New Year's Resolution

I never make them. My thought is that you should be the best you can be all year long. But I want to be particularly conscious of a few things in the new year. So I made a list, and I thought I would share it here. I think you'll notice, my resolutions are not selfish, something I think more people should consider.

• Don't obsess about money.
  
• Treat others as I want to be treated.
  
• Always be honest.
• Surround myself with people that build me up, not tear me down.

Convenience store snacks

I am a Sheetz girl when it comes for grabbing a bite to eat. Turkey subs are $1.99. But Rutter's is giving them a run for their money. A few weeks ago, I popped in for a bite to eat and discovered that they have fried pickle spears.
I immediately sent Nate a text message. "God Bless Rutters, they have fried pickle spears."

I know it seems like something small, but fried pickle spears are like $5.95 for six at sport's bars. I can get three for $1.59 at a moment's notice. I am so excited! And I can tell you they just as good as the expensive sport's bar type. Another place to get them is at the seafood stand at Markets at Shrewsbury.

Do you need Christmas ornaments?

I know some people don't realize that Cracker Barrel has a gift shop. They do, and after Christmas, everything is 70 percent off. You can get adorable ornaments for less than 50 cents. They even have blankets, home decor and candy.
Yesterday, I met a friend there and snagged up about half a dozen ornaments and a Penn State Hoodie for less than $15. That was with my employee discount, but still, what a deal. I am going to stow away the ornaments for next year and use them as package decor.
Today, my mom and I are hiting up Kohl's and Michaels. I can't wait to see what bargains we find. I am really getting back into the jewelry making, (I'll post some photos as soon as I can upload them) so maybe I will fatten my stock of beads.

Coupon codes

Don't buy anything online without googling the store name and "coupon code." Retailmenot is a decent Web site to help you with this. It was in an article in Reader's Digest. I did some Christmas shopping at Kohls.com and googled a code and got 20 percent and free shipping on my order without leaving my house.
The savings is worth the extra second it takes.

After-Christmas sales

It's hard to beat the after Christmas sales.

I rose early this morning (after a long night riding along with Nate in the police cruiser) to head to Bed Bath & Beyond. My sister picked her wedding reception centerpiece from there and I was hoping to find them all 50 percent off. It was with the Christmas stuff before Christmas, so my fingers were crossed.

When I got there, nada. So, I picked up 4 rolls of 100-sq.ft wrapping paper for $1.50 each. I stocked up for the next few years. I asked about the centerpieces. They moved them back to the home decor and they weren't on sale! Thank goodness for 20 percent coupons. I picked up two and paid separately for them so I could use both 20-percent-off coupons. The gal at the register said you can use one coupon per item, no need to ring it up separately (even though the coupon said 1 per visit). Sweet.

I headed to Michaels and stocked up on $25 worth of stuff I probably didn't need, but will probably be thankful that I bought come next Christmas. I stopped at A.C. Moore to try to find the blank red and green cards I use for my recycled cards, but no dice.

I stopped at the Bread Outlet (Fridays are BOGO in December) but they were closed. I have one more Friday to stock up.

My after-Christmas shopping is complete. Oh, until I head to Cracker Barrel tomorrow for cheap ornaments.
But I swear, then I am done.

Homemade potpourri

I love making homemade things. Especially when you can use something you might otherwise throw out. It's like an addiction to me.

I made homemade potpourri for my aunts for Christmas. It was very simple, but I think it makes a special gift.

A few years ago, I had a lot of dried flowers that I had saved. I keep them in a bowl. Anytime I have flowers, I dry them and add to the bowl. The bowl is full now. I keep these around just in case I need them for decoration, but they make a great potpourri base.

Here is what you need to make potpourri:

Orris root
Essential oil/scents
Dried flowers, pine cones, acorns, etc.

Directions:

You can buy Orris root the Flower and Craft Warehouse in Blue Ball, PA. I think you can probably buy it at any flower or craft store in the flower aisle. Same for the oil. Drop a few drops of the oil on the orris root and shake it up in a bag. Add the dried flowers and decoration to the bag and tie it closed with a nice ribbon. Voila. It's homemade potpourri. You can give it as a gift with a little candle.
**The trick with the orris root is that it holds the scent better than the flowers, etc. So, but adding it directly to the orris root, the potpourri will stay scented longer.

Keep cookies longer

Let me start by saying I didn't bake ANY cookies this year. I made many pumpkin rolls, but no cookies. I will try to start again next year.

Anyway, I was reminded of the year I made about 12 varieties, one that was pumpkin. When I gave my dad his tin, the pumpkin cookies were growing mold. Eww. How do you know when to refrigerate cookies?

My advice is this: Put the cookies in a tin. Separate varieties by parchment or wax paper and add a piece of bread. The bread will suck some moisture out of the cookies and make them last a little longer.