Queen Mother Blog

Last year I wrote a blog post about ways to give back a little during the holidays. It was also the first time I had heard about Operation Christmas Child and I made two shoeboxes using a lot of the excess items that I get for free by 'working the deals.'

Here is one box that I am making for a girl ages 5-9 (you can choose boy or girl in the age groups of 2-4, 5-9 & 10-14).

So far I've included:

image by faeryboots on flickr

I am taking a quick little break to celebrate Christmas with my family!

Enjoy your holidays and see you soon!

Here's a picture of my tree, as promised. The picture above is my new nativity set that I love.

photo by boopsie.daisy on flickr

Just out of festivity, here are a few Christmas-related links that I have enjoyed and wanted to pass on.

• There is something so innocent and magical about kids believing in Santa Claus, I just love it. I don't think my dad approved of having us believe in Santa, but my mom did, so in the early years I was a little confused as to whether he existed or not. I stumbled across this page, and think this is just adorable. Very cute for kids that might be at the age of doubting!

• Here is a good story from a former atheist: What I loved about Christmas was Christ.
  

• Further cementing my reputation as a geek, I will admit that as a young teen I saw Sandra Bullock's "The Net" and pretty much wanted to be her character. Order a pizza online and throw up this fireplace screensaver and you can be antisocial too! I could do without the crackle sound effects.

• Ever wonder how Christmas is celebrated in other countries? Here is an exhaustive list. I like how Micronesians are in church all day long and then applaud themselves when receiving two bars of soap.
  

Going beyond the usual gift giving for my family and friends is an important part of Christmas for me. Every year I try to sponsor Christmas gifts for children and donate money to causes that I care about. I was talking to one of my friends about ways that I am giving this Christmas, and we decided that a post here was in order. Not because I want to toot my horn in any way, but because I hope to inspire others to give as well.

Money- The most obvious way to give this season is to donate money to a worthy cause. This Christmas I am giving a monetary donation to:

Jewels for Jamie- Jewels for Jamie is a new foundation started by Jason & Nikki Arnold after the loss of their newborn daughter, Jamie. Jason & Nikki were able to have keepsake pendants made from Jamie's hand & footprints, and these keepsakes immediately became their most valuable possessions. The Arnold's have started Jewels for Jamie to provide these tangible mementos to other parents who have experienced a perinatal loss. They are offering up support services in the Tucson, AZ area, with a hope to expand from there. If you would like to read more about their story & their mission, you can visit their website. Donations may be sent to:

My Christmas tree is up! (I will post a pic soon, because I know you want to see it, right?!) So now it really does seem like Christmas-time has started for me. I love everything about Christmas, especially giving (and wrapping, cause I'm a nerd) gifts. I am not so down with physically shopping for gifts. I just really can't stand going out and hunting for something, braving crowds, leaving my house. That kind of thing! A few of my girlfriends decided to stop swapping gifts years ago, because the whole, "I'm getting you a $25 gift, you get me a $25 gift, now let's swap" thing was getting old. Instead we vowed to get together for dinner or hang out in some way, since getting together is much more important. That has also fallen by the wayside and it's a shame!

Just recently a few of my old co-workers decided that in lieu of a lunch-time Christmas gift swap (where they're watching the clock and I'm half-paying attention, trying to feed Rayna) we are going to go out for a leisurely dinner! We are still swapping gifts, since these girls are shoppers ;) but I am really looking forward to the actual get-together. While gifts are great, make time to see your friends this Christmas.

I saw this video on the blog Like Merchant Ships and I thought it was really good. Now, I'm not anti-gift giving in any way, but I think it does have a pretty good message to keep the holiday in perspective:

Hooray! Thanksgiving is almost here, and things are finally getting back to normal here at my house. I would be very remiss if I didn't give you a link to the Super-Awesome CVS deals that will be available in your store *tomorrow*. Yes, I will be going to CVS bright & early on Thanksgiving Day to nag all of my free, and more than free, stuff!! Money Saving Mom has the scoop on all of the goodness, here.

And Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Ok, so that's not a turkey, but I liked the picture! lol... All over the web right now, everyone is in a flurry about Thanksgiving and what to make/how to make it easier or more affordable. There is a good series on Money Saving Mom called "Thanksgiving on a Budget" which has ideas for decorating and food on the cheap.

I have to say, I have never cooked a turkey (even though I will need to learn, with my Acme free turkey in the freezer!) and my brother has cooked our Thanksgiving meals for years now. Since my bro and his wife host it at their home now, all I have to do is show up and bring a couple of things. So I'm not really an authority on preparing Thanksgivings, but there is one thing that I was requested to bring (aside from a vegetable), my deviled eggs. (or "angel eggs" if you grew up in my kind of family)

They seem to be either a 'love it or hate it' type thing. My sister is really finicky about deviled eggs and insists on no mustard (even though I think the filling is way better with mustard!). I do sneak relish into mine though. (Again, she doesn't read my blog, so she won't know! lol) So my filling is usually just mayonnaise, a little relish, salt and pepper and the paprika on top.

Then there is the question of to pastry bag the filling, or just spoon it on. I have to say the whole pastry tip thing is a HUGE waste of time, and no one really cares anyway. Also, then you have to really work the filling to be lump-free or your tip will get clogged every few seconds. So I say, do not use the pastry bag. Get real people! ;)

I saw Paula Deen one time make deviled eggs with bacon inside. Yum! Which made me wonder if I should try a new recipe this year. In searching, I found that there is a whole website devoted to Deviled Eggs. Check it out! The classic recipe is most like what I make.

And what to do with all the leftover eggs? Chop 'em up and you have egg salad for sandwiches. They actually are a very frugal little appetizer.

Love, Bay