Advent calendars

With a dog in the house, who eats all the chocolate he can find, the traditional candy advent calendar we buy is not a good idea.  I wanted to do something different this year so I logged onto Pinterest..  I found several ideas to help me out.  I printed out a scripture chain (below) then added surprise tickets on various days for fun activities.  I did a Christmas express ticket to view Christmas lights, special candy or juice boxes, Christmas crafts, picking out the tree, setting up the nativity set, recreating the nativity with dollies, and so on.

 

 

 

She has ideas to create advent calendars like the one in the picture.  As well as activity ideas. 

 

 

I printed this one out onto green and red paper to form a chain. 

 

 

 

Too cute but requires a good bit of effort, time and materials.  Maybe next year. 

 

 

This one you can choose from pre-selected activities or create your own. 

 

 

 

 

 

Cookie Exchange

The Women's Ministry at my Church is hosting its first Cookie Exchange this year.  I am very excited.  I have participated in these before with friends but it was always small not a large affair.  Lucky us we only have to supply our table, 12 women, with cookies and recipes.  I love baking and trying new recipes. I started a Pin Board solely dedicated to this event.  For the Cookie Exchange   Check out my favorite ideas to take.

  

In case you have never participated or have no idea what a cookie exchange is let me explain.  A group of people set a date.  On that date each person brings cookies for everyone to taste plus recipes for everyone to take home.  The host normally supplies the area to set the cookies, plates, napkins, forks (for bar cookies), drinks, cups and decor.  As a host gift to these affairs I usually gift an interesting cookie cutter or vanilla. 

 

update to the laundry detergent

A half batch lasted my girls and I a little over 9 months. I gifted two mason jars to family from the batch as well.  It does work well.   The first test was a pair of my youngest jeans with poop on it that my Dad placed in a bag and forgot about for over a day.  The detergent got them clean in one wash.

 I still use Shout as a pre-wash like I did before. $20 for 9 months of laundry is a really good deal.

 

 

when all you want to eat is ice cream and popiscles

The Magic Mouthwash ingredients sound disgusting and not likely to help a sore throat.  After reading the Sprittibee's blog post about it I gave in.  I was hurting.  I had tons of nasty looking phlegm, a killer sore throat, slight fever, aches, etc.  I had been to the doctor.   He assured me it was not strep or bacterial.  Yeah, but still in pain.  I looked online for home remedies.  I found  two I used other than the salt water gargle for my throat.  The salt water gargle had done nothing for my throat in terms of relief.

 

The ingredients are simple: 1 part children's benadryl (I used cherry flavored) and 1 part milk of magnesia or similar (cherry flavor again).  It numbed my throat!!  It truly works.  I have not tried it with my children since no one has had a sore throat yet.

The other online remedy I used was in the evenings and it is a pretty old school remedy but it does work.  It is not for young children. Wild turkey heated up, a teaspoon honey and a splash of lemon. I bought a small thing of Wild Turkey 101 with the thought "that'll kill anything in my throat".  All the other ingredients I had on hand.  I always suggested using local honey.  I buy mine at the farmers market.

I hope this finds everyone in great health and it's just a post to read :) 

 

Disclaimer:  I am not a doctor or nurse.  Before using any of these remedies make sure you check with your MD, DO, NP or PA.

 

And Everyone have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

pop...pop...pop

Tightening up on my budget I love finding awesome ways to save on Pinterest, from friends or family.  A box of microwaveable butter popcorn can run $3.78 on up.  If you purchase paper lunch bags, popcorn and/or popcorn oil you have the ingredients to make your own microwaveable popcorn.  The first purchase is more than a box and requires effort beyond unwrapping but is beyond belief beneficial.  One bottle has gotten us 15 bags so far; we are not done with the bottle yet.  There are not as many preservatives as in the prepackaged bags.  Plus, if you need a little more you do not have to pop a complete bag.  

 

http://pinterest.com/pin/170573904606348626/