Meijer Gift Card

Sis gave me a $20 gift card.  Here’s what I bought with it:

• Falls Creek long sleeve, purple polka dot top
• This was a clearance item, so I had to get it.
• Meijer Elements clear skin daily moisturizer
• A little expensive for a generic product (compare to Aveeno), but I’m worth it.
• NYC Applelicious glossy lip balm in Big Apple Red
• It was a steal at $1.47.
• NYC Applelicious glossy lip balm in Caramel Apple
• I’ve wanted this color for a while.  Might as well buy it at that price!

Christmas Day

At 3 am, I woke up Sis so we could open our gifts.  The following is what I got for Christmas:

• Plum plaid scarf
• Blackberry leather gloves
• “The Conjuring”
• “Xena:  Warrior Princess” Season One
• “The Complete Hammer House of Horror”
• “The Addams Family” & “Addams Family Values”
• Meijer gift card
• Money

My twin liked all her presents.

An hour later, we gave Mom and Dad their gifts.  Mom was pleasantly surprised, especially with the lighthouse calendar.  Dad was just flabbergasted.

After church, we saw one of my sister’s favorite movies.  Then, Bro unwrapped his presents.  He thought everything was cool.

As for dinner, we prepared the food a day early.  Fortunately, we had plenty of tasty leftovers.  We ate turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and olives.  For dessert, we had pistachio pudding with fruit.  Mom got the idea to make it many years ago from my Grandma on Dad’s side.  Here’s the recipe:

4 small boxes of Jell-O instant puddings in pistachio

1 ¾ cups milk for each pudding box

3 classic fruit cocktails, 14.5 oz cans

Miniature marshmallows

Whip topping

Prepare puddings according to directions, using above milk measurements.  Drain fruit cocktails and add to pudding.  Fold in marshmallows.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Garnish with whip topping.

  

The only change we made was using fat-free milk for the pudding.

Even though it looks green, the dessert was still delicious.  The best part is the fruit.

I really enjoyed this Christmas.  Hope you did too!

Our Christmas Tree

Merry Christmas!

Canterbury Village

In November 1995, my family and I went to the Olde World Canterbury Village.  This area is a Michigan historical attraction with many stores.

Here are some seasonal pictures of that time:

Murder Never Takes A Holiday: Book Review

Jessica Fletcher investigates two Christmas-related cases in “Murder, She Wrote:  Murder Never Takes A Holiday”, by Jessica Fletcher & Donald Bain.

The first book involves the killing of a New York charity Santa in “Manhattans & Murder”.

Strange as it may seem, I didn’t read this novel for the mystery, but for the holiday details.  Unfortunately, I’ve discovered that it’s heavy on the mystery and light on Christmas.  Still, Jessica amuses me with her nosy attitude. 

The second book deals with the shooting of a Cabot Cove friend who played Santa in “A Little Yuletide Murder”.

I don’t know why, but this novel was more interesting.  Maybe it’s because it included some Christmas activities.  Even the mystery part was good.  In addition, I liked the occasional mention of food.

Based on my readings, I can’t recommend this volume, since I think the second story was better than the first.

Holiday Pins

I love holiday pins.  Unfortunately, I can’t always find something I like.  The following are the ones I have so far.

My pins:

Sis gave me this long-legged snowman three years ago from Target.

I bought the 3 snowmen two years ago from Kohl’s.  I almost lost them at Elias Brothers.

For animal lovers everywhere, this one has a snowman with a dog, cat, and bird.  It was purchased last year at Kohl’s.

I couldn’t resist these whimsical skating reindeer when I found them last year at Kohl’s.

Christmas Eve: Movie Review

In “Christmas Eve”, a woman tries to find her grandchildren before her death.

This movie is a real tearjerker!  Radiant Loretta Young stars as the kindhearted millionairess.  Besides that, one of the highlights of the film is the sweet romance between the private investigator and Amanda Kingsley’s granddaughter.

Anyway, this picture is so good, I plan to watch it every year from now on.

Butterscotch Coconut Squares

Besides the cookies, we also prepared this sweet treat.

We found the recipe in “Taste of Home:  Best Holiday Recipes”, in 2010, on p. 141.

Here’s an online version of the recipe:

Butterscotch Coconut Squares

This rich dessert is delicious!  It tastes just like softened fudge.  However, I didn’t care for the marshmallows.

The only change was using Smart Balance instead of butter.

No problems as far as I know.  Sis said that it’s easy to make.

Happy Frugal Christmas: Book Review

This guide explains how to cut your holiday expenses in “Happy Frugal Christmas”, by Rachel Henderson.

I like reading thrifty books.  Unfortunately, most of the tips in this e-book were familiar to me.  On the other hand, a few fresh ideas are sprinkled within the gift, wrapping, and decoration sections.

In conclusion, this booklet is a good deal if you’re new to Christmas frugality.

Festive Book Accessories

As promised, here is one of my Xmas collections.  These hand-made book accessories came from a used book store.

My festive book covers:

 Sis gave me this cover two Christmases ago.  This one is my absolute favorite!

I bought these three in March of last year.

The last one was from a few years back.  I like the birdhouse.

My magnetic holiday bookmarks:

Mrs. Santa Claus: Movie Review

In “Mrs. Santa Claus”, Santa Claus’s neglected wife ends up in New York after taking out the sleigh a week before Christmas.

This charming musical makes me glow with the holiday spirit!   It stars Angela Lansbury as the irrepressible Anna Claus.  Besides that, the 1910 period clothing and setting looks absolutely authentic.

I can’t wait to buy the DVD!

A Minimalist Family Christmas: Book Review

This handbook shows how to have a simpler Xmas in “A Minimalist Family Christmas”, by Faith Janes.

Despite my holiday collections, I still think of myself as a minimalist.  That’s why I love this Kindle e-book.  It’s short and easy to read, which is convenient for a busy beaver like me.  Moreover, it has some great tips about gift giving, clutter, etc.

I wouldn’t mind reading this festive pamphlet every year!

Almond Macaroons

Every year, Sis and I make cookies.  Usually they taste awful.  However, this year, we finally succeeded with this sweet dessert.

We found this recipe in a magazine called “Taste of Home:  Best Loved Cookies & Candies”, winter 2013.

Here is an online version of the recipe:

Almond Macaroons

One change we made was using low-fat sweetened condensed milk.  We also lined the baking sheets with aluminum, not parchment.

Too bad some of the cookies burned on the bottom.  I guess we need to look at them more closely next time.

Besides that, another problem was that we had a hard time melting the chocolate chips (we poured the whole bag in the pan).  We used the stovetop instead of microwave, because Sis said that the microwave wouldn’t work.  To make a long story short, the chips finally liquefied.  Unfortunately, the chocolate congealed by the time we got around to using it, so we had to reheat it. 

Other than that, the final result tasted great.  Even the burnt ones were good!

A Christmas Carol: Movie Review

Scrooge is visited by 3 spirits who are bent on redeeming him in “A Christmas Carol”, (1999).

I can't believe I’ve never watched this TNT movie!  I was surprised that Richard E. Grant was in the film, since I haven’t seen him since “Warlock”.  As for Patrick Stewart, it’s hard to imagine him in any role other than Captain Jean-Luc Picard.  Still, he manages to do a remarkable job as Scrooge, seeming to be cold one minute, and threatening the next.  He also has a wicked laugh!

In short, I would definitely recommend this picture because of these two fine actors.

Family Gifts

Well, I’m finished with presents!  To be perfectly honest, though, most of them were bought by mid-September.  Unfortunately, I had to wait for Bro’s last gift. 

I’m also done with wrapping.  All I have to do is stick on bows.

Here is my final family gift list: 

• Dad
• Walmart gift card
• Kohl’s gift card
• “Medium:  The Complete First Season”
• Mom
• Kohl’s gift card
• 2 year lighthouse calendar
• “Goodnight for Justice 3 Movie DVD set Queen of Hearts/The Measure of a Man/Goodnight for Justice – 3 Disk Set”
• Sis
• Kohl’s gift card
• Barnes and Nobles gift card
• “The Hardy Boys:  Season 3”
• Bro
• 2 year outdoors calendar
• Reindeer Christmas ornament
• “Millennium:  The Complete DVD Collection”

I was going to give Mom “Lost”, but the movie set I purchased for her was something that she’s been wanting for a while.  The Kohl’s gift card for Mom and Dad was also a last-minute decision, not to mention the calendars and ornament for Mom and Bro.  What’s more, I decided to buy 3 gifts each to even out how much I spend.

Hopefully, they’ll like what I got for them.

My Time as a Salvation Army Bell Ringer

In 2006, my college honor society signed students up to be Salvation Army bell ringers.  I volunteered for December 9 inside the mall, and was placed across the way from a former Borders store.  It was just me and the soft-sounding bell, since the other person didn’t come.

Many people approached me to deposit money in the red kettle.  A man working in the mall even asked if I had a container to put spare change in for contributions.  My two hours were well spent doing this charitable work, and I had the best time doing it.

Here’s an interesting video on how to be a bell ringer:

http://www.givesalvationarmy.org/ways-to-give/bell-ringing/

Unfortunately, the Salvation Army web page doesn’t contain all of the participating areas for the country.  So, if you wish to help, google for your region, then register online or by phone.

Welcome Christmas

I’m all set for Christmas! 

For the next 8 weeks, I’ve gathered an assortment of fun stuff to welcome Christmas.  Besides sharing my Xmas collections and memories, I’ll also review a few movies.  Included on this Christmas list are the following:

• Mrs. Santa Claus
• Christmas Eve

In addition, I plan to read “Murder Never Takes A Holiday”, which contains two “Murder, She Wrote” mysteries.

As the holidays draw near, it won’t be long before snow sprinkles the earth like stardust.  Until then, let the festivities begin…

Gift Ideas for Christmas

Happy Christmas in July!  My sister just gave me her Christmas list.  Here’s what she wants:

• Kohl’s gift card
• Target gift card
• Meijers gift card
• Barnes and Nobles gift card
• Starbucks gift card
• Red Lobsters gift card
• Olive Garden gift card
• “Pan Am:  The Complete Series”
• “Nashville:  The Complete First Season”
• “The Hardy Boys:  Season 3”
• “Caroline in the City:  The First Season”

Last year, she mentioned that she really wanted a Barnes and Nobles gift card.  So I’ll give that to her, along with one series. 

Besides my twin, I also have to buy gifts for Dad, Mom, and my brother.  Maybe this year, Dad will get “Medium:  The Complete First Season” and either a Walmart, Meijers, or Target gift card.  Mom may receive “Lost:  The Complete First Season” and either a Walmart, Meijers, or Target gift card.  Unfortunately, I can’t give my brother a gift card, since he doesn’t have a favorite store.  Good thing he’s watched more than one series from past years: 

• “Brimstone:  The Complete Series”
• “Witchblade:  The Complete Series”
• “Millennium:  The Complete DVD Collection”
• “Roar:  The Complete Series”

Hopefully, I can get one or two of them for him before he does.

Besides my shopping, I probably have to do Bro’s too, since he doesn’t know what to get for us.  For Dad, maybe he’ll enjoy “The Commish:  The Complete Series”.  I’ve been eyeing “Wolf Lake: The Complete Series” for Mom.  She loved that series.  I think Sis would like “Stephen King Presents Kingdom Hospital” or “Night Gallery:  Season Three”.  Finally, I know I want the movie “Dark Skies” or the book “Halloween:  Magic, Mystery, and the Macabre”.

Anyways, it’s a plan.  Are you preparing for Christmas this month?

Christmas Money

Every Christmas, Dad gives me $200.  Here is what I bought with it:

• 1 Movie
• Boo
• 1 Series
• The Nanny Season 3
• 5 Exercise Videos
• Shapely Girl:  Let’s Get Moving with Debra Mazda, Low Impact Cardio
• Shapely Girl Let’s Get Moving 2:  Cardio Toning with Weights
• Shapely Girl:  Walking Fit & Fabulous
• Jane Fonda AM/PM Yoga for Beginners
• Angie Miller’s Cardio & Strength for Seniors
• 7 Clothes
• Thermal Knit Sweatshirt in Emerald Sea
• Sherpa Sweatshirt Tunic in Ultra Violet
• Back Elastic 5-Pocket Jeans in Dark Denim
• Modern Solid Tank in Vibrant Blue
• Fresh Knit Tunic in Pansy
• Fresh Knit Tank in Aqua Sea
• Fresh Knit Sport Pants in Heather Grey / Pansy
• 4 Makeup Items
• 2 Eye Liners (Brown and Purple)
• 2 Eye Shadows (Berry and Pink)

Kohl’s Gift Card

I bought several things with my $25 Kohl’s gift card.  All were on clearance:

• 1 Purple Fleece Top
• 1 Brown and White Sparkle Purse
• 3 Earrings
• Red Circle Center with Silver Design
• Pink Circle
• Magenta Four-Leaf Clover