Greetings!
© Tiborgartn... | Dreamstime.comLet's face it. The holidays. . .they are upon us! Whether we like it or not, they are right around the corner. The best thing for us to do is get prepared now so that when they actually arrive, we won't be scrambling to pull things together.
I hope that you have been enjoying the Thrifty Thanksgiving countdown on the blog each day. You will find many tips, recipes, crafts, and planing help here so be sure and come back each day and read the newest entry.
This week, I pray that the added organizational tips will make your holiday even more successful. Remember that in times of stress, ask God to calm you. I love this quote that I read recently--Thanksgiving
is nothing if not a glad and reverent lifting of the heart to God in
honor and praise for His goodness. ~Robert Casper Lintner
Let's organize and plan together this week to make sure we all have stress-free holidays! |
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Special Announcements |
The November Digest is now available for purchase! BUT if you purchase a Pick-A-Pack, you can get the November Digest for FREE! That means, you get six Molly's Money Saving Digests for only $20.00! Click here for details.
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Molly's Thrifty Thanksgiving Countdown is well underway! Be sure and read each post as we have many great tips, resources, and ideas to help you have a stress-free holiday!
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We are in the process of starting a review team for 2010. If you have purchased any Digests in the past and have a blog, and would like to get a free one-year subscription to Molly's Money-Saving Digest by reviewing and posting about each Digest, click this link and find out more details!
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On the Blog Last Week
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Here is a recap of what went on at Econobusters last week.
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Featured Website |
This week's featured website is The Thrifty Divas. This is another one of those sites that post very relevant coupon information, freebies, and more. In fact, I found a very important post at the site about Christmas lights and The Home Depot. Be sure and stop by and check out the website. I am pretty sure you will like what you see.
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Recipe of the Week |
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© Robynmac | Dreamstime.com
While you are making the best use of all the good advice and ideas in this issue, you will be short on time to cook, which is why I'm going to be brief and try to save you some time in the kitchen.
Try this recipe for a quick dinner prep. (It's a family favorite here.) Remember, it's not an exact science; you can change it around if you like, adding a little more or a little less of each ingredient as your (or your family's) tastes dictate. The roast can be substituted with a less expensive form of meat if you like; although if you get a roast when it is on sale, it should be fairly reasonable.
Savory Slow-Cooker Beef and Pear Roast
1 medium-sized beef roast (can be frozen)
1 white or yellow onion, sliced thick
5 carrots, peeled and sliced into large chunks
4 stalks of celery, sliced into large chunks
2 cloves of garlic, crushed or pressed (whichever is easier for you)
3 potatoes, cut into bite-sized pieces, skins on
4 pears, cored and sliced thick; leave the skins on
1 cup water
2-3 sprigs of fresh Rosemary (can use dried, just use about 2 teaspoons, or whatever looks good)
1 teaspoon dried, ground Thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Place all into slow-cooker and turn on high for five hours. Switch to low for the next 4 hours. Remember, the meat can be frozen when you put it into the cooker; it will come out very tender, moist, and juicy. This dish makes it's own sauce while cooking and makes your home smell delicious! Serve with french bread or baguette, a fresh, crispy salad, and enjoy! |
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Weekly Tutorial |
Ann's Amazing Holiday PlannerWhile browsing the Disney Family Fun website, I found this very helpful tutorial on making a holiday planner to help organize you and all your recipes, gift ideas, and more. It seems very frugal and easy to make and looks to be a great help when organizing.If you make one, send me a photo of it and I will include it on the blog. |
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Idea Center |
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Just for Kids |
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I bet you are wondering, "How can I help my mom or dad plan and organize for the holidays?" I found some tips just for you!
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Molly's Money-Saving Digest
November--
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Photo Treasures-Don't you love to look back on those memories? With today's digital camera capabilities,we have awesome opportunities to snap those perfect shots of our own families, and often we do--only to have them sit for years--unused or lost somewhere in computer limbo. It's time to do something about it! Smile BIG now . . . Molly's Special Feature for November is:
Family Photography
This month's Molly's Digest explores the delights and "how to" of taking great, stress-free family photos and putting them to creative, good use, plus a seasonal bouquet of frugal topics for your enjoyment.
Family Photography (November's Feature):Grab your camera and the kids and get ready to "create a memory, not just a picture." (You'll love all the photo examples too.) Take Great Pictures of Your Family: By Becky Emerick, professional photographer and homeschool mom. Why pay big bucks when you can do it yourself? Create lasting memories with the who, what, when, where, why, and how of taking pictures of your own kids. You'll learn practical information and expert advice. What backdrops should you use? Think of using great-grandma's rocking chair. How do you discipline during your photo shoot? What about digital photo editing? Becky lists good software programs--including some that are free.Become inspired to really capture the photos you want with some wonderful tips and examples. Be Your Family's Best Photographer:Take Great Photos and Do More With Them! Digital photography has revolutionized picture-taking in most homes. What can you learn about storing photos?There are many links to further your photography education.Have you thought of making personalized photo gifts? Want free online lessons? Links to craft and project sites? Think Thanksgiving and Christmas--you'll love the ideas presented to use those perfect family photos.
Slice Grocery Spending in Half and Double Your Groceries: Couponing, Part 3. This third installment on couponing will give you more than enough reason to pull out your scissors and get serious! The Sunday newspaper is a great place to find the bulk of your coupons--but not the only place. Online? At the store? In magazines? In the mail? Coupon clippers? Have you ever thought to just ask the manufacturer for them? Amy Howard shares her experience and advice once again to help you enjoy saving with coupon basics.
On Sale in November:Thanksgiving items, candy, and Black Friday sales come to mind, but don't stop there! Every month different items are discounted, and you won't want to miss out. What items will you stock up on for the approaching holiday season?
Save Money on Scrapbooking: What's the drawback to digital photography? Do you have years' worth of photos stored on your computer? Don't lose those memories! Scrapbooking is a wonderful hobby, and it doesn't have to cost a lot. Learn many things about storing, sorting, and saving photos, as well as how to scrapbook on a limited budget.Where do you look for clearance sales? Discover the time-saving method of digital scrapbooking and get the list of free digital scrapbook supply sites.Your children can have fun creating their own pages too!
A Room With a View: Aubrey Lively shows off her creative talents with a lovely room-divider version of the family photo frame. Wow! Check out this functional but priceless treasure, complete with instructions and lots of photos.
Favorite Slow-Cooker Meals and Desserts: Starting with the recipe for Slow-Cooker Lasagna, you'll find complete recipes for seven meals and three desserts.Your family will gobble up this slow-cooker smorgasboard: Vegetarian Chili; Cheesy Chicken; Pot Roast; Southwestern Egg Casserole(an easy breakfast!); Fish Chowder; Baked Ham; Cherry Cobbler; Turtle Cake;and Baked Apples.Yum! Think of all the money you save by using a digital camera--no film to buy and process or unwanted pictures going to waste! It's worth the small price of $4.95 to come away with fabulous tips and information you can begin to use right away--minimizing frustrations while helping you create, rescue, and hold on to all those treasured photo memories! Plus, you get all the rest that Molly's Digest has to offer--wonderful recipes, creative projects--well just go back and reread all of the above! Order Molly's Money-Saving Digest today!
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We Want to Hear From You!
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We love to include your stories and ideas in our monthly Molly's Money-Saving Digests.
We're always looking for "goal-getter" stories, examples of up-cycled or re-purposed objects, and frugal decorating ideas. Send me your story--Remember, if we include your contribution in a Digest, you'll receive that issue FREE.
Until next week!
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Do you have something to share? Write to us at MollyGreen@Econobusters.com. All submissions become the property of Econobusters.com and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC ("TOS") and will not be returned. Making a submission constitutes full consent to the Econobusters' Submission Guidelines and Release, and a grant of unlimited permission and continuing, non-exclusive rights for Econobusters.com and TOS, to print, publish, broadcast and use all portions of your submission, including without limitation your full name, on Econobusters.com and other Internet websites owned or operated by TOS, in Molly's Money-Saving Digest and all other electronic, digital and print publications produced, created or published by TOS in accordance with the Econobusters' Submission Guidelines and Release posted at Econobusters. TOS will make reasonable efforts to withhold personal names if requested at the time of original submission. | |
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