- Good food, good company, good advice from Grandma

Amelia Island, Florida

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Fabgrandpa and I are going to Amelia Island, Florida soon. I can not wait to get there! I know a lot of people have never heard of it, but when my children were young, we used to go there every year for Easter Break from school. One of my best friend’s husband worked for the railroad, and transferred to Fernandina Beach on his job. I helped them move, and fell in love with the area. Even after Kay and David moved from the area in another transfer with the railroad, we all met there in the spring at Amelia Island.

It has been almost thirty years since the last time I went to Amelia Island. I am sure that things have changed since then, but one thing that will never change is the beauty of the area. We went there because it was quiet: you could be on the beach all day long and never see another person. Crowded meant there was another family there.

One of the things I am looking forward to, though, is that Amelia Island’s Sixth Annual Restaurant Week takes place from January 17 through 26. a ten-day showcase of 18 of the island’s most popular dining hotspots, ranging from fine dining to casual courtyard cafés. Each participating restaurant will offer a special fixed menu (priced at either $19 or $29 per person) that includes three courses and a beverage. New this year, the Amelia Island Restaurant Week is kicking off a day early with a special “farm to table” dining event at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island’s Café 4750 on Thursday, January 16. I can hardly wait to taste the offerings of Cafe′ Karibo and BarZin!

I’d love to see y’all there. Amelia Island is north of Jacksonville, Florida near the border with Georgia. Make your reservations now to come join in the fun for Restaurant Week!

Dear Fabgrandma

Karen · 2 Comments

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Dear Fabgrandma: How do you stay close to family members that do not live nearby?

This is another good question that also pertains to my own family. My son has been in the Air Force, and stationed at places far away from me for almost twenty years now. His first child was born in Texas, when I lived in Georgia. His second child, my oldest granddaughter, was born in Guam. He now lives in Maryland, and I am back in Georgia. My oldest daughter lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. My step-daughter and my youngest daughter both live in Georgia, but we were far away from both of them while we were traveling in our RV for thirteen years.

While none of us are good at writing letters, there were several things we have done over the years to keep in touch. My oldest grandson, Michael, is almost 18 years old now. When he was a baby, things like video conferencing and text messages were not as common as there are now. Since very little babies don’t get the concept of the telephone being put up to their ear, I bought my son a speaker phone so that my grandson could hear my voice. As he got a little older, he would sit next to the phone and talk to me. It worked fine for the era it was in use.

When Michael was turning 7, we had just gotten online with high speed internet in Texas, and signed up to use Yahoo Messenger. We could get online at the same time my son was online in England, and actually see each other as we talked. It was fun to see the grandchildren as they talked to us. I had asked Michael what he wanted for his birthday. He ran out of the room, and when he came back he had a book with pictures of crystals in it, so he could show me exactly what he wanted. I thought that was amazing! Now with Facebook chat and Google Hangouts, I can chat with any of the kids or groups of them all the time.

Another thing I did when Michael was a baby was rent a video camera (yeah, back then they were not everyday items like they are now). I put the camera on a tripod, and sat in my rocking chair, reading a story book to Michael. As I read the book, I showed the pictures to the camera. When I was finished reading the story, I burned the video on a CD, and mailed the book and CD to Michael and Sarah, my granddaughter. They could sit at the computer and play the CD, and follow along with me reading while they looked at the book in their hands. The next time Michael saw me, he said “You’re the lady on my movie!”

With all the technology we have today, there are so many ways to stay in touch, that it is almost impossible not to. What ways do you use to stay in touch with the people in your family? Your friends? Does your whole family get on Facebook? Or do you still send cards and letters?

Do you have a question for Fabgrandma? email me at karen@fabgrandma.com

Finding A Country Club That Doesn’t Charge A Membership Fee

Karen · Leave a Comment

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Have you ever thought about joining a country club? The thought of joining one is usually followed by wondering how much it would cost to be a member, and then which one you would consider joining. Does the club offer more than one type of membership? Seasonal? Annual? Can renters use the facilities? There are just so many things you need to find out before you sign up.

There are many to choose from, so it will take some time to find the right one for you. Choosing the right one to join is important, because if they don’t offer activities and amenities that you like you will not like the experience you get from being a member there.

There are also many price ranges for country club membership, ranging from many thousands of dollars a year to absolutely free. How can you find a free country club? Country Club homes at Boca Pointe offers a free membership option. You can learn more here about that option.

This membership club offers golfing, tennis, lifelong learning opportunities, cards and games, trips, and much more. There are three dining facilities, plus catering services to make planning your party, wedding or other special occasion effortless. Find out more today about Boca Pointe.

Friday Product Roundup

Karen · 3 Comments

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I get a lot of requests to try new products. I try to say yes to things I think my readers would like to know about, but it gets hectic at times trying to find the time to write a separate post for each one. So, I am going to start a regular feature here at Fabgrandma called Friday Product Roundup, so I can tell y’all about the things I have tried that week. This week we have several things in the roundup basket.

1. Three Bakers Gluten Free Bakers

Three Bakers Gluten Free sent me some samples of their Whole Grain White Bread and their Herb Seasoned Whole Grain Cubed Stuffing. Before I started eating gluten free, I used to buy Stove Top Stuffing as a change up from rice and potatoes. Three Bakers Herb Seasoned Whole Grain Cubed Stuffing is just as easy to prepare, and tastes great. Even my non gluten free hubby, Fabgrandpa, liked it. We will be buying this product. The Whole Grain White Bread is a very good gluten free bread. If it was available in my local grocery stores, I would buy it, too, but I haven’t been able to find it yet.

Three Bakers Gluten Free Bakery been in the gluten-free business locally in Scranton, Pennsylvania since 2008. They are now expanding their business to distribute their products nationally. If you’d like to try them, you can get a retailer request form here to take to your local grocery store.

2.Wild Planet Foods sustainable seafood

Wild Planet Foods uses sustainably caught wild seafood to provide the finest tasting seafood while supporting the conservation of wild marine ecosystems. They use tuna ONLY from pole and troll catch fisheries, never from long-line or purse seine fisheries, which are Wild Planet has been sustainable compliant since 2oo4. Greenpeace ranks Wild Planet #1 in sustainability out of 14 Canadian brands. Products include Wild Albacore Tuna, Wild Albacore Tuna-No Salt Added, Wild Albacore Tuna in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Wild Skipjack Light Tuna, Single Serve Pouches, Wild Albacore Tuna Filets, and more.

Wild Planet products have the lowest amount of mercury, and the highest amount of Omega 3, making them one of the best choices for your seafood needs. Wild Planet uses the highest quality raw materials, their tuna is undiluted by additives or water, and their tuna is hand cut and packed to provide a whole tuna steak in every can, not a can of tuna flakes and never mushy. Find a retailer in your area here.

3. Seapoint Farms Edamame Snacks

Seapoint Farms has several varities of edamame snacks to choose from. The Dry Roasted Edamame Lightly Salted flavor is nutty and crunchy. Made from roasted green soybeans, it provides you with 14 grams of soy protein in one serving. It is great as a snack, on a salad, or or straight from the package. The Dry Roasted Edamame Goji Blend is a mix of dry roasted edamame and goji berries, a superfruit that provides loads of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

SPF_Nutrition_Lightly-Salted BAG — Dry Roasted Edamame Nutrition Facts

SPF Dry Roasted Edamame Goji Blend 711575102203

Dry roated — Dry Roasted Edamame Goji Blend Nutrition Facts

You can buy Seapoint Farms Edamame Snacks by the case online, find a retailer in your area here, or buy them from Amazon.com and get free shipping with Prime.

Some Tips For Saving Money By Rewiring Your House Yourself

Karen · 1 Comment

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To rewire your house properly with minimal damage you need some basic knowledge about electrical power. TV, computer, blenders, refrigerators: none of these existed in houses when the first house was wired for electricity. With up-gradates in electrical systems, and more and more electric appliances, came the complications of wiring the house properly. Updating electrical devices and wiring the house accordingly can often results in a lot of damage if you try to do it yourself. Hence, asking help from a professional electrician is a must. Rewiring the house doesn’t seem to be that difficult task and can be done as a DIY program. Here are some tips to follow when rewiring the house yourself which will not only save you money but is more like a precautionary measure.

Precaution is a must

Before you begin with any rewiring project, make sure that you have taken all the preventive safety measures you can. Make sure to go over your safety checklist before you begin. Working with electricity has never been safe so you need to touch the wires with care and make use of a protective good quality eye wear.

Begin with electrical inventory

Make a list of the electrical devices that you will be using in the house. Then chose wiring that will handle the load of the electrical appliances you want to use. Making sure you have the right wire will assure that you won’t have to add a connection or two later.

Check local codes and work out the permits

There is usually a standard set of codes for everything from the number of outlets you can have in a room to the types of wire you can use. You need to follow the codes. Failure to do that means you may have to pull out the wiring and do it all over again.

Turning off the power supply

Always turn off the electric power before you begin with the process. It is a must to note down the amperage of your home appliances and then select appropriate sockets and wires. If you’re currently residing in Santa Monica LA, get assistance with the local electrician of plumbers in Santa Monica, and ask for some guidelines regarding the electrician.

Removing the old wires and installing the new

Here you might need some help from a professional for the rewiring project. Identify the power outlets, switches and lights that you would need for every circuit. If the house is old, it is important that you change the wire after a certain period to avoid any kind of accidents. Check the attic for the wiring that connects the breaker box and the power plug. Check the power outlet carefully to make sure that you do not make any hole in the wall or the roof.

The location of the power outlet can be easily traced when you follow the cable carefully. Use enough light to see the wires carefully and leave 7-8 inches in the breaker box and remove the rest. Replace the old wire with the new by peeling the insulation around 3-5 inches. Make a loop and wrap them together and secure it with an electric tape. Follow the same procedure for all the switches and outlets and once done check if the connections are working fine.

7 Gift Ideas for Your Co-Workers

Karen · Leave a Comment

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You think buying branded cologne for your male colleagues or maybe some fancy silver earrings for the gossiping female receptionist can be quite lavish for a simple staff member like yourself. Nevertheless, you want to make an effort and a good impression by still wrapping up some simple, affordable yet useful presents.

It’s hard to think of gift ideas on your own so here’s a list of 7 items that would be perfect for those “have to buy” gifts.

1.Cologne Sample Vials. Branded colognes are definitely a posh gift for your close family and friends but giving them to your work colleagues will not fit your budget. Despite these branded colognes being expensive, you can definitely purchase discount cologne for men in sample vials. Beauty Encounter has these samples and the packaging is quite presentable. Choices can be Burberry Weekend for Men, Angel Men by Thierry Mugler and more.

2. Fountain Pen. Fountain pens are probably the most generic items you can wrap up as presents. They’re not only useful but they look elegant. You can give this to your boss or immediate supervisor. After all, his signatures are always that important.

3. Swiss Army Knife. Those Swiss army knives are great for your office buddies. A man can never have enough Swiss knives or any tools he can use whether for camping, emergency situations or simply just for a bit of bag accessory.

4. Water Bottle. For your colleagues who are gym addicts or gym buffs, you can give them a water bottle, maybe even a personalized one. Water bottles are very useful and environment-friendly than buying disposable ones at the grocery or nearby convenience store.

5. Year-End or Specialized Magazines. Technology has successfully replaced some of the old printed stuff, However there are specialized or year-end magazines that still cater to a number of people. For instance, men would probably love a playboy magazine while women will adore a home decor or wedding magazine.

6. Gift Cards or Gift Certificates. No idea what your colleagues’ interests are? You can always give them gift cards or certificates from popular stores. Your colleague will have the freedom to pick whatever he likes for himself. An Amazon gift card can buy him gadget accessories, books and more. For your lady pals, they would love a Beauty Encounter E-Gift Certificate which you can grab for as little as $25.

7. Chocolates. When you’re up to the very last minute of shopping and you have no idea what to give, chocolates never go wrong in any occasion. You can buy those mixed variants carefully decorated in a box or basket complete with ribbon and gift tags. It may look like you haven’t got much effort but it’s the thought that counts on this one.

If you have plenty of time, you can still scout for cheaper gifts depending on your colleagues’ personality and office rank. When all else fails, find the quickest store near you and you’ll surely find something present-worthy in there.

14 Things You Can Do To Save Money In 2014

Karen · 36 Comments

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Starting out a new year is always a good time to start, or continue, saving. If you are like me and Fabgrandpa,you are probably on a budget, and need ways to make every penny count. Luckily for you, here is my list of 14 things you can do to save money.

1. Create a budget.

As simple as it sounds, making a budget is a starting point for anyone who wants to save a few or a lot of dollars. Making a budget can be as simple or as complicated as you like it to be. You might be someone who can just make a simple list of things you owe each month, and total up the monthly payments to get a real idea of where your money goes. Or, you might be someone who creates an elaborate spreadsheet, that lets you adjust payment amounts for each item and still come out under a certain amount each month. But, any way you do it, making a budget gives you a starting point to get an idea of where you might save money.

2. Start a savings account.

Whether your savings account is a quart jar or an actual account in a bank or credit union, making a place to park you savings is a positive step toward meeting your budgeted savings goal. At some banks, you have to have at least $100 to open an account. At the credit union that Fabgrandpa and I use, the minimum deposit amount for a savings account is $25. If you don’t have enough cash on hand to open an account, start putting your pocket change or your dollar bills in an envelope or quart jar. You will be surprised at how fast you can save up that minimum. Once you have opened your account, add the budgeted savings amount each week. Even $5 a week comes to $260 by the end of the year.

3. Make a monthly meal plan.

In the past when I have had to feed my family on a really tight budget, I have taken the time to sit down and make a monthly meal plan. Doing this helps me use every bit of my food dollar wisely. I start with a list of different meats that can be stretched out to 2 or more meals, then build my calendar around them. I also plan at least one meal a month that is meatless, since meat is the most expensive food budget item. If you have a good plan, you won’t end up eating Ramen noodles at the end of the month.

4. Serve a meatless meal once a week.

Since meats can be the most expensive menu items, it makes sense to cut them out of at least one meal a week. There are all kinds of other things you can serve to take place of meats. Beans are a good source of protein, and there are many different kinds of them. Kidney, pinto, black, lima, and navy beans are all delicious and provide fiber as well as protein. Other things you can serve instead of beans are macaroni and cheese, quinoa, peanut butter, and tofu. You might try this recipe for Eggplant Parmesean, a delicious entree that does not contain meat.

5. Always make a shopping list for groceries.

I know this may sound silly, but even when you go to the grocery store to just pick up some bread and milk, making a tangible list to hold in your hand can help you stay on budget. I have a rule for myself in tight months that if it is not on the list, I can not buy it. So, if you think you might want candy or cookies, put them on the list, otherwise you are not allowed to buy them. Here is a screen shot of one of my monthly meal plans with a shopping list attached

things you can do to save money — Monthly Menu Plan with Shopping List

You can download a Word doc file of it here: Monthly Menu. As a bonus, it is linked to some of the recipes I used for that menu plan. You can see that I have the monthly menu and the shopping list for everything I would need to make all those meals, plus things for breakfast. I can print off the sheet and take it with me to the store. Which brings me to #6.

6. Shop your pantry first.

Once you have your monthly menu planned, and the shopping list of things you need to be able to prepare the meals on your plan, print it off. Then, shop your pantry. Mark off all the things that are on your list that are already in your pantry. You save money by only buying the things you need. This method also helps to clear out older items in the pantry, so that they don’t expire before you use them. Nothing says wasted money quite like groceries that get thrown away. It is one of the best things you can do to save money.

7. Use coupons whenever possible.

After you shop your pantry, and only have things on your list that you really need to buy, go through all of your coupons, and match them up to the things you are planning to buy. Whether you use only one or two coupons, or you are an extreme couponer, you can save money using coupons. You won’t save money, though, if you only buy something because you have a coupon for it. Staple or paper clip your coupons to your shopping list so you remember to take them with you to the store.

8. Stock up when things you use all the time are on sale.

With all of the above being said, if you get to the store, and there is a great sale on something you use all the time, stock up by buying as much of that item as you afford, and that you have space for. Things like chicken broth, tuna, canned chicken, chicken thighs, and ground beef are things that I tend to stock up on, even if I only buy one more than what I need. I am also not opposed to make a change in the meat part of a meal plan if I get to the store and see that another type of meat is on sale. If I know that I can substitute pork for beef, or beef for chicken, I get the one that is on sale and make the adjustment at meal time.

9. Get a small freezer.

One of the best purchases I ever made when my children were young was buying a small freezer. There were lots of times that people I knew would offer me free food, like a half bushel of green beans, or five pounds of ground beef. If I had not had that freezer I would not have been able to take advantage of the offer. I don’t have anyone giving me free food nowadays, but I do have a small chest freezer. It lets me take advantage of a good sale on chicken or ground beef. I stocked it up with fresh from the farm peaches, squash, and okra over the summer.

10. Plant a small garden.

Even the smallest yard can support an herb garden. A square foot garden can provide tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, lettuce, green beans, and bell peppers, and save a ton of money over the summer. I also love that by planting an herb garden that I can have fresh parsley, oregano, basil, and dill whenever I want them, and they don’t cost a king’s ransom. All I have to do is walk outside and cut them.

11. Start measuring the serving size.

With only two people in the house now that our children are grown, when I cook a whole chicken we are able to eat two or three meals from it. For several years after the kids had moved out, though, when I cooked a whole chicken or a pork roast, of something like that, I put the entire thing on the table when I served dinner. What happened next is that we both ate too much, and we wound up not having enough left over to make another dinner. So, I started only putting two servings on the table, and the rest went into the refrigerator. It was like the pieces on our plates were all there was. We both stopped eating way too much, because we could see what an actual serving of beef or chicken or pork looks like. By measuring the recommended serving size, we can make those meats last for two or more meals.

12. Make your own cleaning products.

You can save a ton of money on cleaning products by simply changing what you use. Simple household items like White vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, salt, olive oil, Ivory bath soap, washing soda, borax, and essential oils can replace many of the chemical based cleaners you now use. They cost less, and are a lot healthier for you to use as well. You can find many recipes and directions on how to make simple household cleaners online. For instance, I buy a pint bottle of the cheapest vodka I can find, and mix in a few drops of lavendar and mint essential oils, shake vigorously to blend, and it makes the best smelling air freshener.

13. Join Amazon Prime, and buy in bulk with free shipping.

If you make a lot of purchases from Amazon.com, you should seriously consider joining Amazon Prime. With Amazon Prime, you get free two day shipping on millions of products that you use every day. Many of Amazon’s prices are lower than local big box stores, and with the free shipping, you are not spending the money for fuel for your automobile to get the products you need and want. Other benefits of Amazon Prime include free streaming of 41,000 movies and TV shows, and more than 350,000 Kindle book titles to borrow for free. The cost of joining is $119, but I easily saved way more than that in just shipping costs in the first three months of the year. You can also give a Prime membership as a Gift!

14. Recycle, reuse, and thrift.

Last on my list but equally as important as the other tips, is to recycle, reuse, and thrift. This means that if you need a gadget in the kitchen, like a ladle or a colander, check in at your local thrift shop first. I have found lots of kitchen tools for as little as 25 cents, compared to paying $5 or $6 for the same thing new. Thrift shops have good used clothing in all sizes, kitchen items, books, home decor, and the list goes on and on. Making use of these old items that still have some work left in them is a great way to save money. If you drink a lot of soda or beer that comes in cans, save them in a plastic bag and take them in for recycling once a month. You can help save landfill space, and get paid for doing it! What other forms of reuse or recycling do you use in your home?

A Compact Christmas – Holiday Decorating Ideas for Small Homes

Karen · Leave a Comment

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The holiday season is approaching and you want to decorate your home, but trying to fit a full sized Christmas tree in the living room of your tiny apartment seems as fantastical as Santa Claus fitting enough toys for all of the boys and girls in the world into his sleigh. Living in a small and compact home has a number of advantages, because it is cheaper, easier to clean and more practical. However, it can pose some challenges when it comes to decorating for the holidays.

It is possible to create a charming Christmas atmosphere within your home, no matter how small it is. You simply need to think outside the box and get creative with your decorations. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind when you are decorating your small home this holiday.

Mini Christmas Tree Alternatives

Perhaps putting a large eight foot Christmas tree in your apartment would take up too much room and make you feel like you are living in a forest. This isn’t your only option for Christmas cheer, however. Many people who live in small flats choose to decorate with a tabletop tree instead. This is a 2-3 foot version of a Christmas tree that will sit on top of a table or a dresser. They are artificial (so there are no needles to clean up) and you can even find mini-trees that are sparkly, metallic or fun colours.

When it comes to decorating your mini-tree, you will need to consider the scale of the ornaments – because full sized Christmas tree ornaments might look too large and can overwhelm the tiny tree. Look for smaller and daintier ornaments, such as little bells, tiny books and decorative figurines. If you are looking for ideas for Christmas ornaments, you can visit ornamentshop.com/family-christmas-ornaments-c157 and take a look at some of the pretty designs. .

Festive Christmas Wall Decals

Another creative idea for decorating a small space at Christmas is a wall decal. They will not take up any space and all you need is a blank wall. You can buy large stickers that are made of vinyl and they come in a range of festive designs such as elves, Santa Claus, snowmen and other seasonal themes. There are even decals that are designed to be used on the windows, so that you can create a snowy scene for all to see.

Front Door Decorations

No matter how small your home is, you will be able to decorate your front door in a festive way. By adding a wreath or another Christmas decoration to the door you will be able to welcome guests into your home with holiday cheer. There are many beautiful wreaths available out there – from wreaths made of fabric, pine cones, silver wire and much more.

Keep it Simple

When you have a large space to decorate, you can feel free to add all of the ornate and opulent Christmas decorations you like in bold red and green colours and big prints and patterns. However, when you are decorating a small space this can be overwhelming. Instead, stick with simple and elegant patterns and colours, such as silver and blue. Keeping your decorations simple, elegant and charming will be much more effective in a small space.

Make the Most of Vertical Space

If you don’t have a lot of room in your flat or your small house, think about how you can decorate the vertical spaces in your home. Can you hang Christmas decorations from a chandelier, or run a strong of lights along the top of the room by the ceiling? Hanging decorations from the ceiling will draw the eye upward, which will make your rooms appear to be larger.

Set a Festive Table

Another way that you can add more Christmas cheer into your space is by sprucing up your table decorations for the season. You can add a holiday table cloth and use decorative Christmas plates and glasses. You might even considering finding a decorative festive centrepiece to place in the middle of your table, along with some candles to set the mood.

Decorating for a small space can be a challenge, but with a little bit of creativity and innovation you can make a flat or a house of any size feel happy, welcoming and festive.

Paula Wilson is a freelance writer and blogger. She often writes about crafts, art, home décor and culture. Recently she helped her 22 year old son decorate his first (tiny) flat for Christmas.