Archive | November, 2010

Frugal & Natural Christmas Decor

Photo by Michele of frugalgranola.com

This post is written by contributing writer, Michele Augur.

Decorating with found items is both frugal and beautiful! As we bring in items found on walks, our family savors the scents and colors of the season.

I honestly don’t spend a lot of time decorating (and I’m certainly not trained in floral design!), but it is a joy to bless my family and friends with a festive and comfortable atmosphere.

I created the wreath in the photo above, using tree boughs and holly sprigs from the woods around our home. (If you live in the city, ask a neighbor if you can snip some branches from their overgrown holly or juniper bushes!) Carry small pruning shears with you on walks, or just gather fallen items from the ground.

I re-purposed an old wreath frame and floral foam from a dusty old silk flower wreath. (You can often find these at thrift stores or garage sales, or purchase them on sale from craft stores.) I accented with a few of the silk/paper flowers. I also enjoy decorating with dried rosebuds, seed pods, and hydrangeas from summer gardens.

To attach the greenery to the wreath, I used a combination of floral pins (reused from the old wreath) and green floral wire. Some of the branches were also just securely pushed into the floral foam. Mine has a bit of a  “rustic” look, but if you prefer a more classic look, you can trim the branches with pruning shears.

For my thick wreath, floral foam was tied to the wreath frame. (But you could omit the foam, and just tie items directly to the metal wreath frame.) If you don’t have floral wire, you can also attach flowers and holly sprigs with a hot glue gun. I followed Melissa’s advice, and purchased removable hooks to attach a wreath to our glass front door window.

During the past few months, my daughter has enjoyed collecting leaves and other found items to make garlands for our home along with me. For the leaves, she would poke a hole with a toothpick, and then thread them onto string. (This made a simple Thanksgiving decoration.)

You can also add in dehydrated slices of oranges or apples to your garlands. As we approach Christmas, you can create similar garlands out of pine cones or holly, as well.

Photo by Michele of frugalgranola.com

I keep decorating simple by filling bowls, baskets, and cake stands (from thrift stores) with greenery, paper/dried flowers, and fresh fruit. Instead of trying to make formal bouquets, this is a way for little ones to contribute their favorite found items! (We had a bowl of beautiful fall leaves sitting by our front door this past month to greet visitors.)

You can also place some greenery, mossy branches, or holly springs in a vase or pitcher, if desired. (And even use it as a Jesse Tree for Advent!) Just use what you have on hand.

A picture from Lindsay's Christmas table - ornaments in a punch bowl

A bowl of bright red apples is easily replenished with seasonal grocery purchases, and decorated with a holly branch. Some red vintage glass ornaments fill a cake stand, and are accented by simple white candles. Look around your home for glass or wooden bowls or baskets that you could use for the season!

How do you decorate naturally for Christmas?

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Striving for a Peaceful, Organized Christmas

Photo Credit

Guest post by Kristi McKenney from Courageous Homekeeping.

As hard as it is to believe, Christmas is just around  the corner.  Are you ready?

Christmas is my very favorite time of year.  I love the decorating, the snow…or at least the hope of snow, the lights, the family traditions, the presents, the cookies and the baking.  Not to mention, the celebration of the birth of our Savior!  I love everything about Christmas.

Except the stress.

Sometimes it is easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed out around Christmastime.  There are so many demands.  For our time, our commitments and our money.

What are the areas where we feel stress this time of year, and how can we minimize that awful stress?

Money

Ooh, that’s a big one isn’t it?  There is always more money that could be spent around Christmas.  Bigger presents, better decorations, more food, more clothing…the list could go on.  Money stress can be a huge deterrent to full enjoyment of the holiday season.  How do you combat it?

Simple.  Make a budget.  And stick to it.  Make a list of people that you will be buying gifts for.  Decide together with your spouse how much you’re comfortable spending on each gift. Make sure to consider  parties, hostess gifts, food preparation, gift wrapping, and all the extra expenses you will be incurring this month.  Agree on limits and stick to them. Start small when your children are young so they don’t grow up with large expectations.

Note from Lindsay: Our Christmas budget is $500 ($250 for personal family gifts, $150 for extended family gifts, $100 for tree, hospitality, and outside holiday entertainment), and this is one we start saving in January. Makes the holidays less stressful for your future reference.

Activities and Commitments

One of the most enjoyable things about the Christmas season is all the activities!  So many volunteer opportunities, parties, family gatherings, etc.  But sometimes there is SO much activity and SO much to do that it feels more like obligation than a joyful opportunity.  How do you make it through without feeling like you’ve been hit by a Mack truck by December 26th?

Sit down with your spouse and make a list of values that are important to you to during the Christmas season. Use the holiday evaluation questions to help guide you in this process. Do you want to make a point to volunteer?  Do you want to have ample time with the family?  How are you going to keep Christ as the focus?  Schedule the things you value on your calendar first as your priorities.  With all the other activities and commitments, decide if they support your values or take away from them.  If they take away from the values you want to keep during the season, don’t be afraid to say no. Limit your Christmas activities to 2-3 for the month and schedule them in now. Any more than this can certainly be overwhelming. Keep it simple and these activities will be so much more enjoyable as a result.

Preparation

After figuring out your money situation, your activities and commitments, it’s time to make some preparation lists.  Think about that company Christmas party.  Are you going to need a new dress?  New shoes?  Are your kids going to need clothing?  Are you going to need to bring a gift?  Are you going to need to bring food?  Thinking about all those things ahead of time will enable you to get things done on your own time.  It will save stress and probably money when you don’t have to run to the store, last minute, to buy one ingredient for a dish you have to make for the next day.

Discontentment

Discontentment is not directly related to the Christmas season, but boy can Christmas bring it out!  We are constantly comparing ourselves to others!

Whenever you have that nasty feeling of discontentment come up, ask yourself if there’s anything about the situation that you can change.  If it’s easily something that is within your control to change than do so!

However, if and when you find yourself in a situation where you’re feeling discontent and there is nothing in the situation you can change, remember this very important thing.  There are two very powerful thing you ALWAYS have control over… your attitude and your focus.

When I am feeling discontent about something, usually it is because I have decided that I don’t measure up in some way.  When I am feeling like that, who or what am I focused on?  Me.  I’m not thin enough, I’m not as pretty, my cooking isn’t as good, my house isn’t as decorated.  Do you see a theme?  Me.  I make it all about me.

And it’s not.

It’s about Jesus.  It’s about memories.  It’s about family.  It’s about love.

So…how are you celebrating Christmas this year?

So, how can you grow in cultivating peace in your home?

Kristi McKenney is a busy and happy wife of 12 years and mother to 5 kids, ages 10, 7 and 4 year old triplets!  She has found contentment in her God-given role, and most of her days are spent under piles of laundry, cleaning, chasing kids, baking cookies and cooking dinner.  You can find Kristi writing full time about God, marriage and family over at www.courageoushomekeeping.com.

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We Want to Hear From You – Reader Survey & Giveaway!

As I pray and plan for a new year of blogging here at Passionate Homemaking, I would really appreciate your input! My goal has always been to serve and encourage you in your roles as wives, mothers, and homemakers, and want to continue in this ministry as the Lord leads. Would you take a moment and share your thoughts with me by filling out the survey below?

And as a thank you for filling out our survey, we are offering a special giveaway of three wonderful books. Three different winners will get to pick their favorite book from these three choices:

Season’s of A Mother’s Heart by Sally Clarkson – Encouragement for the homeschooling mother

Vintage Remedies Guide to Real Food by Jessie Hawkins – A simple introduction to real food including food throughout history, real food on a budget, how to recognize real food, and a very useful food guide from A-Z.

The Joy of Family Traditions: A Season-by-Season Companion to Celebrations, Holidays, and Special Occasions by Jennifer Thompson – a collection of wonderful ideas for cultivating family traditions in your home.

To Enter:

1. Fill out the Passionate Homemaking Reader Survey!

2. Come back and leave a comment letting us know that you completed the survey and share which book you would choose if you win!

UPDATE: Survey is limited to 600 entries (due to cost). Once this cap is reached, you can still enter the giveaway by answering these two questions in a comment below: 1. What do you love about Passionate Homemaking? 2. What is one thing we could improve?

GIVEAWAY CLOSED.

Thank you to everyone who completed the survey and shared your sweet thoughts with us! Congratulations to the following winners!

Vintage Remedies Guide to Real Food….Aubrey Roberts – alroberts8.@…
The Joy of Family Traditions…Brie – mrs.matlach@…
Seasons of A Mother’s Heart…Brandi - brandiguel@…

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Sweet Potato & Apple Casserole

This is my favorite side dish for our holiday celebrations! It is simple, nutritious, and always receives rave reviews! Yes, it is certainly a bit of dessert with dinner. Yum! It’s even better prepared a day in advance, giving it more time to mesh the flavors.

  • 4 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch slices
  • 3 apples – peeled, cored and cut into 1/4 inch slices
  • 1/2 cup sucanat/rapadura
  • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2  teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup butter or coconut oil (coconut oil adds wonderful flavor to this dish!)
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions

  1. Peel and slice sweet potatoes and apples into 1/4 inch slices.
  2. Melt the coconut oil/butter and add sweetener, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  3. Place the slices of apples and sweet potatoes throughout a 13 x 9 inch casserole dish. Drizzle with coconut oil and spice combination. Gently combine. Sprinkle with pecans, if desired.
  4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes, or until lightly browned and soft.

Yield: 10-12 servings.

This post is a contribution for the Whole Foods for the Holidays: Side Dishes Carnival!

May you all have a very blessed Thanksgiving!

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Lila Rose Giveaway: Flexi-Clips!

Paula is a homeschooling mom of 7 who recently became an independent consultant for Lilla Rose. Lilla Rose sells beautiful, feminine hair clips as well as other  jewelry. The Flexi-Clip, in particular, is a very unique clip in that it flexes around your hair with a metal stick that is attached that slides through to hold your hair in place. They are elegantly hand crafted in a Victorian style that can be dressed up or down for the occasion. It is great for the busy wife and mom, because she can do her hair beautifully in only seconds!

I received a flexi mini for my little girl, who at three, has very thin hair. With this clip, she has a cute hairdo in no time. Since she prefers me not to touch her hair at this age, this works wonders. I selected the small size for my thick curly hair which works well for half-up do’s or a full pony tail on my hair.

I have certainly been impressed by the strength and quality of the Flexi-Clip and can recommend it to you all. It can adjust so well to meet your needs. And it certainly is a huge improvement over those plastic claws! These sweet clips would make a great stocking stuffer for any gal in your life!

Today, Paula with Lilla Rose, is offering 5 Flexi-Clips (up to $15 value each) to 5 readers!

To Enter:

1. Visit Lilla Rose and pick out your favorite Flexi-Clip design (up to $15 value)! Come back and share it in your comment.

2. For a second optional entry, become a fan of Lilla Rose on Facebook. Submit a second comment letting us know!

Thank you for helping us to support this lovely WAHM!

Giveaway Closed.

CONGRATS TO THE FOLLOWING WINNERS:

#1 – Amy Rastampinrus..@… – Aurora Borealis
#2 – Michelle – frostees10@…- Stone-Set Cluster bobby-pins
#3 – Melissa – melissagr..@… – silver etched lily
#4 – Amanda – eaturne.@… – 1-1545 Tree of Life
#5 – Nicole – nikikerdins..@… – Silver etched lily flexi clip

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Let Nothing Stand Between You

Photo credit: rickkennedy

This post is written by contributing writer, Kat.

The Story

Several years ago, I went to the grocery store with my first baby.

She was sitting in a cart that had been sterilized to surgical specifications by my vast supply of wipes and cleaners. She played with a toy that would stimulate her intellect and while shopping, I spoke and interacted with her, ad nauseum, as every new, over achieving mom does.

When I reached the cereal aisle, I found, much to my wanna-be Type A chagrin, that they had rearranged the cereals. As I searched for the items on my list, I took a couple steps to the right, away from the cart. And my baby girl.

Unknown to me, a large, impatient man came up behind me. Apparently, incapable of waiting his turn, he put his hands on my cart, where my baby was innocently sleeping. He stepped between me and my girl and began moving her AWAY from me, so he could squeeze in and get his box of cereal.

Cue new mama syndrome.

I REALLY didn’t care if he was a big, baldheaded, tatooed biker man who could squash me with his pinky.

Dude was in T-r-o-u-b-l-e.

I pulled my baby back, looked up (way up) at him and said, “You do NOT want to do that.” Then, more politely, “Let me go ahead and get out of your way.”

I was furious. I had no fear. Do NOT get between this mama and her baby.

Goofy story. Important point.

Sometimes it’s ok to be angry.

Our issues, our junk, our baggage all drive a wedge between us and our children. Between us and God.

When we see our children in danger or afraid, we transform. We have no fear, no limits. We feel invincible and ready to crush anything that gets in our way. The love within us empowers us to fight what is in front of us. Without hesitation.

Part of our job as mothers is to train our children; to build their character. But the other part of our job is to train ourselves; to build our character. We must intentionally name, face, and take down those things in us that would pull us away from a life lived radically for God. We must tear down the idols.

Because there’s also good chance that our junk will be our kids junk. Our issues unresolved will trickle down into our children’s lives and hold them back from fully pursuing Him.

That makes me furious. Passionate.

So if I have to get up at 5:30am to fall at the feet of Jesus and let Him scrape off my rough edges, if I need to take the Light of His Word into my deepest darkest places, if I need to surrender my dreams for His, if I need to ask Him to use the hammer and chisel on my heart… bring it.

I will let nothing – not my past, not my failures, not my insecurity, not my pride, not my fears, not my ambition, not my condemnation, not my guilt – I will let nothing come between me and Him; between me and them. Between Him and them.

They are worth it. He is worth it.

What in your life that needs to go? Name it and take it down.

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Homemade Natural Chapstick

I frequently experience dry and chapped lips and often use chapstick as a means of solving the dryness and providing me with moisture and comfort to my lips. Today, I want to share with you a simple tutorial on how to make your own chapstick with 3 completely natural ingredients. They happen to be my favorite: shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax. These ingredients help moisturize, sooth, heal, and restore dry lips naturally. They grow in creation and team up together for a very effective lip balm! The balance in the ingredients gives it a very moisturizing and non-greasy affect. It blends into your lip in a matter of a few seconds and does not leave a glistening oil appearance. This recipe is so easy, it would make great Christmas stocking stuffers. And the beauty of it is that this simple recipe also makes a fabulous hard lotion bar – perfect for dry and cracked skin. You can easily make a smaller or larger quantity as desired. Any extra can be made into a hard lotion bar by pouring into ice cube trays.

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons beeswax (about 1 oz)
2 Tablespoons coconut oil
2 Tablespoons shea butter
12 lip balm containers
dropper

Directions:

1. Melt beeswax in a small pan or crockpot over low heat. Add coconut oil and shea butter until all ingredients a melted. Add a few drops essential oil if desired. I did not use any essential oil and it is smells wonderfully like honey!
2. Using a small medicinal dropper, pour the melted liquid into your lip balm containers. Add a few extra drops to the top after filling each container as the ingredients will shrink as they cool.
3. Cool completely to harden. Cover with cap and decorate or label as desired.

Enjoy nice cool and refreshing natural lips!

I purchased all the ingredients, including dropper and lip balm containers from Mountain Rose Herbs.

This video is offered courtesy of Made On Hard Lotion bars, where you can purchase these lovely lip balms already prepared for you!

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One Thousand Gifts: Learning to See and Name Every One

Photo Credit

One of my goals this year was to become a radically thankful woman. I know in my heart that thankfulness is key to true joy in this life. I know that I could truly experience the fullness of life when my heart chose to purposefully focus on the good. I know my life could bring honor and praise to my Creator, and attract a watching world around me, when I was thankful and did not take for granted the precious gift of this life. This is my quest.

And yet so often, I falter in depression. I stumble into focusing on my little daily troubles – the ever growing laundry pile, the messy toys thrown here and there, and the financial struggles of staying within our budget. I loss sight of the good…I loss sight of the beauty all around me.

Since meeting Ann Voskamp at the Relevant Conference this last month, I have been challenged again and again by her life and witness. Her mission has been to list out one thousand gifts – watching, recording, and naming all the sweet little gifts that God bestows each and every day that we so often pass by without a second thought. She has desired to see and savor every moment. It is a list of one thousand gifts. Not what she wants. But what she has.

“I don’t need more time to breath so that I may experience more locales, possess more, accomplish more. Because wonder really could be here – for the seeing eye.”

I have witnessed her passion and I can see the way it has changed her life. By focusing on every little gift, through the thick and thin, she radiates such true joy that speaks clearly through her speaking and writing. I am eager to follow in her example. She has now surpassed one thousand and is into the second thousand, but she continues to write, and observe each and every day, what sweetness the daily grace that God supplies. Observing every time God whispers “I love you” in the here and now.

I started my very own gratitude journal earlier this year, but have strayed. This month I am starting anew. I have my little notebook. I keep it with me throughout the day. I jot down little gifts here and there. And my life is already beginning to be transformed. Praise is what I was made for!

“The holy grail of joy is not in some exotic location or some emotional mountain peak experience. The joy wonder could be here! Here, in the messy, piercing ache of now, joy might be – unbelievably – possible! The only place we need see before we die is this place of seeing God, here and now.”

My goal is to record 1000 gifts over a period of 6 months – which equals out to recording 5 gifts per day. I know as I get going, and I pray God transforms my eyes to see the beauty all around me, that I will quickly surpass this goal as I get enraptured by these gifts. I am joining the Gratitude Community and will be sharing my gifts via twitter and collectively here every month during my monthly family journal. Will you join me?

Ann shares in her amazing book, One Thousand Gifts, (coming in January) that the last thing Jesus did before facing His death was sitting down, breaking bread, and giving thanks (Luke 22:19). In the Greek, it is eucharisteo. It means thanksgiving. At its root it means grace and its derivative is joy. This deep joy is found only at the eucharisteo – the table of thanksgiving. We start our week at the table of thanksgiving and communion at church. We take bread every day. These are moments and opportunities that Jesus intended for us to give thanks. The act of eucharisteo – thanksgiving- always proceeds the miracle (John 11:41). It is the central symbol of Christianity. True wellness and completeness is promised to the one who gives thanks (Luke 17:17-19).

We will enter into the full life when we habitually practice and learn the art of giving thanks. It is a hunt – a journey – a discipline. But this is where true contentment is found.

“The greatest thing is to give thanks for everything. He who has learned this knows what it means to live..He has penetrated the whole mystery of life: giving thanks for everything.” - Albert Schweitzer

And thus I begin…

#1 – The sweet moments in the early morning reading the Word with my husband
#2 – The delight of cuddling in his strong arms
#4 – A warm house that shelters from the storms outside
#6 – The sweet joys of smothering my little ones with kisses
#8 – Talking until I fade into oblivion
#10 – The glorious ability to read and enter so many different worlds
#16 – Meeting new people and new friendships sprouting
#18 – Two freezers full of food
#25 – The first “please” that comes from my little boy’s mouth learning his manners
#26 – The precious “I love you, Mommy” initiated by my girl

I started on November 1st and have already surpassed 100 gifts. There is so much to be thankful for when we slow down, stop, and simply observe. It is beautiful!

The quotes above are all taken from Ann’s book, One Thousand Gifts, a book that I highly recommend, one that is transforming my life. I was blessed to receive a digital copy as an attendee at the Relevant Conference. It is set to be released in January 2011, so add it to your wish list!

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Bulk Herb Store Giveaway: Making Herbs Simple DVD set

Bulk Herb Store is a delightful Christian family run business by the Easling family offering a wealth of freshly grown herbs, teas, herb blends, heirloom seeds, water filters, in addition to practical hands on lessons and tips for training the family how to use herbs for healing and wholeness.

Shoshanna Easling, the owner of Bulk Herb Store, shares:

When we were growing up, herbs were like tomatoes. We grew them. We put them up for the winter. We used them daily, and gave concoctions away to other people in need of them. My mother was always teaching us. If we were weeding the garden, she would talk about which weeds were herbs and what those herbs could do. She instilled in us a passion to learn and create.

By the time I (Shoshanna) was 13, my family started the Bulk Herb Store. Quite a few years have passed since then, and my wonderful husband James and I now run the Bulk Herb Store together. At the Bulk Herb Store we provide our homemade concoctions, our experiences, and the tested wisdom of others. We want to do more than sell quality herbs. We want to teach you what we know and inspire you to learn and research beyond that. Happy herbaling!

I have been delighted with my experience purchasing herbs from this sweet company, as described in more detail in my Herbal Smoothie post. I recently received their Making Herbs Simple DVD set and have greatly enjoyed watching and learning from the information provided. These DVDs are high quality, clear, simple, and down to earth. I love watching Shoshanna and her mom, Debi, just laughing together. It is adorable seeing them share of their lives and experience while clearly showing us real life routines. These DVDs are a fabulous resource if you are wanting to learn more about natural healing with herbs in God’s glorious creation.

Today, Bulk Herb Store is offering 5 sets of the Making Herbs Simple DVDs (volumes 1 & 2 – $49.90 value) to 5 select winners!

To Enter:

1. Visit Bulk Herb Store and check out the supply of herbs. Come back and share one fascinating thing you learned about herbs, a particular herb healing idea, etc.

2. For a second optional entry, become a fan of Bulk Herb Store on Facebook or share about this giveaway on facebook, twitter, or your personal blog. Let us know about it in a second comment!

Giveaway Closed.

Thanks to Bulk Herb Store for the sponsorship of Passionate Homemaking for November!

Announcing the winners of the Making Herbs Easy DVD sets:

#1 - Kristi - kristileonard..@… learned: I learned that arrowroot powder is a very nutritious substitute for a thickener for soups and stews. Also that it is the only starch that contains calcium ash and is very easily digested.

#2 – Jess – jessdening@…. – who shared: I hadn’t really thought to look into herbs too much. I knew that they are healthy, but the information seemed overwhelming. The Bulk Herbs Store made it easy and I was so excited to discover different herbs that we could possibly begin using to help my husband who has Cystic Fibrosis (a hereditary lung disease).

#3 – Megan - emmattinson@… – who shared: I was interested to learn that eggshell water is good for treating arthritis and bone density problems. So cool!

#4 – Naiomi - mimihol@… – shared: I looked at the liver cleanse mix and learned that the liver is a vitally important in the cleansing of the body:)

#5 – Katiehomesteadnutrition@… shared: I learned that athlete’s foot can be cured by soaking the feet in distilled vinegar for 20 min, five days consecutively.

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Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

With the holidays just around the corner, we cannot miss out on a large pot of mashed potatoes! They are truly delicious when topped with gravy or simply eaten on their own. Mashed potatoes are a huge hit for our family, and we serve them with roast chicken, beef burgundy, and many other meat dishes. I find most mashed potatoes to be dry and flavorless…but not when prepared with these simple ingredients! Don’t skimp on the butter – it makes a world of difference!

8 large yukon gold potatoes (yukon gold make the most golden delicious mashed potatoes)
1 cup potato water (reserved from cooking liquid – can be replaced with chicken broth or cream for even more flavor!)
1/4 cup mayonnaise (can use cream cheese or sour cream, as desired)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup butter (or 5-6 Tablespoons)
1 teaspoon salt
dash of pepper

Directions:

1. Peel the potatoes and cut into quarters. Place in a large pot and fill with water just until the potatoes are covered. Cover and bring to a boil. When boiling, remove lid and allow to cook for about 35-40 minutes, until potatoes are easy to prick with a fork due to softness and falling apart. Allow to cool slightly.
2. Carefully drain the majority of the water, reserving approximately 1 cup. Place all the potatoes and reserved 1 cup of the potato water in a mixer. Turn the mixer on and blend until all the potatoes are nicely mashed.
3. Add mayonnaise, minced garlic, butter and salt. Continue to mix until thoroughly combined. Season with additional salt and pepper as needed. Add more liquids if necessary to make a creamy consistency.

Keep warm till ready to serve! Yum!

Yield: 6 servings.

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