Monday, December 21, 2009

Shortest Day of the Year

Of course the shortest days of the year would have to be the week before Christmas. :0/ According to most sources, December 21st is the Winter Solstice for the northern hemisphere, the shortest day of the year and the official start of winter.

BUT, we have been working steadily on our Christmas tasks, and we are almost ready - right?

If you are feeling that last minute hustle and bustle:

Check out THESE TIPS on keeping "the long-term perspective" from Small Notebook

or click HERE to see a short list of how to simplify your Christmas

Happy Solstice!


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Sunday, December 20, 2009

What will you GIVE for Christmas


Click HERE for a 2 minute reminder of the true gifts and meaning of Christmas.

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Saturday, December 19, 2009

Christmas Cards

Don't you love receiving Christmas Cards in the mail?

Here's some ideas for displaying them:

Christmas Card Garland:



Stairway Displays










Hang Wide Ribbon on the Back of the door - instructions here









My all time favorite is to simply tape the cards randomly on the back of the front door. (thanks Renee')







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Friday, December 18, 2009

Funny Funny Mother

We all need a giggle today!
Thanks to Iva for this great poem!

See Mother, Funny, Funny Mother

See Mother. See Mother laugh. Mother is happy.
Mother is happy about Christmas.
Mother has many plans. Mother has many plans for Christmas.
Mother is organized. Mother smiles all the time.
Funny, funny Mother.

See Mother. See Mother smile. Mother is happy.
The shopping is all done. See the children watch TV.
Watch, children, watch.
See the children change their minds.
See them ask Santa for different toys.
Look. Look. Mother is not smiling. Funny, funny Mother.

See Mother. See Mother sew.
Mother will make dresses. Mother will make robes.
Mother will make shirts.
See Mother put the zipper in wrong.
See Mother sew the dress on the wrong side.
See Mother cut the skirt too short.
See Mother put the material away until January.
Look. Look. See Mother take a tranquilizer.
Funny, funny Mother.

See Mother. See Mother buy raisins and nuts.
See Mother buy candied pineapple and powdered sugar.
See Mother buy flour and dates and pecans and brown sugar and bananas
and spices and vanilla.
Look. Look. Mother is mixing everything together.
See the children press out their cookies.
See the flour on their elbows.
See the cookies burn. See the cake fall.
See the children pull taffy. See Mother pull her hair.
See Mother clean the kitchen with the garden hose.
Funny, funny Mother.

See Mother. See Mother wrap presents.
See Mother look for the end of the Scotch tape roll.
See Mother bite her fingernails.
See Mother go. See Mother go to the store ten times in one hour.
Go, Mother, go.
See Mother go faster. Run, Mother, run.
See Mother trim the tree. See Mother have a party. See Mother make popcorn.
See Mother wash the walls. See Mother scrub the rug.
See Mother tear up the organized plan.
See Mother forget the gift for Uncle Harold. See Mother get the hives.
Go, Mother, go. See the faraway look in Mother's eyes.
Mother has become disorganized. Mother has become disoriented.
Funny, funny Mother.

It is finally Christmas morning. See the happy family.
See Father smile. Father is happy. Smile, Father, smile.
Father loves fruitcake. Father loves Christmas pudding.
Father loves all his new neckties.
Look. Look. See the happy children. See the children's toys.
Santa was very good to the children. The children will remember this Christmas.

See Mother. Mother is slumped in a chair. Mother is crying uncontrollaby.
Mother does not look well.
Mother has ugly dark circles under her bloodshot eyes.
Everyone helps Mother to her bed.
See Mother sleep quietly under heavy sedation.
See Mother smile.
Funny, funny Mother.
...Author unknown

We are a week away! Don't give in to the crazies! Lets be WISE mothers and fill our days with things that bring REAL happiness!


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Monday, December 14, 2009

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up with String!


Don't you love Baker's Twine? I do!


Today's Task: Tie Things Up!


Tying a pretty gift ribbon on a package is soooo easy after watching this tutorial from Small Notebook :0)

You have to read this SWEET story behind this amazing "home-made" bow!






Here's a BOW you can make out of magazine pages or scrapbook papers.


I still love good 'ole curling ribbon!




Last, but not least, check out Rudolf's jazzy bow tie!

Ho Ho Ho!

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Sunday, December 13, 2009

The Spirit of Christmas


Click HERE to see the cutest 3 minute video reminding us what's most important.

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Friday, December 11, 2009

Top 5 Ways to Find Christmas JOY!


Check out Vaun Thygerson's article in the Kern County Family Magazine.

Click HERE for an online version!

Thanks for the fun Vaun!
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A Partridge in a Pear Tree

One of my all time FAVORITE Christmas memories is the 12 days of Christmas!
Not the song but the SERVICE PROJECT!

Our family ding dong ditched my grandparent's home each night for the 12 nights before Christmas. We left a little treat on their doorstep and were NEVER caught. They were so excited about the whole thing - they talked about it for years. My grandmother passed away last year at 101 and neither she nor my grandpa ever knew it was us.

Today's Task: Make a Memory!

Here's three 12 days of Christmas Ideas from Executive Homemaker

Gift Ideas & Ring and Run and a special set of ideas for Grandparents

Here's a site that has printable tags.

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Wednesday, December 9, 2009

The Total Package


Home-made treats are great - BUT home-made treats in snazzy packages are to die for!!!






Cookies IN a cookie jar - Love it!





Don't these clear boxes make you want S'more?




Try stacking cookies stacked in a Mason jar or
a Pringles can wrapped in scrapbook paper.






You can purchase empty paint cans at Lowe's and turn them into Treat Pails!









Or fold a square of cardstock over a ziplock and make your cookies look gourmet!

Ribbons make these Chinese Take Out Boxes look elegant
Click HERE for a template to make your own.






Cellophane Bags make these chocolate covered pretzel sticks look grand!

Click HERE for more packaging or HERE for more edible gifts!

Stay Warm!

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Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Tasty Treats!

It's Christmas Baking Time!

If you've been following the Christmas Countdown
- you'll know I already blogged about
planning our baking, writing our grocery list and stocking our pantry!
If you're like me - You STILL need to
plan your baking, write your grocery list and stock your pantry :0) (sometimes writing about it is more fun than actually DOING it)


Anyway -
TODAY'S TASK: Schedule your Baking Day!




Click here for some favorites, including this tasty morsel:
Here's one I want to try:
Chocolate Caramel Pecan Rounds

1 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
TOPPING:
12 vanilla caramels
1 1/2 teaspoons half and half (10 percent) cream
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 square (1 ounce) semisweet chocolate, chopped and melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl, use wooden spoon to beat butter, sugar and vanilla until blended, about 3 minutes. Gradually add salt and flour. Mix well. Using your hands, knead to form a smooth dough. On lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Using cookie cutter dipped in flour, cut into rounds. Place on ungreased cookie sheet about 1 inch apart. Bake in preheated oven 10-14 minutes, or until golden around edges. Cool for 10 minutes on sheet and then transfer to rack and cool completely.

Topping: In small saucepan over low heat, combine caramels and cream; stir until melted and smooth. Dip one side of each cookie (about a third of the surface) in caramel mixture and then into pecans. Place on wax paper and drizzle melted chocolate over top. Let set for about 1 hour. Freezing is not recommended. Yield: 30 cookies.
Mmmmmm!

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Monday, December 7, 2009

Menu Monday - The December Plan

Today’s Task: Form a Dinner Strategy

During these busy holly-days, the time I USUALLY use to get dinner on the table is now getting spent wrapping presents, helping at school parties, and attending holiday concerts.

There’s 18 days until the big day and with the holiday activities in full swing, it's hard to stay on top of everyday tasks, especially making dinner. Setting up a “get-the-dinner-on-the-table"strategy can help avoid the 5:00 what's-for-dinner-panic!

Here's My Strategy:

Step#1: DEVELOP a week plan
Sundays: Crock Pot Meal
Mondays: Sunday Leftovers
Tuesdays: Taco Tuesday
Wednesdays: Crock Pot Soup
Thursdays: Freezer Meal
Fridays: Pizza
Saturdays: Leftovers

Step #2: CHOOSE four recipes in each category:
Crock Pot Meals - click HERE for recipes
1. Pot Roast
2. Honey Barbecued Ribs
3. Tomato Onion Roast
4. Café Rio Sweet Pork


Crock Pot Soup
1. Corn Chowder
2. Cheesy Veggie Soup
3.
Chicken Noodle
4. Taco Soup


Meals to be Assembled and Frozen
1. Crispy Parmesan Chicken Breast
2. Cheesy Ham & Potatoes
3. Saucy Mexican Chicken
4. Chicken & Ham Roll-Ups


STEP #3: SHOP for Step 2 Ingredients, Frozen Pizza(for Fridays) & 6 lbs. of Ground Beef (for Tuesdays)

Step #4: COOK 6 lbs. of taco meat (about 1 ½ for each Tues) This will be used for tacos, tostadas, taco salad…

Step #5: ASSEMBLE the Frozen Meals for Thursdays

There’s my plan. What’s yours?

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Sunday, December 6, 2009

Simplify by Embracing the Spiritual Side of the Season

"The gift of Christmas isn't wrapped up in presents or parties.
The gift of Christmas is Jesus Christ... "


"As you follow Him, you put people first.
You may spend less time in lines and more time serving others.
You may spend less money on - and more time with – the people you love.
You may lose yourself and& you may find everything else that matters. "

"By focusing on your loved ones, enjoying or building holiday traditions, and following the Savior's example of service, you can give yourself and your family true, lasting Christmas gifts." (taken from here)


Click HERE for a list of ideas to help you have a more worshipful Christmas!

Click HERE are some great resources for teaching families about the true meaning of Christmas.

And Click on this PICTURE to watch a great video!

Today's Task: Embrace the Spiritual Side of Christmas!

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Thursday, December 3, 2009

Avoid the Frenzies!


Does this look familiar?

About this time every year I start to feel it!
The PANIC...
The FRENZY...
The "Did I really get enough for my kids?"...
The "I'm-feeling-so-rushed-to-get-it-all-done, I-don't-have-time-to-exercise,make-dinner, let- alone-brush-my-teeth" feeling!
Do you feel it too?

Why do we still feel it when we started Christmas prep early?

Is it the media-inspired Christmas Hype - or our own Christmas Expectations???
Whatever it is - IF WE ARE TO HAVE the peaceful, good-memory filled, family & friend christmas we have been striving for - WE HAVE TO MAKE IT STOP!

Here's some
ideas:

1. Take a day - say NO to the outside -Stay home!
(Each NO to someone outside your family is one YES for someone inside your family.)

2. Take Care of Yourself!
FORCE yourself to take a walk, read scriptures, call a friend...eat healthy!
(This is NOT selfish - we can't serve others when we are a mess!)

3. Write EVERYTHING down that is stressing you.
( i know your tired of hearing me say this - but it really does help!)

4. Simplify your gift list- again!
Try writing a heartfelt note to someone rather than a store-bought gift.

5. Hug a child, spouse, grandparent...
Remember what our family REALLY craves: our love, our time, our smiles!
(even if your teenager won't admit it)

6. Delegate.

7. Enjoy your Christmas Tree!

Today's Task: Take in the JOYS of Christmas!
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