Dec 18

We Have Pictures!!!

Thanks again to my Mom for helping out today. We all had a fun day, and we finally got the Christmas pictures picked up and home 🙂 Thank goodness, now it is time to cut them, and get them into the Christmas cards.

The boys were pretty good today too, we had lots of errands to do. We had to go and get a tail light fixed on hubby’s car, a trip to visit hubby at work, Wal-Mart (out of town) to pick up the pictures, Mc Donald’s for a snack and to feed Dylan, and then to the gas station for some M&M’s.  Thade had been so good, so we all split a bag of Shrek Themed M&M’s so good.

I even got a little bit of cleaning in, but there is always more that needs to be done. By the time that we made it back into town I decided not to mess up the kitchen one more time, and just call out for Pizza. Thade was thrilled 🙂 me too, no dishes 😉

Dec 17

I’m off to a Late Start

It must be the Holiday stress that has gotten to me, the last few days I just haven’t been feeling too well. I had plans to wake up early and start in on the cleaning, but Dylan decided to sleep in, and so did I. It is very rare that he sleeps late, so I thought I should rest while I could. My Mom is off work today, and she is on her way up to help with the kiddos, while I clean. I’m making her yummy lunch in trade for the babysitting 😉

I’m going to try and get a jump start on cleaning the foyer while she is here, and I hope to get the kitchen in better shape too. The weather is also warming up a bit so I think I will get the pictures today too, if the roads are better. There is lots to be done, but I think lunch will have to happen first, I’m starving…

Dec 16

Christmas Cleaning

It isn’t even Christmas yet, and my house is a huge mess. There are toys strung from one side of the living room to the other, and the kitchen, who knew I owned that many dishes… It is starting to drive me a little batty, and with Christmas guests arriving sooner than later I thought I should get a cleaning/preparation schedule in place. Here is the plan:

12/16: Address Christmas cards whenever I get a chance. LAUNDRY!

12/17: Pick up the Christmas pictures

12/18: Mail Christmas Cards w/pictures, Finalize Christmas Dinner list w/coupons

12/19: Deep Clean Foyer, Deep Clean Upstairs Bathroom.

12/20: Bake Christmas Cookies 12 dozen, put together Christmas Cookie Plates (4)

12/21: Finish Wrapping Presents

12/22: Day off to catch up on laundry, bills, etc.

12/23: Clean the downstairs, GROCERY SHOP for Christmas Dinner ( no kids, Daddy will  be watching the kiddos)

12/24: Vacuum the living room, Charge the Camera, Clean the Dining Room, Clean off the Kitchen Table, Clean Upstairs Toilet and Sink. Pre-Cook what I can (mashed potatoes), Bake remaining 3 dozen cookies, and Bake Cookies with Thade for Santa.

12/25: Christmas Party @ 4:00 pm., dinner 5:30 p.m. maybe 6:00 p.m. I hope that I get everything cooked in time.

12/26: CLEAN UP ALL THE MESS!!!!!

I’m already stressed out, and feeling so far behind on everything that needs to be done. I just hope that I get the house in decent shape 😉

Dec 15

Christmas Dinner and Budget

At first I was going to do my best to have a “frugal Christmas dinner” then the requests started pouring in for lots of yummy Christmas dishes, so I’m setting a budget, and still making sure that everybody has their favorites. My budget is $70.00, and that is to feed 7 adults, one picky toddler, and the little one gets delicious Baby Food. Here is what I’m serving for Christmas dinner, and the amount that I am budgeting for each dish:

Main Course:

  • Turkey $15.00
  • Ham $10.00

Sides:

  • Corn $1.00
  • Stuffing $1.00
  • Mashed Potatoes (10 lbs) $5.00
  • Crescent Rolls $3.00
  • Homemade Chicken and Noodles $10.00

Cheese and Veggie Tray:

  • Celery $2.00
  • Baby Carrots $2.00
  • Black Olives $1.00
  • Easy Cheese (one of Thade’s faves) $2.00
  • Baby Bel Cheese $3.00
  • Camembert Cheese (one of my faves) $4.00
  • Triscuits $2.00
  • Townhouse Crackers $2.00

Pantry Needs:

  • Garlic Salt $1.00
  • Poultry Seasoning $1.00
  • Chicken Broth (2 large containers) $4.00
  • Margarine $1.00

I’ll also be serving Sweet Tea (already in my pantry) for beverages. My Mother-in-law, and Sister-in-law are in charge of bringing the desserts, and my Mom is bringing the Green Bean Casserole.

I’ll be trying to save as much as I can by shopping sales, and using my coupons. Check back to see the grand total of Christmas dinner.

What family favorites are you serving for Christmas dinner?  Do you go all out, or try and keep things simple?

Dec 15

Snowed In

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Well the snow is still falling, and so far it looks like 1-2 inches. Not too bad, but enough to keep me off the roads. I don’t know what it is about the Wintry cold weather that makes me want to bake yummy goodies, and then hibernate.

Since we are snowed in I’ll be stocking the freezer with Banana Muffins and maybe some Oatmeal Muffins too. Thade has almost finished all of the No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies, so another batch of cookies might just make it on to my baking list for today 😉

How is your weather today? Are you snowed in as well?

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