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Host a Gingerbread Party for Kids
Looking for ways to make this year’s Christmas celebration memorable for your kids? Why not host a gingerbread party? I bet this would be fun for moms, too! HGTV has some great ideas. Check them out! Not to mention the adorable invitations and recipe cards you can print for free! Plus! More printables: a red and green banner, gingerbread party circles, fancy food labels, and more!
A Schedule Check-Up
From Chaos to Calm: Day Forty-Four
A Schedule Check-up
Scripture Memory: “The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11
Photo Credit: John Nyberg
Download the .pdf version of this article.
By now you should have your kitchens clean. If you have not had time to finish the kitchen, which was a huge job (I know!) I want to encourage you to set a day this week and complete the project before continuing.
Today, I want you to get out your schedule again and let’s look at it. What is working? What isn’t working? What do you think is hindering you the most?
When I look back at my own struggles with working out a schedule and sticking to it… I realize that for me, it was often hard to keep a schedule for more than one reason.
Reason #1 – A Lack of Self-discipline. For those of you who are not naturally inclined to being organized or who are prone to laziness, this will be your greatest challenge. As you tweak your schedule, don’t overdo the details. You will only frustrate yourself if you try to be detailed in your planning. Begin by setting aside chunks of time for certain tasks, but do not plan in 15 minute intervals. As you make your loose schedule a habit, you can incorporate more details one at a time.
Reason #2 – Too Much to Do. This is a hard one. I recently found myself in this position. Actually, I often find myself in this position. As a homeschooling mom, a pastor’s wife, writer, and Director of A Virtuous Woman, it is easy to get overwhelmed by everything I need to accomplish on any given day. My solution is to schedule only the basics and do what I can to work the rest in. I keep my children on a schedule and work around them. When I follow my schedule, I often find myself with small bits of free time to sit and relax during the day!
Evaluate your schedule and make changes as needed. You can sit down and do this any time you feel that your schedule is not working well. It is not set in stone. As your life changes, so you will your schedule!
If you feel like you’ll never get it right, trust that God will pull you through. If you struggle, if you fall off track, if things go wrong one day or many – just keep picking up where you left off and start over. As we continue to clean the house, make it your priority each day to keep the areas we have covered clean before you go to bed. The kitchen should be your priority. If you are only able to keep the kitchen clean for now, don’t sweat it! Feel proud of yourself as you go to bed each night with that clean kitchen. Thank God for His power that is working in you to create the home of peace and calm you have always wanted.
Host a Cookie Swap!
This year, why not host a fun Cookie Swap with your friends? Or how about with the women in your church? This would make a perfect social for Women’s Ministries!
How it Works:
Each person bakes one batch of their favorite cookie for each guest attending the cookie swap. So, if there are 12 guests attending, each guest will bring 12 dozen cookies. Be sure everyone brings the recipe along with their cookies!
You can print out our Cookie Swap Organizer for free!
Note: I suggest printing the recipe cards onto cardstock paper.
Have you ever hosted a cookie swap? What is your favorite cookie recipe?
Embroidery Hoop Turkey Tutorial
This turkey is just adorable. Head on over to Gwenny Penny for the tutorial! 
20 Ideas: Thanksgiving Kids Table
Every year I have a kids table at Thanksgiving Dinner with activities to keep the little ones busy while they wait for dinner. Here are some fun ideas:
- Thankful Turkey from Artists Helping Children
- Shindig Thanksgiving Printables from Shindig Parties to Go
- Celebrate Thanksgiving from Anna and Blue Paperie
- I am Thankful Chain from Silverbox Creative Studio
- Activity Placemat from Family Fun
- Thanksgiving Mad Lib from Family Fun
- Mayflower Treat Holders from Sheek Shindigs
- Chalkboard Placemats from La T Da
- Fabric Napkins and Rings from The Celebration Shoppe
- Thanksgiving Table Setting Printables from Lily’s Laundry
- Kids Place Settings from One Charming Party
- Turkey Chair Covers from Wild Olive
- Kids Table Setting with Printables and Tutorials from Frog Prince Paperie
- Decorating the Kids Table at Fiskars
- Squirrel and Acorn Decorated Table at No Fuss Fabulous
- Corn on the Cob on a Stick from One Charming Party
- Placecards, Napkin Rings, Stickers and More from Parenting.com
- Kids Thanksgiving Table from Skip to My Lou
- Gobbling Turkey Apples from Make and Take
- Candy Cups from Make and Take
Thanksgiving Dinner Printables
Paper and Glitter is offering this amazing download for free! It includes 20 pages of darling crafts, invitations, envelopes, activities, menu, napkin rings, and much more! Best of all the .pdf file is editable so you can personalize it for your own needs!
Rustic Twine Pumpkin
I love the looks of this pumpkin! It will fit perfectly with my fall decor! And you won’t believe how incredibly easy it is! This tutorial can be found at Honey and Maple Syrup. Enjoy!
Turkey Veggie Platter
This would be so much fun for the Kids Table at Thanksgiving Dinner. Serve with homemade Ranch Dressing. Yum!
Pumpkin. Cinnamon Roll. Cake.
I think the title says everything we need to know.
You can find the recipe for this yummy recipe at the Picky Palate.
In other news… last night was movie night at our house. We watched Hachi: A Dog’s Tale. This is a must see movie. Have you seen it?
Honestly, I bawled my eyes out. For ten minutes. After the movie. I was sobbing so hard I was shaking. I love my dogs.
Fall Cleaning
The holidays are fast approaching… which often means parties, over night guests, and lots of picture taking. Get your house clean now so that when the candles are lit and the tables are set, you can breathe easy. Download this detailed checklist and get your house in order for the holidays!
Download: a homemade holiday- Fall Cleaning Checklist.
I am working this week to get my house in tip top shape. We have quite a few quests expected over the next few weeks. I want my home to feel welcoming to everyone who enters – including my own family. A clean home makes the holidays even more fun and inviting. This week at my house is devoted to cleaning.
Fall is my favorite time of the year. It makes me want to putter around the house, get cozy, and have everything “just so.” That way, instead of worrying over tasks that need to be accomplished, I can curl up by the fire, under a blanket and read a good book.
I’ve been baking up a storm the last few days. I’ve made four loaves of my wonderful, easy Sweet Sourdough Bread, three loaves of Spelt Bread and three mini loaves of Spelt Banana Bread for my daughter who doesn’t eat, an Orange Cake, Gluten Free & Vegan “Sausage Patties” for the freezer – not to mention all the canning I’ve been doing. I still have 14 bushels of apples left to preserve!
I pulled out my autumn decorations a few weeks ago, so the house looks festive. I have also enjoyed lighting candles around the house everyday – just because. Despite of all my “busyness” (or should I say “inspite”?) my house needs an overhaul.
Are you ready for the holidays? What needs to be done at your home?
