Tag Archives: family

Frugal Christmas

Posted on December 7, 2008 by greenbucks| 23 Comments

I have started a series of Frugal Christmas posts about personalized Christmas gift tags, being on the lookout for that “perfect” chocolate chip cookies recipe so I can bake these as as gifts and handmade paper stockings as tree ornaments.

I hope to feature more of the things/ideas that I want to do.

To further perk me up, I have decided to do the Weekly Question about Frugal Christmas ideas/practices.

Check out this New York Times article: No Job and Fewer Gifts

So the Weekly Question is:

What frugal or practical Christmas tips (does your family practice) that you can share to cut down on Christmas-related expenses but not necessarily sacrificing on quality?

My answer:

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Posted in blogging101, family, Interesting Topics, Money Watch, Philippines, Urban Living, Weekly Questions

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Looking for Baked Goodies Recipes

Posted on December 5, 2008 by greenbucks| 3 Comments

I am on the lookout for the perfect chocolate chip cookies recipe or the perfect fudge recipe.

Why? I plan to give these away to relatives and friends.

Because I am determined to practice “Frugal Christmas” though of course, because I have forgotten the baking lessons I have had eons ago, I may even be spending more than I care to if my baking forays will end up as failures.

Not to mention getting those necessary equipments for these experiments mean another extra dip in my already dwindling resources, I am still determined to do these and not shop for other gifts besides those for my students.

Below is something I made that comes from a recipe for blueberry muffins but I decided to put these in mini loaf pans so the kids can have slices instead of muffins. Turned out ok, I guess since they ate everything. Or maybe they were just hungry.

If these are not too good to give away, if they are edible at least and not life-threatening ( 😀 ), my kids would be more than willing to have these for themselves. I know how they loved baked goodies.

For those people I know who are eternally looking for the best fat burner, hah, get ready to eat these baked goodies once I perfect the procedure. As if.

Posted in Dining, family, For Information, Money Watch, Photos

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Keeping Clean

Posted on December 3, 2008 by greenbucks| 1 Comment

One of the most important things we mothers want to achieve is to keep the home clean and worry-free.

Why so? Because germs have no “right” to be in places where they can cause harm to people, especially children.

Here are some basic materials and steps that homemakers need to keep the sanctuary called “home” clean and safe:

  • Brooms and dust pans, mops, rags, dust cleaner, scrubs and brushes. Discarded toothbrushes are also helpful.
  • Mold killers as well as mildew killers.  Vinegar and citrus juice as nontoxic alternatives.
  • Baking soda for cleaning counter tops as well as eliminating odors in laundry.
  • A long stick broom for reaching the ceilings to get rid of unwanted cobwebs.
  • Keep those plastic grocery bags to be used as lining to trash cans.
  • Separate the trash according to characteristics: wet (fruit and vegetable peelings) dry (boxes) and recyclables (galls and plastic bottles, tin cans and other materials made of plastic).

One does not need to do a thorough cleaning up everyday, a few minutes spent on cleaning will come a long way.

Posted in Environment, family, For Information, Urban Living

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Childhood Christmas Memories

Posted on December 1, 2008 by greenbucks| 7 Comments

The Christmas spirit is alive and well, despite the hardships and worries we (all) have gone through this year.

I have deliberately decided to do this Weekly Question today to kick off a Christmas-inspired weekly question that I have prepared.

Incidentally, the FilipinoMomBlog.com invites you to join our Christmas finds weekly meme called Fab Holiday Finds. Check out the mechanics here, thank you 🙂

What special Christmas memories do you still cherish as the years pass by?

My answer:

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Posted in family, Philippines, Photos, Thought Bubbles, Weekly Questions

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Walking in the Woods

Posted on December 1, 2008 by greenbucks| 13 Comments

Walking in the woods does a lot of wonderful things to the body and mind, and spirit.

One feels one with nature as listening to the chirping birds, smelling the smell of leaves, seeing colorful flowers, feeling the drizzling rain falling softly on one’s face, and inhaling fresh cool air are all incomparable experiences on a lazy Sunday weekend. For us, at least.

Such was what we did yesterday (Sunday) morning. We were not able to have a picnic on our picnic mat as we planned to because of the drizzles but we had fun nonetheless.

Have you tried this experience or are you one of those who feel more at ease in an air conditioned place where sights and sounds intertwine endlessly during Sundays?


Posted in Environment, family, Philippines, Photos, Weekend Snapshots

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