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!
Monday, September 10, 2007
Sunday, September 9, 2007
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.
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!
Thursday, September 6, 2007
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!
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!
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