Winter Joy

When the weather turns bitterly cold, finding joy can be difficult. This is especially true if one has little or no experience in such activities. Where and how can you find during difficult times? The answer, of course, depends on what you consider joyful and fulfilling. Those in the habit of spending hard earned funds on the latest gadget, closet full of shoes and clothes, eating in expensive restaurants and other wallet draining activities will find it difficult to find true joy in their lives. One thing they have not learned is the difference between frugality and miserliness.

The miser resents any expenditure, saving always for 'someday' and never enjoying life to the fullest. Some misers have unlimited funds, others have very little. Their outlook on life, however, is the same. What about those who are frugal, yet find joy on a regular basis? Those individual do not believe in waste. They live fully in each day and every activity. Expensive meals in restaurants are replaced with meals prepared at home, shared with family and friends, savoring each moment and sharing with others. Frugal living means recognizing that a house or closet full of stuff weighs a person down. They purchase what they need and regularly give away anything not worn or used on a regular basis. There is something freeing about reducing unneeded or unwanted items from our lives. It feels like a heavy weight is lifted from our shoulders and we can breathe deeply.

The joy you discover is up to you; you decide what brings you that feeling of contentment and happiness. Some things I find joyful when weather makes it difficult to be outside include watching the birds from my office window, reading a good book in front of the fire, preparing a pot of hearty soup to share with family and friends, and baking special treats for loved ones. You may find joy in reading to a child or visiting a Senior Center to serve meals, organize a sing along, or driving an elderly neighbor to the grocery store. There is no right or wrong in frugal joy. Do those things you like and share with others. You might be amazed at how little you have to spend in dollars and the amount of joy you find.

If you want to bake a batch of cookies to share at work or with a neighbor, yet find yourself short of time, here is a recipe you and prepare that is both simple and delicious. The cost is minimal but you will be rewarded with joy and love. I seldom use cake mixes and when I do, they are always Dr. Oetker organic, not those full of chemicals. If you are not an organic eater, use your favorite mix.



Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

1 (8-ounce) brick cream cheese, room temperature
1 stick butter, at room temperature
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (18-ounce) box Dr. Oetker chocolate cake mix
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in the egg. Then beat in the vanilla extract. Beat in the cake mix. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up so that you can roll the batter into balls. Roll the chilled batter into tablespoon sized balls and then roll them in confectioner's sugar. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake 12 minutes. The cookies will remain soft and "gooey." Cool completely and sprinkle with more confectioners' sugar, if desired.

Makes 2 dozen

One of my favorite items to bake is Pumpkin Cake. I promise to post that recipe soon. If you have some favorite dish you enjoy preparing, please send it along and I will do my best to add it at some future date.

Have a wonderful, joy filled, and frugal week.