'Part reminder, part organizer'... everyone needs a plan!
There are great plans to choose from at Organized Christmas (and with everything that is great - there are also copycats out there! tsk tsk) Now the Christmas Countdown is a 6 week holiday plan, the Houseworks Holiday Plan is more in depth and will get you 'decluttered, organized and ready for the holidays'.
I do the Holiday Grand Plan. I have been following this 18 week plan since 1998... it is the web's oldest Christmas organizing plan! I have always liked how the weeks are broken down, starting at the end of August, I guess it fits with my OCD tendencies!
I broke down and bought a new camera; however, I am still not ready to believe my very nice just over a year old camera is NEVER going to work again - I am waiting for a 'camera miracle'. I am not as pleased with the quality of photo my new camera takes, but it is better then the option of not having one!
Rudolph reminders:
Crafts check:
yes, I do have crafts. I have started what I thought was going to be a shawl, took it back to the skein, and started what may now turn out to be a patchwork afghan! The knit I think is just right for a winter throw, but too heavy and stiff for a prayer shawl.
Picked up new skeins for the shawl, and found another that may work for the slippers! Looking forward to starting the quilts - need to find a coordinating fabric for the denim - was thinking a chocolate colour, soft cord in cotton?
Frugal finds for July:
I actually did find something - a 5 1/2' bird cage . I have not figured out what I am going to do with it yet... I am thinking along the lines of an Edwardian aviary with finches in the corner of the dining room?
I found a 'forest' of shrubs on sale - foundational plantings for along the side of the house. Would really like to check out a couple more sales at the garden centres this weekend, would love to find a few more specimens of hosta -really, can you have too many hostas - I thought not! Would also like to look for clearances on pots, wind chimes and bird feeders/ houses... if I am really lucky a big bird bath!
One of the Christmas finds at the nursery was a very nice holly, it will provide great decorating options over the years. When planning your garden it is always good to think ahead for the holiday and plan what you could start growing now!
Some ideas you may consider: holly, winter berry, red dogwood, assorted evergreens and indoor ivy (I live in a cold climate) for flower arrangements, urns and window boxes. Please always remember that using 'live' materials is truly the only green option. No matter how long you use that artificial tree or garland it will always eventually become landfill, and the materials and products used to create them are toxic! Plus, think of the lasting memories of going to a local Christmas tree farm to cut your own tree!
The stores are starting to bring out their school supplies - I love pens! Every year I check out the back to school sales for items that not only the boys will need for school, but cool items for their stocking, and supplies for the craft cubby. Looking forward to finding a new binder and really getting to work on my Holiday Meals Binder! I think I may even 'go crafty' and look for theme paper and stickers to add some pizazz to my usual 'organized - but not exactly pretty' style.
On the menu for Christmas in July:
*Turkey burgers
*Broccoli salad
*Potato salad
*Sparkling juice
*Berry Jello with whip cream and fresh picked berries!
Our Christmas in July activity?
Well, this evening we will have fireworks and a bonfire. It is our last night at the cottage, tomorrow we travel back home and start a new work week! Enjoy your day!
There are great plans to choose from at Organized Christmas (and with everything that is great - there are also copycats out there! tsk tsk) Now the Christmas Countdown is a 6 week holiday plan, the Houseworks Holiday Plan is more in depth and will get you 'decluttered, organized and ready for the holidays'.
I do the Holiday Grand Plan. I have been following this 18 week plan since 1998... it is the web's oldest Christmas organizing plan! I have always liked how the weeks are broken down, starting at the end of August, I guess it fits with my OCD tendencies!
I broke down and bought a new camera; however, I am still not ready to believe my very nice just over a year old camera is NEVER going to work again - I am waiting for a 'camera miracle'. I am not as pleased with the quality of photo my new camera takes, but it is better then the option of not having one!
Rudolph reminders:
Crafts check:
yes, I do have crafts. I have started what I thought was going to be a shawl, took it back to the skein, and started what may now turn out to be a patchwork afghan! The knit I think is just right for a winter throw, but too heavy and stiff for a prayer shawl.Picked up new skeins for the shawl, and found another that may work for the slippers! Looking forward to starting the quilts - need to find a coordinating fabric for the denim - was thinking a chocolate colour, soft cord in cotton?
Frugal finds for July:
I actually did find something - a 5 1/2' bird cage . I have not figured out what I am going to do with it yet... I am thinking along the lines of an Edwardian aviary with finches in the corner of the dining room? I found a 'forest' of shrubs on sale - foundational plantings for along the side of the house. Would really like to check out a couple more sales at the garden centres this weekend, would love to find a few more specimens of hosta -really, can you have too many hostas - I thought not! Would also like to look for clearances on pots, wind chimes and bird feeders/ houses... if I am really lucky a big bird bath!
One of the Christmas finds at the nursery was a very nice holly, it will provide great decorating options over the years. When planning your garden it is always good to think ahead for the holiday and plan what you could start growing now!
Some ideas you may consider: holly, winter berry, red dogwood, assorted evergreens and indoor ivy (I live in a cold climate) for flower arrangements, urns and window boxes. Please always remember that using 'live' materials is truly the only green option. No matter how long you use that artificial tree or garland it will always eventually become landfill, and the materials and products used to create them are toxic! Plus, think of the lasting memories of going to a local Christmas tree farm to cut your own tree!
The stores are starting to bring out their school supplies - I love pens! Every year I check out the back to school sales for items that not only the boys will need for school, but cool items for their stocking, and supplies for the craft cubby. Looking forward to finding a new binder and really getting to work on my Holiday Meals Binder! I think I may even 'go crafty' and look for theme paper and stickers to add some pizazz to my usual 'organized - but not exactly pretty' style.
On the menu for Christmas in July:
*Turkey burgers
*Broccoli salad
*Potato salad
*Sparkling juice
*Berry Jello with whip cream and fresh picked berries!
Our Christmas in July activity?
Well, this evening we will have fireworks and a bonfire. It is our last night at the cottage, tomorrow we travel back home and start a new work week! Enjoy your day!
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