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and coming soon. . . Molly Makes $7 Slow Cooker Meals
Are you ready for Winter?

Greetings!
                                                                   
winter
                                            © Hnoel | Dreamstime.com

While we're all busy getting ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas, "Old Man Winter" is likely to sneak up on us. Are there things we should be doing now to be prepared? Yes there are . . . and that's what we're going to talk about in this newsletter! At our Econobusters website a few weeks ago, Lisa guest-blogged about prepping her homestead for winter. Do you live in the sunny south? That's no reason to click this newsletter down. There will be information and links you can use too!

Around this time of the year I also make sure to assemble a winter-weather-emergency kit in both our vehicles. You can find my checklist in the January 2009 Digest, or do an online search to compile a list of your own.

Winter weather is on its way! I'm taking a little time this week to get our nest and wheels ready. It's a much better plan than scrambling and being caught unprepared when that first snow or frost arrives!
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I recently ran across a great website full of fun giveaways. Mom Giveaways offers more than just giveaways. There are freebies, coupons, and more. Visit their website today and enter to win one of many of the giveaways she has posted on her website.

You can also read some informative articles, search for freebies, or sign up for the newsletter to stay informed of special deals and giveaways.

Be sure and stop by and check out this wonderful website!

soup Recipe of the Week
Immunity Soup


Since we are talking about preparing our homes for the winter months, I thought it would be a good idea to include a recipe for preparing our bodies for winter also. I don' t know about you, but we have already been dealing with colds, viruses, etc., so building up everyone's immune system has been weighing on my mind. Rather than get caught without the soup we need in the midst of illness, why don't we spend some time building up those systems so they can withstand the harshness of the winter cold and flu season better?
 
I was recently at my local health food store and I was talking with one of the associates who just did a training on this very topic, and together we came up with this recipe. She told me that mushrooms are now known to help build the immune system, so if your family enjoys those, add more mushrooms to this recipe. It could only help. And just a quick note: adding the last half of the garlic, the parsley, and the lemon juice at the end and letting it steep like tea helps to add more health benefits to this soup. I hope it helps you!
 
This soup can be quadrupled and made ahead of time, frozen, and simply thawed and reheated as needed. I packed mine into quart size storage bags so that I have just enough for a couple of servings at a time. This way I don't use it all too quickly.

Immunity Soup
2 large cartons (32 oz/ea.) of either chicken broth or mushroom broth
2 yellow onions
8-20 cloves of garlic, divided
4 carrots, peeled and sliced thin
4 stalks celery, sliced thick
8-16 fresh mushrooms, sliced thin (try Crimini or Shiitake for more immune power)
2-6 Tablespoons fresh grated ginger root
6 Tablespoons chopped, fresh parsley
2-4 Tablespoons lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
 
Bring all to boil, reserving half the garlic, all the parsley, and the lemon juice. Reduce the heat to a simmer for about 20 minutes or until the veggies are tender.
 
Remove pot from heat and stir in remaining ingredients and let them steep, covered for about five to ten minutes, like you would for tea. Cool slightly and serve, or cool completely and then store in bags and place in your freezer for later use. Enjoy with health!

Insulate Your Pipes Weekly Tutorial
Insulate Your Pipes

One of the worst things you can do during the winter is let your pipes freeze. I went through this a couple of years ago, and it cost us a lot more money than it would have if we would have taken the time to insulate our pipes for the winter. It was because of my ignorance on how to insulate them, that we did nothing.

The DIY Network has a video and a step-by-step process on how to winterize those water pipes. To keep you from having the same problem that I did, I have included the link HERE for you to watch the video and learn how to keep your pipes from freezing!


Photo courtesy of DIY Network
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Tips for Winterizing Your Home



Just for Kids
Help Mom and Dad Get Ready for Winter


Here are some tips and ideas that you can use to help mom or dad get the house ready for the winter!

Paper Leaf Project Molly's Money Saving Digest
November--Family Photography

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.


Here are just a few of the highlights you will see in this photo packed issue of Molly's Money-Saving Digest.
  • 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.
  • 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!
  • 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 your copy of Molly's Money-Saving Digest today!

We Want to Hear From You!

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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