Make Your Own Read Along Stories from the Friend Magazine

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&vgnextoid=ae20e975d2a2b010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
This link will take you to the Friend Magazine website.  On it there are stories from present and past issues that you can download and save onto a CD from your computer.  For Christmas this year, I removed the stories from past Friend issues and put them into protective sleeves and created a read along book for each of my children.  On the CD are the stories they can read along to and also some music too.  For my older son, I made a giant comic book of the comic stories included each month too.  They are stories from the lives of the prophets.  He loves comics and now he has all of the stories together.  The comics aren't read aloud so I included in his book a collection of songs from the site. I also included the activities from the Friend too so they have something else in there too.  A white board marker works on the plastic sleeve for any drawing or writing activities so they can do it over and over again. 
This project can be as elaborate or simple as you like.  

Materials needed:
A folder or binder that can hold protective sleeves.
Letter size Clear Protective sleeves that open from the top.
A CD for your computer with a clear cover.
Instructions:
Select the stories you want to put into the book and remove them from the magazine.
Put the pages into the clear sleeves in the order you want them.
Download the stories onto the CD from the above website.
Add music as wanted.
Print a cover for the CD case that includes all of the stories on it.
Decorate the cover of the folder however you want.

Food Co-ops

I have found a fantastic produce co-op available to people living in the western  U. S. states.  The website is boutifulbaskets.org and has a complete listing of available drop sites.  Check to see if they are in your area.  If not, there are co-ops everywhere.  Just get online and google co-ops in your area and see what comes up.
So how does it work?
Go to the website and register. 
Determine your drop location and this will determine when you can purchase your basket.
They offer a standard produce basket that has fruits and veggies.  You order in two week cycles.  There is enough produce to fill a large laundry basket! 
It costs $15 for a basket and for first timers there is a $3 fee to start.  Every two weeks you go online and purchase how ever many baskets you need for your family and then pick up your basket at your drop site at the designated time later in the week.  There is a $1.50 handling fee for all purchases.  So my total basket is $16.50 each time I order.  You don't have to order every two weeks, but that is the ordering cycle.  Make sure you take a container with you to put your food in.  They don't provide them at the pick up site.
The baskets have different things each time but it is well rounded.  I have figured there is about $50-$75 worth of produce for $15.  It has helped us reduce our food budget tremendously. 
There are other things available each time too.  They have specialty baskets you can purchase like a mexican produce or italian and citrus in season too.  You can purchase whole grain and specialty breads too.  All at a savings over traditional grocery stores.  All of these items are in addition to the traditional basket and the prices vary.
Since it is a co-op there are no paid employees.  They ask that everyone help out and that includes going early to help divide up the food off the truck and then help handing out the baskets.  It has been tremendously rewarding and our family is eating healthier too because we have more produce now than we normally do because it is so inexpensive. 
What comes in the regular basket?  
I have been doing this for about 2 months now and have gotten the following items throughout this time.

Veggies:
Lettuce, potatoes, spinich, broccoli, onions (red and yellow), carrots, celery, cucumbers, broccoflower, cauliflower, mushrooms, green beans
Fruits:
Pineapple, Guava, apples, oranges, lemons, limes, cantaloupe, bananas, blackberries, strawberries, kiwi, cranberries
The specialty baskets have the ingredients listed on the website when they are available. 

Second Hand and Resale Stores Rock!

In our efforts to live frugally, we have been frequenting the local second hand store for things we need before going someplace to buy it new.  We have been able to purchase items needed for a fraction of their retail price and been able to fulfill some frivolous wants in addition to our needs because the prices are so low. 
Our latest acquisition was a Christmas Tree.  We went looking for some warm clothes for my constantly growing daughter and were surprised to see that there were Artificial Christmas Trees available too.  We were not going to buy a tree this year because it cut into our presents budget so we were happy to see that we may be able to afford one after all. 
We had budgeted $40 for this trip and had the cash to spend so we weren't using any kind of a card.  Regardless of what kind of card it is, we seem to spend more if swiping is involved.  We were able to purchase a 7'5" foot artificial tree for $10; new in the box!  Along with the tree, we found an air hockey table for $10 for Christmas, a puzzle with all of its pieces for $.75, and 3 pair of pants and a shirt for my daughter.  Our total purchases came to only $34.75!   The tree didn't have lights on it, but we have our own at home and for $10 we didn't care. 
All of the items we purchased were in new or almost new condition and we saved hundreds of dollars by shopping second hand.  By budgeting, creating shopping lists, and using cash we have been able to cover Christmas for our entire family this year for a mere $250.  This includes food for our Christmas dinner and stocking stuffers.  All of our children picked one thing they really wanted and that is what we worked to get them.  We have added books from the school book orders and some homemade items.  We went to our local $1 store for stocking stuffers and looked in thrift stores for other things.  For the food, I joined our local produce co-op and have been able to save a ton on food.  And when turkeys were on sale for Thanksgiving, I bought two to save for Christmas.  I don't think we have ever had such an inexpensive Christmas.  Happy Shopping!

Holiday Sweet Potatoes with Apples and Cranberries

This recipe was a huge hit at Thanksgiving this year.  Even people who don't love sweet potatoes, love this recipe.  It is very easy to make and if you prep everything first, it goes together pretty quickly. It is sweet and tangy with a hint of spice.  The textures are in perfect harmony with each other and the marshmallows finish it off nicely.
Equipment:
15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 2 1/2  casserole dish (or close to this size)
Small sauce pot
Wooden Spoon
Bowl Scraper
Aluminum Foil
4 C Liquid Measuring cup
Ingredients:
6 Sweet Potatoes-The ones that are orange inside; peel and slice into 1/8 inch slices
3 Baking Apples-Fuji, Granny Smith, Gala; peel and slice
1 Bag of Fresh Cranberries
3 T Butter
1 C Brown Sugar
1 Whole Lemon cut into thin slices
3 T Corn Starch
3 C Warm water
3/4 tsp Nutmeg
3/4 tsp Allspice
3 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 Bag of Miniature White Marshmallows
Directions:
1.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2.  Spray the bottom of the casserole pan with cooking spray.
3.  Layer the potatoes then the apples in the bottom of the pan.
4.  Sprinkle the cranberries over the top and then set aside.
5.  Mix together spices and salt-make sure they are well combined, set aside.
6.  In the Liquid Measuring Cup, combine the cornstarch and the water and mix completely and set aside.
7.  Measure out the brown sugar.
8.  Make sure the lemon slices, brown sugar, spices and cornstarch mixture are all accessible to the cooktop before starting the sauce.
9.  Melt the butter in the sauce pot on high.
10.  Add the brown sugar and mix with a wood spoon combining the sugar and butter.
11.  When the butter and the sugar have incorporated, add the lemon slices and as they heat mash them down to release the juices.   Let it cook and get bubbly.
12.  Add the spices stirring till combined.
13.  Add the cornstarch mixture and cook the sauce until thick and bubbly, about 5 minutes.  Make sure you cook the sauce long enough for the sugar to completely dissolve. 
14.  Pour the hot sauce over the pan with the potatoes, apples and cranberries.
15.  Cover with foil and bake in the oven for about 30-40 minutes.
16.  Test the potatoes for tenderness at 30 minutes.  If they are still a bit crunchy, then cook for 5-10 more minutes.
17.  When they are finished cooking, remove foil and sprinkle the miniature marshmallows over the top of the casserole.
18.  Let it bake for 1-2 minutes to brown marshmallows.
19.  Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving.