A Mom's Year

Creating a comfortable life one moment at a time

Countdown to Christmas 2011: Part 1

I just realized it’s the 25th, which means it’s time for Holiday Countdown: Part 1.

I know, I know. How dare I even mention Christmas 2011 when you’re still recovering from Christmas 2010? Here’s the deal. After way too many frenzied December days followed by way too many nights staying up way too late trying to get everything done, I promised myself that next year I would do things differently. As Tim kindly pointed out, I was trying to do a year’s worth of stuff in four weeks. How true. So then and there I decided no more waiting until after Thanksgiving to start doing all the things I could easily do throughout the year.

Of course we’re busy the rest of the year, too, and it’s hard to think about the holidays when you’re chasing kids around a swimming pool on a blistering summer’s day. But let’s remember the desperation of December and power through. And don’t worry. I’ll ease us in gently because we’re still feeling a little fragile from last Christmas.

First things first: Organization

Here’s a nice little project that will help you have a more organized Christmas. I saw Ann’s Amazing Holiday Planner years ago in Family Fun magazine. This was before downloadable PDFs were the norm so my planner sheets look very much like the handmade ones found in the original article. But you can download Family Fun’s ready-made versions if you prefer. Grab a 3-ring binder and some dividers, print out the planning sheets, give them a quick punch, and you’re good to go!

If you’re already on top of your holiday game, you could make this organizer as a gift for an overwhelmed friend or relative. He or she will love you for it. I know I would have.

Next up: Advent Books

We started an Advent Book tradition when our oldest was in preschool and it’s still a family favorite. Every day starting December 1st the kids take turns opening a wrapped Christmas book and we read it together. In the beginning many of the books were board books because that’s what we had around, but since we give each kid a new Christmas book every year the collection has grown quickly. Tim and Andrew’s favorite is The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Lexie and I love Christmas in the Country by Cynthia Rylant, Will digs Santa Kid by James Patterson, and Lily is all over Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas by Jane O’Connor. In early January, I pick 25 to wrap, plunk myself down in front of the TV after the younger kids are in bed, and wrap away. Just remember where you hide them.

I bought three of next year’s books for 50 percent off at Borders right after Christmas. They didn’t have one of the books I wanted in stock (Every Man Heart Lay Down by Lorenz Grahm) so I was going to order it later and use a coupon. The old me would have forgotten all about this until December and stressed out trying to find a copy. But the new me will calmly order the book and be all set for next year. The Plan is already working!

That wasn’t so bad, was it? Future topics include: Teacher Gifts, Sibling Gifts, Kids’ Crafting-for-Charity Party Ideas, Fun Traditions, Christmas Knits, Wrapping Ideas, Decorating, and Recipes.

Sugared Pecans Recipe

How can you ever thank someone who shows up every single time it snows (during what is by far the snowiest winter in years) to plow your very long driveway because your husband is recovering from a spinal cord injury?

Well, of course you can’t even begin to thank them enough, but you can at least bring them some sugared pecans. And be first in line to offer them help if, heaven forbid, they ever need it. Here’s the recipe. I’m sure there’s someone you could give these to for Valentine’s Day. You’d definitely have yourself a sweetheart.

Sugared Pecans

You’ll need:

  • 1 egg white
  • 3 cups pecan halves
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 stick unsalted butter

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Line a jelly roll pan with aluminum foil. Place the butter in the pan and put in the oven to melt. Meanwhile, in a medium-sized bowl, combine the egg white with one tablespoon of water and whisk until foamy. Add the pecans and stir until the nuts are coated with the egg-white mixture. Set aside.

In a second bowl, combine the sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Pour the sugar mixture over the nuts and stir to coat evenly. Remove the pan from the oven and gently stir the nuts into the melted butter. Spread the nuts out evenly and bake for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Be sure to watch them so they don’t burn. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the pecans to cool directly in the pan. Try not to eat too many so you’ll have enough to give away.

  • The cute little tag on the pecans is a freebie from Creature Comforts.
  • Remember that amazing cake with the heart magically in the middle? Manda shows us how to make one of our own here.
  • It’s never too early to encourage someone to follow his or her dreams.
  • Gunther the Golden would love us even more if we made these for him. Or how about heart shapes for Valentine’s Day?
  • Day 25 of the Push-Ups Challenge.

Lexie’s Heart-on-a-String Hat

Lexie's Heart-on-a-String Hat

Do you remember the link to the free Heart-on-a-String hat pattern from the folks at Spud and Chloë? Well, I gave it a try and here it is! I think it turned out really cute. I love the yarn—the colors are delicious and the texture is somehow heavy and springy all at once. It’s the closest a hat can get to being a spongecake.

The kids don’t have school today, so we’re off to the Science Museum after lunch. I love days like this that are a nice balance of getting stuff done in the morning and then having fun in the afternoon. The Science Museum is in the midst of its annual OmniFest so we’re going to head to the giant theater and imagine we’re sweltering on an African safari instead of freezing in the upper midwest.

The Best Workout

(image from Shape)

Do you know which workout is the best? Wait for it. The best workout is the one you’ll actually do. It’s true, isn’t it? The experts can argue about what method of exercise is most effective, but at the end of the day if the best workout in the world doesn’t fit into your life, you won’t do it.

Long ago, I had lots of time to exercise. Things have changed a bit. Since having kids, I work out mostly in our basement. My equipment consists of a treadmill, a gizmo that turns a regular bicycle into a stationary one, a bunch of free weights, a jump rope, and an exercise ball. And a dozen or so fitness DVDs.

If you already have a plan that’s working for you, awesome! Mazel tov. But if you need something quick but highly effective so you can feel good about yourself and still have time for all the other things you want to accomplish in your day, read on.

My program consists of three parts:

  • Strength training. I spend 15 minutes (yes, only 15 minutes) doing exercises using heavy-ish weights and/or body weight three times a week. I get a new workout to download from the wonderful and talented Holly Rigsby at Club FYM every month, but I also like to try out DVDs like Jillian Michaels’s 30-Day Shred or workouts from magazines.
  • Interval training. I spend 15-20 minutes doing intervals using an exercise bike, treadmill, hill, jump rope, or body weight three times a week.
  • Yoga. I do about 20-30 minutes of yoga 2-3 times a week.

I’m trying to add some formal stretching into the mix. More on that later. And of course if we’re healthy, active people we jump at the chance to move our bodies in other ways, right? So we walk, play tennis, dance, ski, or shoot hoops if we get the chance. Just for fun and because we feel so energetic and fabulous.

Here’s my plan for this week:

  • Monday: 15 minutes of strength training. Here’s a typical Holly Rigsby-style workout.
  • Tuesday: 15 minutes of intervals. Nothing fancy: jumping rope, high knee jogs, jumping jacks, butt kicks, squat thrusts, burpees, mountain climbers, and jumping lunges. Holly has a video of these, too. If you need less impact, you could modify most of these exercises. When I pulled a calf muscle playing tennis a couple of years ago, I was still able to ride my “stationary” bike. Holding a squat position while doing jabs in the air is really effective, too.
  • Wednesday: 15 minutes of strength training. Tap class in the evening.
  • Thursday: 15 minutes of intervals on the exercise bike. (Warm up, bike hard for 1 minute, not-so-hard for 1 minute, repeat sequence eight times, then cool down). Yoga DVD for 20 minutes after kids go to bed.
  • Friday: 15 minutes of strength training.
  • Saturday: 15 minutes of intervals. Maybe this one from Shape magazine. Take the kids skiing.
  • Sunday: Ice skating is a possibility. Yoga in the evening.
  • And how could I forget the 100 Push-Ups Challenge? Today we’re on 24. This is serious business.

And remember: The greatest enemy of a good plan is the dream of a perfect plan. All we can do is give it our best shot!

Stuffed Shells Recipe

This recipe from Aunt Karna is a family favorite. It’s super easy to make and works equally well for regular dinners at home or parties (with a nice salad and garlic bread). It’s also a great dish to bring to someone with a new baby or recovering from illness.

Aunt Karna’s Stuffed Shells

1 large jar Prego (pick your flavor)

1 lb. bulk Italian sausage*

3 cups mozzarella cheese

1 large container cottage cheese

2 cups finely shredded parmesan cheese

1 package large pasta shells

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook the shells according to package directions. Meanwhile, fry the sausage until it’s cooked through. Drain the shells and let cool a little so you can handle them. Drain the sausage (break up into smaller pieces with a spoon if necessary) and mix in a large bowl with the cottage cheese and mozzarella. Stuff the shells with the meat and cheese mixture and place in a 9 X 13 pan. Cover the shells with Prego and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered for  about 40 minutes or until cheese is nicely browned.

* You can substitute frozen spinach (thawed and drained) for a lower fat alternative.

Our kids have a two-hour late start for school today because it’s so cold. Can those of you in warmer climes even get your minds around that? I hardly can and I grew up here. At any rate, we’re enjoying the extra time this morning. Andrew is still sleeping, Lexie is sewing whalebone stays for her American girl doll Elizabeth, Will is researching giant cargo ships online, and Lily is making popsicle sticks into little people. I have a list of things to do myself, but first I’m going to read a chapter from next month’s book club selection, The Forgotten Garden, by Kate Morton.

I hope you have a great weekend!

  • Take Them a Meal is a free online service that makes it easy for family and friends to deliver meals to someone in need.
  • Interesting list of favorite romantic movies. Does it include yours?
  • Lily lives in flowery knit dresses. Garnet Hill is having a sale on these.
  • Day 21 of the Push-Up Challenge.