Tip of the Day 12/22/11

Day 10 of The 12 Days of Christmas.

What are your 10 most loved Christmas Ornaments or decorations and why?

1) The first ornament that has always gone on our tree is a little basket with a cardinal sitting in it from our dear friends Betty and Bill Linsenmeyer.
2) A tiny ornament of 3 tiny pinecones tied together with wire that hung on my Nanny and Papa's Christmas tree. It always goes at the top of the tree right below the angel.
3) All the Hallmark ornaments my Aunt Jean collected for us. She sent so many every year our tree was packed full. So, it was good when the girls left home and took theirs with. We can actually see all of ours now. :)
4) The ceramic Nativity my Grandma Hanks made.
5) My Christmas China my Mom and Dad gifted us with.
6) A Christmas quilt from Richard's brother Jeff and his wife. It is the only gift we ever received from him and he died the next year.
7) A corn husk Nativity that we purchased in Nairobi. Unfortunately we have deaf sheep in our set. When we were purchasing some as gifts and the vendor we were talking to was charging more than another one, she said it was because her sets did not have deaf sheep and were worth more. The other vendor sold ones that had sheep without ears, so they weren't as expensive. :)
8) A Menorah we purchased in Israel.
9) A stained glass snowman my mother-in-law had made for me. It is the last gift I received from her. The package was lost in the mail and arrived at our house the day we got the call that she had a brain tumor, Good Friday. It is a treasure.
10) A Hallmark Daughter ornament that my Mom gave to me the year Richard and I were married. The day the tree fell over it was broken and so was my heart, but I was able to take the band with the words off and put it on another ball that was the right size. The ball was one I got at a luncheon I attended with my Mom, so it was just right.

Tip of the Day 12/21/11

Day 9 of The 12 Days of Christmas.

What 9 Cookies, Treats, or Dishes do you look forward to every Christmas?

1) Wedding Ring Cookies

2) Oatmeal Scottchies

3) Harvest Loaf

4) Cranberry/Apple/Banana Salad

5) Fudge

6) Clementines

7) All kinds of nuts in the shell that you have to crack open and dig out. I remember getting to have them at my Grandma and Grandpa's house

8) Chocolate Covered Cherries-my Grandpa gave me a box every year

9) Raspberry Filled Hard Candy-my Mom sent me a bag every year and I savor them all year. When I pulled out the candy jar there were still some left from the last bag I will receive from her.

Tip of the Day 12/20/11

Name 8 items you have either put in a stocking or received in your stocking.

1) My Mom would put cookies she had baked in ours. When I reach inside I can still feel the crumbs from 50 years ago.
2) Oranges (given and received)
3) Garfield and Odie (received) I get a stuffed animal or similar every year
4) Toothbrush (given and received)
5) Chapstick (given and received)
6) Crayons (given and received)
7) Avocado (we loved to give one to our daughter so she had her own that she didn't have to share)
8) Undie wear LOL (given and received)

Tip of the Day 12/19/11

Day 7 of The 12 Days of Christmas:

Share 7 ways you celebrate Christmas.

1) As we hang the ornaments on the tree and when we take them down we talk about and pray for the giver of that ornament.

2) We have always eaten cheese/crackers/apples as we decorate.

3) Give Shoeboxes through Operation Christmas Child in honor of others.

4) Since we don't live near family and can't be gone at Christmas we have always gone out to eat on Christmas Eve. The girls loved getting dressed up and going out for a "Fancy Dinner."

5) After dinner we drive around looking at Christmas lights.

6) Richard puts an unwrapped gift like a stuffed animal in my stocking as soon as we decorate and I have to look at it for a month without touching it. This year it is a U of M gnome.

7) Our Christmas candlelight service is the highlight- the time to stop and read the passages and sing the songs, familiar and yet always new.

Tip of the Day 12/18/11

Day 6 of The 12 Days of Christmas:

Name 6 gifts you received for Christmas, at least 3 before age 12.

1) Small "vanity stool" to be used at a dressing table. Age 3. I still have it.
2) Red AMF Roadmaster Jr. Age 6. I still have it.
3) Baby First Step. Age 10. I still have her.
4) White Bible with my name engraved. Age 12. I still have it.
5) Diamond Earrings. Age 17. I still have them.
6) A handmade stained glass window that my husband traded jack stands for because we were broke. Age 24. Yes, I still have it and it is hanging in the window.

Tip of the Day 12/17/11

Day 5 of The 12 Days of Christmas:

Name your 5 favorite Christmas Albums and if there are any traditions behind them.

1) Amy Grant's-A Christmas Album, we decorate the tree listening to it

2) Nat King Cole-A Christmas Album, the first Christmas record I remember hearing

3) Andy Williams Christmas, loved his TV specials

4) John Denver-Rocky Mountain Christmas, makes me think of my Mom

5) Sugarland's Gold and Green-my new fav

Tip of the Day 12/16/11

12 Days of Christmas Day 4.

Please share 4 favorite Memories of Christmas.

1)Driving to Tulsa from Denver each year and seeing the National Bank Building Lights first

2) The smell of all the good things baking at my Grandma Hanks house

3) My girl's squeals of joy the year they found their look-alike Cabbage Patch Dolls under the tree

4) Mom never bought 1 thing on our list, she got it ALL!

Tip of the Day 12/15/11

Day 3 of The 12 Days of Christmas.
Name 3 Christmas SONGS (yesterday was Carols) that you just have to hear every year. There are some songs that just say Christmas to us, I would love to know your list.

For me--"The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole; "Preiset Dem Konig (Praise the King)/Emmanuel/O Little Town of Bethlehem" by Amy Grant; and "A Baby Just Like You (Zachary's Song)" by John Denver. Of course there are many more, but these 3 are at the top of my list.

Tip of the Day 12/14/11

12 Days of Christmas Day 2-What are your 2 favorite Christmas Carols? (Not Christmas songs, there is a difference.) and who do you want to hear sing them. Mine are "O Holy Night" by John Denver and "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" by Sugarland. If you haven't answered yesterday's question please still do. I love seeing your answers.

Tip of the Day 12/13/11

Today is the 1st Day of my "12 Days of Christmas Question of the Day." I hope you will participate. On the 1st Day of Christmas-Name the first Christmas gift you remember making or buying with your own money? I bought my parents an avocado green electric popcorn maker from my first paycheck as a gift wrapper at Frougs Department Store when I was 16. They still have it.

Tip of the Day 12/12/11

Still shopping? Try using the gifts of the Magi as a guide. Gold, a gift of high value, not expensive, but desired, like an item on the receivers list. Frankincense, represents a relationship with God, a gift to help the receiver draw closer to God. Mhyrr, a spice used to prepare the body for burial, so a gift to comfort the body, anything from PJ's to body lotions. Hope that helps.

Tip of the Day 12/10/11

Tradition is not the foundation for true worship, but is rather the basis of treasured memories. As we celebrate the Birth of our Savior in Worship this season may we also continue the traditions of our families that bring us the treasured memories that are so important to our well-being. So let's enjoy our traditions and create some memories that last a lifetime. I am thankful for them.

Tip of the Day 12/9/11

We enjoy a tradition at our Christmas Family gathering of a game the grands call "the Pickle Jar." It is a jar filled with little cards of things to do like sing a line from a carol, play "telephone" with a phrase, pantomime a Christmas scene, and about 100 more ideas. You could make your own. Games are a great way to interact while the family is gathered. The time is about togetherness.

Tip of the Day 12/8/11

Consider starting a 12 Days of Christmas Tradition. Celebrate with some fun little gifts or activities leading up to Christmas Day. If you have a big celebration on the 24th you might want to start on the 11th to culminate at your celebration. Do just one act of kindness a day or give a small token to family members or friends. A great alternative to the calendars you open each day.

Tip of the Day 12/7/11

A few movies to enjoy--A Christmas to Remember-Jason Robards; A Christmas Affair-Robert Mitchum; The Christmas Box-Richard Thomas; Christmas in Connecticut-Barbara Stanwyck; Miracle on 34th Street-Original or 1994 version; Little Women-Original or Susan Sarandon version. Discover some new ones for a your Christmas tradition.

Tip of the Day 12/6/11

Tradition-Tevia sang of it in Fiddler on the Roof and this time of year is perfect for traditions. They can be a source of comfort. Movies are a popular tradition, but this year try reading some Holiday Short Stories as a new tradition. A good resource is a series of books compiled by Joe L. Wheeler "Christmas in my Heart." There are numerous volumes containing many Old Fashioned stories.

Tip of the Day 12/5/11

Start some new traditions this December. We started one many years ago from the example of our friends Bill and Mary, we call it Decembered Prayer. During the month we seek guidance for our family and Church and do not make any major decisions. After Christmas we share with each other what we believe the Lord has shown us for the coming year and move into the year with new focus.

Tip of the Day 12/3/11

We all like the ambiance the decor of Christmas brings and part of that is due to the lighting we use. An easy way to have those pretty lights throughout your home is to use the LED battery operated strings of lights. The ones with timers are awesome and they also make candles that look just like the real thing. It is nice to not have to be concerned a candle is put out and lights off.

Tip of the Day 12/2/11

Consider an artificial tree. I miss the fragrance of the real one, but I don't miss the mess. There are plenty of ways to still have the fragrance and there are many beautiful trees to choose from. To enjoy the fragrance, this year we purchased a bag of Balsam Fir needles. I put them in containers around the house and in tea balls hanging in both trees. Try a florist or tree lot for the needles. A wreath is another way to enjoy the fragrance without as much mess.

Tip of the Day 12/1/11

When decorating your home for the season do a thorough cleaning as you go. Dust all the surfaces and then dust each item as you put it in place. Blow the dust out of the greenery before you place on the mantle or staircase, wipe down all of the glass items as well. By cleaning as you decorate you should be able to go through the season with just light touch-ups, cleaning the floors and bathrooms, and be able to enjoy your break from the ordinary.

Tip of the Day 11/30/11

When decorating your home for the Season it is okay to not use everything you have collected over the years. This is a good time to dee-clutter and get rid of things you no longer like. Our tastes change and just like we change our wardrobe or other decor over the years it is ok to do with your holiday decorations. Add something new or re-purpose something old. Make it fun and fresh.

Tip of the Day 11/29/11

When decorating for Christmas I love to hold each item or ornament and remember where it came from. If someone gave it to me, I pray for that person and think about what they mean to me. The memories bring joy as I decorate my home with the love special people have shown me over the years. Some things we have purchased and we talk about the occasion. Slow down as you decorate this year.

Tip of the Day 11/28/11

Over the last week I turned my home into what my husband refers to as "The Hallmark Store." I transform every room by removing most of the decorative items and replacing them with Christmas items. To do this quickly, I photograph the room, then I will use these photos to put the room back together after the Holidays. Next I use photos from last year to "remember" where everything was placed the year before, make some adjustments to add new items, and photograph again to use the following year. Happy decorating everyone.

Tip of the Day 11/16/11

My word for today is prepare. As we move into the Holiday Season, we are all very busy preparing, gifts, food, decorations, etc., but do you take the time to prepare your spirit , mind, and body. I encourage you to find time to step aside from the busyness of the season and enjoy life. This is my last Tip for a week because I am stepping away for a vacation with my husband to prepare my spirit for the weeks ahead. Jesus took time away from the demands of life to renew His spirit, and He was the Son of God. How do we, as mere humans think we can make it without times of renewal? So, my last tip for about 12 days-Slow Down and enjoy the blessings. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Tip of the Day 11/15/11

It is never too early to teach children to take care of their belongings, but you have to set the example. Children love order and find security in it. There is a difference between the person I knew that did not allow her child to have out more than one toy at a time and teaching her to pick up when finished playing. Teaching order leads to good stewardship of our belongings.

Tip of the Day 11/11/11

My Word for Today is Sacrifice and that can happen in many areas of our lives from the major to the mundane. The small sacrifices in no way diminish or take away from the big ones. Of course the ultimate sacrifice can never be diminished no matter what I do.

I believe one of the "sacrifices" we make each day is maintaining our home and taking care of our loved ones. A sacrifice is to be looked at as an honor and privilege. In the Bible we are told to bring a Sacrifice of praise. A sacrifice always costs us something, but it is always worth it.

Maybe you have sacrificed a career to stay home and raise your children, not purchasing new clothes for yourself so that your children have the best, coming home every evening after working and still putting a meal on the table for your family, even the simple things like dusting and vacuuming can be a sacrifice. Maybe you thought it was empty nest time and you have a child and possibly grandchildren that need a shelter. None of these things are in vain. They are worth it and you do it out of love.

Even if you are single, taking care of your home can be a sacrifice. Maybe you would like to go out on the weekend, but you know you need to mow the yard or do the laundry.

Each of the daily sacrifices we make add up to one thing--the joy in our life. Yes, sacrifice brings joy. Remember the verse I mentioned, a sacrifice of praise? Well praise brings joy. Sometimes when we get to church on Sunday we don't feel like praising, but as we begin to, our heart is changed and we find that place of joy. So, approach the mundane things of life with an attitude of praise, "I have a home or family to care for," and your praise will turn to joy!!!

Tip of the Day 11/10/11

Today's 15 minute project is dusting. This is key to keeping your house clean and I am amazed at how many people ignore it. In order to be able to dust a room in fifteen minutes it has to be clear of clutter. Clutter is a huge deterrent and discourager , so keeping up with the clutter can lead to being able to choose one room a day to dust. This is a great way to not have to take an entire morning to dust the house. 15 minutes a day should be the maximum it should take to dust a single room. When I was working full-time and when I was home schooling I would have the one load of laundry going and one room dusted before my day officially started. You can do it too. 15 minutes isn't much to ask in the morning.

Tip of the Day 11/9/11

The second great 15 minute morning chore to accomplish is washing sheets. Instead of making your bed in the morning, strip it, throw the sheets into the washer and by the time you are ready to relax for the evening they will be washed, dried and back on your bed. No folding and storing needed. One day a week have the kids go through the same routine. If you can't wash all of the sheets in one load divide them among a couple of days. Let them know which day of the week is their sheet washing day. As soon as they are old enough teach them how to do the whole routine themselves. There is nothing better than crawling between clean sheets at night. P.S. Remember the Tip from earlier about pulling off the pillowcases and washing them with another load at least one other time during the week. Keeps the freshness going.

Tip of the Day 11/8/11

A schedule for keeping up with my life? You have got to be kidding, I work full time, or part time, or I have 4 kids under the age of 8, or I have teenagers, or...

A schedule is exactly what you need. It will help keep you focused and your house will run more smoothly, the kids will be calmer and you will find time to do the fun things in life that you are missing because you always have something to do to keep up the house and laundry, etc.

The first easy item to schedule is getting up 15 minutes earlier to accomplish 1 simple thing each morning. I worked full-time for 9 years, before that I home schooled my children, and planning was the key to still having home cooked meals on the table, a clean house, clean laundry, and still enjoying life.

One of the easiest 15 minute things to do each morning is throwing a load of laundry in the washer. As soon as I wake up, before I do anything else I throw a load of wash in. Because I pre-sort, it is easy to grab the load and start the machine. By the time I am finished reading and having my morning tea, the load is ready for the dryer. You could even throw the load in the night before and just start the machine then or in the morning. When I worked full-time I still threw that load in first thing. If the load was, towels, whites, undergarments etc. that don't wrinkle easily I would move them to the dryer and they would be dry by the time I left for work. If it is a load of clothing you can leave them in the washer until you get home. They will not mildew if your house is air conditioned in the summer and in the winter they will be fine.

They key to not having them wrinkle is leaving them in the washer. Do not shake them out and place in the dryer or they will begin to dry during the day. When I was a little girl my mom would take the clothes off the clothes line, sprinkle them with water, roll them up, and place in a bag in the refrigerator until she was ready to iron them. Leaving them in the washer is the same principle.

As soon as you arrive home in the evening move them to the dryer. If you have kids at home, have them fold them while you cook dinner, or as soon as you have dinner simmering or baking, hang and fold the clothes. Or fold them as soon as dinner is over. Whatever you do, DO NOT leave them for tomorrow. You will have defeated the goal.

This is one simple task you can complete each day and not have to do LOADS of laundry on the weekend.

Tip of the Day 11/7/11

We can learn a lot from pioneer women and women of the last century. Weekly routines and a schedule kept their homes running smoothly. For example, Monday wash day, Tuesday bread making, Wednesday ironing, etc. List the regular "chores" that need to be done in your home and make a schedule to follow. It will help you focus and keep your house running smoothly.

Tip of the Day 11/4/11

An easy and much less expensive way to take care of all of your dry cleaning needs is through an over the counter product like Dryel. Our winter wardrobes usually contain alot of dry cleanable items from sweater, to coats, to wool pants and skirts. The cost of dry cleaning these items can be enormous. I highly recommend trying one of these other products and have the items professionally cleaned once during the season.

Tip of the Day 11/3/11

Well, I was going to honor my Mom yesterday on my Birthday, but the trip to the ER pre-empted my post. So, today I want to say "Thank you Mom for instilling in me a sense of order, organization, cleanliness, and style. I hope you are proud of what I do everyday." Pick one thing in your house to put in order today, my Mom would be proud. :)

Tip of the Day 11/1/11

Great ways to perk up a "tired" winter wardrobe--scarf, hat, and glove sets. The great thing about sets like this is they are inexpensive and fun. You can have many sets and wear them with coats, jackets, vests, or sweaters. Use them as an accessory and enjoy the added benefit of the warmth. If you live in a warmer climate you can still enjoy the look of winter wear by adding them to a sweater or vest. Make or buy them in a variety of yarns and colors and have fun.

Tip of the Day 10/31/11

To transform a dated coat try sprucing it up with new buttons. This is an easy way to transform that "old" coat into something fun and fashionable. I once bought a beautiful classic style wool coat at a thrift store and totally updated the look with new buttons. Another update for a tired looking coat is a pretty pin or flower for the lapel. Before you run out and spend $$$ on a new coat, try these simple updates. (You could buy some new shoes instead. :) )

Tip of the Day 10/27/11

Easy Gift Wrapping Solutions.

We have a huge family and it was always a mess digging around under the tree to find the right gifts to take to each home as we visited during the holidays. So, a few years ago I came up with an easy solution. I have a color scheme or pattern for each family every year. I use green, red, and gold as my main colors for decorating and wrapping. Each year I purchase paper that has that as the color theme. Some years I use solid paper, some years prints, but always those colors. To distinguish each family or group of gifts I add bows in matching colors, all red for daughter #1, all green for daughter # 2, and so on, or all Santa Clause print for one, all sleigh ride print for another, etc.. I might do all gift bags for friends and neighbors instead of gift wrap. I like the look of the matching gifts under my living room tree that is decorated in red, gold, and green, and I place all of the out going gifts under it.

I have a second tree in the family room that is decorated with my collection of ornaments from over the years and is so special to me. I call it my "Family and Friends Tree." As I hang the ornaments each year I reminisce and pray for the person that gifted me with that ornament because the majority of them were gifts. Under this tree I place all incoming gifts and treasure the thought behind each one. After the gifts are opened we leave them under the tree until we use the item or take the tree down for the year. It is nice to be able to look at the special remembrances our friends and family have blessed us with.

So choose a theme and go with it this year. It should make for a pretty display and easy gift giving.

Tip of the Day 10/26/11

Now that you have compiled your Christmas list I would like to share a few ideas for homemade gifts that will please anyone that receives them. These gifts are perfect for stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, token gift for neighbors, party favors, group project for an event, etc. Anyone can make these items and they require no sewing. All items needed for these projects can be purchased at Michael's or Jo-ann Fabrics.

1) Painted or Potpourri-filled Glass Ornaments

Needed--Clear glass ornaments-any shape or size, Iridescent acrylic paint, potpourri, ribbon

Painted--remove ornament hanger, squirt a small amount paint into ornament and swirl, add

paint to reach desired affect.

Potpourri Filled--remove ornament hanger, fill with potpourri, crushing potpourri if needed.

Replace hanger and add ribbon or other embellishment if desired i.e. pearls, flowers, lace...

2) Burlap or Counted Cross Stitch Fabric Potpourri or Goody Bag

Needed--6 in. x 18 in. piece of burlap or counted cross stitch fabric (any color),

embellishments of choice, i.e. poinsettias, small ornaments, etc., handle of choice-rope is nice

for the burlap or ribbon, hot glue or craft glue

Fray the 4 sides of the fabric about 3/4 inch. in from edge by pulling threads out.

Fold fabric in half to create a 6 in. x 9 in. pocket. Hot glue the 2 long edges together, leaving top short edge open.

Decorate one side of pocket with embellishments of choice. If using glue to attach

embellishments place parchment paper inside pocket to prevent glue from soaking through to

back of pocket.

Attach handle of choice.

Fill with potpourri, home baked goodies, gift card, etc.

3) Wooden Thread Spool Candle Holder

Needed--Wooden thread spools (sold by the bag full of various sizes or use an old family

collection), ribbon and/or small stickers, hot glue or craft glue, small candles such as

Hanukkah candles sold by the box. These candles come in a variety of colors in one

box, are inexpensive and the perfect size.

Decorate the spool with ribbon or stickers of choice. Place candle in spool. You can make a set of

varying sizes. A tiny ribbon tied around the candle is a nice touch as well.

4) Fleece Neck Scarves

Needed--60 in. by 8 - 10 in. fleece. Fleece is sold on 60 in. wide bolts and can be purchased in

any amount you desire. The fleece comes in a huge variety of patterns from sport

team logos to holiday patterns. Your width of scarf can be determined by the

pattern. If a team logo or pattern is 8 inches wide then your scarf will be 8 inches

wide. You will also need sharp scissors.

Have the store clerk cut the width you need to make the number of scarves you plan to make

from that piece of fleece. For instance, 28 inches of a team logo pattern made 3 scarves that I

was able to cut along a distinct pattern line.

If you have purchased fleece for more than one scarf from the same piece, place on a flat surface

and carefully cut along the printed line of the logo to the width desired. If there is not a printed

line to follow, use a yard stick or ruler and a very light pencil to make a line to follow. Cut fabric

the full 60 in. length.

On each narrow end of the fabric cut 1 inch strips approximately 4 inches long for fringe. These

cuts do not have to be precise.

5) Pre-cut No-Sew Fleece Blankets

These come in a variety of sizes and designs and require nothing more than tying knots.

So simple and a great gift.

I hope you are inspired to try some of these simple gifts and to try your hand at more

homemade items. Please share any simple no-sew gifts ideas you have.

Tip of the Day 10/25/11

Hopefully some of you started your lists we talked about yesterday and are ready to make some decisions about what to give to people in your life you would like to honor during the Holiday Season. I have always considered it a privilege to bless the ones I love and hold dear with a gift just like God gave me the gift of His Son. Our gifts to others can never equal that ultimate gift, but they can be given in love and touch others.

Here are a few ideas to help spark some thought on what to give this year. Take time to really think about each person you have listed and go to the heart of that person. I like to work with a theme each year and then gear the gift to the individual. Over the years I have learned it is not about the amount you spend on the gift, but if the gift is from your heart it is a blessing. There have been times when I could not afford to give more than something small and homemade and those are often the gifts that mean the most to the receiver, as well as to the giver.

Gifts of Actions:

Coupon Books of offers to mow the lawn, clean the house, babysit children, do the grocery shopping, etc. mean a lot to young Mom's and Dad's.

Gifts of Practicality:

A box of Birthday or mixed occasion cards along with stamps for an older person that cannot get to the store easily. Packages of their favorite snacks or personal grooming items. A magazine subscription.

Gifts to the Needy:

Consider packing an Operation Christmas Child shoebox in a loved ones name. Purchase chickens or a cow for a needy family in a foreign country. Volunteer hours in the name of a loved one at a local shelter or ministry. If you have a loved one in a nursing facility in another city, visit a local facility in their honor. Present your loved one with a certificate stating you have done this in their name.

Gifts of Nutrition and Taste:

Homemade Baked goods are always a welcome treat for someone who doesn't have the time or resources.

Theme Ideas: Shopping is simplified by only having to go to one department in each store. You can easily shop online or through QVC or HSN.

Watches--everyone needs one and even small children love having one. You can find one for every taste.

Reading--A great pillow, Snuggie, and a book or books make a great gift for anyone of any age.

Video Collection and Popcorn Set--Pick a set for each Family on the list. If you know each persons favorite candy this would be a great individualized addition.

Aprons and Cookbooks or Tools--Even the youngest child that can walk will have fun receiving an apron and a toy cookset. I have found science experiment cookbooks for boys to go with an apron, or Cook with Mom books for younger children, Grill tools are great with an apron for a man. A set of BBQ sauces would be great for a man as well. Be creative with what you add to the apron to individualize the gift.

Hats, Scarves, and Gloves

Slippers and PJ's

Bathrobes and Slippers

Favorite Team Hats, Sweatshirts, etc. for the whole family

Board Games and Snack Foods

Beach Toys and Chairs

Let's get busy creating wonderful memories for those we love. Please share some of your ideas for great Themes or other gift giving ideas.

Tip of the Day 10/24/11

Two months from today is Christmas Eve. I love the Holiday's and all the activities that go with making a wonderful setting in my home and sharing enjoyable times with family and friends. By implementing at least a few of tips I have shared during this year, you should be able to have a very calm and enjoyable holiday season this year.

This week I will share some more practical ideas so that by the time Thanksgiving Day arrives you can find yourself sitting on the sofa watching the Macy's Parade while the turkey is baking instead of working in the kitchen while the rest of the family enjoys the festivities.

As I have stressed on many occasions, lists are your friend. If you have not made your shopping or to-do lists yet, take the time to do so today.

Food Shopping Lists:

Using your calendar start by planning the meals and occasions you will need to prepare food for during the season.

Include occasions like the night before Thanksgiving, when you will have guests overnight, or will be busy preparing for the following day.

Don't forget to include New Year's Eve and Day.

Include special events you will be a part of and need to take a dish to share.

Decide on all of the baking you would like to do during this time.

Once you have completed a menu for the season, you can put together a shopping list.

Purchase as much as you can in advance to save the little trips to the store that will rob you of time for other activities.

To-Do Lists:

Using your calendar plan all of the "things" you need and want to accomplish in the coming weeks. By actually putting the "to-do" on the calendar you are more likely to accomplish it.

Include everything you can think of, baking, shopping, cleaning, decorating, events to attend, events to host, addressing Christmas cards, purchasing stamps, wrapping gifts, mailing gifts.

Gift Shopping List:

If you have already started shopping, which I hope you have, start by listing all of the gifts you have already purchased. By marking these off the list it will help you not to be tempted to purchase more for those people. This is a big budget blower.

If you have not started shopping yet, PLEASE do so now.

List every person you would like to give a gift to including hostess gifts for events you will attend.

Divide by groups, each family, all children, etc. whichever grouping will help you most as you shop.

Think of a theme for gift purchasing and look for something in that theme for everyone on the list.

I will be sharing gift themes tomorrow.

Assign a day on you calendar to shop for each family or group.

Additional lists could include acts of kindness you would like to perform, people you would like to see, movies to watch, activities to participate in, to name a few.

Remember those lists are your friends and you will feel much more in control if you follow the lists and can check off each thing you accomplish.

Let's get started today making a great Holiday Season.

Tip of the Day 10/21/11

Now that most of the country has experienced at least one cool night, it is a great time to take a look at some furnace maintenance.

I am not giving advice on how to mechanically maintain your furnace, consult an expert if you need advice.

Our vents build up dust and dirt just like other areas of our house and most of us don't think about it until we turn on the furnace for the first time each year. Suddenly we experience an awful smell, (several of you have mentioned that smell over the past few days). Well, that smell is most likely dust and dirt build up. You can easily take care of a lot of the build up.

First, remove the vent covers and wash them. If you have never done this before, you may need to soak them for a while to remove the build up.

Second, vacuum the vent hole.

Third, place a single piece of cheese cloth across the vent opening and then replace the cover. this allows the heat to come through but will filter some of the dust particles.

You should have much cleaner air warming your house now. If you continue to have a funny smell each time the unit comes on, call a service man.

Snuggle up and enjoy the Fall weather.

Tip of the Day 10/20/11

Winter and Windows, the two can bring so much pleasure when you have a view of the weather, but can also bring higher heating bills if not dealt with properly.

Here are a few ideas to get your windows ready for the upcoming winter weather.

1) Close the storm windows. If you are not in the habit of opening your regular windows during the warmer months you may not have noticed the storm windows are up. Check to make sure they are all down.

2) Consider changing out summer weight curtains for thermal backed ones. Having a thermal weight curtain over a shear is a great way to keep out the heat in the summer and keep in the warmth in the winter. When the sun is bearing down on the west side of the house in the summer I can close the thermals to help keep the house cooler. In the winter I can close the thermals on the side of the house a storm is blowing in from and at night close them to keep in the warmth.

3) If you have older windows check around the edges to see if air is leaking through. If it is, consider clear window tape for the winter. Curtains can hide it and it will be worth it to save on the heating bill.

4) If your heating vents are in the floor and positioned under a window purchase the redirection vent covers to keep the heat from blowing straight up into the window.

5) One last thing, if you haven't taken down the curtains and blinds to wash out the summer dust, do it it soon.

Stay warm.

Tip of the Day 10/19/11

The weather isn't cooperating for what I set out to do today, pick up "Summer" from the yard, but I will share some thoughts on how to go about it with you anyway. Hopefully I will be able to get to it tomorrow.

Most of us put things out in our yard for the warm Spring, Summer, and Fall months. But they need to be stored away for the Winter to protect and preserve them for the next year. These items often include yard decorations, furniture, flower pots, bird baths, wind chimes, etc. While some people live in climates where some or all of these items can be left outside all year round, most of us live where we need to store away "Summer."

The key to putting these items away for the winter months is to clean them before hand. Putting away items that have not been cleaned will cause the fabric on furniture to rot, metal items to begin to erode, damp items to mildew, etc. By taking just a few minutes to clean the items as you store them away you will avoid these incidences as well as the smells that will develop from them being put away dirty.

If you have removable furniture cushions, wash and dry them. They will last for years if your care for them properly. Open your table umbrella and allow it to sit in the sun for several hours, wipe off all of the dirt and grim before storing away. Wipe down the surfaces of all the furniture, you don't want to store away a spider web full of eggs that is hiding under the seat of a chair. Be sure to clean your yard tools before storing them away as well. All of these actions will make Spring a pleasant experience when you take the items out to use.

Lastly, this is the time to make sure your snow shovels and snow blowers are ready for use. Don't wait until the snow is falling to check them out. It is much easier to take care of them now while the weather is cooperating. Lay in a supply of ice thaw if needed and don't be a part of the crowd running to the Hardware store during a storm because it took you by surprise. Act like a Boy Scout this year, and "Be Prepared."

Tip of the Day 10/18/11

With Fall weather here and cold winter nights soon to follow, now is the perfect time to clean out the dark hole called "The Linen Closet." It is probably full of blankets you haven't looked at since last winter and sets of sheets or mismatched pillow cases that you have been hanging onto for years. Well, now is the time to take action and get that closet organized.

Empty the closet completely and sort the items into categories: blankets, sheet sets including pillow cases, odd pillow cases, any other miscellaneous items stored in the closet including table clothes and napkins, etc. Evaluate each of the items to determine when the last time was you used it. If it has been more than a year, then they need to be gotten rid of. Seasonal items that you use once a year need to be evaluated to determine if you used them during the last appropriate season. If you are hanging on to a Spring tablecloth and napkin set that you have never used, let it go. If the item does not serve a specific purpose in YOUR home do not keep it.

If you still have children living at home you will want 2 sets of sheets per bed. With only adults at home now we have a set of Spring/Summer sheets and a set of Fall/Winter sheets. I also have a set for each of the guest beds. A great way to keep your linen closet uncluttered and make sheet washing day easier is to never fold the sheets, just wash and return them to the bed. (I was thrilled when I heard Martha Stewart say this is her method as well.) A good thread count sheet should last you about 2 years.

The goal with the closet is to wash all of the blankets that you will be placing on the beds, eliminate all unused or unwanted items including extra pillow cases, sheets with bad elastic or extreme wear, etc., place all extra items back in the closet sorted by category. If you have items that are only used when guests are visiting and your closet is not very large consider "Space Bags" and store the extras under the bed of the guest room.

Remember, more is not always good when everything in the closet falls out on you when trying to retrieve one item. You will use what you have if you can see it and retrieve it easily.

Tip of the Day 10/17/11

When was the last time you cleaned out your jewelry box? It could be filled with all kinds of treasures you have forgotten about. Maybe there are some pieces you would like to cash in at the local"Cash for Gold" business or you might find just the right earrings to go with the new outfit you got for the Fall. There might be an impossible tangled bunch of necklaces that you could use to enhance a Halloween costume (saw that idea on Martha Stewart last week) or it might be full of junk you just need to throw away.

Once you have sorted the items clean the box and clean the jewelry before returning it to the box. A great way to clean your jewelry is to soak it in Dawn dishwashing liquid and then gently scrub with a soft toothbrush. Be sure to check all the pieces for loose stones before soaking.

Enjoy the NEW jewelry you will now be able to wear.

Tip of the Day 10/15/11

The weekend is here and we are another week closer to Christmas. How many of you have made your Christmas list? How many of you have actually begun purchasing Christmas gifts? Well, why not start this weekend.

At least two department stores are now offering lay-a-way plans. This is a great way to keep the budget under control and not pay interest like you would with a credit card. Please do not under any circumstances purchase gifts on credit. This may satisfy a need you feel to give gifts, but will only cause undue hardship later. Okay, so much for my sermon. :)

Make a plan for purchasing gifts over the next several weeks. Watch the ads and purchase a few each week. Making a list and a plan will help you keep the spending and desire to purchase more under control.

Be purposeful in your purchases and you will enjoy the Holidays without regrets or dread of the bills to come.

Tip of the Day 10/14/11

A few more tips to bring together an awesome Holiday Event:

1) Use Plasticware instead of the good stuff you would have to wash.

There are so many pretty ones to choose from and I recommend using them unless you are

doing a small sit-down dinner party.

2) Prepare as many of the dishes in advance and freeze them.

If you plan to do most of the cooking this will save you a lot of time on the day of the event.

3) Accept all offers "to bring something" to the party.

If someone asks, even if you had planned to cook everything choose something that is not

integral to your menu, but is needed to complete the meal.

4) Consider hiring a couple of teenagers to clean for you before and after the event.

It won't cost that much and will save you a lot of work. Check with your church youth

group for kids looking to raise money for mission trips.

5) Plan an afternoon or morning event so as not to conflict with all the obligations people have

during this season.

Brunch is a great meal to plan for and host.

As I have encouraged all week, just go for it this year. Step out and do something you have always wanted to do.

Enjoy the weeks to come.

Tip of the Day 10/13/11

Where to begin with the planning of the event you are going to host this year: As I have pointed out several time Lists are your friends.

Start by listing everything you would like to have happen revolving around the event. Do not limit yourself by thinking you could never accomplish a particular aspect of the event. The only way you will know is if you try. After you have listed everything you would like the event to be, break it down into smaller segments and determine how to best accomplish each item.

If you are doing a formal dinner, decide if you will cook everything yourself and then form a time line for accomplishing all the parts. You might decide to cater the dinner or possible purchase the entree from a caterer and prepare the side dishes yourself. You can have a formal dinner with you supplying the entree and having guests bring the side dishes.

Maybe a dessert event would be better for your household. Don't feel like if you are not doing the entire meal people won't come.

Plan, plan, plan. It is only October and if you start now you can host an awesome holiday event this year. Magazines are filled with ideas and they print them so that you will "borrow" the ideas. You can do it if you try.

Tip of the Day 10/11/11

Yay, you have made a decision about what event you would like to host over the next few months. As we talked about last week, lists are your friend. Make a list of everything, no matter how trivial it seems. You will feel much more relaxed and not have to think as much as you prepare for the fun.

Plan the food, the entertainment, the decorations, the guest list, the things to attend to around your house. Do I need to borrow or rent chairs, paper or real china, buffet or sit down, pot luck-cater-cook, a combination? Look through magazines for ideas for a signature dish to prepare, center pieces, decorations, or fun activities to do together with your guests.

The more you plan now and begin preparing the more fun you will have on the day of the event. Don't be afraid to do something out of the ordinary or out of your normal comfort zone. Just go for it and if something doesn't work laugh it off and trust that no one is going to notice because they are having too much fun at a party they didn't have to host.

Tip of the Day 10/10/11

Holiday Prep Week:

This is the perfect week to take advantage of the nice Fall weather to finish up some Fall house cleaning to prepare for the fun filled months ahead and all of the Holiday events you want to host and enjoy.

Determine what events you would like to host throughout the holiday season. Maybe you would like to have a Harvest Party because you love Fall, or this year you would like to host Thanksgiving Dinner, how about a Christmas Tea and gift making or collecting event for an organization.

Once you decide what type of event/events you would like to host make lists of ALL of the supplies you will need including food prep, serving ware, guest tokens, table decorations, etc. By focusing and pre-planning you could host a wonderful event like you have always dreamed of.

Do not be afraid to consider a "pot-luck" type event. When I host a holiday tea, I ask the guests to bring their favorite tea and cookies or finger food. I have asked guests to bring their own teapots and cups and as part of our "entertainment" everyone told the story behind the item they brought with.

Other "event" ideas have included a Fall Kick-Off Chili party where everyone included a secret ingredient in their chili and we guessed what they were. The person that guessed the most received a "Best Taste Buds" Certificate.

An annual event is filling "Operation Christmas Child" shoe boxes for Franklin Graham's ministry. Instead of everyone bringing a filled box to contribute, we all purchase items to fill the boxes and come to the party with pre-wrapped empty shoe boxes. All of the items that have been pre-purchased are put out on tables and everyone "shops" for the items to fill the shoe box they have brought. Children and adults love this event. An additional aspect of this event is our food for the evening. Because rice is a staple of so many countries, each family chooses a country to bring a typical meal a family would eat with rice as an ingredient. This helps us to understand and have a better vision of who we are packing those shoe boxes for.

When planning a Holiday dinner at your home plan some specific activities that every age group will enjoy. Some families make an event of watching "It's a Wonderful Life" together. Some other ideas are a craft the children can do while dinner is being prepared like making placemats or place cards or centerpieces for the table. Choose a game everyone can play together every year. We have a game that my grandkids call "The Pickle Jar Game." It is a large jar filled with cards that suggest everything from acting out a part of the Christmas Story, playing telephone around the room with a phrase, everyone singing a Christmas Carol together, etc. We all look forward to playing it together every year. On Thanksgiving our tradition is to head to the opening session of the season at the outdoor ice skating rink after dinner, then return home for dessert.

We all want to make memories and hopefully these ideas will spur you to undertake some"events" of your own this year. With just a little planning, you really can make it happen. Be creative, thinking outside the box. Everyone will enjoy someone stepping up to host the event.

I would love to hear some ideas of holiday events you have hosted or been a part of.

Tip of the Day 10/6/11

Hopefully you have spent the week compiling some lists. In this part of the world, Southwest Michigan, Garage Sales run from Thursday - Saturday, so I am taking my lists and heading out to see what bargains I can find. My lists consists of items I would like to add to my holiday decorating (more gold beads for the living room tree), small toys and things for the Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes we will be packing at church, fabric and trims from old collections that I can use in fun projects (love finding a box full of a Grandma's old sewing items for $5). The key to successful shopping at garage and rummage sales is to have purpose. My lists keep me focused and prevent coming home with a lot of stuff I don't need. These sales are a great place to find bargains, but shop there with a purpose just like you would in the grocery store.

Tip of the Day 10/5/11

Notes are a tool that can be used for many aspects of our life to help keep a sense of order. It always feels great to be able to cross things off the list as you accomplish them as well. Whether you use a note card, notebook, your computer, IPad, or Smartphone, it is great to know where to see what you need to do written down.

With the Holiday Season before us a great list to create is all of things you would like to accomplish to enjoy the time. The key to this list is to not OVER schedule yourself with unrealistic expectations. That will lead to disappointment. By writing down simple goals that you know you can accomplish you will feel very satisfied and more relaxed when they are crossed off. Maybe you will decide to only bake 2 kinds of cookies this year instead of 6. Decide which months you will make the other kinds your family enjoys throughout the winter. Decide who to ask to bring which dishes to your Holiday gatherings at your house instead of cooking it all yourself. Or find a store that cooks the meal and just add your specialty side dishes. We do this for Thanksgiving and Christmas and have plenty of time to relax with the family instead of spending all day cooking and cleaning. Now we are able to go the annual opening of the outdoor ice skating rink on Thanksgiving afternoon instead of cleaning up dishes, sleeping, or watching football.

By keeping your goals simple you will rejoice in the season.

Tip of the Day 10/4/11

Yes, it is early Fall, but Christmas is less than 3 months away. This is the time of year our minds start contemplating all we will need to do and purchase to make the Holiday Season the "perfect" one this year. Well, no matter what you do or how well you plan, it will never be the perfect one you are dreaming of. But there are things you can do that will help to bring less chaos and hopefully more enjoyment through the next few months.

Lists are your friend. If you didn't start your gift list back in January when I first suggested it and you haven't been purchasing gifts throughout the year, you have some catching up to do. I marked my last purchase off my list last week and am now ready to spend the next couple of months creating.

Make 3 lists of ALL the things you need to purchase for the Holiday Season, Gifts, Food, Decorating items, place these in your purse and use them to keep you on track. Remember a "Theme" for gifts will help in your shopping, many ingredients for baking including flour freeze well, so buy a little each week, choose a neutral paper-red, green, gold, that is sold year round and start wrapping gifts as you purchase them. Use the lay-a-way plan several stores are offering and AVOID ALL credit purchases.

Set a goal to be finished by Thanksgiving and just enjoy the next 6 weeks without the stress. It really can be done with a little planning.

Tip of the Day 10/3/11

Well, the past couple of weeks have been very busy around my home and in my life and as I looked around at my schedule I realized taking a break from my daily missive was the right thing to eliminate for that period. However, I am back this week with some tips that I hope will help you all to be on track for the the busy season ahead.

One of the tasks I accomplished last week was sorting, washing, and mending all of our Fall and Winter clothing. By going over all of the pieces I was able to envision outfits to put together and recognize what pieces were missing to complete the looks for the upcoming season that we would like to wear.

As I went through the items I created a list of the items I would like to add to my closet and put that list in my purse. Now whenever I am shopping, whether it is a garage sale or I happen to be in a regular retail store, I will not have to try to remember what it is I need. This method also prevents buying unnecessary items.

Remember to start the new season with your hangers facing backwards and as you wear the item turn the hanger around to identify what should be eliminated from you closet. If you wear an item and really don't like it, do not hang it back up, put it immediately into the give-away bag as soon as it is laundered. No one should be wearing clothes that are uncomfortable, don't fit, or that you just don't like. You will feel much better about yourself and life in clothing that is right for you. And remember a stuffed closet is not a healthy closet.

Tip of the Day 9/15/11

Fall is a great time to plant perennials in your garden. All of the plants are deeply discounted. We purchased 15 quart sized plants for 50 cents each a few years ago and they are so huge now we have had to divide some of them. Take advantage of all the end of the season clearance sales and get out and enjoy Fall.

Tip of the Day 9/14/11

Well, Fall is in full swing in our part of the country and if you haven't been able to tell by my previous Tips, I love it. The beauty of the season, the feeling of warmth and togetherness just seems to shine through in the Fall. Of course most of us have turned off the A/C and have the windows and doors thrown open wide and are able to use just our ceiling fans to bring the slight cooling we need in the late afternoon. Now is a great time to clean those A/C vents throughout the house before you need to start running the furnace. Removing the covers and vacuuming inside will make everything run more efficiently this winter and will allow for a nice fresh start to the next season. This is also a good time to clean the ceiling fans. A damp cloth to clean not just the bottom and edges, but the top of the blades and lights as well. You will experience a nice fresh feeling every time you turn them on.

Tip of the Day 9/13/11

Fall: the smells, the tastes, the crisp air, the beautiful full moon, the clothes, the--well, you get the idea, it goes on and on. The one thing I don't like about Fall is my allergies, but I will sacrifice in order to smell the grapes ready for harvest and see the golden fields of corn and the apple trees bursting with fruit. Today is a great day to be out in the sunshine and to clean the lawn furniture from the dust that has accumulated over the summer and then sit down and enjoy it!!!

Tip of the Day 9/12/11

Fall is upon us and with it comes the need to do a little cleaning to prepare our homes for the season ahead. Today would be a great day to spend outside in the sunshine sweeping away all the cobwebs and leaves that have collected in the corners of the house over the summer months. Have fun and enjoy the beautiful creation around you.

Tip of the Day 9/9/11

Fall and Soup, they just go together. Here is the recipe for a great Fall soup, again using that late summer harvest, and a delicious cake to bake for the weekend. Enjoy it with a nice cup of hot cider and it will brighten your weekend.

Cream of Cauliflower Soup

1 (16 oz.) bag cauliflower or 1 large head fresh cauliflower

½ C. chopped celery

½ C. chopped onion

1 can chicken broth

4 T. butter

4 T. all-purpose flour

2 ½ C. milk, divided

½ C. heavy cream

½ t. fresh basil

In Dutch oven, combine cauliflower, celery and onion. Add chicken broth; heat to boiling. Lower heat and simmer 10 minutes. In medium saucepan, melt butter. Add flour slowly, mixing well; add ½ cup milk. Add sauce to vegetable mixture; stir to mix well. Add remaining milk and cream. Simmer soup until thickened, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Serve with fresh basil.

Heidi's Pumpkin Coconut Cream Cheese Cake

2 C. sugar

1 C. oil

4 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 C. canned pumpkin

1 t. each salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon

2 C. flour

½ C. each chopped pecans or walnuts, flaked coconut

Frosting

4 T. butter

1 8 oz. pkg. Cream cheese

1 t. vanilla

1 box powdered sugar

½ C. each chopped pecans or walnuts, flaked coconut

Beat together sugar and oil. Mix in eggs and pumpkin. Stir in dry ingredients; add nuts and coconut. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 x 2 inch pan and bake at 350° for 30 to 40 minutes or until cake tests done. Let cool completely.

Frosting: Cream butter and cream cheese; gradually add in sugar and vanilla. Stir in nuts and coconut.

Tip of the Day 9/8/11

Fall is a great time to grill and the late harvest vegetables are some of the best for grilling. Today's menu should inspire you to enjoy an early Fall dinner on the deck savoring the tastes of the season.

If you are enjoying the recipes I am sharing this week they can all be found in my cookbook "Dinner's Ready 1-2-3" which can be ordered on my Blog, Dee-Clutter.blogspot.com. Once you place the order click on the "Return to Dee-Clutter" link and the book will automatically download. We discovered yesterday that PayPal changed the link without us knowing and was causing some confusion. Happy dining.

Pork and Chorizo Kebabs

2 lbs. pork loin, cut into 1-inch cubes

3 (4 oz.) chorizo sausages, sliced 1-inch thick

1 onion, cut into large chunks

20 fresh bay leaves (optional)

Thread first 3 ingredients and bay leaves onto 10—12 inch skewers. Place in a shallow container; pour White Wine Marinade over kebabs. Cover and chill 4 to 8 hours, turning occasionally. Remove kebabs, discarding marinade. Place kebabs on greased grill rack. Grill over high heat for 10 – 20 minutes or until pork reaches 155°. (Slightly pink)

White Wine Marinade

1 (750 ml) bottle Sauvignon Blanc or other dry white wine

1 C. white wine vinegar

6 each fresh or dried bay leaves, whole cloves, crushed garlic cloves

¼ t. freshly ground black pepper

1 onion, chopped

¼ t. ground cumin

Combine all ingredients and marinate kebabs as directed.

Grilled Vege Kebabs

10 (12-inch) wooden skewers

1/3 C. extra-virgin olive oil

¼ C. white balsamic vinegar

¼ C. chopped fresh basil

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 t. salt

½ t. freshly ground black pepper

1 each red onion and yellow bell pepper, cut into 1 ½ in. pieces

1 lb. Chinese or baby eggplant, cut into ¾ in. slices

3 small zucchini, cut into ¾ in. slices

20 grape or cherry tomatoes

Soak skewers in water 30 minutes. Whisk together olive oil and next 5 ingredients. Thread onion and remaining ingredients onto skewers; brush vegetables generously with marinade. Grill, covered with grill lid, over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, 10 – 12 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Jicama-Mango Slaw

1 small jicama and 1 large mango, peeled and cut into thin strips

½ C. thinly slice red onion

½ C. chopped fresh cilantro

¼ C. fresh lime juice

½ t. salt

Toss together all ingredients in a bowl.

Tip of the Day 9/7/11

It is another crisp Fall day in Southwest Michigan. The type of day that calls for something hearty cooking all day in the crock-pot. Here is my recommendation from "Dinner's Ready 1-2-3" using your late season bell peppers and tomatoes.

Slow-Cooked Pepper Steak

1 ½ to 2 lb. round steak

2 T. cooking oil

¼ C. soy sauce

1 C. onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 t. sugar

¼ t. each salt, pepper, and ground ginger

4 Roma tomatoes, cut into eighths or 1 (16 oz.) can diced tomatoes with liquid

2 lg. green bell peppers, cut into strips

½ C. cold water

1 T. cornstarch

Egg Noodles or Rice of Choice (recommend white or brown)

Cut beef into 3-in. X 1-in. strips; brown in oil in skillet. Transfer to crock pot. Combine the next seven (7) ingredients; pour over beef. Cover and cook on low for 5 – 6 hours or until meat is tender. Add tomatoes and green peppers; cook on low for 1 hour longer. Combine the cold water and cornstarch to make a paste; stir liquid into meat mixture and cook until thickened. Prepare noodles or rice according to package directions. Serve beef over noodles or rice.

Tip of the Day 9/6/11

Fall, that glorious season that inspires us to cook wonderful meals and baked goods. The air outside smells so fresh and the smell of good food baking inside is a delight. This week I will provide several recipes from my cookbook"Dinner's Ready 1-2- 3" that I hope will inspire you to savor the flavors of the season and use some of the awesome produce available at your local Farmer's Market.

Easy Honey-Rosemary Chicken

2 large (cut in half) or 4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 clove garlic, finely minced

2 green onions, finely sliced

½ C. honey

1 T. Dijon mustard

1 - 2 T. dried rosemary to taste

Extra-virgin olive oil

In a heavy skillet, brown chicken breasts on both sides in olive oil. Remove breasts to platter; add garlic and green onions to olive oil drippings. Lightly brown, stirring constantly. Stir in honey, mustard, and rosemary; return chicken breasts to pan. Cook over low heat until breasts are cooked through and juices run clear; marinating occasionally.

Farfalle w/ Butternut Squash & Sage

12 oz. farfalle pasta

1 C. milk

3 C. fresh butternut squash, peeled and cut into ½ pieces

1 T. chopped fresh sage or 2 T. dried sage

1 tub chive cream cheese

Cook pasta in lightly salted water according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, heat milk, cut up squash, and sage in a medium saucepan until simmering. Reduce heat to medium- low; cover and simmer 5 minutes or just until squash is tender. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in cream cheese until blended. Drain pasta and return to pot. Add squash and sauce and gently toss to mix and coat.

Serve with a warm bread and I believe your family will be delighted.

Tip of the Day 9/2/11

This past Sunday I read an article in the paper about school districts that are eliminating recess. To me this is a tragic mistake. The purpose was to make a shorter school day for the teachers. What about the need for the kids to have a time to burn off energy and develop friendships? Have we forgotten the meaning of childhood--the time to learn the skills to carry us through life.

Not only do kids not have enough time to just play and imagine, but adults put this burden on themselves as well. How often do we work through our lunch hour so we can leave the office an hour early, but in reality it never happens. We just cheat ourselves out of the down time our body needs and the time to have friendships with our co-workers.

Children arrive home with piles of homework and adults bring home laptops so they can do a little more work from home. In order to meet all the activities and demands we have put on ourselves, the kids no longer have time to just go run around and play with the neighborhood kids and we sure don't have time to just visit with our neighbors.

Why do we do this to ourselves? It is proven we are not a healthy nation. We can take control and stop the madness. As this new year begins purpose to have at least a few days a week without after work or school obligations. Send the kids outside to PLAY and even if there is not a neighbor to talk to, go outside too. Dinner will wait, the homework will get done, the office work will still be there to finish AT THE OFFICE.

Take back control of your life and enjoy it. Before you blink it could all be gone.

Tip of the Day 9/1/11

As you are making choices for your family and home for the new year it is important to recognize the difference between a schedule and a routine.

It is easy to over-schedule yourself or family:

A program of events or appointments expected in a given time.

A good rule of thumb is to schedule your child in only one extra-curricular activity. They will excel and you won't run around with your kids doing home work and eating dinner in the van. Schedule family -time and free-time. This is a case of less is better than more.

A routine, on the other hand, is an excellent thing for yourself or family:

A prescribed, detailed course of action to be followed regularly; a standard procedure.

A routine helps your household run smoothly whether you live alone or have a house-full. Less confusion and less stress.

Sit down with your family and make a list of the areas that cause the most stress and decide what routines could be established to help relieve the stress. By everyone participating in the decision process you will have better cooperation.

Tip of the Day 8/31/11

Children, and most adults, thrive on routine. When something is out of order it throws the next thing out and before you know it you have the domino effect going. All of my kids are grown and raising their own children now, but we still thrive on routine in our house. In teaching Sunday School calm is maintained and a lot is learned each week because we have a routine we follow. It is funny how even the 3 year olds know when we are doing something out of order and they question it.

A great way to maintain order in the home is to establish a routine. To help with the chaos of getting everyone out of the house for school and work we have talked about easy lunch prep and clothes choices, today lets talk about breakfast and home work.

A part of your routine should be as soon as you walk in the door the kids should pull any paperwork from their backpack that is for the parent to review, sign, etc. and place it in a designated basket. This will allow you to pick it up and take care of it without having to search for it. As soon as the paperwork is handled place it in the proper location, back in the basket for the child to return it to their backpack is a good policy. Paperwork and mail just thrown on the counter when you walk in has a tendency to get lost or forgotten. Establish a set area for each. This will teach the kids, and you, responsibility.

As a part of your dinner clean-up each evening the final action should be setting out what is needed for breakfast in the morning. If you normally have cold cereal set the table with the bowls, spoons, and napkins along with cups and the boxes of cereal if they are allowed to choose their own. If you cook a hot breakfast, set out the pans and other prep items needed. This will reduce the time needed in the morning and make the household run smoother.

We all want the atmosphere of our home to be calm and it starts with you leading the way.