Molly Header 2011

Celebrating Your Big Day!

May 30, 2011
In This Issue
From the Blog
Beautiful Weddings on a Budget
Molly Members
Cocktail Sauce
Chalkboard Gift
In the Kitchen With Molly  

 

 

Need a hand in the kitchen? Molly can help.

 

From planning meals to putting them on the table, feeding a family is a big job. In the Kitchen With Molly is the next best thing to having a personal chef.

 

This new E-Book contains 12 weeks of menu plans, one for each month of the year, plus shopping lists and printable recipe cards. With the planning done for you, you'll have more time to spend enjoying your family or tackling other projects that need your attention.

 

And with Molly, the focus is always on frugality. These recipes not only save you time, but they also save you money. Trimming dollars from the grocery bill can add up to a significant difference in the family budget, and having meals planned means you'll eat out less often. That's good for your wallet and your waistline.





 

A Look Back . . .

May 2010 Digest:         Centsible Celebrations



      
        

Want to enjoy celebrating in style--but not blow your budget?

 

Do you like to create one-of-a-kind frugal gifts?

 

Plan NOW for a sensational

centsible celebration.

 

May 2009 Digest:

Learning for Life ~

Your Child's Education

 

 


Whether you homeschool or not, you'll especially want this real-life learning issue . . . from preschool through high school, college--and beyond!
Visit My BlogFrog Community!


Molly Makes $7 Slow Cooker Suppers ~ Quick & 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!

Molly Goes Camping


molly goes camping 

  

 

Do you long to enjoy and explore the great outdoors with your family?

 

Want to make that special connection with your kids?

 

Don't let a few varmints, mosquitoes, or mishaps spoil your fun.  Go camping!

 

For the price of spending a night or two in a motel, you can outfit your family for adventure and make memories for a lifetime!

 

Get ready for an unforgettable experience as Molly and her fellow campers show you how, in  

Molly Goes Camping. 

 
The Newest Issue of Seasons at Home Magazine!

   

 

 

joyoushome.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Joyous Home! The newest issue of Seasons at Home Magazine goes to the printer in one week, again sharing the great joy of homemaking!

 

What's in this issue?

 

Let's Make Bunk Beds! A large family will appreciate this great tutorial by John Powers on making bunk beds. Our boys love their new beds! You will save money on this one and come out with a pretty (or manly) set of beds.

 

Down on the Farm: Recipe, tutorials, and projects including Goat's Milk Soap!

 

The Hundred Acre Wood Tea with our little ladies!

 

The School Room features a great project from Amy Pak's Industrial Revolution Time Travelers Series, making gum, creating visuals for your preschooler, plus a few other fun homeschool helps!

 

In Homespun, beginning Hardanger (no cut) Notecard, paper pressing, and a lovely Punchneedle Sewing Box project.

 

And of course, more lovely things are tucked in here and there!

 

Pre-order yours today--delivery is the second week in June. After our state homeschool conference next month, we can't guarantee there will be many left!

 

Be sure to look at the Quilt Block Memberships, an affordable way to learn to quilt!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wedding
Photo Credit: http://2ndsunphoto.com/

 

Every little girl has big dreams for her wedding day . . . the colors she'll use, the location, what the dresses will look like, who she will choose for bridesmaids, and of course who her prince will be.

 

Let's face it, though: Weddings are expensive. It is easy to get discouraged and lose sight of your dream when you actually start planning. This week I'm going to provide you with tools and tips to help you get your dream wedding at a fraction of  the cost.

 

If you need even more inspiration, be sure and peruse these old blog posts

Molly signature transparent

     

From the Blog

If you didn't make it to the blog this week, head on over to see what you've been missing. Don't forget to leave a comment. I love hearing from you! 
  •  Read how I added to my stockpile with free pasta!
  • There is now a freebie page on the blog. Come check it out and grab a button to share with your readers!
  • Real Simple has a free family crib sheet you can print out and post somewhere visible for babysitter or housesitters.
  • My husband's felted slippers are finally done!
  • Are piles of yarn taking over your home? Here's a great space-saving idea that even keeps it all right where you can see it. 
  • If you were planning to shop online sales today, check out these discount codes before you go!
  • Do you use kitchenmonki.com? Select a menu and it will provide an aisle-by-aisle shopping list for you! 
  • It's almost time to pull out your picnic baskets! Here's how to make a yummy picnic salad.
  • Find out how your kids can bowl free all summer long!
  • Don't forget to check out this week's Freebie Friday!
  • I shared some tips for a frugal family picnic and how to keep wasps way. Read the comments for even more suggestions.
  • Be sure and check the blog today as I will be posting a new contest! I'll be running one weekly, for the next several weeks. FUN! 

Show your support of Econobusters by sharing posts you like with your friends. The number of "tweets" and "likes" will also give me a better idea of what you'd like to see more of. Thanks so much!

How to Have a Beautiful Wedding on a Budget

 

With a little effort and some planning, you can still get your dream wedding on a tight budget. Here are some ideas to get you started!

 

  • Ask family and friends for help. If you know people who can help you make decorations; do your hair, makeup, and nails; make flower arrangements; DJ; bake beautiful cakes; photography; or help with wedding planning, ask. They will more than likely be willing to offer their services as their gift (or at least a discount) for your big day!
  • Instead of purchasing a planning book, sign up at the theknot.com or request a free copy of the Perfect Wedding Guide.
  • Many stores offer free gifts to entice you to register your wedding with them.
  • Make a special card for your bridesmaids when you ask them to be in your wedding.
  • Here is a beautiful DIY stitched wedding program.
  • Food can eat up a good part of your budget. Have an afternoon wedding with appetizers instead of a full meal, or have a BBQ or potluck meal.
  • Make your own flower arrangements with silk flowers or fresh flowers purchased from a grocery store or Costco.
  • Make your own decorations. Rent bowl-shaped vases from a local flower shop or buy them at a thrift store. Put betta fish in them along with a small bouquet of flowers. (Be sure to get special instructions for your fish from the pet store!)
  • Some other ideas for decorations include paper globes,

    table number napkins,crepe paper pomander, favor bags, favor boxes, hot cocoa and marshmallow favors, and straws.

  • DIYWedding.org has a ton of great ideas and several free printables.
  • For more inspiration, check out the DIY Network, Martha Stewart, DIY Bride, or FaveCrafts. 
  • I think most of these ideas are for birthday or engagement parties but you could adapt them for a wedding reception.


Sometimes less is more. The wedding reception below was decorated simply and inexpensively but looked absolutely elegant. The favors (small favor box with pieces of See's chocolate) and bouquets were made by family. Everything else was provided on location.

 

 

Reception
Photo Credit: www.ToniRiggsPhotography.com 

 

Most importantly, relax, have fun, and enjoy your day!

Molly Members
molly member banner
 Hi, Molly Members,

I hope you're enjoying your May Digest and putting some of those great ideas to work.

The June Digest will be ready and waiting in your Member pages on Wednesday, so be sure and check in. June's theme is Molly Saves in the Kitchen and I know you're going to love it! We share some really neat ideas for "heirloom" recipe storage, Marcia Washburn has written an article on homemade convenience foods, and you can read about Jennie von Eggers' CraigsList kitchen remodel. Of course, that's just a sprinkling of what you'll find.

Not a member yet? We'd love you to join us. Only $3.95/month! And remember, if you don't want to join with monthly payments, you can pay in advance with our six-month or 12-month prepaid membership options. For only $23.70, you can enjoy six months of Money-Saving Digests, plus receive additional free E-Books and resources. This is a small investment to keep yourself armed and encouraged on your money-saving journey. The tips in each Digest easily recoup the cost!  

Cocktail Sauce

 

Here is a simple cocktail sauce for shrimp. This would make a great wedding appetizer!

 

 

Ingredients:

 

1/2 cup chili sauce
2 tablespoons horseradish
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 
1/4 teaspoon sugar
3-4 drops Tabasco sauce
1/2 garlic clove, minced

 

Directions:

 

  1. Mix all the ingredients together in a medium bowl, cover, and chill overnight.
  2. Serve with jumbo shrimp and use the cocktail sauce for dipping.

Note: You could also make a bigger batch, mix in baby shrimp instead, and serve with crackers.

Beautiful Chalkboard Gift

 

   

This gorgeous homemade chalkboard could be a wedding gift, bridesmaid gift, or you could keep it for yourself! It could house your to-do list or the daily menu so your family knows what is for dinner.    

Molly Saves! In the Garage and Shed 

 

Shift your organizational skills into overdrive!

Clear out the clutter and put the car back where it belongs: in the garage!

Molly's Money-Saving Digest for May

helps you get those outdoor "rooms"--the shed and the garage--in order. You don't have a garage? These tips can help you organize any space where clutter has taken over. But the Digest doesn't stop there. You'll find plenty of other useful advice to get the most out of your money and your time.
  • Learn how to make the perfect glass of lemonade, just in time for summer.
  • Try a versatile recipe that you'll turn to again and again on your busiest days.
  • Find out which small mammal may be right for your family.
  • Teach your children one of the basics of personal finance.
  • Learn how to take care of your skin this summer.
  • Explore why antioxidants are healthy and how you can get them.
  • Find out which magazine Molly recommends for DIY projects around the house.
  • Reduce your family's food waste and salvage more of your leftovers.
  • Get inspiration from the story of one family that became debt-free. 

May's special feature is:

Molly Saves in the Garage and Shed


In the garage and shed--where sports equipment, garden supplies, boxes and bins of every description, and all sorts of other "homeless" items end up--we must overtake our clutter before it overtakes us. With organized storage, you'll be able to find things when you need them. You'll be able to park your car inside the garage! And you'll have the tools to keep things neat and put away. Shift into gear and get started with the help you'll find in this month's Digest:
  • Learn about some frugal and functional ways to corral your clutter.
  • Get the scoop on an easy and effective way to label your boxes and bins.
  • Explore the Internet for build-it-yourself storage solutions.
  • Repurpose and reuse everything from bottle caps to an old dresser to large food cans.
  • Find out how to host a successful garage sale.
  • Discover an inexpensive substitute for pegboard and keep your tools stored in style.

Read full details and see a sample here.