Solstice Night

Now comes the time of the holiday season when I veer between rash, “Christmas comes but once a year” decision-making and “nope, I’m done” cost-cutting.

This week, I had to chart a course through the middle, as I still had gifts to buy, and I had to start planning for hosting Christmas Eve.

I should have enough gift wrap and bags in my stash to get me through, and if not, I’m definitely planning to get creative with household items and packing materials.

I am not buying any more lights or extension cords. I’m already annoyed that I had to buy any this year.

For the Christmas Eve food, I took a hard look at what we already have before shopping, and my family is graciously bringing some items.

And I did end making a few homemade gifts (see below) and will make one more on Tuesday.

I had off Thursday and Friday. Thursday I got a lot done, hitting up the mall, CVS, Acme and Goodwill, with lunch at home and a walk for Rocco in between. I got some good deals on some gift list items at American Eagle, JC Penney and Columbia (spent about $85 total). CVS was for a few stocking stuffers and specific candy ($20). At Goodwill, I got two sweaters for the boys and a super cute long casual dress for me! I haven’t tried it on yet, I hope it looks good. Total was around $35.

The best part was just taking my time, not feeling rushed at all, at any of the places or at home. It helped that F had me up at 7:30, needing a ride to school. I had nowhere to be until 7 pm, the high school choir concert, which both N and F were in.

Friday, I woke up to pouring rain and was so thankful I didn’t have to get up. (Tom took the kids to school.) I spent the rainy morning wrapping gifts and listening to XPN play winter-themed songs.

In the afternoon I took Rocco for a walk and pulled the last of the carrots. Later, the kids all had plans/sports stuff, so Tom and I went to our favorite dive bar.

Saturday morning, I spent some time in the basement straightening up and making room for the new grow light set-up that I plan to have. In the afternoon we went to N’s swim meet, and later I went out to dinner and did some shopping in festive downtown Haddonfield with a friend.

Today was for homemade gifts: just two, and nothing too complicated. I dried orange and apple slices and chopped cranberries in the oven and made simmer pot jars. The house smelled great while they were drying, and the finished jars smelled great as well, so I’m hopeful they will simmer up nicely. Cinnamon, ground cloves, fir twigs from the tree, and dried rosemary rounded them out. I had everything I needed on hand, down to the old Prego jars…

I turned the extra oranges into ornaments and hung them various places.

I also made shepherd’s pie for dinner, which was tasty on this cold solstice night. (Didn’t really have enough beef for five of us; tried to compensate by making more potatoes.) Got to use some of my frozen summer corn.

I have managed to support a few more small local businesses: Restored Antiquity (candles, decor, etc.)  in Haddonfield and Extraordinary Ed (toys and games) here in Collingswood. I did go to Target today and bought a gift card and one small gift. I also got something on Amazon because I had a gift card that I was gifted. And I am now done with shopping!

Mealwise, it was a chicken and potatoes kind of week.

Monday: homemade fried chicken sandwiches and scalloped potatoes, and leftover baked sweet potato

Tuesday: Costco frozen pizza; turkey sandwiches

Wednesday: fried chicken from Acme and tater tots

Thursday: Costco frozen pizza; Costco mini chicken tacos

Friday: potato skins and beer (at the bar)

Saturday: a grilled cheese with manchego and Gouda, bacon jam and pork belly, with truffle fries with garlic aioli. Maybe the best thing I’ve eaten in months? At the Bistro in Haddonfield.

Sunday: shepherd’s pie

The highlight was actually Monday’s scalloped potatoes because I made them without following a recipe. I NEVER do that. That is not me. But it was fun and they turned out great. And it used up potatoes that were on the verge. I also roasted more Brussels sprouts and carrots and ate them with lunch a couple days.

I work tomorrow, then am off til the 29th. Monday night through Wednesday will be spent prepping for the Christmas Eve festivities. I only have about four gifts left to wrap (some haven’t arrived yet). I’ve gotten to do just about everything I wanted to as far as messing around with citrus and using my fancy scissors. If I could bake a few more cookies, that’d be perfect.

On the other hand, things are pretty perfect as they are.

I’ve got a ton of candles burning to light the longest night and we are all here watching “Christmas Vacation.”