|
|
|
Hello,
Today's Holiday Family Tradition Recipe is Hot Caramel Spiced Cider, and it's by me! If have a holiday recipe that your family can't live out be sure to send it in.
Tomorrow's TF News is about Making Your Own Toys, if you have any ideas send them in.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Enter The New Tip Contest:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/contest.ldml
Frugal solutions to everyday problems: Submit a request...
http://www.thriftyfun.com/add.ldml
Holiday Travel Tips Ebook
Today's newsletter contains:
Today's Tips:
New Requests:
More Reading:
Search ThriftyFun Using Google: Click Here
Today's Sponsor
Refinancing Has Never Been This Easy - Free Service at 4LowRates.com
Today's Tips
Today's Family Tradition...
Hot Caramel Spiced Cider
By Susan Sanders-Kinzel
This is one of my families favorites. We make this every year during the holidays. The cider is good with or without the caramel and whipped cream.
We keep adding cider all day long when it starts to get low. You can add 2 cans of canned apple juice concentrate if cider is unavailable. I usually stock up a few gallons of apple juice or cider before the holidays so we don't run out.
Put 1 gallon of cider in a crock pot or large pot. Add spices. Heat it up until it is hot but not boiling. Once hot leave it on low heat with a ladle for serving. Add orange slices to pretty it up. Makes a nice warm beverage for the holidays.
Add a little caramel syrup to each cup, stir well and top with whipping cream. This gives it an apple pie taste.
My family likes this because it gives them something warm to drink in the evening other than coffee or eggnog. We started drinking it because we like what Starbuck's served and tried to replicate it at home. This is every bit as good.
Post Feedback: Click Here
When making chocolate milk for a treat, put milk and syrup in a sipper cup, put the lid on, cover the hole with your finger and shake to mix it up. No spoon to wash.
By Linda
Post Feedback: Click Here
Here is a no brainer dessert to take to a party that always gets me raves and requests for my recipe. Make a package of cheap brownie mix according to the directions. Sprinkle with holiday M & M's and then bake. Doesn't get much easier or cheaper than this!
By Linda
Post Feedback: Click Here
They love to hop in when you open your door! Buy the sticky mouse strips and place near doors exiting your home. When full toss in the trash.
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
Keep your toothbrush germ free!
Sterilize your toothbrushes by soaking in some bleach water to sanitize on a regular basis.
By Syd.
Editor's Note: I have read that you can soak them in 1 part bleach to 10 parts water for about 10 minutes and that should do the trick. Then rinse the toothbrush well and let it air dry.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Large Flat Desk Calendars For Craft Projects
When companies offer various type calendars this time of year, take one and use as a work pad for craft projects. Tear off the sheet when you've finished a messy project and toss in the trash.
By Syd
Editor's Note: They also have last years desk calendars at deeply discounted prices at office supply stores.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Turn Multiple Christmas Lights Easily with One Click
Remote wall boxes that plug into wall outlets come with a clicker that comes in different frequencies, i.e. A, B, C, D. The clickers also states which channel clicker it is, so you won't mix up the combination.
Within a room you can have several boxes of the same frequencies to turn on a lot of lights using only one clicker. You can plug a power strip into the wall box for more connections too.
You can use a different frequency in an adjoining room.
Using different frequencies keeps you from getting two different rooms screwed up and out of sequence. If you should have this happen, just unplug the box and let it reset itself!
We have Christmas lights throughout the house and ten big and small trees plus white decorating lights, also some white lights on bushes outside. Turning on lights is rather simple now!
TIP: If you are no longer using the remote box and clickers, remove the battery from the clickers.
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
Tips for saving money on hand soap. Post your ideas below!
Put Cheap Shampoo In Liquid Hand Soap Dispensers
Buy cheap shampoo on sale and refill the soap dispensers. Some come in nice fragrances too!
By Syd
Post Feedback: Click Here
I found several old multi-pane windows in our barn when we moved. I cleaned them up and added mirrors and a cardboard backing for inserting pictures into the "frames"! They are great and friends and family all want them for Christmas! My second try I used colored tissue paper as backgrounds for my pictures and cut-to-size scenes from wallpaper border to create a western theme! These are great and easy!
By joybug
Post Feedback: Click Here
Spot Cleaning the Kitchen Floor
Spot clean your kitchen floor when company's coming and no time to get out the mop! Throw down a dampened sponge and scrub it around with your foot, then clean it in the sink or drop in a plastic bag to clean later.
Saves your nails and knees!
By Ann Emond
Post Feedback: Click Here
When traveling, I firmly believe in "Ziplocks or bust." Especially with kids!! I use zip locks when packing for anything that may open in my bag. Like lotion, shampoo, hair product, toothpaste. I use it as a makeup bag for the week. But most importantly I use it for my baby. Dirty diapers can become a really smelly situation. With a housekeeper visiting only once a day those diapers can stack up. Place each diaper in a zip lock and it's odor free vacationing. Also good for those clothing accidents! Ah, ziplock... endless possibilities!
By Brenda
Post Feedback: Click Here
Ingredients:
Cook raisins and hot water for 10 minutes. Cream well sugar, shortening, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, and egg. Add 1 cup cold water to cooked raisins (do not drain) and add to creamed mixture. Mix flour, soda, and baking powder and add to above. Bake in greased and floured 9x13 inch pan in 350 degree oven.
Frost with Caramel Cream Frosting.
Caramel Creme Frosting:
Heat to boiling:
Stir constantly. Remove from heat,
Add
By Robin
Post Feedback: Click Here
Ingredients:
Directions:
Combine cake mix, pudding mix, water, and oil in large bowl. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition until blended. Stir in poppy seeds. Pour into a 12 cup bundt pan that has been greased and floured or sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Allow to cool 15 minutes, then remove from pan. Drizzle with glaze made by combining the following:
For a less sweet cake, omit the glaze and dust with powdered sugar at serving time.
By Robin
Post Feedback: Click Here
Ingredients:
Directions:
Prepare cake mix per package directions. Pour half the batter into a greased and floured 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Melt caramels, butter and milk together. Pour over cake. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and nuts. Top with remaining batter. Bake at 250 degrees for 20 minutes.. Then increase oven to 350 degrees and bake 10 minutes more.
By Robin
Post Feedback: Click Here
Ingredients:
Mix sugar, salt, and flour. Rub in butter. Add milk and egg yolks. Cook in double boiler until very thick and holds its shape. While hot, add 1 pkg. chocolate chips and 1/2 t. vanilla. Mix well and then chill. When cool, roll in small balls. You may roll in nutmeats, if desired.
By Robin
Post Feedback: Click Here
Ingredients:
(This recipe has been handed down, but never written with exact measurements). Dump sugar (I used 1 cup) into large heavy saucepan (4 qt.). Add enough cocoa to make the sugar dirty. Add enough light Karo syrup to make the mixture sticky gooey. Add enough milk to make mixture sloppy. Cook, stirring until mixture boils. Boil without stirring until soft ball stage. Remove from heat, add a couple of tablespoons of butter and cool. Add vanilla. Beat until candy loses the gloss. Pour into buttered pan.
By Robin
Post Feedback: Click Here
Ingredients:
Directions:
Place sugar and water in a large cast iron skillet and boil until a drop hardens quickly when placed in cold water. Reduce heat and add peanuts. Cool until peanuts are done. (Test in cold water.) Remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla and stir. Let cool 3 minutes. Sprinkle soda over top and stir quickly. Pour on buttered cookie sheet. (Do not stir after pouring from skillet.)
By Robin
Post Feedback: Click Here
Tips for making cookies. Post your ideas!
Save Time Making Cookies
To save time, avoid making cookies that need to be rolled and cut, then decorated. Stick with bar cookies, drop cookies and refrigerator cookies. Who wants to spend 10 minutes decorating a cooky that will be eaten in 2 seconds?
By Linda
Post Feedback: Click Here
Ingredients:
Directions:
Serves all. Take Love and Loyalty, and mix it thoroughly with Faith. Blend it with Tenderness, Kindness, and Understanding. Sprinkle abundantly with Laughter. Bake it with Sunshine and serve daily with generous helpings. Best Wishes for a Holiday season with a full measure of Health and Happiness in the New Year!
By Robin
Post Feedback: Click Here
I put Asian Pear in my Spinach Salad - they don't turn brown - you don't even have to dip them it in lemon juice.
By Faye
Post Feedback: Click Here
Potted paperwhites make an interesting frugal gift. For more interest, pot them in a clear dish filled with sand. The bulbs can be found at garden stores and the clear dishes are usually available at thrift stores.
By Lynn
Post Feedback: Click Here
Uses for Torengo's Chip Containers
Wash and reuse those plastic containers that Torengos chips come in. I use them for everything from storing small craft parts to keeping prepackaged granola bars fresh (and bug free) in my office desk. I also use them as travel containers for toothpaste tubes, toothbrush, combs, etc. They pack well, nothing spills and nothing gets lost in the bottom of the suitcase. And the biggest benefit is that they are filled with snacks that my boys love when I buy them and when the snacks are gone, they are free and practical storage for me!
By readingiggits
Post Feedback: Click Here
Bouncy Hair Again With Baking Soda
Put about a tablespoon of baking soda in your hand along with some shampoo and wash your hair, it gets out all the hair spray, chemicals etc. Your hair feels great and is back to normal again.
By jaccass
Post Feedback: Click Here
Be sure to check out our active topics page to follow the discussion.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/board.html
Tip Contest
Submit a tip and you could win:
New Contest! $30.00 Gift Card
In our newest contest we are giving away a $30.00 Gift Card at one of the following stores: Home Depot, Jo-Ann's Crafts or Amazon.com. If you are the winner, you get to choose which gift card! We figured it would be more valuable if you pick out your own prize, that's why we have decided to go the gift card route. This contest will end on December 15th.
Syndication Spotlight:
Here are some publishers that have chosen to publish our tips this week!
Dear Webby's Humor Letter
Webby publishes our tips daily! A very funny newsletter.
http://webby.com/humor
Do you publish a newsletter? Sign up for our Tip Syndication:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/syndication.html
New Requests:
Latex Paint Spilled on Blue Jeans
My husband spilled some latex paint and it got on my blue jeans. i soaked them in cold water, I blotted. i tried stain remover. I am keeping them wet because I know heat can set the stain more. I'm letting them air dry. I did everything I knew to do, can you help me?? Sweethoney
Post Feedback: Click Here
My mother showed me how to tie a perfect bow years ago and just can't remember. Hers looked just like the ones on the trees you see in department store windows. Can any body help me? Darla
Post Feedback: Click Here
Does anyone have a solution to a hot iron mark on cotton clothing; there is no burn mark just a darker looking area that feels stiffer from the rest. Ellen from MA
Post Feedback: Click Here
I really need some info on the cross breed of the Snoodle (Schnoodle). the Breeders all say great things but they are of course selling these babies for a living. Please let me know if you have first hand experience with this mix.
Terri Vargas
Post Feedback: Click Here
Hi everyone, this Saturday evening (12/13) we are having an adult (don't take that wrong!!) Christmas dance party and social. I know there are lots of fun games out there like the letters to Christmas songs all mixed up or music notes only on a sheet and figure out the songs, etc. You get the idea. Does anybody have things like this or other ideas to play for a good clean adult party. Thanks, Penny, Kirkland, WA
Post Feedback: Click Here
Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here: Click Here
Today's Sponsor
Refinancing Has Never Been This Easy - Free Service at 4LowRates.com
More Reading:
5 Simple Ways to Get Organized for the Holidays
By Maria Gracia
The holidays are approaching. Here are 5 great ways to get organized for this festive season.
View Article: Click Here
The Potential Dangers of Cosigning a Loan
By Brian Torrance
Many parents find themselves in a dilemma when their children come to them and ask them to cosign a loan. It may be a family member or friend, but when considering cosigning, it's best to protect yourself first and foremost.
View Article: Click Here
Wedding Favors that Embrace Nature's Beauty
By Lizzy Mansfield
A wedding planned in the spirit of nature provides the perfect avenue for selecting wedding favors fashioned after elegant symbols consisting of, but not limited to maple leaves, butterflies, lavender buds, and roses. While there is certainly no shortage of wedding favors available today that are inspired by nature, those that are carefully designed with distinctive style and artistic detail remain popular choices.
View Article: Click Here
Gift Ideas For Women - Choosing The Right Gift
By Bonnie Jo Davis
Although there are many variables to choosing the right gift for the woman in your life some rules always apply. Following are some basic tips to help you through the murky waters of choosing a gift.
View Article: Click Here
Let others know that you like this Ezine:
Vote For the Daily Thrifty Tips
More Stuff
Coupon Swap!
Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users:
Seed Swap!
Swap seeds with other ThriftyFun.com users:
Tip Contest!
Submit a tip and enter our contest.
Submit a Request
Frugal solutions to everyday problems.
Search ThriftyFun!
Use Google technology to search ThriftyFun.
Like ThriftyFun on Facebook
