Stocking Stuffers? Try Breakfast Stockings Instead

Oh the Joy of Christmas Stockings. I just love that extra bit of fun when the children, after opening their gifts, remember the stockings are full and run to open them. But I have always had trouble with the added cost for small toys that probably will be lost within the space of a week and how much candy it took to fill the stockings. So one year we decided to ask Santa to bring us all breakfast instead. What fun! Each of our stockings were filled to the top with cereals, juices, oranges, nuts, special coffee for mom and dad, and other treats. So now after the presents are opened the children run to their stockings, take them to the table to open them, we all sit down, and have breakfast together as a family. Some ideas for breakfast: Cereal, nuts, fruits especially oranges and anything unusual, animal crackers, hot chocolate, breath mints, vitamins, trail mix, candied fruit, pretzels, figs and other dried fruit, candy canes, smoked salmon, cheese, granola bars, hot cider, small juice boxes, summer sausages, beef jerky, coffee flavorings, tea, and oatmeal packages.

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Finalizing New Years Plans

What do you do for new years? Have you made plans already? If you are following this list we first look at new years plans in September making any reservations at that time. No matter if you travel, attend the fireworks celebration locally, or just stay home surrounded by loved ones, now is the time to look at the smaller details. Will you need to pack anything, buy anything, invite anyone? Do you make resolutions? Spend some time today thinking about what is needed to make your new years special and make a plan. New years is only 1 week after Christmas so spending some time planning through this impossibly busy time will keep it from sneaking up on you after Christmas.


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Mark your new Calendar

The most important thing I have ever learned to do was to mark my new calendar with the important dates from my previous calendar. In fact this whole blog is based on doing just that. I take notes each year and if I find that there was not enough time for something when I look back at it I make adjustments on the next years calendar till things run smoothly. This system also helps you keep track of birthdays, anniversaries and important family events with very little effort. So as soon as you receive or purchase a 2010 calendar take some time to sit down and look through your 2009 calendar and transfer all of the important dates, add the ones from our year-round calendar, and every ones birthdays as well. I heard someone say once "there is only one of you, you should only have one calendar". While this may not be entirely possible for everyone, having one main calendar that you refer to everyday and revise yearly is essential to stress free planning.

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How to Tie a Christmas Tree to Your Car

If you are cutting your own tree either from a tree farm or with a permit from the national forest service and transporting it home on your car here are a few tips on getting your tree home safely. First of all my disclaimer: I am no expert, just a mom who has successfully done this a few times before. So please take every precaution, I make no guarantees, and you do this at your own risk. Now with that said, some things you will want to take with you are gloves, a jacket that can get dirty, a tape measure, a blanket or plastic, 1/4 inch or smaller rope or twine, extra rope or twine, a red "flag" and a saw. We have used both a chain saw and a regular wood hand saw and prefer the hand saw as most Christmas trees do not have that big of a trunk and my children love the thrill of cutting it themselves. When you find the perfect tree measure the height, width, and trunk diameter to make it will fit in the spaces you have for it. Most car roofs will handle a 6 foot or smaller tree with no problem. If you  are going for a larger tree you may need a larger vehicle. When you are ready to transport first check if the tree will fit in the backseat or trunk as these are the easiest ways to transport it. You will want to wrap it in plastic or a blanket to protect the interior of your car. If you need to tie it to the roof of your car first you will want to place a blanket or plastic on your car to protect the paint. Lay the tree on you car with the trunk (or stump end) pointed toward the font of the vehicle and the top (or tip) of the tree pointed back toward the back windshield. Then if you have a roof rack wrap rope around the the tree and through the rack several times till tight. If you do not have a roof rack open all of the doors and wrap the rope around the trunk of the tree and feed the rope through the inside of the car to the other side back over the top of the tree and through the car again several times and tie it tightly. You will want to do this at the base and near the top of the tree. Make sure the rope you use for this is no more than 1/4inch think, not nylon, and will not stretch. Twine is an excellent choice. Once you have tied the tree test that the doors will close and lock securely. There should be no slack in the rope and test that the tree will not move. Pull on the rope an tree and double check. Attach a red flag to your tree so it is visible to other drivers and drive slowly with caution. In addition you can tie the tree to your antenna base, loop rope around the trunk of the tree and then through your open car trunk and shut the trunk and use bungee cords for extra protection. Happy tree hunting!

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The Thanksgiving Cure

I love that we have a holiday devoted to being thankful. I  heard once that being thankful is an amazing cure. With that in mind, I did a Google search to find some of the things thankfulness is thought to cure. Here are my results:

Complaining  Grumbling  The "Blahs"  Bickering  Homesickness   Anxiety  Sleeplessness  Greediness  Criticism Turning difficult circumstances around       Worry  

Thankfulness was also described as a practice, sacrifice, and a devotion.

What a lovely reminder to keep all year.

Happy Thanksgiving

The Woman Who Made Thanksgiving Official

The author of "Mary had a little lamb", Sarah Josepha Hale, campaigned for 17 years to make Thanksgiving a national holiday, writing letters to five presidents: Zachary Taylor, Millard Filmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchann, and Abraham Lincoln. It was President Lincoln who finally officially declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, more than 200 years after the Pilgrims first shared in this Native American harvest tradition. Sarah was born October 24th 1788. She was educated by her mother and an older brother who had a college education. Sarah married David Hale the day before her 25th birthday, and together they had five children. Sadly, David Hale passed away when Sara was 34. She wore black as a sign of perpetual mourning for her husband until she passed away at age 90. In her life Sarah was a school teacher, a poet, and an amazingly influential author. She also campaigned for the preservation of George Washington's Mount Vernon plantation. Sarah was also instrumental in bringing about completion of the Bunker Hill Monument. Today the Sarah Josepha Hale Award, a prestigious literary award, honors her memory. The Liberty ship #1538 is named in her honor. Sarah was 75 when she finally saw Thanksgiving become a national holiday.

(source: history.com and wikipedia)

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~ Etiquette ~

The formalness of Thanksgiving lends nicely to the use of manners. In my family growing up as a child it was fun to practice our manners. Somehow it made the meal even more special to put the napkin in our lap, sit up straight, and remember to say thank you. Almost like playing 'tea party' only it was real. So for your Thanksgiving meal here are a few manner reminders:

(Photo by Craig Hurst)

• Hold a stemmed glass by the stem. The warmth of you hand on the glass can warm up a drink that is meant to be served cold.
  
• Once silverware is picked up for use it never touches the table again. Rest it half on and off the plate between bites. When done with the meal place the fork and knife together in the middle of the plate.
  
• Pass both the salt and pepper shaker together.
  
• Pass food from left to right.
  
• When using a spoon always 'scoop' the food away from you.
  
• Elbows ARE allowed on the table, but only between courses and once everyone is done eating.
  
• Wait until everyone is served before eating.
  
•  Always say thank you when something is served to you.
  
• Look at others when they talk.
  
• Ask questions to show interest.
  
• Stick to the topic of the dinner conversation.
  
• Disagree politely.
  
• Say thank you to your host and make meaningful compliments about the food.
  
• And, the newest update to social etiquette, make sure that cell phone is turned off (or at least to vibrate.)
  

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Table Setting

Setting a table properly for Thanksgiving is both an art form and a necessity for a feast. First let me say there is no right way, even experts disagree on the best way to set the table. Whatever suits your table, family, and the meal you are serving is the best way to set your table. So here is a fully customisable guide to setting yours:

• Dinner Plate - The dinner plate is set two inches from the edge of the table directly in front of each persons chair. If you are having a buffet dinner you may choose to set a napkin in place of the plate.
• The dinner fork is set to the left of the plate, the salad fork set to the left of the dinner fork.
• The knife is set to the right of the dinner plate with the blade toward the plate. The dinner spoon is set to the right of the knife. The soup spoon is set to the right of the dinner spoon.
• The dessert fork and/or spoon is set above the dinner plate.
• The Napkin is set on the dinner plate and then the salad plate on top of the napkin and the the soup bowl on top of the salad plate. If you are not having soup or salad you do not need to put these on the table and also do not need to set out the soup spoon or salad fork.
• The bread plate with a butter knife is set above the spoons to the left of the dinner plate.
• The dessert plate is set above the dinner plate. You can skip setting out this plate till after dinner if desired or if room is needed.
• The coffee cup and saucer with a coffee spoon is set above the knives to the right of the plate.
• Water glass above the coffee cup, and wine glass to the right of water glass, then any other beverage glass you need will go to the right of the wine glass.
  

Napkins are often set above the plate instead of on them and can also be placed folded nicely in the bowl if desired. A really cute website with great instructions on folding napkins is : http://www.napkinfoldingguide.com/ (this is an unsponsored link). Happy Thanksgiving!

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Decorating with Autumn Leaves

Autumn Gypsy

by

Janalyn Voigt

Autumn tiptoes stealthily

Across the thirsty land,

Drenching fields in greenary,

Paintbrush in her hand.

Ragged gypsy, fire bright,

She sighs in every tree.

Restless, wanton, sylvan sprite,

She twirls her skirts with glee.

The hills repose in solitude.

The leaves have turned to gold.

Nature by her is subdued,

Enchanted as of old.

Decorating with Autumn leaves is easy, fun, and always surprising. Surprising because it is so fun to see how easily they add elegance, charm and interest to otherwise ordinary things. And what could be a more perfect decoration for fall.

The first step once you have gathered you leaves is to wash them and dry them . Then set them between kitchen towels with a light weight book on top overnight to keep them from curling up.

A table setting decorated with leaves is a fun way to celebrate Thanksgiving, or just a fun way to bless your family at dinnertime.

Sticks, leaves, a few dots of hotglue and Christmas ribbon make a wonderful centerpiece.
Or hang it above an entry way for decoration.

A small leaf hotglued to the base of a wine glass is an fun and elegant way to dress up an occasion.

A pillar candle, some cord and a leaf glued on a candle makes for a very cute decoration. Dried leaves are flammable so make sure not to put it too near the flame, and never leave unattended.

Leaves on napkins are always beautiful, make sure to provide a place for you guest to set their leaf once they take their place at the table.

Get creative you will be surprised once you have dried leaves just how many ways they can be used to celebrate autumn.

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Christmas Light Ideas

A few photos of Christmas lights for ideas.

Happy Decorating!

Photo by Richard Collinson

Photo by Mr_Write

Photo from Morguefile

Photo by Tambako the jaguar

Photo by Almassengale

Photo by StuckinSeoul

Photo by Diane S. Murphy

Photo by Dan Kelliher

Photo by almassengale

Photo by Mensatic

Photo by Ariston Collander Photography

Photo by photographer pandora

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Organizing the Kitchen for Thanksgiving

One of the best gifts you can give yourself this Thanksgiving is to spend some time organizing your kitchen.

 Even if you can not spend much time doing this any little bit you are able to do before Thanksgiving will help in the feast preparation. Also, when there are a lot of relatives in the home I find they always offer to help, so making sure everything is organized makes it easier for them as well. As always with organizing the first step is to declutter, then organize, then (if you have time) beautify. A small bouquet of flowers, a pretty jar, an egg basket in the fridge, there are many small touches you can add to you cabinets, counters, and fridge to make them beautiful and keep you smiling while you cook on Thanksgiving day.

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Stuffed Squash

One of my favorite meals in November is stuffed squash. When it is cold outside it is nice to have something so hearty. To create your own stuffed squash bowl start with a whole fresh acorn squash. Wash, pierce the side with a fork and place in oven on a baking sheet at 350 for about 40 minutes. Meanwhile cook your favorite chili (from a can or your favorite recipe). Once squash is done remove from oven. The squash will be HOT so be careful not to burn yourself. Next slice it in half to make two bowls, scoop out the seeds and then take just enough off of each end so they sit flat. Add your chili and enjoy this nutritious meal.  

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30 Days of Christmas

A beautiful tradition that fills the home 
with holiday joy.
The 30 days of Christmas.

This tradition is to wrap thirty of your Christmas cd's, books, movies, snow globes, candles, and other things that create a Christmas atmosphere. And then open one every day from Thanksgiving day to the day after Christmas. You use things you already own. If you do not have Thirty things yet you just take the amount you have and use that number to count back from Christmas day, whatever day you land on is the day you start opening these gifts. I wrap them in leftover wrinkled wrapping paper, newspaper, or brown paper bags and set them all in a big basket next to the Christmas tree. If you do not have children or your children are older most people skip wrapping them and just set them in a basket or on a shelf. With each item I wrap I also include a printed out Christmas carol. Each day we open one of these 'presents'. And we read the book, watch the movie, play the CD, light the candle, etc. and always sing the Christmas carol. I learned of this tradition years ago and it has been a wonderful way to add the feeling of gifts with out adding to the cost of Christmas. This plus the addition of a daily carol really helps to set the tone for Christmas. Did you know there are many more than thirty Christmas carols? I personally was surprised by this. A basic google search will provide you with tons of websites devoted to Christmas carols.

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French Milled Soap as Gifts

Making soap from scratch is a fun but lengthy process. A quick alternative is to gather all of your hotel soaps, leftover soaps, and bars of inexpensive soap to make your own French-milled soap for holiday gifts. French milling is a process where you reheat soap to make it denser, which turns it into a higher-quality soap that will last longer. 

Here's how: 

1. Grate soap scraps into a stainless steel or enamel sauce pan. (Do not use aluminum.)
   
2. As you melt the soap slowly add a couple cups of water.
3. Cook while stirring until it develops the consistency of a thick cake batter.
4. Add in any of the following: finely-ground oatmeal, almonds, dried and ground lavender, calendula petals, rose petals, cinnamon, other spices, essential oil (but NOT perfume), or any other ingredient to make the soap special, or just leave plain.
   
5. Pour into non-metal molds. Candy molds work for this or just use anything that will give the shape you want.
   
6. Cut once cooled, if needed.

Congratulations! You now have french-milled soap.

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Thanksgivings Box Tradition

One fun tradition is the Thanksgivings box. About one week before Thanksgiving set out a thanksgivings box with slips of paper and ask everyone to write down things they are thankful for during the week. On Thanksgiving open the box and read all of the slips. I started this tradition when my children were very young and now treasure their thanksgivings.  Some of the precious ones I have saved over the years: one was thankful for smiles, another for cowboys, but my favorite thankful slip read 'thankful for friend ma ma'.

You can find the labels I used in this photo at www.countryclipart.com under free labels. (They also have free Christmas gift tags.)

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From My Calendar: Testing the Christmas Lights

The day after Halloween every year I had a neighbor who would drag out her giant plastic snowman and Santa, plug them in and not turn them off again till New Years day. I always thought this was funny and one year I asked her why she did this so early. Her response: 'Christmas is only 2 months after Halloween and I just love to look at them'. Even now as I look out my window I smile as I remember her snowman and Santa. And I will never forget her. Still I think the day after Halloween is too early but, it occured to me I could put my outdoor lights up as early as I wanted and then wait to turn them on until it was the right time.

This weekend test the Chirstmas Lights. Check to see if any bulbs or complete strands need replacing and gather ideas on how you want to decorate this year. Next weekend we will put up the outdoor lights so they will be ready to turn on the day after Thanksgiving.  Unless of corse, you are like my neighbor, and want to turn them on earlier.

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Christmas Card Address List

This is the time I start gathering addresses for my Christmas card list. The easiest method I have found it to use my regular address book. The one I use for phone numbers the rest of the year. Your address book may be different, it may be on your phone, computer, or even e-mail. Whatever method, just glance through and double check that you have all the addresses of loved ones. Has anyone moved? Did you make a new friend and only have their phone number? Also count how many people are in your address book so you will know how many Christmas cards you are sending. And when you receive Christmas cards from others double check that the address on their card matches the address you have. An up-to-date address book will keep you on track not only for Christmas but for the rest of the year too.

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A New Look For Pumpkin Pie

Love pumpkin pie? Show it by baking your pie in a heart shaped cake pan. Cake pans are a little deeper than pie pans so you will need to increase your baking time about 15minutes. I grew up loving the the Libby's pumpkin pie recipe and now it is the only one I use for my family. You can find that recipe here. We substitute our own home grown sugar pumpkin puree in place of the canned pumpkin. And you can omit the salt if desired. I also make my own pie crust by mixing 3cups flour, 1cup butter, and 1cup water. This will make 2 pie crusts or one double (top and bottom) crust. Or you can make a gram cracker crust instead if desired by mixing 2 packs of graham crackers (crushed) with 5 tbsp sugar and 10tbsp of butter (melted). Press into bottom and onto sides of pan. Once you have your pie crust in the pan pour the pumpkin pie filling mixture on top. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Then without opening the oven turn the heat down to 350 and bake for 45 to 60 minutes. Knife or toothpick inserted in the middle of the pie will come out clean when done. And don't forget the whipped cream. :)

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Hosting the Thanksgiving meal?

A few tips if you have the honor of hosting Thanksgiving this year:

1. Take the time to plan your menu. A good menu before you go shopping keeps you from running back out to the stores before they close Thanksgiving night.
2. Make sure to add to your shopping list extra eggs, butter, flour, sugar, and anything else you may need for baking.
3. The average Thanksgiving meal for 10  costs around $45. (According to CNBC for 2009)
4. Plan your time too. How long does each dish take to make?
   
5. Do as much as you can the day before, or if you work, two evenings before. Many things such as pies, breads, vegetables, stuffing, will keep just fine in the fridge for two days and then only need reheated on Thanksgiving. This allows you to relax and enjoy your company on the holiday.
6. Ask your visitors to bring a special dish. This cuts down on your work, saves money, and adds to the conversation. And visitors usually love to bring a dish.
7. Thaw that Turkey! The general rule for thawing in the refrigerator is 1 day for every 5 pounds. So a 10 pound turkey should be put in the fridge 2 days in advance. A 25 pound Turkey should be put in 5 days in advance. And if your are brining the Turkey it will need to be even earlier. 
8. Turkeys are wonderful brined.
9. Have Thanksgiving just before your regular dinner time instead of noon or 2pm. This gives you the time you need to prepare a feast but still allows enough time to clean up afterwards.
10.  Make sure you have something to cook the turkey in and a serving platter. 
11. Think about decorations. Does the table cloth need ironed? Do you have a centerpiece? Candles?
12. Buy or make ice.
13. Have something for children to do. A small craft, board games, movies (like Charlie Brown Thanksgiving or Pollyanna)
14. Keep your Thanksgiving menu and recipes from year to year. 

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Trouble with that Christmas list?

Trouble coming up with ideas?

A site I turn to every year (especially to find gifts for my husband) is www.findgift.com 

Need cheap gift ideas? 

Often books are sold used at libraries for under a dollar. 

Scarves, candles, photo frames, holiday potholders, and holiday CD's  can often be found at dollar-type stores. 

Ornaments especially for children are always fun. 

For around $5 you can purchase an espresso gift card. 

Membership to ClubPenguin.com and basic membership to Netflix.com runs about $5/a month. 

Want to avoid shipping? 

Fandango.com will deliver a gift to your loved ones e-mail and flowers.com to their doorstep. There are also gift-of-the-month clubs that offer a variety of delivery options including a 3- month only option. 

Black Friday

The best site for Black Friday deals is www.gottadeal.com. I have a sort of love/hate relationship with Black Friday. I do love the deals especially on nice things that I normally wouldn't pay that much money for. But I hate the pushy crowds and general consumerism madness. I do love having Black Friday as the last day I shop however, because if there is anyone left on my list, they are usually quickly crossed off.  

Notes on shipping

If you shop online or send packages to loved ones make sure to have them shipped by the end of the month so they have enough time to arrive by Christmas. 

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Avoid the Christmas Crunch

Planning now for events in December makes things easier and more enjoyable for your family. Christmas Parades, Community events, festival of trees, children's Santa photos, town tree lighting, Zoo events, plays, Church services/events, work and family Christmas parties. Often these can be found in your local paper, community planner, and on local websites.  If tickets are needed now it the time to start planing purchase of them. Children's Santa photos are often offered free at community events. The more planning and work that is done in November the less there will be to do in December. 

This is how we avoid the Christmas Crunch. 

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Ahhh... The Simple Elegance Of Thanksgiving

This weekend as you go through your Thanksgiving box stop for a moment and think of the gracefulness this Holiday has. Thanksgiving decoration is all about the table in my home. The table cloth, candles, plate settings, the handmade place mats that were a gift from my mother. I begin to dress up my table now reserving a few things for the holiday itself. If you are hosting Thanksgiving you will want to check that you have enough dishes, platters, pans, pie plates, glasses, napkins and the like.

While you are double checking these things also take a look in your Christmas boxes. Set aside Christmas cards if you have any from last year which you planned to use this year. Christmas lights should be put somewhere where you can retrieve them easily to be tested next weekend. And clear a spot in the bookcase or on a shelf in your home for easy access to Christmas music, books, and movies. As these will set the tone for Christmas once Thanksgiving is over.

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Cheap Christmas Trees = a wonderful tradition

Cutting our own Christmas tree from the forest is one of our favorite traditions. Each year at the beginning of November the National Forest Service sells Christmas Tree permits. For $5 you are given a permit, map, and some instructions on where and how to cut your own Christmas tree from National Forest Service land. These permits are good from November to December. To find out about cutting a Christmas tree in your area contact your local ranger district. Each ranger district handles the permits differently. Some of the districts have a limited number of permits that go quickly, some will take a mailed check made out to the USDA Forest Service and mail you the permit with instructions, some you must wait in line and purchase the permit in person. To find and contact your local ranger district you can search the Forest Service website at www.fs.fed.us or you can call the Forest Service directly at 202-205-1706.

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Holiday Photos

Today is the day to make you holiday photo appointment. Why so soon? For two reasons: 1.To beat the rush. Most photography studios are booked as soon as everyone starts thinking about Christmas. And 2. So you will have the photos in time to share them in the holiday cards you send out right after Thanksgiving.

Or for a fun money saving idea consider taking your own Holiday photos at home.

Here are a few ideas:

• Have a friend take a photo of you family at sunset in front of a lake, mountain or other scenic area.
• Dress in winter hats and scarves and take a photo outside in front of a large pine tree.
• Take a photo of your children sleeping and add the words "The children were nestled all snug in their beds"
• Have everyone wear Santa hats, black shirts, blue jeans, and bare feet.
• Take a photo in front of a Christmas decorated store front.
• String up lights and take a photo just before it gets dark outside.
• Dim the lights, light a candle and have everyone gather around. This makes a very nice effect.
• Smile!

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Christmas Already?!

Christmas already? This is what I find myself asking when all of the stores begin stocking up on wrapping paper. But yes, November is the time for Christmas shopping. For many years I held out and only would Christmas shop from the day after Thanksgiving to Christmas eve. But then it hit me if I shopped between Halloween and Thanksgiving instead I would be done and have time for all of the other wonderful things the Christmas season has to offer. Think for a moment about the Christmas parties, plays, and all the special events. Think of baking cookies, finishing crafts, decorating you house, decorating a Christmas tree, wrapping presents....ALL without having to squeeze in shopping, crowds, icy roads, and the stress that comes with making sure everyone is checked off your list. So the first step? Grab your list, or if you have not yet made one, make a list. And keep this list in a notebook or somewhere you can find it each year. Hard work and preparation now till Thanksgiving make for a more enjoyable Christmas for everyone!

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