***Holiday Planning, 2014***

[Nancy]

Holidays for two. Turkey Day Menu
Smoked turkey breast
Stuffing
Veggie tray
Mini pies

(Going to the buffet Sun. With family & in laws.)

[blessedw2]

sounds delicious d nancy.

[blessedw2]

I sometimes struggle with the organized Holiday plan as it calls for maintaining the weeks of Christmas etc... I think that comes after years of doing things ahead of time. I know that's not possible for this Thanksgiving week for me, (only Thanksgiving day - my goal for a peaceful day)

I used to think I had to do everything in the focus weeks on the HOliday grand plan and I would fall short. I now know it is a process... following a basic focus during the year and also focusing on 1 major thing or work at a time. I used to think I should be able to paint the kitchen, clean it out, clean the windows etc... etc...decorate... all in one week... but, for me, that is not possible but I am now okay with it. I also compared myself to my born organized mother. I wonder if any of you felt like you should get everything done and then feel like you couldn't keep up with it?

I know it's the process and a lot of round robins through the year really help.

[BookSaver]

Nancy ~ Your TDay menu looks perfect.
Blessedw2 ~ Very wise attitude toward the HGP.

We've been invited to my younger DSis's for pot luck lunch on Thanksgiving Day. She is fixing the turkey, stuffing, and potatoes. Everyone else will bring the appetisers, sides, and desserts.

She asked if I could bring the "chili cheese soup" which is what our family calls nacho sauce -- because the first time DSis made it, our oldest brother thought it was soup, ate a bowl full of it, went back for seconds, and asked her to "make that chili cheese soup" for every family gathering afterward. It has ground beef, onions, Rotel spicy tomatoes, cream of mushroom soup, and Velveeta -- so it does end up tasting like a cheesy stew.

I will also take fudge because DSis and her daughters depend on me to make it every year. It's really easy and I also like having it in the house instead of purchased holiday candies. It's dark chocolate, and that's the healthy kind, right?

I picked up most of the ingredients for TDay at Sam's yesterday. Will buy ground beef and tortilla chips next week. Also need to buy chai tea mix and/or disposable dishes for leftovers to give DSis as hostess gift; I have given her both in past years and she always says she really appreciates the practical gifts.

[blessedw2]

such a cute story d Book!!!! sounds delicious... How fun to be invited to your Dsis's house!!! Dark chocolate no matter what is extremely healthy Great job on working ahead

[Nancy]

I had stocked up on brownie mixes then found some barkery marked down ones so gave dgson 3 boxes of 'em one for them and a couple for the food drive at school.

[FelineFriend]

DH bought our turkey today, which is 22 Lbs., at a good price of $1.01/Lb. He got it at Costco. The other turkey, which was range fed, etc... would have cost us $45 for 14-Lbs.!!!!

He also got microwaveable side dishes of 2 containers of gold mashed potatoes, 1 of sweet potatoes, olives, and fresh gooey cranberry sauce. He bought the dressing a few weeks ago.

I decorated for Christmas, the evening of November 15th. Something just came over me, and I kept on going. It's very festive, warm-looking, and pretty with the brighter colors out now. It was so much fun. It took me about 2 hours, to finish everything. I put our regular day-to-day decor in the bunny room and main office. It's going to be fun for DD and DGS-18 to see our decorations, on Thanksgiving Day, too.

I only have 1 puppet to finish for the bath tub, for DGS-5.5. The other 2 turned out quite cute, too.

[blessedw2]

how wonderful that you got your christmas decorating done!!! Also getting your turkey ahead of time is awesome!

[Nancy]

H got the gift card from work. I for got about that should have waited to get the tky I guess but I can get sides and things that I did not get yet.

[Harriet]

More free bow ideas before I lose them!

How to make your own paper spike bow

Decorate bow-sized paper circles as gift toppers, with items you may have on hand. I like the tip to raise these up off the package with another thick paper circle underneath. I would think some old greeting cards would have a nice look for the circles.

Make a curly bow made from leftover wrapping paper

Make your own regular curling ribbon into a curly bow, if you happen to have the ribbon

And in the stores I have noticed big prices on bouncy gift bows premade from stiffly curled grosgrain ribbon (like little girl's hairbows sometimes are). Saw some for $4.99 each. Good grief - out of my range. If you have the inclination (and some grosgrain ribbon, about 3/8 or 1/4 inch width) you can make your own. Takes some electricity. There are a LOT of tutorials out there for making these, and everyone has a different idea. Hints that make sense to me: don't touch while they are hot; nothing but wooden clothespins to hold; just use a needle and thread to go through the middle of each piece, with a sturdy knot on either side.

Making grosgrain ribbon into curled, bouncy bows

Some tutorials suggest wetting the ribbon before wrapping into curls and putting on spray starch. Not sure about that, whether it would be worth it. Certainly would be stiff!