Linda @ Linda’s Lunacy

Ginger Snaps

December 21, 2010 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

The other day, I made gingersnaps for the first time. Here’s the recipe I used from an old cookbook. Of course, I didn’t follow the recipe exactly. 🙂

Ginger Snaps

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened (you could use shortening if you wanted)
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 cup white sugar, for rolling cookies in

In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour with the remain ingredients, except for white sugar. Beat well. Stir in remaining flour.

Shape dougn into 1 inch balls. Roll balls in white sugar to coat. Place balls on ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake at 375* for 8-10 minutes or until edges are set and tops are crackled. Cool cookies on cookie sheet for 1 minute, then transfer to wire rack and let cool. Makes about 48 cookies. I actually only got 36 cookies, I must have made mine bigger.

See how good the cookies are? I arranged them on the plate,nice and pretty like. Then I went to get my camera. When I returned with said camera, this is what I found! Proof that the cookies are good! One of my kids, I still haven’t figured out who, couldn’t resist them. Now, to make a cup of tea to go with my ginger snaps!

We Are Blessed

December 20, 2010 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

Last night, after reading our Bartholomews Passage Advent reading, we were talking about how the kids in the book only got 2 meals a day. And how in some countries, the people don’t eat 3 meals a day like we do.

Our youngest, 10, said “Then why do we eat three meals a day?”

I said because we are blessed.

He said “That’s a blessing we want to keep.”

I want my kids to know how blessed we are. I want my kids to know that Jehovah Jireh is the one who provides for them.

That’s why I love this series of Advent books so much, they are full of opportunities for conversations with the kids.

If you haven’t gotten any of these books yet, I highly recommend you get them now so you have them ready for next year.

What’s For Dinner?

December 20, 2010 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

Saturday – pizza night – Homemade Pizza (1-cheeseburger, 1- half onion, half cheese), homemade breadsticks, carrot sticks

Sunday – soup & sandwich day – Sandwiches- grilled cheese, egg and cheese

Monday – chicken – Baked Chicken, baked potatoes, green beans

Tuesday – beef – Dinner at church for the girls, leftovers for the guys

Wednesday – super simple – Baked Rigatoni, broccoli, carrot sticks

Thursday – chicken – Dirty Rice with hamburger, yellow squash

Friday – Friday Night Fire/Beef – Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, green beans, challah bread

For more Menu Plan Monday ideas, visit I’m an Organizing Junkie.

This Weeks Blog Hops

December 20, 2010 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

These are the blog hops I’m participating in this week. Blog hops, as well as Twitter & Facebook hops are a lot of fun, and a great way to find new blogs. It’s also a great way to increase your followers on your blog.

If your visiting Linda’s Lunacy for the first time, Welcome. I hope you can stay and visit for awhile!

Please come back on Saturday, for my new blog hop, Sunny Saturday! You can link up your blog, Twitter, Facebook, Networked blog and your shop! Hope to see you on Saturday!

I’m honored to be the guest blogger at The Cornucopia of Blogs Hop this week. Make sure to join!

MONDAY

TUESDAY

The Coupon Challenge and Mom on Dealz

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Fun Follow Friday

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Thanks for stopping by to visit! Hope to see you again soon!

Cornucopia of Blogs Hop

December 19, 2010 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

Fall is almost over, winter begins on the 22nd. So this is the final Cornucopia of Blogs Hop! It has been fun and it has been awesome getting to make new blogger friends!

Hosted by

Mama to 4 Blessings ~ a homeschool, thrifty, child related crafts, reviews & giveaways blog,

Survey Junkie ~ great reviews & giveaways plus some really great link ups throughout the week!

Musings of a Stay at Home Mom ~ homeschooling blog

Fun Saving Money ~ Monday menu’s – awesome receipes & coupons to print to go with the receipe, reviews & giveaways plus other great saving tips!

This week’s Featured Guest Blogger is Linda at Linda’s Lunacy. Linda’s Lunacy is a blog that consists of homeschooling, crafts, reviews / giveaways and blog hops! Go check it out!

1.Follow ALL 4 of your hostesses. Please make sure to leave us comments (we do follow back). Link up to this hop by adding your blog to the linky list below. Please remember this is NOT a “giveaway link up” also keep the language clean and family friendly.

2. Please feel free to grab our Cornucopia of Blog Hop!

3. Please also follow this week’s Featured Blogger Linda’s Lunacy. Each week a new featured blogger who will be chosen at random, but you must be participate in the weekly link up – that’s how we will choose a new featured blogger every week! So please come back every week & link up because you could be our next featured guest blogger!

Energy Efficient Curtains

December 17, 2010 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

We really try to keep our electric bill down to a dull roar during the winter months. We have found our windows to be a great source of lost heat. So we’ve covered our windows with plastic. You can get the clear kind that you use a blow dryer on to tighten the plastic up. When your looking through the window, you can’t eve tell the plastic is there. really.

I had wanted insulated drapes for quite a few years, but I thought they were too expensive. Well, this year, I really started looking around at them.

I found these Energy Efficient Curtain Panels (not an affiliate link) at Walmart.com for under $15. When I bought mine in October, they were only $11. a panel for the size I needed. I picked the Khaki color. I actually bought the curtain rod in the picture, too.

My actual curtains, in my actual living room.

I decided to try them first before a more expensive curtain, and before ordering some place else on line. Just because it’s easier to return something to our local Walmart store, then shipping it back and waiting for a credit.

There are also many energy efficient curtains choices on Amazon. (affiliate link)

You know what? I loved them! They are nothing fancy, but they get the job done. When the curtains are closed, I can stick my had between the curtain and the window and feel cold air trapped back there by the curtain. They really do work!

All that cold air kept out of the room translates to being able to keep the thermostat set lower, which means a lower electric bill! In the summer, blocking out the sun helps keep the house cooler, and your electric bill lower, too.

Yes, you can find fancier insulated drapes. But if your looking to lower your electric bill without breaking your piggy bank to buy new drapes, these curtains will do very nicely.

*Disclosure: This post contains an Amazon affiliate link. If you click the link and purchase something, I will receive a small commission.