December 2015 Frugal Chatter thread - all welcome!!!

[Frugalbigmama]

Morning! Having coffee now then time to get on laundry and then some shopping, hockey and a night of wrapping! Had a great evening out with friends last night. Nice everyone was able to show up for a 4 hour dinner and drinks ( 18 of us). We have snow but it will be gone soon since we are having mild temps and rain. Wednesday evening I plan on making hot chocolate and popcorn and take a drive to check out the house lights. Youngest loves that

[Natalka]

Hope everyone has a great Sunday!

[jasperandchar]

@coupon girl so happy for your dh, sounds like he is very well liked, hope he enjoys his gc's and treats himself and you of course (haha)

[jasperandchar]

wishing everyone a wonderful day

[coupon girl]

-yep I ate a chocolate/carmel covered granny smith apple that was hubby's gift from one of the kids -he didn't care to have it -yummm love the combo of chocolate and carmel on a apple


-well laundry today ,dusting too-I finished wrapping last night
-this afternoon around 4.30 will take hubby's sister to swiss chalet a treat for xmas (she is on disability and this will be a treat for her as I know she doesn't always eat well-plus I have 4 small gifts wrapped up for her (she is not a perfume or makeup or body lotion type of lady) so I gave her chocolates ,tea towels, dishcloths,pumped kitchen hand soap -deodorant ,dove soap ,mug with chocolate balls in it -all practical stuff I am sure she will like them spent 18.00 on all of it not bad
-we will tell her order what she wants and hubby and I will get 2 can dine for 15.99(caa membership just came out with deals for restarants when you show your card)

[SassyAshley]

WOW it has been insane. Friday's lunch was amazing the local resort does such a great job for us. Great to see everyone, we had 26 new employees this year, we have just over 100 and half of us got service awards which means at least 5+ years, as well our production manager hit 30 years this year, can't believe he has known me since I was 1. Dad threw a curve ball at us and made the family get up and sing Merry Christmas to all the staff. We only made it through the chorus and one verse and then it all fell apart.

Slowly getting ready for Christmas, feel like I am in a good place. Finished the elephant for bro's gf yesterday, puppy for cousin's little gift just needs the finishing touches, slipper for sis are done and have started a football pillow for bro. I also started my baking today Chai Tea Truffles are in the fridge hardening up, Nutella Fudge is hardening up, next will be Peanut Butter Cheesecake balls which need to go to the freezer. Now to work on cleaning the living room, got a bit done yesterday but still quite a bit go.

Went grocery shopping Friday night after the lunch from what we can tell this is the first time in 1.5 to 2 months we have done a full grocery shop. In this time it has been a quick run in for a couple things usually spending under $20. We spent just under $200 which included a Prime Rib Roast for dinner, plus 2 packs of ground beef and various other things. Almost cashed in $30 in PC points which brought our total down under $170.

Have a great day everyone.

[Ciel]

^Nutella fudge-wow, sounds delicious! I made the paleo chocolate truffles from the Toronto Star cookie calendar but the truffles still are soft even after an overnight chilling before forming and after forming. So when I pick one up, it squishes.

Gratitude rep for the college computer lab being open (Sunday branches are closed too today. Did not want to be home for a second meal (avoided yesterday's guests too) but did set table and readied the dessert trays. Love today's sunshine and absence of snow!

Watched part of Ricardo's Christmas log episode and am listening to this week's L'epicerie episode. BLISS!

[SassyAshley]

I had not been sold on the Nutella fudge but bro heard me discussing it with a co worker and made it kind of clear how did he put it, I wouldn't say no to that and my feeling wouldn't be hurt if you brought it but if you don't this might be mentioned to everyone it was a possibility. My family loves Nutella, like obsessed with it where is me I can take it or leave it.

My Chai Truffles did not work, did some research looks like the recipe is off, the proportions are not right. Think I have found a way to fix them but will do that tomorrow.

Off to look at my remaining recipes and see what I will make tomorrow. If I do 3 to 4 recipes a day I should be on schedule to get everything done in time. Also thinking of adding another cheesecake, everyone in our family loves cheesecake and I only have one plated dessert so far.

[walkonby]

I wrapped like 3 presents last night.......yup THAT was my contribution...back to the couch to lay back down after that.

[Natalka]

Hope today is better for you, walkonby!

Greetings, all! I know everyone is busy, just popping in with a hi!



Of all things, our can opener died - and husband can usually resurrect small appliances, but not that.

Got a Hamilton Beach stainless steel one at London Drugs yesterday - it was regular 35, down to 25 - but there were none left, so husband got the display model for 20.

[lizzie bargain]

DH and DD got into the Xmas baking spirit yesterday! I am off to see the twins again and DH will take DD to her dentist apt. Hope everyone has time to get their last minute holiday prep done.

[coupon girl]

ahhh just called Johnson and Johnson-they are not sending out the great coupons 3.00 aveeno 2.00 Tylenol etc in the new year
-ahhh all good things come to an end
-no printer in my house -and I don't want one either-so maybe i will have to go to library

[SassyAshley]

Today is not my day. Went to fix my truffles by melting more chocolate, totally seized on me. Went to cut up my fudge and dropped the knife, luckily got my foot out of the way before it hit the floor. Tried to clean up the living room and keep dropping everyone. Yep, I am done, time to sit in my chair and not move.

Catching up on some work instead. The new person has been hired to replace me so the Monday we are back I go in remove all my stuff from my desk (most has already been moved out) and head off to another location to meet her and work with her. I am super excited that come the new year I can jump into my new role. I will work with my replacement for a week and then go from there. Reality has set in, I will be leaving order desk, yes I will be back to help but it is no longer my full time position.

Think it is time for another cup of tea and maybe some crocheting, I can do that in my chair and hopefully not injure myself. Have a great day everyone.

[Frugalbigmama]

Went out to get the last few gift certificates I needed. Did my 3rd gas stop at Esso to get my bonus PC PTS they offered and then went to CT to fill up and get paper CT $ and a few Christmas scratch tickets. Now to go put away the laundry in dryer before my son and his band take over my basement!

[lizzie bargain]

picked up a couple last minute things at Walmart on the way home from seeing the twins. I didn't even have to line up to checkout-I think things are definitely slower shopping wise this year with the economy the way it is.