Tips for "Shaving Time and Money" During the Busy Holiday Season

I discovered Dollar Shave Club, a subscription service whose motto is "Shave Time and Shave Money". Their service make it easier for you to get nice razors at a great price. (they ship to USA/Canada and even Australia!). It's $1 is for 5 cartridges for a month + shipping! They also have an option to get 'higher class' razors and shipping is free. Perfect for gift giving! 
They're awesome...Check them out!

Here's a few helpful ideas to help you 'SHAVE' time over the holidays....

I like to keep a list of recipes written out for review & reference. I try to make every minute count - get up and do something while a commercial comes on TV, and I always make myself lists so I can think of what I need to do next.

One thing I do to keep things moving along in the kitchen, is to keep hot sudsy water in the sink all the time I'm working there, and wash dishes when I have a minute in between things. It helps keep the counter cleared and dishes can dry (use HOT water to rinse) and you can put them away when you have another few minutes. (And really...who cares if they're still a little damp when you put them away?  They will air dry! =) 

I also like keeping cooked meat and chopped (leftover) veggies on hand in the freezer. All I have to do is thaw and throw the meal together. It's a real time saver. Here's my method for browning ground beef in the crockpot. You'll save money by not running through the nearest drive thru at the last minute! 

Sometimes, we just have to prioritize. I do that often during this very busy month. And I have to consider what REALLY needs to be done first - usually, according to the day of the week it needs to be ready. We gotta 'keep the main thing, the main thing'....I always record comments on new recipes - 'excellent'....'rubbery' (just did that today with a sugar free cookie I tried =) If the recipe isn't in a book, and I'm not wild about it, I usually throw it away and keep trying new ones.

I have always loved making and giving homemade gifts from my kitchen. It doesn't have to be a pricey gift because you are already investing your time in the gift of love.  I have always been ALL ABOUT quick & easy!

(Click on links for recipe)
White Christmas Mix

White Christmas Mix is a really yummy, easy, pretty holiday gift to give. Cereal, pretzels, nuts & candies coated with white almond bark - simple! Give it in the holiday printed zipper-seal bags because then you can see how pretty the mix is. Even plain ziploc bags, decorated with curly ribbons is 'fun and festive.'

Date Balls

Homemade Date Balls are a special holiday treat worth sharing. The date/butter/sugar mixture is cooked on the top of the stove, stir in nuts and cereal, cool, roll into balls and then roll in powdered sugar.  Addicting!! They keep in the refrigerator for weeks ahead.

Fruited Raisin Oatmeal Mix

Fruited Oatmeal Mix is a nice gift to give – it’s warm and filling and is a healthier option, too! It can be bagged and tucked into a pretty tin or given in a pretty gift jar.

Or how about making a simple 
Infinity Scarf from a t-shirt

Honestly - These are all NO sew! 
Anyone can do this...and it's ready to wear in about 2 minutes! I also have tutorials for a Ruffle Scarf from a t-shirt (check it out...it's so cute!)
and a practical bag from a t-shirt!  (everyone raves!) I have purchased many t-shirts from second hand stores or used ones I was no longer wearing. 

I try to be ready for last minute gift giving by purchasing items on sale throughout the year - candles, books, calendars, Avon, & clearance items I come across. I have two file drawers in my desk with gifts in them, so I can look through and see if I can find anything 'fitting' for the person I desire it for. And I always have something edible made up - even if it's in the freezer.

I hope these ideas will have 'shave time and money' during the holiday rush! 

I'd love to know your favorite hints for 'shaving time' during the holidays....

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Leader Enterprise - Dec. 3, 2014 - Crockpot Christmas Recipes

When you all read this, I will be in North Carolina at an Operation Christmas Child shoebox processing center, hopefully enjoying a little warmer temps too.Trust you enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving with those you love most.
(I am home now and had a delightful time away!!!) 

As we prepare to celebrate the REASON FOR THE SEASON, I think it's a great time to put your crockpot to work. I love that a dish can be cooking, with little/no attention, while preparing the rest of the meal, or delivering goodies across town. (Maybe after seeing these yummy recipes, you'll want to add a crockpot to your Christmas list?)

What a way to be able to serve warm sweet rolls! Yes,from the crockpot! This recipe begins with canned biscuits and ends with lots of M-M-M's!!

AMAZING CROCKPOT CARAMEL SWEET ROLLS 

1 c. brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 c. butter or margarine,melted

2 - 10 ct. tubes refrigerated (buttermilk) biscuits

Line the crockpot (4-5 qt.) with parchment paper. (I cut out a circle using the lid as a guide for the bottom, using a long piece to place around the sides.) Then spray the paper with cooking spray. 

Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together in bowl. Separate biscuits and dip into the melted butter, then into brown sugar mixture, coating both sides. Place in crockpot. (Standing them more on the edge allows them to overlap and fit into the crockpot). Place a paper towel over the top before placing lid on (this keeps the moisture from falling onto the rolls). Cook on high for 1-1/2 hours. Check after an hour to see how close they are to being done. Let stand 10 minutes, then place on plate and drizzle with frosting or glaze. 

Glaze:

1/4 c. melted butter or margarine

1 tsp. vanilla

1 Tb. milk

2 c. powdered sugar

Mix well until smooth.Add more milk if needed for desired consistency. 

This is a new recipe to me and I immediately fell in love with it. It reminded me so much of my mama's bread dressing. What a terrific idea to free up the oven for the side dishes and rolls! 

CROCKPOT (BREAD) DRESSING

(for a crowd!)

1/2 c. butter

(margarine would work, but won't be as tasty)

1/2 c. diced celery

1/2 c. diced onion 

12-13 cups dry bread crumbs

(I like to tear my bread slices into pieces, spread over a cookie sheet, then toast them in the oven a while on a low temp)

1-1/2 c. chicken (or turkey), optional

3 eggs, beaten

2 cans (10.75 ozs.each) cream of chicken soup

2 (15 ozs) chicken broth

(Save some to add if too dry after mixing everything) 

1/2 tsp. each pepper and salt

about 1 tsp. sage OR poultry seasoning to taste 

Spray a 4-6 qt. crockpot with cooking spray. In skillet, melt butter; saute celery and onions. Place bread crumbs in very large bowl; add sauteed veggies. In medium bowl, combine remaining ingredients, saving some broth to add if needed before placing in crockpot. (You want the dressing to be moist, but not soaked wet). Pour mixture into crockpot. Cover with lid. Cook on high 3 hours and 45 minutes or on low for 4-6 hours. Let stand a few minutes before serving. 

This is an easy chocolate-y, caramel-y candy to make in the crockpot when you have plenty else to do. Feel free to substitute your favorite nuts for the peanuts.

CROCKPOT CHOCOLATE CARAMEL CLUSTERS

1 - 16 ozs. pkg. chocolate bark

4 ozs. block German chocolate

1 - 12 ozs. bag butterscotch chips

1 - 16 ozs. jar salted peanuts

1 - 16 ozs. jar unsalted peanuts

10 Kraft caramels (the individuals from a bag)

Break the chocolate bark into blocks and place in crock pot. Now break up the German chocolate block and put in crock pot. Add the remaining ingredients. Place a paper towel on top of the crock pot before placing the lid on. Turn the crock pot on low and cook for two hours. DO NOT remove lid. I know it's tempting, but it's very important to not remove it. After two hours, carefully remove lid and paper towel. Stir mixture to incorporate everything well. Drop by the spoon full onto waxed paper and let them set up well. Share (if you can bring yourself to do so) and ENJOY!

CROCKPOT MAPLE BROWN SUGAR HAM

7 - 8 pound spiral-cut ham (bone-in or boneless)
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. maple syrup
2 c. pineapple juice

Use a 6 - 7 quart crock pot. Unwrap ham from wrapper; discard the flavor packet. Place ham inside crock pot, flat side down. Rub the brown sugar over all sides of the ham. Then pour on the maple syrup and pineapple juice. Cover and cook on low heat for 4 - 5 hours. Baste ham with juices an hour or so before serving. When cooking is done, carefully remove ham from crock pot and place on a cutting board. Let rest 15 minutes before carving.

I believe I've shared this one before, but just in case you missed it, this is a wonderful dessert for the holidays. Use your favorite pie filling flavor. It will be ready when you are.

MINISTER'S DELIGHT

1 (20 ozs) can apple, cherry, blueberry or peach pie filling

1 c. crushed pineapple, partially drained, optional

1 (16-18 ozs) box yellow cake mix

1/2 c. butter, melted

Optional: 1/3 c. chopped pecans or walnuts

Garnish: ice cream or whipped topping 

Spray a 3 - 4 qt. slow cooker with non-stick vegetable spray. Add pie filling; spread pineapple over top, if using. In medium bowl, combine dry cake mix and butter; mix with fork until crumbly. Sprinkle over pineapple. Sprinkle nuts on top, if desired. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped topping.  

Make Ahead Meals With Taco Meat

I know some of you women are working outside the home, and it always feels good when you can get a few things done ahead for dinner. This is one of those ideas that can help you prepare some simple-to-throw-together meals.

TACO MEAT

2 - 2/1-2 # ground beef
1 - 2 pkg. taco seasoning, according to taste
1/3 cup water

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef.  Break up the larger pieces with your wooden spoon and stir occasionally until no longer pink.  Drain - place back in skillet and stir in the seasoning.  Add the water and let it simmer a few minutes until liquid has evaporated.

When meat has cooled, place it in a container and refrigerate, or divide into 2 or 3 labeled freezer bags for use later. It can be frozen up to 3 months.  When ready to use - defrost in the microwave and heat through for a quick meal.

TACOS

10-12 flour tortillas (taco size)
1 tomato, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
lettuce, shredded
cheddar cheese, shredded
8 ozs. sour cream
To make the tortillas more pliable, place the stack of tortillas between damp paper towels and place in the microwave for 10 - 20 seconds on high.  Fill each tortilla with meat mixture and your favorite toppings.

(I love tacos with a crunch, and love to use the hard shell inside the soft shell, for easier eating).

TACO SALAD

1 head of lettuce, torn into pieces
5 plum tomatoes, diced
8 ozs. cheddar cheese, shredded
1 - 12 oz. bag nacho cheese or taco Doritos, crumbled
Catalina dressing
Prepare tomatoes, lettuce and cheese a day ahead. (Don't use a knife to cut the lettuce - the edges will turn brown). Cover and store in refrigerator.  You may heat the meat a little, but not too much, because it will wilt the lettuce if added to the salad when it's hot. Yield 8 - 10 servings

I recommend keeping everything separate - once you mix the tomatoes, lettuce, cheese & chips together, the leftover salad does not keep well.

Enjoy!

TRYING to keep a Tidy Home

 

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Funny how it works isn't it?  The plumber's home needs plumbing repair...the mechanic  drives a broken down vehicle, and the housecleaner's home (certainly mine!) needs a good cleaning too.  I like having shortcuts and time savers to be able to clean, and wanted to share a few with you. Even if you try to add one new idea, you'll be better for it.

If at all possible try to spend 10 - 15 minutes first thing in the morning, tackling a specific task/chore. Wash up the sinkful of dishes...run the vacuum...sort the laundry - whatever you can find time for, and homemaking won't seem so burdensome later in the day.

Every day, choose one task: a paper-covered desktop, a messy drawer, a disheveled closet. Now set your timer for 10 minutes and sort, toss and organize until the buzzer sounds.The goal isn't to finish the job in one session but to chip away at it in short, focused bursts known as "power organizing." Once you learn that, it won't be long before you notice dramatic results.

I have never ever liked going to bed with dirty dishes in the sink.  It always seemed to affect my attitude first thing in the morning to face them, so I try to make that a habit so I can enjoy my morning coffee with ease.

I love the handy window cleaning wipes - I refresh my kitchen window often, so I don't have to keep looking at the world outside through drips, and bathroom mirrors using the same one.  They are great for tackling smudges, and don't leave streaks.   Put on some jazzy music and enlist your kids to help and they'll love cleaning too - the next hint is inviting for kids also.

If you don't have a hand swiffer - please invest in one.  They are so nifty for cleaning spots you can't reach with a rag, and make dusting fun - really!  Try it - you just might like it!  The long handled ones are wonderful for reaching vents up high - and mopboards down low.  You just toss the dirty one and get another - it's something no home should be without.

Laundry Day Hints and Helps

Keep your budget out of hot water with these economical laundry tips.

*Save $$ on your heating bill - unless labels specify otherwise, wash your loads on the cold cycle.

*Dry your loads back to back so the dryer doesn't have to cool down between cycles. And make sure to clean your lint filter between loads to keep your dryer working as efficiently as possible.

*I always use half to three-quarters of the recommended amount of detergent. To save more money, you can cut dryer sheets in half.

*Lightweight sheets need far less time in the dryer than heavy towels, so grouping similarly weighted items will cut down on dryer time.

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Does your washer have an odor in the tub?

Washer odors are usually caused by leaving the washer lid closed when not in use.  (Who doesn't do that??) This doesn't allow air to circulate and dry out the moisture remaining in the tub area.  The air/moisture mixture become stagnant and creates an odor....not one you care to sniff!

To get rid of odors inside the washer follow these steps:

1. Fill the washer with hot water; set at regular speed and the longest wash cycle.

2. Add 1 cup vinegar or baking soda and allow the washer to complete an entire wash and rinse cycle. (When I do this, I like to wash off the top of the tub (with the water from inside the tub)...where fabric softener/laundry soap has accumulated.

3. Allow the washer to dry out - if odor lingers, repeat process.

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