Thriving In My Thrifty Week-Dec. 26, 2022

We had a small ice storm this past week! There was some freezing rain, some light snow, and more freezing rain, resulting in less than an inch of frozen mess! My nephew and grandson had a great time out on the deck.

Jake showed Malcolm how to get turners and “clean” off the snow.

They didn’t have a ton of success, but Jake ate what he could chip off. They had so much fun. Thankfully, we had been having a sleepover anyway, so no one had to drive out and pick anybody up:). The roads were bad, so we didn’t go anywhere until it melted, although Rob would have been the one who braved it if necessary. Thankfully, it wasn’t.

We had planned many simple activities this week, along with having the fun (for the kids) of the unexpected storm. We had Jake all week, and I wanted it to be fun and busy without spending a fortune. I have also carried out my goal of lots of activities, and less emphasis on stuff during this Christmas season, so we kept our gift giving simple. Therefore, we had more time to do things with whatever kids were around. We went to the library and got books and participated in story time, took a walk a couple of times. This time it was rainy, but one day was cold and clear and the boys played at the park. Today, we went swimming at the YMCA–a perfect day-after-Christmas activity, using our membership. My niece went, too. She enjoys swimming very much. It was a very successful week and we felt very relaxed.

They decorated a gingerbread house.

….playdough and books galore….

Jake made a Roman chariot and did Perler beads while Malcolm napped. He also requested popcorn many times, and we popped that and watched movies or he played on his devices.

I had a lot of help making cheesecake for the party that got cancelled on Saturday (we will try again with that daughter next Saturday)…Maybe a good idea to save that cheesecake for us anyway:). I made another one all by my self for Christmas Day. I used my Instant Pot for both. I like how they come out in there and they are somewhat small–just the right size. They only use 2 packages of cream cheese each time. I find at holidays there are so many desserts people tend to want only a small piece of many desserts, so this has become a favorite way to make cheesecake.

On Christmas afternoon, we went to my sister’s for a wonderful Christmas meal. Afterwards, we opened the “big family” gifts. I had a lot of fun playing with Zai and reading his new books. Everyone got so many lovely things. It was just the right amount for the boys and they enjoyed them all!

My sister was given some fabric. She passed it on to me. In one of the bags was some blue knit. I used it to make Rob a pair of sleeping shorts. There are several other pieces I think I will be able to use, and then I will pass the rest along for someone else to be creative with.

We cruised along on leftovers and some soup today, and I plan to keep meals simple for the rest of the week, as well. I did buy a bunch of groceries, using coupons and sales. I had a reward for $10 off my order, so I used that.

I hope you all had a very nice week and continue to enjoy a little more “holiday” this week, as we plan to do. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

16 thoughts on “Thriving In My Thrifty Week-Dec. 26, 2022”

  1. Merry Christmas and happy new year. Love your blog, your photos and what a nice life you make for your family.

  2. Merry Christmas! Your holiday sounds perfect! You look so beautiful with your long hair down!! I had no idea your hair was that long! I hope you have a peaceful week and blessed New Year!

    1. No one realized my hair was that long in my family, either. I always keep it tied back in a braid. Even I did not know how it would stay when curled, so I experimented for one of the choir performances, and then for Christmas, just to do something different. I was asked what my “plan” was for my hair by one family member. I answered truthfully, “I have no plan.” The truth is, when Covid hit, I just couldn’t go to my hair stylist, as she needed to minimize contact with people and I did, too. So, I never got it cut or colored. Ever. And, then….What can I say? Time passed and it just kept growing and growing, and growing….. I guess one of these days I will need to make a plan. Most days, I just get caught up in how busy my life is, and make another braid:)

      1. I totally understand! I’ve been cutting my own hair since Covid started! I’ve also been cutting all of my grandkids, children and husband’s hair since then too! And my husband dyes my hair for me! Saves a lot of money too! I also do not have a plan for my much longer hair either!

          1. I love your long hair! It looks great.
            The price of haircuts here has gone up $10 since last year. I am on so many vitamins and collagen that mine grows extremely fast and thick. It must be cut every two months or I am miserable. Last week when I saw ANOTHER $1 price increase, I told the lady to shave it off! At least she ignored me but it is about one inch all over. Bill gasped when I walked out the door and got in the car. He said it is okay if I spend money on a good haircut. I wonder if he is embarrassed to be seen with me in public? I must find a way to cut it myself.
            Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry

          2. That’s so funny! I’ll bet its super cute. I used to have extremely short hair, so I know that a little time redeems a too-short one quickly. This hair cracks me up, because it’s just because I keep ignoring it and it keeps growing and growing. I probably need a haircut some day, at least to trim it up. I had Rob do it once, I wonder if he’s in the mood to do it again?

  3. Glad you survived the ice & snow & had a fun Christmas. Great picture of you there at the end. Love your hair curled like that. Happy New year. …Vicky in Ky

    1. Thank you. We were so thankful that we did not have to drive in it–that Jake was already over here for a sleepover, since we needed to watch him the following day. That way, we could just have fun, and leave the slipping and sliding to everyone else out there!

    1. Thank you. That is actually me, reading to Malcolm’s little brother, Zaire! He loved his new books so much. I am amazed at how different I look with my hair down, now that it’s so long. Even my sister kept staring at me, I look so different. Who knew? Every day, I put it into a braid, but decided to experiment for Christmas this year and curled it and it worked!

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