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Thrifty Thanksgiving
Tablescapes

November 1, 2010
In This Issue
From the Blog
Molly Members
Ideas From Around the Web
Molly's Money-Saving Digest
Molly Green Fresh
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Enjoy 22 pages of fresh and easy recipes, fabulous household tips, and more! Full-color, eye-catching photos with each easy-to-use recipe!

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A Look Back at the November 2009 Digest

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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 . . .


November's special feature is:
Family Photography


 
Order this past Digest today by clicking HERE.

12-Week Holiday Planner

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Don't wait until the last minute! Use this planner to prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas without all the rush. This planner lets you focus on the meaning of the season without being overwhelmed by the stress of it.

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Molly Makes $7 Slow Cooker Suppers ~ Quick and Easy
 
140 deliciously simple recipes --
140 wonderful ways to feed your family!
 
Our daily lives often seem to run on overdrive. Too frequently a healthy, home-cooked meal is one of the things sacrificed. If only you had  more time! Okay, maybe you really like to cook and it's worth all the effort it takes. But every day, day in and day out, perhaps two or even three meals a day. . .  14 to 20 meals a week, whew! A homemaker needs a reprieve!

Greetings!

tablescape
Capturednu... | Dreamstime.com

I love decorating for the holidays. By creatively shopping thrift stores and bringing a little nature in from the outside, you can inexpensively decorate your home for the season.

This week, I share some tips and resources for beautifying your home during the holidays while keeping on budget-- even a very slim budget!

Remember, the whole room doesn't need to be decorated. In fact, just having one main focal point is a great way to begin. For instance, your table makes a perfect starting point.  Your "decor" can range from simply adding an appropriately colored tablecloth (sheet makeover, anyone?) and centerpiece to arranging an elaborate tablescape.

Once your table is decorated, you can slowly add in little touches like candles, gourds or florals throughout the room.  If you heard my Expo webinar on frugal hospitality, you know that you don't need to spend a lot to have a cozy home and lovely table. Creativity is key!

If you're in the mood for more frugal decorating ideas, grab my  Frugal Decorating Digest for quick tips and tricks.
From the Blog

Here are some of the blog highlights from last week.
  • Using up my leftover pumpkin has resulted in one of the best tasting, gluten-free and lactose-free desserts I have ever made! Read this post for a sweet treat.
  • If you have some old T-shirts lying around the house, use this freebie to transform them into something new!
  • Are Restaurant.com certificates worth it? Read my thoughts and share yours. I'd love to hear what you think!
  • My Pick-A-Pack is on sale  for only $10! This is good through November 2. 
  • So what about Dave (Ramsey, that is)? Do you agree? Disagree?  Read this post to hear some of my thoughts and see how a phone call saved me nearly $30,000!
  • Here are a few tips I discovered to help organize the blogs you visit using a feed reader.
  • The Home Depot is once again giving you a chance to trade in your old Christmas lights for the new LED kind. Read this post to see when they will be doing it in your area.
  • Freebie Friday has tons of great freebies this week.
  • I found some really neat scripture verse cards that you can download for free.
  • Do you have any pumpkin that needs to be used up? Read this post to see some great ideas I have found.
Molly Members
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November is here, and that means a brand-new Digest and new freebies! Hop on over and check them out!

I think this month's issue is especially lovely. One of my favorite articles is by Susan  from Between Naps on the Porch, who shared her ideas for creating frugal tablescapes.  Here's a sneak peek.

tablescape

Not a member yet? We'd love you to
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Hey I Can Make That!

Harvest Centerpiece
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Photo courtesy of About.com

By using items from around your home, you can create this festive autumn centerpiece to adorn your holiday table. Find instructions at About.com.

fall centerpiece
Photo Credit House of Hepworths
I also really like this "found item" tabletop display from House of Hepworths. She has a great step-by-step tutorial.  Just  click the link to check it out. Use the concept and whatever "fall-ish" items you have on hand and you'll create your own special version!

 
Ideas From Around the Web

Here are some fun websites, brimming with creative ideas for dressing up your table this holiday season.
In the Kitchen
popcorn ball
Photo courtesy of All Recipes
Pumpkin Spiced Latte


I love the Pumpkin Spiced Latte from Starbucks. It is delicious--and also quite expensive. I discovered this recipe a few months ago and have been making it at home ever since.

 

Ingredients:

3 cups hot whole milk

4 teaspoons white sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

6 ounces double-strength brewed coffee

3 tablespoons sweetened whipped cream

3 pinches pumpkin pie spice


Directions:

Combine the hot milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice in a blender; blend until frothy.


Pour the mixture into 3 coffee mugs to about 2/3 full.


Pour 2 ounces coffee into each mug.


Garnish each mug with whipped topping and pumpkin pie spice.

Recipe reprinted with permission.

Frugal tip: If you don't have Pumpkin Pie Spice on hand you can easily make your own. Just mix up 1/2 cup of cinnamon, 2 teaspoons of ground ginger, 2 teaspoons of cloves, and 1 teaspoon of nutmeg and store in an airtight container.
Molly's Money-Saving Digest
September


No domestic subject is too dirty for Molly to tackle!


Put more than crisp clean clothes into your time and money-saving basket!


It's not just laundry lessons included in this helpful issue. It's all about home and family-repurposed projects, raising responsible children, creative cooking, investing wisely, enjoying and appreciating God's gifts, and encouraging one another. 


  • Kids can learn laundry basics too!
  • Spend as little as 3 cents per soap load!
  • Repurpose planned leftovers into brand new meals!
  • Feather your nest with a fabulous feathered friends' wall hanging!
  • Make plans for International Frugal Fun Day-October 2nd!
  • Fashion a sweet dress for sister, sewn from two salvaged shirts!

 October's special feature is: Socks, Suds, and Savings

Do your kids play leap frog over the soiled mounds at your house? Get them involved in a practical way. Approach it with the right attitude and maybe something good will emerge. And if you think you can't learn something new, think again!


  • Learn to love the laundry; is it possible?
  • Investigate three things that helped Molly simplify and reduce the time and money spent on laundry.
  • Learn to manage the endless flow; find what works for you.
  • Alter your laundry room's personality and make room for a change!
  • Discover essential knowledge about laundry appliances! Enjoy links including a laundry cost calculator and how to make your own off-grid washing machine!
  • Research homemade laundry soap; get links to lots of basic economical formulas!
  • Find favorite recipes for homemade stain removers and fabric softeners from around the internet.
  • Want more than one way to dry clothes? Try out a few of these frugal indoor drying ideas!
  • Need an ironing alternative? Try this unique time-saving trick!
  • Thought of green cleaning gift giving? Implement nifty laundry-related projects and thoughtful gift ideas!

Click HERE to view a sample of this item. Buy it HERE.

Want to save even more? Subscribe to a Molly Membership! For only $3.95 a month (cancel any time!), you receive not only the monthly Molly's Money-Saving Digest, but also much more! Purchase NOW!


Don't forget, you can download a free Molly binder cover from the Schoolhouse Store!