Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Of course I can't let you go without recommending that you take advantage of the post Christmas sales. Stock up on toys, decorations, wrapping paper and other Christmas themed items.  Children's clothes should also be on sale.  Wait for electronics though; they should go on sale at the end of January.

God bless,

Pam

Frugal Christmas Gifts: Free Books

Of course we all know that the library is the best place to get free books, but the librarians frown on us wrapping up their books to give away as gifts.

If you have access to your family's e-readers you can load free books into their library.  One of the best reference sites for free books is FreeReadFeed.  You can search for free books by setting your preferences.  It also shows the book's Amazon rating.

Enjoy!

God bless,
Pam

Good Read: A Christmas To Remember

A Christmas to Remember by Jill Shalvis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've tried to come up with an adjective to describe A Christmas To Remember and came up with several: warm, comfortable, uplifting and sweet. This group of Christmas themed romance stories are written by some of my favorite authors. Each one of them wrote a heart warming story.

This is a perfect book for the holidays when our days are so busy. Each story is just the right length for an evenings read and a couple of hours of enjoyment. I strongly recommend this book.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

Frugal Christmas Gifts: Everything Seasoning

Homemade food gifts are always a fun gift to make and receive.  This is the seasoning sprinkled on the top of everything bagels.  It is also good on meats and potatoes.

INGREDIENTS

1 Tbsp. poppy seeds
1 Tbsp. sesame seeds
1 Tbsp. dried minced garlic
1 Tbsp. dried minced onion
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

Mix thoroughly and placed in a decorative container.  Can be doubled, tripled, etc.

Look at the dollar or thrift store for a decorative shaker.  Place the spice mix and shaker in a basket with a pretty ribbon and Ta Da a frugal Christmas gift.

God bless,
Pam

Frugal Christmas Gift: Teeth Whitening System

I am at the age where I like to receive useful gifts.  Today a friend told me about a great online deal on a tooth whitening system.  Smile Bright is offering their $99 system for $25 if you use the coupon code kit19.

I don't know how long this code will be valid.

God bless,
Pam

Good Reads: The Last Clinic

The Last Clinic: A Darla Cavannah Mystery by Gary Gusick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a Southerner that spent her life working in public safety I can tell you that this well written mystery novel was right on the money. The characters, no matter how eccentric and racially biased, ring true.

Darla is a detective that has been transplanted from Philadelphia to Jackson, Missippi. While on leave after her husbands death she receives an early morning call from her boss, the Sheriff. A prominent local minister has been found murdered, hanging from a cross, in front of an abortion clinic.

Forced out of her mourning Darla is tasked with solving the murder case while burdened with being a Yankee in the South and being partnered with the mayor's nephew, an Elvis impersonator and right wing bigot. The investigation is intriguing and the suspects fascinating.

This isn't Southern noir, but comes close. Sometimes I found myself laughing at the extreme situations while also shaking my head in disgust. I was never bored with this book and I think it is well worth reading.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

Good Reads: Heartache Motel

Heartache Motel by Terri L. Austin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Heartache Motel is a kitschy, Elvis themed motel in Memphis. Run by drag queens and suffering from neglect the Heartache has somehow managed to attract three of Henery Press's most entertaining female detectives.

The three stories (almost novellas) take place at different times, but always during the Christmas holidays. They are well written, well edited, and entertaining.

I can definitely recommend Heartache Motel if you are looking for a fun Christmas read.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.

The Frugal Kitchen: Cornbread Stuffing Flavored Cornbread

It has been frustrating trying to come up with a name for this recipe.  Basically, it is cornbread that tastes like cornbread stuffing/dressing.  We didn't have Thanksgiving at our house this year and I was hungry for the taste of my cornbread stuffing, but didn't want to do all the work.  I came up with this recipe and it is a pretty decent substitute.


INGREDIENTS

Use your favorite cornbread recipe add to it:
1 small can creamed corn
2 stalks of celery, diced
1 sweet onion, diced
3 Tbsp. fresh minced sage
3 Tbsp. butter

Saute in butter the celery and onion until translucent.

Add the sage (substitute 1 Tbsp. dried sage if you can't get fresh) and saute for 1 more minute.

Add everything, including the butter from the pan and creamed corn, to your cornbread batter.  Bake as you normally would.

I made up a quick gravy to serve with this and some baked chicken.  It definitely satisfied my cornbread stuffing cravings!

God bless,
Pam