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?

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:

1. Thankful Turkey from Artists Helping Children
2. Shindig Thanksgiving Printables from Shindig Parties to Go
3. Celebrate Thanksgiving from Anna and Blue Paperie
4. I am Thankful Chain from Silverbox Creative Studio
5. Activity Placemat from Family Fun
6. Thanksgiving Mad Lib from Family Fun
7. Mayflower Treat Holders from Sheek Shindigs
8. Chalkboard Placemats from La T Da
9. Fabric Napkins and Rings from The Celebration Shoppe
10. Thanksgiving Table Setting Printables from Lily’s Laundry
11. Kids Place Settings from One Charming Party
12. Turkey Chair Covers from Wild Olive
13. Kids Table Setting with Printables and Tutorials from Frog Prince Paperie
14. Decorating the Kids Table at Fiskars
15. Squirrel and Acorn Decorated Table at No Fuss Fabulous
16. Corn on the Cob on a Stick from One Charming Party
17. Placecards, Napkin Rings, Stickers and More from Parenting.com
18. Kids Thanksgiving Table from Skip to My Lou
19. Gobbling Turkey Apples from Make and Take
20. 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!

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?

Valentine’s Day Paper Doll

Here is a fun printable for your little girls: Japanese Kokeshi Paper Doll!

Workbox Lesson Planner

Summer has been flying by! We have had so much going on, that I haven’t had much time for the computer. My two oldest girls are at horse camp this week and my 19 year old son has decided to move in with my mom and dad for the time being. So… this week, it’s just me and my husband along with our two youngest girls at home. It’s really been quiet.

So, with all of this quiet time… I have been catching up on all that laundry I got behind on during two weeks at campmeeting/ my two week bout of the flu/ten days in Atlanta/two weeks of company/and 1 week of VBS. I have also been deep cleaning my family room/homeschool room in preparation for the new school year. I have also been planning my curriculum for 2010-2011. I love planning for our school year!

I want to share my new Workbox Planner Form with you. It is simple, nothing fancy, but is what I am using this year. I do only have space for 10 boxes as that is what I am using. I hope you enjoy!

I let you know which books we’ll be using this coming year soon!

Free Printables

I always love it when I find new free printables for our homeschool. I came across this website – Sunflower Schoolhouse – today and there are lots of printables for everything from the Alphabet to Workboxes. I bet you find something you can use!

• 2009 Printables

• 2010 Printables

Valentine’s Day Menu

I love making my family feel special on Valentine’s Day. Here is a free download of our traditional Valentine’s Day Menu. I hope you enjoy the recipes!

Download the .pdf version of this menu along with the recipes here.

Breakfast:
Heart Shaped Pancakes with fresh Strawberries and Maple Syrup
Strawberry Yogurt Parfaits
Orange Juice

Dinner:
Spinach Lasagna Béchamel
Tossed Salad with Strawberries, Green Onion, Feta and Raspberry Vinaigrette
Garlic Toast
Strawberry Lemonade
Heart Shaped Butter Cookies
Decadent Chocolate Cake with Strawberries and Cream