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Every day through Christmas, we're unveiling a new holiday song available to download free for a limited time. Check back here daily to see what's next.

Note: Amazon.com is a commercial website.  Be careful to check the CURRENT price before ordering a 'free' product.

No sew tote bag

 

It is already an established fact that I am a bag lady. That is why I can hardly believe I forgot to share this easy craft. This was one of the things we shared at the recent Tea for Toys event. I made the one above from a plastic tablecloth, staples, strapping and duct tape. I made around five bags from the tablecloth so it was a very economical project.

The instructions are on the following website.

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/no-sew-tote-bags

View the video and follow the directions. This would make an easy and inexpensive hand made gift.

 

Tips for Booking Hotels

1. Early Booking: "The early bird gets the worm,” in this case, the expression stands true for hotel bookings. We suggest you get into the habit of booking your room as soon as you've finalized your travel plans. This would give you more room options and the best hotel rates possible.

2. Special Offers: A lot of offers and travel websites carry promotions and offer special deals for hotel bookings. Make sure to check these out.

Special offers could be in terms of add-on like:
1. Free Breakfast
2. Free Parking
3. Promotional Discounts
4. Free Upgrades
Make sure to check out available deals.

We at Cheapoair are proud to announce star rated hotel rooms under $99 at prime locations.

3. Freebies: When it comes to booking a hotel, the lowest price isn’t necessarily the best deal. A good deal is one which includes a lot of extras. The type of room and price should include amenities, like free continental breakfast, in-room coffee, shuttle service and an on-site pool and workout center, which can add up to big vacation savings. Make sure you check these out before you proceed with the booking.

4. Booking Period: We suggest you be flexible about your travel plans. Always do research to find out about off season travel discounts for the destination you intend to travel to. You can always plan your trip in and around that time. This would be a major contributor in saving your hard earned money. The additional benefit while placing a booking during off-season is fewer crowds means shorter lines for attractions and cheaper tickets to shows and events you might want to see.

5. Hidden charges: Watch out for any kind of hidden charges. Some hotels charge extra, such as city taxes and credit card fees after they’ve quoted you the hotel price. Always ensure that you have enquired about all the charges before proceeding with the booking.

6. Booking a Package: Package deals are great for travelers intending to holiday in popular destinations. Try looking for a package that would include air fare, attraction tickets, hotel accommodations, etc. Chances are that this is going to save you more money instead of buying/booking each item separately. Since you are booking a package, you may be delighted to find a few extras thrown in.

7. Stay Mid-Week: Weekends are generally the busiest times for hotels – and the most expensive time as well. If you can be flexible with the dates, we advise that you plan your trip mid-week, when the vacancy rate is the highest. You could book the lowest rate.

8. Sign up for newsletters: Most travel websites offer promotions and other discounts with regards to various items, such as hotels and airlines via their newsletters. Signing up for the newsletter is a guarantee that you won’t miss any travel deals.

Sign up for the CheapOair.com Exclusive Fare Alerts Newsletter today, and be automatically entered into the, "Win a Trip for Two to Las Vegas" sweepstakes. Mistakes happen. But when the mistakes are connected to an airline ticket, they can ruin your entire trip. Always, carefully check, check and recheck all your information before you hit the ‘Book’ button when booking flights.

9. Lowest price guarantee: There are many sites which compare prices. You’ll see plenty of different prices advertised for your hotel stay. To make this work in your favor, check many sources; and then go with whichever one offers the best deal.

10. Location: Hotel prices tend to drop as you move further away from the center of the city, or beachfront. If you’re happy to take some public transport, taxi, or walk, you might be able to save a bit extra. Also, chances are there that you might be rewarded with lower room rates and perhaps even nicer accommodations for the same amount of money.

In short, a bit of planning when you are preparing for your holiday can help you save a lot of money on hotel rooms. We advise that you do the groundwork first, so you can enjoy yourself on vacation.

Tips for Booking Hotels

1. Early Booking: "The early bird gets the worm,” in this case, the expression stands true for hotel bookings. We suggest you get into the habit of booking your room as soon as you've finalized your travel plans. This would give you more room options and the best hotel rates possible.

2. Special Offers: A lot of offers and travel websites carry promotions and offer special deals for hotel bookings. Make sure to check these out.

Special offers could be in terms of add-on like:
1. Free Breakfast
2. Free Parking
3. Promotional Discounts
4. Free Upgrades
Make sure to check out available deals.

We at Cheapoair are proud to announce star rated hotel rooms under $99 at prime locations.

3. Freebies: When it comes to booking a hotel, the lowest price isn’t necessarily the best deal. A good deal is one which includes a lot of extras. The type of room and price should include amenities, like free continental breakfast, in-room coffee, shuttle service and an on-site pool and workout center, which can add up to big vacation savings. Make sure you check these out before you proceed with the booking.

4. Booking Period: We suggest you be flexible about your travel plans. Always do research to find out about off season travel discounts for the destination you intend to travel to. You can always plan your trip in and around that time. This would be a major contributor in saving your hard earned money. The additional benefit while placing a booking during off-season is fewer crowds means shorter lines for attractions and cheaper tickets to shows and events you might want to see.

5. Hidden charges: Watch out for any kind of hidden charges. Some hotels charge extra, such as city taxes and credit card fees after they’ve quoted you the hotel price. Always ensure that you have enquired about all the charges before proceeding with the booking.

6. Booking a Package: Package deals are great for travelers intending to holiday in popular destinations. Try looking for a package that would include air fare, attraction tickets, hotel accommodations, etc. Chances are that this is going to save you more money instead of buying/booking each item separately. Since you are booking a package, you may be delighted to find a few extras thrown in.

7. Stay Mid-Week: Weekends are generally the busiest times for hotels – and the most expensive time as well. If you can be flexible with the dates, we advise that you plan your trip mid-week, when the vacancy rate is the highest. You could book the lowest rate.

8. Sign up for newsletters: Most travel websites offer promotions and other discounts with regards to various items, such as hotels and airlines via their newsletters. Signing up for the newsletter is a guarantee that you won’t miss any travel deals.

Sign up for the CheapOair.com Exclusive Fare Alerts Newsletter today, and be automatically entered into the, "Win a Trip for Two to Las Vegas" sweepstakes. Mistakes happen. But when the mistakes are connected to an airline ticket, they can ruin your entire trip. Always, carefully check, check and recheck all your information before you hit the ‘Book’ button when booking flights.

9. Lowest price guarantee: There are many sites which compare prices. You’ll see plenty of different prices advertised for your hotel stay. To make this work in your favor, check many sources; and then go with whichever one offers the best deal.

10. Location: Hotel prices tend to drop as you move further away from the center of the city, or beachfront. If you’re happy to take some public transport, taxi, or walk, you might be able to save a bit extra. Also, chances are there that you might be rewarded with lower room rates and perhaps even nicer accommodations for the same amount of money.

In short, a bit of planning when you are preparing for your holiday can help you save a lot of money on hotel rooms. We advise that you do the groundwork first, so you can enjoy yourself on vacation.

Garden greens

Last weekend I went to pick greens. It wasn't the last of the greens from our garden but we really don't have too much left at this point. We still have some turnips greens with turnips and some kale. We have about six collard plants left after we picked the ones above. We felt we needed to pick most of them because we knew the weather was going to get quite cold, even here in middle Georgia we worried about what a freeze might do to them. I don't know how long they will survive if the temperatures stay below freezing for several nights -- the forecast for this week.

I thought the view of the back of my car was wonderful. The collards look like big dark green cabbages to me. I put them in buckets and kept water over the stems until I could wash them and freeze them. I hate it when my greens wilt before I get to them. Because the weather was cool, there was no need for me to rush to get them in the freezer. It took me a couple of days but they were still at the peak of freshness when I washed, chopped and froze them.

For all the collards we picked, we put them in just two 2-gallon bags to freeze. Knowing how they cook down, I am thinking that will make a generous "mess" (as my grandmother called it) for  our traditional New Year's dinner.

We did pick some kale but it is not growing as well as in the spring. I have been using the kale in my green shakes -- very yummy.

I am happy to show this photo of our garlic. It is beginning to come up and looks very healthy. It will be a welcome sight in the summer.

That is probably the last look at our garden for the winter. It was great while it lasted and we will revive it again in the spring.

Tahini Blossoms (A no-peanut-butter version of a popular treat)

My daughter sent me this photo of a "No-Peanut Butter" cookie that is very much like a peanut butter cookie but made with tahini. In her comments she said this was the "easiest recipe ever!" I do think it looks very easy. She apologized for sending me a photo of the cookies on a baking stone because she said they were so much prettier on her Christmas china.

I am sure that was right but I am glad to show it this way because I think a baking stone is the perfect way to bake cookies. I overcooked so many cookies until I purchased my baking stone. I don't think I could bake them without it.

Back to the recipe. I had to question her on a few things because the recipe seemed to be a little too easy. It didn't have any leavening and no eggs but she assured me this was her recipe. I have tried the recipe, sans the kisses and the cookies are good. She said she had tried the cookies with and without leavening and it really didn't seem to make a difference. The spelt flour is lighter than the whole wheat flour and makes fluffier cookies. If you decide to use wheat, the leavening might be more important.

Tahini Blossom Cookies

1 cup of whole spelt (wheat would work, but might need leavening)
1/2 cup tahini
1/2 cup honey

Mix together. Roll into balls. Mash a little. Press in a Hershey's Kiss.

Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. Check after 10 minutes so they won't overcook.

Whole spelt is lighter than whole wheat and therefore makes lighter whole grain baked goods.

Tissue flower wreath

One of the ideas for Christmas decorating we presented at the Tea for Toys last week was this tissue wreath. People really seemed to like it and it is an easy thing to make. The cost to make this one was under $5 (one larger than 8" would cost more). I have always liked tissue flowers ever since I learned to made them as a child from Kleenexes and hairpins.

I found a thick styrofoam wreath at my local Dollar Tree and I cut it in half to make two wreaths. I think the higher priced ones at the craft stores are of a higher quality and maybe easier to work with but the price difference is incredible.

Here are the directions. I hope you enjoy my wreath if you make it.

Tissue Flower Wreath Directions

4 to 5 sheets of red tissue paper (fold and cut into 3 inch circles)
2 stems of lacquered red berries (each stem contains approximately 21 berries)
1 (8-inch) styrofoam wreath
Wire cutters
Low-temperature or hot melt glue and glue gun
1 (8 1/2 x 11) piece of cardboard to cut a circle for the back (optional)
Ribbon for the inside of the circle (optional)

To make the flowers: Cut three inch circles from the tissue paper. Separate the lacquered berries from the  stem. Each will have a wire attached. Take at least three circles and insert the wire into the center of the tissue circles. Form a flower loosely around the berry and lay the flowers aside. You will have approximately 42 flowers.

For the optional cardboard backing on the wreath, lay the styrofoam wreath onto the cardboard, trace the shape and cut out the circle.

Insert the stems of the flowers randomly into the styrofoam wreath. Cut the excess wire from the back of the wreath with wire cutters. Secure the flowers by gluing them to the styrofoam wreath underneath the tissue, taking care to make sure the glue doesn’t show through.

Glue on the optional cardboard back and ribbon in the center with a low temperature glue gun.