birth of Jesus Christ.  Fill your day with uplifting music, family and friends. 

Merry Christ mas

 

Retro Christmas Tags

 

Old fashioned Christmas tags have become a thing of the past.  I have looked for them but all I can find are the fancy ones.  I like the retro Christmas tags so enjoy!

Merry Christmas to all.

Gift Wrapping

        

 So close to Christmas, the good news is you have your Christmas presents bought;  the bad news is they aren’t wrapped.  My best suggestion is your make a gift wrapping center, a place where you can wrap the presents without interruption so if you do have to leave you don’t have to clean up.

            Make a wrapping center where you can enjoy your Christmas music or watch your favorite Christmas movie.  This is a time where you should be enjoying time spent wrapping each present. 

            When I wrap my presents for my Grandchildren who are still young I color code each present with their name on it.  I cut tags out of regular colored paper I buy at Costco in bulk; one child has a red tag, one blue and one green.  When Christmas morning comes they instantly know which one is there’s without looking for names.  They look under the tree without a lot of is this mine?  There is no question as to who gets what which makes it more fun.  (I also use the same color coding for their glasses they drink out of so they don’t share germs.)

            Enjoy the season, however short it is. 

Happy Holidays!

Cutting Your First Christmas Tree

 

Each year I put up a fake tree way before Christmas and after Thanksgiving we go get a real tree somewhere around our house.  This year we have family from out of the country and they have never cut a Christmas tree so we asked if they wanted to come and cut a Christmas tree this year with us.  It was an enthusiastic yes from our cousin’s husband who lives in a large city and has never had the experience. 

            We live in the desert so we usually pick the tree that needs to be thinned or is flat on one side so it fits better against the wall in my kitchen.  This year my husband said he found one that would work so we all piled into the truck.  It was also their first time in the back of a pickup truck.  I was raised riding in the back of a pickup truck so I went back in my memory as a little girl and remembered the excitement of riding in the pickup and had to smile as they gleefully rode to where the tree was.

            We stopped in front of a steep hill where the tree sat at the top of it much to my dismay.  Usually we go on a level plane to find one but this year the “tree” was at the top of the steep rocky hill.  My daughter protested that we needed to go somewhere flat but we all climbed the hill, another one for my cousin who doesn’t hike in the city.  The tree that was picked was way too big for the kitchen so we found a smaller tree not too far from the first one.

            After instruction from my husband the cutting the tree experience began.  It was fun to watch my cousin’s husband who had donned a Daniel Boone hat he found at my house to cut his first live tree.  It made climbing the hill worthwhile to see the joy of such a simple thing at the Holidays. 

            They hauled the tree down the hill then went in the pickup back home and helped haul it in the house.  They had to leave the next morning so were unable to decorate it; I told them I would send them a picture of it when it had been decorated so they could see their tree.

            Since I was raised in the country I forget how fortunate I am to experience the things that others who come from a large city are unable to.  It doesn’t matter if you have an artificial or real tree, the meaning is the same.  It is a time to get together with the family and bring out the ornaments that you have collected throughout the year and decorate your tree.  At the top of my tree each year I get out a small angel, the skirt is made out of cardboard; I bought her at Woolworths with my young son when I was newly divorced.  I didn’t have very much money so I bought my little angel for my tree top.  Each year I get her out and ceremoniously put her on top to watch over the festivities throughout the season and think back to when I had less and how very blessed I have been since.

            Each ornament has a story, my tree doesn’t look like the cover of the fancy magazines but I think it is much more beautiful as it is the story of my life.  I tell my children and grandchildren the story of each ornament and it takes me through the good and bad times to where I am now.

Now that you are about done with your Christmas shopping, what is next?

          

The gift of Charity

  For all of those who took my advice you should be about ready to wrap up the gifts you have been buying for the last few months.  Now is the time to wrap them and start the decorating the house if you already haven’t. 

The gift buying should have been a good experience since you weren’t hurried and were able to find that perfect gift at a good price.  Well if this isn’t the case for you then there is still plenty of time to enjoy the season.  With all the sales in the stores you should be able to find something you think they will be pleased with.  If not, make them something.  Everyone loves cookies or some homemade candy nuts.  Don’t overspend beyond your budget - that takes all the fun out of the Holidays, instead give of yourself.  Maybe they need help washing the windows or cleaning the house or garage.  Helping to organize, any of these things are something that will be appreciated more than a bought present. 

Don’t forget that charity is the greatest gift you can give. 

Old Fashioned Toys Made In America

Old fashioned toys made in America

Remember the old fashioned airplanes with a rubber band wind up propeller or jacks and pickup sticks?  Today kids sit on the coach staring at the television playing video for hours.

There is a place you can find spinning sky tops, airplanes with wind up propellers and glider airplanes.  Old fashioned jumbo jacks with rubber balls, rubber hoppy taws for playing hopscotch, wooden pickup sticks, marbles with a bag to hold them, tops and other old fashioned toys all made in America. 

http://www.stitchthrutime.com/Old_Fashioned_Toys.html

Check them out and you will be pleasantly surprised at the Old Fashioned Toys all made in America.

CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS MADE IN AMERICA

 

            Now we bring up the age old question, what Christmas stocking should I make or buy?  That all depends on you and what time and talents you have, I am sure we all have the talents, but do we have the time?

            There are millions of the made in China Christmas stockings out there, but do you really want a Christmas stocking made in China?  It is not like it is something that will wear out or go out of style.  If you are going to get a Christmas stocking get one that you will enjoy for a lifetime.

            When I look at my Christmas stocking I want to know it is Made in America, that it is something I enjoy looking at and am proud of. 

            The other day I spoke with someone who said she doesn’t buy things from China because she wants her children to have jobs when they grow up.  I have to agree with her.  I am not saying I don’t have things around the house that aren’t made in America but I am becoming more aware of where my purchases originate from.  I used to buy fisher price toys for my kids but I stay away from them now, I want old fashioned toys from my own country.

            Enjoy your Christmas as now is the time to think about starting to decorate for the Holidays.  Be careful of what you wish for – make sure it is MADE IN AMERICA!

HALLOWEEN FRANKENSTEIN MARSHMALLOW POPS

Frankenstein Marshmallow Pops Makes 12 pops     24 large marshmallows 12 (6-inch) lollipop sticks 24 pretzel sticks 1 (12-ounce) package Wilton Green Candy Melts, melted according to package directions 1⁄2 (12-ounce) package Wilton Dark Cocoa Candy Melts, melted according to package directions 1 (0.68-ounce) tube red decorating gel

Place 2 large marshmallows onto each stick, slightly overlapping top marshmallow over bottom marshmallow to form brow. Using lollipop sticks as handles, dip prepared marshmallows into melted green candy, rolling to fully cover marshmallows. Press pretzel sticks into sides of top large marshmallow. Set aside for candy to dry completely. Dip top end of green-candy-coated marshmallows in melted dark cocoa candy. Transfer remaining melted dark cocoa candy to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip, and pipe eyes and mouth onto marshmallows. Use red gel to pipe a line across forehand, and then pipe crosswise lines with dark cocoa candy to form stitches. Set aside for candy to dry completely. Store decorated marshmallows in an airtight container for up to 1 day. Note: Use a Styrofoam base, available at craft stores, to hold pops upright while they dry.   HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

EARLY HOLIDAY SHOPPING

          Hopefully you listened to me and started your Christmas shopping a couple of months ago.  If not didn’t be discouraged, there is plenty of time to enjoy your experience in either shopping or making something a gift.

            You may always go on Pinterest and find a craft to make or go look around and enjoy the pre-holiday shopping. 

I always find that www.stitchthrutime.com  heating pads (the neck my favorite) are the perfect gift for the person who has everything including an achy body.

            The important thing is you give someone a gift that they would like and use.  As I have said before don’t just grab something just so you can say you gave them something.  

Good luck with your shopping and enjoy the season - only 56 days until Christmas.

Shoe floor Mat

I wish I could take credit for this wonderful and simple idea but not so.  I love this easy and functional way for wet and muddy shoes.

          I live in a canyon where there is clay.  If any of you have ever been around clay you will realize when it is wet the more you walk in it the taller you get as it sticks to the bottom of your shoes. 

I have an assortment of mud boots; I decided if I was going to live here I might as well embrace the idea and enjoy it with fun boots.  I even have marvel comic boots and since I bought my daughter a pair she doesn’t complain about the mud and just wears her boots.

 The problem is when shoes and boots are dirty I have a hard time keeping the mud off the floor inside the door. 

          Take a large cookie sheet and put it in an area right by the door.  Go out and gather your rocks, any kind will do and fill it up with rocks.  When it gets too dirty just take it outside put the rocks on a screen and wash it off with a hose. 

          I JUST LOVE THIS!

Who really needs Sunday?

            There is the age old question, Sunday you should rest, it is a commandment from way back, people would get stoned to death in some places for “working” on Sunday. 

            I have found whenever I go out on Sunday people are not as pleasant, the clerks are more sharp and the mood is negative.  I have noticed that I don’t get the enjoyment I normally have when shopping during the week so the experience is not very good.

 Next time you go out shopping on Sunday see if you notice a difference in yourself and others, I mean really put yourself out there and observe.  Keep in mind if you are out shopping you are making someone else work on that day so they don’t get to rest.

            I have also realized if I don’t rest on Sunday the rest of the week I am more tired and the week doesn’t go as well.  Take a Sunday and rest, I don’t mean just lay around all day although that might be something you need, and if it is do it.  I am saying don’t mow the lawn or clean the house but relax that day, spend it with your family, reading something uplifting, meditating or go to church.  Maybe you just want to make some plans and look at your life in a different perspective.   Then notice how the rest of your week goes, I think you will be pleasantly surprised how much better you feel and how much more you are able to accomplish.

           Sunday is important for me; I work very hard and need the “break” from my everyday schedule.  Try it for a month, you should notice a difference and accomplish more the rest of the week..   



Peanut butter Smoothie

I use dried egg powder in my smoothies often, but peanut butter gives it protein.

My husband broke his leg a couple of years ago.  The morning he broke his leg he came in the house with an armful of wood and told me “This is the last of the dry wood, I will be home later to get some more.”  In others words - the wood was frozen outside under ice and he would have to dig it out then chop it up.

He called me at three o’clock that afternoon to let me know he broke his leg and to come get him.  It was still winter and we heat our home with wood so I spent the next few months doing all the wood cutting and hauling.  It was a very wet winter and I did a great deal of physical work.  (I did get looking better as I was in pretty good shape by the end of the wood season.)

If you are wondering where this story is going, it is that I was doing so much physical labor I craved peanut butter.  I had peanut butter a couple of times a day.  

Craft paint for Kids

 

Who doesn’t remember in grade school finger painting those beautiful pictures?  Well here is some homemade craft paint for kids that you can make and put in those leftover kitchen bottles (I am now saving.) 

Homemade Ant Killer

I don’t know about you but I hate ants.  They have invaded and can get in about anywhere.  I try to keep things clean but they find things left behind by the kids or anything dropped and missed.  This is a way to get them and also the nest from where they came.

 

 



     1 cup sugar

     3 Tablespoons Boric Acid

3     Cups Warm Water

 

1.     Mix the sugar and Boric Acid together – Mix well.

2.   Add the warm water slowly; mixing so it won’t be lumpy.

3.   Store in a glass jar with a lid away from children.

4.   When ready to use, put cotton into the top of a jar lid to fill it, and then saturate the cotton to the top.

5.   Place it where you want to get rid of the ants, make more than one if you need them.

6.   This will keep for a long while.

7.   It is best to drip a drop or two over the edge of the lid and on the counter so the ants can be sure and find it, be sure if you have ants they will find it.

8.   Let the ants alone, you want them to drink and take it back to their nest, don’t kill them, and let them eat it and go back and kill the others with your potion.40

9.   You will notice a difference in your ant population right away.

·          

The Country Fair

I Caught It! Now what do I do with it?

            Throughout our wonderful country of America the County Fair has become a rural and city yearly tradition.  As a young girl I remember going to the County Fair with Grandma and looked at all the colorful bottles of fruit and vegetables lining the shelves on display with pretty ribbons on them.  It was like looking at a priceless painting.

            Now I take my family to the Fair.  This year a granddaughter put pickles in the fair we made together.  Excitement is felt as you watch the children go to the entry they entered on display on the tables in the fair.  Eagerly they look for there own entry to see the ribbon (all the kids get a ribbon) and get money for their entry, an added bonus.

            Quilts line the walls, some machine stitched and others quilted painstakingly stitch by stitch with a thimble, some quilters with older aching hands. 

            After the judging just like the kids women and men look for their entry among the displays to see the ribbon they received and if they won the coveted scissors prize.

            Let’s not forget a very important event, the Princess or Queen talent show and pageant that the girls are hopeful to be crowned.  For one night they are the darlings of the county.  Then whoever is crowned goes around the fair wearing their crowns with honor while they help with judging or just overseeing events.

Then the rodeo where people from all over the county surround the arena to see the cowboys and cowgirls rope the steers or ride the bull.  The young people get to go catch a chicken to take home, or whatever is available that the locals want to donate (mostly roosters because they want to get rid of them.)  This year we got two ducks which we put in the pond and have to feed because they are domesticated ducks and don’t know how to feed themselves, but they are sure enjoying the pond.

            The young kids get to ride on sheep, which is the picture below; he stayed on for quite a while.  It is anything but easy, spitting out the dirt after they do a face plant while landing.. 

            Families plan all year for this old fashioned County Fair, Kids in the 4 H (Head, Hands, Heart and Health) organization raise their animals which are sold after being judged, and the money is usually put away for a college fund or to buy another animal for next year.  The youth in FFA (Future Farmers of America) will do the same thing.

            They used to have a greased pig chase where all the kids would chase the pig.  They discontinued that event probably because the kids couldn’t catch it and were so filthy by the time they finally gave up while I am sure the pig was terrorized.   He probably got over it after a good meal.

            Whatever the event, the cotton candy and hot dogs that are consumed at the County Fair, the Dutch oven contests and of course the baby contest which all come out winners (best smile, pretty hair, etc.) the goal is always the same, to come together as a family and community to share a common goal – the betterment of the family and the joining of the community as one.

 

Prized pickles on display

 

 

 

My Grandson Riding a sheep at the rodeo.  Hold on Justin!

 



 



 

Baked Chicken Bites

 

 

 

 

 

Bake these Chicken Bites in the oven for a snack or a meal everyone will enjoy.

3 cups shredded cooked chicken
1/4 to 1/2 cup hot sauce (to taste)
3 1/2 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 3/4 cups sharp shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs, lightly beaten
3 – 4 cups Corn Flakes cereal, crushed

Preheat  oven to 350˚F.

Grease your pan or line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix your chicken, cream cheese and hot sauce, cheddar cheese and green onions in a bowl.
Make about 1 ½ inch balls and put on a plate or another baking sheet until all the chicken mixture is made into balls.

Put  flour in a shallow dish and mix eggs up in a small bowl.

Put corn flakes into another small bowl.

Dip your chicken balls into the flour first, then egg mixture and cover with corn flakes.

Put on your baking dish and bake 20 to 25 minutes or until done.

Serve with ranch dressing or the dressing from my last recipe for zucchini dip.

Makes 40 to 46 balls.  These are delicious and you’ll enjoy them as will friends or family.

 

 

 

 

Zucchini Fritters

This is a very good way to use your zucchini, once you try it you will make it over and over again.

 

Vegetable oil for frying pan
3 cups grated zucchini
1 cup diced onion
2 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Garlic powder to taste

 

1 cup prepared mayo
juice of half a lime
1/2 tsp chili powder

 Put vegetable oil in skillet about half an inch deep or less and cook on medium.

Combine zucchini, onion, and eggs in a large bowl and mix.

Combine flour, baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon chili power, salt and pepper in a sifter or mixing bowl and stir then put in zucchini mixture and stir together.

Make your dip with mayonnaise, lime juice, and chili powder and stir then put in refrigerator until you are ready to eat. You may also use this dip with your French fries or whatever, even on a sandwich.

 

Homemade Febreze

 

 

For  those of you who like Febreze this is something you might want to try.

 1/8 cup of fabric softener (Downy is good)

2 tablespoons Baking Soda

Hot Tap water

Spray bottle

Pour fabric softener and baking soda into your spray bottle – I use a funnel, you'll have less spill. 

Fill your spray bottle with hot tap water and shake it well.  If using a Febreze bottle twist the nozzle over to the lock position.

Your homemade Febreze is ready to use.

How to clean those dirty cookie sheets and pans

How to clean your cookie sheet that has leftover grease and grim.

 You put about 1/4 cup of baking soda in a small glass bowl and squirt in hydrogen peroxide until it makes a nice paste.

Rub off the dirt, stains and grease.

 

Use a rag or soft scrubber and rub until the pan is clean.

Creamy Orange Popsicles

 



You may find so many fun Popsicle molds now in a variety of stores or you can just use a juice cup and a stick to make one.   This is a refreshing Popsicle recipe sure to be a family favorite.

·         1 cup thawed orange juice concentrate

·         1/3 cup sugar

·         2 cups full-fat plain yogurt

·         2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

In a small saucepan, combine juice concentrate and sugar over medium-low.  

Cook, stirring, until sugar is dissolved, 3 minutes.

Stir in yogurt and vanilla. Transfer to a large liquid-measuring cup, pour into ten 3-ounce ice-pop molds, and insert ice-pop sticks. Freeze until pops are solid, about 6 hours (or up to 1 week). Briefly run molds under hot water to release pops.

 



Early Christmas Present Buying



           

I have started searching for Christmas presents.  As I go out shopping I have been on the hunt for that special something for someone on my Christmas list.  So far it has been going quite well.  I have found a few things that will be a nice surprise for some people on my list.  Some of the things have been on sale and others a good buy.  Keep in mind its not how much you spend but what you buy.  I don't spend a lot of money on any present, I just don't have that much to spend and even if I did it wouldn't guarantee something they would like.

            The hard part is making sure you put them away and not give them early.  Christmas is not that far off so keep reminding yourself of that as you shop.  This year I am going to make sure I have most of my presents purchased before December.  Keep in mind I don’t buy expensive presents but they are certainly things that I feel are something they want or can use, that is the advantage of buying early, you don’t feel pressured to buy just anything.

            For some of you it is shopping for school clothes time.  Many don’t have the money for a lot of school clothes let alone Christmas presents.  Don’t feel stressed because you haven’t been able to start early.  The reason I recommend buying early is to relieve stress not increase it.  There are some stores where you are able to lay away items so if you find something you want to give for Christmas lay it away and pay on it a little at a time.