Great idea!

I just read this in Woman's Day Magazine on-line http://www.womansday.com/home/12439/a-merry-easy-christmas.html

it's so commonsense! I do many of these things myself, but there are other ideas I would have never thought of. Do you have more ideas to add?

Fall Decorating - what to do

You love fall, who doesn't? You want to add a little fall color to the house, so what should you do? To start with there are many holidays coming in the next few months, take those into consideration when pulling out your decorations. I decorate for Back to School (well I should say I did decorate for that, I no longer have little ones in the house), Columbus Day, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. I've found that the fall orange color works for all of these, so I pull out all my orange fall items to start with. I then add in the specific items for that holiday, for example, Back to School is only one week, then I put the specific items away and add in some fall colored flowers, a little raffia and call it a day. I toss in two birthdays for my kids in that time period too. Next is Columbus Day, I don't do a lot, but add my some of the Indians (that I use again for Thanksgiving), a small boat that my kids made and that's that. Next is Halloween... I get all into some years and other years barely do anything, just depends on my mood. Some years it's all ghosts and spiders, other years it's candy corn, and pumpkins. I decorate for Thanksgiving around the 10th of the month... don't like it out for a really long time, lol. I have a collection of turkey's that I set out along with a very cool hand painted set of pilgrims and about 5 different cornucopias that I fill with realistic fake fruits and fresh squash. I have plates and all the "stuff" that we use for the time period.

But the main thing that makes this much easier is that I have that underlying color theme that works for all of it! That and the fact that all my decorations are stored in very clearly marked bins. Each bin is labelled not just generically, but lists all the specific items in that bin. I have only one for Thanksgiving, one for Halloween and one that is all the small holidays (Columbus Day, St. Pat's Day, etc.). I also clean an area really well when I get ready to decorate that way if moving everything is not going to happen (which is the case most often, lol). I then just clean it again after removing all the items. When you have to move items to set out decorations, I found putting them in the bin is perfect. It stores the item for you and that way you don't have extra clutter to deal with.

So, get out there and decorate!

Fall Events: What are you doing?

Labor day is the "official" kick off to the fall season, although it technically doesn't start for weeks after that. We went apple picking to kick off the 'season', it was such a great day! We've taken our kids a few times in the past and I don't think we've had a bad time yet. Each time we go it's a completely different experience, the first time the girls were just toddlers and wanted to pick up each apple from the ground... well it is what they could reach. The next time they were about 7 and 8 years old, old enough to really enjoy it and understand the good apples from the bad apples for the most part. We went again when they were 14 and 15, again lots of laughing and we got a TON of apples, enough that we were begging people to take some from us. Well this year the baby is away at college, but my older daughter now almost 19 and her boyfriend went with my hubby and I. We had so much fun, again a different experience then before, but just as memorable.

Yesterday I began making apple leather (recipe below) to use those apples we picked. As I peeled the apples I started remembering the fun things we did and said while picking those apples. What do you have planned to do this fall? Do you have a regular activitiy that your family does each year? Do you want to start a family tradition? Remember no matter the age of your family, even if you are retired and it's just two of you, begin something new this fall.

Apple Leather

3-4 pounds of apples or choice (best if using a mixture of varities)

Sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg to taste

Water if needed

Peel, core and chop apples putting into heavy bottomed sauce pan. Cook on low stirring often until it becomes an applesauce consistancy, adding water if needed, mine takes about 1 hour to get there. Puree/smash apples to desired consistancy... I like the babyfood consistancy the best. Taste at that point, add sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg to taste. Each bactch will need a different amount due to the sugar content in the apples used. Line 2-3 baking sheets with waxed paper or parchment paper. Spread the apple mixture to disired thickness... I do it so it's almost see through. Place in a cool, yet bug free environment for 2-5 days, checking often. Once it no longer sticks to your finger it is ready. Cut into pieces, I cut it 2x4 and wrap them individually. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month. If longer I'd suggest storing them in the freezer or refigerator.

Enjoy!

Planning Homemade Holiday Gifts

Homemade gifts are fine, but, lets be honest we all get those things that we just look at and say, "what were they thinking?" or "how could someone spend so much time on something this ugly?" OK be honest you've thought that a time or two. But when you get that handmade item that you really loved, it was special and there is no way you'd part with it, ever! So remember that feeling when you are putting together your gifts this holiday season.

I'm assuming you have your list made up of who you have to give gifts to, don't forget the teachers, the neighbors and other people that you like to give a little "something" to, and what about hostess gifts when you attend all those holiday parties, plan ahead!

Next you need to set a price limit for each gift... teacher gifts $5-$10 is about right if it's nicely spent money (sales, coupons, etc.). Most teachers don't want another "I love my teacher" item... believe me, if you ask they'll have a list a mile long and that won't be on the list. Most do appreciate something that is unique but not too unique, lol. A nice tote bag along with a pen and pad of paper... making a homemade tote bag is rather easy and can be done in just under an hour. http://henriettashandbags.com/free_handbag_pattern.html

OK now the neighbors, set your price then plan well, you probably know most of them pretty well, so if most to all are diabetic or on diets, don't make a batch of cookies, it's just plain ol' mean! Most everyone enjoys a special cup of coffee or tea, or a nice bowl of pasta with a nice sauce... why not get some nice mugs (again in clearance or with a coupon) and add some quality coffee or tea bags (one box of expensive tea bags can be divided among 4 or 5 gifts!). Or a pasta gift for a family... add in some quality pasta noodles, a yummy recipe for pasta sauce and maybe some garlic (fresh cloves), and put it all in a large serving bowl (bought on sale or clearance). Another great family gift, is a family movie night, purchase a gift card to the local video store in the amount of one rental, add a bag of popcorn (just plain kernels is cheap!), a couple packs of fun candies in those theater sized boxes and put it all in a big popcorn bowl (again bought on sale or clearance!). Get the idea now?

How about a dear friend or family member. Your mother-in-love loves to knit, how about a carrying case for her needles? http://www.moonarts.com/blog/free_patterns/pages/needle-print.htm this can be made in very little time, add that to a nice set of needles for her, maybe even a skein of pretty yarn and you have a great gift. Your best friend is a scrapbooker, how about putting together a great gift for her! Buy a unused paint can (available at most paint stores and large hardware stores) fill it with fun scrapbooking items, bought of course on sale or clearance!

Your kids... they WANT, WANT, WANT! if they are teens make them a certificate for 1 (or more) CD's a month for the next year or if they are into some other thing, set a price limit like $75 towards jeans/movies passes, etc. whatever it is that they really want, but is expensive. If your kids are younger (Santa age), don't get it all for them, they won't appreciate it anyway. Ask them what is the one thing you really, really want? if it is within your price limit, then get that one thing, don't have the ask for 20 items.

Lastly, I know you want each year to be the "best ever" the one the family will talk about for years. I'll let you in on a secret, it often is the year that was the simple gifts or the year with the ugly tree that will be remembered, not the year that the kids got every item on their list and you gave all your friends and neighbors elaborate gifts. Cut back, make it simple and shop sales and clearance... you can do it for less, it just takes planning and ingenuity!

Back to School

Well, many people are getting ready to send off their little ones to school, homeschool or may be getting ready to attend school themselves. I remember as a kid we started school after Labor Day each year... none of that start on Wednesday before Labor Day and then have 3 days off, such a weird idea. This is my first year not having to drive a child or pick up a child from school, it's going to be a year of adjustments. I just dropped my baby off at college on the opposite coast from us... such a far distance, yet only a plane ride away. I still have my older daughter living at home while attending a local college, but, in true college fashion we rarely have sightings of her for longer than a meal, a quick run through the house to change clothes or when it's time to sleep. When we do have a sighting, it's usually with her cell phone attached to her ear or she's studying... long gone are those "Mommy, I'm bored, play with me!" days.

You think when they are babies and you are tired and cranky, it'll be so much easier when they are older... let me tell you, it's so easy to deal with that baby... they want to make you happy, they love to see you when you walk into a room and no matter what you do, it's amazing to them. So if you still have little ones in the house, give them a hug and savor the time you have with them, it's precious and it's over so quickly!

Preparing for Christmas... believe it or not it's time!

Why do we need to prepare now, to avoid stress and to save money. OK first steps first. Lets make up a Christmas preparation binder or if you are a computer person, make up an Excel or Word file for the following:

• list of all those you need to send cards/letters/photos to
• list of all those that you need to purchase gifts
• list of all those you need to bake something for
• list of each room in the house and what decorations/themes you want to have
• list of each party/open house or other occasion you will be having/attending

Now you know how many cards you'll be sending... are you making them, buying them or do have have them already (purchased after Christmas last year). How about your Christmas letter, my hubby hates the thing, lol. I have a running list that I edit every few months throughout the year. I keep it to 2-3 sentences on each member of the immediate family, one short paragraph of vacations/special occasions and one paragraph on all the extended family. I keep it short and sweet. Do you have a profession photo taken, now would be a good time to book that appointment so that you have enough time to proof it and all. If you are planning on everyone wearing the same colors/styles then you should also be discussing with the family on what that will be.

How about your gift list? I have a running list that I edit slightly each year. There are always people that are taken off, but people that need to be added. Don't forget to include teachers, coaches and other peripheral people that you want to recognize. Do you know your budget yet? That is important too when planning gifts. If you only have $500 for all gifts, don't plan on getting DS12 a new game system and the latest game... not a good use of money. Start watching sales and begin purchasing as you are able. Find a good spot to store all the gifts so that they stay hidden from the family, but easily accessible by you. I have one paper grocery bag per immediate member of the family... easy to add, easy to look in and easy to store. Thankfully even though everyone in the family is aware of the location of all the gifts, they never peek.

What about gift wrap... did you stock up after Christmas last year? If not, start watching sales on paper that is sort of non-traditional but fun. How about a large roll of butcher paper that you stamp or use stickers on, or a roll of mailing paper (brown stuff). Be creative, it'll save you money. If you have the time, make some reusable bags out of fabric. They often put holiday fabrics on sale as the holidays are approaching... easy wrapping and you can reuse from year to year.

What about the homemade gifts: baked, sewn, crafted or other ways hand made? Have you started them? Have you picked the patterns and have time set aside when these need to be done? How are you packaging them for the gift? Get those plans made, it'll save you lots of aggravations!

What about decorating the house, inside and outside? Do you have a theme that is used year after year? Do you like to do something different each year? Do you decorate just one or 2 rooms or do you do the whole house? How about your tree(s), are they artificial, real or do you not have one? Does the family get together and decorate or do you painstakingly place each ornament in the "perfect" spot?

How about entertaining? Do you have a special event that you always hold at your house? Possibly a evening of caroling door to door, or a cookie exchange?

OK, now that you have some ideas, here is what you need to do. Take each of the above and make a list for each one, using your favorite method (paper and pen/pencil, Excel, Word, whatever works for you). Now you have each list on a separate paper/page. Now:

• Card list: write each name that you want to send a card to, find the address, call/e-mail to make sure it's current. If making mailing labels for them, I'd suggest you plan that now... purchase the blank labels and design the template with graphic so it's ready to merge.
• Gift list: write each person's name then have a space next to their name for some possible ideas that you "know" they want, or begin getting hints from them. I even make a separate list for stocking stuffers for each member... just so I don't forget something for that too!
• Baking/homemade gift list: could be included in the same list, but I find that if it is separate there is a better chance that I get the items made, packed up and ready on time. Don't forget to include the recipes you plan to use or the book/page number or pattern for crafted items. Don't forget to make a "shopping" list of supplies you'll need too.
• Decorating if doing each room: list room by room what you want to do, make sure to include possible photos, patterns or other "hints" to remind yourself. If items need to be made... start now!
• Parties and other entertaining: plan the dates as soon as possible, get the word out no later than one month prior to the event... i know it sounds early but if people need to get sitters, it is next to impossible during those busy holiday weekends. Are you having party favors for every, plan those as well as the menu for them. Don't forget to have some hostess gifts for those event/parties that you attend.

Now that you have each page listed... time to give it all a time-line so that it's done in time. The things that take the longest, shopping, and making gifts should be started soon... be realistic when planning your timing on these. If you have little ones starting back to school in the next month, don't plan to do some really time consuming things until all that hoopla is over. If they play soccer, and you are really involved... maybe have some things that you can stick in a tote to work on while they are practicing or while you are waiting. My goal each year is the following:

November 15 all but a few gifts are purchased

November 30 all cards are addressed and prepared to mail

December 1 all decorations are in the process of being put up - indoors

December 10 tree is purchased, put up and decorated

December 15 all gifts are wrapped and ready to go (sooner if having to mail out of town)

December 20 all baked goods are made and delivered

December 23 all shopping for the big family Christmas dinner is done and some pre-cooking is started

December 24 big family event at the in-laws

December 25 big family dinner at our house

December 26 after Christmas shopping (hubby braves the early morning crowds, I go in the after noon to the local small stores)

December 27 begin taking down decorations, beginning with the tree

December 31 all traces of Christmas are gone

Have a great back to school, fall and Christmas prep season... I'll be writing more on the subject in future postings.

Ways to show someone you care

Do you have a friend going through a rough time? Possibly missing a family member or friend? I love to send cards to friends and family... any excuse any reason, just let me send them a card. I rarely send just a plain old card, I try include something in it too! Maybe it's a tea bag, a bookmark, even a coupon to a favorite restaurant. I know with the costs of postage going up it's harder to do, but, e-cards are also a great way to send a little "thinking of you" to a friend.

I've had friends who have going through divorces... pretty much from start to finish it's about a one year process of anger, betryal, fear and joy. I've sent them a card a day for the year and years later they tell me how much those cards meant to them, most of them still have the cards too.

Where do you get your cards? Do you make them yourself? that's always the question people ask me. Well I do make cards, I have all the supplies, but, shoot I rarely take the time. I'm one of Hallmark's best customers, lol. I buy lots of cards from them, they just seem to have cards for every occassion and some you really would be surprised to find! I also look just about everywhere I go, you never know when that perfect card will pop up. I do stockpile some cards. I purchase some cards in advance of needing them too. Just because my brother's birthday is in August doesn't mean I need to wait until then to buy his card... I often find the perfect card for him in April.

How do I remember when to send them? That is another question I get from people. Well, since I send so many cards, I pretty much am mailing something every day or two. I have a divided box with occasions where my stockpile of cards are, seperated by occassion. I also have a book with pockets for each month, I put those for specific people's birthday's, anniversaries, or holidays in those pockets. I try to check each Sunday night what cards I need to send for the week, address and stamp them and put them on the table with my stuff to take next time I'm out running errands.

Doesn't it cost a lot to buy all those cards? Well yeah, but there are also some great cards for 99 cents at Hallmark and other card stores, Big Lots and other discount stores sell cards and you can also get boxed sets of cards for less than $4 from Wal-Mart and other lower priced stores. Postage is a consideration too, but, the Post Office now has their Forever stamps, supposedly these stamps are good forever, so whatever rate is current is what you pay for them, but can use them even after the rate goes up. Hubby and I plan to stock up on them in the near future... can't go wrong saving 4 cents or more each time you send a card, letter or bill.

Now, get out there and make someone smile!