Thoughts ---- 'Till We Meet Again . . .

On our second date, Dave brought me a long-stemmed single red rose that he had plucked from the garden on his way to pick me up. To me that was more romantic than a florist-arranged dozen roses.  And, that has nothing to do with my being cheap and everything to do with him being creative.

For some unknown-at-the-time reason I saved that rose. Today, more than 50 years later, the simple single rose, now dry and brittle but still red-ish, is in a small clear plastic box, among other treasures tucked away in a brown cardboard box labeled with a felt tip marker:  Mom and Dad's Treasure Box.

Simple things of priceless value.

As I write this, our 50th anniversary is nine days away, the wedding of our first grandchild to be married is seven days away and on the 29th our only daughter (Siera is their only daughter) and her husband will celebrate their 23rd anniversary.

As you read this, along with celebrating the sacred birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, our family will be all together* for the first time in a long time --- celebrating the many simple things of priceless value that make our family who it is. When our kids told us, a few months ago, what they were planning we knew it  would take a lot of coordination and effort to bring this to pass. They couldn't have given us a greater gift!

It is my prayer that, wherever you are, whatever circumstances you are in or how complicated your life is, you will seek and find peace and joy in simply pondering the wonder of His birth and all the great and simple things that He has given to and for us.

When we count our blessings, one by one, we will be amazed at what the Lord has done.

I am Simply, Gail and I will check in again as we enter a new year.

May God be with you 'till we meet again.


*except for one grandson who is serving a mission in Chile (and who will call on Christmas), and the new bride and her husband (who probably won't!)

Two Purrfect Gifts for the Kitty Cat

T'was two nights before Christmas and all through the house,  
The cat was napping after catching the mouse

When suddenly the lady awoke with a start
Her mind was racing; sorrow filled her heart

She'd forgotten the kitty when she bought all the gifts!
Her dear little hunter, how could she have missed?

Off to her computer in middle of night
To read Simply Gail who'd answer her plight

This rhyme is sooooo dumb---but the message is such
the creative cheapskate tries to be, always, in "touch" ----

at just the touch of the other mouse.

Sock it to 'em
Next to the stalking of a real mouse, catnip is high on the list of cat favorites and is a totally safe and long-lasting treat.  Want to keep your cats frolicking for hours and days?  You can buy catnip toys but since you are visiting this blog that is probably not your usual way of doing things. So, sew little pouches yourself  or, simply fill baby socks with catnip and sew the opening securely shut.

Blow 'em a gift

Never in my wildest dreams (or cat naps) would I have thought anything like this existed! When I was "mousing" for catnip information it took me to this Wal-Mart site.

I tried to capture the picture but that didn't work.  I tried my scanner and that didn't work.  So, the best I can do, if you want to see and read about  the "pure frantic fun" Kookamunga Catnip Bubbles, is direct you to the site. And, you may want to check out the reviews.  I can't guarantee it but it sounds like lots of good clean fun.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Kookamunga-Catnip-Bubbles-4-oz.-Bottle-Cats/3635183

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

The Creative Cheapskate Discovers a Sham . . .

is good for more than covering pillows!!!

My last post showed you (literally) our dog Puppy's new-to-him              t-shirt to help keep him warm on cool days--- and how to simply and cheaply create a cool shirt to warm your pet.

But, like I had mentioned in the t-shirt post, since the hair on  his lower back and belly has thinned so much and the temperature keeps dropping we knew he would need something more than just a shirt for his time outdoors.

This past fall we bought a king size quilt from the thrift shop to protect plants in our garden at early frost. The $5 quilt came with two pillow shams which we didn't want --- but neither did the thrift store. 

I looked at the shape of dog coats at the store and made a paper pattern using Puppy's neck-to-tail and around-the-belly measurements from the t-shirt project --- remembering, this time,  to cut the thigh area higher to avoid accidents when he lifts his leg.

I cut the coat from the quilted top of the pillow sham, covered the raw cut edges with seam tape, and sewed lengths of velcro-type hook and loop strips to the front neck pieces and the straps that fasten over his middle.

For some reason the color doesn't show up here
as the maroon it really is.
 

Pillow shams are large enough to make a vest or simple coat or a robe for a toddler or even slippers for a larger child or adult.  These are the times (or finds) where . . . 

This is Puppy several years ago, and the first (and up to now)
only wardrobe piece he owned.

putting on your thinking cap comes in handy.

Quick Do-it-Yourself Dog T-Shirt for Cooler Weather

Our neighbor Linda  has a very small dog, Lucky Lady, who has very short hair and gets cold easily.  The little Lady is lucky to have a big wardrobe.   One day last week she was wearing one of her coats and what appeared to be leggings on her front legs.  When we questioned  Linda she told us that she bought "onesies" at our local Wal-Mart for $3 or $4 and they made perfect dog t-shirts.

Our dog Puppy is a Lhasa Apso mix --- 
rescued from the dog pound about 
11 years ago, when he 

was three or four years old.

And, as you can see, clothes were not needed! (and this picture was taken when he had his summer haircut!)

That was then----




Now Puppy is, with what we consider quiet dignity, 
living with the hair-loss consequences of profound hypo-thyroidism  and he gets cold. 

And his previously long and bushy tail is just a few scrawny strands.

The Light Bulb Went On!
I'm not called the creative cheapskate for nothing

I measured him from neck to tail and around his somewhat ample belly (the medication has helped eliminate some of the weight) and headed to the local thrift store with the tape measure and a handful of change.

He is a perfect Toddler 4-5!

He was amazingly patient as we dressed him, even lifting his paws for the sleeves, and didn't try to get it off. He appears to be quite comfortable in it, even in the relatively warm house.

                                                                                                                                                                                         A little later, after a trip outside,  we discovered one problem that Lucky Lady didn't have because . . 
she squats and Puppy doesn't.

It only took a moment to shorten the belly-side of the shirt.
This starter piece for his wardrobe cost 50 cents!  He can have an entire wardrobe for the price of one onesie.



The forecast is 28 degrees for tomorrow.  My next post will show him simply decked out and ready.

At this Beautiful Christmas Season I am . . .

                                                                              “There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus Christ. 

It is the time to love the Lord, our God, with all our heart – and our neighbors as ourselves.       

It is well to remember that he who gives money gives much; he who gives time gives more; but he who gives of himself gives all.

Christmas isn’t just tinsel and ribbon, unless we have made it so in our lives.  

Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. 

It is happiness because we see joy in people. 

It is forgetting self and finding time for others. 

It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values. 

It is peace because we have found peace in the Savior’s teachings. 

It is the time we realize most deeply that the more love is expended, the more there is of it for others.”

May we, as did the Wise Men, seek a bright, particular star to guide us to our Christmas opportunity in service to our fellow man. 

May we all make the journey to Bethlehem in spirit, taking with us a tender, caring heart as our gift to the Savior, and may one and all have a joy-filled Christmas.”

The above is part of the 2012 message given at the annual LDS Christmas Devotional, as a gift to the world, by President Thomas S. Monson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Go here if you would like to watch the entire devotional and hear the beautiful Christmas music provided by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/archive/christmas-devotional/2012/12?lang=eng

Delicious One Bowl/One Fork Coconut Cookies . . .

in a minute, using a cake mix.  It can't get much easier than this!

1 package  coconut,  white, or  yellow cake mix                                                  

1/3 cup water 

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, melted  

1 large egg

1 tsp. to 1-1/2 tsp.** coconut extract                                 

1 cup large coconut flakes* or shredded coconut

Melt butter in a microwave safe bowl. 

Add water, egg and extract and stir with a fork until combined. 

Stir in cake mix.  

Stir in coconut. 

Drop walnut-sized mounds of dough, spacing about two inches apart on an ungreased or parchment-covered baking sheet.

On ungreased or parchment-covered baking sheet, drop walnut-sized mounds of dough, spacing about two inches apart.  Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 11-13 minutes until cookies start to turn light brown (watch closely).  Let cool on baking sheet for one to two minutes before removing to rack to cool completely.

*I buy my coconut flakes at a health food store that sells spices, etc. in bulk.  They are so light they weigh next to nothing. I like how the big flakes protrude from the cookies and get a little toasty.  

**When using  a white or yellow cake mix I increase the amount of extract.

Note: The cookies taste yummy but aren't very pretty, looking somewhat like a drop biscuit.  If you want to dress them up a little bit you could drizzle them lightly with melted chocolate chips (but that would require another bowl!)

'till we eat again,

       I am Simply, Gail

   

                                               

A Sad Commentary on What Has Happened to CHRISTmas

If you follow this blog you know I rarely forward things  I receive via e-mail, but for the second time this week, something came through that deserves serious consideration ----

and this time it is how increasingly, very special and sacred things to the vast majority are being successfully eliminated by a very vocal minority.  

How can we just stand by and            let this continue to happen? 

After all, Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!

Twas the month before Christmas

When all through our land,

Not a Christian was praying

Nor taking a stand.

Why the PC Police had taken away

The reason for Christmas - no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing

About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say

December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit

Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod

Something was changing, something quite odd!

Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa

In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down

At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.

At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears

You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-is-ty

Are words that were used to intimidate me.

Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen

On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter

To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith

Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded

The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'

Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say

Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,

not Happy Holiday !

Please, all Christians join together and

wish everyone you meet

MERRY CHRISTMAS!