tracy0504

I know I am going to buy new throws so I won't even say I'm not this year

I've scored so many deals over the years...standing in line and rushing to the counter for Nintendo Gameboys and then Nintendo DS for my two boys when they came out... really too many to name and I can't remember them all, but I think what was the most memorable for me was not having a lot of money when my kids were younger so I wasn't able to buy them things every time we went to a store (like I do now with my grandson ) so I tried to make Christmas extra special every year and go all out... being able to shop for sooo many gifts, both big and small, at a great price during BF always amazed me... it made me feel good after I saved as much as I could that it stretched so far during BF... to see my kids faces on Christmas morning as they took in the amount of presents under the tree is my favorite memory... Even though I have a better job now and my children are all grown I can't imagine not BF shopping and trying to get the best deals...

I dislike some of my favorite places to shop BF have now closed, the ads are no longer "leaked", BF not really being on just the Friday after Thanksgiving and into the weekend... Even though I'm older I still miss the walking through the crowds to get the must have items on my list, now there's online only sales or it's just easier to get it online once the sale starts... I miss the hustle and bustle of BF, getting up early to stand in lines at 4/5/6 in the morning(I don't miss standing outside in the cold) and hitting up at least 3-4 stores before 8/9 am and then making my way back home for breakfast of leftovers before I head back to bed...

The list has grown excited to receive my person and shop!

Some things that you could purchase online last year are at Walmart only this year... so if it's something I really want I guess I'll have to make a trip in-store...

Thank you

My mom would make these and send them to my kids for Christmas... very good...

All my children are grown and out of the house, they come to visit though... but the tree has always been a favorite part for me and I love just having the lights from the tree illuminating the room while watching Christmas movies or relaxing... but the last few years, it has been a real chore to drag the tree up and put it together and then decorate it... sometimes I just leave the tree up and turn the lights off for the season

So I've been eating sweet potato casserole for the holidays since I was a child and in turn have been making it for my children all their lives...However, I had to switch it up a few years ago because two of my three children really didn't care for the version I had come to love my entire life (the one with pineapples and marshmallows on top)... I searched the internet for another version and found one with a pecan topping... it was a hit! So now I make the original version and the pecan topping version every Thanksgiving... now I don't measure when I'm cooking, only when I'm baking, but I did find this recipe for anyone to use as a guide (because that's all recipes are) it has all the ingredients I typically use, but you may need a little more of this and a little less of that to make it your own... *I double the pecan topping but you can do what you want, that's just me, lol... the whole recipe can be double or halved depending on the amount of people you're serving. Ruth Chris' Sweet Potato Casserole Sweet Potato Mixture 3 Cups mashed sweet potatoes (baked is best, but can be boiled or popped in the microwave until tender or if you need to save time the canned ones, drained, will do in a pinch) 1 Cup sugar 2 eggs, beaten 1 tsp. Vanilla extract 1/2 Cup butter, melted 1/2 tsp. salt A splash (or two) of evaporated milk, OPTIONAL Pecan Topping 1 Cup brown sugar 1/3 Cup all purpose flour 1 Cup chopped pecans 1/4 Cup butter, melted Combine ingredients for pecan topping and set aside. Preheat oven to 350. Combine sweet potatoes, sugar, salt, vanilla, eggs and butter in a mixing bowl, mix thoroughly. Pour mixture into baking dish. Sprinkle pecan topping on sweet potato mixture. Bake for 30 mins (or until lightly browned and bubbling because ovens vary). Let rest before serving as it may be a little loose straight from the oven. This recipe will serve 4-6 people. *The sweet potatoes can be made ahead and placed in your baking dish without the pecan topping. If making ahead, bring sweet potatoes to room temp before placing pecan topping on and popping it in the oven. ENJOY!!

I guess no one knows that we still get excited about the ads being released...

Congrats!

I love checking back and seeing that the lists have grown

The Christmas Tree Shop was one of my favorites, especially on BF and now that they're closed I can take them off my list... other than that I'd have to to say a Walmart stop is always on the list as well as Lowe's and Home Depot for poinsettias and batteries... Kohl's is usually online every year... after that it all depends on who has something I may want...

#1. And I'll take one of theeese... #2. I just need a little nap time riiight here... #3. Only got up for this tv and it's back to bed I go...

Congrats!

I still have Kohl's throws from last year still in the plastic, but I'm pretty sure I'll see a new design this year that I just have to have, lol... I have a DVD player, but I really want a new one this year (if the price is right)... Candles!! I am back into lighting a candle everyday when I get home from work, it really helps with relaxing and I usually get the deals from BBW, Target, Kohl's and Goose Creek (a new one I discovered last year and their candles smell soooo good and they have Klarna )... of course I need new Rubbermaid containers from Wally World, my Poinsettias and from Lowe's and Home Depot and maybe some batteries this year... PJs are always on my list as well...

I get it… I used to be like that as well and couldn’t fathom not spending every holiday with family… last year I spent last Christmas alone for the first time ever due to the massive snow storm we had that snowed most of my loved ones in… I took my time and made my Christmas dinner and ate it while watching Christmas movies… my children couldn’t get to me for another couple of days, but we spent time together then… I can honestly say it was less stressful as I was the only one I had to get dinner ready for so I could take my time and not worry that everyone was hungry and waiting on me

It’s hard to say because I’m not sure what the adult kids gifts will be this year… I know they don’t expect much, but I’m a giver so not giving anything at Christmas feels off to me… throws and candles usually go over well for the girls, but the boys are a little harder… I’m hoping to spend less this year…

I was just thinking about I need to get yarn to start crocheting Christmas gifts... Joann Fabrics usually has deals throughout the season and most definitely BF... and yes, it is very therapeutic, my mom taught me when I was like 5/6...

Money being spent Shoppers scattered here and there Best time of the year

Oooooh Sonic ice would be nice… and I want a new ice maker!!!!

TV and new tablet for the 6 y/o grand… that’s about it so far…

Yes, I'm looking forward to the reunion between Lacy and Scott...