Patty-Cake Manners

And today, it is cold...

2012-01-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

Well, we knew it was coming. We've been spoiled by an abnormally mild Northern winter, but the deep freeze has finally arrived.

Today it is -35, with a windchill of -44.

This morning, as I let the furry ones out for their morning wander, the cold air took my breath away. I started to cough, and my sensitive front teeth started to ache. The air was crisp, and the sound of the house, creaking with cold, sounded especially loud out there in the dark.

Back inside, the littlest one asked if she could wear a cozy sweater today -this, the girl who usually insists on wearing short sleeved t-shirts year round, and skirts with no tights.

The older one reluctantly put on a sweatshirt over his tee as he got ready for school, and I gave him the heads up that he would most definitely be having "indoor recess" today.

The Big Guy started the truck and we could hear it whine in protest. I was very grateful that our Monday schedule allowed me to stay home this morning instead of doing my usual 8:15 run to the school.

It's a day for staying home, if you can, and for staying warm. To be "in, lookin' out", to quote my grandfather. It's a day for knitting, reading by "the fire" (in this weather, even our electric fireplace counts!!), and for being cozy. It's a day for comfort food, and lots of hot coffee.

It is Winter, doing it's thing... where it does it's thing best!

Etsy News!

2012-01-15T09:37:00.000-07:00

Oh, my poor, poor, neglected blog!!

Like a lot of bloggers I know, every once in a while things outside of blogland get good and busy, and the daily, or even weekly posts get put to the wayside. That has certainly been the case at Pattycake Manners!!

I would love to make a declaration that I will make more of an effort to blog on a regular basis, along with all those other New Year's plans, but I'm not really sure that it's something I can stick to. So, in the interest of being more realistic, I am going to try my best to hang out here a little more often. I've been feeling really inspired by some of my favorite blog friends, and I really do miss this space. We are settling in to a new routine, and I would really like for my blog to have a place there.

Speaking of new routine, I've started a new job since Christmas! I am now the Teacher's Assistant at our local cooperative nursery school, and am loving working with a wonderful bunch of three and four year olds, two days a week. I have a truly lovely coworker who I enjoy spending the day with, and together we alternate between laughing at, and pulling our hair out over the antics of our little charges. I must say, it's great to be back in the work force, on however small a scale, and with a little more careful planning, the day-to-day running of our home seems to be managing without me for a few days a week, just as it should.

In other news, I'm also super excited to say that my Etsy Shop is finally up and running!! November was a blur of sewing in order to have a great stock of handbags for the local craft fair at the end of that month. The craft fair was a success - I sold some things and got to talk to lots of folks who knew of my work. Once it was over, I concentrated on finishing up a few Christmas orders and some personal sewing projects, and once the holidays were over, it was time to get things rolling! The shop, www.pattycakemanners.etsy.com , now has a selection of handbags for sale which are ready to ship, along with a couple that are made-to-order. My good friend Megan, of The Adventures of Moosegirl took some photos with good lighting (something I can never get the hang of!), and I must say that it is pretty exciting to see my work "out there"! Please stop by and check it out!

I'm also super pumped about the stacks of beautiful Spring fabric that are waiting patiently for me in my sewing room. I've got some new patterns that I'm looking forward to trying, as well as a few old favorites that always seem to be snapped up as soon as I make them!

In short, it's been busy around here!! But blogging more often is certainly on my to-do list, so I hope to see you back here soon!

The Shop!!

2011-11-07T08:45:00.003-07:00

So, did I tell you I opened my little sewing shop?

Well, I did!! For the last couple of months I have been sewing and knitting away making oodles of pretty bags and funky scarves. And I'm having such a wonderful time!

The plan was to open an etsy shop to sell my wares, but things started off with such a bang just through word of mouth and overwhelming support from family and friends, that I have decided to hold off on opening the etsy shop until the new year.

At the moment, I'm working on filling Christmas orders and prepping for the local craft fair coming up in a few weeks. I'll have Autumn Slouch bags, Town & Country totes, Peek-a-boo totes, and Winter Magic scarves in 13 beautiful colors (super cozy too!)

For a peek at what's happening at Pattycake Manners - The Shop, pop on over to my facebook page. And if you'd like to stay up to date with what's going on, be sure to hit the "like" button!

October? Really?

2011-09-28T07:15:00.002-06:00

My, oh my...where on earth does the time go?

When I wrote my last post, the plan was to get back into a steady blogging routine. Then the reality of our "new life" set in. We have one little guy who is now in school, one little gal who is now in preschool, we have after school sports, weekend swimming, oodles of play dates, and just a whole lot more goin' on than we ever have before.

My little sewing business, "Pattycake Manners - The Shop" is well under way, and while I'm holding off on opening my Etsy Shop, I've been overwhelmed by all the support I've received from family, friends, and friends-of-friends in these early stages. I've had lots of orders, I am finding my groove, and I'm super stoked to be gearing up to participate in the local craft fair in November.

We've been in our new home for just over two months now, but it feels like we've lived here forever. Our new town rocks! And we've had my Mom visiting from Cape Breton for the last couple of weeks, which also rocks!!

Needless to say, this new pace is taking a toll on my late night blogging sessions. But such is life, right?

And now I see by my trusty calendar that we are about to flip to October! Which means Christmas is headed straight for us!! For the latest installment of the Christmas Calmdown, and a little kick in the pants, why don't you pop over to Nesty and see what Kim is saying about it all today?

Yarn Along Wednesday

2011-08-31T09:00:00.001-06:00

Today I'm joining in with Ginny of small things for her weekly Yarn Along, where we share what we are both reading and knitting. It's been a while since I took part, but with things now settled after the move, I'm finding more time for two of my favorite hobbies.

I'm currently reading 'A Woman in the Polar Night' by Christiane Ritter. It's one woman's account of spending the winter in remote Norway. I picked it up at a great local bookshop, and while the book does not take place in the Canadian North, I'm still able to relate a bit to her experiences. I'm loving it, and am a little sad that I am nearing the end.

On the needles I have my first mitten!! Well, truthfully, it's my second attempt at my first mitten. I really thought I could handle not working on something while we were home to Cape Breton in June, but after a week or two I found myself in a yarn store asking for a simple no-brainer pattern and something colorful to have in my lap. I ended up making a cute set for the Littlest One - a scarf, hat, and now the mitts. I might have also picked up yarn to make a second set for the Older One...maybe ;)

GratiTuesday - The New Town Edition

2011-08-30T09:54:00.000-06:00

Today I'm joining in with Stephanie over at The Knitty Gritty Homestead for GratiTuesday.

If you've been following along with me, you know we moved to a new town this summer. It was a place we had never been, and after spending the last three years in a hamlet of just over 500 people, I was a bit nervous about how we would adjust to life in a larger spot. Mind you, we are still in the North, and "larger" is a relative term, but it was still a big change for us!

So this GratiTuesday post focuses on how grateful I am for how well this move has gone, and how well things are going in our new town.

Today I am grateful for...

- a perfectly lovely little house that just instantly felt like ours

-an amazing group of Stay At Home Moms that have welcomed me into their circle with open arms

-the lovely little people that have befriended my little people, and who will make the transition to pre-school and Grade One so much easier on everyone

-a great little library that has quickly become part of our weekly routine

-Cupcake Wednesday at the local museum (really, the perfect fundraiser!)

-the abundance of fresh produce - including flowers!- that are available on a regular basis at the local grocery store

-beautiful places to explore - we are big on Adventure Days, and have already had a few since moving here

-geocaches ; we cached for years before moving North, and are so happy to be back at one of our favorite hobbies

-the opportunity to participate in organized activities like gymnastics, quilting, kayaking, swimming lessons etc ; we were all so ready for that.

-coffee dates at the playground across the street ; kids play, Moms chat; so great!

To sum up, we are in love with our new town. It has everything we had started to crave, and has been overwhelmingly welcoming.

So very grateful.

Fellow Bloggers

2011-08-27T09:13:00.000-06:00

And by "Bloggers", I mean those of you that not only have one of your own, but also those of you that read them on a regular basis.

A question for you. What's your blog-reading routine?

When I first discovered "blogland", I was reading random blogs, jumping from one to another without really keeping track, and not really remembering who was whom. Soon I discovered that I had a few favorites, and eventually I ended up creating my own blog, Pattycake Manners.

One of the features I love about my blog is the list of other blogs that I am able to keep along the right hand side. I have Google Reader, but honestly, I never use it. On the rare occasion that I do check in with my Reader, there are hundreds of new posts, and I find that a bit overwhelming.

I am a "coffee and blogs to start the day" kind of blog reader. I get the kids settled with breakfast, books, Scooby Doo etc, pop in a K-cup, and settle in to read what my blog-friends are up to by browsing the list on the side of my own blog. I have it set up that the most recent posts pop to the top of the list, so it's super efficient, but I seem to be stuck in a rut. Oh, I still enjoy my favorites, and I'm really happy with the list I have compiled, but I'm looking to expand. And I need your help!

What I'm asking is that you leave a comment here sharing the three blogs you never miss. The ones you always enjoy, and the ones you like to share with your friends.Who should I be adding to my morning reading list, for whatever reason? Does someone make you laugh on a regular basis? Is someone crafty without being over the top? Is there a down-to-earth Mom that you find inspiring? If you are a blogger yourself, feel free to leave a link to your own! Blogland is a big place, and it's always nice to get to know one another and share the love!

You know my favorites - they are listed on my blog. Now it's time for you to share yours!

The Christmas Calmdown - Christmas Greetings!-

2011-08-25T08:47:00.000-06:00

Hey all! And welcome to the August edition of the Christmas Calmdown! If that confuses you, go here for a quick explanation. If you have been following along and are on your way to a calmer holiday season, welcome back! Either way, please settle in with a cup of tea, and start thinking about your Christmas Greetings!

One of the first things that pops into mind when we think of Christmas is the age old favorite, Christmas cards! Who doesn't love running to the mail box on a mid-December afternoon and returning with an armload of envelopes sporting the return addresses of family and friends? It's so simple. Write a quick note, lick a stamp, pop them in the post box, and warm winter wishes are on their way to those near and far.

Unless...you are one of those people that takes the simple things for granted and ends up with a pile of un-mailed, way-to-late-to-get-there-on-time Christmas cards sitting on top of your fridge, and the regret that you managed to miss out on one of the easiest ways to let people know that you are thinking of them during the holiday season.

Don't be embarrassed! We've all been there. Christmas greetings are so easy to move to the bottom of the to-do list because they are one of those things that we think we can just slip in on a quiet evening, or in between other errands on a weekday afternoon. But the truth is, if we want to be sure that those greetings get on their way, we have to do a little planning. And now is the time to start!

Christmas greetings have changed a lot over the last number of years. Cards are, of course, the most traditional way to go, but with paper consumption on every one's mind, and the Internet being so darn handy, we are no longer limited to "the old ways".

Many families I know like to write a Christmas letter to all their friends and family outlining their past year. It's fun to read about the arrival of new babies, trips taken, and other major life events like moves and graduations. The letter is written once, copies are made and mailed, and everyone is now in the know. While I enjoy reading these letters, I always appreciate when the sender adds a handwritten note just to me on the bottom. It lets me know that they are actually thinking of me when they stuff the envelope, and it's something I encourage you to consider if the Christmas letter is something you plan to do.

Along these same lines are the Christmas letters sent via email. It is definitely the green way to go, but lacks the personal touch of paper and pen. If email is your choice, be sure to include a family photo, or go one step further and send a festive e-card. Paperless is great, just be sure to include a little warmth.

Either way, whether sending an e-letter or the real thing, why not start now? I can promise it will be much easier for you to remember the details of your summer adventures now, and a bit at a time for the rest of the year, than it will be to sit down on a December evening with a dozen things going on in your mind and try to sum up the entire year at once. Start a rough draft and save it on your computer. Jot things down as you think of them, or plan to do it every month on the same day. Come December, you'll just have to polish it up and you'll be good to go.

The Internet has also made personalized Christmas cards accessible to pretty much everyone. I've received some beautiful Christmas postcard style greetings in the last number of years, and it seems they are more affordable every year. But again, it takes a bit of planning to pull this one off. First, you need to plan a mini photo shoot with your family, then email the pics to your photo company of choice, then allow for processing and shipping time, and then more time for you to address them and get them back in the mail. I can truthfully say that this is an option I have considered in the past, just didn't get my act together in time. Autumn is a beautiful time for outdoor photos, so if photo cards are something you are considering, circle a date on your calender now to get that perfect shot. Circle the same date the following month to order your prints, and the month after that, circle a date to fill them out and address them. By December, all you'll have to do is pop them in the mail!

And then there are good, old fashioned, Christmas cards. Simple idea, but again, so many options!! One of the quickest, easiest, and most inexpensive ways to deal with Christmas cards is to pick up a box or two during the after-Christmas sales at the big box stores. They are cute, plentiful, and you can usually pick them up for a dollar or two. Sign, seal, and deliver.

If you enjoy the process of choosing your annual greeting card, then start browsing the Internet now for interesting and unique designs. Order them soon, and again, circle a date in early November, before the chaos begins, to get them written. For years I have been making my send-to list sometime in October so I know exactly how many cards I need, and I spend an evening or afternoon just addressing the envelopes. That can be one of the most time consuming parts of the whole thing, and there is no reason not to do it well in advance!

And for those of you who are fellow paper crafters, you know that this is just the tip of the iceberg. To cardmakers, Christmas is our biggest time of the year to show off what we do. And it truly is a labour of love. There is no way that sending handmade cards is quick, eco-friendly, or inexpensive. But it is an art form, and one I fully embrace.

For me personally, the process starts in September,when one of my favorite card making companies releases their Holiday mini catalogue. There are new patterned papers to choose from, new stamps, embellishments, you name it. I take my time choosing the theme of my card, my colours, and figuring out what supplies I will need to purchase. It usually involves placing an order, brainstorming with my crafty girlfriends, and several evenings constructing the cards once everything else is in place. No way could I pull off fifty handmade cards without a little planning! Fifty, you say? Yes, fifty. I'm sure some of you are shaking your heads, but it's what I do. We live very far away from the family and friends we are used to spending the holidays with, and to me, it is totally worth the time it takes to make those cards to let our loved ones know that we are thinking of them.

So, in short, which ever form your Christmas greetings take, I can assure you that with a little planning now, you will be happy with the results come early December. Start the letter, take the picture, choose the design, or buy the box. Make the list, gather the addresses, and write out the envelopes. I'm not saying you have to write your cards out anytime soon! Just do a little prep-work and give yourself a head start on the Christmas season!

Where to Sew?

2011-08-16T09:16:00.001-06:00

Question for all you crafters out there. Where do you do your best creative work?

See, I'm in the process of getting a small (very small!) sewing business off the ground. I've got the supplies, I've got the vision, I've got the etsy shop set up (well, almost). My roadblock seems to be where, exactly, to do said sewing!

We recently moved, so I know it's too early to panic, and I know I need to cut myself some slack about not getting right down to business, but it's a struggle.

Every morning I wake up wanting to sew, yet every day I go to bed not having done it!
The problem is my workspace.

We are very fortunate to have a spare "room" (read - large space separated from another large space by a wall, but no door) in our basement, and I fully intended to set up shop down there. I've got a great work table, storage for my supplies, good lighting, and it's away from the distractions of the main living area...and that's what I believe to be the problem.

It makes no sense! I should be happy to head downstairs and have some one on one time with my sewing machine, but I really think I hate being away from the action!

For years, my Mom has been saying the same thing. She has a lovely space in her basement where she could easily set up a workspace for her scrapbooking, yet she chooses to work at the kitchen table - taking out her supplies, and putting them away again, between meals. Now I get it. I don't really want to be tucked away in the basement either!

So, is it crazy for me to make space on our living room bookcase for my sewing machine and a few tools? Am I more likely to actually get something done if I work with a Disney movie playing in the background and have to stop every now and then to help put on Barbie's ballet shoes?

What do you think? Where do you do your best work at home? Are you removed from it all in your own private workspace? Or are you in the midst of the everyday chaos? I'm very interested to hear...

A Good Start

2011-08-06T08:04:00.004-06:00

Okay, so raise your hand if you are one of those people that never wins anything. See? I knew I wasn't the only one.

Oh, I enter my name for lots of contests, even more so since joining Blogland last year. It seems that at any given time, one or more of my favorite blogs are offering up fun little gifts to one or two lucky readers. If it's something I'm interested in, I like to throw my name in the hat, but honestly, I do so with little hope of ever finding one of those lovely prizes in my mail box.

So you can imagine my utter shock and total delight when I popped over to one of those favorite blogs this morning and saw my name listed as a WINNER!!!!! WooHoo!!!!!

Gussy Sews has been on my list of faves for a while now. I'm not sure how I discovered her, but I was instantly hooked. This girl is good. She sews (but you figured that out already, right?), she has beautiful product, her blog is thoroughly entertaining, and she has a little twist all her own. In short, she is just super inspiring.

Earlier in the week, she announced that she was hosting a giveaway from one of my favorite fabric designers, Heather Bailey. Heather's fabric is fresh, funky, a little on the girlie side...and there might just be a box of it sitting in my basement waiting to be played with once I have my little sewing workshop set up...just maybe ;)

Naturally I entered, because I really do love Heather's patterns, but as always, didn't even bother planning to check back on the day of the draw.

Well, today was the day, and as the Beagle had me up earlier than planned (insert evil eye here), I made a cup of coffee and decided to splurge on some blog time before the rest of my gang woke up. Gussy had a new post, and there I was, listed as a winner!!! I'm sure my mouth hung open as I read, and reread the line just to be sure it was really me.

I am so excited!!! I emailed Gussy with my info, and probably babbled a bit like a starstruck fan, but really, is there any harm in that? Then I called my Mom, because I knew she'd be as excited about it as I was, and now I'm going to make a second cup of coffee, and think about what a great start this was to my weekend!!!

Thank you, Gussy!

My Latest Addiction

2011-08-03T08:55:00.000-06:00

Hello Friends!!

So, I know it's been, like, forever, but I have a really good excuse.

How about preparing for a move...then NOT moving and going on a spontaneous trip to Cape Breton instead...then getting a call that "Yes, we ARE moving"...then packing up the kids and flying back across the country...and THEN moving?

See? I've been really busy!

But the dust is starting to settle, I can walk around my house without tripping over boxes (well, upstairs at least...the basement is still a little sketchy...okay, so it's a lot sketchy and you probably shouldn't go down there...), and once again I have the urge to spend time in blogland. Not promising that I will be here as regularly as before the move just yet, but you never know. I love it here, I've missed it, and it's good to be back.

But every now and then, I swear I'm going to give up the internet. I see too much drama on facebook, I get too many garbage emails, I realize how much time I spend reading about other people's lives instead of living my own, and twitter turns on me and starts spitting out nasty messages from followers.

Of course, after an afternoon of being disconnected from my own personal online community, I miss it and fall back to the comfort of a coffee cup in one hand, and a mouse in the other. And that's okay. It's my "me" time, and it's my way of feeling connected to friends and family. Plus there's the shopping, right? Who can resist all those beautiful clothes/boots/toys/kitchen gadgets/books...just out there waiting to hop in the mail and make the journey North?

Which brings me to my latest addiction.

Pinterest.

Oh, I can see you all nodding from here! You've been there, right? And you know what I mean!!

Totally. Addictive.

For those of you who haven't been, Pinterest is a magical place where you can create pinboards online, and keep them all neat and organized in one place. You gather pics of beautiful and interesting things from the web or by browsing the Pinterest site, "pin" them to your boards, and create your own little world of loveliness.

Part of the reason I decided that Pinterest was worth some of my internet time was the super-awesome way I came to be invited to join (yes, it's one of those things where you need an invite - msg me and I'll be happy to send you one!).

I was shopping one morning, by myself, which made it wonderful in it's own right, but that's another story. As I poked through the racks and oggled the jewelry, one of the sales ladies approached and said "I love your bag! Is it an Amy Butler?"

Now, being complimented on your bag is nice enough anyway, but this bag? I had made this bag myself, and it was indeed Amy Butler fabric! It was a test run of a pattern I'm planning to use, and I had splurged and used some of my favorite fabric on it, thinking that it would be great advertising for my soon-to-be little shop. And it worked!!!

I was so happy to get the compliment, and to have someone else appreciate the fabric that I ended up having a lengthy chat with the sales person. It didn't hurt that she was super cute and turned out to be one of those cool people that you just want to be friends with, but the biggest draw was just to be able to chat with someone who "got" the bag! Our chat went from fabric, to etsy, to blogs, which then led to her offering up an invite to Pinterest. And the rest is history.

I'm now pinning like crazy - decorating ideas, great outfits, handmade goodness, haircuts I'm thinking of, books I want to read, and my favorite, brilliant sayings that I wish I had come up with. So fun!!

I was that kid who loved making collages. I had scrapbooks before they were cool, and my Mom had to hide the Sears catalogue so I wouldn't cut it up with my little silver safety scissors. Now, with Pinterest, I get to do the same thing without messing up my dining room table and without having to find a place to keep all my "works of art"! It's brilliant!! Come check out my boards, won't you? They are growing by the day, and I'd love to have you stop by!

Happy Pinning!

The Christmas Calmdown - A "how to" for "handmade"

2011-06-25T06:07:00.002-06:00

Hello folks!! Wow, it's been a while! Huge thanks to Kim over at Nesty, who has been good enough to cover my slack during the last couple of crazy months. Oh, my crazy is far from over, and I'm still officially on a blog break, but at the moment I am on vacation in Cape Breton, and my gem of a mother is watching the Little People so that I can bring you the next installment of the Christmas Calmdown - A "how to" for "handmade"!

Raise your hand if you've ever envisioned the perfect Christmas as one where everything is calm, quiet, and simple. Underneath the tree is a small pile of handmade gifts, lovingly wrapped in brown paper, and tied with meager twine. Everyone is content with one or two heartfelt gifts, and the Christmas Spirit is the main focus.

Well, I'm not naive enough to think that that will ever happen, but I do know that the gifts I was most excited about giving last year were two simple gifts that I put in The Big Guy's stocking. The first was a handknit toque. It was the first piece I had knit for him, and I loved having to sneak around to get it finished when he wasn't looking. The second was a tea wallet. Now, you'd have to have lived with The Big Guy to understand the special relationship he has with his tea, but I can sum it up by saying that this is a man who needs a tea wallet. Both items were small and simple, but of all the things under the tree, they were the two that I felt happiest giving. I had spent a lot of time making them, and they were made specifically for the recipient with love and care.

I have discovered over the years, that in order to get the satisfaction of giving heartfelt, handmade gifts, I NEED TO PLAN AHEAD!!!! The year my daughter was born, I got a sudden urge on December 23rd to make her a doll. I mean, I was the crafty Mom! How could I not have a handmade doll waiting for her under the tree on Christmas morning?! So I sacrificed one of those precious pre-holiday evenings to put together a sad little creature that lacked not only the perfect fabric, ribbon trim, and neat stitches I had planned, but also a face. I gave my daughter the doll, and she literally drooled over it, as 6 month olds will do, but not long after the holidays, I realized the doll was a bit of an embarrassment to my sewing skills and put her out of her misery.

Lesson learned - Plan Ahead, or Don't Bother!!

So now, sometime during the Summer months, I sit down with my Christmas Planner, and make a list. Again, with the lists, I know, but they work, so don't knock it!!

The first list, of course, is who I will be giving gifts to. The second list is who I will be giving handmade gifts to. Next, I look at the calender and decide whether the number of handmade gifts I have planned is reasonable, considering the amount of time I have before the 1st of December. Now please, read that last sentence again. BEFORE THE 1ST OF DECEMBER!!!! There is no time for handcrafting after the 1st of December. Trust me. You might think you can pull it off, but rushing to finish handmade gifts while trying to deal with all the other pre-Christmas madness will suck all the joy out of going the handmade route. We craft because we love the process, and if the process is no fun, then it will show in the finished product. The key is to be realistic with what you can do, in the time you have, and planning early means you have more time. Simple, right?

Once the list is finished and you know what you are making, and for whom, go get your supplies. Get ém all. How often do you have a rainy afternoon, or a quiet evening alone that would be just perfect for crafting, but find yourself needing just one more thing to get started? That quick trip to the craft store can eat up valuable crafting time and make a project seem much bigger than it really is. So go buy all your yarn, fabric, sandpaper, dried flowers, mason jars, whatever it is you need to get your projects done, and put them all in one place. That way, when inspiration (or a rainy day) strikes, you are good to go.

The next thing I would recommend, and again, this is from experience, is to find a spot to store your finished product. I'll use knitting as an example, but it really applies to any handmade items. After putting hours of hard work into handcrafting items, it really doesn't do to stuff them into a plastic bag and shove them to the back of your closet or craft corner. Get yourself a large plastic tote, some tissue paper, and a few large Ziploc bags. Finished items can be placed in the tote, labelled, and stored in either paper or plastic depending on the item. Now you know where everything is, and there will be no mad scramble on Christmas Eve to find the other pink mitten.

And lastly, I'll say it again, know where to draw the line. Set your own personal deadline, and anything that does not get finished by that time, can wait until next year. Really. Remember that only fellow crafters will know exactly how much time and effort you have put into your handmade gifts, so don't sacrifice your own holidays making gifts for those who may not appreciate them as much as others. And while handmade gifts are a wonderful expression of love, would any of your giftees really want you to miss out on fun holiday activities, or run yourself ragged over them? I think not.

Many of us dream of the simplicity of a handmade holiday. Is it realistic? Depends on who you are. But with a little planning, we can all get a little closer.

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-07T18:51:00.000-06:00

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan

Wishing a very Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers, Grandmothers, Great Grandmothers, and new Moms-to-Be!

And a very special thank you to my two little bitties - it is a privilege to be your Mama...

...and I think I must be doing an okay job, seeing as I learned from the best!

Love you, Marbs!

Christmas Calm Down and a little blog journey

2011-04-28T11:41:00.000-06:00

Well, if you read my last post, you know things are a little hectic around here these days. And if you've been following along here for any time, you know it's time for the Christmas Calmdown post! But you won't find it here, oh no. Today I'm sending you on a little journey over to Nesty, where you can read all about my fabulous cousin Kim's ideas on how to organize your Christmas Baking Plans. Truth be told, it was my turn to post this month's installment of the "CC", but Kim has been kind enough to pick up my slack - which she'll tell you she's been doing since I was born ;) - and take over for a bit while I get my ducks in a row.

Okay, now run along children! Off you go! And say hello to Kim for me!!

We Interrupt this Program...

2011-04-23T17:10:00.001-06:00

...to bring you sun-shiney days, rubber boots, muddy paws, perpetually dirty floors, rosy cheeks, bird watching, coffee drinking around the fire, sidewalk chalk, melting snow, barbequed suppers, and lazy evenings.

...pretty fabric, new sewing projects, the excitement of a fledgling business, a funky new knitted scarf, some great books, tea with friends and the odd bubble bath.

...mystery solving with Fred, Velma and the gang, a fridge full of beautifully colored works of art, homemade play dough, hand-dyed Easter eggs, new Spring clothes, lego, Strawberry Shortcake, and restful sleeps brought on by days of playing in the fresh air .

...yard work, Food Network Challenges, chopping firewood, the start of a good tan, the excitement of a fishing trip, a cigar and a cold Keith's.

...and the mad panic of moving to a new town in about 90 days.

You can expect things to be a little quiet around here for the next few months as we prep for our move and enjoy the much awaited sunshine and warm weather that is Spring in the North. If you've ever been here, you know there is a very tiny window between the freezing temperatures of Winter, and the swarms of mosquitoes that signal the arrival of Summer. I'm sure you can see why more of my time is being spent out-of-doors than in front of the computer screen, and I'm sure you don't blame me! Please don't think I've abandoned this space. Pattycake Manners has become a big part of my life, and I look forward to jumping back in as we settle into our new home and things calm down.

Take care!!

Spring Has Sprung

2011-04-07T09:48:00.002-06:00

...and with it, came one bugger of a cold/flu bug! I tell ya, any time I take the Little People out of the protective bubble that is their home, we manage to drag home some nasty little virus that has us laid low for the next week. What began as a lovely little outing to join our friends at the local Preschool for an afternoon of splashing in the water table has turned into almost two weeks of coughing, sneezing, whining, wheezing and a whole lot of general grossness. We've got chapped lips, runny noses, droopy eyes, and absolutely no desire to get out of our jammies. There are little balls of not-really-used kleenex everywhere ... 'cuz you know how you need a new one every time you barely dab your tiny little 3-year-old nose... and the kitchen windowsill is littered with medicine bottles and dosage cups. Yesterday we even got to bring out the ole' puke bucket when an afternoon coughing spell had the older one tossing his cookies. Good times, I say...

No one has any appetite, and they are surviving on McCain's Smiles, Gatorade (something I shudder at, but which was recommended by the nurse) and during the brief ravenous moments that they both seem to have just before bed, toasted cheese sandwiches.

We're managing to fit in tiny homeschool lessons here and there (more to ease my guilt than anything) and we are watching way more Scooby Doo Mysteries than is healthy...really...I can pick out the bad guy in the first 5 minutes of any episode and am rarely wrong. We've also set up the way-bigger-than-Mom-thought-when-she-ordered-it Thomas the Tank Engine Zip Zoom Logging adventure set, which is normally stored in a box under the Older One's bed because it takes forever to set up and they usually tire of it in about 15 minutes. I think because of their slight sluggishness, they seem to be content to stay at it a little longer this time. It may be to do with the fact that once I have them both contained in the same room, I crank the humidifier and close the door. Not sure whether it's the trains or the novelty of the cool, damp air coming out of the little noisemaker that Mom plugged in, but either way, they are finally getting my money's worth out of the Zip Zoom Logging Adventure and Thomas and I are friends, once again.

And while I was managing to deal with my two little cold bugs for over a week with a positive attitude and a smile on my face, yesterday was one of those days that just tries it's best to slap you down. I woke up with a tickle in my throat and I knew I was in for it. So I made some tea, and did my best to ignore it. Then I checked my email and got a message that a new project I'm working on may have what seems like a major delay. Bummer. But it didn't stop there, oh no. I've been knitting a sweater for the Little One and after finishing the first sleeve (and mastering the fine art of the double-pointed needle, I might add) decided to try it on her for fun. Well, it wasn't so fun when I tried to get it over her melon-sized head and realized it was not goin' on. Bummer again. Oh well, at least it's been great knitting practice, right? Then I went to the store. I figured a teeny, tiny outing might boost my spirits. And it did, while I was there. Not so much when I came home with the wrong dessert treat for The Big Guy. Oh, he was delighted that I had bought him a surprise at all, but in my pre-flu fog, I bought Strawberry Cheesecake instead of his favorite Strawberry Shortcake and wound up feeling like a mega failure (this was indeed remedied later in the day when I downed a piece of said Cheesecake...'cuz the world is always brighter after Cheesecake, right?)

So then the Little People were super cranky at one another for a good portion of the afternoon...think whining, tattling, remote control domination, the over-turning of a small pink keyboard during a dispute among "the band" , the disappearance of the cheese from the Older One's above mentioned toasted sandwich while his back was turned, and I do believe there was report of a pinch or two (most likely cheese-related). Just not how I usually like the afternoon to go, you know?

And to top it all off, we still haven't gotten the official transfer news we've been waiting for since the 1st, and while I was delighted to get a package of beautiful fabric in the mail, it turned out I had under-ordered and am just short for a project I was hoping to start.

Everything individually was not a big deal. All totally manageable. And even in writing it, I see that it wasn't an out-and-out terrible day, but it was certainly one of those that I was happy to see come to an end, and I enjoyed every minute of a nice, hot bubble bath before bed.

And now, on to today...

Quilted Goodness

2011-03-29T08:00:00.009-06:00

You might remember a while back, I wrote about the Mug Rug Swap I was participating in through the Quilter's Gallery. The gist of the Swap was that each participant was to make two Mug Rugs ( tiny quilts just big enough for a cup of coffee and a couple of cookies) and send them by mail to their secret partner. My Rugs went to Nora in Indiana, and couple of weeks ago I was delighted to receive a package from the quilter who had been given my name!

I knew to expect the parcel, so when I saw the size and shape of the envelope as I picked up the mail one day, I couldn't wait to check the postmark. You can imagine my surprise when I read New Zealand on the label! I raced home and had the parcel opened in seconds. Inside I found two beautiful Mug Rugs, featuring true New Zealand fabric, and a whole pile of other goodies! My partner, Lyn, had included two beautiful fat quarters, a magnetic notebook for the fridge printed with a New Zealand charm, a package of stickers which the Little People quickly claimed for their own, and a lovely little note. The whole little package just brightened my day!

The Mug Rugs now each have a home on our desks, and are used daily. This swap was so much fun, and I love that Lyn put so much of her country into her work!

A Northern Date

2011-03-27T08:00:00.003-06:00

So, the other day The Big Guy and I finally got to go on our big date. If you are a regular reader, you will remember that we had one planned a while back, but a nasty little cold put the kibosh on it, which led to one of my "I hate living in the North" rants. I do not, in fact, hate living in the North, but there are times when I question our sanity, and wonder if I will last one more day North of 60. Last Sunday made up for those times.

Thanks to our lovely neighbour, The Big Guy and I were able to take off for the morning, sans Little People, and take a little skidoo trip up Coady Mountain. This is well-known scenic destination for those with access to skidoos and lies on the other side of the Liard River from our home. The Big Guy has gone a number of times, and I had really given up hope that I would ever get there, but the stars aligned, and I did indeed get to take in the breathtaking views from the top of the mountain.

We suited up for the -20 temps, and after a few minutes of driving, I was able to forget the mild claustrophobia I felt within my helmet. Funny how claustrophobia just doesn't seem like a big deal when compared to the sheer terror of hurtling over the ice-covered river that I know was flowing just a few months ago.

Once we were on the other side of the River, and I let out the breath I had been holding, we drove for about 30 minutes and climbed about 2700 feet to the top of the mountain. The trail went through the woods, and from what I could see out of the side of my mask that didn't fog up, was really lovely. The snow was fresh, and the sun made it sparkle in that magical way that only snow can.

The view from the top was incredible. As we looked out over the mountain ranges of the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and BC, it truly felt like we were on top of the world. Our hamlet looked like a something drawn in a sandbox, and we couldn't help but wave to the Little People.

After taking oodles of photos, and taking some time to just enjoy the beauty and the quiet, we saddled up once again, and made the trek back home again. The ride back over the River wasn't nearly as scary the second time, and we arrived back home having spent a lovely morning outdoors enjoying our mini adventure.

Dinner and a movie might be the ideal date for some, but that's just not how we do it up here.

The Christmas Calmdown! - Gifting

2011-03-25T08:27:00.000-06:00

*Please note: The Christmas Calmdown is a joint project between myself and my cousin Kim over at Nesty. This post was written by Kim, with a little note from me at the bottom :) Please be sure to jump over to Nesty and say "hello" when you're all done here at Patty Cake Manners!*

Hello, and welcome back to another instalment of the Christmas Calmdown! We’re planning ahead for a calm December, and this month we’re tackling gifts! Christmas gift giving has the potential to be the loveliest of all holiday rituals, yet it is quite often the straw that breaks the holiday camel’s back. It’s not hard to understand why; gift giving covers the whole organizing spectrum of:

Budgeting (how much to spend),
Planning (who gets what and where do I get it),
Activity (shopping), and
Creativity (wrapping and tagging).

It’s easy to get bogged down and bummed out, which inevitably leads to December 23 Midnight Madness at the mall and a smoking Visa card.

But no more…

Right now, on March 25, with the decidedly un-holiday backdrop of mud and rain, we are going to make a few decisions and commit to a plan!

To me, there are essentially three categories of Christmas presents:

1. Traditional – Essentially, presents that you buy. Whether in store or online, you decide who gets what and hand over some money . Many retailers will even giftwrap for you.

Why it works – Who doesn’t love gifts? Picking the perfect present can be tons of fun, and if you’re creative you can really go to town wrapping Check out Martha Stewart.com for great ideas!

Why it goes wrong – Without a budget, all that shopping can hit your wallet hard. Both in terms of time and money, if you don’t plan carefully, you may find yourself stressed out, tapped out, and missing out on all the fun, meaningful things you want to do.

Plan of attack – Make a list of everyone you need to buy for and decide how much you want to spend. Think you’re being a Scrooge? $50.00 for a gift may not seem like much, but once you muliply that by 10…eeep! Whatever number you came up with, there’s a few ways to make it more tolerable. One option is to divide that amount by the number of pay cheques you have left until December 1 and commit to transferring that amount to a savings account. (For the $500.00, that would be about $30.00 every two weeks. Not as painful, eh?) Another option is to purchase one gift per pay cheque. Still another (for you power shoppers out there) is to shop the sales year round (my mom starts during Boxing Week, no lie, and she always gives the BEST gifts).

2. Charitable – Truly the gifts that keep on giving, Charitable Gifts are a personal favourite of mine, and what I’m planning to give this year. Adopt-a-Family programs, Third World outreach, animal rescues and food banks are all ways you can give while giving back. This year we’re planning a donation to our local Christmas hamper fund as well as paying for a child’s cleft palate surgery through the Smile Train foundation. Check out World Vision, Samaritan’s Purse, and the website for your local humane society for other ideas.

Why it Works – Charitable gifts are more in keeping with the spirit of the season. More and more people, tired of the materialism, are turning away from store bought gifts in exchange for heartfelt donations. Also, this is an excellent way to really put your holiday budget to work; instead of trying to stretch your dollar over many, many gifts, put it all into one great give and share the news in a beautiful Christmas card. You can’t beat the warm fuzzies!!!

Why it doesn’t work – Really, the only time charitable gifts don’t work is when the recipient doesn’t share your spirit. It’s sad but sometimes it happens, and I suppose the economy is thankful for these folks. But you’re in luck! There are plenty of great fair trade organizations who make beautiful gifts; one of my favourites is Ten Thousand Villages.

Plan of attack – As with traditional gifts, decide what you want to do and how much you can spend, and make a plan to spread that amount out over the months remaining until December. Some organizations will send out cards acknowledging that a gift has been made in your loved one’s name; these often have a deadline so mark this date down in your Christmas Planner.

3. Home-made Gifts – Ah, the heartfelt and homespun! Some of many favourite gifts, both given and received, fall into this category. Knit, crocheted, sewn, thrown, painted, sketched, sanded or beaded, nothing says “I’m thinking of you” like a home-made item.

Why it Works – If you’re crafty you can cross-budget your Christmas gifts with your hobby allowance. Also, homemade gifts give you an opportunity to try out projects you may not make otherwise, like children’s items for example. You’ll feel great (and oh so proud) to give something you’ve laboured over to someone you love.

Why it doesn’t work – Time, time, time. I did homemade gifts this year, and despite my best efforts, time was not on my side. I got everything finished, but oh my, my hands were sore from all that power knitting! This has the potential to be a budget wrecker, too; if you purchase a bunch of craft supplies and then have to go out and buy gifts, too….ouch.

Plan of Attack – Be realistic about what you can make. Consider duplicating the same item with slight variations for a number of people. I did this for my sisters and sister in law with a fingerless mitt pattern I can practically knit in my sleep. And as above, budget now; home-made, despite popular belief, is not necessarily cheaper.

And there you have it! You can pick one category, or mix and match. If you can even commit to a budgeting plan, you can always decide later what you want to do with the money you’ve put aside. In addition to my charitable gifts, I’d like to make or buy a tree ornament to go along with the announcements so that’s something I’m going to start thinking about now.

No matter what approach you decide to take, you can be confident knowing that come December, you’ll be ahead of the game and can truly enjoy your holiday shopping, knowing that you’re in control.

And now, a note from Ains…

Wow! I never really thought about it, but seeing how Kim has broken it down, I can see how gifting really does fall into three main categories! I would have to say I'm kind of a "mix and match" kinda girl, and tend to spread my giving over all three. We always make a point to give a few charitable gifts (the "choose-your-own" gift cards from World Vision have been our favourites as of late), I love making handmade gifts for those who appreciate the work that goes into them, and I always end up buying a few things too. I really try to do the budget thing as well. Since the majority of our gift-recipients live on the East Coast, I try to do the shopping for those family members during our annual trip home, even if that means wrapping presents in August! This saves the shipping costs, and takes away a lot of the stress come December!

Thanks, Ains!

Finally, did anyone make a planner after last month’s post? I sure did! If you made one too, and posted about it, be sure to mention in the comments so we can go check it out! Here’s mine and Ainsley’s!

You’ll remember Ainsley’s super cute planner that features gorgeous Stampin’ Up fabric. Love it!

For my planner, I took a stroll down the pre-cut fabric aisle at Walmart. I’ve been loving these colourful little treasures (I recently picked up a bundle of spring-y fat quarters in chocolate brown and brights to decorate my office space). I found a single fat quarter of light-weight flannel in a fine, red houndstooth check. After I got it home I realized that it was a bit too short to completely cover my binder, so I covered the edges with red felt. Some jumbo red rick-rack and a cute chip-board tag complete my holiday planner!

So, how goes the planning? Do you have a method for gift planning? Or do you think the last minute spend-a-thon is an integral part of the holiday season? Share in the comments!!!

Yarn Along

2011-03-23T12:15:00.000-06:00

Don't you love when a new knitting project starts out on the right foot?!

Today I'm joining Ginny at Small Things for her weekly Yarn Along, where like minded bloggers share what they are knitting and reading.

I have to say, it's been a few weeks since I had anything on my needles worthy of blogging about, but thanks to the postman, all the pieces have come together and yesterday I started my first sweater!! Yes, a sweater!! And so far I am loving it! I say this, of course, because at this point I haven't encountered any trouble, and have even mastered the "Bar Increase". Ask me next week, after I've attempted to "Pick Up Stitches" to make the collar, and I may be singing a different tune.

The pattern I'm using is a simple Children's Neck-down Pullover from Patternfish, and the yarn is a lovely Classic Worsted Impressions from The Irresistible Ewe. I ordered the yarn in three different colourways, one for each of the Little People, and spare for practice (although I do see this one making its way to a tiny dark-haired friend with the absolute perfect colouring for lime green and purple)

As for reading, I seem to have fallen back into my habit of not doing nearly enough of it. I asked The Big Guy last night where the evening hours could possibly be going?! Normally I'm in bed at a decent hour with plenty of time to get in a chapter or two before I fall asleep. Lately though, 11:30 has been creeping up before I know it, and I haven't picked up a novel since finishing The Forgotten Garden a few weeks ago. I am, however, still working on The Happiness Project. I am thoroughly enjoying it, and I love that I can pick it up and read a page or two here and there. It really has me looking at everyday things a little differently, and I would recommend it to anyone.

And you? What are you reading or knitting? Do share!

Strawberry Muffins - Take 2

2011-03-13T10:49:00.001-06:00

Oh, who was I kidding! You knew I couldn't stay away too long! I was planning a break, and I still figure I won't be blogging as much for bit, but when the mood strikes, right?

As I've said in other posts, fresh produce is a big deal up here. And it takes a lot of careful planning to find the balance between buying too much at once (like on the monthly trip to town) and not buying enough and having to pay a fortune for less-than-quality items at the local store. We try to make the most of what we have by centering the meals following grocery day around fresh veggies, and we all love diving into watermelon and cantaloupe on the morning after that big grocery run. But alas, we are human, and I am a Mom of two Little People, and therefore, sometimes things don't go quite as planned...like this morning, when I found a forgotten box of strawberries behind the yogurt, sadly whithering away.

My first thought was, of course, "What a waste! Shame on us!" My second thought? "Yay!! Muffins!!"

As I was mixing up the batter for these yummy family favorites, it went through my head that they would make a great blog post. Then it went through my head that, hey, I think I already did that!!

But it's been a while, and I know some of you are new to Pattycake Manners, so I'm reposting the original Strawberry Muffin recipe today! Enjoy!

*originally posted on June 5, 2010*

Today I want to share with you another of my favorite quick and easy recipes. I've said before that I'm not really the baker of the family. That would be my cousin Kim over at Nesty ( you really must go over and read about her latest kitchen adventure). I do, however, have a few really great things I like to make and will even go so far as to say that I make them well. Strawberry Muffins would be very near the top of that list.

One of the best going-away gifts we received when we moved West seven years ago was a subscription to Saltscapes magazine from my Mom and Dad. For those of you unfamiliar with this publication, it is considered Canada's East Coast magazine, and features stories, pictures and recipes from around the Maritimes. We look forward to it's arrival every two months and usually read each issue cover to cover with cup of tea. Having moved to the land of sushi and smoked salmon, it didn't take long before the recipes, featuring the comfort food of home, became our favorite feature. Before long we had a stack of Saltscapes magazines that we just couldn't get rid of! As the pile grew, we knew we couldn't keep them all, and the recipe pages have now found a temporary home inside an old binder ( I swear I'll get around to copying them over one of these days, really!)

One of the best recipes we have found over the years is for Strawberry Muffins ( just click on the link and scroll down their page a bit to find the recipe). I will say I was a bit skeptical about how the chunks of fresh strawberries would be once baked, but they are truly delish! I just leave out the walnuts, as I can't eat them, but the sprinkle of sugar on the top is a must! The recipe whips together in minutes, and is a great way to use up extra strawberries when you're not sure you'll go through them before they spoil. I know that may sound ridiculous. Who would let strawberries spoil? Trust me. When you are buying groceries for 4 to 6 weeks at a time, like we do, it is a real challenge to get through all the lovely fresh fruit without losing something! I will even admit to having misplaced entire containers of berries in the fridge, only to find them just on the verge of turning. At times like this I am particularly glad to have found this recipe!

These muffins have become a favorite for The Big Guy and I. They are wonderful when served soft and warm from the oven, freeze well, and are a fun twist when used as the base for strawberry shortcake. I bet they'd be great in a trifle too! Let me know how they turn out for you, and be sure to check out Saltscapes magazine and learn a little bit about the beautiful East Coast!

Time for a Blog-cation!

2011-03-11T14:59:00.000-07:00

If you are a regular visitor to Pattycake Manners, you will notice it's been kind of quiet as of late. And I think it's time that I admit that I need a bit of a Blog-cation.

At the moment, I am taking part in a small business course called Indie Biz 3.0 and I am loving it!! I am in the process of creating my own little home-based business, and while I'm super excited about it, it is taking up most of my free time. Things are still in the very early planning stages, but I will tell you that I've been sewing up a storm making samples and trying out new patterns. When I'm not actually sitting at my sewing machine, I'm cruising the online fabric shops and picking stray threads off the kids and the dogs!

My plan is to eventually incorporate my business into my blog, but until I have it all figured out, I may not be posting as often.

Just wanted to let you know!!

A Small Change

2011-03-06T09:11:00.001-07:00

Hey Gang! Just a little update on the blog front.

I've been playing around with a few things, and have changed the actual web address of the blog to www.pattycakemanners.com . In doing so, I've merely dropped the "blogspot" from the address. I'm pretty sure anyone entering the old address will automatically be redirected, but if anything looks a little wonky for the next few days, please let me know!!

Also, you might want to update the address if you have it jotted down or saved anywhere.

Thanks so much for your patience while I work out any bugs, and really, let me know if you see anything odd!!

Another whole week!

2011-03-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

Holy mackerel! Another whole week without a blog post! To quote my littlest, "What the heck the?"

Some how things have suddenly gotten busy around here! Can't quite put my finger on it, but there just seems to be a whole lot less time for blogging. I have lots of post ideas floating around in my head, but none of them seem to be making it to the keyboard!

I am taking a bit of leap and have signed up for a small business course online. And I'm loving it!! With the Little People being a bit older, I have more to time for my creative pursuits and am going to have a go at turning my crafting addiction into something profitable. More details to come as my little project takes flight!

And we finally got some news about our move!! As it stands now, we will be moving some time this spring to the one and only place we wanted to go!! Yay!! So needless to say, we are in transfer mode, and that means the rush is on to declutter and organize. The yard sale pile is growing by the day!

Homeschooling is going well, and we are focusing on finishing up a few new concepts before taking a much anticipated March break.

I've also been working on the never-ending weight-loss battle. I've been working out daily, and following Weight Watchers - both of which take up time, but all for a good cause, right? Go me!!

So again, nothing major going on, but just enough to keep me from blogging! With the weekend coming, I may put a few things together, and I am really looking forward to the new series of posts I have planning for my little group of quilting newbies!! I'll have something for you by month's end, for sure!

Happy Weekend, All!!

Christmas Calmdown - Make a Plan

2011-02-25T06:00:00.001-07:00

Wow! I can hardly believe that it has been a whole month since the launch of our Christmas Calmdown feature!! For those of you who may have missed the first installment, the Christmas Calmdown is the collaborative effort of myself, and my dear cousin Kim, over at Nesty. Each month, for the next year, on or around the 25th, we will take turns posting a goal for anyone wishing to follow along, with the end result being a more organized holiday season for all. You can click here to read the introductory post! And now onto February's Christmas Calmdown Goal!

Ask the mastermind behind any successful event, and they will tell you that it all starts with a plan. A good plan. A plan full of details, and a plan that covers every aspect. A good plan takes time to build, and involves a lot of thought on the part of the person doing the planning.

Today, the event in question is Christmas 2011, and you, my dears, are the people doing the planning! In this post, I'm going to talk you through creating your own Christmas Planner, and then we'll go over just what you should put in there!

I won't re-hash how crazy the holidays get - we've been there, done that - but there's no reason we can't learn from our mistakes, and make Christmas 2011 a calm and peaceful one. You should know by now that I am a list maker. Lists make hectic days smoother, and who doesn't like when things run smoothly? Especially around the holidays! What I'm proposing is that you start making some of those Christmas Lists now, in order to ensure a much smoother December for yourselves, and for your family.

But it's one thing to make the lists. It's another to have them all neatly contained in some sort of paper keeper, so that they are all right at your finger tips when inspiration strikes, and again when you are trying to recall that brilliant idea you had last week. Enter... the Christmas Planner.

Your planner can really be anything that can keep your notes and ideas in one place. Here are a few versions to consider.

There is a growing trend towards Home Keeping Journals - a notebook of some sort where organized home managers keep banking info, menu plans, housekeeping schedules, calenders, etc. You might be familiar with FlyLady's Control Journal, or Tsh's Home Management Notebook over at Simple Mom? If you are already going this route, good for you! In my opinion, you are ahead of the game. Your Christmas Planner can be a simple as adding another divider and some more loose leaf to your existing Home Keeping Journal.

There are numerous Christmas Planners on the market, geared toward doing just what we're doing - getting organized for the holidays. A few years ago, my sister-in-law gave me this cute little number for my birthday. It is filled with various sections, and had pages to carry through a number of years. I used every bit of it, and it was fun to look back at my notes from previous years. If time is short, and crafting is not your thing, but you still want something cute and festive, this may be the way to go for you.

Or your Christmas Journal can be as simple as a small notebook that you keep tucked in the cupboard, used solely for jotting down all things Christmas.

But my favorite way to keep holiday ideas in order is with a hand decorated binder - one that is pretty to have on the kitchen counter or beside my favorite chair, and one that is completely devoted to Christmas planning. Here is the step-by step of what I did to create it.

* this tutorial was originally published in December 2010*

First, I found an old 1 inch binder left over from my college days. I then gathered up some pretty fabric from Stampin' Up!, my glue gun, and some cardstock.

I covered the binder with fabric and glued down the edges.

I then covered the inside covers with the coordinating cardstock.

Then I decided to embellish the outside cover with a funky flower using more of the fabric, my Big Shot die cutter, and a big ole' button. Lovely!!

Once you have decided on what kind of planner you will use, it's time to decide just what is going to go in between the covers. I would suggest using some sort of divider to keep things organized, and a pocket of some sort might be handy for receipts and loose notes. Here are a few things that I keep in my Christmas Planner. Feel free to use them as a launching pad for your own Planner, or toss them and fill your Planner with the things YOU need to keep track of. It's all about making things easier!

1. Notes from last year - While things are still fresh in your mind, make notes of things that worked and things that didn't work for you during Christmas 2010. My list already includes things like "Buy more fairy lights" and "Make scrapbook cards ahead of time". These are the kinds of things that jump up and get me during the first week of December, and have me shaking my head, asking why I didn't do them in October!

2. Gift Ideas - A no brainer, but one we often lose track of because we are sure we will remember that book that so-and-so mentioned back in August. Make a list of all the folks you are planning to buy for, and do a quick brainstorm. Did one Aunt love the scarf you made the other Aunt last year? Have your grandfather's swim trunks seen better days ( I can hear all you MacDonald's snickering from here!) Jot down those ideas when you think of them, and then you can plan to shop throughout the year.

3. Decorating Ideas - Again, pretty self-explanatory, but it's always helpful to have everything in one place when the time comes to carry out the task, or when Michaels has a killer sale going on.

4. Christmas Card List - If you are a card sender, keep a master list of all the people you plan to send Christmas greetings to. It can save so much time and energy if you can quickly calculate how many cards and stamps you need to buy by just looking at your list. Jot down names, as well as addresses, as it can also be a time saver not having to go through your address book. Try to update your list through the year as people move, or have babies!

5. Budget - Oh, you knew it was coming. We all know that the holidays can be a drain on the pocketbook, but with a little planning, we might be able to make it a little less painful. If you can, figure out what you are willing to spend on the holidays, and plan to spread it out over the year. Things like stamps, stocking stuffers, many larger gifts items, craft supplies, cards, wrapping supplies, cards, even baking supplies can be purchased throughout the year and tucked away. Much better, I think, to spend a bit every month, than to enter the New Year dealing with Christmas debt.

6. Calender - Nothing crazy, but a loose weekly calender for the couple of months leading up to December can be helpful. For those of us who make many of our gifts, setting goals and timelines for handmade projects can keep us on track and take the pressure off in the end.

7. Mailing Schedule - As someone who mails the majority of her gifts, I can tell you that this is an important one. Make a list of all the parcels you will be needing to send, and when you want them in the mail by. Postal services of course give guidelines for this, but I like to set my own personal dates. For me, it is a huge relief to know that my gifts are done and on their way, so they are a top priority for me. Decide what needs to go, and by when it must be mailed, and plan to pick up any mailing supplies you might need in early November.

8. Kids Ideas - Ideas that pop up throughout the year for crafts and activities to keep the little ones busy throughout the holiday season. I also like to jot down supplies for these projects that I accumulate during the year so I don't end up over-buying.

9. Cooking and Baking - Again, just a place to make notes of things you'd like to try, things that may make good neighbour gifts, and a master pantry list is always helpful. Making notes early and planning ahead can save money. If you are planning to give a gift in a mason jar, it's cheaper to buy them during canning season than to wait until mid-December!

10. The Fun Stuff - We all know we want lots of nights to relax around the holidays, but it often doesn't happen because we forget to "plan" to relax! For the last few years, I have allotted so many nights in December to doing truly Christmas-ey things. I schedule movie nights, gingerbread house day, even a day to start my Christmas puzzle. It may sound a bit rigid, but if these things are not on the list, they often get pushed to the side and forgotten. Putting them on the list makes them a priority and I don't end up feeling like I missed out on some of my favorite things!

Like I said, these are the lists that work for me. Everyone's planner will be different. The important thing, in the spirit of the Christmas Calmdown, is to make notes throughout the year, and to keep them organized in one place. We would love for you to join us in this year-long project!! We'll be back again in March with our next goal, so have your planner ready to share! You'll be invited to leave a link in your comment showing us what you've done, and we'll be pop by to check them out! And be sure to grab a button from my sidebar if you plan on participating in the Christmas Calmdown! The more the merrier!

And a little note from Kim...

Hi Everyone! Welcome back to the Christmas Calmdown! I’m really excited about our first official Calmdown challenge and can’t wait to make my own adorable planner. Ainsley is an incredible paper-crafter; her scrapbooks, cards, and projects always have that certain something that makes you stop and go “Wow!” I can already think of a dozen different ways to use this planner design with a simple change of colour and theme; household planner, shower guestbook (add some scrapbook pages for an elegant souvenir of a special day), memory book for school or university (so cute in campus colours!), coupon organizer (just add page protectors), or personalized scrapbook! The possibilities are endless, but of course, the first one I’m going to make is my 2011 Christmas Planner! See you next month!

Two kids in the Snow

2011-02-21T19:14:00.000-07:00

Just two kids playing in the snow.

But here's what you don't see...

-it's 6:30 pm, which means the days are getting longer

-this is the first time in months that it has been warm enough and bright enough to play outside after supper

-that they pretty much got themselves dressed to go out

-that in spite of all the trendy new cartoons out there, my Little People are acting out a Scooby Doo adventure

-what you might see as a sled and push broom are actually a pirate ship and a paddle

-there is a small, but warming fire at my feet, that I built myself

-there is chickadee trilling above my head, happy that the feeders are full

-the puppy just stole another piece of firewood

-we are about 20 minutes away from jammies and hot chocolate with marshmallows

-I can finally see the light at the end of the long, wintery tunnel

Cake Walk

2011-02-21T07:00:00.001-07:00

Last week, for Valentine's Day and to celebrate Student Attendance, the local school held a Cake Walk. It's a fundraiser they do a few times a year, but this was the first time we've ever attended. The whole concept was new to us, but apparently it's a common thing in small communties. Who knew?

After quizzing one of our friends about what to expect, we headed to the school armed with a handful of loonies and a cake to donate. The Older of the Little People was already there, as the class he takes part in once a week was holding their Valentine's Day party, and the Younger one was over-the-moon excited to join her big brother and his friends at school. We arrived in time to take part in the hot dog lunch, and then spent a pleasant half hour in the computer lab and library with the Grade Ones, waiting for 1:30, when we would all head to the gym for the Cake Walk.

-enjoying hotdogs and juice boxes with friends-

If you are familiar with Cake Walks, you can skip ahead a bit. But for those of you that are unfamiliar with this type of event, here's a quick run down. On the gymnasium floor were large laminated foot prints arranged in a circle. Each foot had a number on it. When the Cake Walk started, children were asked to come forward and stand on a foot until each one was occupied. Teachers went around and collected a loonie from each participant, and then the music started. The children marched/danced/walked/wiggled along, moving from foot to foot as the music played, and when it stopped, everyone froze. Five numbers were called, and the kids on the feet with those numbers got to pick a cake from one of over 60 cakes donated by members of the community! The children then all switched places with those who had not had a turn in the first round, and it all began again.

-organized confusion-

My first impression was that of mad chaos, but that's a gym full of kids for you. My second thought was how great it was that in such a small community, more than 60 cakes had been donated!! Way to give, Fort Liard! And lastly, was how entertaining it was to watch the little ones (and a few bigger ones!) dance around to the music, hoping to win!

-how to choose!-

My Little People decided to work as a team, holding hands and fighting over who got to stand on the foot they were trying to share. They managed two rounds, but by then the whole thing was a bit overwhelming and our afternoon ended with a bit of a meltdown. Turns out I hadn't explained the whole procedure in quite enough detail, and the Older one thought he was doing something wrong by not landing on the numbers they were calling. I tell ya, sometimes it's a tough gig being little!

All in all, though, it was a great experience, and it was fun to be out in the community with other kids and parents. And after a little chat about how "not everyone can win every time", we've decided to give it another try the next time the school holds one of these great fundraisers.

And yes, later that afternoon... I baked a second cake ;)

A Question for you...

2011-02-19T16:15:00.000-07:00

So, it has occurred to me lately that among my friends, I have somehow become the "Go-To Girl" for quilting advice. How this happened, I'm not quite sure, but it is an honour, and a position I am happy to hold. If asked, I would still say I am a beginner quilter, but I seem to have most of the answers people are looking for, so it's possible that I have picked up a few things along the way - all of which I am delighted to pass on to the "real" beginners.

My question is this. Are any of you, my readers, interested in me doing a regular feature on quilting basics? I am by no means an expert on quilting, but I do feel confident that I have a firm grasp of what you would need to know to get started. I'm thinking I could cover the tools you would need, fabric choices, simple patterns, resources for learning more, and we could even work up to doing a small project together.

What do you think? Leave a comment if you are interested, and I welcome any feedback you might like to give. Is there anything specific you'd like to know? We'll see how this goes, and plan to start in March if there is enough interest.

Thanks for your input!!

Dusting off the Machine

2011-02-16T20:57:00.006-07:00

Today I'm joining in with Adirondack Mama at Happiness Comes for her weekly Sewing Bee. Drop by to read some other great sewing posts!

Well you'd never know it from reading my posts over the last number of months, but I am a quilter. I've been quilting since before my son was born, and I still tend to list it as my first hobby when asked what I do for fun. It was only after joining up with Quilter's Gallery that I realized it hadn't actually quilted anything since last year, when I suffered a bit of burnout after taking on too many projects with deadlines. The projects all got done, but soon after I decided it was time to take a break from quilting.

But there's nothing like a new quilter to get an old quilter fired up again, and when my dear cousin Kim, over at Nesty asked for some advice on the basic tools she would need to start quilting, I knew it was time to dust off my trusty sewing machine and get back at it.

I knew I didn't want to take on anything too big - I have a closet full of UFO's and had vowed not to buy any new fabric until I had used more of what I already had - so the hunt was on for a small project that I could finish quickly, using supplies I had on hand. With my renewed interest in my old hobby, I got poking around the Quilter's Gallery blog that I mentioned earlier, and wouldn't you know, I found the perfect thing. Turns out I was just in time to sign up for their Mug Rug Swap. I had never participated in a swap before, and to add to the thrill, this was a Mystery Swap where everyone was to keep their partner a secret. The site posted a great tutorial on how to make the Mug Rugs, but as long as you followed the basic guidelines, anything could go. A Mug Rug is a tiny quilt, measuring roughly 6" X 10", just big enough for a mug and a couple of cookies to sit on. The swap guidelines stated that we were to make 2 Mug Rugs and mail them to our secret partner by a certain date. Easy enough, and just the thing to get me excited about quilting again. The Mug Rugs whipped up quickly, and I was really pleased with how they turned out. Now I just have to hope my partner likes them too!!

-my two completed Mug Rugs, made using some pretty April Cornell charm squares from my stash,

-a handmade (not by me!) birch bark ornament with quill work that I thought I would include as a little symbol of the North,

-and a little card I made for my new quilting friend!

And of course, the instant gratification of having the Mug Rugs completed, handstitching and all, in an afternoon, got me enthused enough to start a second project. This one should have been done long ago, as the baby it was meant for was born in December, but she seemed happy enough with her books and other odds and ends we sent, so I don't think she minds! The colors of this Moda kit are so bright and cheerful that it was the perfect thing to work on during a cold winter afternoon. I haven't done much on it since, but at least the sewing machine is just in the pantry, and not in the basement! A sure sign that I will be quilting again soon!!

The Facebook Conundrum

2011-02-14T23:59:00.000-07:00

Facebook, Crackbook, FB, the Book - whatever you call it, the world's largest Social Networking Tool plays a part in most of our lives these days. Just how much a part, is the question.

I remember getting my first "invite" sometime in early '07. I ignored it. It was from an old friend, and I had no idea what she was talking about. Then came another invite, and another. Finally I gave in to curiosity, and shortly thereafter, Facebook became part of my daily routine. It was fun to see my "Friends" adding up, and to be reconnecting with people from various times in my life. I enjoyed seeing who was living where, who had married who, and what people were doing for a living. It was also fun to share the fact that we had moved from one coast to the other, that we had a bouncing baby boy, and were about to welcome our daughter.

Facebook became the number one way to share photos with family and friends. Uploading a number of photos at once and waiting for the comments to roll in was so much quicker than emailing everyone individually. After a while FB even became the more common method of communicating. Why it was easier to "message" someone rather than emailing them, I still don't know, but before long, FB messages were, and still are, the way to go.

So here's my problem. In this phase of my life, where I am trying to simplify, declutter, and focus more on being present in the moment, I'm rethinking my relationship with Facebook. Sure, it's a great way to keep in touch, especially living so far away from our family and most of our friends, but should it really play such a large part in my day?

Part of the blame is on me, and I'll admit that. Facebook is addictive. It's called Crackbook for a reason. I find it near impossible to log in for just a minute. Heck, how many of us really ever log out?! I'll stop by the computer on my way down the hall and before I know it, I've spent an hour reading status updates and looking at the latest vacation photos. Is this a good use of my time? No. Is it productive? Nuh-uh. Entertaining? Not really. Yet it is a habit I find hard to break.

But I'm trying. I am. I've made some mental lists lately of the things that truly make me happy. What are the things that I would like to be able to say I accomplished during my day? Strangely enough, "spend an hour getting bug-eyed over facebook" was not on either list. And so something had to change.

I started by "blocking" the "friends" whose status updates consisted mostly of links to music videos, disturbing news stories, quiz results, and game requests ( at this point I should come clean and admit to having gone through a brief but embarrassing Farmville phase last winter...but I've since learned to knit...so I'm fine now)

Next were the serial "status update" posters. Sorry but there are very few people out there that I need to hear from more than once a day.

And lastly were the "FB Friends". The people who I may have known at some point, but who I would most likely not stop and chat with were I to pass them on the street. This probably sounds harsh, but really, if I wouldn't recognize them, then I probably don't need to know what they had for lunch yesterday.

Once I had cleaned up my newsfeed, I felt much better. I felt like I had decluttered my Facebook, and it felt as freeing as unsubscribing from useless email lists. Decluttering is good, whether it's your closet or your cyber space.

But then I got thinking about it again. How true am I being to myself by merely blocking these people? No, I don't have anything against them, but doesn't it seem a bit phony to have them listed as "Friends" when really I have no interest in them? So I decided to take it a step further.

It took some courage, but after a bit of internal debate, I started hacking away at my "Friends" list, cringing a bit as I answered "yes" to the somewhat ominous question "Are you sure you want to remove this person from your Friends?" . In the end, I had reduced my list by close to half. Naturally, I worried about hurt feelings, but then I thought - if they don't interest me, then I most likely don't interest them. And that was the end of the guilt.

I now have a nice little group of "Friends", most of whom I actually consider my friends (small f, no quotations)
and whose status updates I'm truly interested in reading. A lot are family members (love you all!), a lot are my close friends (big hugs!), and some are old acquaintances who I just really find entertaining (thank you to KVdB for making me smile daily) I can now check Facebook once a day and be caught up in five minutes. I'm reading about people who I care about, and that's all the Social Networking I need.

I was discussing all of this with Mom today (she of great wisdom who never did buy into Facebook) and she had heard recently that this is a common dilemma people are facing these days. Like lemmings, (don't you just love lemmings?) people signed up for FacebookFacebook is a prime example of this, in my opinion.

Right now, I'm happy with the changes I've made. Facebook is gradually playing a smaller role in my daily routine, and this fits nicely into my plan to bring more simplicity and "intentional living" into our day to day lives.

So how about you? You've been kind enough to read my little rant, now why not share your thoughts. Are you on Facebook? How do you balance it? How big a part does it play in your day, and is it worth it? I'd love to hear what you think!

Just that time of year...

2011-02-11T21:35:00.002-07:00

Hey Gang! Wow, I can't believe it's been over a week since I blogged! That's quite a stretch for me, and while I know it isn't really a big deal, I have had the odd person ask what's up...and the truth is...not much.

Really. Not much. But in a good way. So far, February has just been one of those months. Nothing to complain about, but nothing too blog-worthy either. And I'm totally okay with that.

Our days have taken on a really good rhythm, which is something we are usually striving for, but often don't take the time to appreciate when it just kind of happens.

The early hours of each day are still a little lazy, but hey - we live in the North, where it's okay to do that. Someday I know we will be as busy as the rest of the world, trying to get everyone out the door on time, with lunches and clean faces. But for now, I'm just enjoying the slower pace. I have let go of the niggling guilt, and am less inclined to worry if I have a second cup of tea, or read just one more blog before starting our day.

We're in a good homeschooling groove, and spend most mornings in our cozy school/play/craft room, doing some combination of those activities. The older of the Little People is reading everything he can get his hands on, and that makes me proud. The younger one has finally got the knack of counting to 10 (don't ask her what a number "3" looks like, but she can certainly tell you how many mouse-friends Cinderella has!) and that makes me smile.

In the afternoons, we've all been crafting up a storm, reading lots of books, watching old VHS movies like Aladdin and The Little Mermaid (those lines are still as great as ever), and we've even been able to get out and enjoy the odd warm afternoon here and there.

Evenings are tub time, jammies, stories, snacks and some quiet TV.

The Big Guy has been ice fishing when he can, and thoroughly enjoying his new skidoo, and I've been quilting and knitting a bit, when I am able to tear myself away from reading The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton.

And now you know what we are up to. Nothing remarkable. Just peaceful, easy days, and that's just fine with me.

Yarn Along

2011-02-02T08:47:00.001-07:00

Joining Ginny at Small Things for her weekly Yarn Along...

Okay, so even I had to do a double-take and say "What the heck?" when I went to take a shot of my little knitting nook last night. I've been told by seasoned knitters that it is perfectly acceptable to have more than one project on the go at the same time, but seriously?

In this photo I can pick out the hat that I started a few weeks ago with the handspun yarn from a friends' farm, a completed scarf, a close-to-complete dishcloth that I'm not sure I like, another hat - this one for my son who requested orange, a second scarf - this one just started, another dishcloth that I'm pretty sure is on the wrong sized needles, some new yarn that my Mom just sent, and a dirty kleenex that one of the Little People must have put there for safe keeping.

Not hard to tell I've been a little preoccupied as of late! You can read about my not-so-great week here. Lots of starts to keep me busy, but very little patience to see things through to the end. But knitting should be about the process, not just the finished item, right?

As for books, I just checked Fly Away Home off my To Read list, and loved it. Jennifer Wiener has yet to disappoint me. And I just started The Forgotten Garden. I began reading this one during the summer, but found it hard to sit down and read any amount of it at one time. I really liked what I did read, and am thinking the long winter nights might be better suited for it.

And just because I'm so excited, I need to tell you that it is currently +2 degrees! PLUS 2!!! As in "above freezing"!!! After months of -20 and few retched weeks at -40, you can bet your snow pants that we are tossing the lesson plan for the day and heading outside!!! I know it's just a fluke, and that it won't last long, but we are going to make the most of it!! WooHoo!!!

GratiTuesday

2011-02-01T12:37:00.000-07:00

As a follow-up to yesterdays' rant about how bad last week was, I thought I'd join the lovely Stephanie of The Knitty Gritty Homestead for her new series, GratiTuesday. The name is pretty self explanatory, and I think it's a wonderful idea to take time out at least once a week to record a few things for which I am grateful.

-that The Big Guy was on his days off when my cold hit, allowing me to sleep in, take the odd nap, and basically slack off from my care-giver duties

-that a work trip to the "big city" doubled as a grocery run and we have a kitchen full of fresh produce

-new sticker books from Marby, and a big brother who is happy to help his little sister figure things out

-a box of delicious new yarn

-that we ended the month sticking to our budget...a great start to the new year

-k-cups, which allow me to close my eyes and pretend I'm in a cute little coffee shop

-all seven seasons of Gilmore Girls arriving in the mail yesterday! Thanks Marbs!!

-the pink clouds of a Northern morning

What are you grateful for on this February Tuesday?

My Winter Wall and A Fresh Start

2011-01-31T11:21:00.000-07:00

Well, it was a rough week here at Patty Cake Manners. Nothing major, and for that I am truly grateful, but in short, I was cranky. Down right cranky.

Every year, around this time, I hit what I have come to think of as my "Winter Wall". It's the point where I am sick and tired of the snow, the cold temperatures, and winter in general. I have had it with being cooped up day after day and I find our daily routine boring. And just when I'm feeling my lowest, I foolishly do the math and realize we are barely half way through this miserable time of year. I question whether moving North was the right thing to do, and I dread the fact that we have 2 and half years left of our commitment. I crave a simple outing to a coffee shop. I want a funky new haircut and some new clothes. And I dream of the day that I can grab my purse and keys, yell "I'll be back in half an hour!", and go DO something! Anything to break up the monotony of winter in the North as a stay at home Mom.

I'm one of those people that thrives on looking forward to the next exciting thing that is coming up. And it is by the end of January that I am finally down off my Christmas high. Usually, this is when I start looking at flights and dates for our annual trip home to Cape Breton in the summer. Once the tickets are booked, I'm good again. My Mom and I start making lists of things to do when we get there and we start researching cabins and cottages for weekend adventures. Our daily chats turn to thoughts of beach days, picnics, craft projects, gardening, and the little day trips that the kids will enjoy. Silly? Yes. But it's what gets us through.

This year, however, with our impending move, our travel plans are on hold, and it's hard to say whether we will be spending the summer on the East Coast or not. Now, one might think that I could just replace the anticipation of the trip with the anticipation of the move, but I'm not quite there yet. See, there are still to many unknowns. Little things... like where we will be moving to! And the waiting to find out is adding to my winter doldrums. Since last week we have been given a better idea of when we can expect the news, so the day-to-day waiting can be set aside for a bit, but I tell ya, it did nothing to improve my mood last week.

And then, one of my Little People came down with a dandy cold. Again, nothing major, but it made homeschooling a real struggle and I ended up feeling like we got little accomplished. Throw in a few other minor annoyances peppered throughout the week, and end it all with me catching the cold, and I'm sure you can see why I wasn't in a very good frame of mind. A cold is bad enough, but it caused The Big Guy and I to have to cancel the first "date" we've had planned since last August. A lovely friend had offered to watch the Little People so that we could go skidooing and I could finally see some of the beautiful scenery surrounding the hamlet. Sounded lovely, and we were really looking forward to it, but not the thing to do while suffering from full body aches and a steadily running nose. Always the way, eh?!

I tried my best to work through the crankies. I talked to The Big Guy, my Mom, and my friends about how I was feeling ( and all agreed that it was a truly rotten week!). I spent time just "being" with the Little People. I started a half dozen projects that I didn't really want to be doing, including knitting a scarf that I knew I was going to frog, yet I kept knitting because I thought it would keep me busy. I read most of the stack of magazines that had been piling up, and I immersed myself in a new book. Other years I have turned to retail therapy to lift my spirits. I'd spend an enjoyable evening browsing my favorite shops, purchase some of next seasons' must-haves, and then spend the next two weeks looking forward to a great mail-day. But this year we are watching the budget, and trying not to accumulate any more "stuff", so online shopping is out. I'll admit, I did browse. I even went so far as to fill a few virtual carts, but in the end, sensibility won out and I shut down the computer without buying a thing. I picked up my book and went to bed.

And you know what? It all got me through the week. The days passed, and it is Monday once again.

Oh, I'm still sick of winter, and I would still kill for the chance to "go grab a coffee", but that is not going to happen, and winter is not going anywhere any time soon. I embraced the fact that I was having a crummy week, and I worked through it. I seem to be over the worst of my cold, we have a rough idea when we will have some news on the move, and I really do enjoy the company of The Big Guy and the Little People. I do know that things are not so bad, and I am truly grateful for all the I have, including friends and family who are willing to listen when I feel the need to vent once in a while.

So on to a new week, with a fresh start, and with hopefully, a better frame of mind!

The Christmas Calmdown!

2011-01-24T06:00:00.020-07:00

It’s a very special day, readers! Can you guess what it is? I’m practically dancing with excitement and I’m not sure how I will contain myself.

It’s 11 MONTHS UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE!!!

(I’ll take a moment and let you absorb that…)

For some of you, that announcement will either have you:
A - Tingling with excitement that the holidays are that much closer, or,
B - Recoiling in horror that someone’s bringing THAT up again so soon, or
C – A bit of both.

No matter what side of the fence you sit on, I hear you. Really, I do. I absolutely adore the holidays and look forward to all the preparations and busy-ness that comes with them. However, sometimes the hustle and fuss can catch up with you, and that’s what happened to me this year. I had visions, not just of sugar plums, but of homemade gifts, multiple trees, and a surfeit of home cooked gourmet goodies. I started strong. I achieved a lot. But somehow, despite my best intentions I found myself insanely slightly stressed and racing to the finish line. Sitting back after the big day, I found myself thinking; there HAS to be a better way!

Regardless of how you feel about the holidays, the truth of the matter is that they’re here before we know it, often leaving us overwhelmed, underfunded and out of time. How many of you have declared time and again that you are going to get organized, spend smarter, and start earlier? Me, too.
I mentioned this to my cousin Ainsley of Pattycake Manners. She and I had been keeping each other updated on our respective preparations and challenges throughout Holiday 2010. Shortly after the holiday, she presented an idea to help avoid the Christmas crush in Deceember 2011.

We would work together and keep each other on track. By making a challenge of it, we could keep the preparations fun and stay motivated to finish. We’ve made a list of ten goals, and our aim is to complete them throughout the year, thus reducing the amount of Christmas craziness. And just to keep us on our toes, we’ve decided to post our progress on our blogs. We’re calling it…

The Christmas Calmdown

A Year of Christmas Prep for a Calm December

Each month, on or about the 25th, Ainsley or I will post an update presenting the goal for the coming month and update you on our progress with previous goals. I don’t want to give too much away but we plan to include things like Holiday Cooking, Home Decor, Cards and Gifts, and of course, fun ideas for making the holidays special for pets and kids. There’ll even be how-to’s and tutorials, and lots of pictures on our progress.

We’ll be alternating posting responsibilities; Ainsley will be posting on the first goal in February. Here’s a link to her wonderful blog Pattycake Manners; be sure to bookmark or follow her blog so you don’t miss the first goal! Because of course, we want YOU to get involved, too! Follow along with our goals, and each month let us know in the comments how you’re doing and what progress you’ve made. There’s no pressure for you; do one goal or do them all. Or, do none and just cheerlead for Ainsley and I in the comments! For our July post we’re planning a “Christmas in July” linky party where you can link up your related posts to share and inspire (more on that later). So grab a button and let everyone know that this year, your Christmas will be full of fun and meaning, and short on stress and disappointment.

There isn’t a “goal” for this month, we're just getting warmed up, but if there is a topic you’d like to see us cover, please let us know in the comments and we’ll do our best to work it in!

Here’s a little note from Ainsley…

Hi All! First of all, a great big WELCOME to The Christmas Calmdown! I can’t tell you how excited I am to be starting this project with all of you. It’s no secret that I love Christmas, and one of my favorite things about prepping for the holidays is all the handmade goodness. I knit, I scrapbook, I bake, and I love to make my own greeting cards. I love knowing that my friends and loved ones are receiving something I’ve made, with my own hands, just for them. I enjoy the process of making a plan, gathering supplies, and settling down to create something full of love and warm wishes. What I do not love, however, is when I leave these projects just a little too late. The To Do list gets longer, the days get shorter, my patience dwindles, and the joy I normally feel in going the “handmade route” disappears. With The Christmas Calmdown, our hope is that we can spread these projects out over the year, and in doing so, leave ourselves, and you, plenty of time to enjoy the process of getting ready for the holidays. I do hope you’ll join us!

Here’s to a new kind of Christmas!

Yarn Along Wednesday

2011-01-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

Joining Ginny at small things for her weekly Yarn Along.

This week, on the needles, I have a simple pair of leg warmers for my girlie girl. She is turning out to be a bit of an accessory junkie, not unlike her mother, and I can see these being big part of her daily wardrobe. The yarn I'm using is acrylic (for shame, I know!) but in attempt to use up what I have before I buy anything new, I figured these were a quick, fun project suitable for a bit of stash busting. The fact that they have a lot of pink in them has my daughter anxiously awaiting their completion, and I just might make her a hat to match...we shall see. This project is going slower than most, as I've gotten the scrapbooking bug once again, and have been spending more time with paper and glue than with yarn and bamboo. But, I'm delighted with the fact that I have my 2010 Christmas album finished less than a month after the actual event! Go me!!!

As for books, I'm still working on The Cure for Death by Lightening, but if I'm going to finish it by month's end, as planned, I'm going to have to make sure I don't get too distracted by Organized Simplicity, which arrived in the mail last night! I've been waiting for it since Christmas and can't wait to jump right in. The pre-move decluttering is going well, but I always love following someone else's guidelines.

No pics of the Little People's current favorites, but the older one is still enjoying The Magic Tree House Series, and the younger one is quite taken with one of my childhood favorites, The Adventures of Strawberry Shortcake and her Friends...but more on this one in a future post.

And you? What are you up to these days?

You Know It's Cold When...

2011-01-15T12:14:00.000-07:00

We knew it was coming. The bitter cold snap that would have us hunkering down with cups of hot tea, warm slippers, and absolutely no desire to set foot out of doors.

Dealing with the cold is just part of living in the North, and while I know we have it much easier than some places, I still find it fascinating when the temperature drops to 40 below...and keeps dropping! Factor in the wind chill, and we were down to -60 this week! Crazy stuff, I tell ya!

I do realize how lucky I am to be a stay at home Mom, and it's weeks like this that have me loving our decision to homeschool. We had no reason to leave the house, so we didn't!! We got cozy, carried on with our lessons, and did our best to stay warm as Winter tried it's best to get in through the back door.

Seeing as this blog is not only for you, the reader, but also for me, the memory-keeper, I thought it might be fun to share some of the things that happen around here when it gets reaaaaalllly cold.

You know it's cold when...

You go to the basement with a load of laundry and this is how the drier vent looks...always our first sign that it's about to get mighty chilly.

The normally toasty kitchen has inches of thick ice on the INSIDE of the windows.

The "Frostbite Bistro" has to shut down in mid-barbeque because the propane just can't keep the grill warm enough to cook the steaks. It will, however, keep beer from freezing in between sips, provided that said beverage is placed directly on the grill and the cover is closed.

First thing in the morning, the inside of the backdoor starts looks more like the outside of the door.

It is advisable to wear mittens when opening the door to let the doggies out for their early morning wee.

The weather station stops registering the current temperature...she maxes out at -40.

When the sun finally comes up, the air is filled with what we've come to call "ice fog". Beautiful, and slightly eerie.

Even Snow-puppy is back in the house after just a few minutes, eyelashes and whiskers crusted in ice. On the flip side, you know Old Beagle, the anti-snow dog, reaaaaallly has to pee when she is willing to go out in this!

The Big Guy breaks out the Big Parka when heading out to work. Goodbye kisses always result in giggles when he's wearing this one!

Sitting down to watch TV in the evening requires a hot beverage and a blanket, as the living room windows, much like the kitchen windows, have thick ice coating the inside. It gets chilly when this is just inches from your nose!

You get up the courage to walk to the store and realize you are wearing four different kinds of fur...what would Stacy London say?!

The latest addition to my wardrobe, my flannel lined jeans, quickly moves to the top of the Favorite List. How did I live without these?!?!

And, coming in a close second, just behind the jeans, are these bad boys. Who says dressing for -40 weather can't be fun and fashionable?

Yes, it's chilly. But it's sunny, we have a cozy home full of quilts, board games, books, and craft supplies, and we realize that this is an experience we will be talking about for the rest of our lives. And, as someone so kindly pointed out recently, we're half way through January already! May is just around the corner...right?

Yarn Along

2011-01-12T13:42:00.004-07:00

Today I'm joining Ginny at Small Things for her weekly Yarn Along - a place to share what we are reading and knitting.

This month, as per my Book List, I'm reading A Cure for Death by Lightening. I'm really enjoying it, even though it is pretty dark. I'm just reading a chapter or two at night, before bed, so you can bet this book will show up in my next few Yarn Along posts.

On the needles, I have a hat. I think. The yarn was a gift from a good friend who happen to raise the sheep from which the wool came. She also dyed it and spun it herself, and I am honored to be the recipient of such a heartfelt gift. I've been wondering what to do with the yarn, and finally decided on a hat for myself. I'm using a pattern that I've used before, with a few alterations, and I really have no idea how it will go. But I'll never know if I don't try, right? Right!

I'm also including the Little People's favorite book of the week, Mabel Murple by Sheree Fitch. Sheree Fitch is an East Coast author who was a big hit when I was small. I remember reading her books as a child, and later, listening to her as a guest speaker in high school. My Mom recently discovered that some of her books were being re-released as Sheree Fitch Classics, and I was delighted to find this one under our tree in Christmas morning. A gift to the Little People from my brother. We read this book for the first time earlier this week and both kids loved it. The older one read the first half to us, but the tongue-twister nature of the words wore him out before we got to the end. I finished it up, and then we began our homeschool lessons. For arts and crafts time we built on the ideas in the book and I had the kids create their own "color kid". The older went with the standard "Mabel Murple", who was purple. I played along and drew "Gertrude Green". The little one, as you might know, created a girl named "Rosie Pink". It was a fun activity for everyone, until the older one's need for perfection had him throwing in the crayons long before I would have liked, but such is life.

And you? What are you knitting or reading these days?

The Book List

2011-01-10T19:19:00.004-07:00

So here it is.

My "to read" list for the next 6 months.

After decluttering the overflowing book cases in the basement ('cuz really, books are a pain to move with), I came up with a nice little stack of books I bought or was given, and just haven't gotten around to reading. From the pile, I picked six books that I've really been wanting to get to, and my hope is to read one a month for the next six months. I had originally thought I would make it a year-long project, but the reality is, with a move coming in June (?), I see a big ole' blip in not only my reading, but also in my blogging, so six months seems more practical.

These books were chosen for various reasons, and I'm trying to mix up the light with the dark. If any of you would like to follow along and read the same titles, welcome!! Let me know what you think!

1. The Cure for Death by Lightening by Gail Anderson-Dargatz - Given to me by a friend who understands my love of farm life, and was kind enough to let me take part in hers many a day. I'm well into this one already, and loving it. I always find it funny when I love a slightly dark and depressing story. So far there are very few happy moments in this book, yet I find it fascinating and can't put it down!

2. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton - This book was making the rounds through a bunch of girlfriends at home in Cape Breton last summer, and finally landed in my lap. I started to read it, but summer being summer, I found I didn't have the time to sit down and read great chunks of it at once. I loved what I read, but didn't feel I was doing it justice by reading it in dribs and drabs, and so planned to give it back to the owner. When she heard why I hadn't read it, she insisted I take it home with me, and I thank her for that.

3. What They Wanted by Donna Morrissey - This one is part of a Newfoundland series that I have been reading for years. Again, slightly dark and depressing, but for some reason, when set on the East Coast, that appeals to me. I had planned on waiting to get this at the library someday (when I eventually live in a town with a library!), but saw it on sale in a little curiosity shop last summer and splurged.

4. Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella - I love Sophie Kinsella!! I have read many of her books, and I can honestly say that I have laughed out loud at each and every one. She is witty, and funny, and writes in a way that appeals to my girlie-girl side. This book, I ordered through a book club a few years ago, and I have no idea why it has been sitting on my shelf for so long.

5. Starburst by Robin Pilcher - This one I bought to fulfill a book club agreement, and chose it because I am a big fan of the author's Mom, Rosamund Pilcher. That is all I know!

6. Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner - Again, I love her books. She is a favorite author of mine, and this hardcover copy was a great price at Costco. Always good for a laugh, and cry, her books are always very satisfying.

I'll plan to post my progress once a month, and I really would love to hear from anyone who has read, is reading, or plans to read anything I've mentioned!

Hello again!

2011-01-06T21:17:00.004-07:00

"Enjoy the sweet freshness of the brand new year..."

Not sure that it's actually a quote, but this is the sentiment that my pretty new kitchen calender greeted me with when I flipped it open to January, and I think it is the perfect motto for what has been going on here at Patty Cake Manners.

As I said in my last post, I'm not about resolutions. But I do love that feeling of starting over that comes with the dawn of a new year. It's like a clean slate, a fresh piece of loose leaf, or a neatly folded fat quarter of pretty fabric. So very many possibilities. For me, the start of a new year strengthens my resolve to declutter, to be more organized, to spend and save wisely, and to be happy in the moment. And this year more than ever.

I don't know that I mentioned it before, but we have a move on the horizon. Not sure the where's and when's of it all ( and believe me, the suspense is growing!) but we can pretty much count on packing our bags sometime in the next six months, and sorry to say, dearest family, it will not be to the East Coast.

With the move in mind, I decided to give myself an "extra week" after Christmas. Normally I have all the holiday clutter packed up and put away by the 2nd of January, and I had intended to start back with our homeschooling when the local children went back to class on the 4th. But this year I felt I needed a bit more time, and I needed to do a really good job with the post-holiday clean up. I am more determined than ever to clean, sort, purge and declutter everything we own, and the best time to start, I figured, was as I put away our Christmas decorations. You know those things that sit in the boxes year after year? The decorations you really liked at one point but really don't suit your style now? The wreath that is just a tad too worn to go on the front door...any door? Well, what the heck am I saving it for?! If I wouldn't put it up this year, do I really think I'm going to put it up next year? Umm, No. So purge I did. I took my time taking everything down, and carefully evaluated each item that went back in the "Good Totes". I also paid a little more attention to wrapping special pieces, as I know they will have to stand up to the not-so-gentle jostling of the moving truck at some point. When all was said and done, I had reduced our Christmas clutter by a few boxes, had tossed a full bag of trash, and had another good sized box put aside for our pre-move yard sale. (You should know that I HATE yard sales, but I make an exception at moving time)

And now it's on to the rest of the house. The plan is to go from room to room over the next few months with the "love it, use it, need it" mindset. I've already tackled the linen closet and a couple of bookshelves ( Fort Liard friends, I've got a box of giveaway books all set to go if you are looking for some winter reading!) We are making a conscious effort to be mindful of what comes through our door and enters our home. More stuff equals...well, more stuff! And I truly want to unpack a whole lot less "stuff" when we get to our new home!

And so that, dear readers, is what I've been up to, instead of blogging or answering emails (so very sorry, friends!) But I will tell you that I've been thinking up a storm! As I've been tossing and sorting, purging and rearranging, I've also been coming up with some fun ideas to keep things interesting here at Patty Cake Manners!

First off is Project UFO. As I was cleaning the top shelf of a closet earlier this week, I came across a quilt that was well on it's way to being finished. There is quite the story behind this quilt, but you'll have to wait for that ;) I shook my head as I thought to myself "Why have you not finished this? It's all pinned, you just need to quilt it, bind it and hang it!!" Then I realized there were no pins. I HAD quilted, AND bound it! All it needs is a bit of handstitching and it's done! What a shame that such a huge project, one that is so close to completion, has been sitting on a shelf for months!! And I know for a fact that this is not the only UFO (un-finished object in quilter-speak) that I have lying around. So, during the next month, I am going to make a list of 12 of my UFO's, with the goal of finishing one a month until the end of the year. No new quilts will be started, no mega scrapbook albums, no sweaters will be knit. But hopefully, by the end of the year, I will have a few more completed projects, and a lot less craft clutter.

Second is my book list. This one is not such an undertaking, but I'm going to keep a monthly record of it anyway. I am so bad for buying books that I never get around to reading. I used to read all the time, but as the Little People came along, and I took up more handcrafts, I found I was not making the time to pick up a book just for me. I would still buy them with the best of intentions, but most of them sat on my night stand before gathering dust and moving to the basement. Thanks to Ginny's Yarn Along, I have made a point of going to bed a bit earlier and reading a chapter or two before drifting off. I've really enjoyed reading a few seasonal titles throughout the holiday, but now I have looked through my shelves and picked 6 books that I've really been wanting to read. Some I bought on a whim, some are by favorite authors, one is part of a series, and one was a recommendation by a good friend. My ball park goal is one book a month, but I'm going to go easy on myself with this one, and see where it takes me. I'll share the books in an upcoming post.

In crafty news, I'm taking part in a Facebook Pay It Forward project. It involves making handmade items for 5 random friends, who in turn make 5 things for 5 of their friends. I can't share what I'm making, as I want it to be a surprise, but as soon as my goodies have been received, I'll fill you in. I'm also thinking we might just be able to put a bit of a bloggy spin on this. Put your thinking caps on, girlfriends!

And I know I just finished saying that I wasn't going to start any more scrapbook albums until I had finished some old ones, but there has to be a few exceptions, right? Like taking an online class with my Mom? Yes, I knew you'd agree! Last week Marbs and I signed up to take Ali Edwards' online class entitled One Little Word. You can read more about it here, and I'll be posting more about it as it goes along.

And lastly, Nesty Girl and I have decided to collaborate on a "Christmas through the Year" kind of deal. We have yet to work out all the (hum)bugs - sorry, couldn't resist- but we'll keep you posted as our idea grows. I can tell you that it will be a monthly feature on both blogs, and there may even be linky party involved...stay tuned for details!

And so, as my "extra week" draws to a close, I can say that I am very happy with what I have accomplished so far. The decluttering is well under way, I've got some exciting plans for the new year, and on Monday we start back to homeschool lessons. Things are quiet, calm and back to normal after the holidays, and I look forward to what 2011 has to offer!

On a New Year

2010-12-30T14:04:00.005-07:00

Resolutions? Nope, not this year. I never keep them, and then I end up feeling like a failure.

This year, what I have are "goals". Kind of the same idea as resolutions, but with a bit of wiggle room. If achieved, they will improve my life. If not, things will still be pretty darn good. I will try my best to achieve them, but only through a positive way of thinking and the mantra "I am content with what I have."

Because I truly am.

That being said, I think January 1 is the perfect time for a fresh start. For taking stock of how things are going in your life right now. And a time to reflect on what you'd like to change and how you're going to do it. And that is where I find myself now, in this lull between the excitement of Christmas, and the sadness I feel at the thought of packing it all up and admitting that it is over for another year.

So far I've come up with three areas that I need to work on - personal health, family finances, and household clutter. And funnily enough, they seem to be the same three areas that a number of my blog-friends feel they need to work on as well . We all seem to be in the same place in our lives, and while we've never met, we often share similar stories. We are busy Mom's to little kids, we are carrying a few too many extra pounds, our budgets are in need of a revamp, and we are constantly striving to live simply in a world full of clutter. And here, I thought it was just me!

And so, after a lot of thought, I've set my goals for the coming year into a "less is more" way of thinking.

Spend less, save more. Have less, give more away. Eat less, move more. Worry less, be in the moment more.

No pass or fail. No unattainable finish line. Nothing there that will have me throwing up my hands in defeat and running to the pantry for a handful of chips if I have a bad day. Just a few simple, healthy goals that will put me back on the road to being the kind of person I would like to be.

I really think Oprah nailed it when she said,

"Cheers to a new year, and another chance for us to get it right!"

Wish me luck, and feel free to join in!

JYC - December 25 and 26

2010-12-26T09:21:00.006-07:00

December 25 - On Christmas Day

Journaling reads;

The Big Guy and I decided a long time ago that we were not going to travel at Christmas time.

It would be lovely to see our families at this time of year, but it is also lovely to avoid the stress of getting to Cape Breton, to spend Christmas in our own home, to know that the kids are comfortable, and to know that things will be relatively calm and quiet.

We have made our own traditions and have managed to make each house we've lived in feel like home, so I know we've made the right choice for us.

And So This Is Christmas

5 am - The Older one is awake
5:30 am - Mom and The Older one back to sleep
7:15 am - The Older one awake, wakes everyone
7:30 am - Discover Santa has been here!
8:30 am - Snack break, Merry Christmas to Marby by phone
8:45 to 11:30 am - Opening gifts
12:00 pm - Christmas brunch cooked by Daddy
12:45 pm - Turkey in the oven
1:00 to 4:00 pm - getting out of jammies, playing with new toys, phone calls to and from family and friends, nap for the Little one, more cooking
4:00 pm - Visit from a neighbour
5:30 pm - Wonderful turkey dinner by Mom
6:00 to 7:30 pm - More playing, chatting, back into jammies, bedtime
8:30 to whenever - Quiet time for Mom and Dad, reading, scrapping, winding down"

(ETA - Please realize that this account of our Christmas Day was done after the fact!)

December 26 - On Boxing Day

Journaling reads;

"Boxing Day in South Bar was always our turn to host the family get-together. Now that we are away, it is often the day that we get together with friends, since we stay home on Christmas Day. This year I plan to relax and do some scrapping!"

JYC - December 22, 23 and 24

2010-12-24T13:03:00.001-07:00

December 22 - On What is Left To Do

Journaling reads;

"So my plan worked! I worked very hard for the month of November making gifts, planning decorations, and getting all the shopping done. Now it is the 22nd of December, and the only thing I have left to do is

...sit back and relax,

because I finished everything!"

December 23 - On Stockings

Journaling reads;

"Stockings are a huge deal for me. I`ve had mine since my first Christmas and it was important to me that the kids got just the right one too. Luckily our good friend Pat saw to that for me, and the kids both have beautiful stockings that I hope they will always treasure. The Big Guy`s stocking needs work. I made it for him when I first started really sewing, and every year I say I`m going to fix it up...maybe!"

December 24 - On What Makes Christmas so Wonderful

Journaling reads;

"What is it that makes Christmas so darn wonderful? For me, I think it is the idea that during the holiday season, it is just slightly more acceptable the be whimsical, to sing off key, to act a little childish, to indulge in the odd treat, to spoil the ones we love, to make things pretty just because, to feel happy for no particular reason, to cover everything in twinkly white lights, and most importantly, to believe in magic.

These are the things we should do all year long, and I will try harder to do them in 2010!"

What We've Been Up To

2010-12-22T20:31:00.000-07:00

We've been having lots of holiday fun here at Patty Cake Manners. Amid the wrapping, the baking, and the pre-Christmas cleaning, we've made plenty of time to get crafty, to enjoy the odd warm afternoon outdoors, and to welcome Winter. Here are a few pics that sum up what we've been up to.

~gingerbread houses, made from scratch using this mold from Lee Valley, and decorated with the help of a lovely neighbour~

~bird watching~

~making Winter Solstice lanterns, using this idea from Simple Kids~

~putting together a Christmas puzzle, a beautiful birthday gift from Marbs~

~finishing a few last minute gifts for The Big Guy (who has been told he can't read my blog until after Christmas, so shhhhh!) ~ the Glen Hat using Debbie Bliss Glen yarn and a fun pattern from Baadeck Yarns, and this adorable tea wallet from Is It Naptime Yet? ( seriously, it whipped up in a half hour!)~

~making pinecone feeders for our feathered friends, also from Simple Mom~

~and making the most of those rare, sunny, -20 degree afternoons by lighting a fire and enjoying the fresh Winter air! ( trust me, -20 is a real treat these days!!)~

How are you spending this Christmas week?

JYC - December 19, 20 and 21

2010-12-21T18:54:00.003-07:00

December 19 - On A Letter to Santa

Journaling reads:

" Yesterday the kids got a response to the letter they sent to Santa a couple of weeks ago. I think I was more excited than they were! The Littlest One, of course, didn't really understand, but the look of shock and excitement on the Older One's face brought tears to my eyes. As I read the letter aloud to them, I was covered in goosebumps and really had to work at not crying out-right.

I'm not quite sure why I got so emotional. I think maybe that as a grown-up, I have to work harder and harder not to lose sight of the magic of Christmas through all the busyness and commercialism.

But reading that letter, and seeing the look on the Older One's little 4 year old face, I was reminded of just how powerful it can be.

Believe in the Magic!"

December 20th - On Unexpected News

Journaling reads:

"-getting an email from Canadian Scrapbooker magazine requesting one of my layouts for publication in their Spring 2010 issue!"

December 21 - On "Right Now"

Journaling reads;

" So, this is what it looks like under our tree right now. Pretty bare. No gifts.

Todays's prompt was to capture something as it is "Right Now". Well, there are lots of messy corners, piles of dirty dishes, and unfinished projects that I could have focused on to tell the story of how busy things are, but as I looked around, this is what caught my eye.

Oh, there are boxes of gifts in the basement. Lots... and lots...of boxes, meaning lots and lots of gifts!

But then there is the Little One....my sweet, darling Little One, who is 2, and not to be trusted! Putting the gifts under the tree too early would just be an exercise in frustration, and have me getting after her far too often.

Do I love the look of gifts under the tree? Yes!! But I love my Little One more, so the gifts will stay in the basement until a little closer to Christmas!"

In Praise of Martha

2010-12-21T12:17:00.000-07:00

I have a love-hate relationship with Martha Stewart.

Nine times out of ten, she makes me cringe. Yet strangely, I do internal jumpy claps whenever anyone compares me to her.

This week, she's in my good books.

For years now, I've made a habit out of baking these incredibly easy and delicious shortbread at Christmas time for family, friends, and the people who make things a little easier for us on a daily basis. I really like to acknowledge my appreciation for people like the post office staff, our health care workers etc, and baked goods always seems like a good choice. But every year I struggle with how to package said goodies. The fact that these cookies have darling little icing swirls on the top means I can't stack them, and I just can't afford to buy those pretty Gladware containers for everyone on my list. This year, I got in my head that I was going to splurge and purchase some pretty cardboard cookie boxes for gift giving. After hunting online for a while, I settled on pretty pack of eight, designed by, you guessed it, Martha Stewart.

I was delighted when they arrived in the mail!!! The pack contained inner boxes, decorative outer sleeves, gift labels, and coordinating tissue and ribbon. Oh yes. These were going to work perfectly!

After baking a couple of batches of Mom's famous Whipped Shortbread (with a borrowed mixer - mine would decide to kick the bucket on Christmas baking day!), I loaded up my pretty boxes, and gave kudos to Martha on a job well done. The cookies have since been delivered, Christmas wishes were exchanged, and I have added "Buy More Martha Boxes" to next year's to do list.

I'm including the recipe for the shortbread, as they really are the perfect last minute gift. They mix up in no time, call for basic ingredients, and are sure to become a holiday favorite with your family too!

Whipped Shortbread

1 cup soft margarine

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup icing sugar

1 1/2 cup flour

Mix at low speed until thoroughly mixed. Mix at high speed until mixture resembles whipped cream. Drop on cookie sheet by spoonful. Bake at 325F for 8 - 10 minutes. Makes about 24 cookies, depending on the spoon you use. I like to top mine with a little swirl of Cream Cheese frosting and a piece of dried cranberry, but they are delish on their own too.

JYC - December 18

2010-12-19T20:36:00.002-07:00

December 18 - On The Menu

Journaling reads,

"Christmas Dinner Menu

-turkey, a big one so there's lots of leftovers

-dressing, my favorite part

-cranberry sauce, homemade using Ocean Spray recipe

-gravy, Club House mix, using turkey drippings

-mashed potatoes, a must

-veggies, carrots, corn, broccoli

-dill pickles, mmmmmm

-dessert, Oops! Forgot to make the pie this year!!"

JYC - December 17

2010-12-18T18:44:00.000-07:00

December 17 - On The Perfect Gift

Journaling reads;

" It's not easy to surprise The Big Guy, but this year I found the perfect gift to do just that. After a little "wilderness mishap" this Fall, there was no doubt that a SPOT locator could have saved us all a great deal of stress and worry. I knew right away that I would be getting him one for Christmas, but luckily, he didn't! He was delighted, and I'll be much more at ease when he heads for the woods!"

JYC - December 14, 15, and 16

2010-12-17T19:00:00.002-07:00

December 14 - On Gifts

Journaling reads;

"Our gifts are always passed out by "Mom". We go one at a time and watch as each gift is opened. This usually means that we are still unwrapping gifts at noon - and that's just fine with us!"

December 15 - On Plans

Journaling reads;

" Our plan for this year is to have a quiet Christmas at home. We are not having any company this year, and we are not planning to host any big get-togethers. We will go to Mark and Wanda's for drinks on Christmas Eve, and Wanda is hosting a small potluck for our gang on the 27th. I'm sure our best friends will stop by a time or two for drinks, but other than that, things should be quiet and relaxing!"

December 16 - On Gratitude

" - We have a fully stocked fridge, freezer, pantry and cold room

- We are content to be spending Christmas this far from "home", and will have a wonderful time - just the four of us

- All of my online shopping has arrived - and with no hassles!

- The Big Guy likes to cook

- The Big Guy is off on Christmas day and the days leading up to it

- We have such wonderful families and friends who thought to send us cards and gifts.

- The Little People

- I am home all day with the kids with lots of time for Christmas crafting

- We have the means to have lots of gifts under the tree for the Little People

- We have a warm, cozy home to decorate and fill with Christmas cheer

- My wonderful Mother

- Wanda!

- That we have wonderful Christmas memories from years gone by

- My handsome husband

- I have a happy, healthy family to share the Christmas season with."

JYC - December 11, 12, and 13

2010-12-16T17:24:00.001-07:00

Well, like everyone else, the Holidays have caught up with me and between baking, crafting with the kids, and enjoying the season's festivities, I am left with little time for blogging. Which is fine with me, you'll just have to forgive me for doubling up on posts now and then! And if you have no idea what I'm talking about, you can read about my 2009 Journal Your Christmas project here.

December 11 - On the Christmas Tree

Journaling reads;
" Our first year in Fort Liard was also our first year using an artificial tree. And I will admit that I had a really hard time with it. You would think that being surrounded by woods, we would have had no trouble finding a fresh tree, but we are spoiled by East Coast trees, and not just any tree will do. So we ended up using our emergency back-up ( purchased when we thought a move North of the treeline was in our future!), and yes - I shed a tear or two when it went up. Childish, I know, but it made me truly sad. However, I quickly realized how lucky I was to have my Mom, (who had traveled across the country to spend the holidays with us) there to help me decorate it, and once the ornaments were on, it did indeed look like "my" tree, and it was beautiful."

"Our tree is a "sentimental tree". It is full of ornaments that mean something. They tell stories of places we've been, people we've met, things we've done, and the family and friends who love us. There are very few "store bought" ornaments that were purchased just because. When I was small, Mom started a box to keep all my ornaments in. Every year they were kept separate, and when I moved out, I had my own collection of meaningful ornaments to take with me. I'm so grateful that she thought to do that, and I have already started a box for each of the Little People."

"A favorite Christmas Tree memory of mine is from when we lived on Beinn Bhreagh road in Baddeck. Every year "the cousins" would come to gather trees. Dad would lead us all through the woods and it was always fun."

December 12 - On Christmas Past

The pocket holds a number of tags, and on each is written a special personal memory from my childhood Christmases.

Journaling reads;

"Christmas Past, Present, and Future...A Christmas Carol. I love this movie, and try to watch it as many times as I can throughout the season, and I love catching all the different versions. Alister Sim, Patrick Stewart, Henry Winkler, George C. Scott, even that old, grainy 1930's version that Mom and I saw one night in Inverness. One of my own personal traditions :)"

December 13 - On Christmas Music

Journaling is the lyrics of Roger Whittaker's "Country Christmas"

This is my absolute favorite Christmas song. Not only did Mom play this album often when we were small, but it truly could have been written about those childhood Christmases. And if you ever spent a winter's day in Baddeck with us, you'll know exactly what I mean.

"Snow is falling faster now
and dusting on a hill.
Skaters on the river,
gentle dancers in the chill.
The children's laughter ringing
as they overturn their sleighs,
waiting, for a Country Christmas Day.

The chimney's hold the promise
of a friendly fire inside
And though it's after bedtime
all the children's eyes are wide.
There might be cakes and shortbread
on a shiny silver tray,
waiting, for a Country Christmas Day.

Dogs run after snowflakes
in a never ending chase.
Soft lights through the window,
frost as delicate as lace.
And re-united loved ones
who've been far too long away,
waiting, for a Country Christmas Day.

It's Christmas in the Country,
like another time and place.
I see it in the little things,
in every smiling face.
It's crystal nights and far off lights,
and children count the days,
Country Christmas,
and love will lead the way.

Country Christmas,
and love will lead the way."

Cloves and the Kitchen Sink

2010-12-13T13:35:00.001-07:00

This is one of those posts that got away on me. It started with a little thought in the morning "Hmm. I should blog about this" and snowballed from there. The spark began when I discovered a nice new-to-me blog called Like Mother, Like Daughter. A few of the blogs I read regularly were taking part in a fun little link party over there entitled "Pretty Around the Kitchen Sink." The idea was simple. We spend a lot of time at our sinks, me even more so since I stopped using my dishwasher, and it really should be a pretty little spot for us to hang out in as we scrub the dishes. My kitchen window/sink area is one spot that I was not entirely happy with when my decorating was finished last week, and after browsing photos of other people's kitchens, I was inspired to give mine a bit of a spruce-up.

I started by removing everything from that part of the counter, and I do mean everything. Microwave, Barista, canisters, and the current decorations. I then moved on to a good scrub of the window, window sill, sink and surrounding counter area. As I put things back, I rearranged our everyday appliances, and was surprised at the difference even that much made. I then moved the garland that had been on the sill to the top of the window and intertwined it with the fairy lights that were already up there. Presto - more space on the sill! I knew for sure that I wanted my reindeer candle holder to be the main focus. It was a gift from a very special friend and has become my absolute favorite ornament. I've tried it in other places through the house, but really, the kitchen window sill is where it is at it's best. After placing the holder front and center, I added some Christmas red knick knacks for a bit of color. But it still wasn't enough. The candle holder is gorgeous at night, but during the day, it has a tendency to just blend in and look kind of dull. The Big Guy had kindly brought me some greens from one of his skidoo treks, and with a few snips of the pruners, I had a nice little nest under and around the base of the holder. But what else? Some lovely large pine cones ( which arrived in the mail from that same special friend just a day or two ago!), and then I knew exactly what I was going to spend the next half hour doing.

When we were small, Mom was all about the handmade Christmas. We lived back in the woods and Mom was a pro at using whatever Nature had to offer to not only decorate our home and our tree, but also to make beautiful little gifts for friends and family. She also loved to involve my brother and I as much as possible in this handcrafting. I know now, as the Mom of little ones, that this was certainly done out of love, but also as survival tactic. Busy kids are happy kids, and happy kids are much more fun to be around!!

One of these "Nature Crafts" that stands out in my mind are pomanders - oranges stuck all over with cloves, which then dry and smell wonderful! I remember helping Mom make pomanders on a few different occasions, and it's just one of those memories that pops up every time I get the scent of cloves. We would make a half dozen to sit in a pretty bowl on the table, or work some ribbon into our design and hang them throughout the house. Yes, pomanders were just what my window sill needed.

I went to the cupboard and low and behold, the decor Goddess was smiling on me, and I found not only a bag of cloves, but a mason jar full as well. In the fruit bowl were about 6 mandarin oranges, and in two minutes I was set up at the table creating a little something to dress up my window.Now, I should say, that here in the North, we don't take fresh fruit for granted, and I would normally not "waste" these oranges on pomanders. However, The Big Guy is making a pre-Christmas trip to town today and will be stocking up on produce, so it's better that we use up what we have, before the new load arrives!

So, naturally, as soon as I sat down to craft, the Littlest of the Little People arrived at my side wanting to "help". Thankfully, this is a totally kid-friendly project. I got a small plate, and another orange, and set her to work. Now, I remember having to take breaks when I was little because the cloves would hurt my fingers after a while, but these mandarins have such soft skin that my little one was able to poke the cloves in without a problem.

Before long, the Older of the Little People joined us, and we were all re-creating another of my childhood Christmas memories. Just like that! With no planning, and very little preparation. Love when that happens!!

So, my kitchen sink now looks like "my" kitchen sink should - woodsy, rustic, and natural.

The Little People and I spent some time being creative, and I could hear the joy in Mom's voice when the Little One told her over the phone that we were making "Pomander Oranges!"

A perfect pre-Chrismas Sunday!! How was your weekend?

I'll be catching up on my JYC entries some time in the next few days, as time allows :)

JYC -December 10

2010-12-11T20:00:00.001-07:00

On Wrapping Gifts,

Journalling reads,

" What I've Learned About Wrapping Gifts

1. Buy good quality paper. The cheap stuff doesn't stand a chance against the jostling of Canada Post.

2. Buy co-ordinating rolls in which to wrap the household presents. This will ensure at least a small measure of control over the madly clashing colors and patterns under the tree.

3. Never use generic tape from the Northern Store.

4. Do NOT buy the really big roll of paper from Costco. You will get bored with it long before you get your money's worth out of it.

5. Have a spare roll on hand to give The Big Guy on Christmas Eve when man-panic sets in.

6. Get the wrapping done early! As nice at is may seem to set aside an evening just before Christmas to put on some tunes, pour a drink of rum and revel in the Christmas spirit as you wrap, this will also be the night that one or both children refuse to go to sleep, The Big Guy will come home early from work, a long distance friend will call to chat, or you will run out of gift tags.

7. You can NEVER have enough tissue paper."

JYC - December 9

2010-12-10T19:44:00.000-07:00

On Traditions -

Journalling under flap reads,

"Our Traditions

the tree - Mom always waited until quite close to Christmas to put the tree up. She said that way, it was "still magical" when you came down the stairs on Christmas morning.

shortbread and cheesecake - Mom's famous recipe, and The Big Guy's specialty.

sleigh bells - I bought these one year at the Farmer's Co-op and they hang on our door every year.

gingerbread houses - I remember Mom making them with my brother and I, then I made them with my little cousins, and now the Little People are at it!

black rum - well, we'll drink this pretty much any time, but nothing beats pouring a toddy and basking in the glow of the Christmas tree lights.

Pillsbury - The Big Guy and I started this one. First thing on Christmas morning, the kettle and the oven both get turned on. Soon we are sipping tea and munching cinnamon rolls.

hanging cards - Another one from Mom. I'm not sure if anyone else still does it, but I always remember Christmas cards hanging from doorways, railing, and window sills.

picnic - Every Christmas Eve we cook a bunch of appies, spread a blanket on the living room floor and have a "picnic" for supper...not sure why!"

Guest Posting at Nesty!

2010-12-09T21:46:00.002-07:00

Well, it's been quite a busy week around here, but I'm sure the same is true for all of us these days, isn't it?! I've had what I considered a Work Week. I made my To Do list, didn't worry that the kitchen was full of craft supplies, and spent the majority of each day at the table creating little bits of goodness for family and friends. I'm happy to report that I managed to finish up all the handmade gifts and cards I had planned, and got the last of them off in the mail this afternoon! Go Me!!

In other news, I'm super excited to tell you that I've got a Guest Post going on over at Nesty today! It's been in the works for a while, but finally came together this week. I won't tell you what it is, you'll have to go hunting, but I will say that it combines my love of Christmas, and pretty paper.

I've fallen behind just a smidge with my Journal Your Christmas posts, due in part to the fact that I got a bit hung up on an incomplete page. So I'm just gonna come clean and admit that there is no entry for December 8th! I know, I know - for shame!

See you tomorrow for a JYC catch up, but until then, pop over to Nesty and see what's going on over there!

Yarn Along Wednesday

2010-12-08T09:31:00.000-07:00

Can I just say that I love Yarn Along Wednesday? Seriously. It's such a treat to sit down with a cup of tea and browse through all those lovely blogs, seeing what others are working on, and what they are reading. Ginny at Small Things knew what she was doing when she brought these two passions together and created a place for us to share them.

I just started "Knit the Season" by Kate Jacobs, which I picked up at the grocery store back in November, thinking it would make a great Christmas read. I'm a sucker for a cute cover, and the cupcakes got me. I'm just a couple of chapters in, and not quite sure what I think of it so far. I know it's part of a series, and I have not read the previous books, so I'm thinking I might set it aside and pick up the others before continuing. I've read a quilting series in much the same style, and loved it, so I'm thinking a better knowledge of the characters might help. That being said, I bought it for a light holiday read, so I might just keep going with it. I also picked up Christmas at Cedar Creek by Debbie Macomber. This will be my first book by this author, but she comes highly recommended for a light, feel-good story, and that's what I like around the holidays. I must remember too, that I'm still coming down from my Rosamund Pilcher Winter Solstice high, so anything I pick up now is going to be a bit of a let down.

On the needles, I've finished a hat and one mitten for that same little peanut who has yet to make her grand entrance into the world. The second mitten will be casting on today, and when it's finished, I'll be starting a hat for The Big Guy for Christmas with some lovely wool I ordered from Baadeck Yarns.

And you? What are you reading or knitting?

JYC - December 7

2010-12-08T09:13:00.000-07:00

On "To Do" lists -

Journalling reads,

" To Do
- mail BC parcels
- mail Hanukkah card
- finish writing cards
- mail cards
- mail layout to Canadian Scrapbooker
- wrap the Little People's gifts
- wrap The Big Guy's gifts
- take cookies to the clinic
- find a tree!
- make gifts for Fort Liard friends"

JYC - December 6

2010-12-06T20:00:00.002-07:00

(page 1)
My Birthday!

Journalling reads,
"Having a birthday so close to Christmas has resulted in a wonderful collection of ornaments - some with great stories behind them."

(page 2)
On Naughty or Nice,

Journalling reads,
"Yes, yes...I have to admit that I have ventured dangerously close to the naughty list a time or two. In fact, I remember more than one Christmas Eve Day, getting sent to my room for being saucy. I know now that it was just a case of being too excited, and wanting more of Mom's attention than she had to give on such a hectic day!

Choosing just one "nice" Christmas memory is near impossible. I've been blessed with memories of wonderful childhood Christmases, and am loving how I now get to create those memories for my Little People."

JYC - December 5

2010-12-05T20:15:00.001-07:00

On Counting Down,

Journalling reads,

(first page)
"25 Bits of Random Christmas Goodness

1. decorations
2. "A Christmas Carol"
3. family
4. snow
5. parcels in the mail
6. my reindeer candle holder
7. turkey dinner
8. Christmas music
9. pretty scrapbook papers
10. eggnog
11. Christmas cards
12. baking
13. lights
14. making gifts
15. the CTV reindeer
16. gifts
17. the Littlest One's Christmas dress
18. snowmen
19. Old Sam black rum
20. letters to Santa
21. scented candles
22. mint chocolate oranges
23. wrapping paper
24. mulled cider
25. December 25th!

(second page)

The advent calender has always been the first decoration to go up, and the real start of the Christmas season. This one is pretty much an exact replica of the one Mom made for my brother and I when we were small. He and I used to debate every year over who got to place the 1st ornament, or the star on the 24th. I made this one when The Big Guy and I got married, and it's wonderful to see my Little People carry on this family tradition."

JYC - December 4

2010-12-04T20:00:00.001-07:00

On the Perfect Christmas,

Journalling reads -

"When prompted to write about my "perfect Christmas", my first thoughts were of a secluded log cabin, lots of fresh greens and twinkly white lights. No TV or computer, and handmade gifts in "brown paper packages tied up with string". And while that still sounds lovely, I know it's not what would make my Christmas perfect. I already have what I need, and I am grateful.

My Perfect Christmas

1. The Big Guy being home all day.
2. The Little People behaving.
3. A long, leisurely morning opening gifts, drinking coffee, and eating yummy baked goods.
4. Chatting with family on the phone.
5. Cooking a huge turkey for our Christmas dinner.
6. Sharing a drink or two with a few special friends.
7. Spending the day enjoying each other's company and embracing the magic that comes with Christmas Day.
8. and maybe a nap... "

JYC - December 3

2010-12-03T20:12:00.001-07:00

On Christmas Greetings,

Journalling inside the card, which goes inside the envelope reads -

"My card design for this year is totally out of my comfort zone. I love "Old Olive" as much as the next girl, but I just wasn't feeling it this year. I fell in love with "Dasher" as soon as I saw him in the Stampin' Up! catalogue, and he just begged for something a little different. Enter "Melon Mambo" and bling!

The Big Guy doesn't think the cards are Christmassy enough, and I can see that. But I think they are whimsical, and that it was time for me to "push the envelope" and try something new. I love how they turned out!"

JYC - December 2

2010-12-02T20:00:00.003-07:00

On Snow...

Journalling reads -

"My relationship with snow has changed a lot over the years. It's gone from "love" to "hate" to "indifference" to "longing", back to "love", and is now in a somewhat stable state of "acceptance".

As a child in the backwoods of Baddeck, nothing was more exciting than having friends or cousins come to play in what seemed like huge mountains of snow, left after Jackie finished plowing the driveway. We'd make "igloos" with rooms and tunnels, slide down the banks, and stay out until our mittens were soaked and our feet were numb. One favorite memory is playing outside after dark with only the Christmas lights to see by - magical.

Once we moved to South Bar, and I was a little older, snow didn't seem so great. Sure, the odd snow-day was fun, but snow also caused us to miss other things besides school. Dances, CGIT, 4H weekends, basketball and hockey games, and in particular, a family shopping trip to Halifax. I had spent my entire March Break babysitting in order to have some shopping money, only to have a snowstorm hit the morning we were to leave. I did not love snow that day.

Once I started working, snow meant spending a lot of nights dreading the morning drive to the United Farmer's Co-OP. The first snow fall of the season always brought my Christmas spirit, but after that, snow equaled stress.

When The Big Guy and I moved to Bella Coola, we really didn't know what to expect as far as winter was concerned. As it turned out, there were a few weeks in Dec/Jan when there were a few inches of snow on the ground, but it didn't really affect me in any way. I walked to work, and there was really no reason to drive if I didn't want to. I do, however, remember watching the snow fall softly in our backyard early one morning and being amazed at the quiet.

In Texada, we got our first taste of true West Coast Winter, meaning much rain and little snow. No white Christmas for us, and I have to say, it was harder to get into the spirit of Christmas. I remember waking up to 3 inches of snow one morning, and being so excited that I bundled the kids up without even feeding them! I fed the Littlest One her breakfast in the carport while the Older one made his first snowman.

Now we live in the Northwest Territories...and there is really no question of us having a white Christmas. Snow arrives in mid-October and stays until May. This year I felt like playing Christmas tunes before we even had Halloween over with, and that overwhelmingly festive feeling is still with me! We walk everywhere, so there is little stress over winter driving, and most days we are content to just spend our time being cozy indoors. Warm sweaters, wool slippers, cozies and hot cups of tea are staples.

And since we've no place to go...let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"

JYC - December 1

2010-12-01T20:00:00.002-07:00

On why,

Journalling reads:

"Okay, so...Why am I keeping this Christmas Journal? Well, I love scrapbooking. I love Christmas. And I love writing. And honestly, I'm good at all three. I am not, however, good at making time to enjoy these things. So, for the next 37 days, I promise to give myself the gift of 15 minutes a day to reflect on the holidays of the past, enjoy the holidays of the present, and dream of the holidays of the future. Let the season begin!"

JYC - And it begins!

2010-12-01T06:00:00.004-07:00

With the first of December comes the start of one of my favorite scrapbooking projects - Journal Your Christmas. You can read more about JYC here.

Today, I'm sharing a photo of the cover of my JYC album. I designed the cover during the weeks leading up to the 1st, when I had all my supplies gathered and was just itching to get started! I used my favorite Christmas color combo of chocolate chip, old olive, and real red, all from Stampin' Up! The album was a pre-bound one I had tucked away, and the only problem I ended up with was how thick it got as the days went by! I love how it turned out, with ribbons, tags and other embellishments sticking out from here and there, and it just has a really good feel to it when you hold it in your hands. It's a record of Christmas - past, present and future from my point of view, and I look forward to sharing it with you through December!

Journal Your Christmas

2010-11-30T06:00:00.003-07:00

Last November I noticed a trend among scrapbookers. It seemed a number of the "Celebrity Scrapbookers" had put together classes, projects and kits with the idea of creating a Christmas Journal. For the most part, they all ran with the idea of taking some time out of each day to record your daily goings-on for the month of December. I found, at the time, I was doing less and less scrapbooking for myself, and fell in love with the idea of scrapping a bit each day through the holidays. I did some research, compared the classes, and in the process, discovered the wonderful world of Shimelle.com.

Shimelle's take on the December project was an online course for scrapbookers entitled Journal Your Christmas - or JYC for short. This course sounded like just the thing I was looking for. After signing up, we received pre-class emails with ideas for prepping and planning your journal, some digital downloads for use on journal pages, and oodles of eye candy. This girl has a flare for scrapping like no one else I've come across...and she has a thing for cupcakes. How can you not love her?!

Once December began, we received daily "prompts", with a theme for the day, journal topic suggestions, and loads of inspiration in the form of journal pages from other participants. I woke each morning looking forward to see what would be waiting in my Inbox, and I was never disappointed. The whole experience of taking the Journal Your Christmas class added another dimension to my holiday season. It got me thinking of how we spend each day getting ready for the 25th, and had me remembering bits and pieces from years gone by, in a way I never would have, had I not been using the prompts.

I made a genuine effort to take at least 15 minutes out of each day to work on my Journal. Not only did it get the pages done, but it also gave me a much needed breather from the rest of the world during the busiest time of the year. There were certainly days when I didn't get my page finished, or even started, depending on the circumstances, and the Journal is not, in fact, complete yet. But I'm more than happy with what I did accomplish, and I'm hoping to put the finishing touches on it this December.

So...if you're interested, here's the plan. For the month of December, I am going to post the pages of my Journal here at Patty Cake Manners. Many participants blog about their Journal regularly, and some in fact, do their Journal completely on their blogs - no paper involved at all! I'm going to do a bit of a combination of the two. I'll post my completed pages from last year, and I will work to fill in the blanks as I go.

If journalling your Christmas sounds like something you might be interested in, check out Journal Your Christmas . You'll find a welcoming community of festive scrappers from all over the world who are always happy to share ideas and inspiration on the forums and through their blogs. Be sure to let me know if you decide to join us!

Christmas Busy Jar

2010-11-29T15:08:00.001-07:00

Oh, the best laid plans...

So often I find myself looking back at a holiday or occasion and thinking of all the things I didn't get done with the Little People.

All through the year, and especially when we are on our annual trip "out", I gather craft supplies, activity books, fun baking tools, and other seasonal items, with the intention of keeping the kids busy and encouraging their creativity. But days get full, and the time goes by, and while we always do some of the things I have planned, we sometimes have a few projects left over.

After last Christmas, when I was packing away our decorations and such, I took a small box and filled it with all the Christmas craft items that we didn't use. I also put in the coloring books and activity books that my Mom had picked up on sale after the holidays, and I kept adding to the box throughout the year as I picked up other goodies here and there. The other day I sorted through the box and was happy to see that I have more than enough to keep the Little People busy this Christmas! But how could I make sure we actually used what we had?

After thinking about it for a while, I came up with our Christmas Busy Jar. On small pieces of colored paper, I wrote down about 30 activities for the kids to do. The plan will be that every day before Christmas, they will take turns after lunch drawing an activity from the jar. I have a big box with all the supplies we will need for each activity, and they vary from "Color a Christmas picture" to "Bake sugar cookies with Mom". Most of the activities are ones they can do at the kitchen table while I putter around and give just a touch of supervision. Others will be ones we do together, like baking, or reading Christmas stories.

I'm hoping that our Christmas Busy Jar will not only have us accomplishing a few more of our holiday projects, but will also fill in that gap between lunch time and nap time that it is too often gobbled up by TV. I can also see it coming in handy at other times of the day when we all need to take a bit of a breather and regroup. Sometimes the excitement of the season is just too overwhelming for our wee ones, and a few minutes in the kitchen with Mom can make all the difference in the world.

So, how do you plan on keeping your Little People busy this Christmas season?

Jolly Holiday Card Class

2010-11-28T16:40:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow night I get to host one of my favorite classes - Christmas cards! The night when we do our Christmas cards is always a little bit special. Everyone is excited about the holidays and we spend the evening chatting about travel plans, family traditions, and anything else related to the season. We get to play with pretty paper, festive stamps, and maybe even a bit of bling. I'll be bringing the Christmas tunes, and if the mood strikes, I may even whip up a batch of Christmas cookies for the girls to enjoy while we work. Yes, should be a good time!

This year, we are using the Jolly Holiday designer series paper from Stampin' Up! and sticking to a traditional color scheme of Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, and Very Vanilla. The cards were originally designed by Carla Brasher of The Southern Stamper ,and I have made a few changes to suit our style. The cards in the photos were done using the Tree Trimmings stamp set, but I have since changed them to the Northern Hearts set. Along with Northern Hearts, I'll also be bringing an assortment of other Christmas stamps so that the girls can make the cards their own if they wish.

I'm really looking forward to spending an evening out with friends - it's been a long week without The Big Guy! It will be nice to sit back and enjoy the beginnings of what promises to be a lovely holiday season North of 60!

Reality Check

2010-11-26T10:09:00.001-07:00

You know that night, when you have oodles of things on your To-Do list and your deadline is drawing near, but the stars align and you just know you are going to have a productive evening?

Well that was me last night.

Every year I work towards making more handmade gifts for family and friends, and this years' list is a decent size. I've given myself lots of time, and I have what I believe are realistic expectations. I've also given myself a deadline of December 1st to have all these gifts done and popped in the mail.

Things have been progressing nicely, and I haven't had to hit the panic button yet, but you know that feeling? When you have a dozen things that are almost finished, but each need a tiny bit of something before they can be officially crossed of the list? That's the point I found myself at yesterday, and so I decided to have a "work night".

The Little People were nestled all snug in their beds, and The Big Guy was out of town, so it was the perfect opportunity to turn the kitchen into my own little workshop and get some things finished.

First, to set the mood. Within a few minutes, Roger Whittaker was singing about Christmas in the Country and the scent of "Homemade Cookies" was wafting through the air. My fairy lights were twinkling throughout the house, and a cup of tea was steeping on the counter. Knowing that I wanted to be as productive as possible, I also made an attempt to be as organized as possible. If you've spent time crafting with me, you know the challenge that presented. However, with each project assigned to its own cardboard box, and said boxes placed in nice neat rows on the counter, things were going well thus far. Tools were on a spare chair beside me, and the table was clear.

And this is where I got cocky.

"You, my dear, are a crafting rockstar! You are going to get so much done tonight! You are so on top of Christmas this year! You just might be the bomb!"

I had planned earlier to have a cyber-craft-night with my cousin Kim, over at Nesty. We often chat via facebook throughout the day, and knowing that she too was planning a quiet evening at home, we decided to make a point of checking in with each other as we worked. Super fun! So, with a nice clean table before me, I placed my laptop to one corner. In the other corner, I placed my mini photo printer (a must for every scrapbooker planning a move North of 60!). As I thought of what would go where next, I absently grabbed my tea cup and took a sip. Placing the cup on the table, I next reached for my work mat. As I placed it on the table, I'm sure I don't have to tell you what happened. Yes, the mat hit the full cup of hot tea, and away it went.

I froze. I closed my eyes and thoughts of the Great Scrapbooking/Red Wine/Wobbly Table Leg Catastrophe of '09 started swirling around in my head. Please, please, PLEASE let it have missed everything!! As I slowly opened one eye, I let out a sigh of relief. The tea had miraculously gone in the opposite direction of my laptop, printer and tools, and thankfully, all my paper goods were still sitting safely on the counter. Now, mind you, the tea did cover the majority of the kitchen floor, my chair, the side of my pants, and one slipper, but those things were all in need of a good cleaning any anyway, so not a big deal.

Big shout out to the Crafting Goddess for protecting my handmade gifts, and for the little slap back to reality.

"You, my dear, are no rockstar."

And so, after mopping up the mess, I took a 10 minute time out. I brewed a second cup of tea (which remained on the other counter for the duration of the evening), I made a quick phone call to The Big Guy to share the tale of my close call, and I took a few deep breaths to regain my composure and confidence. I then went forth and did indeed have a very productive evening. I had a great time chatting with Nesty Girl, I had fun playing with pretty paper and buttons, and I have a few more things crossed off the list. At 11:30 I conferred with Nesty Girl on whether or not it was a wise idea to fire up the glue gun at such a late hour, and we decided that no, it was not. So tonight may be another work night.

But lesson learned.

No beverages on the work table!!

Yarn Along Wednesday

2010-11-24T15:40:00.002-07:00

ETA: This is my post from November 24, when there was no Yarn Along - today is December 1st, and there is a yarn Along, but my post would be identical, except for a some progress on all three hats, and the completion of the project that shall remain nameless until after the holidays!

Well, it turns out that there is no actual "Yarn Along" happening today, but since I had the post in mind, I'm going to go ahead and share.

So, how many projects must one have on the needles at one time to be considered an official knitting addict? I'm thinking it might be four...

Why can't I stop myself from starting new projects!? I'm normally the start-to-finish type, but obviously not when it comes to wool! At the moment, I'm knitting a chunky tweed hat for a friend for Christmas, a baby alpaca slouchy hat for myself, a super-fun baby-stretch hat for a little turnip who is due any day, and also "the project that shall remain nameless" until after the holidays.

The Big Guy asked me the other night if I was currently NOT using any of my needles. "Yes!" I replied, in a slightly indignant tone. "There's those giant orange plastic ones that I got for a dollar at Michaels." I then of course proceeded to laugh at myself and just admit that I have a small knitting problem.

As for books, I'm very excited to announce that I got my act together as planned and created a Christmas Book Basket for the Little People. I've read about families having seasonal book baskets and love the idea. I was planning to save this one for the first of December, but last week I found myself (and the Little People) in need of a calming distraction from the foul mood and huge disruption in our daily routine caused by 3 of the 4 of us coming down with one heck of a cold. The Little People were cranky, The Big Guy was miserable, and I was losing patience after a week of tending to all of them. There was too much TV being watched, and even the favorite toys and activities weren't doing the trick. So, over a week ahead of schedule, I dug through the Christmas boxes and collected all of our holiday books. This also happened to coincide with the arrival of a parcel from Marby, in which we found a package labelled "Open me Now". Inside was a beautiful new Christmas book, and it was the first to go in the basket.

Some of our favorites include Gingerbread Mouse by Katy Bratun, Santa's Surprise by Keith Faulkner and Jonathon Lambert, Russell's Christmas Magic by Rob Scotton ( you really must meet Russell) and our newest addition to our collection, Finding Christmas by Helen Ward. Some are funny, some are sweet, and some are filled with beautiful, heartwarming illustrations.

We are trying to take some time after supper each evening to choose a book and snuggle together while we read about cute little animals, North Pole adventures, and lots and lots of Christmas Magic.

What are some of your favorite Christmas books for children?