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Eat From Your Pantry Challenge

Our last Christmas family celebration was here at our home yesterday.  Boy, did we have fun!  We had a “come wearing a silly hat theme,” a pancake bar, games, an insane amount of gifts from Grandpa John and Grandma Pam, a Christmas craft with Grandma Sheri, a Christmas movie, and constant food consumption from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. —  We made such great memories!   Everyone came nicely dressed in normal clothes, and within a few hours most of us were in our new pajamas that we had just unwrapped.  Time with family was extra sweet, because a blizzard kept us from seeing each other on Christmas day.

My Silly Christmas Hat And A Platter Of Pancakes!
Although we constantly consumed food throughout the day, there were lots and lots of leftovers.  A great thing about being the host house is getting stuck with all the leftovers!  I’m very stuffed as I sit here typing!

I spent some time in my kitchen today, clearing out the Christmas decorations (I am REALLY excited to get the house back to its simple self!) and organizing my refrigerator and freezer.  I could not tell what- was- what when I opened the refrig this morning, and I knew if I didn’t get in there and figure it out, that all those great leftovers would go to waste.  I now have leftovers that won’t get eaten today or tomorrow, packaged and into the freezer (shredded cheese leftover from nachos, bacon leftover from making quiche, pancakes leftover from our pancake feast, cookie dough that didn’t get baked, etc).
I know what I have, and feel confident that we won’t waste all that good food!  Tomorrow I will tackle the pantry, it is so disorganized right now that it is hazardous to open the door! Holidays have a way of reeking havoc on my kitchen in more ways than one!  I am so very eager to get back to simple and healthful eating, to get as much processed sugar and foods out of my house as I can, and fill my pantry up with ingredients from my little neighborhood health food market.

Today I stumbled upon this post and it really excited me.  “Eat From Your Pantry” is a concept that I love and have tried before.  We did it for 2 weeks in the month of October.  It was so rewarding to see how much money we could save by just paying attention to food we already have.  I loved seeing my cupboards become bare, and I loved filling them back with only healthful, necessary foods.  I only spent $40.00 the first week, and $48.00 the next week.  We usually spend about $120.00-$130.00 a week, so that was a substantial amount saved!

I am a bit apprehensive to commit to a whole month, but it seems like they are a bit flexible with the challenge.  I think the goal is just to be extremely thoughtful about what groceries you do buy, all the while using up what you already have.  This came at a perfect time for me, here is why:

* I have lots of leftovers hanging out in my freezer

*I am VERY MOTIVATED to get our kitchen back in order

*I miss shopping at my health food grocer

*My husband is back on track with healthful eating (as of today) & I want to support him in that

*It is soon-to-be a NEW YEAR, which gives me motivation to start anew with food.

I will occasionally post about our progress and experience.  Let me know if you think this is a good idea and if you want to do it, too!

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FUN/DIY/ HOME/ Seasonal

Keva Planks For Christmas!

If you are looking for something to buy your kids for Christmas that will keep them busy for hours AND stimulate creative thinking, then Keva planks may be your answer.
We LOVE playing with them in this house.  We first discovered them at our local children’s museum, and I when I saw all 3 of my girls distracted and engaged in building fun for over an hour, I knew it was time to start saving for some of our own–which brings me to the only negative about Keva planks–the price.  Believe me, they really are worth every penny, but it would not be an
inexpensive gift.
On to the positives…

*every piece is the same.  They are about 1/4 inch thick, 3/4 inch wide and 41/2 inches long.  Because they are all the same size and weight, the kids are able to go quite high with the structures they make.
*they are simple, simple, simple
*all ages engage, from toddler to adult.
*no plastic
*easy cleanup
*knocking them down is as fun as building them up!

Notice she is standing on a chair:)
Marble Ramp
Butterfly

Barbie House
Guinea Pig Maze

Snippy Loved It!
Dollhouse Furniture
Tower To The Ceiling With Aunt & Cousins
To Buy Keva Planks, click here.
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Frugal/ FUN/DIY/ HOME/ Seasonal

Homemade Wrapping Paper

We have been saving our paper grocery bags for awhile now (I  talked about it here)  I didn’t want to spend any money on wrapping, so we decided to make our own out of grocery sacks.  It was a bunch of fun, and kept my girls busy for days.  I told them they had to use silver, black and red.  We talked about how most wrapping paper has patterns, and how larger images would get cut off or folded, so we would want to stick with smaller patterns unless it was for a larger gift.  I also told them to think circles, just because i LOVE circles and we have a lot of round things on our tree.  I was very proud of what they came up with!
This is the first one my 10 yr old made.  I love it.  I wanted to frame it!
My 8 yr old made this one.

Simple stamps

my 8 yr old made…another favorite of mine

I made this one!  I was inspired by my own daughter:)

Made by my 6 yr old

Aww…made by my 6 yr old
supplies we used: red crayon, red marker, black marker,
stamps and silver ink, silver puffy paint
We started on this project before Thanksgiving, so the rest of my Christmas stuff was still packed away.  Little did I know that I had bought wrapping paper at an end-of-season sale last year, and when we started bringing the Christmas decor out of the attic I was pleasantly surprised! I forgot I had purchased it. The mixture of both under the tree is nice.  My girls were so excited to see their work used to make pretty gifts and I am excited because I think grandparents will love getting a package wrapped in original art!



I wrote about handmade package toppers, but honestly, I needed to keep it simple! I didn’t make any I posted about, but everything I did use we had on hand so I didn’t have to spend money.  I’m getting crafted out, and I am ready to just sit, read and snuggle with them.  They love projects, but sometimes for me, its too much of a good thing!  This was a super easy project, but added to others we have done lately– I am project’d out!!

**I’m happy to be linking up to these link parties:
BCD Show and tell
giveaways
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Frugal/ HOME

My Husband ReCharges My Batteries:)

Great title, huh?  Well, he does!

I am married to a wonderful man whom I respect in many ways.  One of the things I highly respect him for is the decisions he makes with money.  He has always been a great provider for our family, the wise decisions he makes with our budget makes me feel loved, protected, secure and cared for.

We both believe it is important to be thoughtful with all the purchases we make, big or small.
We are amazed that making the smallest changes in those decisions can make a huge difference in the long run. One way we do that is by using rechargeable batteries instead of buying regular batteries.  I know it is saving us a bunch of money.

If you don’t use batteries very often, this might not be the most economical thing for you.  But, if you have several tv/ dvd player remotes and gaming system (wii!) remotes, or a couple of  wireless mice?! (that sounds weird, but it can’t be mouses..hmm.. a wireless computer mouse or two, how’s that?)  it might be something worth thinking about.

Good Housekeeping magazine featured the Duracell pocket-size Energy Star-certified GoEasy Charger ($13.00;two AA batteries included),which works for AA and AAA rechargeables.  I think that is a pretty good deal!

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HOME/ Homemaking/ Seasonal

Christmas Decorating

I wrote a post on fall decorating, so I thought a Christmas one would be fun, too.
Come with me on a tour of our home (if you are so inclined):)
We keep the Christmas cards/newsletters we receive in this tin “Merry Christmas” container.  Of course, the ones with pictures go on the refrigerator.

 

This is the second year we have done a silver, black, white and sparkly Christmas tree.

 

We made the marble looking balls last year (click here for how-to).  We made silver pipe cleaner snowflakes(there is one bottom left corner) and paper circles with mini round mirrors in the center of them (up top by star toward the right).  This tree is a favorite of mine because my girls little hands created most of the ornaments, and because it is so sparkly, especially at night with the lights low.

 

 

The basket of books hold all our children’s Christmas books.  We have a tradition of buying a new one every Christmas.  We try to get through them every year, usually grabbing one to read as a family after dinner, if we have time.  I have a favorite this year, click here, it is a must see!

 

This is a broken bookshelf that I now use as a magazine holder.  I had some extra Christmas balls so I thought they would look merry hanging on the top.  I think they are happy, do you?

 

My sister in law (the same one who made this journal for me) bought me the 2 candles and middle center piece for my birthday this year.  Does she know how to pick the best gifts or what??  She knows I love circles, my eyes did a little dance when I took the polka dot candles out of the gift bag.  I  just love them.  The glass holder has Christmas balls in it.  She gave me the extra balls which were fun using in other parts of my house (like the magazine rack above).  The 2 trees I found at a garage sale.  My table is set for a Christmas ladies lunch, which I will write about soon.

 

We do not have a mantle, so the windows are our stockings home.  These are fun, fuzzy cream ones.  I am concerned for them, after 4 years they are looking a bit dingy.  I am not sure how to wash them, any suggestions?  This chair is usually in the living room corner where the tree is now.  I have to say I love it here, and use it more often.  I sit in it at night, covered in my cozy blanket with hot tea and a book.

 

Here is where I used some of the extra balls from my birthday gift.  Ha!  My same sis-in-law bought me those shiny red ball candle holders, too!!  Ok, she really rocks.

 

I don’t really like what I did here, but I am too lazy to think about it and change it.  I do love the little nativity snow globe.  My daughter collects snow globes, and we could not pass this one up last year when we saw it.  It plays the song “Away In A Manger”

 

The nativity set on the lower shelf is one we have had a long time.  It is falling apart, but we still put it out every year.:)  It still very special and my girls love it.

 

If you look closely, there are 3 mason:) jars behind my peace sign.  We use them for a behavior/reward system we use for our girls.  Again, a future post!

 

On to the kitchen.  Pretty simple in here.  There is my favorite Christmas mug from my Carma friend.  It came with a coffee gift card in it.  Perfect gift in my opinion! I’m spoiled.

 

These are usually filled with Christmas candy, but I thought these decorative balls
 would be a bit more healthy!

 

Saying hello from our throne room.  The little star ornament was handmade from Nepal
and given to me by my aunt who works with Tiny Hands International.  If you have not yet, check out this post about the awesomeness of this ministry.

 

This is hanging above the throne.

 

The sunroom.

 

We got snow today!

 

Isn’t this pillow happy?  A gift from my mom.  She knows about my round obsession.

 

This is our “Jesse Tree.”  It is a new thing we are trying this year.  The kids are loving it.
I will tell you about it soon!

 

This year we put our family/memory tree upstairs.  Usually it is in the basement.  We had such a fun family night decorating this tree.
Every ornament on this tree has a special memory connected to it.  I will post about that coming up soon, too!  (Boy, I got a lot of blogging to do!)
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HOME/ Organizing/ Simplifying

De-cluttering My Brain

I did a big oops this weekend.  I missed a very important, priceless family event and felt just sick about it. What happened?  I am not sure.  My brain was a week behind reality (or a week ahead?!:)), I thought the event was the following week. The crazy thing is, it was written right in my calendar on the right date!  I need to make sure I am looking at my calendar, even on weekends!  Obviously, there is too much clutter in my brain!!

I am thankful for gracious family, and I am thankful for a Monday morning to get my ducks back in a row and declutter my brain!  So far, I have cleaned out my email inbox and spent time on my calendar, making sure that I have all appointments and dates made (haircut clients, piano recital, 6 Christmas
celebrations, school program, school field trips, birthday celebration dates, Gifts Of Love, Bible studies, etc).  I have also organized my “stickies” which are just virtual post-it notes that you can “stick” to the main screen of your computer.  Much of the morning was spent hitting the delete button, which is so very freeing!  My brain is feeling lighter already!

I read a post at Simple Mom, and although I have yet to look into what the main post was about, (anyone heard of GTD?  I’m intrigued.) I keep thinking of this part of her post that hit a chord with me. Here is what she had to say:

Write it down.
Write everything down. Get it out of your brain and on to someplace else. Whatever “it” is that’s on your mind — your to-do list, the chocolate chip recipe you just concocted, your need to call your husband and ask him to pick up milk on the way home — everything. Leave nothing in your brain. Don’t make your brain the holding place for all those bits and pieces hovering around your day.
How often have you said to yourself, “I don’t need to jot down a reminder; I’ll remember this.” And then how often have you forgotten that very thing?
Yeah, me too.
Forgetfulness is one of the main reasons you need to write stuff down. Other reasons are:
  • You’re more stressed when your brain is thinking about a thousand little things.
  • You’re not able to fully concentrate on the task at hand.
  • You overcommit, because you can’t clearly see what’s on your plate.
  • You don’t have true, relaxing downtime because you hold on to that nagging feeling that you should always be doing something else – but you’re not sure what.

I like this idea, ALOT.  I do it to an extent (I love lists) but all throughout the day thoughts will pop up in my mind that I would really like to remember, but I do not write them down.  Blog post ideas, Scripture verses, things I want to teach  my girls, notes I need to write, people I need to get in touch with, and even convictions whispered to me that I would like to forget!
I’d like to take this idea a bit further and add “When you think about it, DO IT, and if you can’t at the moment, then WRITE IT DOWN”  For those of you who are BO (born organized) this might seem like a “duh” but it really helps me do life in a purposeful way, instead of just going with the flow and allowing the flow to take my fleeting thoughts with it!

It sounds easy to say “if you think about it, DO IT!’ but then there is that procrastinator in me that I have to fight.  Many times I DO have the time to do it, but I just plain do not feel like it!  In these moments, what has helped me is to put it into a time perspective.  For example, I hate emptying the dishwasher, but really, if I timed it, it would only take me 2-3 minutes.  No big deal, right?  Takes less time to do it than it takes complaining about it, and it prevents it from becoming a 10-15 minute job.  As Flylady would say, it is about putting out those little sparks before they become big fires. If I empty the dishwasher now, it will prevent a nice big mound of dirty dishes in my sink and 3 little birds chirping at me that they can’t find a clean fork!

Well, I need to get off this computer and continue my brain purge.  I know it will pay off as the busyness of this Christmas month starts.  It is so important to me to keep my thoughts on what truly matters this Christmas season, so I guess this is a good way to start!

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FUN/DIY/ HOME/ How-Tos/ Kids/Family/ Seasonal/ Simplifying

A Casual, Un-Perfect Thanksgiving

Mary is Giving Up On Perfect this thanksgiving, and so am I!

I am hosting thanksgiving this year.  I’ve been in a very simple, take- it- easy kind of mood lately, and I am approaching Thanksgiving in the same kind of way.  I’m making plans, but not becoming a perfectionist about it.  I do not want to get pre-occupied with all the preparation and details, then the meaning of it all becomes an after- thought.  Really, it is a precious time to be together as a family and acknowledge the many blessing we have and thank our great God for His goodness.

Here are some of the ways I am planning on making it simple:

Paper Plates–

I’ve used paper plates in the past, and looking back at thanksgiving pictures,(above) it really is possible to create a nice table, even using paper plates.  I found the plates in the above picture on sale, they helped give color to the table. I set them on top of some silver chargers, rolled up paper napkins and made a pretty decent table. This year, I am going even more simple and casual.  We will be using disposable cups and utensils.  I rarely use disposable products, but sometimes it just has to be done.  I do not want to spend time washing dishes when my family is over, plus I do not have enough glasses and utensils for 15 people, so I really don’t have much choice.   I had a hard time finding disposable plates that were not cheesey or covered with picture of a turkey.  Maybe its just me, but I don’t want to lift a bite of turkey up to my mouth, look down, and discover I’ve uncovered part of the plate where the turkey is looking up at me as I eat him.  Appetite killer, for sure!:)

I am so happy I discovered the Solo Bare paper product line.  It caught my eye among all the paper plates with the typical patterns, flowers and bright, very un-fall colors. The color of the bare plates were so tasteful, warm, simple, boring and in my opinion, perfect.  Any type of napkin would match, and I quickly found (at Target) some printed fall napkins that will add color to the table. The bare cups are just plain and clear, so much better than bright yellow, red or blue!  I plan on making a cranberry punch so the cups will show off the beautiful color of the punch.  I am also keeping the eating utensils clear, since they are not that attractive I don’t want to draw attention to them, clear will disappear.
I have yet to mention the best features of the bare line,  they are renewable, compostable and recyclable!

Easy Beverages-
For the main beverage during dinner, I am making a simple Sparkling Cranberry Punch.  All you do is put equal portions of cranberry juice cocktail and sprite, then mix.   There are different types of bottled juice, you could do cranberry-raspberry cocktail, cranberry-grape cocktail, whatever.  Pour over ice.  So easy!
The rest of the day while we are hanging out and playing games, I will have soda and some Hot Apple Cider warming in a Crock-pot, ready for guest to help themselves.  Click Here for the Recipe.

Guests Bring a Dish
My family is great about everyone pitching in and bringing a dish.  My oldest sister, Julie, is a great cook.  I told her to bring whatever, and to let me know ahead of time what she was going to bring.   I am so lucky to have her as my sis, here is one reason why…check out this list of food she is bringing!!
Aunt Fannie’s Squash Casserole (we don’t have an Aunt Fannie, but I’m sure it is a great recipe!:))
Cranberry Meatball Appetizer
Jalepeno Popper Dip
Pumpkin Pie
Cherry Pie
Isn’t she great?  Don’t you wish she was YOUR sister?
My other sis is paying the Turkey, bringing Pop and Peanut Butter Pie. Yum. She rocks, too.  How generous to pay for the bird!
I have another sis who is bringing Stuffing and Broccoli Casserole.  Broccoli Casserole!! Oh how I love that stuff.  I could put my face in it right about now.  My baby sis is so great, that just bringing her cute self and her husband would be enough, but her cute self plus stuffing and casserole?  Oooh…its gonna be a good day!
My mommy always bring some kind of delish quick bread and is famous for her Cranberry Orange Muffins.  I try not to let her bring much, because she always comes early and peels the Potatoes, carves the Turkey, makes the Gravy and helps me with the last minute details.  I’m spoiled.
Not much left for me, huh?
I have some of this Harry and David Cranberry Relish Dip that I will serve over a block of cream
cheese w/ crackers to dip.  I will also make Rolls & Butta, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Corn Casserole, Velveeta Shells and Cheese (its for the kids, so why make it from scratch this time when Velvetta makes them smile?) some type of Jello Salad and some type of Chocolate Dessert.

Final Menu:
Appetizers
Cranberry Relish Dip W/ Crackers
Jalepeno Popper Dip
Sausage Appetizer Balls
Cranberry Meatballs
Main Meal
Turkey, Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Squash Casserole, Broccoli Casserole, Corn Casserole, Mac n Cheese, Rolls, Jello Salad
Sweets
Cranberry Orange Muffins
Pumpkin Pie
Cherry Pie
Peanut Butter Pie
Somethin’ Chocolate
Beverages
Sparkling Cranberry Punch
Hot Apple Cider
Pop
Wow-ie!  I’m ready to EAT! (as you can see, healthy eating in this family goes right out the window on a holiday, otherwise, it just would not feel like a holiday!!)

Buffet Style

No passing the turkey around here!  I like the table without the clutter of food, and it is just easier for everyone to help themselves.  The kitchen becomes our buffet.  I have counter space and a glass table, which is plenty of room to hold all the food. We start with prayer, then the mom’s help the kids get their food, then its our turn!  It  is so smooth, and you don’t get interrupted while you eat with “please pass the…”

Casual Clothes
I am going to encourage my family to come comfotable and cozy.  Fuzzy socks are welcome!  I don’t want added pressure to have my girls all dressed to kill, just so they can stain their nice clothes with Sparkling Cranberry Punch. They will look decent, but I am so NOT about to go out and buy special outfits just for one day.  Looking perfect is not what the day is about, my kids don’t need to look like a gap commercial.  Its about being thankful for what we have, not spending money on things we really do not need

Simple Decor

I have a lot of fall decorations, (remember this post?). For my table decor, I am simply going to grab from what I have.  Maybe these brown paper pumpkins from my sunroom windowsill, a few fake leaves sprinkled about and some candles.  My plates have an earthy, organic feel, so these would keep with that theme.
The kid table is always fun.  I love to get on Familyfun.com and get new ideas.  I used these cute ice cream cone cornucopias a couple years back.

The kids just loved them!  This year, my girls have made little toilet paper roll people.  They so very cute!  I will label them with the kids names, and set them on their plate so they know where to sit.  I thought about doing the same for the adults, but they are smart enough to know they are made from toilet paper rolls, which may be another appetite killer!


“Good Enough” House Cleaning
My house will be picked up and clean enough.  NOT carpets steam cleaned, windows washed, tile grout scrubbed, floors hand cleaned, “perfect” clean!!  Just toilets cleaned, sinks wiped, rooms vacuumed in the middles, quick dust, quick sweep, quick mop, “no- sweat” kinda clean!!  There will 15 people here, so the floors will be un-perfect within minutes, and we are not eating off the carpets so they don’t need to be steamed!  Nobody’s perfect, why try to fool each other into thinking we are?  Especially family, who knows we are DEFINITELY not!:)


Easy Fun
It doesn’t take much for my family to have fun and entertain ourselves. All it took one year was a camera and each individual willing to make a turkey out of themselves by making a crazy face for an individual portrait.
Some years I will have an organized craft for the kids to do, and  sometimes I have lots of game ideas.  This year, I’m not really going to plan anything.  We have a ton of board games, we will have our annual 1,000 piece Christmas puzzle sitting out to be worked on, and we can just sit and enjoy each other.
We may have to pull out the turkey feather game.  The kids love it, because they get to play it with adults and see adults act like dorks,  and adults love it because we get to watch the kids excitement, and join in on the fun.
 How to play:  You’ll need  a turkey feather (any feather) and everyone in the same room.  Send the “finder” out of the room to count to 30.  When they are gone, hide the feather somewhere in the room.  When the ‘finder’ comes back in, help them find it by saying hot or cold.  Or, you can take it up a notch like we do, and make very annoying beeping sounds as a group, getting louder and faster as the finder gets closer, and slower and quieter when they turn away from where it is located.  It’s quite funny! (at least we think so, but remember, it doesn’t take much…)
Happy Thanksgiving!

Well there you have it, my Casual Thanksgiving plan. I so look forward to seeing my un-perfect family in my un-perfect house, hanging out in our fuzzy socks drinking hot apple cider, beeping annoyingly in a chorus for the hide-the-feather game, and just simply being… thankful!


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