You've seen the commercials for Allstate. "Life comes at you fast" is their slogan. Boy is that the truth. Christmas is only 45 days away...now that's fast!
This past Saturday I invited a small group of friends over for our first "Intentional Holiday Tea". I've come to realize that my good intentions mean nothing if I don't back it up with action. I can approach the holiday season with an "Oh my gosh I haven't done anything, let's get everything done today!" mentality, or I can do things with a bit of foresight and purpose, thus alleviating a great deal of stress and making life a LOT more enjoyable.
The idea behind the tea was to jump start our holidays, while sharing ideas for organizing, decorating, favorite recipes or treasured traditions. Boy, did I invite the right bunch of ladies! They were full of fantastic ideas. By the time we left, there was a feeling of excitement in the air and no one had the "deer in the headlights" look. I think that means it was a success!
Since I can't have you all over for tea, I thought I would host a cyber tea. Just pretend your sitting around my dining room table with a tea cup in your hand. Instrumental Christmas music drifts over the room as you enjoy strawberries, quiche and scones with devonshire cream and lemon curd. Oh, don't forget the chocolate truffles. Care to join us? Take a minute in between bites to share your thoughts.
What do you do to make your holidays special?
What is your favorite family tradition?
What organizing tips can you offer to take the stress out of holiday planning?
Share your favorite recipe. You know, the one that gets rave reviews at all the parties.
What things will your children remember and pass on to their kids?
Thanks for sharing tea with me. I pray your holidays are filled with purpose, creativity and many wonderful memories.
Jul. 19, 2007 - Something old, something new...sort of
This is a table I got free (yes, FREE) at a yard sale. It was originally from Pier One. The top was covered in bamboo, but after being used outside, it had come off, leaving a rough finish. I immediately loved the wrought iron frame and began to wonder what I might do with it.
This is what it looks like after a little paint and imagination. The small tacks in the corners add a neat touch, but didn't show up too well in the photos. I was so pleased with it I put it in our living room. I just love thrifty decorating!
If you've been blogging for more than a week, you're probably familiar with Laura at OrgJunkie and her weekly Menu Planning Monday thread. Though I make out two week's worth of menus, then shop from my list, I don't necessarily have down what we will eat on a given day. I tend to take the "what do I feel like making today" approach. Works pretty well...most days. Going one step past menu planning and planning for specific days will hopefully eliminate the need to think on my feet each day...at least in one area! So here's my plan. I'll let you know how well I stick to it.
Monday - Pancakes and sausage
Tuesday - Honey grilled chicken with grilled corn on the cob
Wednesday - Tropical chicken salad with couscous salad
Thursday - YOYO (Your On Your Own!)
Friday - Pulled pork carnitas
What's on your menu this week? If you've never participated in MPM, why not give it a try? It just might be the push you need to get a bit more organized. If you decide to join the fun, stop by Laura's and add your name to Mr. Linky.
Tip #1 - You would think this would go without saying, but apparently some of us aren't too bright. Here is today's tip:
Always wash your hands after chopping jalepeno peppers and NEVER wipe your eyes before washing your hands after chopping jalepeno peppers. If you happen to forget this wise advice, you will look like this - .
Good grief!
Tip #2 - Do not attempt to blog hop while cooking. Duh! I was reading about all the yummy treats Marybeth is making for their Superbowl party. Sniff, sniff...what is that smell? Oh yeah, I was cooking before I snuck in to check a couple of blogs. Oops! Luckily all is not lost, but I sure seem to be learning lessons the hard way today. Not doing too well at multi-tasking.
I could care less who wins the Superbowl, but we must have lots of yummy food to eat while watching the commercials. The menu includes BBQ pork sandwiches, our secret family recipe cheese dip, TGIFriday's mozzarella sticks & buffalo wings, chex mix, veggies and some sinfully delicious Ben and Jerry's for dessert. I love any excuse for a party.
Let me say it again. I LOVE aprons. Putting one on seems to transform me from a sluggish, tired, don't-quite-have-it-together woman to Supermom...ready to leap tall LEGO structures with a single bound, single handedly clean anything in 15 minutes, capture escaped toddlers and broker peace between siblings thereby avoiding all out war...all in one fail swoop. OK, so the transformation is merely in my mind, but it can't hurt.
Here's a chance to win an absolutely beautiful apron from Smockity Frocks. Isn't that just the cutest name? Here's the kicker...you don't have to do anything except leave a comment. Can't get much simpler than that! Check it out and add your name to the list.
Probably the best way to begin celebrating the abundance of the Lord's blessings in our lives is by PURGING. I'm not talking about picking through and getting rid of a few things here and there. I'm talking about serious, pull everything out of the closet/pantry/drawer/cupboard/room, go through it with a fine toothcomb and get rid of everything that is not being used frequently by some member of the family.
We started the day after Christmas with our garage. Now, in the past "cleaning the garage" actually meant moving things around and sweeping up a bit. Nope...not this time. We hit it hard...reboxing, trashing and donating. If it wasn't completely necessary, it was gone. Dh took a whole Suburban load of things to be donated and we filled almost as many trashcans. Whew, that felt good! Since then, the boys have spent hours out playing with the larger toys we have set up in the third bay. It also gives them space to run around on very cold days when the energy level is a bit high. Definitely worth the effort.
So how does purging celebrate God's abundance in our lives? For one thing, we can FIND the things we have, which allows us to make better use of them. That's a good start! Secondly, all the things we were no longer using aren't taking up space in our home and are now blessing someone else. Lack of clutter not only frees up physical space in our home, but mental and emotional space as well...it brings freedom and peace of mind. Those are priceless.
While blog hopping this evening, I came across a wonderful blog called A Gracious Home.
The author has decided this is the year to celebrate God's abundant blessings by concentrating on what she already has instead of constantly wanting and purchasing more. "I am going to try to limit my spending as much as possible and use what I already have rather than buying more." (A Gracious Home) With the prospect of hubby being unemployed for only God knows how long, this seems like an area I would like to focus on as well. I will periodically post articles relating to how we are using the blessings the Lord has already given us in new and exciting ways. I love a challenge don't you?
Nov. 12, 2006 - Martha Stewart's Christmas Letter to Erma Bombeck
Reading Jenn's post about her Martha Stewart Thanksgiving reminded me of this great e-mail I received last year. While Martha is great, I would venture to guess I'm a bit more like Erma! How 'bout you?
Hi Erma,
This perfectly delightful note is being sent on paper I made myself to tell you what I have been up to.
Since it snowed last night, I got up early and made a sled with old barn wood and a glue gun. I hand painted it in gold leaf, got out my loom, and made a blanket in peaches and mauves.
Then to make the sled complete, I made a white horse to pull it, from DNA that I had just sitting around in my craft room.
By then, it was time to start making the place mats and napkins for my 20 breakfast guests. I'm serving the old standard Stewart twelve-course breakfast, but I'll let you in on a little secret: I didn't have time to make the tables and chairs this morning, so I used the ones I had on hand.
Before I moved the table into the dining room, I decided to add just a touch of the holidays. So I repainted the room in pinks and stenciled gold stars on the ceiling.
Then, while the homemade bread was rising, I took antique candle molds and made the dishes (exactly the same shade of pink) to use for breakfast. These were made from Hungarian clay, which you can get at almost any Hungarian craft store.
Well, I must run. I need to finish the buttonholes on the dress I'm wearing for breakfast.
I'll get out the sled and drive this note to the post office as soon as the glue dries on the envelope I'll be making. Hope my breakfast guests don't stay too long, I have 40,000 cranberries to string with bay leaves before my speaking engagement at noon.
Love, Martha Stewart
P.S. When I made the ribbon for this typewriter, I used 1/8-inch gold gauze. I soaked the gauze in a mixture of white grapes and blackberries which I grew, picked, and crushed last week just for fun.
RESPONSE FROM ERMA:
Dear Martha,
I'm writing this on the back of an old shopping list, pay no attention to the coffee and jelly stains.
I'm 20 minutes late getting my daughter up for school, packing a lunch with one hand, on the phone with the dog pound, seems old Ruff needs bailing out, again. Burnt my arm on the curling iron when I was trying to make those cute curly fries, how DO they do that?
Still can't find the scissors to cut out some snowflakes, tried using an old disposable razor . . . trashed the tablecloth.
Tried that cranberry thing, frozen cranberries mushed up after I defrosted them in the microwave.
Oh, and don't use Fruity Pebbles as a substitute in that Rice Krispies snowball recipe, unless you happen to like a disgusting shade that resembles puke!
Nov. 4, 2006 - Snacks, snacks everywhere and not a bite to eat
I am on a quest for healthy snacks. Our snack arsenal seems to be stuck in a rut...Gogurts, granola bars, graham crackers, cheese sticks, peanut butter sandwiches...the usual stuff. Though we limit the snacks to one between each meal and one before bed, as the boys get older they are constantly hungry. I feel as if I'm dumping food into little bottomless pits.
I spent some time this morning scouring the internet in search of creative new snacking ideas. Then it hit me...why not ask the most creative group of ladies on the net? So - What is the favorite snack at your house? What have you found to really keep your energetic kids filled up between meals?
Oct. 11, 2006 - Creative homemaking - My story -part one
My oldest son is creeping up on double digits. How did this happen? When did my little baby become a young man? I remember holding him in the hospital as if it were yesterday. The passage of time plays on my mind...creeping slowly and yet overnight, it is gone. Seeing the fleeting years has caused me to reflect on my own journey. How far I've come...and how far I still have yet to travel.
Prior to the birth of our first son, I was a junior high teacher. I loved teaching and the relationships I had built with my students. Dh and I had built our first home together and were looking forward to starting a family. I said good-bye to the kids at school on Friday and went to the hospital to have a baby on Monday. That was the extent of my transition from working woman to stay-at-home mom.
I distinctly remember when Austin was around a month old, sitting on the sofa for a late night feeding. I was reading a book by Thomas Kinkade. In it, he referred to his wife Nannette as a "creative homemaker". My heart grabbed on to that phrase. Something about it resonated deep within me. I had no idea what it meant, but I knew that's what I wanted to be. I began to pray and ask the Lord to show me His definition of a "creative homemaker".
I might as well have decided at that moment to become a doctor or a lawyer. I knew as much about those professions as I did about homemaking. Take the kitchen for example. In my mind, there were two reasons to do dishes. #1 - you ran out of things to eat off of and #2 - you can't figure out what the smell is emanating from the kitchen. Suffice it to say my homemaking skills were minimal at best.
The Lord graciously began to answer my prayer. I felt like a dry sponge, soaking in all I could for my new found calling. God is so creative in how He teaches us isn't He? He knows our individual learning styles and tailors the lessons just for us. Being an avid reader, He brought me countless books on a variety of subjects...hospitality, homemaking, parenting. He gave me on the job training as I opened our home to a group of young mother's for a Bible study. He introduced me to real-life "creative homemakers" so I could see just what it looks like. The learning was and continues to be an ever-evolving process.
I've come a long way from that stormy night almost ten years ago. He heard my prayer and He continues to answer daily. Thank you Lord that you don't leave us where we are, but shape us into what you want us to be. May I always have a teachable heart. Continue to show me Your definition of a "creative homemaker".
The kids and I worked hard today getting things back in order. Not every room was tackled, but we do have some semblance of order again.
Thought I would take a minute (an excuse to sit down!) and share my cleaning schedule. I could use the accountability and who knows, it might actually inspire someone. Ha!
Monday - Laundry, Vacuuming
Tuesday - Bathrooms
Wednesday - Sweep/mop floors, make grocery list
Thursday - Laundry, dust
Friday - Change/launder bedding, iron, grocery shopping (every other week)
Of course we also do the dailys - pick up rooms, make bed, keep the kitchen clean, etc. The boys each have their own set of chores as well.
I have set up each chore on my MSN calendar as a repeating event. Each morning MSN sends me an e-mail reminder of the days chores. Since checking my e-mail is something I do each morning, I have no excuse. The reminders are a little trigger for me first thing in the morning.
I don't have a schedule for the deeper seasonal cleaning and projects that need to be done. At this point they seem to get done when I happen to notice and have a few spare minutes. This is not a highly effective system.
There are many great resources for scheduling weekly or seasonal tasks - Large Family Logistics, Flylady, Emilie Barnes, Mrs. Catherine at Loving Our Homes. I've read them all. The trick is taking the head knowledge and assimilating it in a way that works for our family. While I work at getting back into a routine, I am prayerfully considering how best to put the knowledge into practice.
I'd love to hear how you run your home. What are your favorite resources? What system works best for you? Please share!
I woke up this morning feeling a bit overwhelmed. A busy summer of lax routines, trips, extra free time and an early back to school have left me feeling out of sorts. Seems everywhere I look in my home there is something staring back at me asking, no begging, to be done. The boys could do their math problems in the dust on my end tables, or scrap something off the floor for a microscope study. It's almost that bad.
I have routines...I have meal plans...I have cleaning schedules. Problem is none of that matters unless I USE them! Seems simple really, but as I walk from room to room, or look out my window, I see chaos. It's chaos by my standards anyway. When my environment is out of sorts, it leaves me feeling much the same.
My devotion this morning reviewed the end of Amy Carmichael's life and how she was bedridden with arthritis. Despite incredible pain, she continued to praise the Lord and do what she could in her last days.
OK, that is humbling. Amy persevered through her pain, not allowing her circumstances to change her focus. Why am I complaining? Time to reFOCUS. Time to get up off my rear and get those routines back in place. I really have no excuse do I?
I fancy myself an organized person. OK...back up a minute. If my mom were to read this, she would most likely gasp in horror. Let's just say I have learned to be an organized person. I would even say I enjoy organizing. There's something cathartic about bringing order to a previously chaotic situation.
I visited with a college friend yesterday and left feeling like my home needs an overhaul! This lady has it all together. There is a place for everything (literally!) and everything in its place. Organization is her sanity. Living in a cozy home, she understands that without order there would not be enough space for her family to function. Her children's rooms have baskets and bins for every single type of item they own...her daughter's closet is immaculate. Rather than a place to hide things, she can actually find what she needs! What a novel idea! Am I mocking? No way! I want be like her when I grow up!
Organization is one of those things that seem to take so much time, but in reality saves us precious time in the end. No more digging through to find an item...it has its own place. I realized after being in her home, that the proper equipment is essential...boxes, bins, shelves, containers of every sort. Our boys created quite a mess in her young son's bedroom, but we all had it cleaned up in a few short minutes because it was obvious where everything went.
It's one thing to know what you need to do, but getting there is something else entirely. Sigh...think I'll go have another cup of coffee.
Jul. 4, 2006 - Laundry monster vs. Attitude monster - who will win?
One of my favorite monthly e-letters is from Large Family Logistics. Having four children doesn't necessarily put us in the large family category, but the ideas they offer are great no matter the size of your brood.
There is an article this month on taming the laundry monster in your home. Hidden amongst tips on how to take control of your laundry was the following advice. I believe it really is the crux of everything we do...it all has to do with attitude. I must admit, when it comes to this particular chore, my attitude could use a bit of adjustment.
This might be a very strange and foreign thought but learn to love doing laundry. Replace all the bad feelings and ugly thoughts with scripture and happy thoughts. This works is as unto the Lord just like every work is. Less than hundred years ago women were still standing over a fire, stirring their boiling clothes. There is a local woman whose mother died when she was little from the burns sustained when her dress caught fire over the wash. There are women around the world that do their wash in the river. We have it easy; we throw the wash in a machine and walk away. Live gratefully for the blessings God has given you. Thank Him for each person whose laundry passes through your hands. Thank Him for the sun and breeze. Thank Him for soap and clear water. Thank Him for the day He made and blessed you with. Thank Him for strength for the tasks ahead.
"Love sought is good, but giv'n unsought is better."
~ William Shakespeare ~
We recently had friends over and I offered them a slice of lemon for their iced tea. Must be the Texan in me. My offer was met with looks of amazement! They felt like they were in a restaurant - pampered and special. Did it take much for me to do? No. Did it bless them? I think so.
The Bible says that Jesus cares about every area of our lives, no matter how small and He desires to bless us beyond what we could ask or imagine. Here's a thought - what if we have the same attitude towards those around us? What if we took the time to go the extra mile to pay attention to the little things to seek to bless beyond what someone expects? I think the results will be pleasing to those around us, as well as to the Lord.
Sometimes the very smallest of gestures speaks volumes. Recently I took lunch to a friend who has been bedridden for three months.Instead of simply throwing the salad and cookies into a bag, I added some special touches to our lunch.I included a tablecloth for her little table, some china, water goblets, candles and cloth napkins.It was a simple thing to do and it let her know I care.
As moms, we desire to make our homes a haven for those who live there or stop in for a visit. All it takes is a little attention to detail. Have you ever tried to step back and look at your home from someone elses perspective?If you were to step through your front door, how would you feel?I love to greet guests with hugs (I'm a hugger!), classical music, fresh coffee brewing I want them to know Im glad theyre here.
Most importantly, lets not forget our precious families.We must not reserve the special treatment for guests alone.It is so easy to get caught in the rut of daily life and forget the very people we are ministering to our husband and children.What makes them feel special?A favorite breakfast for a child who is having a difficult time?A few extra minutes spent snuggling at bedtime?A note to a child left on their mirror?The possibilities are limited only by our imagination.
Not too long ago, my husband asked me to buy him some razors the next time I went to the store. I brought them home, but before putting them in the drawer, I added a little note that simply said, "I love you". I placed them in the drawer and forgot about it. The next morning as he was getting ready, he found the note. He walked out of the bathroom with a big grin on his face. The moment it took to do that small thing made a big impression on his day. He knew in a tangible way he was loved.
These are just a few examples.What do you do to make others feel special?Remember, it's the little things.
Have you ever noticed that the environment around you greatly affects how you feel emotionally? Getting up to face a kitchen full of dirty dishes, tripping over misplaced LEGOS, fighting my way to the coffee pot only to find there are no beans ground for coffee....not a good beginning in my book. Contrast that with waking up to a shining sink, a clear pathway to the kitchen and a coffee pot ready and waiting...now that is the start of a good day.
Mrs. Catherine in her Making It Home Yahoo group encourages what she calls the "20 Minute Tidy". I believe Flylady uses something similar with her "before bed routine". A "20 Minute Tidy" is done before going to bed. Walk around your home picking up and putting things away that are out of place. Take a few minutes to clean up the kitchen. You may feel tired and the last thing you want to do is look at a sink full of dishes, but those extra moments spent in the evening will be well worth it in the morning. Look over your daytimer for any appointments the following day. Get your coffee maker filled and ready to go, with your favorite mug ready and waiting. If you know you will be doing laundry the next day, take a moment to make sure it is sorted and ready to be put in the washer.
Ask yourself what could be done to make your morning run more smoothly. Those small steps taken in preparation will lead to big rewards as we seek to bless our homes.
Feb. 28, 2006 - The decluttering bug has hit our home!
I've been working on small decluttering projects over the last week or two. Today my oldest ds wanted in on the act too. He asked me to help him declutter his closet. He is a very tidy kid, but had let things slide recently. Lest you think too highly of me, tidiness is just part of his personality. The other little darlings are not so tidy! LOL! He did a great job and finished up by vacuuming the floor.
I have been encouraged by MrsCatherine to work on decluttering and organizing our home. Actually, I have worked hard over the years to do this and have things fairly under control. One area that I seem to have a hard time keeping organized is the kitchen pantry. Things seem to pile up and begin looking messy despite my good intentions.
Today I spent a good portion of the afternoon cleaning the shelves, lining them with what I like to call "happy" shelf paper (it makes me smile when I see red!), reorganizing the shelves and getting it in working condition. I was quite pleased with my afternoon's efforts. Apparently so were dh and dc. They complimented me on how nice it looked several times throughout the evening. Now if I can just keep it this way!
Dinner tonight was such a hit, I thought I would share (the menu, not the food!).
Toasted meatball sub sandwiches with melted cheese
Fresh corn on the cob (the kids favorite)
Crinkle cut fries
Coconut cream pie for dessert
The verdict is still out on the pie. Dh loves coconut cream pie and much to my chagrin, I have never tried to make him one until now. Shame on me! Well, the recipe I found in an old southern cookbook turned out more like coconut soup. It tastes yummy, but doesn't sit real well on a dessert plate! Does anyone have a tried and true recipe they would care to pass on? I would love to try it!
I would like to encourage you to stop by MrsCatherines blog. This is one of those little gems I just happened to stumble upon while bloghopping. What a delightful bit of encouragement for "rediscovering the power of homemaking". Her latest entry details step-by-step how to make bread by hand. For those visual learners, Mrs. Catherine has included some wonderful photos to take you through the process.
She and her dh publish "Making It Home" magazine. She also has a Yahoo group you may subscribe to for homemaking encouragement. I hope you'll stop by for a visit. I know you'll be blessed!
The daily, sometimes hourly, musings of a homeschooling mom of four surviving on prayer, friendship and lots of Starbucks. Some days my cup runs over and some days it all spills out the cracks...and I wouldn't have it any other way.
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