a change again...

...away from the previous path. I decided to not continue the re-posting of my 30 days series. I did not feel that it was flowing with the new direction I am trying to take this blog. I will still post the new holiday ideas, in a "Holiday Help" mini-series to premiere after Thanksgiving. Also, still look foward to new recipes, which I will be sharing at Authentic Homemade starting this week.

I do apologize for not following through, I hope that you can understand. There are not many new ideas to share for the series, but I feel like I have many plans in the spirit of the new path I hope to take MAHM to. In this line, I will be introducing some new things through December, leading up to what I hope is an exicitng new year here.

Thank you for sharing this time with me.

Shelley

Making a gift-giving plan

originally posted November 2009

I have posted this early for those of you who do your gift preparations sooner rather than later. Although not the reason for the season, gift-giving is an integral part of our society's holiday celebrations. This can cause a major amount of stress if you're not careful. Especially considering the economy, which has probably reduced your holiday budget considerably, now it is more important than ever to

Make a Gift-Giving Plan

This one tip will make the season more enjoyable and relaxing. There are three easy points I recommend following:

• Start with a budget- allotting a certain amount for each person and commit to not going over this amount. This alone helped my stress levels so much, knowing that I could work harder to find a simple gift that would actually have meaning; rather than just buying what seemed like a great gift but was actually just plain pricey.

• Start writing down ideas now- whether you're planning homemade gifts or store-bought. This way, if you find a great deal at the store on something that would make a good gift, you can buy it. Likewise, for homemade gifts you'll have a way to make a timeline so you won't be making everything last minute.

• Start getting a gift area prepared- a place to keep everything organized. I just started this last year, in a desperate attempt to save myself from Christmas Eve-itis. You know, the thing only men are supposed to have- the syndrome where on Christmas Eve (or at 5:30 am on Christmas Day) you're still wrapping gifts. Avoid this at all costs- store/hide all gifts in the same area, and get out all your gift-wrapping paraphernalia and put it there too. Paper, boxes, tape, scissors, ribbons- all in one place, all with your gifts. Doesn't that sound nice?

I am happy to share this at Homemaker Monday, come back tomorrow for more great holidays tips!

Holiday System Day 6 - menu planning

This originally posted November 2009.

For me, the holidays are about one main thing... besides the family, friends and faith I've already talked about here... FOOD. If you follow along here, you'll have noticed that food is a major part of my life. The holidays are all about dinners, special family recipes, and cookies (yum!) The importance of these meals can be overwhelming, but this only means you have a great opportunity to

De-stress with Meal Planning

Holiday menus are often traditional, and troublesome. Family members who insist on certain dishes, friends with special dietary needs, and finally your own tight budget... What can be done to bring these different points together and allow you to have an easy, stress free season? Plan it out!

The meal on the holiday (either Thanksgiving or Christmas) is something that most families have a set way of doing. This doesn't mean that you can never change anything, though. Plan on what dishes you all like, allowing for any dietary needs that anyone has. Figure out how much can reasonably be made. Take into account how many stove burners you have, how big your oven is, and how long each dish will take to prep and cook. Is there any sides that can be made mostly ahead of time? These will save you a lot of sanity when it's only 5 hours to Christmas dinner with your large extended family. Trust me.

If you will be entertaining guests for other dinners, plan ahead some easy meals. I love dishes that are either crockpot, one-pot, or completely make-ahead. I'll be sharing some of my favorite meals that fall into these categories over the next few weeks.

Holidays are meant to be enjoyable, and reflective- how can you focus on joy and faith when you're up to your neck in side-dish stress? Don't do this to yourself- plan ahead!

I am happy to share this post at Homemaker Monday, visit for lots of great ideas.

Holiday System Day 5 - scheduling tasks

Yesterday I posted on the importance of having a plan for both little details and big projects for the holidays. This will keep you on track. For instance, to keep a tight budget I make almost all of my holiday gifts. Some of these need time to develop, such as my flavored vinegars, pickles or mustard. It's important that I schedule these, I have to start them early so that they are finished in time to give as presents. Knowing when everything needs to be done is critical, so for today we will be

Putting A Schedule Together

I have told you how disorganized I am by nature- if I didn't write all my holiday tasks done I would be making sandwiches for Thanksgiving dinner! 

The simplest way to fit your tasks into a schedule is the same way you would with any other to-do list.

1. First step- write in a due-date for each task: knowing the time when it needs to be accomplished will help you see which order things should be done in.
2. Second- allot a certain amount of time for each task. If something is a multiple-day task, make sure to account for this. Examples might include decorating, visiting family or friends, and preparing dinner.
3. Third step- put all the tasks into a schedule. I like using a monthly calendar for this, it allows you to see what is coming up for the next few weeks. Keeping one eye on the upcoming future is so important for sanity in the holiday season.

I hope these steps can help you simplify your planning (or just encourage you to plan if you're like me a few years ago!) Please share if you have any comments, questions or any advice of your own on holiday planning.

Holiday System Day 4 - plans...expanded

Today is a simple task- start filling out your holiday plan. Since this month we will cover Thanksgiving, we will focus on these tasks. Basically, you will be

Planning a Master To-do List

Think of all your tasks the way you would if you were writing a regular to-do list. I have heard this called "brain dumping" and I think the term applies well. Just grab a fresh paper (or word document) and start listing. Don't worry about editing- just get it all out. Big, time-consuming tasks (decorate, buy/ make all presents) and the small stuff (get stamps to mail cards, clean out guest rooms), it doesn't matter -put it all down.
Once you've written all your tasks down- relax! That's it- fitting these all into a schedule is a task for another day (namely, tomorrow.)

Holiday System Day 3- a plan

You'll see a recurring theme in today's post. I firmly believe in having a system for everything- and the more difficult or stressful a task is likely to be, the more I want my system. Put the holiday work on autopilot with

Your Holiday Season Plan

and this system will allow you to relax and enjoy the best parts of the season- family, friends, food and faith. oh yeah, and fun.

1. I already talked about household binders, so again, it's no surprise that I make my plan right in my binder. That way I can just flip the pages and add every task in my plan to my weekly schedule. But no matter where you write it (or even type it) the most important thing is to just
2. Start already! Stress around the holidays has one main cause: trying to fit 3 months worth of work into 1 or 2 weeks. This is just silly and unnecessary! Make a plan, even if at first it only includes where you'll be for the actual holiday. Slowly start writing in tasks you'll need to accomplish. I'll be covering this in more detail this week.
3. Don't forget the extra details- a menu for holiday dinners, a timeline for gift-giving and all important in today's time: a budget. Do not let this fall through the crack or you will be kicking yourself come January. Trust me.

Your task- just write down the most basic of plans- even just one or two sentences. You can go back and flesh in the details over the next week or so. Remember yesterday's post- this is supposed to make the season more enjoyable, not less. And if you use it properly, and keep breathing, a system really will help- I promise.

This week will be filled with ideas on helping make a holiday season plan, so check back in.

Holiday System Day 2 - a focus

(This was originally posted in October 2009)

Thanks for joining us on our way to a happier holiday season. Stress is the opposite of the spirit of joy that should shine through this season. Unfortunately, it seems stress is unavoidable at the holidays- or is it? I always felt like it was just part of the whole package to be worried, anxious, and an all-around mess. Having my kids made me want the best holiday ever- the first year with Big Boy we went to three Christmas Eve parties, and three family houses on Christmas. Ahhh!

It was crazy- obviously- and made what should have been pleasant just overwhelming. The next two years I slowly moved away from the old way of doing things, and plan to continue in this path. My first tip for you is the simplest, and yet might be the most difficult to add into your life. Not a specific task, but a goal of focusing on what the holidays are meant to be about:

remember the meaning of the season

This time should be about family, friends, and faith- whatever your faith is personally. All traditions have a holiday (remember it means Holy Day) in this season. Thanksgiving is more secular but can be very close to your own faith, as it is a time for giving thanks. Gratitude is the way to happiness.

For this point I recommend writing down a Holiday Focus paper. Include what in your life is important in this season, what you have to be thankful for. If you follow a faith, what does it say about this holiday time? Maybe add a specific meditation or focus statement that will sum up the true meaning of the season for you.

I'd like to invite anyone who wants to include a comment on their holiday season focus. If you have a blog and want to write a post on this, feel free to include a link in the comments below. Sometimes sharing ideas with others can add an influence and strengthen your own focus.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for more.

re-introducing... 30 days 'til the holidays... a system

I'm reposting my series from last year...

30 days 'til the holidays

This year there will be many brand-new tips on organizing, planning, and even more new recipes designed to get you ready for the holiday season. Just like last year, I will post once a day, Monday- Friday, for a month until Thanksgiving. I will share it again for the month from Thanksgiving- Christmas, and will include different recipes and tips each time!

I had so much fun with this last year, and the goal this year is the same... Having the holidays be stressful is upsetting, "but until the last two years when I had children, I thought it was inevitable. Well, it's not- even if you're a flaky disorganized mess by nature (like me!) The clue is to take it one step at a time, relax, and try to remember this time is supposed to by about enjoyment (and sharing joy, which grumpy, anxiety-ridden people don't do too well.)"

I hope you'll join me for this series. Tomorrow's post will be on how to remain focused on the true spirit of the holidays, even with all the responsibilities (ahem, stress). Here's to a great (and calm) holiday season!

Holiday System Day 27- trying new things

Countdown to Christmas: 3,2,1 That's right, only 3 days until Christmas. Today, you should

Plan to Finalize Details

for the last-minute tasks. Make sure you have everything you need from the store, and the small things that can easily get forgotten: hostess gifts, small presents for people you didn't expect to get you anything, and if you live anywhere near me a snow kit for your car!

Most important, take some time today to relax with family or friends and take a break to remember what the holiday is all about.

Holiday System Day 21- taking a break

Especially in the middle of the holiday season, it is important to find time to relax.



Taking breaks works for me, and so do GIVEAWAYS! Don't forget to sign up for my first ever giveaway-a 6 months subscription to my all-new Meal Planning by MAHM.

Holiday System Day 20- trying new things

Keep your mind open for new ways to make things

Holiday System Day 19- slowcooker beverages

perfect for the holidays
leave the stove off, and make some hot drinks in the crockpot: kid-friendly or adults-only!

I am happy to share this at Homemaker Monday- check out for info on her new blog- I can't wait to check it out!

Holiday System Day 18- keeping your focus

In the hustle and bustle of the season, don't forget to focus...

Holiday System Day 17- traditions

The holidays are all about traditions. Try to

strike a balance

this holiday season, keep it relaxed. Don't be afraid to change a tradition that's not working for your family. At the same time, don't be afraid of keeping some traditions- that's what people remember the most.

Holiday System Day 16- recipe: new green beans

Include a new recipe in your holiday dinner...

Holiday System Day 15- visiting and hosting people

All about tips to make having holiday plans easier...

Holiday System Day 14 - recipe: sprouted flour butter cookies

Here is the promised recipe, delivered a little later as it took me a few extra tries to perfect it. But through the Spirit of this holiday season I did just that, and have a cookie that is so good, and yet healthy, that I think I will try to have it replace my old standby. Based off Fannie Farmer- yes, that book again! - for Norwegian butter cookies:

(makes about 30, depending on size)

1/4 lb. butter
2 hard boiled egg yolks- secret ingredient
3 Tablespoons sucanat
1 egg, beaten
1 cup sprouted flour (I used plain hard wheat)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract- the real one, not imitation

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Cream the butter until smooth, and add in the egg yolks and sugar (I like to push them through a sieve to break them up, or try a fork.) When well mixed, add in the egg and combine. Add in the flour, and vanilla, combining together well.
I form these by rolling in a log and wrapping in plastic wrap or parchment, then chilling in the fridge. This lets me make the dough and the cookies on two different days, and the dough can just be sliced off with a sharp knife into thin rounds. This way they hold together well and cook evenly, in just about 10 minutes.
I will be trying this with forming them as for rolled cookies, cut with cookies cutters, next and will update with my results.

I am happy to share this at Real Food Wednesdays. and Pennywise Platter Thursday.

Holiday System Day 13 - making new recipes

Always try new things out ahead of time- trust me!

Holiday System Day 12 - a break for a focus

Please remember the true meaning of Christmas: family, friends, faith.
Check in here to see what made me remember.

Holiday System Day 11 - countdown plan

It's less than 3 weeks (19 days to be exact) until Christmas. Today's tip is simple:

Plan Your Countdown

Planning all of the last-minute details is critical in maintaining your peace of mind when the holidays are upon you.

1. Plan for the big day- every little thing. I like to make an hour-by-hour schedule. I base this on my earlier plans, which allows me to see how long each dish will take to cook, etc.


2. Plan for the preparations- be ready! Make sure you schedule all the little tasks, like cleaning, and big things (like making sure guest rooms are ready.) This will keep your stress down as the holiday approaches.


3. Plan for the unexpected- it will happen. You know, it, that thing that can't possibly happen and then does. Guests who arrive 2 hours after you said dinner would be ready- and dinner is roast chicken (which does not hold well!) These things, they will happen. Be sure of it, and try to plan for whatever you can. Otherwise, relax and enjoy knowing you've done all you could.

Remember, plans will help you to keep your focus on the important part of the season- family, friends, faith.