sweet Christmas deal!
I love it when I stumble into a great deal. I went into a local overstock store to find inexpensive, but pretty baskets to fill with homemade candy for Christmas.
I was checking out some of the items when I found some great China pieces. They were selling separately, were beautiful, marked 1979 but in perfect condition, brand new in the package.
One item was gravy boat and saucer, others were teacups and saucers, and a few other items like a coffee server.
I bought the coffee server for $3.99 minus 25%. The china teacups and saucers were $1.99 minus 25%. Way cheaper than the baskets, and much more beautiful.
When I arrived home I plugged in the name of the China, just to learn a little bit more about it. I found the Coffee server first. I was shocked to realize that it’s listed on http://replacement.com for $195.00!
I plan to give some of the China pieces filled with oreo truffles to a few family members and special friends, and I’m pumped about it! We are on a tight budget, and this fit in our budget, but it turned out to be more valuable than I could have ever afforded. This makes me happy!
Last year I shared the Oreo Truffles with friends and they were such a huge hit (and easy to do) that it just makes sense to do it again.
Here’s the recipe!
Oreo Truff Balls
8 ounces softened cream cheese or whipped cream cheese
18 ounces package of Oreo cookies, crushed
2 cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
1 tablespoon shortening
Mix cream cheese with electric mixer until fluffy. Add the crushed Oreos and beat on high until well mixed. Chill for at least 2 hours in the freezer. Then roll Oreo cookie mix into one inch Oreo Balls.
Next, melt the chocolate chips and shortening with a double boiler or in the microwave.
Dip the Oreo balls completely into the melted chocolate using tongs or a toothpick.
Put on wax paper. After the Oreo balls harden, keep them in the refrigerator.
Makes about 3 or 4 dozen Oreo Balls. (You can melt some white or dark chocolate and lace the balls with delicate chocolate stripes, which makes them look beautiful. I usually do this and get tons of compliments!)
Posted by Suzie @
12:30 pm |
12 days of Christmas – I’m #11!
“Are you through with Christmas shopping yet?” someone asked me last night.
I laughed out loud. “Of course not”, I said to my friend. She laughed with me, knowing that there are SO many days left before Christmas, as far as I’m concerned.
I’m not really a last-minute kind of girl, except for this. I have friends who finish thier shopping by October. I would hate that! I have other friends who have a tidy pile of Christmas gifts under their tree, a result of braving the crowds at bleary-eye inducing hours of the day. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
9:53 am |
What’s happening at Christian Momlogic
Have you ever wished you could talk to a spiritual mom?
Do you wish you could tap into the wisdom of a work-at-home expert?
Are you looking for a girlfriend who loves to dish about books and faith and life?
Do you want to have one place where you can find interviews, helpful information, friends that will pray for you, a “hoo-rah!” when you lose those five pounds, potty train your child, tap in to God in a whole new way, make a new recipe and it turns out great?
You can find that place. We are waiting to hear from you. And we have exciting news!
Three great new bloggers/podcasters are joining us at Christian Momlogic!
Jill Hart is the founder of Christian Work at Home Moms, CWAHM.com. She is a co-author of the upcoming book So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom (Beacon Hill, Sept. 2009). Jill welcomes work-at-home questions at http://AskJill.cwahm.com. Learn more about working from home at http://www.cwahm.com/work-at-home/. She has a national podcast and has been featured in numerous publications. (more…)
Posted by Suzie @
1:31 pm |
fun times
One of the best things about a trade show is connecting with friends. This weekend has been a blessing. I’ve felt rejunivated. One night I lay awake for most of the night thinking about new books I’d love to write.
It’s all because I have left the home office and deadlines to connect with people who have a love for words. These are a few of the friends that I got to hang out with. I’d love to introduce them to you.
Lyndsey O’Connor is a favorite. She spent time in a coma after the birth of her now 6-year-old daughter. Her powerful book, “While I Was Sleeping” tells her story. She’s a gifted journalist and author, and genuinely kind.
Jennifer Kennedy Dean is a Bible teacher and has many books on prayer. Listening to her as she spoke encouraged me to take my studies even deeper!
And then there’s Kathi Macias who has written lots of books. She’s been in the industry for a long time. Her recent book is Mothers of the Bible, a beautiful hardback. She loves to encourage moms and women. Jennifer Devlin was my prayer partner, and I can’t wait to read her Bible studies.
Sharon Elliot is a singer and writer and a brand new friend. Connie Cavanaugh wrote an honest book about finding God again when she had lost her faith that is one of my favorite books on my shelf.
Rhonda Rhea is a funny lady that has written a lot of books and is a humorist that makes me laugh a lot.
These two women are powerhouses when it comes to speaking and writing, but they are also beautiful, encouraging women who selflessly give to others in ministry. Thelma Wells (Woman of Faith) and Carol Kent.
It’s been a good week. Sometimes we writers need to come out of our caves and connect. It’s been a blessing.
Posted by Suzie @
11:28 pm |
bloggy friends
I was unexpectly inspired on Tuesday night. I spoke at Fellowship of Christian Writers in Tulsa, OK and got to meet with two bloggy friends for the first time!
Cheryl drove from Coffeyville, KS and Flea lives right in Tulsa. I met both of them when I used to blog on Boomer Babes a couple of years ago. These interesting writers and fun ladies quickly became friends online and we have stayed in touch. How awesome to discover that they are just as interesting and funny and warm in person!
On another note, I do need to apologize to the church, Kirk of the Hills. I was given four pieces of cake on a plate to take home. I’ve been on a “let’s stay healthy” routine since January (lost 12 pounds!) so my initial response was “sorry, but I can’t have cake”.
But they convinced me there were no calories in it.
I accidently left it on the hood of my car while I loaded books and things. I realized several miles later what I had done.
I’m truly sorry for the cakey mess I must have left in your parking lot!
Posted by Suzie @
2:13 pm |
inspirational friendships
What is inspiring me?
Jason Fullerton.
He’s a youth pastor who doesn’t take his role lightly. He doesn’t try to be Superman (unless Pastor Rose makes him for an illustrated sermon) but i’s clear that he really loves the youth.
Week after week I see the time invested in his teaching and his plan, which is to inspire teens to become lifelong followers of Christ. This past Sunday I listened to his teaching, hearing him challenge and inspire a room full of teens.
He and Robyn are friends. Good friends. Robyn is real and funny and a little snarky, which makes me love her even more. Jason is a huge encourager and possibly the best youth pastor I’ve ever seen in action.
Richard and I have been lucky to work with some amazing youth pastors.
Eric and Juli Smith were the first staff youth pastors that became friends. They invested in lots of teens.
Many of those youth are now in their early thirties and are pastors and in ministry today. Eric and Juli and Richard and I played endless games of Nertz. We prayed and laughed and joked together.
Madison was born and I loved her like crazy. We cried buckets when they left.
Andy and Sarah Greene followed. A young couple with tons of dreams and out-of-the-box ministry style that I loved. I remember one night Andy praying in the altar and Sarah came beside him and slipped under his arm. Little Claire, only two, snuggled in between. It was a tender vision of a family who loved each other and trusted God, something that over a third of our teens had never seen or experienced. It made many of them desire the same thing for themselves. (I wish I had a pic of the Greene’s!)
Today I am inspired by the couples that touch the lives of teens, but have marked my heart as friends.
Posted by Suzie @
6:20 am |
