EASY and frugal coffee cake!!

I love this Overnight (or not) coffee cake recipe!! I have made it so many times. It does not require any expensive ingredients, is easy to assemble and is ALWAYS a hit. I also love it because you can mix it up the night before if you want and then all you have to do is put the topping on and pop it in the oven. If I don't have enough fridge space for a 9*13 pan I will mix up the dry ingredients and the liquid ingredients the night before (storing the liquid in the fridge) and then quickly mixing them together in the morning. It is a flexible recipe and does not require sour cream. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy coffee cake made with sour cream, but the price adds up....

Overnight (or not) Coffee Cake
Mix together in a large bowl:
2 cups flour
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Stir in:
1 cup sour milk (1 tsp vinegar or lemon juice with the milk)
3/4 cup oil
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla

Crumb topping:
Cut the following together with a pastry cutter or with two knives until well blended.
2/3 cup flour
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Mix and refrigerate overnight in a 9*13 GREASED baking pan. Top with crunch topping in the morning. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes until tooth pick in center comes out clean. You can also just bake it right away without refrigeration. If I am going to make it the night before I prepare the crumb topping and just store it separate till morning. ENJOY!!

I made a double batch of this coffee cake ( I have posted the recipe before) this week.... trust me, it is GONE!!! I did share some with some neighbors, but we ate our fair share!!! Sharing home made baked goods is a fabulous way to bless others. I enjoy baking and I know lots of folks that love eating!!

For more frugal Friday posts visit lifeasmom.com.
Picture from allposters.com

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Home made flavored iced coffee!

Enjoying the fun things in life without going broke! I LOVE coffee.... and ICED coffee on a HOT summer day just calls my name. The coffee shop prices are just out of this world and even the McDonalds prices are too much for me. However, I have perfected my home made version and can make it for a fraction of the price. The best part is that I can make them with DECAF coffee.... better for me. Look at Sams, Costco or Gorden's for flavored syrup. It doesn't take that much... an man.... yummy!!!!!

Home Made Iced Coffee:
All you need is four ingredients:
Freshly brewed coffee... double strength
Ice
half and half or milk
your choice of flavored syrup ( they come unsweetened, sweetened and sugar free)

Directions:
1) Brew your coffee in your coffee pot, just use double the grounds.
2) Pour your fresh coffee over ice to cool
3) Place some ice in a cup (I use an insulated mug) and pour in the cooled coffee. Add to it the half and half or milk (use as much or as little as you like). Add in the flavored syrup. (I started off with a TBL of syrup and went up from there... find the level of flavor that you love... I use 1/8 cup for a LARGE cup) Stir and savor!!!

ENJOY!!!!! Good simple things in life without going broke!!! YEAH!!!

For more frugal tips visit Lifeasmom.com

EASY (super fast) Banana Poppy Seed Bread

I haven't been baking much lately.... too busy enjoying life OUTSIDE!! However, I realized that my family was missing the goodies that they are used to enjoying. So, last night I gave this snappy recipe a try... it was a HUGE hit!!! Talk about EASY (and frugal).... I hope you like it as much as we did! It was the perfect way to use a couple of over ripe bananas.

EASY Banana Poppy Seed Bread
1 Pkg (18 1/4 oz) yellow cake mix
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1 tsp poppy seeds (you can omit these)

Directions:
1) Mash the bananas and milk together till smooth
2) In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients. Beat with mixer for 2 minutes.
3) Pour batter into 2 greased loaf pans
4) Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool.

For more frugal friday posts visit lifeasmom.com

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Living a RICH life

I CHOOSE to live RICH! "Poor" is a mindset. There is a HUGE difference between 'poor' and 'broke'. There is a HUGE difference between 'wealthy' and 'rich'. We are living RICH, we are living life with a heart of gratitude, focusing on the blessings in life. Wealthy is a matter of money, RICH is a matter of the heart.

We are living RICH by living life to the fullest enjoying all the wonderful blessings God gives. Life is 'rich' when you choose to open your heart to all of the little things that make life so sweet. Cherishing simple things like breathing in fresh air, receiving flowers from a child, relaxing in a warm bath, sinking in to a freshly fluffed pillow, driving a paid for vehicle, soaking up a beautiful sun set, eating a meal fresh from the garden.... Experiencing and reflecting on special times spent with family and friends. Mary, the mother of Jesus, 'stored up these things in her heart' (she stored the experiences of Chirst's early life in her heart to reflect on later). Life's greatest treasures are not things purchased at the mall (or even at Target... gasp....), the greatest treasures are the every day blessings of life.

Choosing to be RICH means slowing down, FOCUSING on the positives, SPEAKING gratitude and slaying the "gimmies" (children are not the only ones that get these). Choosing to be rich requires a heart of contentment. Thankful for all we have, not restless for things we want, realizing that having more will never satisfy the deep longings of the heart. The heart longs for things that really matter, trying to fulfill these longings with stuff only deepens the need.

I AM rich! I CHOOSE to focus on the little blessings in life that add up filling my life to the brim with true treasures!!!! Count your blessings and name them one by one!
My 'Frugal Friday' tip of the week is: Think about the longings of your heart. Can they really be filled by that next purchase?? You are not poor because your budget does not allow you to spend freely on all you want. CHOOSE to be rich by living a RICH life... a life lived enjoying the simple things! Challenge yourself to LOOK for the many wonderful simple things that make your life RICH!! Dwell on these, not on any lack. For more Frugal Friday ideas visit LifeAsMom.com

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Practicing Gratitude

Practicing Gratitude requires just that ..... PRACTICE! We have to TRAIN ourselves to live with a content and grateful heart. If you don't believe me find a 2 year old that is naturally full of gratitude!

An amazing thing happens when you CHOOSE to live with a heart of GRATITUDE: peace! A heart full of longing for more and discontent with today is a heart in turmoil. Gratitude is the key to living a content life, a life of peace! I think that this is the first key to Choosing Simplicity for your life.

Practice Gratitude today: Grab your journal (or a piece of paper), set the timer for just FIVE minutes and start writing down things you have to be thankful for. TRUST me.... as you start writing more and more things will come to mind. When the five minutes is up re-read over your list.... CHOOSE to spend the rest of the day thanking God for the blessings you wrote down. CHOOSE to stay in gratitude mindset... if you start to sway SWITCH back.

When you live with a heart of gratitude you live a life of contentment. Contentment keeps you from spending money on things that you don't need... your focus on the blessings you HAVE keeps your mind from focusing on what you don't have. So, my frugal Friday tip of the week is KEEP your heart/mind focused on thoughts, words and actions of GRATITUDE!!! Count your blessings, name them one by one. For more Frugal Friday tips visit LifeAsMom.com.

Please try this activity.... I have done it and it is POWERFUL!!! Puts things into perspective. It also works with relationships as well.... feeling frustrated with a spouse, a child, a friend?? Set the timer for five minutes and write down all the GOOD things about that person!!!!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

"Pay Jobs"

"Mom, can I have ____, I NEED ___, I want ____, Jonny has ____," and on and on it goes! My kids can't be the only ones affected by the HUGE advertising methods used to target kids. Companies spend a ton of money to get your kids to WANT things so that we BUY them!!! These marketing campaigns are working. Parents do spend their money on stuff for their children. Lots of parents fork out LOTS of money on the new movies, the new gaming systems, sports equipment, extra curricular activities, electronics, clothes, shoes, etc!

Choosing Simplicity in our home: My husband and I decided toghether that we will provide our children with ALL of their basic needs. They won't be lacking in any NEED. We also have decided that we will provide a FEW extras. We are careful about what we CHOOSE because we can't do and have it all. We enjoy giving our children "extras", but are careful about keeping a balance.

What happens if one of our kids has a WANT that isn't included in our provision??? They EARN the money to buy it. PERIOD. They do "Pay Jobs" around the house. Things that go beyond their daily "because you are part of the family" chores. They WORK (shocking) for their extra WANTS!!!!

They don't have the "gimmies", because they KNOW that STUFF has a REAL price tag. They appreciate what extras they have since they have INVESTED their time and effort into acquiring that item. (and they really feel BLESSED to be GIVEN things... they do not take them for granted) They do sometimes feel frustrated and jealous of kids that get EVERYTHING from their parents..... hey, I can relate! Sometimes I feel frustrated and jealous of others having things I don't. Watching others spend money on things (or spending debt) is a LIFE LONG battle my children will face. I want them to learn from DAY 1 that things come with a price and that STUFF doesn't equal joy!!!

So, my "frugal Friday" tip of the week is to set a LIMIT to what you will buy for your children and then let them EARN the extras. Have a plan, and then go with it. You will be amazed by how much less they "want" and how much effort they will put in to attaining things that they really VALUE having. It will teach them far more than money management.... it will teach them character traits like dedication, honesty, determination, respect and confidence. They will gain real life SKILLS as they do jobs!! I am so proud of the skills and abilities my children have gained while doing "Pay Jobs". In fact, just last night I came home from an evening meeting to a CLEAN kitchen.... thanks to my 11 year old son that KNOWS how takle a messy kitchen!!!

More DETAILS about specifics and how we implement this can be found here.

For more "frugal friday" ideas visit Life As Mom.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Celebration Bread Braid and "Better Butter"

This bread is so beautiful and tastes wonderful! I love to make this bread for special occasions or to give as a gift. It isn't any harder to make than traditional yeast bread, you just follow the simple 4 strand braid techniques as explained in the recipe below. Let me just tell you, this bread is impressive.... both in beauty and in flavor! You can also find the recipe here.

"Better Butter" makes the perfect companion to this bread. Better butter is a recipe from the More with Less cookbook. (If you do not have this cook book I highly recommend it. In fact my neighbor blessed me with a new copy! Thank you, Peggy!) I was raised with many More With Less recipes. Simple, wholesome, frugal food.

Better Butter
Set butter out and bring to room temperature. In blender whip together equal parts of butter and oil (I use canola). Whip till very creamy. Store in containers in the fridge... will stay soft and yummy!

Variations: Honey Butter.... simply add in some honey in replace of some oil.
Cinnamon Butter.... add in some brown sugar and cinnamon
Garlic and Herb.... add in some garlic powder and herbs

Put some Better Butter in a pretty jar and give that along with a loaf of Celebration Bread and you have a fantastic and frugal gift that any one will enjoy! Home made bread is just about the ultimate comfort food! My mouth is watering just looking at the picture! I am glad that my friend, Becky, is bringing a loaf of this to our "mom's group" Bible study luncheon tomorrow! For more Frugal ideas visit Biblical Womanhood.

Celebration Bread Braid

Ingredients:

• 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon cold water

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the butter, sugar, salt, eggs and 3 cups flour. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into four pieces. Shape each piece into an 18-in. rope. Place ropes parallel to each other on a greased baking sheet. Beginning from the right side, braid dough by placing the first rope over the second rope, under the third and over the fourth. Repeat three or four times, beginning each time from the right side. Pinch ends to seal and tuck under.
Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Beat egg yolk and water; brush over braid. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool. Yield: 1 loaf.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Victory Garden Friday!!!

Grow a Victory Garden!!!!

As I shared in more detail here, the "Victory Garden" campaign of the 1940's was very successful at inspiring folks to raise some of their own food. With the economic situation of today I am hoping that another Victory Garden grass roots effort will take off. If each of us just raised ONE thing! ONE meal!!

I have started some plants in my big south window. Container gardening and window gardening is possible for people with out room to plaint a traditional garden. Right now I have a flat of lettuce and one of spinach growing very nicely. (note the plastic wrap over the one flat. I do this until the seeds germinate. It keeps the soil very moist and warm.) These little plants won't ever make it to the garden in the spring... we will have eaten them up by them just in time to plant some more spring lettuce outside.

Sometimes we just have to think outside the box! Never gardened?? Live in an apartment?? Have a small yard?? You CAN grow some fresh veggies! They taste SO GOOD!! There are so many resources on-line for any type of gardening. With just a little research and learning you will be all set to grow some good home grown food!!!!

So for the cost of a pack of seeds and a little potting soil we will enjoy SEVERAL meals of FRESH lettuce and spinach. For more frugal tips visit Biblical Womanhood.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Organization for the NOT Born Organized!

Born Organized??? Not me!! (That award goes to my sisters!) However, I know I am not alone... Flylady helps so many of us! I have learned so much from her over the past five years and our home shows it.

For frugal Fridays I am going to share some of my favorite "organizing" tools I have put into action in our home. I use an empty tissue box to hold plastic store bags. I keep this box of bags under the bathroom sink and every morning after I "swish and swipe" the bathroom I empty the bathroom trash can and replace the bag! Simple, Organized, and Frugal!

Do you have a favorite frugal organizing tip to share?? I am always looking for helpful hints! For other frugal tips visit Biblical Womanhood.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Chooisng Simplicity.... every little thing counts!

"Stuck on" food in a dish or pan?? In my quest for a simpler life I have made several changes. One thing that works for us is making our cleaners. I have found a dishwasher recipe that is fantastic with our water (hard, we use a softener, with a VERY high PH level) AND it is the BEST solution to stuck on dishes that need hand washed! Many people do not find that home made dishwasher soaps works well with their water in their dishwashers, however this recipe is PERFECT for soaking stuck on dishes! Works like a dream.... No more frustration!

Home made Dishwasher soap AND "stuck on" eliminator:
Ingredients
2 cups WASHING soda (I know that our Meijer and Kroger carry this found next to the Borax in the laundry soap section)
1 cup BRORAX
1 pkt lemon flavored koolaid (non sweetened)

Directions:
Simply mix all ingredients in an air tight container and store for use. For dish washing I use 2-3 tsp in my closed lid soap dish. That is all. To get "stuck on" food off of a pan or dish I just put 1-3 tsp of the mix and fill up with hot water. You can add a little bit of dish soap, but it isn't necessary. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes and wash.... so EASY!!!!!!!!! For REALLY stuck on things I just let it soak over night and in the morning everything just RINSES of!!!!

My husband and I are continually looking for ways to become more self sufficient and less reliant on store bought items. We are learning new things all the time. Go here to read about our experience last weekend butchering our first PIG! Go here to read an encouraging article by the Eclectic Farm. They are completely OFF GRID!!! I actually could do that.... now to convince the hubby! For more Frugal Friday tips go to Biblical Womanhood!

One BIG thing that simplifies life is having a menu plan and saving money at the grocery store. Visit my other site, Simple Family Supper!

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

Broken down walls....part THREE... with a Frugal Friday twist!

Financial walls:
WALLS! To recap: They provide protections (by keeping things in or out), create boundaries, create an identity. They provide safety, security and freedom. The strength of my walls is directly related to my self-control!!! Start with the first in this series for more on the important "walls" in our lives.

Proverbs 25:28 "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self control."

Self control is the BALANCE of the NOT and the DO.

I am in NO way qualified to teach on finances... I will leave that up to the experts! However, I have learned some valuable lessons relating to self-control and money!!!!!

Over the past few years our family has been attacking our debt and changing our outlook on money. We discovered Dave Ramsey and our life has not been the same since! I do believe what Larry Burket said for years "The way you spend your money says a lot about the condition of your heart."

God, how is my financial wall?? Am I balancing the NOT and the DO? Are my motives right and pure?? We have made so many mistakes in our past! God is full of GRACE and has been with us each and every step of the way as we learn to line up our finances with HIS word!

The SPENDING PLAN requires CONSTANT self-control. It is so easy to fall to weak moments and chip away at the "wall". I have those days that I just don't FEEL like cooking.... I have those days I don't FEEL like paying the bills.... I have moments that I just FEEL like buying a new whatever.... I have days that my thoughts are full of the "If I only had", "If I could just get..", "If only I had more money" "I WANT", "I need", or "I wish...". Retail therapy is a hard habit to break (even if yard sales and goodwill are my shopping of choice)!! Little chips add up to big chunks.

Financial "Walls" need constant PROTECTION.... Self-control is a key way of protecting it. We can't control all of life's curve balls, but we can use wisdom to be as prepared as possible. Eliminating debt, saving up an emergency fund, paying off the house and investing for the future are all things we can do! Walking with self-control is the ONLY way I am going to accomplish these goals.... Exercising self-control in the area of money will make me look different than the rest of America.... Like Dave Ramsey says "Live like no one else, so that later I can live like no one else"!!!

God, continue to give me wisdom each day relating to our finances. Help me to walk in self control. Thank you for being faithful to meet ALL of our needs. Open my eyes to see more clearly the difference between a NEED and a WANT!

For more frugal living posts visit Biblical Womanhood for Frugal Friday.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

One BIG way we save money is having a menu plan.
www.simplefamilysupper.com
Sign up for the free Simple Family Supper Yahoo Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SimpleFamilySupper/

Passed down the generations.....

As you might have guessed from my last few posts... I LOVE history, I LOVE cooking and I LOVE family! Put those three things together and you get this Cobbler recipe that comes from my Great-Grandmother, given to my by my Grandma. You can use this recipe with peaches or apples.... just depends on what is in season. Right now my peach trees (I have two) are LOADED!!! YUMMY!!! They are small and take forever to "put-up" so we mostly enjoy them fresh. This desert is a MUST make during peach season. Enjoy! Using "in season" fruit is a great way to save money. I try to "put-up" as many types of fresh produce as I can to enjoy over the winter. In the winter I enjoy making mixed fruit cobblers.... a little of every fruit in my freezer! We have had some interesting combinations and it is ALL good! I am going to type up the recipe the exact way it was given to me.... I use whatever fruit is in season. The boy's and I picked some blueberries tonight at a local farm... they are yummy to add in! For more frugal ideas go to Biblical Womanhood for Frugal Friday.

Great-Grandmother's Cobbler

Fill a 9x13 pan with peeled and sliced apples (about 5-7 cups)

Cut together the following ingredients until crumbly and spread over the apples:
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar (more for tart apples) (can use 1/2 cup brown and 1/2 cup white)
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 unbeaten egg
1/2 stick butter

After you spread this mixture over the fruit sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg over topping.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.


Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com
Sign up for the free Simple Family Supper Yahoo Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SimpleFamilySupper/

Frugal fun in the sun!

Last Sunday we skipped church (go ahead, get the gasp out!) and headed for the beach!!! (we needed a BREAK from all the "stuff") We aren't going on "vacation" this year so we have done a few "day trips". Day trips are fun and save a ton of money. We went to a state park 60 miles away. Every year we purchase a State Park annual pass. We have a State park in our backyard and so we get our money's worth of use. This was our first trip to this lake and we will be going BACK soon! It was a wonderful, CLEAN, beach! We had SO much FUN!!!!! In the picture my hubby is with our youngest two while the oldest two kids are swimming in the distance. We packed our lunch and drinks and made a frugal day of swimming and laughter!!!! State Parks are a wonderful resource for fantastic family fun!
To read other frugal tips visit Biblical Womanhood.

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather
www.simplefamilysupper.com

Summer time treat: home made chocolate pudding!

Making homemade pudding is EASY and keeps all the chemicals in processed pudding OUT! Homemade pudding is also loaded with calcium and protein... makes for a healthy treat! With milk prices going up we don't make it as often as I used to, but it is still a good summer time treat. For other frugal tips go here.

Hasty Chocolate Pudding
1 cup sugar (I actually use a little less)
2/3 cup cocoa powder
6 TBL cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
4 cups milk
4 tsp vanilla

1. In a microwave safe bowl whisk together the sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt.
2. Whisk in milk, a little at at time, so the the mixture does not have any dry lumps.
3. Place this mixture in the microwave and cook on high for 3 minutes. Stir, then cook at 1 minute intervals, stirring in between, until shiny and thick. (3dditional 3-5 minutes total)
   
4. Stir in vanilla
5. Place a piece of plastic wrap or wax paper directly on the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming. Chill. Serve cold. **I speed the cooling time by placing my bowl of pudding inside a large bowl filled with ice water. Just be careful to keep water out of pudding. Stir pudding every so often and replace ice water as necessary.**
   

Have a BLESSED day, BE a BLESSING!
Heather

It is 5 o'clock.... What is for supper???
To end this daily stress join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com

Frugal Friday

It is time for another addition of Frugal Friday....

My 12 year old laser printer is out of commission..... yikes!!! It is the most economical printer I have ever had!!! I got it my junior year in college and have printed THOUSANDS of pages through it and have only replaced the ink 5 times in 12 years! The toner costs $40 each..... not bad for 12 years of printing. I went out and bought ink for the ink jet..... so pricey for the number of prints. I am going to have a friend try to fix my laser (it has a sheet of paper JAMMED in) and if that isn't possible will be investing in another laser. I do so much printing with Simple Family Supper that I need an economical way to print.

My frugal tip: LASER printers!!!!!!!

Heather

Print out your own copy of the family friendly sample menu at www.simplefamilysupper.com!

Frugal Friday......deviled eggs

We eat a lot of eggs in our family. Having Chickens helps that! Anyway, my family loves deviled eggs so I have two tips to save you money, time and mess when making them:

1) Use OLDer eggs for boiling..... fresh ones will NOT peel! I can not make deviled eggs with my own fresh eggs... unless I mark a dozen in the fridge and then wait 6 weeks to use them. Buy eggs on mark down because they are at their sell by date. I bought 2 dozen last week at $.95 each for that reason.

2) To save time and eliminate mess I have a nifty tip! Put the yokes in a quart size zip lock bag. Add your other ingredients and zip the bag shut. Use your hands to mash and smash till the yoke mixture is smooth. Now here is the best part. Cut a small piece off one bottom corner and SQUEEZE the yoke mixture into the eggs like you would frost a cake.... NO mess... just throw away the bag when you are done!!!!!! Enjoy!!!!!

Happy Easter!!!! Enjoy some eggs!

I love saving time and mess in the kitchen!
Join me at www.simplefamilysupper.com

Frugal Friday...... hospitality

Is it possible to be both frugal and practice hospitality?? To stay on budget and still prepare a meal for a friend? YES!!! I believe 100% that as Christians we are called to practice hospitality and sharing. God has called us to love one another. A meal is a wonderful way to show and express love and care. I also know that God is our provider and if he is calling for us to be generous (which he is) then He WILL supply all of our needs!!! You can not out give God.... He will always make a way!!! Thoughts about this were stirred by a recent post here.

How to be both Hospitable and Frugal:

1. Make big batches of food. If I am taking a meal to someone I will just make double of what I am making for our family. If you are having quests over just make double to serve.
   
2. Stock up on loss leaders so that you have a supply in your pantry to prepare from.
3. If you don't want to make a complete meal a loaf of home made bread is a BIG treat for most people. Also, dropping of a desert always shows love. You can also invite friends over for desert and cards... this is one of our winter time favorites.
4. Never turn down help. If you invite friends over and they ask what they can bring have them bring a side or a desert. I NEVER mind taking something when we are invited and it really helps cut down on cost.
   
5. Keep the meals simple. Use the frugal recipes you use with your own family.
6. Give a gift from your garden. I don't know of anyone that will turn down fresh produce... unless they have a garden in full swing!
7. Give a gift from you pantry.... Do you can? Do you freeze? A homemade loaf of bread and homemade jam is a real treat!
   
8. Remember it is the HEART and ATTITUDE that God looks at!!!! A gift in love is what God desires.... He calls us to be cheerful givers. Don't give out of DUTY!

I believe in keeping things simple!!! Give my sample menu a try... they are easy to double, have some friends over and practice hospitality! www.simplefamilysupper.com

Have a Blessed Day,
Be a blessing!
Heather