Holiday Help

For some of you this might not be on your mind yet, and for others it might be to late; but non the less I have a little sharing to do, and if you can't put it to use this year hopefully you can use it next.

I have been one of those people standing in line on Christmas Eve, buying the last minute gift, and my husband has been saddled with expedited shipping costs, and the tension of waiting because he waited to long to order a gift. But no more, not in this house. After last year we decided to implement a new rule: If it's perfect buy it now! I don't care if it was August, but when my favorite shop to buy gifts, back in CT, was having a side walk sale, and I happened to be home visiting, you bet I bought presents for family and friends. Over the summer I have managed to buy for the two trickiest people on my list. Even stocking stuffers can be bought ahead of time; my husband's favorite after-shave goes on sale, or fuzzy socks are on clearance, I'm at a craft fair and find cool wooden toys. It all gets picked up and tucked away.

As items come into the house they go into a big plastic bin and some time right before Thanksgiving I will go into it and take stock, the few people left on the list will get shopped for over the next week or so. I can apply the same principle to birthdays, as those sneak up out of nowhere, but except for kids we tend to do a nice card and a gift certificate or a bottle of wine.

By buying early and/or on sale I have saved money in purchase price and shipping, I have saved worries and stress. Also you avoid going bankrupt; instead of spending $1,000 plus in December, you are spending $20 here and there threw-out the year. My husband and I just don't go to the movies that week, or we spend it out of our “fun/mad money” if we are on vacation when we find it. I spend less on myself as well by doing this. That vacation or craft fair, in the past I would have bought something for myself, but now I think of and buy for others.

Also, another forward thinking thing we do is buy paper and cards after Christmas; the other year we bought a ton at Target on clearance and only used about half last year. Strings of lights, ornaments, hooks, ribbon and the like all need to be sold at the end of the season. And, while what you need is still fresh in your mind, and this years stuff hasn't quite been all but away is the perfect time to stuck up. It saves money and hassle. When everything goes up the following year, you have everything you need.

I am really looking forward to being on top of things for the Holidays this year. I can happily walk around 'main street' and window shop, and I can avoid the mall if I am so inclined. Everything will be at home just waiting for me to do my favorite two things; sit under the tree and wrap gifts and then sit under the tree again while I watch my loved ones unwrap them.

(photos are of family Christmas Trees, top left is my In Law's, middle right is my Parent's, and bottom left is mine, all from 2007)

Just Popping In

Yet again I didn't get "the fabulous job", and even though I am disappointed I'm beginning to be okay with it. Even though I have been feeling better, I don't think my body is ready to sustain regular activity. I have also been trying to think of something interesting and thoughtful to share with you all. But as of yet I have nothing. You will however be the first to know, when I do manage to hobble together an informative post.

But until then I hope you all have (or have had) a restful weekend!

Wast of Energy

Today I spent the better part of an hour talking to a neighbor; she had herself in a flutter about what happened to her this weekend. To make it brief, more than one neighbor has made more than one complaint about her to the management. And this is not the first time that I have politely stood and listened too such things.

Living in a small court yard of neighbors who largely have nothing to do (nearly all are retired) has opened my eyes to what excess time and boredom can do. Idleness has led these people to gossip and childish games.

Ladies and Gents, please don't waist your time with soul hurting. There are much better ways to spend ones time, even those who are old or sick can do things. Read a book, call your family and talk about their week, volunteer, start a garden; there are millions of things one can do. But please, people stop wasting your time and burdening your soul with childish gossip and games.

Open your hearts and your minds to your neighbors and be kind not only to their face, but when they have their back turned or their door closed.

Serendipity

Back in May there was an opening for a position at my church; I really wanted the job. I couldn't have written a better job description for myself if I tried. Well by the time I had found out about it, it was filled. But a new development has come along...

The lady they hired for the job has left do to health reasons. My health issues are beginning to improve and I was about to start looking into getting a new job. I spoke to the two women doing the hiring and have emailed my resume.

I really really want this job, its exactly what I want to do; if I can't be a stay/work from home wife and published writer. I hope that things have happened this way for a reason. I was pretty sick when the job originally came up; and I'm doing better now and it looks like I'll be getting better still.

Please keep your fingers crossed, and a few prays may help to. But if you do, please give a prayer for the former DRE who had to leave. Though I want her job, I would like her to recover quickly.

Yum

I love baked goods, especially ones involving fruit. And one of the easiest is Crumble; here are two different flavors that use the same easy topping.

Topping
5 Tbl flour (I used an organic stone ground whole wheat, a GF mix would work well too)
2 Tbl brown sugar
1 stick of cold butter cut up into small pieces

I usually make the crumble while my fruit marinates.
Combine flour and sugar in a bowl, then work in the butter pieces. You are not trying to cream the butter, just turn it into tiny flour covered pieces.

Blackberry Basil
1 1/2 pins blackberries
2 grany smith apples
1-2 Tbl basil based on your fondness for the herb (I used Thai basil, it's a bit more hearty than Italian basil)
sugar to taste (I only used a tea spoon or so, I like tart things)

Peach Ginger
4 large peaches peeled and chopped (I blanched the peaches in order to peal them)
1 pint strawberries, cut into smallish pieces
1 Tbl fresh grated ginger (if you have powdered use that, you may just want to add a bit more)

Combine and let sit for 10 min. (I did this in my pie dish) place crumble on top and bake at 350 until all the butter is melted and the edges are bubbling.

Wee Hours

Once again I find myself awake in the early hours of Thursday morning. I did not find my pillow restful, even though I am tired. So instead of dream land I tried blog land.

You might find a few things different today; a new title, a new template and a new user pic. Things are a changing! The seasons are shifting and so is my blood. The summer has gone by with little progress on my part. I have felt more of a difference in the past week than all summer. (But my new found sinus infection is not helping)

So as the leaves on the trees go from green to red, orange and yellow; I am going green.

Couting Blessings Instead of Sheep

Because it is technically Thursday and I can't sleep: I present to you, Thankful Thursday.

I am thankful that my husband's company offers health insurance; and that I have a family doctor who cares.

I am thankful that I have a neighbor who brings me flowers from her garden, loans me books and offers to take walks with me.

I am thankful that I have caring supportive in laws, who treat me as their own, it makes being away from my family easier.

I am thankful for a husband who opens doors for me, holds my hand and brings me tea; he helps me along the path of life when I can not help myself.