A few weeks ago several bloggers that I follow made a post called "Hometown Traditions" and I found it so interesting to see how other towns and villages celebrate Christmas and the holidays. I live in Los Altos in Northern California and my hometown is brimming with traditions from tree lightings to fun runs. Want to see the traditions we enjoy?

Hi folks! Thank you all so much for your enthusiasm for this giveaway, and also many thanks to Mollie Ollie for offering this generous giveaway. This has been so fun and heartwarming to be able to offer such a lovely giveaway at this time of year. We have two winners today!

Hello! If you live in the USA, I want to wish you a happy Thanksgiving holiday. I know you're most likely busy right now but I wanted to pop in to remind you to save that turkey carcass (such an unattractive word!) and make turkey soup! Last year I wrote step by step posts to make no fail turkey soup. This post is where it begins!  We will be a small gathering this year but whether large or small, I always make a big turkey because we are a family who loves their turkey. The day after Thanksgiving I'll be listening to carols, decorating the house for Christmas, and making turkey stock. I actually look forward to the day after! 

I'm a gal who loves to give and receive gifts, but now more than ever I'm looking for practical, inexpensive, useful, clutter free gifts. Consumables are great to give; think champagne, lotto scratchers, candles, fancy baking mixes, and exotic jars of jam or honey, but I also love to surprise friends and family with supremely practical gifts they will love to use. 

Opening our stockings on Christmas morning is a big treat in our home. Each person is responsible for putting two items into each stocking and while we don't have a price limit, it's unspoken that they are supposed to be inexpensive. My son tends to give candy bars and my husband is fond of gifting lotto scratchers. My mother used to give toothpaste and floss and my daughter loves to give makeup and personal care items. My specialty is finding that quirky useful item. One year I gave batteries and scotch tape! Many of these items are appropriate for hostess gifts and a few are meant for more special under-the-tree gifts. I own, use and love every single thing on this list. Some you’ll find quirky but I think you'll love what I've come up with. All prices are accurate on posting day, but may change.

Are you ready to gift something that's a little bit out of the ordinary? Here ya go!

This little cardi is sailing across the beautiful blue Pacific to a baby girl who lives Upcountry in Maui where it actually gets cold enough to wear a sweater. The ruched detail on the yoke is very simple to do, yet makes a big splash style-wise. And then the flower buttons, sigh, I had them in my stash and they are perfect. I'm so happy with it and wish I could be there when the gift is opened.

Both my pantry and freezer need a good cleaning. They are unorganized and jumbled and despite my good intentions, I've simply let them both go. I know I can't even begin to think about cleaning either of them until I use up much of the food I've been storing. So before the hectic holiday season begins I'm going to challenge myself to eat mainly out of my pantry and freezer--use it up and create some space with a bonus of making Zero Dollar Dinners. After the challenge, I can give everything a good scrub, but October is going to be for cooking and eating what I have, not for shopping. Want to do it with me? Please say yes! Read on to see how we'll do it.