Christmas To-Do List

The Christmas countdown is on. Only four days until Christmas. Here is what has been accomplished:

• Christmas shopping 
• Grocery shopping
• Christmas letter/cards 

Here are the next items on my to-do list:

• Decorating
• Cleaning
• Wrapping
• Baking

I refuse to feel stress over these undone items. What gets done, gets done. What doesn't, just doesn't. We spent Wednesday evening at the Soldiers' Home with my father-in-law for their Christmas party. Other than celebrating the birth of our Savior, spending time with family is the most important part of this time of year. 

I'm not sure how much more I will be blogging, but if this is the last post before Christmas, please know I wish you and your family a blessed holiday filled with the peace, love, and joy the Savior's birth brings.

Christmas Goals Update

It is the Christmas countdown. After a lovely service at church that included a video by Max Lucado, we had a light Christmas Eve lunch at our home with the in-laws. I'm not where I wanted to be with my goals for this weekend, but I'm not stressing over it because the important thing this time of year is family.

Here is where we are:

• Friday night: Start wrapping gifts and put aside dancing teacher gift so kids take it tomorrow. DONE
• Saturday: Get up by 8; pick up and put away things hanging around the house; go to dance with the girls; finish wrapping gifts; put up the second tree and more decorations and bake a pie. Pie and cookies baked; house mostly picked up; most of the wrapping done and additional decorations are up in the dining room, family room, and living room.  
• Sunday: Get up by 7; get ready and attend church; have lunch with the in-laws; get the Lil' Diva to work; bake cookies; vacuum house; and put gifts under the tree. Church and lunch over; our girl is at work; cookies already done. 

Starting at four o'clock, the rest of my day will look like this:

• Get the father-in-law back to the facility
• Finish wrapping
• Have supper at the restaurant where the Lil' Diva works so she doesn't feel left out
• Finish wrapping
• Vacuum house
• Put gifts under tree

Staying focused will get the job done. 

Holiday Weekend Goals

The Christmas holiday weekend is upon us. Now is the mad dash to get everything ready before Monday. LOL!

It's been year of being overwhelmed here, so you know I have to get organized and set some goals if I will accomplish anything. In preparation, I finished Christmas shopping on Tuesday and grocery shopping on Wednesday. I've delegated some dinnertime tasks and menu items. I've even pushed off real estate appointments until Tuesday, December 26 (are you in shock?). The turkey is defrosting in the refrigerator.

Here's my plan for the rest of the weekend considering it is after 5 pm EST on Friday night.

• Friday night: Start wrapping gifts and put aside dancing teacher gift so kids take it tomorrow.
• Saturday: Get up by 8; pick up and put away things hanging around the house; go to dance with the girls; finish wrapping gifts; put up the second tree and more decorations and bake a pie.
• Sunday: Get up by 7; get ready and attend church; have lunch with the in-laws; get the Lil' Diva to work; bake cookies; vacuum house; and put gifts under the tree.

I'm usually up until after midnight on Christmas Eve, but I love playing Santa for my family. It will be a busy weekend, but it will also be a fun one. Not sure if I'll have time to blog, so please know I wish each and every one of you a blessed Christmas day.

Happy Fourth of July!

Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy and blessed Fourth of July!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Thanksgiving!

Wordless Wednesday

PBS KIDS Survey: Less $$ More Family This Holiday

FAMILY TIME IS NUMBER-ONE AS MILLENNIAL PARENTS GET READY FOR THE HOLIDAY, ACCORDING TO SURVEY FROM PBS KIDS

Millennial parents want a simpler season, with less shopping and more family fun 

ARLINGTON, VA, December 4, 2014 – Fatigued by a myriad of "hot gift" lists, millennial parents say that fewer gifts and more family fun top their holiday wish lists, according to the Millennial Parent Holiday Survey from PBS KIDS, the results of which were released today. The survey of millennial parents (ages 18 – 33) found that 82% crave more family time and 80% want to spend more time playing with their kids this holiday season. Conversely, many of these younger parents want to dial back gift prep and shopping, with 37% saying they would like to spend less time shopping. Even more parents (45%) would like to spend less time assembling gifts.

Learning and Eco Factors Rank High

When millennial parents do go shopping, more than half (54%) say that “hot toy” or “hot gift” lists aren’t as important in the purchasing decision as other factors. Almost all millennial parents (97%) want to buy their children gifts that will stand the test of time and toys that provide learning opportunities (another 97%). That’s especially true for parents of toddlers and preschoolers (68% of parents of kids 2 – 6 compared to 58% of parents of kids 7 – 8), according to the Millennial Parent Holiday Survey. The eco factor is top of millennial parents’ minds, too, when selecting gifts for their children: 70% say it’s important to purchase eco-friendly toys, and 61% are more likely to purchase an eco-friendly toy this year than in holidays past. 

Playful Family Holidays 

Technology is a big part of entertaining children and staying organized during the holidays, but millennial parents, especially moms, are also looking to balance technology with a broader array of playful solutions. This includes a return to the basics of creative, open-ended play, to connect with their children in fun and meaningful ways¹. Based on the survey, almost all of millennial parents (95%) think it is important to give their kids toys that the family can enjoy together.  Millennial parents place high importance on playing with their children and actively participate in learning experiences, especially during the holidays.

Greener Dads

Interest in eco-friendly toys is even higher among dads, with 31% reporting that it is very important to purchase toys made from eco-friendly materials. This compares to 17% of moms who find it important. Dads are also more likely to purchase eco-friendly toys this year than in years past (74%), compared to 59% of moms. 

Millennial Parents Get Cooking!

Along with spending more time with family, topping the list of activities millennial parents want to do more of this season are cooking/baking (69%).

"We learned from this survey that during the holidays parents value quality family time and educational resources for their kids,” said Lesli Rotenberg, General Manager, Children’s Programming, PBS. “At PBS KIDS we share these core values, and are dedicated to providing families with educational content and resources that they can enjoy together, not just during the holidays, but all year-long.”

Tips to Simplify the Holidays 

The spirit of the holidays can sometimes get lost in the hectic holiday season. But there are easy ways for parents to help their family simplify and embrace the season, including these tips from PBS Parents:

 Downscale holiday plans and expectations.  Keep the focus on family, on meaningful traditions and simple activities that replenish rather than exhaust. 

Ask your children what they most love about your family's holiday.  You may be surprised by their answers. 

Whether you're decorating, baking cookies, or making gifts for grandma, remember that the process is more important for your child than the outcome.  Keep it simple, and you and your child will enjoy it more. 

Create small special moments in every day. Go for a sledding adventure or a winter nature walk outside. Turn off every light in the house at dinner time, light candles, and invite everyone to be perfectly still and perfectly silent for a minute. 

Celebrate the holidays as a season of giving and doing for others.  Grab the kids and head next door to shovel an elderly neighbor's walkway; make Christmas cards together for the mail carrier; deliver soup to a friend with the flu and focus on gifts that give back. Watch as your children begin to discover the secret pleasure of small kindnesses, offered with love. PBS KIDS provides a unique solution for parents looking for presents with a purpose, offering a new line of sustainable toys in partnership with Whole Foods.

PBS KIDS Millennial Parent Holiday Survey Methodology

The 2014 PBS KIDS Parent Survey was conducted by Smarty Pants, November 14 - 17, 2014. A sampling of 500 US parents ages 18 – 33 with children ages 2-8, participated in the online survey.

About PBS KIDS PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online, mobile and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including the PBS KIDS video player, now offering free streaming video accessible on computer- and mobile-device-based browsers. For more information on specific PBS KIDS content supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.

CONTACTS: 

Atiya Frederick, PBS, 703.739.5147 / anfrederick@pbs.org

Caitlin Melnick, 360 Public Relations, 617.585.5775 / cmelnick@360pr.com

Wordless Wednesday

Save Time with O’Charley’s Award-winning Pies This Holiday Season

I love baking, especially around the holidays; but sometimes I simply run out of time. I haven't made a pie--crust and all--since I was in high school, and I'm not the kind of person who feels comfortable letting my guests be guinea pigs when I try something new.

Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., O’Charley’s includes 213 restaurants in 17 states in the Southeast and Midwest. They have this great weekly promotion called Free Pie Wednesday, where guests can try a free slice of their pie with the purchase of any entrée. Now they are offering whole pies from O’Charley’s very own bakery for their patrons to take home and enjoy. While dining in at their local O’Charley’s, guests can order a whole pie to take home or schedule a future pickup. Guests can also call in advance to schedule a pie pickup at their convenience.

O’Charley’s Holiday Whole Pie Menu includes:

• Perfect Pumpkin Pie – This seasonal favorite starts with a golden flaky crust that’s filled with a creamy blend of real pumpkin and pumpkin pie spices including cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.

• Double-Crust Peach Pie – Tender, flaky double-crust fresh-baked pie filled with deliciously sweet sun-ripened Free Stone peaches. Awarded a 2013 blue ribbon by the American Pie Council.

• Country Apple Pie – “Old fashioned” double-crust fresh-baked pie filled with sweet, crisp Michigan apples seasoned with delicate spices. Awarded a 2013 blue ribbon by the American Pie Council.

• Southern Pecan Pie – This delicious Southern classic is made with butter and brown sugar then topped with plenty of pecans for a deep nutty flavor. Awarded a 2013 blue ribbon by the American Pie Council.

• French Silk Pie – Semi-sweet chocolates blended into a velvety smooth filling in a flaky pastry crust. Topped with real whipped cream and milk chocolate shavings.

• Ooey Gooey Caramel Pie – Creamy caramel in a graham cracker crust topped with real whipped cream, milk chocolate shavings and pecans.

Can you say, yum! I want to try all of these.

“Nothing goes hand-in-hand with the Holidays quite like pie,” said Mickey Mills, president of O’Charley’s. “Pies are more than a dessert; they are an important part of the holiday tradition. We take great pride and care in baking these pies which is why our guests are raving about their fresh-from-the-oven homemade taste. We are excited to offer quality, award-winning pies that are also conveniently ready and perfectly prepared to serve at holiday gatherings.”

For more details on O’Charley’s exclusive whole holiday pies, or to find an O’Charley’s location near you, visit www.ocharleys.com.

Chronicle Books Offering 75% off 9 Digital Cookbooks

I received this notice in my Inbox from Chronicle Books. Right now they are offering 75% off 9 of their digital cookbooks. That's good news for those of us who will be cooking and baking this holiday season. The New Thanksgiving Table by Diane Morgan is just one of those great books you'll want to stock up on this season.

Visit http://www.chroniclebooks.com/  and check out this wonderful deal!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday