Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and God's blessings on you in 2010! Your friend, Kate

(I will show pics of making the coloured sugar later in the morning)

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How To Make Different Types Of Sugar To Save In Baking

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I love to bake and all in my family can testify to that.  One event I really like to do during the winter break is to make gingerbread boys and girls.  I try to look for ways to make them ( and other goodies too ) for less.

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Three ways to save money in your baking are to make your own...
-brown sugar
-coloured sugar
-and powdered/ icing  sugar

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Now, I have to admit if you are not careful you can spend a lot of money on candy to decorate them.  I have bought in the past a coloured sugar set and that is very expensive.  You get 4 or 5 little tubes of different coloured sugar.  It costs us between $3-$5 dollars.  You pay a lot for what you get.   I started to research for a tightwad way to make coloured sugar and found a VERY ecconomical way to make it for pennies !

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How To Make Coloured Sugar:

You get a small jar with a lid that will hold a cup of granulated sugar.
 Pour 1 cup of sugar into the jar and drop 3-5 drops of food colouring.
 Put the lid on the jar and shake REALLY good will colour is well mixed.  If you want the colour darker add more food colouring.  You can decorate so many goodies with this !

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Two other sugars you can make yourself and it costs a lot less and save yourself money.

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How To Make Brown Sugar:

You measure the amount of sugar you want.   For every cup of sugar you add 1-2 Tablespoons of molasses and mix really well.  I really like to mix mine with my Kitchen Aide and use the flat paddle.  Or you could also use a hand mixer to blend the sugars together.

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How To Make Powdered/Icing Sugar:

Measure 1 cup of granulated sugar and pour into a blender and blend till sugar is a powder form and use as recipe calls.  If you want you can add 1 teaspoon of cornstartch for each cup sugar.  Empty blender and keep doing this the amount of powedered/icing sugar is desired.  I have heard that the blender is the best choice.  It is hard to attain the powdered consistency in a food processor.

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Now to join in the fun of Tightwad Tuesday....

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  Link your TWT post click on MckLinky and give exact the URL of your post.   (each Tuesday that  you join in on the fun)  

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example of a URL ...

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/693425/

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  Now go ahead link and read and comment on all these other's wonderful TWT's. 

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 Lets save our pennies, nickles, dimes, and dollars  together !

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"There are only a few big ways to save money but there are many small ways ....that all adds up."

 

 

"Got teens? You lucky dogs. 
Spend time with them; enjoy them; listen to them; and love them. 
They are the most incredible people, these emerging adults,
and they can become the best friends you'll ever have."
~Diana Waring, Reaping the Harvest. The Bounty of Abundant-Life Homeschooling~

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A Tip To Make Using Milk In Baking And Sauses Cheaper

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I have been trying to recall ways  or habits that I do without out really thinking to make our dollar stretch further.  One thing I have done for years in my baking is it to dilute 1/4th   2 % milk or whole milk to 3/4ths water of what the recipe calls for. 

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for example.... if the recipe calls for 2 cups milk  I use 1/2 cup of milk( what ever type you want) and then 1 1/2 cups water.

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 Also in soups I use 6 parts of chicken broth to about 1 part of cup of milk or  in my white sauses.  I don't miss anything b/c the broth is so flavorful. 

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for example....  6 cups chicken broth and 1 cup milk. 

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I hope the examples make it more clear.

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Now to join in the fun of Tightwad Tuesday....

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  Link your TWT post click on MckLinky and give exact the URL of your post.   (each Tuesday that  you join in on the fun)  

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example of a URL ...

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/693425/

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  Now go ahead link and read and comment on all these other's wonderful TWT's. 

.

 Lets save our pennies, nickles, dimes, and dollars  together !

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"There are only a few big ways to save money but there are many small ways ....that all adds up."

Right after Thanksgiving, we started Advent. I LOVE this tradition! I believe we've been doing Advent for 8 years, since my youngest was born. I just love watching my kids sing with me. They always stare at me in concentration while they are singing and I try to look at each one and store up their sweet faces in my heart. Candlelight makes everything look so amazing anyway. And now they all sing and learn the words easier. It hasn't always been this way. Every year, a different child would be obnoxious during Advent. And even this year, they sometimes fight over who's turn it is to blow out the candle(s) or complain that someone isn't singing right, etc. I don't like that part. And one night last week, I actually got up from the table in disgust, saying they could finish without me. I think that made an impact, though I wasn't trying to make a point, I was just tired of the complaining (from my younger two kids). But I can honestly say that they are trying to be fair about the candle-blowing and Carmen isn't complaining (as much) about Alec. Chad just wants to keep singing all night - he also plays piano to some of the songs, something else I love. And they have learned most of the songs in our book so the singing is so much sweeter. Now they need to work on the silence we try to keep after the candles are blown out and we sit in the dark for a minute or two. Alec can't seem to be still or keep quiet so he breaks the silence and Carmen complains. Oh, well, it doesn't ruin my Advent time, at least. For Advent, we use a page out of a Focus on the Family magazine that I got years ago. It lists which candles to use and explains their meaning. It also lists Bible verses for the entire 4 weeks. After dinner, my oldest (Chad) lights the candle(s) and I pray (or Todd, when he's home). Then either Chad or I read the Bible verse and we talk about it. We've had some great Bible studies during Advent. After that comes the singing which is everyone's favorite part. That can go on awhile which greatly reduces the candles but, who cares! We can get more candles! This kind of family time doesn't happen every day ... well, except during Advent, when it DOES happen every day. On Christmas Eve, we light a white Candle for Jesus and have birthday cake to celebrate His birth. We sometimes do Advent on Christmas Day but if depends on how long Todd's parents stay. After Christmas, I am sad that Advent is over. I think the kids miss it, too. Perhaps this year, we can continue with Bible study after dinner and even sing some worship songs. I would love that. But for now, I will treasure and enjoy each night we gather around the wreath, share the joy of the coming Birth of Jesus and sing in worship. The light shining on my children's faces will always be with me. Their sweet voices will be remembered in my ears. I try to look at each one of them as much as possible and take that mental snapshot. And sometimes I sing more quietly just so I can hear them better. Oh, Come Let Us Adore Him!

(to join the fun head on over to Carol's by clicking the graphic)

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 From the Heart:  

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Ohhhh it feels sooooooooo good to be putting up a Weekly Wrapup !  It has been sense August 22 sense I have writen one.   My life is getting a bit more managable.  My craft faire is done and went really well.  I will still show pics but I have to get them from my 1ds' cell phone.  Now what is on my heart ?  I have been wanting to get my home to be running more like a smooth ship.  Is that possible ???  I am starting to wonder, lol.  This winter break I am going to TRY to read Simply Charlotte Mason's "Laying Down The Rails" a Charlotte Mason Habits Handbook and Sue Patricks's "Workbox System".  I am not a very organised person and I am praying these will help.  The other book I want to order is" How to Organise (just about) Anything" by Peter Walsh and his DVD "It's All Too Much".   I am praying that if I  apply these  I will start getting things under control !

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I have been keeping my head just bearly above the water with the basics but I know my little homeschool can be so much more life giving.    I am praying that with the help of the Lord we are going to be there in 2010.

   

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On the Homefront:  

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We are seed cleaning time and I am refocusing on our studies.

 

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In The Garden:

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The garden is put to bed and we are cleaning seeds for 2010 seed sales.

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In the School Room:

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On Sunday the boys are in a play " The Prince and the Pauper".  This paticular play has the slant of the King is God and the Prince and the Pauper are Jesus and how he came to earth to save us and one day we will be brought home to the Kingdom (heaven).  It is a wonderful play !

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We are refocusing and reading lots.  I am trying to get my boys to write more.  This is not a natural thing for them and I am trying to get to a space where it is more natural for sure !  Going to find natural ways for the boys to express themselves in writing.

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Nature Study:

 

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This is one area I am going to get going again.

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In The Craft Corner: 

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 I am crocheting fingerless gloves and want to get back to knitting socks.  The boys are making wonderful paper snowflakes, making a boat from popcicle sticks, getting ready to sew up felt pencil holders, and flannel pj bottoms. The other goal I have is for the boys and I is to learn how to sew up ripped jean knees.

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In the Kitchen: 

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Going to be making all kinds of goodies.  Fudge, gingerbread people, short bread, sugar cookies,  and more.  We will get to taste a little but most is saved for New Years Eve Family get together. 

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Weightloss Wednesday:

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This week I hope to get back on schedule with my Walk Away the Pounds with Leslie Sansone

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Mother Culture:( for definition go HERE ) 

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 I mentioned in "From The Heart " what I am reading.  Other than that I am reading the bible to enrich and give tools for my life.

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 Things are still trying to set aside 15 minutes a day to read.   As the flylady says .... you can do anything for 15 minutes.  So I just need to set my timer. [0=

"Got teens? You lucky dogs. 
Spend time with them; enjoy them; listen to them; and love them. 
They are the most incredible people, these emerging adults,
and they can become the best friends you'll ever have."
~Diana Waring, Reaping the Harvest. The Bounty of Abundant-Life Homeschooling~If you want to join in on the fun please go see my very sweet friend Lori at Plans4You.  

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Two Good Winter Make Ahead Mixes

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Now that we are in the thick of the time of year that a lot of us like to make casseroles.  I wanted to share two great recipes to help make them more frugaly.  These recipes save you anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 half the cost.  Once again your time is spent no matter what so you mine as well make it yourself and put the extra change towards something special. 

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Onion Soup Mix

• 3/4 cup of instant minced onion
• 1 Tablespoon and 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/3 beef or chicken flavored bullion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed celery seed
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar

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Mix and store in a airtight container.

To Use : add 2 Tablespoons  of mix to 1 cup of boiling water. Cover and simmer for 15 min. or add to recipe as directed.

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Cream Soup Mix

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• 2 cups of dry milk
• 1 1/4 cups of flour or cornstartch or arrowroot startch
• 1/4 cup chicken bouillon powder
• 2 Tablespoons dried onion flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon basil

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Mix all ingredients and store in a airtight container.  If the mix is made with cornstartch or arrowroot startch , add 1/3 cup to 1 1/4 cups of water.  Or if you are using the mix with flour then use 1/2 cup of mix to 1 1/4 cups of water.  If you want to make it to soup consistency then double the water.

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Now to join in the fun of Tightwad Tuesday....

.

  Link your TWT post click on MckLinky and give exact the URL of your post.   (each Tuesday that  you join in on the fun)  

.

example of a URL ...

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/693425/

.

  Now go ahead link and read and comment on all these other's wonderful TWT's. 

.

 Lets save our pennies, nickles, dimes, and dollars  together !

.

"There are only a few big ways to save money but there are many small ways ....that all adds up."

 

"Got teens? You lucky dogs. 
Spend time with them; enjoy them; listen to them; and love them. 
They are the most incredible people, these emerging adults,
and they can become the best friends you'll ever have."
~Diana Waring, Reaping the Harvest. The Bounty of Abundant-Life Homeschooling~

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If you want to join in on the fun please go see my very sweet friend Lori at Plans4You.   This is my  sweet bloggy friend that has a NEW meme !  I am going to do my best to participate now that I have two young adults almost 3 ! 

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This week I would like to share about my oldest soon to be my first homeschool graduate.  I can't believe that I am saying this.  We have homeschooled the WHOLE way and I am thankful.  Even with the bumps in the road. 

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Philip is creative in....cooking !  He has been this way sence he was let me think at least 9 yo.  He always perked up with any kind of cooking shows.  One show my mom would tape for us b/c we don't get tv stations was a show called Donna's Day.  She was always showing projects for parents to do with their kids.  Philips favorite part was when she did cooking.  He is the kind of cook that just gets the basic idea of a recipe and then wings it !   I just found out one of his cooking secrets.  Soooo  shhhhhhh don't tell anyone , okay ? [0;  When he would come up with a spice blend he would put the spice jars side by side by side and smell.  He felt if they smell good together they would taste good together !  Isn't he sooooooo smart.  I never thought of that and love it. 

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My budding cook is going to culinary cooking school next year on the West Coast.  He is going to take the culinary and management courses.  Not only is he creative he is buisness smart.  I can't wait to see were God will lead him in this big adventure. 

 

Making A List of 10

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  One thing I started when my two oldest were very little was the list of ten.  At Christmas I didn't want the give me gimmies.  I remember as a kid making a list that was over 50 items long and it came to me to only allow 10 items.  Only ten items and list from what you want the most to least and I re-affirmed that they would only get a few things if they were reasonable. [0= 

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 I kept up this tradition for many years now and usually the boys can only think of 2-6 things now.  And they know if it is over a certain amount that people "might" pool thier money together.  For example my 1ds wants to become a cheif and there is a expensive knife he wants but that is all he wants.  So there is a good chance that all the relatives will pulll together for this one.  He said he would be very happy if that is all he got. Or, if a fair chunk was pooled together and then he would work towards saving the rest.

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It was really nice to hear my boys say that it isn't about getting things.  They are focusing on our Lord and also all the fun times and family times we will have this season.  It made my heart sing when I heard it all sunk in.  This year will be a thin year but a fun year of good memories.

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Now to join in the fun of Tightwad Tuesday....

.

  Link your TWT post click on MckLinky and give exact the URL of your post.   (each Tuesday that  you join in on the fun)  

.

example of a URL ...

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/693425/

.

  Now go ahead link and read and comment on all these other's wonderful TWT's. 

.

 Lets save our pennies, nickles, dimes, and dollars  together !

.

"There are only a few big ways to save money but there are many small ways ....that all adds up."