A Wonderful Christmas Gift Idea...

Hello Cut The Crazy Viewers!  This is guest blogger Aimee (Debbie's Daughter -in- law).  I came across this beautiful cookbook and just had to share.  It is the perfect gift this holiday season for that special person who has everything...or doesn't, either way it will be very pleasing.  Here are a few words from the inside cover of the book:  "The Pioneer Women Cooks is a homespun collection of photography, rural stories, and scrumptious recipes that have defined my experience in the country.  I share many of the delicious cowboy-tested recipes I've learned to make during my years as an accidental ranch wife-including Rib-Eye Steak with Whiskey Cream Sauce, Lasagna, Fried Chicken, Patsy's Blackberry Cobbler, and Cinnamon Rolls-not to mention several "cowgirl-friendly"dishes, such as Sherried Tomato Soup, Olive Cheese Bread, and Creme Brulee.   I hope you get a kick out of this book of mine.  I hope it makes you smile.  I hope the recipes bring you recognition, accolades, and marriage proposals.  And I hope it encourages even the most harried urban cook to slow down, relish the joys of family, nature and great food, and enjoy life."

Happy Holidays everyone!  May the holidays bring you great joy as you are surrounded by all of your loved ones.

Wreally Great Wreaths

Hi Everyone,

This is Suzie, guest blogging tonight! I was so excited when I turned my Christmas decorating ideas towards wreaths. There are so many ideas out there, and wreaths are definately the new rage! Check out some darling ways to use your wreaths to decorate this Christmas.

I love the traditional look of a wreath on the front door. It is such a great way to greet your guests! But a twist on tradition is always welcome.

This double wreath is so pretty, I love the emphasis of the Christmas stocking decoration at the bottom.

Three evergreen wreaths hung by one ribbon sets elegant atmosphere.

Your guestroom will have that "Home for the Holidays" feeling with a simple wreath tied to the headboard or footboard.

Group wreaths together to create an impact.

A modern look for the traditional wreath.

A hot gluegun and nuts is all it takes to make this fun wreath.

Wrap a few small presents and simply attach to a wreath form.

It would be so easy to make this darling gingerbread wreath.

A small wreath is perfect to use as a napkin ring:

Or tye it together with ribbon.

You don't have to hang your wreaths, set them on a dresser. I love the ornaments attached at the drawers which draw the eye from top to bottom.

Nest two wreaths together for a dynamic duo.

String small wreaths on a ribbon to make a garland with impact.

Frame it!

Tie a tiny wreath onto a present.

A bell wreath is perfect for a cupboard door.

I LOVE these groupings of "threes"!

Three in a row.

A great way to make your windows stand-out.

I hope you have gleaned some inspiration, have a great time decorating!

Merry Christmas Decorating,
Suzie

{ Christmas Countdowns }

On TV Morning Show - by SLC scrapbook store 'Heartland Paper'
I'm so glad I caught this segment on our local TV show STUDIO 5 this morning. The countdown projects by Heartland Paper were really cute - and they included printable DOWNLOADS so you can print the NUMBERS for the countdowns at home and make the projects inexpensively using materials you have. The Muffin Tin Countdown (photo above) is from last year. They added new ones this year - look at the fun pictures and instructions below.....and be sure to check the "what you need" lists in Countdown #2 and #3 for the links that will give you the free number sheets to print up at home. Print them on plain or light-colored patterned paper for your own use.

Countdown 1- The Mini Matchbox Advent
This advent is made with little mini matchboxes covered and magnetized. You can fill each box with treats, activities, clues, or even pictures for your little ones to open.

To make this advent from scratch, you will need:
1 cookie sheet
25 mini matchboxes
American Craft Thickers (the alphabet stickers for the title and a few of the numbers)
Assorted additional font stickers or print-outs of numbers
Making Memories Mistletoe paper
Brown Paper Sacks
Ink
Ribbon
Magnets
Instructions:
Cover matchboxes with brown paper sacks completely. Add paper, numbers, ribbons and little extras to dress up each box. Place a strip of magnet on the back of each box. Punch a hole in the top of your cookie sheet and hang with a fun ribbon.

Countdown 2- The Swirl Advent
This countdown is made of little plastic cups (fry sauce cups) that are magnetized to a circular magnet board in a swirl pattern. As the treats are taken out of each cup, the words to "Santa Claus is coming to town" are revealed at the bottom of the cups. The buttons around the border make this kit just too cute!

Things you will need:

14” magnet board circle-available at Heartland next week for $8 each…get on the list now (or pizza pan - not aluminum) (Debbie's note - rectangle would be cute too if that's easier

25 1.5 oz plastic cups and lids (available at restaurant supply or Costco)

Color copy of number sheet on white cardstock Download Christmas countdown round

1 ¼” circle punch

1 ½” scallop circle punch

Strip Magnet

Red, Green, Brown Cardstock (We used printed paper by Lasting Impressions)

65 assorted Buttons

Ribbon

Adhesive, Ink, Scissors, Glue Dots

Instructions:

1. Use Scallop punch to cut 25 assorted circles from cardstocks.

2. Use 1 ¼” circle to punch out numbers and song words

3. Cut out title with scissors.

4. Freehand a funky arrow out of red cardstock.

5. Ink all pieces.

6. Layer scallop circle and number circle and adhere to top of each cup

7. Glue song words inside each cup so that as you remove the lids the words to “Here Comes Santa Claus” will be left in the bottom of each cup.

8. Place a small strip of magnet on the bottom of each cup.

9. Use glue dots to adhere magnets around outside edge of board.

10. Place cups on board in a swirl pattern so they count down to Christmas.

11. Tie Ribbon through hole in top and hang.

12. Place treats or activities in each cup.

Countdown 3- Vintage Santa Countdown
Who doesn't love vintage Santa? This uses the beautiful Graphic 45 Christmas Paper to create a beautiful piece of art. Numbers are pulled off each day to reveal a gorgeous picture underneath.

To make this advent from scratch, you will need:
1 12" magnet board
1 Sheet Graphic 45 Vintage Santa Paper
1 Sheet Graphic 45 Cream Paper- cut to 8.5X8.5
1 sheet chipboard-cut to 8.5X8.5
Number download sheet printed on Graphic 45 Cream paper-Download Graphic
Ink
Magnets
Instructions:
Print numbers on cream paper. Glue cream paper to chipboard with a strong-all-over adhesive. Cut apart chipboard and numbers using lines provided. Ink each square along with Vintage Santa Paper. Adhere Vintage Santa Paper to magnet board. Place a strip of magnet on the back of each chipboard number. Place numbers over image to cover completely. Remove one piece each day until Christmas arrives and picture is revealed!

LINKS:
You can also order kits at the stores if you call soon. Here's the link to the blog post on the Heartland Paper blog. And here is a link to the TV segment so you can watch the video.

WiSdom for LiFe...and ChristMas

I received these beautiful Maya Angelou quotes in an email today (thanks Steph), and, as always, I was inspired and touched by Maya's wisdom AND her way with words. She has always been a favorite author of mine. I was tickled to learn that she loves the word JOY just as I do. A USA Today article reported this: "Her favorite word remains "joy." When she signs her books — she has written 31...poetry, children's and even one cookbook — she adds in artfully old-fashioned penmanship, "Joy!""

The reason I'm putting these quotes on the Cut the Crazy Out of Christmas blog today is because I want to point out how beautifully they apply to the holiday season. I urge you to read each quote and think of it in terms of Christmas.

'I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back....'

'I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.'

'I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.'

'I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.'

'I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life.'

'I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.'

'I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.'

'I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.'

'I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.'

'I've learned that I still have a lot to learn..'

'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'

To read an excerpt from a new book written about Maya Angelou by her niece and others, click on this NPR article here. (You'll have to scroll down a ways.)

Adornit BLoG HoP

Hi Blog Hoppers - so glad to see you! I'm Debbie Raymond - I'm the editor at Adornit and I am THRILLED that the Adornit BLog Hop is finally here! If you started at this blog, you need to go back to the beginning by clicking on this link: www.adornitscrapbook.com/bloghop

This blog is extra special to me - because it's a collaboration with my daughters and daughter-in-law and has ideas to help you Cut the Crazy Out of Christmas. Be sure to come back when you have more time - we have info on Christmas organization, gift ideas, quotes, and using a Christmas planner. All geared to help you simplify and plan Christmas. Hint: Read our blog posts from last year!

My project is a scrapbook layout I made just for this week. It's a photo of my three darling grandkids in their Christmas jammies. One of the stress-reducing suggestions of Cut the Crazy is to Search for JOY in the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas. When you're tired and frustrated, it helps to pause and see, listen and smell - to delight the senses with things that are uniquely Christmas. There will always be something to appreciate if you try to find it. For me, just thinking about Brookelyn, Bailee and Carter in their Christmas jammies turns my stress to joy.

You are very lucky to visit this next blog! Jana is one of my very very favorite scrappers - she has such a cute style, and the girl is prolific! I now introduce: Jana Eubank! http://www.frommyfeatherednest.blogspot.com

3 cards in 30 minutes (give or take a few)

Today is the first day of Adornit's Christmas Blog Party. Since I came up with the idea and wrote the words for today's post which is a card making challenge, I thought I'd better participate. (For those who don't know, I'm the editor at Adornit scrapbook company.) So at 10:50, I set my timer for 30 minutes. Then I pulled out some samples of cards by other people that I like ( to get the creative juices flowing. I love all you great scrappers out there that I copy - in scrapper lingo, scraplift). So I made 3 cards - the first two in the thirty minutes, then, since I had everything out and I was having fun, I made a third card. I like them. For the words I used favorite Christmas cardstock stickers from Adornit. Just slapping that already-cute sticker on my cards helped me stay within my 30 minutes.


It took another hour to take the photos, download the photos, crop the photos, upload the photos to my blog, write the blog post, and listen to Scott talk about riding the stationary bike at the gym and getting his heart rate up to 160 and it feeling good. You can imagine how happy I am to hear that kind of talk - especially since I haven't been to the gym for a month.

{ must-have art }

These darling giclee prints are wow-ing me! They're from Winborg Sisters Design. I got an invite on my email today to visit their blog, and I remembered that Georgana had mentioned them on her blog last summer. These two gals have a fun trendy style that would fit the room or nursery of any child. So I went on an imaginary shopping spree and these are the things I 'pretend chose' for my grandkids.

If you want to have just as much fun, check out their blog or their etsy shop. So inspiring!

now we can get serious!

It's November 1st. The day after Halloween.

I've heard tons of women say, "I just can't get serious about Christmas until after Halloween." (I've heard the same sentence about Thanksgiving too; while I understand the Halloween hesitation, I think if you wait until after Thanksgiving you'll really defeat yourself.)

Get those Halloween decorations put away - QUICK - because you have work to do. The first thing is to convince yourself that everything you get finished this month will benefit you in December.

Here's a little quote that I love - it can apply to Christmas, so print it up and stick it on your mirror!

"Don't practice struggling,
practice enjoying."

Let's meet at the toy store on Saturday!

The Christmas blog has been a little neglected lately - we've been busy welcoming a new little baby boy into our family. Becky and her husband Pitt are the proud parents of Emmett Scott Grewe. All is well and Emmett is a little cutie patootie. Now that they have to buy toys for Christmas, I'll pass on these tips from one of our favorite financial-help gurus, Clark Howard.

Clark Howard's Money-Saving Moment: 9-30-2009

Clark Howard suggests on his website that it might be wise to buy Christmas toys earlier rather than later if you're able to this year. Not sure what the hottest toys of 2009 will be? HotToys2009.com lists them by retailer and availability.

He also reports that Wal-Mart is cutting prices on toys. "Christmas just got a whole lot cheaper as Wal-Mart has announced they'll price 100 different popular toys at $10 each. This is a departure from prior years when Wal-Mart had knockoffs of name-brand toys priced at $5, $10 or $15. This year you'll see brand-name popular toys from Lego, Nerf, Tonka, Barbie dolls, the Littlest Pet Shop and more."

And in the article's comments box was this comment from a Clark Howard reader:

"Even better that Wal-Mart is kids.woot.com. Every day they offer 1 item that is 40% or more less than any other site. I have already purchased all of my kids Christmas presents."

And here's another great financial tip from Clark Howard's website:

How to get rewards points at Sam's Club on a Visa, MasterCard or AmEx card
Q: Lately, I've been trying to rack up reward points on my American Express card. But I can't use AmEx at Sam's Club.

A: No problem, according to Jim Strickland, Clark's consumer investigator. Here's how he does it:
1) He buys a Wal-Mart gift card using his favorite rewards credit card.
2) He uses his Wal-Mart gift card to buy merchandise at Sam's Club.

cookbooks make great gifts!

Here are two COOKBOOKS that I can personally recommend! Either one is a great gift idea. Maya Angelou's book is part recipes and part memoir. I love her writing, so I enjoyed her essays at the beginning of each chapter. The recipes are probably good, however I haven't felt a need to cook from this book. But to sink into my favorite reading chair and read about Maya cooking - now, that's pure pleasure. Non-fattening too. This book is on clearance everywhere right now.

Here's what a reviewer said about the book: "Maya Angelou is renowned in her wide and generous circle of friends as a marvelous chef. Her kitchen is a social center. The one hundred-plus recipes included here are all tried and true, and come from Angelou’s heart and her home. Hallelujah! The Welcome Table is a stunning collaboration between the two things Angelou loves best: writing and cooking."

The best thing about this book is the pictures! Every recipe has a great photo. Of course, the recipes are great too. With Paula Deen as their mom, these boys couldn't help but have a collection of tried and true recipes for hearty, everyone-loves food. There's a great variety and they are good, basic recipes.

Just order a book or two - they'll come in handy as a gift for someone special. Maybe you can even slip one into your own Christmas stocking.

Making a List and Checking it Twice

Hi Everyone,

This is Debbie's daughter, Suzie - guest blogging today. Anyone who knows me knows that I love computers. I teach computers in High School, so I love doing nerdy things like typing my address lists, doing mail merges, and printing my labels. Here are my tips for "making your list and checking it twice".

Updating Addresses: Your Christmas cards list is constantly changing . . . people move, you add new people, or even cut out some of the old. I find that address lists for the envelopes are easiest to maintain on the computer--that way the file is easy to access throughout the year. I go through all my addresses in October, it's a little less busy of a time and still close enough to Christmas to make an accurate list. If I know someone has moved, or the card came back last year, I call or e-mail people to get their new addresses. Throughout the year, as soon as someone tells me they are changing their address, I immediately make the change on my computer file. Before printing labels I glance through all addresses, and check for any typos, mistakes, name changes, marriages or divorces. I also check that the format is proper for the Post Office - Zip codes are complete, State codes are two letters (ex: Wyoming is WY). Every year a few cards come back to me because people have moved, I keep these cards in a file by my computer to fix after the holidays. If I cannot locate someone, I don't send a card the next year.

*The beauty of this list is that it can be used throughout the year, when you have to send invitations for a wedding, shower, party, etc. just select the people you want to invite and print labels for that event.

Choices, Choices, Choices: At the store there are many choices of different types of labels. Look for "mailing address labels," there are different sizes for different sizes of envelopes - take an envelope with you when you shop for the labels. I love clear labels for a light colored envelope. (A big mistake is when you have a dark envelope and a clear label with black print which cannot be read once it is placed on the envelope.) For a dark colored envelope use white labels and you can print a border or a picture on them. My personal favorite is the Avery brand Easy Peel Clear Address Label (product #5660). The labels are so easy to remove from the page because it has a pop-up edge that gives you an edge to grab and peel it off the backing. You can find them at most stores that carry labels - I get mine at Wal-Mart.

Computer Labels in Three Easy Steps: It's easier than you think. *For this explaination, I am using Avery labels and Microsoft Office Word- I think they are the most commonly used.*

1. Use the Avery Wizard for Microsoft Office to import your mailing list from Microsoft Excel, Outlook, or other address databases.
2. Format the labels to look how you want them to look. Play with different typefaces (fonts), font sizes, try adding pictures.
3. Print. I always do a trial and print just one page on regular paper to see if everything looks right. Place the label pages in the paper tray and print.
*Quick Tip - When printing your labels you may have several sheets. Pull each sheet off the printer and set it aside to dry completely before touching it. When you apply the labels to the envelopes, press straight down and pull up. DO NOT press and wipe across, as the moisture on your hands can moisten the ink just enough to cause smearing.

If you need more help, open the program (Word, Excel, WordPerfect, etc.) and utilize the help menu (or press F1) for step-by-step instructions. Search "create labels" or "mail merge" on the Help menu.

Many companies have step-by-step videos and "how to" guides. Go to http://office.microsoft.com/training/Training.aspx?AssetID=RC011205671033&CTT=6&Origin=RC011205671033 for a free online "mass mailing" class. (Yes, in computer terms, your Christmas list is considered mass mailing.)

Avoid Post-Office Lines: Why go to the Post Office when you can calculate and print official USPS postage right from your own PC? You can print postage-paid stamps for envelopes and shipping labels for packages. https://sss-web.usps.com/cns/landing.do.

I love ordering my stamps from zazzle. You can order a personalized set of postage stamps with a picture you upload, get a monogram postage stamp, or you can use one of the pre-designed Christmas (and other types of) postage stamps. http://www.zazzle.com/stamps.

Don't Be Late: If you want to beat the holiday rush, follow the guidelines below:

First week of December: Get packages to the post office.
Second week of December (not later!): Send all greeting cards.
Third week of December: Send all Priority Mail
By December 20: Send all Express Mail

Happy Christmas Carding!

Suzie W.

{ decorating in steps }

This post is for our Big Picture Scrapbooking class members! The Perspective handout mentions that you go to the Cut the Crazy blog to get ideas for decorating in steps and here you are! Thanks.

When it's time to decorate, take a systematic approach. This year will probably be a "setting up" year. This year you'll lay the groundwork for future decorating organization.

Norma Olsen, the originator of the Cut the Crazy planner and dear friend who taught Christmas classes with me for many years always suggested to our class members to decorate in steps. Here are a few things you can do:

1. Evaluate your home and the decorating that takes place in each room. Some of you will simply have a Christmas tree and a few seasonal displays. Others go ALL OUT, decorating every corner of every room. Either way, you can streamline your decorating by mapping out how you decorate each room. Write on a sheet of paper the room and what you do with that room - for example I would write KITCHEN. 1. Gingerbread men and joy words on window sill above sink. 2. Placemat, red bowl of candy and candle on counter. 3. Centerpiece and table runner on table.
This process can happen as you take your decorations out of your storage this year.

2. When your home is decorated the way you like it, take photos of each area and the decorations in it. Such as a photo of your front door and porch, a photo of your fireplace and mantel, a photo of your dining room table, etc. etc.

2. The biggest part of this process takes place when you are PUTTING your decorations away at the end of the season. As you take your decorations down, put them in boxes according to the areas they are in. RATHER THAN PUT ALL YOUR LIGHTS IN ONE BOX AND ALL YOUR WREATHS IN ANOTHER BOX, put your front porch decorations together in one box, including the lights and wreaths...and so on. And very important: put the PHOTO that you took of the area inside the box or tape it inside the box top.

3. Then, next year, when you are ready to decorate, but only have, say, an hour or two to do it, you can take out one box, look at the photo, and quickly set up the decorations. OR, even better, you can hand the box to your teenager, husband or whomever, and tell them to use the items inside the box and make the fireplace look just like the photo.

4. Over time you will be able to organize your decorating so it will be easily done in small steps without making a huge mess that stays around for days and days. Good luck - I'd love to hear your comments on this process!

kids love these - everyone loves these books!

We've loved the "Jolly Postman" books for years. Just thinking about these books makes me want to go find them on the bookshelf and start reading. If you have a child age 4 - 8 on your gift list, these books would be ideal. I just found them on the Barnes and Noble website - be sure to read the review below for a great description.

Review from Publishers Weekly:

This British import is great fun, sure to entertain children and parents alike. The Jolly Postman goes from home to home in a fairy-tale kingdom, delivering letters to such familiar addresses as ``Mr. and Mrs. Bear, Three Bears Cottage, The Woods.'' Every other page is an actual envelope, with a letter tucked inside. The letter to the three bears, for instance, is from Goldilocks, who apologizes for the trouble she's caused and invites Baby Bear to her birthday party. Some authors would stop with this cute concept, but the Ahlbergs have given this book their all. The story of the postman's travels is told in charming verse; the pictures are delightful, full of clever detail; and the results are frequently hilarious. A real treat at a good price. (4-8). The Christmas version is delightful too.

- Christmas from Gooseberry Patch -

The new Gooseberry Patch catalog came in the mail this week - and along with it lots of inspiration for fall holidays and Christmas. I love browsing the catalog for gift and decorating ideas. Their little idea and cookbooks like "Merry Mixes" below make great gifts for friends and family. The variety is of both large and small cookbooks is unbelievable. Check out the fun stuff I picked out from thousands of choices in their catalog. (I might have to splurge on those black cake stands RIGHT NOW!) I've linked every photo with the product page on the Gooseberry website, so enjoy browsing! ***notice those recipe cards - super sale at $1.00 per package!!***

Homemade Gift Mixes Cookbook for Cookies, Dips, Cocoas, Cobbler & More

Black Stoneware Cake Stands

Christmas Holiday Recipe Cards - Original Artwork by Gooseberry Patch

Red Cake & Casserole Pan with Personalized Kitchen Lid

Red, White & Green All Cotton Christmas Kitchen Apron with Polka Dots

Christmas Holiday Country Kitchen Cookbook - Recipes & Crafts to Give - Proceeds to Charity

stocKing CouNtdown

Tonight on the Big Picture website we had a chat with our Cut the Crazy class participants. It was fun to chat with ladies from all over the world. We all laughed when Wendy from Australia asked, "How much butter is a stick of butter?" I now know that we need to learn international conversions for recipes if we're going to trade recipes on the worldwide web.

One of the things I told the ladies about is an idea for a Christmas countdown that uses some type of stockings hanging on a clothesline. After the chat I did a little Google search and found the project. It was from the Martha Stewart website here. I think you could adapt it and use socks you already have mixed in with new ones. Here are the instructions:

Tools and Materials
24 socks
Ribbon
Number stickers
Round stickers
Pushpins
Mini clothespins

Sock Advent How-to
1. Gather 24 socks -- singles or 12 pairs -- in colors that go well together (vary the sizes, if you like). Lay them out in the order you want to hang them, leaving spaces in between.

2. Cut the ribbon to the desired length; to find how long it should be, measure across the row of socks and add 12 inches (ours was 72 inches).

3. Use number stickers to label each sock. If one has a busy pattern, place the number on top of a solid round sticker so that it's easier to read.

4. Tack the ends of the ribbon to a railing or mantle; if you like, you can fasten the ribbon in several places to make a few swags.

5. Use mini clothespins to clip the socks to the ribbon; overlap them if you need to save space.

6. Tuck a gift inside each. If the item is heavy, use a larger clothespin to secure the sock.

MarthaStewart.com: Baby Sock Advent Calendar

Christmas breakfast idea

The gals on the Big Picture message board have posted a few good-sounding recipes for Christmas breakfast. (Among other things this week, our BPS class is typing up recipes and adding them to our planners this week.) I added this one to the list, though I haven't actually tried it yet. But I trust the blogger who put the recipe on her blog Under the High Chair. This really sounds good, a little labor intensive, but it's a recipe you make the night before so you can have the wide-awake kids help you. 'Make ahead' is the only way to go for Christmas.

Deep Dish Blueberry Maple French Toast

Ingredients:

Have at room temperature:
4 oz cream cheese
2 Tablespoons butter
3 Tablespoons maple syrup or maple butter
¼ teaspoon cinnamon

8 slices of Italian bread, about ½ inch thick (I use the middle of the loaf)
1 cup blueberries

200ml light cream
4 eggs
2 tablespoons maple syrup
Pinch of salt

Method:

Grease a stoneware baking dish with butter. (This recipe works perfectly in my oval 1.23L Le Creuset)

In a medium bowl, blend together cream cheese, butter and maple syrup until they are completely combined and creamy like a frosting. Add cinnamon and mix well.

Lay out the slices of bread on your workspace and divide the cream cheese among four pieces. Spread it around evenly and top with the four remaining slices of bread. (Yep, this is a lot of work, but think of it as practice for school lunches someday.)

Here’s where it gets a little messy. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the sandwiches into three ‘fingers’, and each one of those fingers into three. You should have roughly nine bite-sized chunks per sandwich. Don’t worry if everything seems to squish out.

Transfer all the bread to the buttered baking dish and spread out evenly. Top with blueberries, tucking them in here and there, and pressing them down between the cubes of bread.

Using the same bowl as your former cream cheese mixture, crack the eggs and beat slightly. Add cream, maple syrup and salt; mix well.

Pour batter over bread. Using a well-washed hand, place your palm in the center of the dish and gently press all the bread down until the egg mixture seeps up through the cracks. (And you thought it was messy before. Hah!)

Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, preheat oven to 350F.

Cook for 35-45 minutes until puffy and golden. Cover with foil if bread is browning before eggs are set.

Serve warm with more maple syrup and fresh blueberries.

get those calendars out!

Debbie here. Wow, Week 1 of Cut the Crazy on Big Picture Scrapbooking is behind us. I am enjoying all the Gallery posts and comments by class members. I love communities of women who support and cheer each other on. Week 1 was the week to assemble and decorate our planners. Since BPS is a scrapbooking-focused website, we incorporated some scrapping elements into the class (they are natural) like creating a binder cover. One lady's cover said 'Cut the Crazy and Find the Joy.' Isn't that great?

I'm working on updating my November and December calendars including my online Yahoo calendar - which I need to share with the whole family. I just filled in the dates for the USU Basketball games. There are five home games in December, so that wipes out about one night per week. Scott loves the games so I try to go with him and be cheerful about it. I have a habit of cramming down a whole box of popcorn during the first half and then feeling sick for the second half.

I hope you're planning to use a calendar and keep it up to date. It really helps you feel in control when you know what's ahead and can plan for it. Get the rest of the family in on it too. I remember how discouraging it is for Scott when he comes home from work looking forward to watching a game, and I rush him back to the car to go to some kind of Christmas party. He's much better off if he knows in advance about the party and can grumble to his secretaries all day to gear up for it. That's where the calendar comes in - so everyone is informed.

Calendar image from Mary Engelbreit: http://shop.maryengelbreit.com/p-5083-me-2010-monthly-purseplanner-calendar.aspx

*Happy Planning*

Hi everyone, this is Suzie, Debbie's daughter, guest blogging today!

Okay, I know that it is only September, but it's time to start planning. Each year that I use the "Cut the Crazy Out of Christmas" planner, I get a chance to tweak and reflect on what worked and what didn't. This is the time of year that I pull out the December calendar and start my scheduling.

My reflection for the day is my "Girls Night Out" friends party. Every year my GNO friends have a party, the problem is that December is always really crazy! And everyone gets busier the closer you get to Christmas Day! We couldn't find a good date for the party. All of us agree that there is such a rush up until Christmas day (we try to jam everything in to the two weeks before Christmas) that one more thing just won't fit. Our solution? Last year we decided to do our friend's party December 26th - every year! What a perfect solution . . . family is leaving town, everyone is still in the holiday mood, most people still have the day off and it extends that Christmas feeling for just one more day. Now when I am figuring out my calendar, I plan that my GNO friends party will be December 26th each year!

Another friend, Donna, told me that her friends get together on the first Saturday of December. They call it the "Let me be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas Party". The first Saturday is early enough in December to not cause too much stress and the date is usually open for everyone. Donna said that usually everyone can make it! {{And what a great incentive to get your Christmas decorating done!}}

My husband's family makes Gingerbread Houses exactly one week before Christmas Day. It's a fun tradition. Again I always know to put that day on the calendar. I also know to stock up on hot cocoa and yummy treats! They also set what items each family is to bring each year. Yep! Every year we bring graham cracker sticks, red and green M&Ms, and chocolate Kisses. So I know on my grocery shopping trips as we get closer to Christmas, what I need to buy. It also makes it so I can watch the sales from Thanksgiving to Christmas for the items!

This year, as I am look through my planner I hope to set more permanent dates on the calendar. Setting my Girls Night friends party date is one "tweak" from last year that I want to keep.

Happy planning!
Suzanne

p.s. Here are some pics from my "Girl's Night" party. Alex always has a gourmet meal for us! It truly is amazing!

= shopping triumph =

I found a great deal at Bath and Body Works - these nice candles on a "2 for $20.00" offer. They are the bigger candles - about five inches in diameter - in glass jars with shiny silver lids. The sales associate pointed them out to me, and when she told me she would personally wrap them in cellophane and tie a ribbon on each one, I was sold. I can think of a several ways I will be able to use the candles. I chose the Vanilla Caramel scent because it seemed like it would be better for Christmas time than the autumn scents. Now I just have to make some cute tags with a clever saying and I'm set!

just do it!

Whoa - where did that week go? If the next three months goes like that, we ARE in trouble!

First of all, a huge thanks to my daughter-in-law Aimee for the new blog decor. Aimee, you win the prize for putting up this year's first Christmas decorations.

HEY - If you're here from Big Picture Scrapbooking - WELCOME! I hope you're thinking about signing up for our Cut the Crazy class. Click here for all the info. It's easy to sign up.

If you're here from my blog - WELCOME! I'm teaching Cut the Crazy out of Christmas online at Big Picture Scrapbooking. The class begins Sept. 24; the cost is $25.00. (Great value for what you'll get!) Because it's an online class, you can just sign in and download the class content at your convenience. We have four weeks of information and inspiration that you'll love, including our complete planner to download!

Remember - if it's hard to do, don't avoid it - embrace it!

That little saying can apply to lots of things...learning something new on the computer, deciding to cook dinner more often, OR planning for Christmas.

I'm the first to admit - it's hard to want to think about Christmas right now. But every little thing you do now will add up to more peace in December.

So, take the Cut the Crazy class - it'll get you going and you'll be glad you did.

3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days!

Today is September 1. The first day of September.

There are three months, three weeks and three days until Christmas!

3 months - 3 weeks - 3 days!

If you REALLY want to cut the crazy out of your holiday season,
you'll jump on the path to Christmas organization right now, today.

You may ask: Where do I start? What do I do?
How can I add Christmas planning to an already-packed schedule?

HERE'S HOW TO START........

Just think for the next few days. Thinking's not hard - you can do it while washing dishes or driving to work. Think about last year.

(You might have to get out some of last year's Christmas photos
to start the memory juices flowing.)

Try to remember what was good about last year and what didn't work.

What stressed you the most?

What would you like to change?

Just think about it. (Write down your thoughts if you get a minute.)

Christmas blog up and running!

Hello - it's time to wake up this blog and start thinking about Christmas!

Now hang in there with me - it's not that bad. You'll thank us in December!

We (Georgana Hall and I) are thrilled to be teaching our online version of Cut the Crazy out of Christmas on Big Picture Scrapbooking starting Sept. 24, 2009. Click here to join us for a peaceful holiday season.

{ if you're scrapbooking Christmas - this quote is one of my favorites }

On Christmas Eve, the snow on the ground, the stars in the sky, the spruce tree glittering with beloved ornaments, we stand in the dimness and sing about the silent holy night and tears come to our eyes and the vast invisible forces of Christmas stir in the world. Skeptics, stand back. Hush. Hark. There is much in this world that doubt cannot explain.

Garrison Keillor

* January 6 - Epiphany *

Today, being Jan. 6, is Epiphany - the twelfth day after Christmas - the day the wise men arrived in Bethlehem with their gifts.

The following words are from an article today in the (online)
Minneapolis Star Tribune by Rev. Peg Chemberlin:

"It is Epiphany, the Christian feast day which ends the Christmas season. It is seen in some traditions as the day that commemorates the coming of the Magi indicating the Light of the World being made known to the world.

But this word epiphany is used in so many places. It is a name used as titles of articles, books, movies, and works of art. “Epiphany: a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning…” from Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary.

There is something very reassuring to me about this notion of an epiphany, that I can know an essential meaning. The hope of epiphany warms my heart, encourages me forward. That’s a journey worth going on. That’s a star worth following."

Isn't it wonderful to read the beautiful words of other writers! I am in awe of people's ability to put things down. For me, Christmas reinvigorates my faith and focuses my gratitude. It is a time to put things other than the everyday things at the center of my life. I have contemplated my relationship with my Savior and find great hope and desire to continually move closer. In my spiritual growth, Christmas is not an end, but a beginning.

- taking time to enjoy what matters -

Skiing was fun! It was beautiful and uncrowded at our little local ski resort - just forty minutes from our driveway to the Beaver Mountain parking lot. The drive through Logan canyon was worth the whole trip - the colors were incredible - shades of blue, purple, gray and white in the sky, snow and icy river. Unbelievably, we forgot the camera - so we took pictures of us in our driveway when we got home. It's probably a good thing, because if we'd had the camera Scott would have stopped every ten miles to get a shot of the beauty of the winter canyon. The one shot I really wanted was where there is a warm spring. Right there in the middle of the winter ice and snow is a little section of river that is thawed and covered with green moss. Scott pointed it out and we plan to go back to get this phenomenon on film. I call it "hope."

I know we look funny. Scott just loves his one-piece jumpsuit ski outfit, even though the kids tease him about it. And my pants look like they're ten years old, which they are. Since they're ten years old they fit up around my waist, which is a good feature in a ski pant on a cold cold day (which it was). But you know what, how I look while skiing didn't matter, because, as I looked around, I was the oldest woman in the lift line. There were other older men than Scott - you know, there are guys in their 80s that still ski. I saw a couple women just younger than me, but I won the old prize. As I skiied along I talked to myself: "Ski like you don't care about anything but the beauty around you and being with Scott." I was very nervous and tenative at first. I did not want to hurt myself; I have so much to do this month. So I snowplowed sometimes if I thought I was getting out of control. It was a good day, and when we got home we worked extra fast to get the Christmas decorations put away.

I just want to take this tree down :(

Here's me all smiling and happy because my tree was so pretty and I liked my haircut. That was Dec. 23. Now, it's January 3 (the last Saturday of the 'holiday' season), and I just want to get the tree undecorated and everything put away. (I meant to get started last night, but couldn't pull myself away from the exciting Sugar Bowl football game on TV. Wow, what a win by U of U!) So my goal today was to get everything packed up, labeled, and stuffed in the closet and attic. I got up early to get things cleaned up so I could start. Then Scott looked out the window at the new snow and sparkling sunshine. "Let's go skiing," he said. Then he started to try to convince me. "It's the perfect day, it's warm, the sun is shining, there's new snow, you know you'd love it." "I want to undecorate," I moaned. "Besides I'm out of shape, my hip hurts, and I don't like my coat." "Does that mean you're never going to ski again?" "Well, yes, that would be fine with me." "You know once you got on the mountain you'd love it, you always do." He's hugging me and following me around. "It's just a half day - it'll be worth it." How can I say no? I so don't want to go. I'll lose a whole day. I'm going to be the last person anywhere with Christmas decorations still up.

Of course, I'm going skiing. I thought about the tater tots that the ski lodge serves for lunch and decided to go. Scott promised me he'd help me undecorate tonight. I'll insist that we order pizza for dinner and maybe I can even get a new pair of goggles out of this. Hmmm, what else can I ask for?

What would you do?

{ collecting joy }

My joy collection reflects how I feel about the nearly-ended holiday season. We had some wonderful family times that continued through the new year. Through the month of December, I loved my collection of joy words that decorated the kitchen window sill and the perfect quote that is on my favorite Mary Englebreit tin, below! Beautifully stated!

december's fading

Christmas has really taken the energy out of me! I want to write and blog, but by the time I finally get to the computer I'm too tired to be witty and wordy. So I'm sitting here enjoying this lovely fabric made and posted by a Melbourne, Australia blogger named Lara. She is a graphic and textile designer and co-founder of Ink & Spindle, a hand printed textile co. Her blog is kirinote.blogspot.com. Enjoy this bit of eye candy!

One of these days I'm going to share my Christmas review 'joys and frustrations' journaling. (But first I've got to write it.)

Review and Resolve

I've written many many blog posts in my mind the past few days, but just couldn't get myself to the computer to write. Christmas was what Christmas is ... a paradox. Christmas always has its ups and downs, its highs and lows, and for me, a distracted perfectionist, Christmas usually ends with a wish that next year may be better. That's why I started my quest for Cut the Crazy over twenty years ago, and that's why I plug away at it each year...trying to share my ideas along the way. So I accept Christmas and feel both sad and glad it's behind me. I'm very grateful for the nice time we had together. The gifts were wonderful, the people are the best, the service that I meant to give was not-quite-enough.

My planner is open with my blank journaling page inviting my thoughts. I hope you'll join me in writing about your joys and frustrations.

Christmas accomplished!

Merry Christmas - for one more hour! I have tons of photos to download and wonderful memories to remember. The past 48 hours flew by like a whirlwind, leaving a trail of giftwrap, dirty dishes, and smiles. We spent the afternoon looking out the window at a snowstorm that dumped six or more inches of snow. I'm exhausted, but happy to have "pulled it off." My friend, Nancy, once told me that to her Christmas is like a cruise and she's the cruise director. In the Unplug the Christmas Machine book one woman says, "Christmas is a magic show. I'm the producer and my husband is the stagehand and my kids are the audience. And they expect a really good show." I think that I, along with wonderful help from Scott, Becky, and Aimee, put on a pretty good show.

:: I simply remember my favorite things ::

Becky has a little hang-up about one certain song that the radio plays ALL THE TIME at Christmas - as if it's a Christmas song. If you talk to Becky about this, she will inform you that just because the lyrics say "brown paper packages tied up in strings," doesn't make it a Christmas song. I have to say I agree and thanks to her I feel annoyed too when I hear "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music playing amongst the Christmas carols. But I do have favorite things right now, special Christmas decorations, and last night I took a few minutes to appreciate them.
I love this thick garland swooping over the mirror in my front hall and my fake amyryllis next to the mirror. Red ribbon makes everything look pretty.

These candles have cranberries around them - a look I just love. The color of green in the ribbon - kind of a yellowish green, actually, is one of my favorite colors.

My favorite Williraye figurine that Suzie gave me two years ago. She's just cute.

Gorgeous gold stars and glittery balls.

The cutest gift bag ever. I love the red bird and the red berries. Coincidentally, Becky just arrived for Christmas and as she brought in her wrapped gifts, one of them was in this same bag. I said, "That's my favorite bag; I'm posting it on my blog tonight." Becky said, "I love it too, in fact your present is in this bag." We laughed about that.

I don't usually like "contrived things," but I love this poinsettia - it is REAL, not fake and I'd be curious to know the process that resulted in the red and white flower petals. I used to have 20 poinsettias in my house at Christmas, but I cut the crazy (it's a lot of work to water them) and now I have four. This unique flower is called Jingle Bells and the spots of white on the red leaves make the plant extra festive and, well, CUTE!

an old-fashioned poem with a message we all need right now!

Ready for Christmas

"Ready for Christmas," she said with a sigh,
As she gave a last touch to the gifts piled high.
Then wearily sat for a moment to read,
Until soon, very soon, she was nodding her head.
Then quietly spoke a voice in her dream,
"Ready for Christmas, what do you mean?
Ready for Christmas when only last week
You wouldn't acknowledge your friend on the street?
Ready for Christmas while holding a grudge?
Perhaps you'd better let God be the judge."
She woke with a start and a cry of despair,
"There's so little time and I've still to prepare.
Oh Father! Forgive me, I see what you mean!
To be ready means more than a house swept clean.
Yes, more than the giving of gifts and a tree.
It's the heart swept clean that He wanted to see,
A heart that is free from bitterness and sin.
So to be ready for Christmas - be ready for Him."
Myrtle Haynes

Remembering these things helps me even now....

Following is my December Beginner Basics article from the Adornit blog last week. I know it's just a few days until Christmas, but the principles still apply!

Beginner Basics...
Hello from Debbie! Well, it’s the week before Christmas and all through my house things are not going so well. In spite of my extra efforts this year to start early, be organized, and cut the crazy, I feel like I’m unraveling a little. But I want to tell you why I’m calm and have a smile on my face. Because in teaching Cut the Crazy out of Christmas, in addition to learning how to DO Christmas, I have learned how to cope with Christmas. So, as I look at my unchecked lists, I keep a few things in mind. If you’re stressed and frantic, maybe my ideas will help you too.

Let’s go over the basic principles of Cut the Crazy: 1) Start early. 2) Use a planner. 3) Control your calendar. 4) Adjust your attitude.

Don’t worry about #1 – that’s in the past. Go on to #2. Find a half hour and sit down with your planner or notebook. (Play some nice music.) If you aren’t using a planner or if you’ve abandoned yours, I encourage you to get back to it. It will ease your mind to write things down. I just wrote all my menus for the next ten days and re-wrote my gift lists and I can’t believe how that cleared my mind of some things I’ve been worried about. A full set of planner downloads is available on adornitdigital.com for just $10.00.

As long as you’re sitting down you can also work on #3! Take a few minutes to look at your calendar. Make sure you know what is happening each day. If you need to find some time for shopping, wrapping or cooking write it on your calendar, then keep that appointment with yourself. Maybe you need to schedule an hour to spend time playing with a child or sitting by the fire with your husband – the things that will bring holiday joy. The point is that you carefully craft your days to make the best use of each hour. If you do that, you will begin to feel more in control.

#4 is about focusing on the joys. It helps me to take a deep breath and be aware of the music that I love and the wonderful smells around me. Displaying a cute scrapbook layout with one of my favorite Christmas photos helps me remember what’s important and why I love Christmas. In my layout pictured at the beginning of this post, I used papers and stickers from Adornit’s Holly Jolly Collection except the lined paper which is from last year's Happy Holidays Collection. Warm wishes to all of you as make the best of this Christmas season.

have a childlike attitude

Just a few more lines about seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child. Again, these ideas are from Dr. Wayne Dyer. Here are a few lines to help you see how you're doing:

Childlike attitude: I can't wait to see all the pretty lights and decorations. Older-but-no-wiser attitude: They put those decorations up earlier every year - why do they rush it?
Childlike attitude: I love going to the store to see all the presents. Older attitude: Christmas is too commercial.
Childlike attitude: I don't think Christmas will ever come...I can't wait. Older attitude: I can't wait to get his over with.
Childlike attitude: Do we have to take the tree down already? Older attitude: I'm just glad it's all over.

I hope we can pause and enjoy (and emulate) the delight of children all around us

throughout this coming week!

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time."

Laura Ingalls Wilder

[ see through the eyes of a child ]

Remember how excited you used to be about Christmas? Remember how you thought that Christmas morning would NEVER arrive? Remember how magical the holiday activities were for you and your family? Sure the reason it was all so fun-filled is because you were a child. You didn't have to think about the negative side of things, you just enjoyed.

As adults many of us have come to believe that Christmas is only for the very young. You hear it all the time, Christmas is for kids. So as adults we turn the un over to the children and keep the worry and work for the adults. It's obvious that in order fo us to start to enjoy this season, we have to reclaim it from the kids. We have just as much right (and need) to be excited at Christmas. To do that, we need to pause and see Christmas through the eyes of a child.

Laugh more. Don't take things so seriously. Find joy in simple things. Go outside and play. Don't expect everything to be perfect.

Remember, the child that loved Christmas is still residing within you.

(thanks to an article by Dr. Wayne Dyer for this insight)

*******

"It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty founder was a child Himself." Charles Dickens

* tags that make me laugh *

Amy Karol, who writes the famous blog Angry Chicken and is also author of a book called Bend the Rules Sewing posted these funny, creative gift tags last year. I printed the page and put it in the back of my planner - just so I could remember the humor. Here is the link to the pdf. They are what I'd call 'tongue in cheek' tags - they say funny things - the things you think about when you're giving a gift but would never say out loud. For example, the blue tag in the lower left corner says, "I really really won't be offended if you hate this. The gift receipt is in the box. Seriously." The circle tag above it says, "Shopping for you is so hard, you should give me an extra gift for even trying. I mean that in a loving way." And a couple of others say, "I made this, just so you know. So don't say anything mean about it, " and "This seemed like a good idea at the time, but now I'm not so sure." My favorite is the one that simply says, "I was starting to really run out of ideas here."

it's "put the crazy in Christmas" in Vegas!

We had a few fun days in Las Vegas last week - as we congratulated our son-in-law on his Master's Degree graduation. We (Suzie, Becky and I) can't go to Vegas without going a mall or two. We hit the Galleria in Henderson and Fashion Show mall on the strip. Macy's opened at 8 each morning, so I hit the jackpot - getting in two extra hours of shopping both Friday and Sat. Vegas doesn't know a thing about cutting the crazy out of anything. It's all crazy there! Here's a little Vegas eye candy.

Scott took these photos of gorgeous tableware at the little flower/gift shop near the Bellagio atrium. Didn't get any photos of the atrium display - it was beautiful, as always, but the crowds made taking photos hard.

We took a couple of photos of Santa and his elves dancing on the runway at Fashion Show mall. What a production. The mall was packed with shoppers. Everything is bigger and more elaborate in Vegas.

Hey if you have a little spare cash you can get some super deals on shoes!

Love the flower and parasol decor in the Wynn. Bright colors too. And by the way, this isn't about cutting the crazy, or simplifying, or finding meaning. But I sure had some great bonding times with my two cute daughters - and got some shopping finished at the same time. Viva Las Vegas!

eye candy + a few ideas from Debbie

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/wrap-it-up?lnc=a489cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD&rsc=lpg_holiday&lpgStart=1&currentslide=1&currentChapter=1
I got these gift-wrapping ideas from Martha Stewart.com. Click on the link above for 73 ideas for wrapping, tags and bows. This is a small, but wonderful sample. Martha has quite a magical team of little elves helping her out doesn't she?!

Ideas for GIFT EXCHANGES for a fun Christmas party.

I have had to come up with various ideas for gift-giving at different parties through the years. Most years I try to think of a creative gift exchange for the Christmas get-together of my husband's office staff. Here are some of the gift exchanging ideas we have used:

A gift that is anything you can fit in a quart jar – send quart jars (or pint jars) home with everyone. Tell them that the gift they bring to the party must fit in the quart jar. Only their imagination is the limit.

A gift that is a pound of something – tell everyone that this year’s gift has to be a pound of something. The most creative gift will get a pound of See’s chocolates.

A gift that is some kind of candy. This is the year we ate dinner at a restaurant then went to a Christmas movie. We exchanged the candy gifts before the movie then munched on our gifts during the movie.

A gift that is handmade. This one didn't go over so well - noone had time or inclination to make a gift.

A children's book. A favorite DVD. A favorite CD. A favorite Christmas story.

A white elephant. Here's an idea on how to exchange them. Put numbers on each white elephant gift and also put numbers on small pieces of paper and put the small papers in a bowl. Let everyone draw a number. Then go by number order to draw a gift from the pile and open it. If the person whose number it is would prefer to take a gift from someone else that has already been opened they can do that once. Then person who has had his gift taken away has to re-open a gift from the pile. Eventually everyone has opened a gift.

A gift in a sock/SOCKS DRAWINGS. Here’s a fun one that you have to plan now. This idea is perfect if you are in a family that has lots of cousins and you have all the cousins draw names each year. This is a way to add a more fun and interest to your drawing of names. Have everyone who will be drawing names bring a single sock for the dreawing. Then put all the socks in a basket in the center and have each kid (blindfolded) pick a sock out of the basket. They have to give a gift to the person who belongs to the sock. AND THE GIFT has to be wrapped and fit in the sock.

[ handmade is the best made ]

Check out these pretty ornaments that Becky made this past weekend. She has been saving an "inspiration photo" of similar ornaments from Pottery Barn on her camera for a year. Friday we went and bought the stuff and she made six of them. They are even cuter in real life!

Hi all! Becky here. It has been fun seeing all of my mom's ideas on this blog. I am so excited for Christmas! I love it as much as Debbie does. I love the Christmas scrapbook paper on the shelves right now. Adorn It has a way cute Christmas line that makes me want to scrap!  And scrap I did...

:: some good advice & a pretty picture ::

I was in the bookstore last month and a book jumped out and said, "You need me." I wasn't planning to buy another 'self-help' book, but I thought maybe this particular book would be useful as I taught the Cut the Crazy out of Christmas class...and I had that 30% off rewards coupon to use. The book is by Richard Carlson, the author of "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff." The title is "You Can Be Happy No Matter What." The book is worthwhile with lots of philosophy like, "Happiness is a state of mind not a set of circumstances." But what I especially like is his suggestions on how to handle stress. Here are a few tips:

LOWER YOUR TOLERANCE FOR STRESS

Stress is an unpleasant feeling - it signals that we are not at our emotional and psychological best. It's interesting that when we feel ill and are not at our physical best, we pay attention to our bodies and do what we need to to feel better (rest, medicine etc.). Why not take the same care in times of emotional stress? When we are experiencing stress we need to use common sense, wisdom and be aware of our own needs.

Carlson says the solution to stress is to lower our tolerance for stress. The level of our current stress will always be exactly equal to our current tolerance. If we tolerate and can handle a lot of stress, we will always have to do just that. People with lower stress tolerance will pay attention to their stress EARLIER and will sense when it's time to slow down, regain perspective, and manage their thoughts and feelings.I find this concept so interesting. When I read it I just had to stop and think about it for awhile and ponder how it relates to me.

go BUY this now - it's TEN dollars!

Go to your local variety store right now! and get this Play-Doh set. Even if you don't have any little kids to get gifts for, go get a few of these and give to your local Sub-for-Santa. This is the cutest Play-Doh set I've ever played with. (And since I love Play-Doh, I have a lot of experience.) This little "Magic Swirl Ice Cream Shoppe" entertained four-year-old Bailee tonight for about two hours. It has extruders that make swirly ice cream cones, whipped cream topping, sprinkles, and a cake with candles - see photo above. Included in the set are four cans of Play-Doh; one of them is white with colorful specks. There are lots of little molds to make ice cream toppings like jelly beans and peanuts. There are cones, dishes and spoons. What a CUTE deal. It made my day (and Bailee's too)!

{ lovin' free stuff on the 'net }

I just stumbled onto these really cute FREE Christmas project ideas AND DOWNLOADS from CK! Thought I'd share:

The link is to Creating Keepsake Magazine's internet newsletter that features a free scrapbook mini album and a couple of gift tags that you can download. They are well-designed and would be great quickie projects. The designs are by Tiffany Tillman and here is her comment from the message board:

Hi all! Tiff here - the PSD files can be used in Adobe Elements or Adobe Photoshop. The PDF files can be printed (in Word) and used as you like. Sky's the limit! Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions about the downloads. :D Happy Scrappin'! Tiffany Tillman

Here's the link:

http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/content/view/14151/

{ get your planner now! }

It’s December 1st! If you are planning to cut the crazy out of Christmas then you are working on Christmas preparations – a little at a time, knowing that you have to add the activities of Christmas to your already hectic lives. Remember that as women we always over-estimate our time, our energy, and our ability to accomplish everything we dream of doing. The key to simplifying Christmas is to be realistic. And to do that it helps to use some type of Christmas planner to write everything down. No more lost post-it notes and lists scribbled on scraps of paper. With a planner, you have everything together in one place - gift lists, party plans, recipes, menus, addresses and more.

The “Cut the Crazy out of Christmas” planner is now available in a downloadable version from Adornit Digital, the digital website of Adornit Scrapbook company! It's digital, so you'll have your planner in an instant! if you want it that fast. It is the same planner we used for our Big Picture class. (Of course, the BPS class included extras such as handouts, a gallery and message board.) But the planner itself can be purchased for $10.00 in downloaded PDF files. There are 24 beautifully designed and written pages waiting for you to print up and put in your own looseleaf binder. Just go to adornitdigital.com and click on Shop, then click on Paper Kits. Then choose Planner Download. You’ll have to create an account, but that’s easy. Before you know it, you'll be planning Christmas. The pages have helpful instructions by Norma Olsen and Debbie Raymond and cute graphics by Georgana Hall! It's December 1st - you can do this!

* * * the season has begun * * *

We all got bundled up and went to see the Christmas lights. Now we can say, "It's Christmas!"


Favorite quote by Bill McKibben, "People always complain that Christmas starts too soon. But a bigger problem, I think, is that Christmas doesn't last long enough."

Happy Thanksgiving and a VERY good idea!

Here's a Clever Gift-Hiding Idea from Krista Colvin of REAL SIMPLE MAGAZINE BLOG - (Tip from Becky - Real Simple is having a holiday blog-a-thon of 'real simple' holiday ideas for the next 26 days!)

Krista says: I love big, solid-colored bins (no clear bins..you'll find out why) for storing my holiday décor. My Rubbermaid containers play double duty as an ever-so-clever hiding spot for presents. Picture this… you bring out all the bins, decorate like crazy, then place them back in the garage in an easy-to-reach location. When you get home from holiday shopping you quietly and quickly transfer the gifts to the empty bins (so sneaky). Designating one bin per person allows you to keep an eye on how much you’ve purchased. (Yes, the kids compare how many gifts Johnny received vs. how many Sally opened.) An added bonus to this clever solution…It’s really easy to bring the gifts into the house to gift wrap. And after the presents are opened they are placed in a bin, as opposed to a pile, then easily be moved to their new homes i.e. Johnny’s room.

Debbie says: I have done something similar over the years to organize myself as I purchase gifts. I have a locked closet where I put the gifts I have bought. In the closet I have a large department store paper shopping bag for each person I'm buying for. When I get home from shopping I just hurry and sort the purchases into the open shopping bags. I also use one sack to contain stocking stuffers and candy. When it's time to wrap, it's easy to grab a bag and start wrapping.

You hAve to try the baNanas on top!

Gingerbread Cake

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter

1 egg

1 cup molasses

2 1/2 cups sifted flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. cloves

1 cup very hot water

Cream sugar and butter well, add eggs and molasses and beat. Sift together dry ingredients and then add to mixture. Add hot water. Mix until smooth. (Batter will be thin.) Pour into well-greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes - or less depending on your oven.

Debbie likes to serve this with whipped cream and sliced bananas on top. Or you can serve it with...

Butter Sauce

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup cream

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp nutmeg

In small saucepan mix together butter and cream. Add sugar and heat until thick, stirring constantly. Add vanilla and nutmeg. Spoon over cream-topped gingerbread.

The photo above is a 9x9 pan. I make a double recipe and then pour it into three 9x9 pans if I'm serving gingerbread to a group. (Everyone loves the edges best!) You can buy these pans at places like TJ Maxx for around $7.00. Then you can give the gingerbread as a gift (tied with a big bow) and tell them to keep the pan.

{ changing the subject to Thanksgiving }

Because of ALL the resources available online - and because of ALL the clever people out there creating cool websites and blogs, there are resources galore to help with Thanksgiving planning. Since we LOVE planning around here, I thought you'd enjoy looking at a few...

The Hyper Homemaker blog is full of lists and guides. If you start today, (and double up the days a bit), you can follow her one-week list of things to do to get ready for hosting Thanksgiving at your house.

You can count on Family Fun Magazine (one of my favorite websites) to supply lots of ideas for lots of Thanksgiving projects. Click here to find a lists and lists of printables for place cards, kids coloring pages, games, napkin holders, recipe cards, and even how-to videos. Fun stuff.

Click here to download the one-week calendar shown above, print it out, and fill in all the info. that is specific to your Thanksgiving to-do list. Print one for everyone in the family so they all know what's going on. Dads and husbands especially appreciate knowing what's going on.

AND FINALLY, of course, Martha Stewart. Here is a link to a Martha's Thanksgiving planner - a one-page PDF download that has everything you need to do listed on a single page.

{ Five Favorite Christmas Books }

Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco. This is a precious children's book with wonderful illustrations - really, this might be my top favorite of all. It's a story of hope and of understanding - with a warm-hearted surprise ending. You at least need to go to the bookstore and stand there in the kid's section and read through this book!

The Small One by Alex Chase. This book was recommended by one of our Big Picture class members and it looks like another heart-warmer. The story is about a young boy who is sad because he has to sell his favorite donkey, until he finds a man who will give the donkey lots of love. But what the boy doesn't know is that the man is Joseph, and his adored donkey will eventually carry Mary to Bethlehem.

Amazing Peace A Christmas Poem by Maya Angelou. A review said, "First read at the 2005 White House tree-lighting ceremony, this beautifully illustrated book is a radiant affirmation of the goodness of humanity." Every word is precious.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojchechowski. Another sweet children's book and one of my all-time favorites. Some books include the story on CD. I haven't seen the movie that was made from the book. Has anyone seen it?

Esther's Gift by Jan Karon. This is a little Christmas gift book based on Jan Karon's Mitford series. It's a book you want to read over and over because it's such a cute little story - all about Esther's famous Orange Marmalade Cake. And it includes the recipe! Really, it's a fun gift - you could wrap up the book and make the cake to go with it, for an extra special gift. Unless you're cutting the crazy, then you better not try to make the cake lol. Give a pretty glass cake plate instead!

consider this...

Four things children really want for Christmas:

1. A relaxed, loving time with family.

2. An evenly-paced holiday season.

3. Meaningful family traditions.

4. Realistic expectations about gifts.

From Unplug the Christmas Machine.