According to the National Retail Federation, the average American spends about $1,000 on Christmas each year (source). Gifts, treats, decorations, and travel are great, but many of us don’t have a grand sitting around with which to pay for them. Thankfully, the most wonderful time of the year doesn’t have to also be the priciest time of … [Read more...] about All the Merry for Less Moolah: How to Save Money on Christmas
December 2021 Dinner Menu
The Christmas season is my favorite time of the year. I am thrilled to be listening to Christmas music, baking cookies, wrapping gifts, sharing the Jesse Tree tradition with my family, drinking peppermint hot chocolate, etc. As happened last month, I’m confident this month’s menu will undergo some changes as we near the end of the … [Read more...] about December 2021 Dinner Menu
10 Benefits of Engaging in Family Traditions
Yesterday, my daughters completed a gratitude activity that we complete each year before Thanksgiving. In the coming days, they will help me prepare traditional Thanksgiving foods. Then, I’ll recount stories of past Christmases as we hang ornaments on the Christmas tree. We’ll place our handprint tree skirt under the tree after adding this … [Read more...] about 10 Benefits of Engaging in Family Traditions
Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Pulled Pork
I came across this recipe some time ago. I thought it sounded delicious, but I wanted to wait until fall to give it a try. I finally prepared it last month, and it was fantastic! Ingredients (Adapted from this recipe.) 1 boneless pork shoulder roast (4 to 6 pounds) 2/3 cup apple juice, divided 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided 1 … [Read more...] about Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Pulled Pork
November 2021 Dinner Menu
Our weather has been absolutely gorgeous these last few days! It’s such a nice way to begin November. Like most of you, we’ll be busy this month engaging in gratitude activities, having family visit, and enjoying yummy foods as we feast together on Thanksgiving. I imagine our menu will undergo some changes as we get closer to the end of … [Read more...] about November 2021 Dinner Menu
14 Family-Friendly Gratitude Activities
I wrote a post several years ago about gratitude activities for the whole family. At the time, I didn’t have kids who were old enough to participate in most of the activities. However, my two eldest are now capable of engaging in these activities and my youngest can get the gist of some of them. I’ve taken the gratitude activities described … [Read more...] about 14 Family-Friendly Gratitude Activities
Snickerdoodle Apple Cobbler
Because it’s fall, we’ve been eating a lot of pumpkin-flavored treats. However, I love a variety of fall flavors, so this past week we tried a new dessert: Snickerdoodle Apple Cobbler. The flavor of this cobbler was incredible! If you like apples and snickerdoodles, then you’ll want to give this one a try … [Read more...] about Snickerdoodle Apple Cobbler
8 Benefits of Helping Others
When we help others, the idea is to benefit them. We’re trying to do our part to make the world a better place. Interestingly, a lot of recent research indicates that helping people around us actually boosts our own health and happiness. Here are 8 ways that being kind and generous benefits our own well-being. Benefits of helping … [Read more...] about 8 Benefits of Helping Others
