Archived Ideas for November, 2009

IDEA 17: HOLIDAY TO-DO NECKLACE

Holiday_To_Do

 

I’m pretty sure it has to do with having multiple kids, but sometimes, especially at the holidays, I really need a good way to jot down my thoughts. Just any old list will not do, since I think of things at the most inconvenient times (like when I’m out shopping, or taking a walk to clear my head). I found that I just needed a pen and paper handy all the time.

The solution? The To-Do list necklace. Buy one of those tiny lined notebooks (I like red) and about 1 1/4 yards red ribbon. Slip the ribbon through the hole and knot it to form a long notebook necklace. Clip on the shortest (red) pen you can find and if you like, embellish with a jingle bell. Now you are ready to record every fabulous thought.

Write each family member’s name on it’s own page. Then when a gift idea pops into your head record it on that page. Use a page for your own wish list (in case anyone asks) and one for food or other house stuff you are thinking about. You’ll be more organized if different type tasks are on different pages. And since the book is just for the holidays, you won’t worry about using lots of the pages.

You will be the most organized person you know this season. That’s so BellaPamella!

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IDEA 16: THANKSGIVING PLAN

Thanks_plan

Here is what I have come to believe about the Thanksgiving holiday:

The best part of this holiday is cooking the big meal with ones you love. And not only does it not matter if you make the same meal every year, everyone actually likes that. If you buy into these two things, Thanksgiving really can be the wonderful, not too stressful tradition you wish it were.

Here are some tips for cooking with a big group in your house:

1. Make YOUR quintessential Thanksgiving meal. Of course this means all recipes you like to eat, and equally important, you understand how to make. Mine is Roast Turkey, butter & sage stuffing, braided egg bread, ginger/pear cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, baked squash with molasses, tarragon green beans, pumpkin pie and apple pie. It’s pretty much always the same meal and my kids have come to believe that braided egg bread (for example) is what one makes at Thanksgiving.

2. Record all the above recipes in a spiral notebook titled THANKSGIVING. Next year you will be so glad you did this. If you are really industrious, add the shopping list in the front. Honestly, you only have to do this once. Every year after that just pull out the notebook and make the same meal. Why reinvent the wheel?

3. When you get up on the big day (at the crack of dawn) make Belgian waffle batter (Yes, you can use the box kind). Get the waffle iron set up and the minute your family starts arriving put as many guests as necessary on waffle duty. Making, distributing, and munching on waffles is great because it creates easy jobs (which you need with a kitchen full of guests), and you won’t starve as you spend all day creating the big meal. No syrup necessary, just dust with powdered sugar and serve on a napkin.

4. Unless you are big football fans, buy a big jigsaw puzzle and have the kids start it on the coffee table. It’s more social than TV and doesn’t require non-interrupted time.

5. After dinner, invite everyone outside for a big family walk. 

Nothing too fancy, but it covers the important stuff.  You’ll be creating good memories. And with any luck you can manage being together without being at each other’s throats! Have a wonderful holiday. And don’t forget to say thank you!

Filed under Celebrations, Food, Holiday | Comments

IDEA 15: WEAR AN APRON

WEARANAPRON

When you are a mom and wear an apron, you and your kids are making a pact of sorts. The pact says to the kids, this will always be your home, and I will always be your mother. It does not matter if work takes you away from your home all day. It does not matter if the meals are prepared in 45 seconds in the microwave. The kids, for their part, will never question or judge, They will simply understand that they are loved.

So, where should you get the apron? Hmmm. Let’s see. How about here?

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