Category: Christmas

Good Christmas

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn ChristmasLeave a comment

We never really have big Christmas plans because we have always had to work the day after Christmas and this year was no exception. That means we have a laid back, easy going holiday. Christmas Eve Donny made steaks. I think the cast iron was a bit too hot and it ended up smoking out the kitchen.

I don’t know if you can see the haze in the picture but it was pretty bad. The steaks were really good though.

After dinner we all went out to the fire pit. The weather has been so warm during the days but it has been cooling off at night.

Jackson and I hung in for as long as we could before giving up and heading for bed, but Donny and Hannah stayed out pretty late.

Before we knew it, it was Christmas morning. The thing about having teenagers is they like to sleep in. They finally roused at about 10:00 so we finally got to open presents. Donny and the kids did so good. Donny actually went to the mall by himself and picked out these super cute pants and overalls. Because Hannah was sick he was sending her pictures to see if she thought I would like them.

He also got me some binoculars. I could lie and say that they are for bird watching. Nope, they are for spying on the feral cat colony and my loud neighbors that live at the end of our street. What can I say, I’m nosy.

My big gift was actually the spoon ring bender that I ordered (yes, Donny knew about it) for myself. That’s actually all I wanted because I cannot wait to start making spoon rings and cuffs. I have a ring I wear every day that is from the 1950’s Jubilee pattern.

We went to Harbor Freight so that I could get my bolt cutters and sanding tool.

We finished off the day with a shrimp boil. It was so good. Gavin came over to watch the new episodes of Stranger Things with Hannah. It was a very good day.

I don’t know about anyone else, but the day after Christmas the tree and decor come down. Once the presents are opened I am ready to pack it all up. So that’s exactly what I did on the 26th. It just feels so good to have our home back in order. I also watched Stranger Things. It’s going to be interesting how the Duffer Brothers tie everything up in the finale on Wednesday.

Tonight I made gumbo. I was very excited because I had found a gluten free all purpose flour. Reddit said that it can be used in a roux. If you have ever made a dark roux you know that it is a labor of love. It’s 40 minutes of stirring, stirring, stirring. Donny had to bring me a stool so I could see into the pot. (I used my big catering pot) I was skeptical because it wasn’t thickening like a normal roux. I finally got it to the chocolate brown color. Y’all, it turned out so good. I did end up adding two cornstarch slurries just so I had the thickness I prefer.

If you read here you know how I thought the TV in our bedroom was just way too big. I wish I could explain why I got Donny a Roku tv for our bedroom IN THE EXACT SAME SIZE. The legs were different so we used the floating shelf from Jackson’s room to set it on.

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I’m so annoyed that it never entered my mind that it’s just too big for the space. Oh well, at least it doesn’t show the light bulbs through it like our old one did. I’m sure I’ll get used to it.

Christmas Adam

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn ChristmasLeave a comment

I have never heard Christmas Eve Eve called Christmas Adam before, but I like it. We have had a sick house as of late. Friday Donny and I made a quick trip to Dallas to visit his mom and drop of presents at Nikki’s. Hannah had come down with the virus that is hitting everyone so Jackson stayed home with her.

We were making good time, trying to get home before dark. Unfortunately there was a wreck and we were at standstill for an hour. I passed the time doing interpretive dances to songs on the radio. I’m sure Donny was extremely happy when we were finally able to start moving again after an hour.

Today I decided to put Jackson’s shelves together because I did not want to be doing it Christmas Day.

Ikea’s directions are actually pretty easy. I got both of them put together pretty quickly. They look so good in his room. He hadn’t put it all together when I took the picture.

I loved the shelves he had in him room before. We picked them up at an estate sales years ago.

I decided to put them in our dining nook.

I absolutely love them in here. It’s so much better than what we had before.

To celebrate Christmas Adam we got Rotolo’s. I’m super picky about eating out and don’t trust many places, but Rotolo’s is on the good list.

Best cauliflower crust around.

Also, I got my hair cut. It had gotten WAY too long for my taste.

Before

So much better!

Christmas All Day

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn ChristmasLeave a comment

When I woke up I knew that today was the day that I’d put out all the Christmas decorations. I started by just setting up the tree. It needed to be fluffed out and we also wanted to see how Baby Ruth would react to it.

She was very interested in it but never tried to climb it. I felt better knowing that.

I was separating the ornaments by breakable ones that I knew needed to go on upper branches. We have never had a themed tree. It’s more like just put it all on, the gaudier the better.

When we decorate for Christmas I have to pack up and store our normal decor which makes a lot of work.

Poor Mary, I think Joseph went out for milk. But seriously, he’s somewhere in the house.

Baby Ruth loves the candles and will just stare at them.

I was really wanting to get everything out and then get all of the totes back into the shed. It was so windy all day that I thought I couldn’t get the lights outside put up. The wind finally died down about 3:30 so I was able to get the lights up and still get all of the boxes back into the shed.

One thing I did not think about was the projector lights.

Because guess who thinks it a toy for her?

Since I had been going non stop all day we decided to go get Rotolo’s when Donny got home. Best cauliflower crust around.

Everything goes back to regularly scheduled program tomorrow because the kids go back to school.

Back To Normal

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn ChristmasLeave a comment

I don’t know if anyone else is like this, but once Christmas is over I want all of the Christmas decor packed up and put away. This morning I ran to the shed between huge claps of thunder, trying to beat the rain that was coming. I made it just in time before the clouds opened up and it stormed the rest of the day.

I am happy to say that our home is back to normal. Well, as normal as our house gets.

Christian Frog keeping us honest back on his perch.

The shelves are back to normal.

The stereo is Christmas tree free.

I feel like I can breathe again. I really like normalcy.

Christmas Day

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn ChristmasLeave a comment

I know I said that I miss Christmas when the kids were little, but I must say, Christmas with teenagers is much more mellow. Donny was the first to wake up. He made coffee and then I woke up. I filled the stockings and then popped the cinnamon rolls in the oven that i’d made the night before.

Jackson was next to wake up. This was about 9:45. Still waiting for Hannah to rise. Finally at almost 11 Hannah woke up. No one was in a rush to open presents. We did our stockings, had some food and then started on the presents.

Each person received 5 gifts. That was the perfect amount. Everyone was very appreciative for what they got. Jackson, who gave me a very detailed list (he actually sent me the websites) was actually surprised by one of he presents. I found him a Tyler the Creator Golf hoodie.

Donny is the best gift giver and got me exactly what I wanted even though I never outright told him or gave him a list.

I love cooking with cast iron and he finished completing my set. I cannot wait to start using it. He also got me the cutest boots and little red truck. He is always so thoughtful in his giving.

The rest of the day was spent watching football and cooking Christmas dinner. I did Kevin Ashton’s hot honey glazed ham and au gratin potatoes. Oh so good!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Christmas Eve 2025

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn ChristmasLeave a comment

The house is quiet. Hannah and Donny are both at work. Jackson is in his room on his computer. I’m tidying up and prepping for tomorrow’s breakfast and dinner. What a change it is from when they were both little and the excitement they had that Santa would be arriving some time while they slept. I miss that, but knowing what good humans they have grown up to be, makes me very happy.

We did get to drive around and look at Christmas lights last night. Their were some really festive neighborhoods. Would it even be complete without an inflatable Buc-ee beaver in one yard. We actually saw 3 of them on our drive.

I always pack up the Christmas decor on the 26th, so here are some of our favorite ornaments before they are wrapped up and stored until next year.

My parents had this funny ornament on their tree growing up. It used to have a little sign that said “pinch my cheeks and I’ll give you a kiss” and there would be a chocolate kiss inside.

Of course the vintage glass beetle

My mother gave me a set of 12 of these blown glass hearts. I only have 3 left because they are so fragile.

Hannah has one on the tree also

Our festive shelves.

Our Christmas tree is celebrating its 20th birthday this year. I bought it on a whim for $10 at Big Lots. It has held up well. I guess you could say we got our money’s worth.

What a magical time of year!

P.S.

The little kitten is getting closer and closer to us.

Sad Things on Christmas Eve Eve

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn ChristmasLeave a comment

Well, this sign went up today.

I have shopped at Big Lots for so long. It’s my go to for just about everything. The people that work there are just so nice and I feel so bad that they are losing their jobs very soon. Jackson and I went in there, for what will probably be the last time, and it was SO crowded and just not the same organized store that we have grown to love.

This morning one of the stray feral kittens was hanging around our patio. There are two kittens and I have been trying to get close to them for months now. This little one was on the table, then on a chair then laying very close to my feet while I was having coffee.

I was so excited that he was becoming so friendly. Our laundry closet is right off the patio and I opened the door to put a load of laundry in. That’s when I heard movement behind the dryer. It really freaked me out because sometimes if the skunks get spooked they will run into that room. I moved a broom out of the way and a little grey head popped out from behind the dryer. It was the other cat’s sibling and it was scared to death of me. He tried to climb the wall (that didn’t work). Then I moved the scraper tool and the little kitty took off like a rocket. It now explains why the other cat was hanging around so close. I hope it realizes that we are nice and comes back around.

When the kids were little they used to fight over who would move the candy cane to the next day on our Christmas countdown calendar. And by fight I mean screaming, hitting, going nuts. Now the calendar gets moved my me. Jackson did realize I was a few days off and moved it this morning. I told him that I miss the arguing over moving the candy cane and we had a laugh about it. We also talked about how Donny and I used to tell the kids that the smoke detectors were Santa cams and that they were being watched to make sure they were behaving. Sounds a bit creepy when you type it out, but it worked. We also talked about telling them about restaurant police that only work in restaurants to lock up children that don’t behave while they are eating. I promise they think it’s funny now.

I cannot believe that it is Christmas Eve Eve. Maybe tonight we will finally get to go look at lights. Hannah and I both zonked out last night even though that’s what we all were planning to do. We’re running out of time here.

This guy will be here soon

Retail

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn ChristmasLeave a comment

Hannah has her first retail job. She actually really likes it, but the holiday hours before Christmas day can be rough. Friday night she was scheduled to get off at 12:10, but ended up actually leaving close to 1 am. I don’t mind waiting for her to get out, but I had taken my supplements right before I left to get her, with not enough water, and ended up with the worst heartburn and nothing to drink. Then neither one of us could go right to sleep when we got home so it was a late night.

The next morning she had to be at work at 11:00, but since it was Saturday, and Donny has to do his store meeting, he needs to leave the house by 8:30. Since I was already up making breakfasts and lunches for everyone I decided to go ahead and bake some cookies. This is what I walked by into when I got back from dropping Hannah off.

Still hazy from cooking bacon even with the fan on.

This morning she had to be at work by 6 am. That means we got up at 4:30 so I could make her breakfast, bag up her lunch and get her there on time. We did make it, but I know we are going to be dragging by tonight even though I want to go look at Christmas lights. We’ll see how that pans out.

Because I was really tired yesterday, I made the easiest dinner. I had roasted some chicken breasts the night before. I cut up some carrots and roasted them with soy sauce, garlic powder and honey. I cut up the chicken breasts and heated them up in the Korean Chicken sauce we picked up at the Asian market. I cooked some ramen noodles, drained them and added the spice packets. It was so good. The whole family liked it. I don’t really like chicken so I just had the noodles, carrots and green onions.

I also went from not a single present wrapped to all of them wrapped. I do not like wrapping, but it had to get done. We only got the kids 5 gifts each. One big one and 4 smaller ones. I think they will love them.

And here’s one of my favorite Santas. I love weird art.

Only 3 more sleeps until Christmas!

19

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn ChristmasLeave a comment

Happy 19th birthday to our sweet little Christmas tree. We bought it our first Christmas together on a whim because we weren’t going to get a tree because we were working so much we were never home.

I just couldn’t not have one so I went to Big Lots and bought this one for 10 bucks. It has traveled to several states, many homes and it’s still going strong. Best investment ever. šŸŽ„

Christmas Eve Box

On By thefunkyfrugalistaIn ChristmasLeave a comment

I can’t believe that Christmas in in 4 days! 4 days!!!!!! This year we are getting to do Santa with our grandkids. Our plans weren’t set until less than a week ago, so there was a bit of scrambling, but I am beyond excited because our younger kids have not “done” santa in a few years.Ā  It’s going to be fun to have “believers” in the house.

In case you didn’t know, we have a 30 year old daughter with 2 kids ages 3 and 4. A 26 year old daughter who can’t be here this year and our 11 year old son and 12 year old daughter.

The 2Ā  youngest are pretty excited about getting to play santa this year, so we decided to put together a Christmas eve bag. They will be getting in around 8, so I didn’t include a Christmas movie. We have most of them anyway and I do want them to fall asleep at a semi reasonable hour.

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The grand kids have never gotten to do the whole Christmas eve experience, which I LOVE doing. It doesn’t have to cost a lot. You can add what you want. We’ve always done new pajamas to put on Christmas eve.

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These are for the boys, ages 4 and 11. I realize that they aren’t Christmas, but I looked all over our town and could not find any cute Christmas ones in 5T. No sweat, a yeti lives in the cold and it’s cold at Christmas (mostly). I also realize how cheesy Yeti 2 Party is, but they boys will be ready to party on Christmas day. Y’all, I can justify anything. Plus they match and the bottoms are so soft! Walmart special and IĀ  didn’t think $9.oo/pair wasn’t too bad and by the time I found a 5t, I probably would have paid 900. As I’m typing this I realized I never looked at Target where now, in my mind, there are racks and racks of super cute 5T Christmas pj’s. Sigh

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These are for our 3 year old granddaughter and 12 year old daughter. I did find Christmas ones in 3T, but couldn’t get her the ONLY Christmas ones out of all the kids, so Elsa it is. Good thing she LOVES Frozen. My 12 year old is in adult sizes and I’d already picked some up for her. I was super thrilled to see how well they matched. The Elsa ones are from Walmart and the other ones are from Family Dollar. They were $10 and are incredibly soft. If you’ve never shopped at Family Dollar, don’t turn up your noses. They actually have cute stuff for the whole house at really good prices.

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You can’t have a Christmas eve box/bag without hot chocolate. This came from Heartisans Marketplace in downtown Longview, TX. It’s a wonderful little store, run by volunteers, that help women learn work skills to get back into the work force. Every bit of money goes back into the store and into helping the women. It wasn’t frugal at about $12, but sometimes it’s more than about saving money, ya know.

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My husband and I had been on the lookout for some cute kid friendly hot chocolate mugs. It seemed like we looked everywhere. I knew exactly what I had in mind, but the ones I found were all about $12.99 and I just couldn’t pay that for Christmas mugs. We found these at Dollar General for a buck a piece. The travel mugs will be perfect for the littles, non-breakable and have a top. Perfect. I just love the Santa ones, but as I look at the picture do the cheeks look like boobs???????? OMG, they do and now I can’t unsee it! I will NOT mention it to the kids. Oh, well, it is what it is.

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I added 2 books. The traditional Night Before Christmas, picked up at Books a Million and Baby Jesus. I cannot for the life of me remember where I bought this one. It tell the story of Jesus’s birth. I STILL use the Little People nativity scene that we’ve had for about 10 years, so I think I’ll let them act out the story with it. Except there is one small problem….

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Can you find the problem? We don’t have the shepherd. I think he was accidentally put in the Little People farm that we donated ages ago. I think the cow took his place because I don’t think it originally came with a cow. I think Joseph may have to do double duty and fill in for our missing shepherd. That could work, right?

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Last, but not least, we have the gingerbread house kit. Shout out to the cashier at Dollar General for letting us know that Walmart had them for $4, even though they were still marked $9. I think all the kids will enjoy assembling this. I was going to add more candy, but I think what it comes with will work and the less candy, the quicker we can get it done.

So, that’s our Christmas Eve bag. Just enough to get the kiddos really excited for the big day. What do you put in your Christmas eve box? I’d love suggestions for next year.

Merry Christmas,

Stacy