Category: Simplicity

Advent · Christmas · Simplicity

Holiday Grand Plan Week Thirteen.

darceeLeave a comment

The Official Holiday Grand Plan started on August 31.  In order to accommodate the Advent season I have started earlier, and I hope to have everything in order and ready for a calm and spiritual Advent season.

This week the I am focusing on the Kitchen.  This is totally out of order, but I really need to back up to the kitchen and do a good turn through it and take inventory for the Christmas cooking.  

Last Week’s follow up: I will have the checklist for sorting up soon, God willing.  I bought four new Christmas children’s books for the book basket.

Week Twelve: Cleaning:  The Official Holiday Grand Plan has the kitchen listed on week six.  I like having it closer to the Holidays.  My goals in the kitchen are to do a good clean out of the fridge and freezer, cull the baking supplies, check the pantry and make a final shopping list for the items I will need for the holiday baking.  Don’t forget the cleaning list for the Kitchen.

Preparing for the Holidays: This weekend is the weekend we are making sure the lights work.  I bought my Advent candles already.  Cards should be ready to go by the end of next week. 

Planning:  The Offical Grand Plan has recommendations for this week.  My list is a little different since we started a couple weeks earlier. 

Gifts: I need to make a trip to get some fabric for the boys.  This week I want to get one good shopping trip in. 
Cards:  Still working on my cross stitch cards.  I need to check labels for mailing.
Parties: This week I am doing the first plans for our Christmas eve shin-dig.
Menus: The menu for Christmas eve and what we are bringing to Thanksgiving.
Decorating:  Got those Advent Candles, plan for crafts that will be decorations.  The thanks giving goodies go up this weekend.
Baking: I need to get anything that I don’t have after going through the kitchen. 
Devotionals: I picked up some items for Advent devotionals/crafts.  Later today or tomorrow I will have my Advent page up with our devotionals. 
Traditions: We have new books.  I am looking through to decide which night we would like to go to the Grotto and Zoo lights.  We have a couple parties booked.  St Nicholas day celebrations.  Lot’s of things starting to show up on the calendar.

My world · Simplicity

The Simple Woman’s Daybook – November 17, 2008

darceeLeave a comment

 
The Simple Woman’s Daybook
is hosted by Peggy at the Simple Woman.
Thank you Peggy.

 FOR TODAY : November 17, 2008
After the fog lifted this morning it was a really nice day.

 Outside my Window – It is dark and damp.  Saw Venus on the way home this evening 

I am thinking – The children went to bed remarkably easy tonight.  

From the learning rooms – The ant farm is neat.

I am thankful for- Fun friends.  I enjoy having some really interesting ladies to talk to, with, at… depending on my mood.

From the kitchen – Comes the sounds of the dishwasher, very quiet thrumming.

I am wearing – My plum sweater and brown pants.

I am reading – Something new.

I am hoping –  That the children cooperate tomorrow for pictures.

I am creating – Christmas cards.

I am hearing –  Ash getting out of the shower.

Around the house – All is quiet and calm.

One of my favorite things – A glass of red wine.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week – Picture time for the younger children, daddy getting home on Saturday, hopefully the butterflies come in this week. 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you – 

joshdentist
Josh got the “Good Brush” award at the dentist. 
So we went to pick up his gift card and get his picture taken.

 

Advent · Christmas · Simplicity

Holiday Grand Plan Week Twelve.

darcee1 Comment

The Official Holiday Grand Plan started on August 31.  In order to accommodate the Advent season I have started earlier, and I hope to have everything in order and ready for a calm and spiritual Advent season.

This week the I am focusing on the Dinning Room and the Children’s rooms.  My dinning room is very straight forward so there isn’t a ton of cleaning there.  Normally I would have done the children’s clothing at the middle of October, but this has slipped a month.  This is a good time to go through the children’s toys and toss/donate anything that isn’t played with.  

Weeks before follow up: The past two months have thrown me completely off task, life happens.  This is almost a restart so I have to take a little time to evaluate where I am this week.

Week Twelve: Cleaning:  The Dinning Room  page at the original Holiday Grand Plan is very helpful.
Children’s rooms: the Grand Plan cleaning page is a good place to start.  The main goal this week is to get all the summer clothing/too small/torn, stained and otherwise clothing out of the children’s drawers.  I am rather ruthless in this.  I developed a checklist for the children’s clothing that I use to “prune back” to and by following it I save myself a great deal of work in laundry and clothing maintenance.  I also want to go through the children’s toys.  As they grow they do out-grow certain things, some thing break, others aren’t played with.  By pruning the toys not only do I make room for the Christmas gifts that will soon be coming, but I create a great deal of sanity in my life.

Preparing for the Holidays: This week I am looking for some new holiday books.  We will pull the decorations up from the basement and double check what is working, broken, missing etc.   The goal is to have holiday gifts done by the first week in December. 

Planning:  The Offical Grand Planhas recommendations for this week.  My list is a little different since we started a couple weeks earlier.  The USPS had a Holiday Planner for mailing gifts.  Check it out.  If you are mailing gifts over-seas these need to be going out right now.  (USPS suggests last week for gifts for overseas troops).  We are finalising our Thanksgiving plans.

Gifts: I have fabric for the girls Santa Jammas  I need to make a trip to get some fabric for the boys. 
Cards:  Still working on my cross stitch cards.  I need to double check my mail list and order stamps.
Parties: No planning for parties this week.
Menus: No Holiday menu planning this week.
Decorating: Taking down the Halloween decorations and checking the lights and decorations.
Baking: The stores are starting to offer holiday baking items, it is a great time to stock-up.  This week we need to purchase any needed containers for freezing and gift giving. 
Devotionals: We got our Advent candles from our Little Flowers group.
Traditions: Checking the needed items for our wreath and Advent decorations..

Simplicity

The Simple Woman’s Daybook – November 10, 2008

darceeLeave a comment

 
The Simple Woman’s Daybook
is hosted by Peggy at the Simple Woman.
Thank you Peggy.

 FOR TODAY : November 10, 2008
The sky is cloudy and chilly, it really feels like fall.

 Outside my Window – The plumb tree and apple tree are hanging onto their leaves, but cherry tree is almost nude. 

I am thinking – I love my warm snugly heated mattress pad.  

From the learning rooms – We will shortly be finished with Greece and moving into Roman history.  We are going to add music lessons in this week.

I am thankful for- Home – I love my home.  It isn’t perfect, but it is mine.

From the kitchen – Crock-pot dinner tonight.  We will be making “ship-wreck”  which is much tastier than the name suggests.

I am wearing – Slacks and a comfy black sweater.

I am reading – C.S. Lewis – Four Loves.  Almost done.

I am hoping –  That the weather is nice tomorrow.  Ashley has the day off and it would be nice to take an outing.

I am creating – Christmas cards.

I am hearing –  Sarah talking to the cat.

Around the house – I need to clean the fridge today.

One of my favorite things – Chocolate cake.  Rachel’s 15th birthday is today and we celebrated this weekend.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week – Picture time for the younger children. 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you – 

teapartywithblur
Hannah and friends at a tea party

 

Blogs I Know · My world · Simplicity

The Simple Woman’s Daybook – October 27, 2008

darceeLeave a comment

 


The Simple Woman’s Daybook
is hosted by Peggy at the Simple Woman.
Thank you Peggy.

 

 

FOR TODAY : October 27, 2008
A lovely fall day, clear blue, cool and a bit of a wind.  All the fall colors are showing.

 Outside my Window – The sky is stunningly clear and blue just like yesterday. 

I am thinking –I about sewing and all the fun Halloweeen plans. 

From the learning rooms – The children are watching a Greek history video.  We are working on our civics unit study this week and finishing off the first research papers.

I am thankful for– Klye being home!  Just so nice.

From the kitchen –My coffee.  We are making turkey soup with dumplings for dinner.

I am wearing – My brown slacks and a purple sweater.

I am reading – C.S. Lewis – Four Loves.

I am hoping – That I can stay on task today.  I have so much to do.

I am creating – Halloween costumes.

I am hearing –  Liam Nesson narrating the Greek video.

Around the house – I am going to start twitching if I think about this too much — seriously.

One of my favorite things – The colors of the season.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week – Lots of sewing, little bit of work, crazy time. 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you – 

pumpkin picture soon

 

Blogs I Know · My world · Simplicity

The Simple Woman’s Daybook – September 22, 2008

darcee2 Comments

 


The Simple Woman’s Daybook
is hosted by Peggy at the Simple Woman.
Thank you Peggy.

 

FOR TODAY : September 22, 2008
The weather is shifting to cool and fall feels like it is really here.   

 

Outside my Window – It rained last night so everything is damp.  This morning the cats had brought in a “little friend”.  I managed to scoop Mr Mousey back outside and I closed the cat’s window “door” so they can’t bring anymore friends home.

I am thinking –I have lots of work to finish this week. 

From the learning rooms – I plan to start working on our civics unit this week.  We will start by talking about countries, states and cities.

I am thankful for– My friend Careen and her wonderful family.  We will miss them!

From the kitchen –Warm coffee so far.  Today is the first day of CCD so we will have something in the crockpot for dinner.

I am wearing – My brown slacks and a blue long sleeved top.

I am reading – Nothing…. what really?  yes, nothing today.  I need to fix that.

I am hoping – That I can manage to get at least part of me “Todo” list done today.

I am creating – Knitting Hannah’s sweater and making plans for Halloween.

I am hearing –  Nothing, the house is peaceful this morning.  Just the soft hum of computers and lights and the occasional sound of a car on the street.

Around the house – I am going to start twitching if I think about this too much — seriously.

One of my favorite things – The smell of things being smoked.  One of our neighbors smokes salmon and meat every year.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week – Not as much going on this week as last.  Enrichment classes start this week,  CCD and there is a cub scout meeting. 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you – 

sleepy little girl

 

Blogs I Know · Homemaking · Mary Mary and Martha · My world · Simplicity

The Simple Woman’s Daybook – September 15, 2008

darcee1 Comment


The Simple Woman’s Daybook
is hosted by Peggy at the Simple Woman.
Thank you Peggy.

FOR TODAY : September 15, 2008
Beuatiful and clear Indian Summer.  

Outside my Window – Today is clear, cool and beautiful.  There are a few trees in the neighborhood that are just starting to turn.

I am thinking –I have let myself get off track the last couple weeks and things are starting to pile up a little.

From the learning rooms – We will be starting back with music and art this week.  Hopefully we will also be doing and outing for civics.

I am thankful for– Good friends.  I was given a Beta key for WoW… woot!

From the kitchen – Warm coffee so far.  We will be having some chocolate cake today.

I am wearing – My brown capris and a comfy top.  Lot’s of work today.

I am reading – Starship troopers.  Yes, that seems like an odd selection, especially if you have only seen the movie, but this is about the third time I have read it.  It is short and insightful.  Great stuff.

I am hoping – That I can manage to get at least part of me “Todo” list done today.
I am creating – Knitting Hannah’s sweater and making plans for Halloween.

I am hearing –  The kids are yelling a lot this morning.  Apparently they are pirates.

Around the house – I am going to start twitching if I think about this too much.

One of my favorite things – The little “survivor” fern that managed to live through being forgotten along the side of a planter, not watered, sunbaked and still recovered. It is looking really healthy at the moment.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week – Kyle is traveling this week.  Still! He was gone last week as well and this is a big part of why I am so off with everything.  He will be home Friday.  Josh’s birthday is today.  Ashley’s confirmation practice is tonight, then she is Confirmed on Wednesday. 

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you – (bonus three)

This little guy is turning five today.

 

 

Advent · Christmas · Homemaking · My world · Simplicity

Holiday Grand Plan Week Two.

darcee1 Comment

The Official Holiday Grand Plan starts on August 31.  In order to accommodate the Advent season I have started earlier, last week, and I hope to have everything in order and ready for a calm and spiritual Advent season.

The weather has been cooler this week and I have been busy so far.  Getting things ready for Back to school(ing) and getting ready for the end of summer cabin trip has taken up a bit of time.  This week is Question Week, one of my favorite aspects of planning.   

Week One follow up: The children and I did a good scrub-a-dub on the porch and Kyle helped with re organising the area.  I have a list of outdoor maintenance items that need attended to next month and my lists have been created. 

Week Two: Cleaning:  This week we come indoors.  Here is where my cleaning list departs from the Official Grand Plan list.  And really, that is ok.  My house is laid out differently than the person who made the list.  I don’t have a guest room, master bath or family room.  I do have a home office and if I tried to fit both children’s rooms into one week I would go more than a little batty.  So we switch it up a bit.  This week I am actually NOT doing a room.  Basically because I am going to be gone most of the week.  If you are doing this along with me you might want to take a look at the cleaning schedule that the grand plan uses and think through how to make it work for you home.  We all have different houses and no one list is going to work for everyone.

Preparing for the Holidays:  Taking stock.  Every year I go out after the Holiday’s and snag a few rolls of paper, a bag or two of ribbons and maybe some cute tags and gift bags.  I also try to hit the art supply store and catch their clearance racks in late November and then again after Christmas.  But all of that won’t do me a bit of good if I don’t take the time to figure out what I have and where it is.  So my big thing for preparing for the holidays this week is checking out what I’ve already got on hand for Christmas and Advent.

Planning:  Last week I made up my basic lists this week I am fleshing them out and adding to them.  We also have some questions to think about.

Gifts:  What are we buying and how much are we spending and how important is the whole “gift thing” anyhow?   (insert anti-consumerism rant here).  What gifts am I making? 
Cards: How many cards do I need?  Which cards am I cross stitching?
Parties: We will be doing our Christmas eve party.  Is there anything we want to do differently?
Menus: What can I do ahead?  What are the menus for the feast days? If there are any new recipes I want to try for the big Holiday meals I want to make them at least once before hand.
Decorating: Do I know where my decorating stuff from last year is?  Do I need to replace anything?  Is there anything new I would like?
Baking: I need the cookie and candy list finished.  What gifts am I baking?
Devotionals: What worked in years past?  What didn’t? How can we focus more fully on Christ during the Advent season?  When I get home I am goingto be looking around online for some new ideas.  Are there any books I want to look through?
Traditions: Are we going to need tickets for special events? When do they go on sale? which things do we definitely want to do?

The goal for this week is to get the “theme” of Christmas set.  Note, this isn’t some marathon planning session where I decide in nitty gritty detail what each moment of each day will be.  Nor is the idea to blow Christmas into the focus of the next 12 weeks.  The goal is to set aside a small amount of time for Christmas/Advent planning early enough that I am not stressed and rushing around during Advent.  The other thing I like about the “Grand Plan” is that I will be able to hit each area of my home for a deep clean/organization session.   In theory I would do this anyway, but in practice it doesn’t get done unless I plan for it.

Catholic homemaking · Catholic Homeschooling · Christmas · Homemaking · Mary Mary and Martha · My world · Simplicity

Holiday Grand Plan Week One.

darcee8 Comments

The Official Holiday Grand Plan starts on August 31.  In order to accommodate the Advent season I am starting earlier, this week, and I hope to have everything in order and ready for a calm and spiritual Advent season.

Week One
It is the middle of August and December Holidays and the cold and snow of winter seem a million miles away, but we all know that they are right around the corner.  It is also a busy time for moms.  School is starting, the summer is ended, there are peaches to preserve and weeds to pull and all those small projects that need doing in between squeezing in a last bit of summer fun or beating off the late summer heat. 

Cleaning:  The front porch is the space on the agenda this week.    While I am outside looking at my front porch I am also looking around the outside of the house and making some notes for the fall maintenance.  The cleaning list linked above is a good place to start. 

Planning:  I use my family planning notebook instead of a separate holiday planner.  This is called “List week” because you are setting up your lists.  I have the following that I am making:

Gift list – who we are shopping for
Card list – collect and update addresses
Parties – which parties we will host
Menus – menus for the holiday meals we will be hosting and rough menus for the Holiday season.
Decorating – plan for decorating for Advent and Christmas
Baking – plan for the baking needs for gifts and goodies
Devotionals – what devotionals will we be doing during Advent/Christmas and what supplies we will need
Traditions – things we enjoy doing as a family or things we might want to experience this year for the first time.

The main goals of the lists at this point are to decide a rough budget and space out the shopping for the Holidays, make sure that we have things we need ready (no shopping for Advent Candles the day after Thanksgiving), and to just get a handle on things.

I am not printing out additional calendar pages, because my master planner has the calendar in it already.   Most lists I make on the computer and then print out lists that I need for my dayrunner or my family planning notebook as needed.