Thanksgiving/ Fall Decor

               

                I don’t know about you, but I think that here in Canada we’re lucky. In the US they decorate for Halloween, and then a quick transition to Thanksgiving, and a quick transition to Christmas. I prefer being able to blink once or twice before we change our décor, and just enjoy it.

                I space out the timeline nicely, so I can enjoy each of the events for a portion of time. This is why my Fall/ Thanksgiving décor is out. While I go crazy on Christmas decorations, I like to keep it subtle for Fall. A couple pumpkins, a pretty table cloth, a door hanging. Not a ton, but enough to be festive.

                When you decorate too, you can always add some DIY’s and of course the kids crafts. Check out my Pinterest Fall Board for some ideas. Now, I could go into greater detail about decorating down the road, but that’s getting ahead of myself, and it will have it’s own posts later.

                K, Luv Ya, Bye!

                Nancy, Cale and Alice 

The Master List

              Our next assignment it something I refer to as the Master List, and it can be fun and interesting. In previous years this project has been ONLY mine. However, I have Cale helping me with everything this year, and I wanted to approach it with more of an open mind. It’s kind of an all encompassing Christmas Wish list. It’s a list of things that Christmas means to you (ie family, friends, giving). Things you enjoy about Christmas (ie Lights, Trees, great food).  Things you might need to do (ie decorate, shop wrap), Traditions ( ie Looking at lights, watching movies), and perhaps things you’d like to do this year. It was actually interesting to do with Cale instead of just on my own. Truth be told He grumbled a little when I first handed the list to him, but by the end he was laughing. It also opened my eyes to see what some of the typical traditions are, that seem to hold more of a special place with him. It also highlighted some things that, I really didn’t think of, but he would like to incorporate, and I’m paying a little closer attention to those things.

                You can approach the Master list a couple of ways. Last Christmas, I used my resources to help my friend get ready for Christmas, and she and I approached this list on completely different ends of the spectrum. My friend kept it simple, knew what she wanted and made it a very obtainable list. Then there is me, who can come up with a MILLION things on the list, but I accept I likely can’t achieve it all. Pick a style that works best for you. So basically, this is a big brainstorming session. You can do it solo, like I have in the past, or do it as a family. Depending on their age, you could even include the kids in this.

                While I will have these guidance posts through until after Christmas, there are somethings that are personal to you, and your traditions, that maybe I wouldn’t even think of. This will help you to add these things to your personal to do list, and what’s more, add them early.

                K, Luv Ya, Bye!

                Nancy, Cale and Alice 

Planner, Calendar and Budget

              

               Blog post #2 in our Christmas planning! The last one was kind of just our “oh we need to get this done” post, this one, we’re really getting started. This post is about staying on track and being organized. We’re focusing on your Planner, Calendar, and Budget. There are a lot of great resources out there for things like this, and as a matter of fact, my mentor site, 101 Days to Christmas has such resources if you’re interested. I however am a little more, shall we say basic?

                My planner, is for the most part my beloved notebook. I never don’t have one of these on the go. As a matter of fact I have it sitting beside me on my couch right now, showing me the rundown of all my posts from here until…well Black Friday (it’s two pages). It’s my main go to, and what I jot my stuff down in. I also have overall guides on my computer (a little more organized really). This will basically be your place to have to do lists and things of that nature. It’s really about what you like best, and what you’ll keep on top of. If you’re some one who keeps a personal day planner, then that would be perfect too, and it takes me to part #2, a Calendar.

                For my Calendar, I use two things, one is my calendar on my phone. I have a LOT of appointments coming up, and sometimes I need to know what they are quickly. So I keep that stuff in my phone, because I ALWAYS have it. This being said, a lot of Christmas plans, don’t just concern me, and Cale is not a mind reader. So the household calendar also comes in handy for that point as well. The Calendar is going to be vital in many aspects, ie when to send gifts and cards, when the Christmas party is, things of this nature.

                And of course the budget, which lets be honest, is the LEAST fun of the three, but the thing MOST break every year. A mistake I’ve made in the past is budgeting  for JUST gifts. But there are many other things to consider here. Here is how to break it down. One thing to of course look at is Food. How much are you willing to shell out for food? And keep in mind, people are going to need to eat things other than your big Turkey dinner (we’ll also get into money saving on this aspect later). Do you have pot lucks or exchanges coming up? This one can get hefty. I never seem to forget to budget for gifts, but there are also the ones we need to send, and of course Christmas cards that need to be sent. Decorations, you might need some new stuff this year. Travel or guests, fortunately guests can be as simple as making sure you have nice linens for them. Wardrobe, will you need clothes for the family photo? Or the Christmas party? Are you a family who has Christmas Pj’s (we tend to be). I probably missed somethings here too that are personal to you, and the budget might be a little clearer too after our next post…coming out on Wednesday.

K, Luv ya, Bye!

Nancy, Cale and Alice

Christmas Planning Intro, and Thanksgiving!

Here it is! The second year in a row I’ve done a Christmas preparation blog series. Last year was a trial run, this year, I have it all laid out, and prepared. Last year I also used 101 Days to Christmas as a guideline. This year, it’s on my timeline, and my style.

Now I know some people I’m close to are seeing this post and saying, can’t we wait until (insert some event here). Well no, not really. Starting early is economically a good call. The average amount spent on Christmas in the US, is $1700…We’re Canada so it’s more like $2000 (not an actual figure, it’s me guessing). I don’t know about you, but the answer is no, I can’t afford to wait. Let me stress that this blog will remember the special events leading up to the big day as well (as will be evident later in this post).

We’re officially at a time of year I absolutely love. Obviously, I adore Christmas, but I LOVE Fall too. The fact I spend the entire season getting ready for Christmas, probably plays a role. But I also enjoy the colours, Thanksgiving, the cooler weather (I can’t take the heat for the life of me), apple picking, well actually anything that is apple related, and pumpkin related. So, while this blog is mostly Christmas related, it covers all the things that come within the period of time between now, and the big day. One of those things is Thanksgiving.

Believe it or not, we’re three weeks from Thanksgiving. So while this is the intro post, assignment #1 is here, get ready for Thanksgiving. This consists of making plans with family. If you’re hosting planning the menu, keeping in mind (if your family is anything like mine) family members may want to contribute, welcome this with open arms! Don’t forget the décor. I have a beautiful tablecloth, acorn salt and pepper shakers and a ceramic pumpkin I haul out every year around this time. I also grabbed a couple of hallow pumpkins from Michael’s (pictured above) and a wreath to hang on my door.

 Let me wrap up my post by saying thanks for reading, and welcome to another year of Christmas preparation, as stress free as it gets. Keep you’re eyes peeled for my next post, on Monday

K, Luv ya, Bye! 

Nancy, Cale and Alice

Christmas Blog, It's Coming!

               It’s BAAAAACK! Okay well almost. At around 100 days (101 exactly, to make everything work ) I will start my Christmas planning blog all over again… and that’s a WEEK from today. Should you not be acquainted with what I do with this basically I break down Christmas planning and preparation into three weekly blog posts, to help you stay on track with Christmas plans, and keep everything as stress free as possible.

                Last year I greatly followed 101 Days to Christmas, it played a BIG role for me organizing. However there are aspects of planning I like to start sooner than that site does, and also, it’s American. And a LOT revolves around their Thanksgiving, which is much later than ours. So this year, I have all my posts mapped out, and it will have a LOT more of me in them. Not to mention my husband.

Cale will be playing a much bigger role behind the scenes this year, because I’m gonna need all the help I can get. So delving into this, back in January, I did a post about my goals for 2017. My BIGGEST goal was to be pregnant by the end of the year, mission accomplished. Cale has been incredible helping me with everything to date, and agreed to help me with all my prepping this year (I’m still able to do my planning).

So if you’re looking for a bit of guidance, some money saving ideas, and simplification for your Holiday season, be sure to check out my posts on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the next several weeks.

K, Luv ya, Bye!

Nancy, Cale and Alice

What I've done, How it's worked

     Been a while since I blogged, and this morning I just felt inspired. Back in January, I did a vlog on things that I planned to do in 2017. One goal has been a bit of a silent struggle, which has been part of why my blogs are few and far between. But that's not the goal I'm inspired to talk about today.

     No, the goal I am proud to say I'm doing well with is getting more healthy, and losing weight. I went back to cutting out caffeine... on the regular, I still grab a coffee or a tea once in a while, but I'm not reliant on it anymore. I've been eating better. My breakfast is generally a smoothie, for lunch I try and have my large meal (if I can) and a Big salad for supper. Snacks are generally yogurt, crackers, popcorn, and my truest addiction, Dill pickles. My exercise has been very light yoga (like seriously not sure if it's doing ANYTHING), and work...honestly. As a result, I've lost 20-25lbs. I put this because this seems to be where I've plateaued, and move between that 5lb mark often.

     How do I feel? As far as my energy level goes, I'm not gonna lie and say I have more energy than ever. However, I'm producing the same level of energy on m own, that I depended on coffee to provide, so that's kind of cool, and I don't have the crash with it. I feel better in my own skin, instead of sitting in front of a mirror criticizing, I see the difference. Also like my last post said, clothes that didn't fit me anymore, fit now, comfortably. I'm happier, and that's a big deal. 

-Kay, Love ya, Bye!

          Nancy

PS: 87 days, Until I start the Christmas Countdown for this year! XP

Spring in less than 2 weeks!

     I looked at my Calendar today and saw that Spring is mere days away. Seriously, go look, less than 2 weeks. Where we bought our house back in the Summer, I've been thinking of what Spring would bring, and up to now the majority of my thoughts have been...cleaning, and house work.


     I give us credit, about 2 weeks ago, we fixed the basement bathroom (finally) spackled a wall that needed it, and even got a sample of a paint colour we had looked at for our master bath, which btw we hated...look at that...Cale said it looked like cotton candy... I do not disagree...
 

     So since this is splotched across my wall, fixing this will be a project. A gravel rake will also be in our near future. Our driveway is not paved, and snow removal has had the rocks migrate to the lawn...we got a snow blower, but I truly believe the majority of the damage was our shoveling pre Christmas. 

    To be honest, the last 2 months have been exceptionally lazy as far as actual projects go. However, I know Cale and I have had a LOT of personal growth. I feel our relationship is in an exceptionally healthy place. We're actually BOTH, trying to take better care of ourselves, which is huge because in the past it has been me complaining we need to and getting only resistance. We've gotten creative with what we eat, and eating healthier has actually SAVED us money. I have spent more than one day watching Youtube videos and learning different things that are making us healthier, and simplifying things for us. For the last several years, I've stood at this point of this month and looked backward seeing what time I let slip. This year, while it seems like it's taken little to no energy, there has been growth. This has been a personally productive Winter...now don't get me wrong, mother nature is probably going to give us snow on Easter, but seeing spring on the calendar, puts a little spring in your step...pun intended. 

What does Spring on the Calendar mean for you?

K, Love ya, Bye! 

-Nancy