wittenlover

Great minds, Bopeep... Great minds... lol

OK. I voted. Now... WHERE ARE THOSE ADS??? lol

Until my grandparents passed away in '07, Christmas Eve dinner was there. The menu itself varied, but usually ham for main course. There was one Christmas Eve, though, that was different - we were moving thanks to dad getting transferred by his work. Wound up at Big Boy. Dad and I both had fried clams. Don't remember what brother & mom had off hand, but the clams became the running joke as a "traditional Christmas Eve dinner". lol (We still do it for lunch sometimes, just because!)

TBH, I never even went to JCP last year. Now, with their 3 pm opening on Thanksgiving, no way. I'm going to be up in Tawas with my dad, which means 45 mins to an hour drive into Saginaw to shop. Nope nope nope. I'm cooking for the two of us this year and no way I'm going to rush dinner for that, especially considering I'm likely going to be running to Meijer that morning (also almost an hour away) as it is. Family first.

Likewise... Cmon Meijer! lol

I was just thinking that, so I went and looked at Brad's date listing. Sure enough, it popped up on 11/5-11/6 last two years. I wonder if they're delaying until after the election cycle this year?

I have a dear friend of mine that was, at first, very easy to buy for. Now I've gotten him so many different fun things over the years that it's getting harder to come up with new ideas! He just recently bought his second house (as in "sold one, bought different one", not "he owns two houses"), so he doesn't need much for the house. I did manage to hit one out of the park with a housewarming gift, though. About a year ago, I ran across a local artisan that recycles old liquor bottles into hanging lamps (either candle or electric). His favorite drink is Captain Morgan and Coke. Sure enough, they had a Captain Morgan lamp. Knowing he was eyeing the move, though, I held off picking it up then. Fast forward to done deal on the new house... I went back to the shop where the artisan's work was on display. Bingo. Bought lamp (a whole $25 - not too bad, I thought). He moved in week before last. I waited a week, then shipped him the lamp. (He lives a few hours away from me.) You'd have thought I sent him a winning lotto ticket with the response I got back. Win. I just now have no idea what I'm getting him for Christmas. lol I guess, point of the story being - if you've got folks that are hard to buy for, don't overlook local artisans, particularly if you know they might appreciate a really unique gift.

Yes! I love digging back through them from time to time, especially the recipe/food-type threads. Some good stuff we've posted in years past. And speeddiva - you mentioned your 10-year anniversary. Mine's this Wednesday! High five to a fellow decader! (I'm sure there are many of us!)

Looks like I'm probably headed back to Meijer again this year for my Tidy Cats. Betting they'll beat PetSmart's $8.99 price. Couple other things I might head over there for, though.

With Kohl's ad dropped, I'm still looking forward to Best Buy, Meijer, and Walmart. Meijer usually does a killer baking supply sale (I do a TON of baking around Christmas) on either Thursday or Friday and they had the deal on cat litter last year.

I've been considering one myself, so am enjoying reading others' takes on them here. I live in an apartment, so counter space can be an issue but I typically stash the "gadgets" I'm not using in between uses.

I posted the link over in the Thanksgiving meal thread, but we stumbled on this awesome sweet potato bake recipe a few years ago and now it's quickly becoming a mandatory piece of our Thanksgiving meals. (Source: allrecipes.com) Gourmet Sweet Potato Classic Ingredients: (Main) - 5 sweet potatoes - 1/4 t. salt - 1/4 c. (1/2 stick) butter - 2 eggs - 1 t. vanilla extract - 1/2 t. ground cinnamon - 1/2 c. white sugar - 2 T. heavy cream (Topping) - 1/4 c. butter, softened (use other 1/2 stick) - 3 T. all-purpose flour - 3/4 c. packed light brown sugar - 1/2 c. chopped pecans Directions: 1) Preheat oven to 350* F. Lightly grease a 9x13" baking dish. 2) Bake sweet potatoes35 minutes in preheated oven, or until they begin to soften. Cool slightly, peel, and mash. 3) In a large bowl, mix the mashed sweet potatoes, salt, 1/4 cup butter, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, sugar, and heavy cream. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. 4) In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup butter, flour, brown sugar, and pecans. Mix with a pastry blender or your fingers to the consistency of a coarse meal. Sprinkle over the sweet potato mixture. 5) Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until topping is crisp and lightly browned. (Fair warning - This is sweet enough to pretty much be dessert. It tastes basically like a good sweet potato pie, minus the crust.)

I'm actually getting to cook this year! (I know, I'm crazy, right?) But seriously, I am looking forward to it. As usual, it will just be my dad and I again this year. (Brother isn't local & can't get time off, mom's been gone 10 years now.) Normally, since I'm driving up to visit with him, he just makes reservations for us at one of the little mom & pop type restaurants in his little town. But this year, after some discussion, I offered to do some home-cooking. He agreed. (It's not something he would ever ask - I think because he probably thinks of the big job it was for his mom (my nana) every year. But... It's a far bigger job for 10-12 folks than it is for just two.) Soooooo... He offered to buy the turkey. I'll roast it (I have a reliable recipe that always yields tasty results) and we'll both work on the side dishes. So far on the menu: - Roasted turkey - Stuffing (he likes pretty much any kind, so I may use a recipe I saw over on the recipe thread here) - This amazing sweet potato bake: http://bit.ly/1scOQ6I (from allrecipes.com) - Baked or mashed taters (TBD - we'll decide later) - Canned cranberry sauce - Steamed green beans & carrots - Great Harvest Bread Company bread - Fresh "from-the-pumpkin" pumpkin pie (I'll make that before I head up) It's going to be good eats and we can munch on the leftovers all weekend, though I'll likely cook salmon for us either Friday or Saturday, just to lighten things up a bit.

I actually replaced my vacuum last year. Have replaced other things through the years on BF as well. As others have said, it's great when you can grab stuff (especially replacements) for a decent price.

With the Kohl's ad dropping, now I can really start the SS shopping list! So much fun! Love the SS exchange!

Very glad to hear from you, BJS. Will keep your parents in prayer for recovery for both and you for strength. Don't forget to take care of yourself so you can be the best possible caregiver for them as they heal.

Digging through this ad now. Good stuff! List in progress. Ha.

Love how you do these contests for us, Brad! Thanks! (And good luck to all!)

Info sent! Can't wait!

I'm just being slow. It's on my agenda to finish up this weekend. I do SS each year and can be an elf if need be. Watch for my info soon!

So sorry to hear that, pogiporkchop. I will keep your brother (and, really, your whole family) in my prayers.

Yes! To the elf that was worried, I got my box and the kitties have already claimed the beautiful sherpa throw for themselves, with Hodges immediately crawling under it for his afternoon nap and Mew joining him but on the top side yesterday afternoon. I did manage to keep the peppermint bark out of their furry paws for myself, though. Ha! Thank you! As for the Wolverine pillow pet I received earlier, he'll be watching the game with me when the Wolverines take to the field in about 40 minutes! Happy "sweet" '16, y'all! :-)

Thank you once again for running the exchanges pogiporkchop! I know it must be a lot of work and I want you to know we really appreciate you (and the ShiShis!!!) being willing to run it. Many thanks to the elves that took care of me. I received one package before I left for my dad's that I opened this morning.... A Michigan Wolverine plush - a big one! I think he might be useful as a pillow, too. Not sure, but he looks the part. Ha! Looking forward to my return home tonight and (hopefully) another package waiting. If it's in my apartment office, I won't be able to pick it up until tomorrow, as they're closed for Christmas (and would be closed even if it was a normal day by the time I arrive this evening). Merry Christmas all!

Got a rather interesting gift-wrapped item from Amazon... Hmmmm... Saving for Christmas.

Actually just heard on my news this morning there is a local small business that is actually touting a Christmas Day sale here. Ugh. No.