From the Man- Green Christmas

Gift giving and receiving has always been a special event in my family. Any gift was treasured. There was one Christmas we decided as a family to not purchase any presents since the money would be better used elsewhere. Not knowing of our family's decision, my grandparents sent a box full of presents for all 8 kids- truly a Christmas miracle for us! Another year we gave each other old toys or made something to give using what we had on hand.


Growing up and without meaning to, we truly had green Christmases. There wasn't lots of wrapping paper or waste, we just could not afford it. We did have plastics but hey, a little BPA won’t hurt you right? Now if I could only get rid of this 3rd arm that keeps sprouting from my back... (queue wife punch).

Boodle Bottoms review and giveaway!

I was out browsing Facebook one afternoon while the kiddos were napping and an ad on the side caught my eye- it was for cloth diaper friendly pants ala Boodle Bottoms! Finding pants that fit over our cloth can be tricky, so I was intrigued. After a look through their site I was sold. And for several reasons. But let's start at the beginning!

Friday Frugal 101: Gift Wrapping on a Budget!

It's that time again... Friday Frugal 101 at The King's Court IV!

My guest post today is on how to wrap those wonderful gifts in a frugal and fun way.

Head on over and check it out- make sure to leave any tips or tricks you have up your sleeve, too!

Did you miss last week's? Cristi wrote a great piece on Creating a Grocery Budget. A must read for anyone and everyone.

Until  next week, pinch those pennies tight!

Curried Wild Rice and Butternut Squash Soup recipe

A couple weeks ago I came across this recipe on allrecipes.com while browsing for something new to do with one of the gazillion butternut squashes I have in the basement. I like curry. I like butternut squash. This sounded right up my alley! And it pretty much was. Here's the recipe with some commentary at the end.

The Merry Fluffy Christmas Winner *Master List*

*Master List*

Maria over at Fitteds and Pockets and Snappis, oh my! put together this nice list for us detailing each blog's winners for our A Merry Fluffy Christmas event. Thanks, Maria!

Green Living Award!

Thankful Thursday- I have arrived.

I had some quiet time to think the other morning as I rocked my son down for his nap. Our new thing at sleepy time is he loves to put his head on my/his daddy's shoulder while we rock and pat and sing. It is so wonderful to have these quiet snuggles amidst the usual chaos. I don't worry about a 'bad habit' in rocking(like my mom believes, tsk), but rather bask in the brief moments we have like these before our children grow up.

The Santa Express!

Choo-Choo!

Last weekend my little family was able to go on the Santa Express at the nearby Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad and Museum. It is similar to The Polar Express, but different due to copyright reasons.

Liquid Center Chocolate Cake recipe

My last goodie from the Chicago Marriott adventure.
If you're going to be on Santa's Naughty List, might as well make it good! Or, leaving one of these out for the big guy might just get you off that lump of coal list.

Liquid Center Chocolate Cake

2 1/2 cups Bittersweet chocolate
3 3/4 sticks of butter (15 ounces)
9 eggs
11 egg yolks
4 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cups cocoa powder

A Merry Fluffy Christmas Giveaway Event- Winners!

WINNERS!

Just a quick 'Thank You' to all of our wonderful sponsors, the A Merry Fluffy Christmas blog mamas, Jessica of And Then There Were 4... and of course, everyone that took the time to enter. This was a really fun first event for the Crazy Green Mommy and I look forward to our next one!

Day 1 out of 331 comments- #71 Mama needs a nap

Day 2 out of 245 comments- #78  Heather M

Day 3 out of 357 comments- #107 Rebecca O

Day 4 out of 501 comments- #16 Sradke 1024

Day 5 out of 278 comments- #7 Jessica A

Please sign up for my newsletter if you haven't already- we have a couple more reviews and giveaways in the wings yet this week! Thanks!

*All winners have been contacted via email and given 48 hours to respond and claim their prize.