The Southern Hostess

Year+ Sabbatical is Over-Thank You Lent

2011-03-09T10:42:00.000-08:00

I have been taking a blogging sabbatical now for over a year. I love blogging, I just got so overwhelmed. I am a people please-er and I didn't have time to visit everyone's blog and read and comment. I also didn't have time to make sure I always had a blog up, I made it more than it needed to be and therefore it became a chore. So, I am back, please don't be offended if I don't always post and if I don't always comment and thank you for your comment. I really do appreciate it! Trust me, I am encouragement driven! I eat those comments right up!

Now, after reading Ann Voskamp's blog entry on Lent I was excited! I wanted to be a part of it! I didn't want to miss out on God's blessing!

So next came the prayer, "What do you want me to give up?" The answer was very quick, my mask. Just typing that sentence made me stop in my tracks and my cheeks turn red. It is so so scary for me to be transparent. I like my mask, it's comfortable and easy, it keeps everyone happy, and it rarely scares me. It also keeps me from God. It keeps me from blessing others and causes me to miss out on God's blessing!

Lent-for me-a mask lost.

This will cause me to give more, serve more, love more, and I know it will cause me to receive more.

A mask gone-my kitchen floor is disgusting. Today Molly had been digging before I brought her in and with all the rain we've gotten this means my kitchen floor is disgusting! I also have mud on my very white new running shoes and on my "new to me" khakis. I wore it all anyway, the mask (perceived perfection) is coming off!

To Do Today:

Clean my nasty downstairs floors-sweep & mop

Load the car with the huge pile that was our purging weekend (this will clean up our porch so we don't look like hoarders)

Bake a loaf of bread (I stink at this, and I am a good cook and baker! I have only used my bread machine twice now, but I will master this!)
Clean bathrooms (yep, it's been a couple weeks, this is supposed to be a weekly task)

Ok, now to hit "Publish Post", can I really take that mask fully off and leave it off? The cheeks are reddening, the breathing quickened. "Lord, this is my lent sacrifice, you know more than anyone what a sacrifice this is."

It's November!

2009-11-03T08:31:00.000-08:00

First Christmas movie of the season-check!

Played first Christmas cd of the season-check!

Brought first tub of decorations up from the basement-check!

It's time ladies!

My goals will be a bit different this year as my life has changed quite a bit since last year. I hurt my back and therefore I can't lift anything so I am relying on my husband more than ever to help with the holidays. So far he has brought up 3 tubs from the basement with holiday decor. I am proud of him for that.

We have Molly, who is a great dog actually, but she is only 5 months old and she is 45 pounds. She acts 5 months old and she just doesn't know how big she is. We aren't having a TN Thanksgiving at our house because we sold our dining room table (story below) and Molly might not be able to handle it just yet. We always do our TN Thanksgiving early in November anyway because everyone is so busy and so many in my family go out of town. I think this year, if I host, I will host it at the camp in the Pathway Cabin. We do this for Christmas for my side of the family so it will be normal, and easy on the parking and setup and cleanup and all that.

I sold my dining room table. I found a set I really liked on Craigslist and my husband told me I should sell ours before we bought a new one. So, like the good wifey I listed ours. I listed it for more than we paid for it being a bit ambitious, and also not wanting to really sell it until I was sure about the other set. Well, we didn't like the other set. We did sell ours first, and for full asking price! I am not buying a new set before Christmas. So, my dining room will get a larger Christmas tree and a 9ft folding table set up as a buffet for all parties. Perfect for mingling, only.

Here are a few things I have done to prepare for the holidays so I don't stress out. I refuse to have a stressful holiday!

Organize your "holiday" recipes-having these ready to go will save you the hunting time later

Address your Christmas cards-buy the Christmas stamps now and get them addressed while you still have time.

Mentally plan your decorating-I have a mental plan of what tree goes where, what room I am starting in first, and so on.

Have a great day!

A productive day! A rarity since Molly came along!

2009-08-21T07:25:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I got a ton done! I have figured out that I can work from the kitchen or dining room as soon as I come home until dinner quite easily. Molly lays and waits until she gets to eat! So she watches me from about 4:30-6:30 in anticipation!

So I took advantage of this time yesterday! I made baked spaghetti w/chopped broccoli, lima beans, corn on the cob, cheesy rice, hashbrown casserole, and strawberry jello. We should have enough food for a few days now, LOL! Our laundry room is in the mudroom beside our kitchen so I also got all of our fall towels washed and dried, new bedding washed and dried, and a load of towels and cleaning rags. I was so excited! I felt productive again!

And yes, you read right, I washed my fall towels. I know it's a bit early, even for me, but I am having a yardsale soon and I wanted to at least get through all of my fall/halloween/thanksgiving decor before the sale.

Our home is also decorated for fall already, not the outside though, we can't be tacky! We usually decorate September 1st but we aren't having any parties between now and then so I took advantage of Molly's "waiting" on Tuesday and got everything out. Thank goodness our basement door is in the dining room. I store all holiday decor down there so this fall and winter should be easy with her!

So last week I urged all of you to make your fall/winter calendars, did you finish? We finished ours and are ready to go! All of our parties are scheduled and our decorating times are penciled in, and I am so excited! Soon I will be pulling out the Christmas cards and getting them ready, I would like to have them finished before Halloween this year. I mail them out 2 days before Thanksgiving so people usually get them the day before or after.

QuickTip: Take advantage of that stamp! Mailing costs are getting more and more expensive so think smart. When mailing a Christmas card include an invitation to your upcoming party! Don't waste 2 stamps when 1 is sufficient.

Today I would like to:

Organize my kitchen cupboard (this always get's messed up!)
Clean the kitchen
Finish 1 load of laundry

I can do that in 2 hours, no problem!

I do hope the rain stays away for a little while so we go walking. Yesterday we walked in the rain-not fun!

I'm Back!!!

2009-08-11T05:59:00.000-07:00

I took a long leave of absence from the blog world due to a busy work schedule and a very busy life. Everything should be a little slower now!

I feel like I should catch you up-we now have a puppy, little Molly. She is a great pyrenees, translation, BIG white bear! She is 10 weeks old and 17 pounds, she is growing quickly. So my life has changed a little bit. I can't get quite as much done as I would like because I have a puppy following me around everywhere. The good news is that since we got the puppy my husband has gotten into work mode! I have gotten a new back door, a new entry table, and my buffet is next! Nothing like an addition to the family to give your husband a swift kick in the rear!

Tuesday Gameplan

To Do's

put the sheets on the guest room beds (they have been waiting for me for a few days now)
start cleaning laundry/mud room (this is the room where hubby is putting in the new door and a new cat door)
make dinner (I buy in bulk from a local food distributor so I get a great deal. When I make chicken breasts I make at least 15 at a time-giving us both lunch for the week and dinner.)
Start on Fall/Winter Event Calendar (you know I'm in a family with last minute people-so I have to plan plan plan!)

That should do it today! I can't get near as much done with Molly, but maybe I will get in shape!

Quick Tip: Make a calendar well in advance for the holidays. You know the fall and winter are some of our most busy times. With all the parties and decorating, it can be overwhelming. Make a calendar with all of your parties and family get togethers then look and see what you have time for. Loosely schedule in your decorating, wrapping, cooking, etc. times so you can see where you have extra time and where you need to do some "trimming".

I am taking a leave of absence

2009-02-24T08:24:00.000-08:00

As much as I love blogging and have loved getting to know you guys, I just simply don't have time. This is our busiest time of the year at work and I dropping the ball with the blog.

I will post from time to time and will definitely pick back up in the fall. Thanks everyone!

Trim A Home Tuesday #2

2009-02-17T06:24:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Trim A Home Tuesday!

Please check the comments on this post to see who is joining us!

Today I am sharing only 1 pic! (I left my camera in my car last night and when I got it this morning to take pics-only 1 turned out-they were so so foggy from the condensation!-lets hope it clears up)

I am sharing my St. Patricks Day dining room table. It isn't finished and I have a few questions. I only have 4 placemats & 4 napkins. My table seats 6 and must seat 6. If you look at the pic I have put the placemats randomly under the chargers. (my colors will be green and gold) I have also put 2 napkins under 2 of the chargers-what do you think? I also have 4 napkin rings and I have put them here and there-can you see them? Is this tacky or cute? Do like all the little leprechauns, or is it too much?

Thanks for sharing!

Trim A Home Tuesday!

2009-02-10T06:11:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Trim A Home Tuesday!

Please check out the comments and visit all the blogs with their beutiful decor!

I am posting the last of my Valentines Day decor, enjoy!

The final decision on Trim the Tree Thursday

2009-02-06T08:39:00.001-08:00

After reading everyones GREAT input I have decided to

change the name to Trim A Home Tuesday
the date will change to Tuesday as well
the content will change a bit-not just holiday decorating, but any decor you would like to post, now this could be a design challenge, or just simply showing us your decor
if you want to join just post a comment stating you are joining with a link to your post, i am not going to post everyones link in the post and after trying mr. linky and hearing all of the problems, I think this will be the best way to join.

Our first Trim A Home Tuesday post will be next Tuesday, February 10th. So take pics of your Valentines Day decor or any decor for that matter and lets start sharing!

Trim the Tree Thursday

2009-01-29T09:06:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Trim the Tree Thursday!

Please visit Cami & Terri as they have Valentines decor up too!

There has been talk about changing the name of this meme, what do you think?

One more question, what do you think about have this meme once a month and then every week in October, November, & December? Please give me some feedback!

Oh no! I just took a ton of pics of our valentines decor, the tree, the wreaths, and now only these are on my cameras card! I am so sorry! I will post the rest next week. I got a new camera for Christmas, so I am still learning how to work it.

Tuesday Recap-Wednesday Gameplan-Anyone Decorating for Valentines Day?

2009-01-28T06:08:00.001-08:00

Tuesday Recap

Our plate is still overflowing it is so full! We still have a house guest, my boss and his wife our office manager just left town and will be gone for a couple weeks leaving me to hold down the fort, we are refinancing, etc. etc. etc.!

Yesterday I made lasagna-check out Bob's Awesome Lasagna @ allrecipes.com
My favorite lasagna-it is super easy too! Quicktip-I didn't boil the noodles-if you don't boil them just give them some extra time in the oven. This takes about 15 minutes off the prep time and makes it easier to put together.

The only other thing I got started, I can't even say got finished, was cleaning up my craft desk in the blue room. I wrapped Valentines Day gifts and St. Patricks Day gifts (yes my family loves holidays). I need to finish the projects on my desk or just pack them away-hopefully today. Quicktip-If you buy gifts in advance, make sure you don't over give. When items are on sale, I mean a great sale, I always buy more than I need for the coming year. This way I am already prepared for the next year! Just make sure you don't give them everything you bought, keep the extras you bought for the next holiday!

Wednesday Gameplan

Clean off craft table
Mail Valentines gifts and cards to out of towners
1 load of laundry
put up dishes and clean kitchen

This would all be doable if we didn't have our pre-inspection inspection. LOL! As I have said before we are refinancing. Well, we currently have a conventional loan, but the FHA rates are so low right now that we are going with an FHA loan. Only one issue, the FHA inspection is intense and we live in an early 1900's home! So a good friend of mine and her real estate partner are coming over to give me a pre-inspection inspection. They are supposed to come over today so I still need to do a good once over of the whole house.

Anyone Decorate for Valentines Day?

Tomorrow is Trim the Tree Thursday and I will finally be posting my Valentines Day decor. Anyone else decorate? This is the one time of the year where red and pink can go together! Where you can put hearts and roses everywhere and not get yelled at! If you want to join tomorrows post just let me know!

Trim The Tree Thursday-The Cove-My Crazy Week!

2009-01-22T07:18:00.000-08:00

Please visit Cami
She has winter decorations up and some romantic valentines day decor they are just beautiful!

I have been at The Cove-the Billy Graham Conference Center at a conference all week. My valentines decor is out-just not photographed yet. I apologize!

The Cove

You have to check it out! We stayed there last year for a conference and I fell in love, this week just deepened my love! If you are ever in the Asheville, NC area you simply must check it out. The entire downstairs walls are made to show photos of Billy Grahams ministry, life, and family. There are also thousands of gifts that he has been given from around the world. It is simply amazing the ministry that he has lived.

My Crazy Week

This starts Sunday morning-early-before we shower for church. My brother in law calls and asks if he and my father in law can come and take showers. They had been hunting in Alabama and had come in at 2am to find his new condo flooded. Being guys, they decided they could still sleep there. (not even close to what I would have done) So the main water line had frozen and busted.

So now my brother in law, whom I love dearly, is living at our house for a while. His kitchen cabinets, tile, garage ceiling, etc. have been ripped out. They are trying to dry the carpet and go from there. Thank the Lord for insurance!

Monday I had to leave for the conference at The Cove. This was refreshing. All except for the fact that a good friend of mine told me on Sunday how she was able to refinance and get a superb low rate on her mortgage. We had been thinking about this for a while now and new now was the time. The only thing, my friend said, "you better call soon, she's 3 centimeters dilated". Now, I have never had a child, so I was assured that meant she was going in at any moment. So although she was off on Monday, I called and left her a message.

Now phone reception at The Cove is quite limited. In order for me to talk with the loan officer I had to press my face against the window of the front door of Pilgrims Inn or stand outside in 10 degrees. I did go off and on-inside and outside. I did this for about an hour. She told us great news-really great news in fact-so say a little prayer it all goes according to plan. We are getting our home reappraised as well-this means a few final details are yet to be done. You know how you start a project and get almost finished, but never quite finish? Well, this is all my husband knows, and we have done quite a bit of work on this house. So I call and let him know all the details. He agrees he have some work to do.

So I get in late last night. I decided to leave a little early. Everyone else was getting back later today but I needed the time! I have a hefty list of to do's in order to be in tip top shape for the appraisal.

So here are a few hopeful to do's

new back door & air vent

we converted our back porch/mud room into a laundry room (taking the laundry out of the kitchen) and there is only a storm door there, in order to count this as new square footage we must have an exterior door and a vent from the central heat and air running to it.

stage office as bedroom

when we bought our home they called it a 3 bedroom with office simply because the previous owners had converted the smallest bedroom into a family closet. we converted it into an office, but in order to get top appraisal we have some staging to do.

frame around dishwasher

when we bought our home there was no dishwasher so we put one in and have yet to frame it out or secure it in-it still will tip a little if I have all the heavy things on the bottom and pull it out-not so good!

I think these are my main things. The dishwasher just needs to look finished so we get top dollar for a renovated kitchen. We need the appraisal value for 4 bedrooms and extra square footage/laundry room. Quick Tip- Keep a list of updates you have made to the house. You will be amazed at what it looks like on paper!

We need to get all of this done, have a house guest, finally take down our outdoor lights, and help some friends move. Do you think we will get it all done? Probably not! We will try!

Action Plan

Laundry
Work out at the gym
Start on office de-clutter in order to stage as bedroom
Get an estimate on an air vent in the laundry room

I think that is enough for today!

5 minutes-Make a yearly birthday action plan. Write out all of the birthdays you need to send cards for-write them in order according to the date. Decide on a budget if you are giving gifts as well and write that beside it. This will be your go to for birthdays and birthday gifts. Take this with you if you haven't bought your birthday cards for the year yet, that way you won't forget anyone!

Trim the Tree Thursday-Exterior Shots

2009-01-15T05:54:00.000-08:00

Please visit Cami
She has winter decorations up that are just beautiful!

I know I said I had hoped to have Valentines Day up by now-but I don't. Our weekend was super fun-but no work got done. We had family in on Thursday and Friday and then we all went and visited family 3 1/2 hours away on Saturday and Sunday. We are close on the inside though. Nothing finished yet on the outside-it is just too cold. My wonderful husband said that next week it is supposed to be in the 50's what a change from the single digits we are supposed to have for the rest of this week!

The pics are of the exterior of our house and our office. We have done nothing in way of remodeling our office so please excuse the mess. This is my husbands domain. This is also his tree. Ohio State & Steelers with a little A Christmas Story too! The few pieces of the village at the bottom are his A Christmas Story village. Next year we will set the whole thing up. He got 5 new houses in the set this year-so next year! Do note the gun by the tree is a Red Rider BB gun-if you are a fan of the movie you will get it!

And do ignore my baby Sassy-she is such a ham!

Just a little quick "Go Me" I have been running! My best friend has been running with me. I feel really good after I run and really terrible the next day. My body just isn't used to all this excitement! We are going to keep it up though-a goal is a goal and I will reach mine! 4K-first of October!

Have a wonderful day everyone! I should be able to finish putting everything up tonight and possibly get started in the kitchen (a ton of dishes to pack away!). This should leave me cleaning and Valentines Day decorating by the weekend!

Trim The Tree Thursday

2009-01-07T15:48:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Trim The Tree Thursday!

If you would like to be listed please let me know and I will add you as soon as I can. I am going to try and figure out Mr Linky and use that from now on. Thanks for your patience!

Please visit the following blog(s) and check out their decor!

Cami

Our Parlor & our hallway right outside the parlor.

Make sure and check out the pic of my gold, frankincense and myrrh. This was a Christmas gift, such a neat gift!

The secretary in our hallway was a wedding gift from my parents. They bought it at an antique shop and refinished it for us.

The star on our tree was made by my mother from material left over from one of her mother's dresses. It was used on my family tree for as long as I can remember. Now my mom lets me use it. Thanks mom!

The floral hanging on the fireplace was done by me! I aam still quite proud. I fell in love with Hobby Lobby that day!

Check out the small purse hanging from the knobs on the secretary. This was my great grandmothers. It is one of the old metal purses. Can you imagine carrying this as your purse? This wouldn't hold 1% of what's in my purse!

The couch and 2 chairs in the parlor are from my great grandmother. She used them for many years and had them reupholstered at least twice that I remember being told.

The piano was given to us by my stepdad. He got it in an old barn years ago and refinished it by hand. He even squeezed walnuts from his tree to get pure stain. It is from the early 1800's. It is one of my prized possessions.

The santa on the mantle was made by my mother. She used old coats from her mothers closet. The fur is all real.

The floral wall hanging is my wedding bouquet. We had it preserved-it was deep froze for a few months-another one of my favorite things!

I hope you enjoy our parlor!

Hopefully next week I will have some Valentines Day decor out!

Monday Recap-I actually ran!-P.S. I Love You Movie Review

2009-01-06T05:57:00.000-08:00

Monday Recap

Yesterday was a bit of a bust on behalf of my list. Oh well, those days happen. I got a load of laundry washed and dried but didn't get it out of the dryer yet. I didn't get the upstairs bathroom cleaned. I didn't go to the YMCA, the pool is still closed for maintenance.

Tuesday GamePlan

Meeting with my bride (I am organizing a wedding)
Warm up dinner (still leftovers-we need to get rid of this stuff!)
Finish load of laundry from yesterday
Clean upstairs bathroom
Begin cleaning out car
Run/Walk for 30 minutes

I actually ran!
So with the pool closed and my gym buddy still in Portland I decided to not go to the gym at all. The classes I go to if the pool is closed are quite clicky. Most of the people are teachers and so they gossip the whole time since they know all the same people. I loathe going in there by myself. So as you know my goal for the year is to run in the Apple Festival 4K. Well, Emily, a blogger friend and friend through a friend suggested the couch potato to 5K training program. So I copied what they did and simplified it to fit me a little bit. So I ran a block, walked a block, and so on for 30 minutes. I was surprised I could actually do it! This morning my legs are a little sore, which is a good thing. So perhaps I will be a runner in 2009!

P.S. I Love You-Movie Review

I had seen previews for this movie a while back and thought it looked great. A total chick flick that I would watch by myself or with girlfriends. Yesterday Red Box had a free promo code so I could get a free movie. What a perfect time!

The move was about 2 hours long, and I cried for a solid 2 hours. It totally sucked me in! If you are willing to cry until your eyes are puffy you will enjoy it. The ending did make me smile.

So after watching this movie and crying the whole time and asking God to please not let this happen to my husband I realized something. I probably shouldn't watch movies or read books where the husband or wife dies, I just can't take it! After reading the Notebook and staying up all night crying and praying I told my mother not to give book like that again-she now screens them!

I will still probably continue to subject myself to these cryfest movies. I know I shouldn't. So here is your "pre-screen" on the movie-now choose for yourself!

5 Minutes-Buy the stamps for your cards for the year and put them on the envelopes. Make sure you only put the stamps on the ones you are sure you will mail. Great tip Liz!

New Year New Goals!

2009-01-05T07:16:00.000-08:00

I'm back! Sorry for the long delay, our Christmas is long and actually we still aren't finished! There is still 1 more house to go to and 1 more Christmas party.

So I must say this Christmas was my favorite one in the last few years. We spread it out, planned ahead, and it was fantastic!

My goal for the new year-run in the 4k Apple Festival run in October. I think this is a very feasible goal. Another goal is to become a runner. I have even been dreaming about it :) This goal will be tough for me, but I want to at least give it a try!

Did you set a goal? Try following my 5 minute tips. A very small goal that can go a long way!

All of our decorations are still out and won't be put up until next week. We are having family in this weekend and they want to see everything. This weeks Trim The Tree Thursday will feature our Parlor. Next week I will hopefully have everything up from Christmas and have Valentines Day items out.

Monday Game Plan

Finish 1 load of laundry
Clean upstairs bathroom
Run (slow jog really)
Go to gym (I will slowly jog the long way there)
Enjoy my evening! (Free rental from RedBox & leftover Ham Bone Soup from Saturday)

QuickTip: Take 1 day and buy all of your birthday and anniversary cards for the year. Keep them in a card organizer sorted by month. This way you will always have what you need on hand!

Only have 5 minutes? Take your 5 precious minutes and clear some clutter in a room. Each day take that same 5 minutes in a different room. You will be amazed what 5 minutes will accomplish!

Trim the Tree Thursday

2008-12-17T18:46:00.000-08:00

Please visit the following blogs to view all the beautiful Christmas decor!
Cami @ Creating Myself

Terri @ Lakewood Mano r

Megan @ Megan's Cookin

Kathy @ Mimi's Garden

Kathleen Ellis

Tam @ Gypsy

Corner

Charlotte

Cinnamon Girl

Sally

Susan

Darlene

Pat

Ellen B

Liz

Storm

Carrie

Carrie

Magnolia Memories

Mishelle

Rhonda

Southerner

Evangeline

Cary

Ceekay

Linda

Emily

Red Sox Mom

These pics are of our living room and entry. Enjoy!

Weekend Recap w/Cookie Exchange/Monday Gameplan/Best Tip of the Day!

2008-12-15T07:56:00.000-08:00

Weekend Recap

Our weekend was wonderful! Friday I finished my list and began preparing for my cookie exchange party. Saturday morning my husband helped me clean-love his heart! Saturday night was our cookie exchange party!

We had around the same number of people as the year before. (this is my 3rd year hosting) We had 9 guests, which is a great number. I never want to have more than 15. When I hit 15 I will stop inviting new guests. The party lasted about the same amount of time, typically 3 1/2-4 hours. We love to talk! Everyone made 4 dozen cookies. Most cookie exchange parties ask you to bake 1 dozen per guest, this seems like alot to me and alot for my guests. Next year I will up it to 5 dozen, I upped it a dozen this year and it was great, but then I think I will keep it at that. There were prizes for best tasting, best looking, and most creative (a santa cookie platter). I also have a couple cheesy Christmas games so that everyone will win something (a christmas candle holder). If any of you want to throw a cookie exchange this next year or are already throwing one this year and you have questions please let me know! I have games, menu's, etc that I can send your way!

The party was great, even better than last year. Now we all have several dozen cookies ready for all of our holiday parties! A party that helps you be more organized-can it get better?

Sunday was our Cantata at church and they did a wonderful job, it really gets you in the Christmas mood!

Monday Gameplan

Great news! If you have followed along with my blog you should know that we are ready! I have nothing to buy, nothing to wrap, nothing to bake, and nothing to decorate! I am finished! So tonight, I will swing by Walgreens and get a movie from RedBox and enjoy my night off!

Everyday To Do's

1 load of laundry
make dinner & pack our lunches

Seriously, I have hit my overall goal. I wanted to enjoy Christmas and not collapse on Christmas Eve. I think I have made it!

There are a couple gifts yet to arrive from online shopping so I will need to wrap those when they come. All of our stocking stuffers are ready to go. QuickTip: As you buy little stocking stuffers throughout the year keep them in a gift bag that is readily accesible. This way you can take stock of what you need and don't need. I have bought all of our gift exchange, office christmas parties, gifts and wrapped them labeled to "my husbands work" or to "my work". QuickTip:Everyone has parties where you have to buy a generic gift. Buy these on sale throughout the year and just wrap them with a tag saying what party they go to. This will keep you from having to run out and buy something last minute. My freezer is stuffed to the rim with cookies and candies. Our house is organized and clean. QuickTip: Baking a cookie or making a type of candy each night a week or two before Christmas will only take an hour out of your day, but it will save you from the everpresent crazy baking power day right before Christmas.

Saturday is our "Open House" Christmas Party for friends, family, and neighbors. I will keep you updated as to how this goes.

Best Tip of the Day!

I always check organizedchristmas.com and usually the tips are things I already have done or don't need to do. But I found a tip that I have never thought of, but one that I think is genius!

Gifts are piling up beneath the tree, and Santa's ready to roll: time to prepare a Christmas morning basket!
The concept is simple: gather the tools and supplies you'll need to open Christmas gifts and put them in a basket, gift bag or gift box beneath the tree.
Include items like scissors, box cutter, notepad and pen (for recording "gifts received"), camera or videocam, trash bags, zipper food storage bags (for bundling small pieces so they're not lost) and extra batteries.
Add a Santa hat for a fun touch: she who wears the hat, passes out the presents!

Thursday Recap/Friday Gameplan/Recipe for Fabulous Make Ahead Dessert!

2008-12-12T05:54:00.000-08:00

Thursday Recap

I knew I had alot to do yesterday, but I wasn't sure if I could get it all done. So here is what I finished.

1 load of laundry

1 load in dryer

ran a load of dishes

made dinner & lunch for Friday Quicktip: When making dinner go ahead and make enough for lunch the next day, box it up and have it ready to grab in the morning. Not only will this save time and money, but you will probably eat a little healthier too. Not to mention how happy your husband will be!

made apple pie for co-worker who just got out of the hospital (he gives me apples from his tree :)

put lights in my garland on the banister

went to dinner with some friends (what a fun fun time!)

I needed to finish the garland and clean house a bit. But, by the time I got home I did really good to get everything I got done, done. I went to bed at 11:00, 30 min later than usual, so I am a bit tired today.

Friday Gameplan

make peppermint bark (I am doing this at work because it takes forever to harden and I can put it in the fridge or freezer and get it done quickly) Quicktip: Make a few extra desserts that you can keep in your freezer, you never know when you will have to go to a last minute party, or a neighbor might all of a sudden give you a gift, having treats already made will keep you from stressing from the unexpected.

finish garland (I am hanging all of our cards form our banister garland)

make dinner (good news is that all I have to do is warm up leftovers! Hooray!)

wrap about 5 gifts (I had to pull some switcheroo's as a couple family members decided they were only giving gifts to children and a couple things arrived from online shopping)

visit co-worker and deliver pie

deliver open house/christmas party invitations to the neighbors

make candy cane cookies for my cookie exchange party on Saturday (I made some peanut butter heath cookies earlier this week just in case I didn't have time to get these done)

This can all easily be finished today! This just leaves a little cleaning and straightening up along
with a little appetizer making for Saturday before the party. I can't wait!

Chocolate Toffee Crunchies

When making these line your pans with parchment paper-this makes it easier to get them out of the pan when finished. I even laid mine in the freezer to cool off, I just carefully picked up the parchment paper-this enables you to get it out of the hot pan. I also stored these in the freezer after they were done and I tried one a couple days later-these are the perfect make ahead and freeze dessert.

I didn't use nuts, they are expensive and I wanted this to be a little cheaper. I topped them with granulated natural sugar and red sprinkles. The natural sugar is large granules and it has a yellow goldish color. They look really festive this way.

2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter (no substitutes), melted
TOPPING:
1/2 cup butter (no substitutes)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

Combine crumbs, brown sugar and butter. Press into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. In a saucepan, bring butter and brown sugar to a boil over medium heat; boil and stir for 1 minute. Pour evenly over crust. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes. Remove from oven; let stand for 2 minutes. Sprinkle with chocolate chips; let stand until chocolate is melted. Spread evenly over top; sprinkle with pecans. Cool completely before cutting.

Trim The Tree Thursday

2008-12-10T16:45:00.000-08:00

Please visit the following blogs to view all the beautiful Christmas decor!
Cami @ Creating Myself

Terri @ Lakewood Mano r

Megan @ Megan's Cookin

Kathy @ Mimi's Garden

Kathleen Ellis

Tam @ Gypsy Corner

Charlotte

Cinnamon Girl

Sally

Susan

Darlene

Pat

Ellen B

Liz

Storm

Carrie

Carrie

Magnolia Memories

Mishelle

Rhonda

Southerner

Evangeline

Cary

Ceekay

Linda

Emily

Red Sox Mom

These pics are of my dining room and my kitchen. Please ignore the mess in my kitchen, I made several things tonight to freeze for Christmas.

Enjoy all the pics!

A Friends Open House-Enjoy!

2008-12-08T18:07:00.000-08:00

These are some pictures we took this weekend at a friends Open House. They have a beautiful home built in the early 1900's. They go over the top at Christmas and it is so beautiful! Enjoy all the pictures!

Getting Back On The Wagon!

2008-12-05T06:50:00.000-08:00

Well, thanks to theraflu and God's good grace I am starting to feel better. My head still hurts, nose is running and stopped up, and my throat not only sounds like death but it feels like it too. The good news, great news really, is that my body doesn't hurt and I am not nearly as tired! I needed my energy back!

Today's To-Do's
Return 2 items to Kohl's and spend Kohl's cash Quick Tip-Make sure you have a few items of clothing that are Christmas Party Perfect! Already having these items in your brain and ready for the event will take off the stress of looking in your closet and finding nothing to wear 30min before the event.

Buy Aunt Marie a sweater with Kohl's cash

Go to Dick's Sporting Goods and buy Cousin Chris a toboggan

Go to Earth Fair and buy buckwheat flour (Cousin Chris wants that too)

Put lights on banister garland (thank you tttt participants for making me go the extra mile)

Finish Laundry

Wrap gifts that I buy (all gifts-I'm talking every single last gift is wrapped!!!) Quick Tip-Don't put it off! I can say this over and over again and some of you will still have a marathon session on Christmas Eve. Spend 5min when you get home wrapping gifts, this will help you enjoy the task instead of dreading it!

Clean Bathrooms

Make dessert for Sunday Church Christmas Dinner

Make wreath that Brat Girl made for Saturdays birthday party gift

I think that's enough for tonight!

Our Weekend:
Tomorrow I have an Open House to go to and trust me I will take pictures. They make my 7 trees look like cake! They put up 12 trees, you heard it 12 trees!

Then we have a birthday party to attend. Sunday is our church Christmas Dinner.

Throw in some Christmas movies and hot tea and our weekend will be grand!

Last Christmas To Do's:
Buy 3 gift cards-I purposely wait on these, just in case I change my mind or something happens.
Buy 2 gifts for people who my husband has to pick them out-not my fault!
Hang outdoor wreaths on upstairs windows (my husband had a marathon night this week and finished all of our outdoor decor except for these-he wouldn't let me help because I was sick-he is too good to me!)

Only have 5min? Finish your Christmas cards and wrap a couple gifts. If you have followed my lead and all of these are done finish any craft project you have started. All craft projects should be finished by this weekend.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Trim the Tree Thursday!

2008-12-04T03:00:00.000-08:00

Please visit the following blogs to see their beautiful decor!

Cami @ Creating Myself

Abby @ Abby's Sweets

Cary @ A New Path

Terri @ Lakewood Mano r

Dana & Daisy

Megan @ Megan's Cookin

Kathy @ Mimi's Garden

Kathleen Ellis

Tam @ Gypsy Corner

BRAT Girl

BRAT Girl

Charlotte

Cinnamon Girl

RedSox Mom

Sally

Thinkin of Home

Judy Bug

Emily

Susan

Darlene

Pat

Ellen B

The Munns

Liz

I don't have a camera with me at the house, so I will post a few pics of my upstairs hallway and some shelves in our blue guest room. There will be tons of pics next week from me!

Thanks for participating everyone!

I'm back, sort of/Black Friday Goal Recap

2008-12-02T07:20:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We sure did! We celebrated in Tennessee on the Friday before Thanksgiving, served dinner at church on Thanksgiving day in Ohio for people who didn't have somewhere to be, and then celebrated with our family in Ohio on Saturday after Thanksgiving. So needless to say, we are full!

The tradition was started this year to serve on Thanksgiving day. It was so rewarding and I do hope we continue this next year.

My sister-in-law and I went out on Black Friday, as we do every year. We left the house at 2:30 and got home around 5:30. We had our plans all laid out in order of importance/stores opening/must have. We started out at Kohls, then on to Home Depot, Staples, Toys R Us, Walmart, Macy's, Sears, Target, and then from there it is quite a blur!

So my goal was to be finished shopping on the day after black friday. Well, I have not reached my goal. I am super close. I thought we may be able to go to the Christmas Story House on Sunday so I could shop at the gift shop-but it looks like we will be going after Christmas instead. Thank you to Susan over at Between Naps On The Porch for showing homes from movies. The Christmas Story House is super close to my in-laws and my husband and brother in law are quite the fans!

As of now my entire house is decorated on the inside. The outside hasn't really been started (this is my husbands department). Hopefully soon-it has to be soon, there isn't much time left!

I would be able to completely finish my goal today of having all gifts wrapped and bought-but I am sick. Seriously sick. I feel terrible, and super tired. This is hard for me! So please pray that I get better quickly because time is of the essence!

Today's List
Laundry
Lay in bed!

I know I can get the second part of that list finished! We will see about the first part :)

Trim the Tree Thursday offical signup-Week Recap

2008-11-21T07:38:00.000-08:00

I want to say THANK YOU to all of you who have been a part of Trim the Tree Thursday. It is so much fun to look at everyones holiday decor and to share my own. This event has quickly taken off!

Trim the Tree Thursday Official Signup

If you would like to remain on the list every week through december please comment with a link to your blog and say 'December'

If you would like to remain on the list indefinitely please comment with a link to your blog and say 'Indefinitely' (this would mean you share your Easter, St.Patricks, Valentines, etc. decor)

If you just want to be added on a weekly basis you will need to tell me on Wednesday the day before you join with a comment telling me to add you and with a link to your blog.

Thanks ladies!

Due to Thanksgiving we will not have a Trim the Tree Thursday next week. We will restart on December 4th. this give all of you ladies plenty of time to get your decor up!

Week Recap
Well, I finished everything! I even finished a few other things as well. :)
Yesterday I:

vacuumed our downstairs hardwood floors (i love my dyson attachment!)
mopped the downstairs floors
dusted everything downstairs
made extra room in the parlor closet for guests coats. Quick Tip: Clean and Organize your "drop off" space. This may be a hallway closet, coat tree, boot tray, etc. Make sure there is room for your guests to feel at home in your home!
set up appetizer area in living room. Quick Tip: Want to keep people mingling throughout your home instead of hovering over you in the kitchen? Put the appetizers in another room!
Cleaned downstairs guest bath
Burned Pumpkin Nectarine scented oil by The Body Shop Quick Tip: The day before a party make sure your home smells wonderful. Burn something that is quite strong. This way you don't have to worry about burning anything while you have guests. Your home will already smell wonderful!
Set up dessert area in kitchen complete with flatware, dessert plates, napkins, & the desserts that I made.
Set up drink area in kitchen complete with-only glasses! I will warm up the cider when I get home and put that out along with a pitcher of ice water. My brother in law is bringing the best sweet tea in town! Thank you Red Pig!
Set out all serving dishes, serving utensils, jplates, & flatware. I now know everything will fit on our kitchen island. Our island will be serving as the buffet.
I also set out all dry ingredients on it's fitting serving dish. Now when I go home and have limited time to finish everything at least all of my dry items and recipes are already out!

Now all I have to do is bake the ham (it's already been cooked-smoked actually, so I will add the glaze and warm it up!), make the stuffing, and make the topping for my romaine salad. Then, enjoy all of my hard work, and my company of course!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I am going to leave this post at the top until Monday so that everyone will have time to respond about Trim the Tree Thursday.

My weekend will be filled with Christmas decorating downstairs, parents jewelry show, kidstuf at church (I am an actress in the skits), and working in the nursery Sunday morning. A busy weekend for me! My goal-finish the living room tree and living room decor. Put all fall decor up. I should be able to reach that goal!

2nd Trim the Tree Thursday!

2008-11-19T18:52:00.000-08:00

This week I am posting my upstairs hallway and stair landing. I like to keep like items together as a collection. If I have a favorite item, like a specific pottery snowman pictured, they stand alone. Quick Tip-rule of design is 1,3,5 or a collection. Following this rule can help give your space an organized, less cluttered look.

My mother made me the snowmen family sitting on the antique sled.

This chair was my great grandmothers and I recovered it using a curtain panel that matches those in my living room. The table was bought at an antique store for only $14-it looked terrible! My step-dad lovingly refinished it for me.

This is my favorite snowman out of my pottery snowmen.

Please be sure and visit these lovely ladies blogs and see some of their holiday decor! Thanks for joining ladies!

Melissa @ Melissa's Heart & Home

Cary @ A New Path For Me

Terri @ Terri & Bob

Charlotte

Ellen @ The Happy Wonderer

Kathy @ Mimi's Garden

Cami @ Creating Myself

Nancy @ Southern Lady

Gypsy's Corner

Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch

Southerner

Carrie

Katie @ The Hyper Homemaker

Jan @ Jan & Tom's Place

Tesoro Fino

Abby @ Abby's Sweets

Pat @ Back Porch Musings

Carrie

Megan

Tuesday Recap-Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe-Trim the Tree Thursday Reminder

2008-11-19T09:24:00.000-08:00

Tuesday Recap
I did go to the gym yesterday, but that's about all the extras I got done! I ran into an old friend at walmart, went to the gym (hooray!), and even watched a few show with my hubby. And of course I blogged too!

I did add a few more things to my "Blessing Mix" treat bags for all of our guests. I have to cut the cards describing what each item means. You can see these at organizedchristmas.com There is a pic of these, I have them at my entry way so our guests can take them as they leave.

Tuesday

clean entire downstairs-this was too easy, I am waiting on the downstairs floors though until Thursday
clean dining room table & parlor table-check! There are pictures of these tables. I may change these a the dining room table centerpiece, if I have time.
set the tables with linens, chargers, centerpieces, & salt and pepper shakers-check!
make tent cards with all menu items. I use place cards for this. Quick Tip-having the name of what is what will ward of alot of questions-leaving you to enjoy the meal with everyone else!-check!

Wednesday

make apple pie & pumpkin upside down cake-I am working from home today so I got up early and finished both of these, the pumpkin fluff & the ham ball!
set out all serving dishes with serving utensils
set up dessert area with dessert plates, napkins, and utensils

We are going to see the new Bond movie tonight so hopefully I can finish this mailing I am working on, send all of my emails, return a few phone calls, and be done with work by around 4-then I can get everything finished and have time to go to the movies!

Aunt Janet's Pumpkin Dump Cake
I made this for my husbands birthday last month and it was quite the hit. I will say I think it takes a little longer to bake than the recipe says. I just watch it and when it gets brown and seems to be done in the center, I take it out. This seems to be about 10-15 minutes longer.

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1 (12 fluid ounce) can nonfat evaporated milk
4 eggs
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, sugar, salt, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and cinnamon. Stir in the milk, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Pour pumpkin mixture into the prepared pan.
Sprinkle the yellow cake mix over the pumpkin mixture, then sprinkle on the pecans. Drizzle melted butter over all. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Allow to cool.

I used walnuts because I accidentally bought them instead. I think both work fine.

Trim the Tree Thursday
If you want to be listed on my blog please let me know before 8pm tonight. Please also let me know on this post. If you have already told me you want to be listed through a post, please re-post. If you told me through email please tell me again! I am away from my main computer and those emails are there. So-if you want to be listed let me know today before 8pm, post the Trim the Tree Thursday pic on your blog, post your favorite holiday decor photos, and post a link to my blog. Thanks!

I think I will be sharing pics of my hallway decor. No tree this week. I still need to pic up some grey ornaments for our Ohio State tree, I will post it next week!

Monday Recap-Thanksgiving Menu-Best Apple Pie Recipe

2008-11-18T05:52:00.000-08:00

Monday Recap

I finished my Monday list and I even got started setting out the dishes, recipes, and non-refrigerated items for the appetizers. They are ready to make! Quick Tip-set out your ingredients, serving pieces, and recipes ahead of time. When you go to make your ham ball all of the non-refrigerated items are already together and you are ready to go! This saves alot of time.

I also went through all of my scarves, belts, & purses last night. Getting rid of what I don't use. Quick Tip-Organizing your hats, gloves, scarves right before it gets really cold will help you not only know what you have and what you need but will help to stock the second hand stores with what others need too. We all know we also need room for all of those new scarves we always get!

I have to brag for just a minute. I even went to the gym! Hallelujah! My body hates me right now, so a trip to the gym is much needed.

Monday

clean entire upstairs-finished!
finish Christmas decorating upstairs-finished!
finish organizing office (this is my husbands space and always needs a little extra help before company comes)-as much as he would let me, LOL!

Tuesday

clean entire downstairs (mega clean was just a few weeks ago-so this should just be a good basic cleaning)
clean dining room table & parlor table
set the tables with linens, chargers, centerpieces, & salt and pepper shakers
make tent cards with all menu items. I use place cards for this. Quick Tip-having the name of what is what will ward of alot of questions-leaving you to enjoy the meal with everyone else!

Thanksgiving Menu

Appetizer

Butter Mints (left over from a baby shower I hosted)
Pumpkin Fluff w/graham crackers and shortbread cookies
Ham Ball w/ritz crackers and another thin square cracker-can't remember the name
Chex Mix (CVS had this on clearance so why not?)

Relish

Cranberry Salad-delegated to my mother

En tree

Ham (ordered in advance from a wholesale food distributor-Kelly Foods)
Quick Tip-check with your local food distributors. Alot of times they will let you order from them and they will give you a better price than you can get anywhere else!

Side Dish

Frozen Cranberry Salad (already made!)
Mac & Cheese-delegated to my mother
Stuffing-anyone know a good recipe?
Deviled Eggs-delegated to sister
Gravy
Mashed Potatoes-delegated to my mother
Green Bean Casserole-delegated to friend of the family

Bread

Rolls-delegated to another friend of the family

Salad

Romaine Salad-a family favorite, I will post the recipe soon. This is my go-to salad recipe

Dessert

Pumpkin Upside Down Cake
Sweet Potato Pie-delegated to family friend
Apple Pie-see pics of one I did last week below!
Something Desserty-a friend of the family

Beverages

Red Pigs Sweet Tea-delegated to brother-in-law (the best sweet tea in town!)
Spiced Cider
Various soft drinks I have in my fridge :)
Water

There you have it! I think we will have enough food, LOL!

Apple Pie by Grandma Ople

1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
8 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer.
Place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples, mounded slightly. Cover with a lattice work of crust. Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over the crust. Pour slowly so that it does not run off.
Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until apples are soft

I used the Pampered Chef Apple corer/slicer/peeler and it worked great. I baked it a little less as the slicer slices the apples a little thin. Quick Tip-If you want one of these handy gadgets look at your local hardware store ours sells them for $15! Alot less than the pampered chef ones. (I borrowed this from a co-worker)

I also used apples from another co-workers tree. The apples were almost gone so I had to do alot of trimming.

As you see below I poured most of the mixture on the apples before I put on the lattice work. I saved enough to baste the top with.

Quick Tip-A quick and easy way to make lattice work from a frozen pie crust-use your pizza cutter! After the pie is baked you can't tell the difference!

Weekend Recap-Another Recipe-Weekly Prep List

2008-11-17T07:13:00.001-08:00

Weekend Recap

This weekend was fairly productive at our house.

I cleaned up my craft table which requires alot more than just "cleaning". I wrapped the 10 or so gifts that were waiting for me, organized all that ribbon, bagged up donate items, and packed up Thanksgiving gifts.
Went through my closet. I bagged up all the clothes I no longer need or want. Quick Tip-at the beginning of each season turn all of your coat hangers around backwards. This way, at the end of the season you can easily tell what you have worn and what you haven't!
Put out more Christmas decorations upstairs.
Made my Thanksgiving dinner action plan.
Went through magazines. This happens every few months, I sit down with my husband and we go through all of our magazines and say "keep" or "toss". Quick Tip-going through your magazines in November will save room for all of those magazines and catalogs we all get bombarded with during the holidays!

Ham Ball Recipe

We have served this for most holidays for most of my life. My mother always made this and since I love cream cheese so much-it has become a staple in our home as well.

2 8oz packages of cream cheese
1 T worcestershire sauce
1/4 t garlic salt
2 packages of sliced ham

Chop ham fine. Mix cream cheese, garlic salt, worcestershire sauce, and 1/2 of ham. Form a ball. Cover ball with second 1/2 of ham. Refrigerate until you serve!

This recipe is super easy and it always gets gone!

Weekly Prep List

Here is my action plan for Thanksgiving! (I am hosting Thanksgiving this Friday night)

Monday

clean entire upstairs (mega clean was just a few weeks ago-so this should just be a good basic cleaning)
finish Christmas decorating upstairs
finish organizing office (this is my husbands space and always needs a little extra help before company comes)

Tuesday

clean entire downstairs (mega clean was just a few weeks ago-so this should just be a good basic cleaning)
clean dining room table & parlor table
set the tables with linens, chargers, centerpieces, & salt and pepper shakers
make tent cards with all menu items. I use place cards for this. Quick Tip-having the name of what is what will ward of alot of questions-leaving you to enjoy the meal with everyone else!

Wednesday

make apple pie & pumpkin upside down cake
set out all serving dishes with serving utensils
set up dessert area with dessert plates, napkins, and utensils

Thursday

make pumpkin fluff, ham ball, & romaine salad
mop floors downstairs
a quick clean of the bathrooms

Friday

make ham, stuffing, & gravy
serve & enjoy!

Wow! I am so excited about Thanksgiving!

Check back tomorrow for a list of my full menu. I am so proud of my delegating!

It's Friday! A checklist for you and me=less stress

2008-11-14T05:54:00.000-08:00

I first want to thank all of you for joining in on Trim the Tree Thursday and for commenting on each others blogs-this was so much fun! I loved looking at all the decor-I still have some to look at today! We will be having this event every Thursday.

If you have been following my blog you know I have been working on Christmas and Thanksgiving for a while now. I have several goals this year and I would like to tell you why I have these goals. I know many of you can relate.

My first goal is to have ALL Christmas shopping finished by November 30th. I want to finish the day after Thanksgiving, but I will give myself a couple extra days. (we might be going somewhere special on the 30th and they have a giftshop-more on this later) Do know that I start the day after Christmas every year. I have done this for several years now. Our family is ginormous and I absolutely could not afford Christmas if I didn't start that early and shop sales throughout the year. I refuse to have a credit card and pay for Christmas 08 in 09!

My second goal is to scale back on the parties. I am still hosting Thanksgiving, my annual cookie exchange, & Christmas Eve Brunch. However, instead of hosting a different group of each of our families on a different night I am having an Open House. All of our family is welcome and so are our friends and neighbors. This Open House will take 3 parties I hosted last year off of my list!

My third goal is to enjoy Christmas. This may sound funny for a person that lives for December, but last year both my husband and I simply gave out on Christmas Eve-it was miserable! So this year less=more!

I will include that last year we moved into our home on August 3'rd and had 3 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, dining room, hallways, & entry way painted. The painting lasted until Thanksgiving! So I was definitely behind schedule!

In order to reach these goals I have finished the following:

Most gifts are bought
Gifts are wrapped
Christmas cards are done
1 tree is finished-upstairs of course
1 tree is almost finished-upstairs too
Christmas linens are washed
I have started washing my Christmas dishes
My holiday recipes are organized and sorted together
My fall cleaning is finished-thank you Katie
I have started buying holiday baking essentials
My Thanksgiving menu is planned
I bought almost all items for Thanksgiving Menu
I DELEGATED several side items, desserts, bread, & even the sweet tea!
I finished Thanksgiving gifts
I started making Thanksgiving dinner-Frozen Cranberry Salad

This weekend start on a few of your to-do's. Doing a little now will save you from having those always present midnight wrapping sessions and freak out moments we have all had!

Only have 5 minutes? Start stamping your envelopes and addressing them for your Christmas cards-don't seal them-you may become real festive and include a pic or a newsletter at the last minute!

The 1'st Trim the Tree Thursday!

2008-11-13T04:00:00.000-08:00

It's here!
Our first Trim the Tree Thursday!
The following ladies are all joining us so be sure and visit their blogs for some beautiful holiday decor!

If your interested in joining us simply comment and let me know! All you will need to do is post pics of your favorite holiday decor from any holiday, post the Trim the Tree Thursday pic, and post a link to my blog so your guests can see all the beautiful holiday decor!

Pat @ Back Porch Musings

Linda @ Behind My Red Door

Rita @ Tesorofino

Carrie @ Oak Rise Cottage

Katie @ The Hyper Homemaker

Nancy @ -Southern Lady-

Miss Janice @ Etiquette with Miss Janice

Ceekay @ Thinkin of Home

Karen @ A Day In The Life Of Karen

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch

April @ Abby's Sweets

Connie @ Laughter By Lakeside

Terri @ Bob & Terri

Kathy @ Mimi's Garden

Jan @ Jan & Tom's

This is my yellow room. We use this room as a guest room and I watch tv in here when we don't have guests.

This tree was started last year. All of the ornaments were "retired" from our living room tree-hard to believe there were that many "left-overs"!

The snowflake tree topper is a combination of 2 large snowflake "ornaments" from Dollar Tree. I hot glued them together and attached pipe cleaners to attach them to the tree.

If you have any questions feel free to ask! Enjoy the pics & see you next Thursday!

Pumpkin Fluff Recipe-Trim the Tree Thursday

2008-11-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

I told you all a few days ago that I would be sharing my recipes for my Thanksgiving day menu. Today I will share a recipe that my sister in law made last year as an appetizer and everyone just loved it.

Pumpkin Fluff
1 (16 ounce) cool whip
1 (5 ounce) box of instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (15 ounce)can solid pack pumpkin
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Mix all of the ingredients together and serve with graham crackers. The graham cracker sticks are my favorite!

Don't forget-thursday is Trim the Tree Thursday-can you tell I am excited?

URL Change & Trim the Tree Thursday

2008-11-11T06:09:00.000-08:00

Due to trademarks that are out on the name "hostess with the mostess" my url has now changed to www.thesouthernhostess.blogspot.com

This Thursday is the 1'st Trim the Tree Thursday! I am so excited! I even went ahead and put up my first tree, upstairs of course. My Christmas linens are washed, my Christmas cards are finished, and I have started washing my Christmas dishes-so I was definitely ready! I will be posting my snowflake tree. What will you post?

Want to be included in the Trim the Tree Thursday event-just comment and let me know!

Trim the Tree Thursday -and an update from last night

2008-11-07T05:56:00.000-08:00

I love to look at everyones Holiday decorations and I know I'm not alone! So starting next Thursday I am going to host Trim the Tree Thursday. You can post pictures of your Christmas tree, your fall wreath, whatever holiday decorations you choose!

If you would like to be included simply post a comment and let me know and I will list your blog! Ooh, I am super excited!

Last Night
After talking with my several family members, several times each, we have decided on a date that will work. (this was way too hard) November 21'st @ 5:00, yes we are having Thanksgiving on a Friday night. This simply was the only day that would work! Good news is that I will have an extra week to get ready.

I also decided against the buffet table. I had it in my head that I had to put it up. I always have for big get togethers. However, last Christmas I got my oh so loved island, and now I don't need a buffet table! Hooray!

I did have a scavenger hunt in the basement and still cannot find my chair covers! I hate to see a folding metal chair without one. Maybe I will find them by the 21'st-we shall see!

The guest list has all been called, the parlor table has been set up, the menu has been finalized, my list was finished!

Tonights To Do's:

Go to the Gym
Don't forget that during this busy time we still need to take care of our bodies!

Finish Laundry
Put in a load this morning, when I get home I will finish it. I also need to clean the laundry room-spick and span!

Make Frozen Cranberry Salad
You can make this ahead of time and have it ready to go! I just pull it out about 5min before we serve dinner. I am going to make a few tonight and have them ready!

Frozen Cranberry Salad
14oz can Eagle Brand Milk
16oz can whole berry cranberry sauce
20oz can crushed pineapple, drained
8oz tub of cool whip
Mix together, pour into 9x13 dish & freeze

Those "cranberry haters" in our family even love this! Although it is called a "salad" it is much like a dessert. I don't really tell them otherwise ;)

*A special thanks to mrspaz who created the trim the tree thursday photo for me*

Thanksgiving Is Coming Early!

2008-11-06T08:27:00.001-08:00

Because of our busy schedule and my mother's busy schedule our TN Thanksgiving is going to be on November 15th! This date was just decided!

(I call it TN Thanksgiving because we go to Ohio on Thanksgiving to celebrate with my in-laws)

So now I have about a week and a half to finish getting ready!

It's time for a game plan!

Thursday
Call all guests (no time for invitations)
Set-up buffet table in dining room
Set-up round table in parlor w/chairs
Finalize menu

Calling Guests-
Follow up-The date may change, I will find out tonight at around 8 o'clock! If it changes, well, TN Thanksgiving may have to be on a Friday night! Stupid busy schedules! When calling guests make sure and set a time that will work for everyone. My stepdad is diabetic so we have to make sure we eat on a schedule, some of my TN in-laws are always late-so this year we are setting the time at 5:00. This is all in hopes that we can eat by 6:00!

Buffet Table-
I have to take home a 6ft folding table from work. (Thankfully my work has tons of tables and chairs that I can use for free!) Don't have space for all the food? Don't want the dining room table to be covered and not have room for people to breathe? I put a 6ft folding table in my dining room along the wall for big parties. This works out great for us as it provides buffet style without having furniture there year round. These can be rented for as little as $5 a day! Well worth it if you ask me!

Round Table-
Also borrowing a folding round table for the parlor and 8 folding chairs. All of my linens are washed-except for chair covers. I 'think' I packed them up with Christmas, why oh why did I do this. I didn't find them yesterday when I got out all of the Christmas linens and washed them. Time for a basement scavenger hunt!

Don't forget to place food, appetizers and such throughout your home, this will encourage mingling. Also, if you have a dining room that comfortably seats 8-10, don't force 15 people in there! Set up another table in another nearby room. This will keep everyone nice and comfortable.

Finalize Menu-
Appetizer-
Pumpkin Fluff w/ Graham Crackers-Brett
Ham Ball w/Crackers-Brett

Main Dish-
Ham-Brett
Turkey-Brett-call & order

Relish-
Cranberry Salad-Mom

Side Dish-
Frozen Cranberry Salad-Brett
Mac & Cheese-Mom
Stuffing-Brett
Mashed Potatoes-Mom
Gravy-Mom

Vegetable-
DELEGATE!

Bread-
DELEGATE!

Salad-
Cranberry Romaine Salad-Brett

Dessert-
Pumpkin Upside Down Cake-Brett
DELEGATE!

Beverage-
Sweet Tea (we are in the south)
Soft Drinks-Brett
Water-Brett
Spiced Apple Cider-Brett

Alot to do today!

One final tip-DELEGATE! Don't try and do it all yourself! It is simply too much for one person to do without letting it run all over them. Your family and friends can help. When that ask what they can bring, be armed with what you need!

It's Novemeber-what I am doing tonight to prepare for the holidays!

2008-11-05T09:37:00.001-08:00

Today is Wednesday which means we will not be going to the gym (the YMCA closes early on Wednesday's). This leaves me a few precious hours open for prep time!

Tonight's To-Do's:

Finish Christmas Cards- I stopped by the church today to pick up an updated member directory, the only cards that aren't finished are the ones going to fellow church members. These will be finished tonight and will be ready to mail out on the 26'th-this ensures that most people will receive them the day after Thanksgiving.

Plan Thanksgiving Menu-I have printed out the Holiday Menu Planner from organizedchristmas.com and I am ready to go! I have ordered the ham-so there is one more check! I will go though the holiday menu planner and schedule myself for all of the items I know I will make. Then I will leave all the other items blank for invited guests. When I start inviting guests and they ask, "What can I bring?", as they always do, I can be prepared!

Organize Holiday Recipes- I weeded through all of my recipes last night. (I have a bad habit of printing a recipe and then just putting it in the recipe drawer without organizing it.) Getting all of my recipes in order will save time, and the ever present "freak out" when I can't find the recipe I need, will hopefully be non-present!

Clean Christmas Linens- I am going to get out all of my Christmas linens and wash, dry, and fold them all! This way they will already be ready to go for the day after Thanksgiving-don't forget you can do several of these "prep" things for Christmas now, this will make decorating all that much quicker, easier, and best of all less stressful!

Follow Hyper Homemaker's Fall Cleanup Challenge- Soon she will post tonight's assignments. (she is having a bit of technical difficulties right now)

This should be enough for tonight!

Only have 5 minutes? Take these 5 minutes and buy your holiday stamps. You can buy them online, at the post office, or even at the grocery store when you check out! Buying these early will keep you prepared for the next time you have just 5 minutes!

Tablescape Tuesday

2008-11-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

Susan over at www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com hosts TableScape Tuesday and has graciously invited me to take part, thank you Susan!

So here's a fall tablescape. The dishes are Pfaltzgraff Brown Drip. They are retired now and we have finally decided-no more! Our collection is complete! The glasses were a gift from our realtor, the chargers a gift from my sister, the runner a gift from my mother, the pumpkin was a gift from my mother in law, wow are we blessed!

The linens are from Target. The "tags" in the bowls are to be used as placecards and these are left over from our wedding, as are the leaves.

Oh, and Sassie wanted to say hello!

Fall Cleaning Challenge & Over 300 Tricker Treaters!

2008-11-03T05:46:00.000-08:00

I am following along-desperately trying to keep up-with www.hyperhomemaker.blogspot.com and her fall cleaning challenge. You can check out her blog for the full cleaning lists. This isn't beginner stuff!

So this weekend I finished the following off of the list:
The KITCHEN!

Day 1 - Conquering the Kitchen

Make sure daily is done:
- Clear off all counter tops
- Load dishwasher
- Handwash any dishes needed
- Wipe down sink
- Wipe down stovetop-did not do!
- Wipe down all the counters
- Swiffer the floor

Pantry
- Take everything out of the pantry.-skipped this
- Wipe down shelves.-skipped this too!
- Toss old items and donate unused good items.
- Repackage all messy items into nice containers.-already did last week :)
- Place all items back into the pantry in an organized fashion.-ditto previous info

Fridge
- Take everything out of the fridge and freezer (placing items in a cooler with all the remaining ice.
- Scrub down the inside and outside of the fridge, shelves, doors, ice maker and freezer.
- Replace water filter if you have one.-has to be ordered
- Clean fridge condenser coil.-didn't do this
- Toss old or useless food.
- Place everything back into fridge in an organized fashion.

Cabinets
- Take ALLL your items out of all your cabinets and drawers. Yes... ALL!-skipped
- Wipe down the inside of all cabinets and drawers.-skipped cabinets but finished drawers
- Wipe down the inside of all containers such as utensil holders.
- Store items not used in over 6 months, or summer seasonal items.
- Thinking logically (ie - potholders next to stove, towels next to sink), try to put everything back in a more useful and purposeful place, and in an organized fashion.
- Scrub down the cupboard exteriors, from to of the kitchen to bottom.

Day 2 - Conquering the Kitchen

All Those Appliances:-Replace water filters in sink, coffeemaker etc.
-Descale coffee maker (run through white vinegar and then 2-3 more cycles of just water)
-Polish all appliances-not yet
-Clean out microwave and vent-didn't clean out microwave, but I finished the vent!
-Clean out/replace stove hood filter-too new to need to be done!
-Self clean or scrub out stove-perfectly clean!
-Clean drain (baking soda, vinegar, cover, sit, then add boiling water to wash it down)

Make it Shine:
-Shine sink (Bon Ami, then Windex)
-Dust from top of kitchen to bottom
-Clean that fan or light fixture
-Scrub windows (yes...even that awful interior seal)
-Wash the dish rack, sink liner, and/or drain stoppers
-Scrub tile grout (yeah, I said it!)
-Clean and disinfect inside of trash can-forgot this one
-Vacuum and scrub/mop floor-I also cleaned the rugs with the carpet cleaner!

I also cleaned the couch and 2 chairs in the parlor with the upholstery attachments on my carpet cleaner, cleaned the entry rug and hallway rug with it too! I dusted the parlor & cleaned the throws.

In the dining room I cleaned-razor blade clean-the mirror, polished the table, dusted, and cleaned all the linens.

I also did a few loads of laundry. All while having over 300 tricker treaters and a few guests over Friday night-WHAT A WEEKEND!

After Thanksgiving Rule=Stress

2008-11-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

I know many of you have the "can't decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving" rule. Well, while I think this rule is great for some reasons, like not looking tacky to your neighbors, and so that you don't forget about Thanksgiving altogether. I do think there are ways you can begin to decorate a bit with out people noticing.

The best thing to do for some of us would probably be to just scale back our decorating, but we all know we are not going to do that!

I will start today-but no one but my husband will know!

Tricks you can pull to get a jump start on the holiday work load without people knowing!

1.Wrap all of your gifts NOW!
You can hide them in the closet, under the bed, wherever people won't see them. Just get them wrapped! Imagine, the day you put up the Christmas tree, you can put all of your gifts under it that same day-this is a great feeling!

2.Wash your holiday dishes and put them in the cupboard.
You don't have to use them yet. Just have them ready for the day after Thanksgiving.

3.Wash holiday linens and have them on stand by.
This includes all linens for your dining room, kitchen towels, bathroom towels, etc. Get them all ready to go.

4.Have all of your Christmas music in 1 place.
Make sure all of your Christmas cds are ready to go, your ipod is fully stocked, and that your car is stocked too!

5.Once all of these things are done-you can begin decorating in rooms that only your guests will see.
I am hosting Thanksgiving, but I know that no one will be in our guest rooms. I am going to go ahead and decorate them for Christmas.

Getting little things done now, will greatly help you alleviate stress later! So forget your little "rule" and get started!

Inexpensive Gifts for Those On A Budget!

2008-10-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

Gap.com has this clutch, originally $39.50 for only $9.99! Plus, if you sign up to receive Gap.com emails you will receive additional savings! You can order anything from Gap, Banana Republic, or Old Navy and everything will ship for only $7-now that's a deal!

I have a certain someone on my list that may just get this clutch for Christmas!

This apron comes in several adorable colors. Ex Officio Mumz Buzz Off apron lets you grill outside or work in the garden without pesky, annoying biting insects. Buzz Off permethrin treatment is based on a natural compound found in chrysanthemums.Repels mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers and midges.

Original Price $24.00 Now on sale for only $6.36! (I may get one of these for myself!)

And don't forget to check out linens n things-in store-and on-line where everything is on sale! I am sad to see them go out of business, but I sure will enjoy all of the close-out savings!

Make a list and check it twice!

2008-10-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

Have you had Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays go by where you realize that you didn't take time to enjoy the holiday. The whole time you were just hoping you would survive? Well let's get out of survival mode!

If you always struggle "getting it together" with the holidays, I am here to help you! I am going to start posting a few items that are extremely great deals to help you with your holiday shopping.

If you havn't read my first post, here are a few tips I included that you can follow to have a stress free, holiday to remember!

Now, a few tips that help me.

1.Start early!
We start Christmas shopping the day after Christmas. You can get the best deals this way.
2.Inventory what you have bought.
This is such a huge help. This also comes in handy when you forgot about a birthday gift and you can just get something from your stash.
3.Box it up!
When you buy something, go ahead and box it up with tissue and all. Boxes are much easier to stack and store. This will also protect your gifts. The time this saves is well worth the time it takes. Don't forget to label the box! (post-its or even write their name on the box)
4.Make a list.
Always carry a list with you of who still needs what. As Christmas nears you will have people on your list that you no longer need to buy for. This helps you not buy something you don't need and tells you exactly what you do need.

Here's your homework!
Make a list of all the people you need to buy a gift for and set a budget amount.
Take an inventory of all the gifts you have already bought.
That's it for today! Get your homework done!

I will be posting a great deal soon!

An award for me & an award for 6 of you!

2008-10-29T06:10:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I won my first award! Thank you Susan! Check out Susan's blog over at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com My favorite day is Tuesday when Susan hosts Tablescape Tuesday-you will see some of the most beautiful tablescapes you have ever seen!

The rules of the "Kreativ Blogger" Award are as follows:
Acknowledge the person who sent it to you.
Pick 6 people who deserve this award to tag.
List 6 things that you do value and 6 that you don't value!

So here we go:

6 Things I Value:
1. My sovereign God
2. Family
3. Friends
4. My church
5. Sassie-my beautiful wonderful cat
6. My home, my town, my neighborhood-these are 1 thing, right?

6 Things I Don't Value:
1. Drama
2. Slowpokers-this really is my fault due to my lack of patience
3. Bad drivers
4. The liberal media and their slanted/biased coverage-stole from Susan, but I couldn't agree more!
5. People who won't listen to others opinions because they know they are right
6. Weather above 75

I would like to give this award to the following blogs-thank you for welcoming me into the blogging world and for sharing such wonderful ideas!

http://hyperhomemaker.blogspot.com
http://sallyssalmagundi.blogspot.com
http://behindmyreddoor.blogspot.com
http://abbysweets.blogspot.com
http://susieshomemade.blogspot.com
http://ajanuaryday.blogspot.com

Thanks again Susan!
I hope everyone has an absolutely wonderfully fabulous day!

Cookies

2008-10-28T10:30:00.000-07:00

I made Oatmeal/Cranberry/White Chocolate Cookies & Candy Corn the other day-when it starts getting cold I just want to bake!

I took the candy corn recipe from http://abbysweets.blogspot.com/
Her candy corn is beautiful! I didn't use a sifter and I think that made the "dough" harder to work with-still tastes great though!

I took the Oatmeal/Cranberry/White Chocolate Cookies recipe from Quaker Oats.com

Here it is:ingredients
2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 cups Old Fashioned Quaker® Oats, uncooked
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
One 6-ounce package dried cranberries
2/3 cup white chocolate chunks or chips
preparation
1. Heat oven to 375°F.
2. In medium bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. In separate bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt. Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.

Servings: 2-1/2 DOZEN

Christmas Card Etiquette

2008-10-27T06:34:00.000-07:00

Sending Christmas cards is a tricky thing. Who do you send them to? Who don't you send them to? What if you get a card and you didn't send them one? What if you send a card and don't get one in return? I have asked myself these questions before and I have found a system that works for me. I hope it can work for you too!

Start early!

Start signing and addressing your cards now, (most of ours are done by now), this will help you alleviate 1 more thing you have to do during the holidays.

Send them before the holiday rush.

I send our Christmas cards the day before Thanksgiving. Most of my cards, the local ones at least, are then received the day after Thanksgiving.

Keep a tally.

To some Christmas cards are very important and when you get "cut" off the recipient list it isn't a good thing. For some Christmas cards aren't really a big deal, its just something else for them to do during the holidays. Keeping a tally of who you sent a card to and who sent you a card will help you "weed" through your long list of recipients.

Stick to your tally sheet!

Only sending cards to those who care to exchange cards with you will not only save you time and money, but for some it will be relieving. Some people feel pressure to get a card out to anyone who sent them one, but they really don't have the money or time to do so. Give them a break!

So here is your to do list:

1.Start signing & addressing those cards

(quick tip-don't seal them yet-you may choose to include something at the last minute-leave the door open!)

2.Start a tally sheet.

You can do this in excel, word, or simply on a piece of paper. I like to have 3 rows-name & address/sent card/received card. When you receive a card don't forget to put a little check mark under receive. If you receive a card from someone you didn't send a card to, just add them to the list and quickly send them one back!

3.Buy your holiday stamps.

Post offices are selling these now, or you can buy them online at www.usps.com Getting this done now really takes another thing off your plate during this busy season.

4. Relax! You are ready for the holidays!

Follow These Tips To Never Be Unprepared for Guests Again!

2008-10-24T07:57:00.000-07:00

Are you ever afraid that people will just "pop" in on you? Do you always wait to clean the house until company comes over? Do you have friends and family that will just show up or call on their way? I think we all have these times and these people in our lives. Here are a few tips to live by to make sure you don't pull your hair out before your guests arrive!

1. Don't wait to clean until you have company
This sets a precedence that you only clean for your company. I have done this before, in fact, this used to be my "schedule". I would tell my husband that we should have people over more often because I would always clean for them. Well, this not only didn't make my husband happy, only cleaning for others, but it stressed me out. I would do a mad dash cleaning the whole house until they arrived-which left me sweaty, tired, and stressed.

2. Leave unused rooms "ready"
Everyone has rooms that aren't used daily. These rooms are set aside for your guests. I find that alot of people use these rooms as "catch alls". This causes unneeded stress. Having those formal living rooms and guest rooms ready, clean sheets, made beds, towels on the dresser, etc. will ensure that part of your home, the part your guests will use most, is ready at the drop of a hat.

3. Make a schedule
In our house we clean the bathrooms and floors once a week. We clean the kitchen and make our beds daily. Having a schedule reassures me in those freak out moments where I think, "our house is dirty and company is coming". With a schedule, I know when I cleaned what.

4. Leave a room like you found it
When we watch tv in our living room there are always pillows on the floor, throw blankets laying around, the laptop on the ottoman, drinks on the end tables,etc. If we take a minute to put everything back where it goes when we leave, we are not only ready for company, but we feel better. I find if I walk into a room that's a mess, it doesn't leave me with a good feeling but rather with a stressed one. These couple minutes will make you a happier, more prepared person.

5. Stock staple items
My husband and I eat the same thing for breakfast every morning. My in-laws like bagels, toast, english muffins, eggs,-a real breakfast. I make sure I always have muffin mix, extra cereal, lunch meat, crackers,jams, jellies, and of course apple butter. I also make sure I have extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, paper towels, etc. Knowing I have food and whatever my guests may need reassures me that I am prepared and that it is no big deal for guests to show up unannounced! This also alleviates those mad dashes to the store when you are already short on time.

6. Follow the 15min rule
Never have more than 15min worth of work undone. Now this doesn't include the dusting the baseboards, washing windows, etc. It includes the things that most people would see or catch, kitchen counter tops, clutter in the hallway, etc. With most guests you will get 15 minutes warning, with some you won't even get 15 seconds! We have had several guests in the last month and with some we had a day's notice, some came a day early, some came a day late, and then some just "popped" in unannounced.

7. Enjoy your guests!
Realize that you are lucky enough to have people that love you in your life and that want to come and stay with you-not everyone is so fortunate!

No Bake/Cow Pile Cookies

2008-10-23T20:23:00.000-07:00

Most people call them no-bake cookies, my mam-maw, well she called them cow piles. Which, if you think about it they do resemble "cow piles".

I always hated the way they looked when you drop them with a spoon. They were hard to make consistent and look presentable.

My sister-in-law bought me the pampered chef scoop for Christmas and it is my new best friend. With this scoop I can tell you exactly how many cookies I can get out of each batch.

Mini muffin liners are the perfect size for this scoop.

Oh so Yummy!

Hurt Feelings @ Christmas Time

2008-10-23T06:08:00.000-07:00

I read one of the best articles on www.organizedchristmas.com

Really, everyone has been there, you open a gift and realize you didn't buy your cousin Shirley as nice of a gift. Or, you open a gift and think, "great, now fake a smile", because you bought your Uncle Joe the perfect gift and he got you another ugly scarf from the dollar store.

I truly believe the best way to avoid conflict is through communication. This is a hard subject to talk about because everyone is emotionally invested in it. But, uncomfortable or not, it's a conversation you should have with your family NOW. Get it out of the way.

I already had the talk about Christmas budgets with my sister, sister in-law, brother in-law, and husband. I really feel like there shouldn't be hurt feelings this year, at least not as many anyway.

So-now is the time-talk to your family and understand where everyone is coming from. And don't forget to be honest. If you want to do homemade gifts, understand that not everyone is super crafty or that not everyone enjoys your homemade brownies in a jar. If your family wants to set a larger budget than you are comfortable with, speak up! Better to be honest and uncomfortable then to be in debt and stressed.

And one last tidbit-Share Christmas Wish Lists, this helps everyone out, including you!

Exterior Fall Photos

2008-10-21T17:57:00.001-07:00

Our Living Room & Entryway

2008-10-21T16:11:00.000-07:00

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We moved into our home a little over a year ago. We are still working on it and will continue to until we either die or move.

Tackle It Tuesday-CLR the tub-and everything else that has to get done!

2008-10-21T12:35:00.000-07:00

The task today is to CLR your tub!

We have had guests for over a week now. They left this morning-so sheets, towels, and our laundry is yet to be done.

Tonights List

take clean sheets out of dryer and make blue room and yellow room beds
dry load of towels and put up
wash load of our darks
CLR the tub

If I get everything done I will be so happy. What is some motivation? Anything good come on tv on Tuesday night? We shall see!

Good news, I made a HUGE pot of chicken noodle soup for dinner yesterday so we can just have leftovers tonight-this leaves extra time for my "motivation", whatever that is going to be, LOL.

Time to stock up!

2008-10-20T17:22:00.000-07:00

Fall is here and that means holidays are right around the corner. Which means lots of baking and lots of trips to the grocery store to buy all of those ingredients you only use this time of year. These trips can get really pricey. Start now buying those little things you know you'll need instead of waiting until the last minute when your already broke from the holidays.

Tonight I got pumpkin pie spice and a large bag of sugar. A small addition to the cost of my groceries.

Other items I will begin buying:
canned cream
powdered sugar
cocoa powder
shortening sticks
stick butter
flour
cool whip

Double Check to make sure you have enough pans, cookie sheets, etc. The last thing you want is to get ready to make your scrumptious special cookies and realize you left your best cookie sheet and Aunt Bertha's!

Not only will double checking your kitchen pantry help you spread out the cost of the holidays, but it will keep you prepared for when your husband comes home and says, "my staff party is tonight, you have something to bring right?"

My first post!

2008-10-16T08:25:00.000-07:00

So here goes, my first post.

The past week has been filled with pre-holiday planning. I wanted to get out all of our Christmas gifts and do a final inventory and box everything up. This way we new where we were at and what we still needed to get. I decided before I put everything up I would go ahead and wrap it all and get that done. So, all of our gifts are finally boxed, wrapped, and inventoried. My goal this year-to finish all holiday gift shopping on the day after thanksgiving.

My goal is very doable. Now, our Christmas list is by far the largest Christmas list I have ever seen. We both have large families full of divorces, new marriages, and lots of children. Our list will continue to grow. So having all we have done is quite an accomplishment. I will share after Christmas our budget and the amount of people on our list.

Now, a few tips that help me.
1.Start early!
We start Christmas shopping the day after Christmas. You can get the best deals this way.
2.Inventory what you have bought.
This is such a huge help. This also comes in handy when you forgot about a birthday gift and
you can just get something from your stash.
3.Box it up!
When you buy something, go ahead and box it up with tissue and all. Boxes are much easier to
stack and store. This will also protect your gifts. The time this saves is well worth the time it
takes. Don't forget to label the box! (post-its or even write their name on the box)
4.Make a list.
Always carry a list with you of who still needs what. As Christmas nears you will have people
on your list that you no longer need to buy for. This helps you not buy something you don't
need and tells you exactly what you do need.

I hope you enjoyed my first post! Please subscribe and comment! I am quite needy :)