Free Breakfast at IKEA

From Dec. 26th through Jan.3rd IKEA is offering a free breakfast until 11a.m. each day.
What a way to start the day!
Go here to see the details and a list of some super deals each day until the 3rd.

I'll Wish You All a Merry Christmas

I know it's still a few days till Christmas, but I can see how these past days went flying by and also see how the hours on the calendar are pretty well jam packed from now through... hmmm. next year! Tomorrow ( Lord willing ) I get to go to Seattle to pick up my sister and see my dear mother in law. ( Her cancer is back and quite aggressive so I am happy to be able to bring the younger children there to see grandma while she is still herself!)

Thank you all for coming by and checking in, for sending in the deals, and for hanging out with us frugal friends! Your company has been greatly appreciated!

My prayer for all of you is that you can enjoy the next couple of weeks with family and friends, but mostly that you will take the time to Be Still before the Almighty, and know that He IS GOD! What a blessing we have been given, be sure to take advantage of THIS free gift! Hmm.. as I type I realize what a coincidence... speaking of free things... wonder if this one would pass around blogsphere by the 10's of thousands and how many are bending their knees and hearts and receiving the gift that has been given! The forgiveness of all of our sins, thanks to the Christ-child, coming to earth, born in a stable, walked as man, and finally, accepted the punishment of God Almighty for you and for me! What a wonderful, unspeakable offer He gives to all who will believe!

His promise is sure... (here's the place to 'sign up') Come unto ME, and I will GIVE you rest.
With thanks and praise to Him who has redeemed us, From our family to yours, we wish you all a Blessed Christmas. Most likely there will be very few posts till next year.

Christmas Day Brunch Ideas

We grew up doing all of our Christmas activities on Christmas Eve. When Christmas Day rolled around, it was like any other day, no special meals, no company, no... nothing. It really was a lonely day. Not sure why it happened that way but... oh well. Today is here.

We have chosen to try to keep the day as stress free as possible even though often we have a houseful. One thing that has helped me to be less stressed is to have a brunch instead of a 'Christmas Dinner'. I find that if we say brunch, no one knows quite what to expect, I'm free to make what I want, and if at the last minute something doesn't turn out, or there isn't time to make something... no one knows the difference!!

Often we have others over and they will ask what they can bring. I try to give them a few choices and then just mark what ever they have chosen to bring off my list of things to do.

Many times we have similar dishes, sort of our tradition, that my dear husband and children ask for. This year our menu looks like this:

Turkey Breast
Apple glazed Meat Mixture ( as we call it - recipe below)
Chili/ Bacon Egg Bake ( a new one for us)
7 Layer Salad
Fruit Tray ( Oranges, Pomegranates, Asian Pears)
Swedish Limpa Bread
Finnish Nisu ( a sweet bread)

Homemade Apple Cider
Orange Juice
Coffee
Tea

Followed by: Cranberry Orange Cake with warm butter sauce
Peppermint Ice Cream with Hot Fudge Topping

Recipes:
Apple Glazed Meat Mixture
8-10 Pork Sausage Links
3/4 lbs. cooked kielbasa sausage (cut into slices)
1/4 cup apple jelly
1/4 cup apple juice
2 T. maple flavored syrup
6 oz Canadian bacon, sliced or chunked

In skillet, combine sausage links, kielbasa and apple juice. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook over med heat about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to med-low and continue to cook 15 minutes until sausage is cooked. Remove Kielbasa. Continue cooking until sausage is browned ( about 2 minutes) Remove sausage from skillet. Reserve 2 T. drippings. Stir apple jelly and syrup into drippings in skillet. Add Canadian bacon. Cook over med. heat until thoroughly heated. Add kielbasa and sausage, turning to coat with glaze. Arrange on platter, spoon remaining glaze over top.


:) and of course, there IS a variation to this.
I have used ham instead of the Canadian bacon, added regular bacon, used ready cooked sausages, and maple flavored sausage. This is a favorite with the men at this house!