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Monday, November 18, 2013

Pre-Holiday Planning



So, it's Sunday afternoon and I'm relaxing with a cup of coffee.
I have my calendar in front of me (and the Nascar race!) 
and I'm looking at the next three weeks. 
 They are the busiest of the year for me!  A home based
gift basket business naturally peaks at holiday time!
Most of my orders are to be made and delivered one week
after Thanksgiving.  I want my Etsy shop to be well stocked
 and then there's the Thanksgiving holiday, itself!
Today I'm pulling recipes, making grocery lists and thinking
of a few things I'd like to do, just before the busyness kicks in!
Hopefully some early planning will make it all that much
more smooth and organized!

  1. Clean the oven and refrigerator.
  2. Finalize the Thanksgiving menu and grocery list.
  3. Last chance on the Fall Fun To Do List!
  4. Thaw the big freezer, or at least sort and organize it.
  5. Stock up on freezer bags, foil, fresh baking yeast, butter, etc.
  6. Finalize the Christmas gift list and continue a little online shopping each day.
  7. Stock up on medicine cabinet staples ~ cold meds, etc.
  8. Divide baking and cooking for the week of Thanksgiving so I'm not trying to do it all Thursday morning with a turkey in the oven.
  9. Choose serving pieces, check the silver for tarnish and put together a table centerpiece.
  10. Make some pretty little place cards and take-home favors.
  11. Do the initial gift basket shopping for baskets, cellophane and gourmet food items.
  12. Buy a new Christmas tree, since we've battled an ongoing problem with the pre-lit lights over the last three years.  We are SO over that tree. ha.  Want to shop while the selection is good.
And most importantly, do a constant check on reality
by asking myself if it's realistic, meaningful,
the best price, and in keeping with the mantras
of quality over quantity and beauty in simplicity.

~~~~~~~~~

Tonight is the Frost Moon!
I won't be seeing it with storms and tornadoes in the
forecast, but if you have clear skies, go out and 
enjoy it for me!



73 comments:

  1. That's quite a list! I need some inspiration for favors for Thanksgiving.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I'm going to do these...

      http://www.the36thavenue.com/2012/10/chocolate-peanut-butter-acorns.html

      I need a cute little something to hold them...mini cornucopias, bowls, or little boxes.

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    2. I may need to make a trip to the local flower and craft marketplace for some ideas. Maybe I'll find some of those little cornucopias? Should let you know if I do?

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    3. Great minds...I'm checking out two crafty places here this week, too! I bet we both find some!

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    4. A big one would make a beautiful centerpiece! I've just been looking on Pinterest. Some pretty ones...some really ugly ones, too. haha.

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    5. Martha!! I found a cornucopia at the thrift store today! And a few pretty things to have spilling out of it. Nothing for the favors though...more shopping later this week. :)

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  2. Aaargh! missed being first by 2 minutes! Haven't even read what you have to say.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. haha...oh so close! This is a really odd time for me to post, too!

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    2. Pause for teeth cleaning ang testing into bed... Sounds like you're going to be tremendously busy over the next few weeks. Good luck!

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  3. I've got my list started too. For the first time, I'm not doing the turkey, dressing and gravy for our Family Thanksgiving. It's at our son and dil so they will do the turkey. I'm in charge of the dessert table, and I can already feel the weight coming on my hips. I want to do the traditional pumpkin, apple and pecan pies....but then I'm going to check out fun recipes and so some new things too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, that sounds fun! The dessert table is always my favorite! I'm doing those flavors of pies, too. Check out the link I gave Martha above. Those little candies would be simple and cute included on your sweets spread!

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  4. I have got to do this too. We have no gifts at all but I did make 8 pie crusts this afternoon and put them in the freezer.
    I do like your idea to shop online

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh...nice about the pie crusts!

      I do more online shopping these days! It's just great with many places having free shipping. I save so much time, gas, and frustration...love it!

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  5. You are so organized ... I love all of your lists. You're so inspiring :)

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    Replies
    1. Aw, thanks. It takes the stress out of it for me and I can enjoy it so much more if I get a head start.

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  6. You seem to thrive on being busy, Sunshine! Best of luck getting through the next few weeks, and I hope nobody there needs to use any of the cold and flu remedies! Always best to be prepared this time of year, though. And share your progress with us! You make the rest of us feel like bloody lazy bastards. Enjoy the work. I know you will.

    Be safe tonight in that terrible weather!

    Admiring you from afar,
    Vincent

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Vince. :)
      The wind is howling and the satillite tv keeps flickering but we're safe so far.

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    2. The news of your devastating storms have reached us on the other side of the world. I'm glad to see that you are alright. Afterall, your safety is really all that matters! And you got to see your brilliant moon last night! I do hope you show us a photo of it. I'll be back later to lurk (ha-ha) and read your post. That is, if I can stay up that late! Wishing you a wonderful day with nothing but sweetness and kindness along the way. V.

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    3. Well, thanks Vince. :) I'll take all the sweetness and kindness anyone wants to give. ha. Haven't downloaded my photos of the moon from last night but will do that today. :)

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    4. There is plenty of bickering and sadness in the world already. If I can bring a smile to your face, then that makes me happy also, Sunshine. Did you get my email this afternoon? I know you are terribly busy today and undoubtedly have not had a chance to reply. I think it will make you smile! You might also be interested to know that I picked up another old dictionary at a second hand book shop this morning. Alright then I will be back tonight to see that Frost Moon. Cheerio!

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    5. Yes, I did get it. It did make me smile and I needed that today more than you know. Thanks so much...how sweet of you.

      Um..yeah, you needed another dictionary~

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  7. I have to make a list too! And of course you will be really busy.
    For Christmas always I have to make a list to order. Is a mess here and the hot time don't help so much!

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    Replies
    1. Growing up where the holidays are connected to winter, I can't even imagine them during the summer! You can and probably do have pool parties for Christmas! haha. Sandmen instead of snowmen. :) Lists always help when you're the hostess and responsible for it all!

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    2. Ha! Well always I dream with a winter's Christmas I think are perfect; but we really love Christmas, we put and garnish Christmas tree and the twins love dressed the tree. I bake of course cookies and others and love the Pesebre. The only hard thing is the shopping are terrible in hot time:)

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    3. Oh, I know you do all the traditional things like we do...and in the south like Florida, they have it warm, too!

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    4. Christmas in the summer! Well, Gloria Baker, I'm sure you make it special for your family. So you like the nativity? See, I know a little Spanish. Are you in Mexico?

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    5. mmmm. You are wrong Vince Im from CHILE (South America) and in South America now is spring/summer .
      In mexico north hemisphere, I think is autumn Winter, and I dont like Christmas in summer I prefer would be Winter but I enjoyed so much because I love Christmas, I have a blog maybe some day you can visit and you look Im chilean, really chilean lol

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  8. So much for tomorrow! What do you have planned for Tuesday, doll? (ducks)

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    Replies
    1. silly.....None of it will get done tomorrow, believe it or not. I won't even be home!

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  9. I have to get my list made yet. You're inspiring me!

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  10. I think that we must be list twins Betsy! So funny. I love that you make lists of things, it makes me feel better about my lists!! It sounds as though are very organised for all that is coming up, I hope that it all goes really well and to plan and that you have a smooth sailing Thanksgiving and Christmas. xx

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    Replies
    1. I've always made lists...even as a little girl! It's probably enough to drive non-list people crazy. haha. Glad you can connect with me like that. Lists just put you in control....or make you feel like it anyway!

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    2. Me too....but...mine are on pieces of paper!
      Stay safe from the Tornadoes, Betsy♥

      Cheers!
      Linda :o)

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    3. well, mine, too. I've been scribbling on my calendar. ha.

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  11. We're just enjoying a cup of tea. We had tornado warnings earlier. The wind was really bad and there was some bad damage just a few miles south of us.
    We have a start on Thanksgiving... have done all the shopping for food. We also put the outside Christmas decorations up when we had those couple of warm days this past week. Love this time of year.
    You seem very organized. Bet your basket business keeps you very busy through the holidays!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're way ahead of me on the food. I'll do most of it this week and then get the fresh stuff two days before when I'm out picking up the turkey. One of my most fondest memories of Thanksgiving is at Tom's house years ago. He went all out as you can imagine. Everything was beautiful! He had strung cranberries and draped them around the roasted turkey. It was like a magazine! :)

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    2. tornado sirens! ....gotta go hide! :(

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    3. He still goes all out : ) wish you guys lived closer so you could join us.

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    4. We had sirens earlier. Be safe!

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    5. That would be a lot of fun! We're having just our small little family this year. Sometimes we have a few relatives and lonely people that have nowhere to go. So far, it's going to be an intimate gathering. :)

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  12. Stay safe! The holidays make me crazy and I don't even have a home based business!

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    Replies
    1. I can't do it if I don't start early. I've learned the hard way...you can't wait until the last minute or you'll have unexpected things throw a wrench in the plan like sick kids, snow days, things out of stock...ugh. Early is better. :)

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  13. oy...some to do list eh...that is why we took this weekend for a get away...a chance to breathe before the rush....i am imagining a blur until christmas

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    Replies
    1. After the first week of December I think it slows down. Hopefully I'll have all of our stuff done and we can just relax and enjoy the season!

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  14. It's clear here now so I'm off to make wishes to the full moon.
    I am exhausted just reading your to do list. You must have the energy girl!
    Say hello to my boys!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's clear here, too....windy but warm and that bright moon! Didn't expect to see it at all tonight!

      I'll say hello. :)

      And...it's coffee! ha.

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  15. Geez, no wonder coffee by the pot
    Is drank a ton at your plot
    Have to go go go
    To get things done at your show
    Quite the list
    Hopefully not a one is missed
    As away you go
    Hopefully you don't blow away in a tornado lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Didn't blow away
      and now the moon is shining at my bay.

      A procrastinator I am not.
      That would stress me a whole lot.
      ha.

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    2. haha I agree
      With my ocd
      Doing nothing at all
      Would drive me up the wall

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    3. We could write a book
      on how to get it done at our nook.
      lol...

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  16. I am thinking holidays too. Checking old notes to myself and wondering if I can keep my own "out-of-control" stress level under control.
    Our big gift to the kids this year will be getting their brother and his family here from Minnesota for several days. Thank you, Lord, for Southwest Airline points!

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    1. well, that's the best kind of gift! Very fun. I'd say that was a 'quality' thing for sure. :)

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  17. I need to have a nap after reading your list. :-) Good luck with everything. And don't get blown awayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

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    1. the wind is still howling! But it's clear and I got the see the moon! SO bright and full!

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    2. It was amazing last night when I was out. Full, fat, but not shining... had this beautiful, ethereal shading over it. Quite dramatic. Have not seen it tonight yet.

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    3. Hope you can see it tonight...it's very bright here!...it's shining in the windows!

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  18. Best of luck with the planning Betsy, you're so prepared!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Matt...now let's see if I can stay on schedule! :)

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  19. Hi Betsy .. just glad the tornadoes stayed away .. but they do sound just terrible ..

    Frosty moon - I love how you keep track of the moon for us .. and it does appear in so many shapes and sizes .. I love them all - but the big Cornish Clotted Cream one over the sparkling sea is my favourite! It's warmer then too ...

    Good to be organised though, especially with so much going on ... enjoy - cheers Hilary

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    1. Illinois got it the worst. :(

      Now that sounds like a British moon! haha. We don't have a clotted cream moon here...in fact, I have never even had clotted cream! :)

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  20. You are so organized, Betsy! Hope the sky cleared for at least enough time for you to catch a glimpse of the Frost Moon. blessings ~ tanna

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    Replies
    1. It sure did! Those strong winds blew all the clouds away!

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  21. It is a busy time, for sure and I appreciate how organized you are.
    Be sure to stop and give yourself some rest. even if it's to sip and enjoy an animal.
    Will you find time to post? Sending you love and prayers!

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    Replies
    1. haha...oh, most definitely! Bloggins is my rest and relaxation. :)

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  22. An impressive list! I think I need to get organized...

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  23. Hmmmmm, love all your lists. I JUST LOVE LISTS!

    Now...I was thinking...want to loan your old tree to SECOND ACT for Little Town of Lights??

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    Replies
    1. Oooh...I don't see why not. Let me check with J, ok?

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  24. Very organised... mostly I'm glad we only have to deal with Christmas and not Thanksgiving as well!

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    1. Yeah, I think it would be nicer if our Thanksgiving was earlier, like it is in Canada. That way it wouldn't be considered the kickoff to the Christmas holiday. We like Thanksgiving just for what it is...a restful, fun holiday and the only one left that hasn't been commercialized to the point of ad nauseam. It's The Mr's favorite, too....I think for that reason!~

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I'm serving coffee! Stay and chat!
And no awards, please! Your comments are my awards!