Holiday Grand Plan

Good day all. It's been raining all day here in Maryland.  A nice day to stay indoors and maybe get some things done around the house.

Today starts the eighteen week long Holiday Grand Plan over at Magical Holiday Home and Organized Christmas.  The the plan is divided into two parts: cleaning and holiday preparation.  Week One is cleaning off the front porch and list week.  I, myself, am only following the holiday prep part of this plan.

Here's my list:

• Create a master gift list:  I listed the names of all my relatives, friends, neighbors and coworkers whom I will be giving gifts to.  I also wrote down how much I plan to spend for each person and what gifts I will give.
• Update address list:  Made sure home addresses of friends and family that I send Christmas cards to are up to date.
• Thanksgiving menu:  What I plan to serve and wrote my grocery shopping list
• Christmas menu:  same thing I did for Thanksgiving
• Goodies for sharing:   I'm making 10 different types of cookies and two cakes. I made a list of the ingredients I need to buy and will get started picking up what I need this week.  I want to start making up the batches earlier than usual.  I love to share homemade goodies with my coworkers and leave a little basket of goodies at the door of my neighbors house.  It's a nice surprise when they open their door.
• Plan and prepare freezer meals:  As the holidays drawer nearer I will be too busy to cook so I made of list of dinners I will make and freeze so that they will be at the ready whenever I get hungry.
• Create a master shopping list:  This list consists of gifts I need to purchase, supplies for craft projects, decorations, party supplies, etc.

I'm so excited to get started. This Christmas is going to be wonderful.

Christmas Tree Idea

During my major decluttering I got rid of my pre-lit Christmas tree.  The tree was in great shape but the lights no longer worked. So I gave it to one of the contractors working in my apartment who said he could use it during hunting season. LOL.

Anyway I now have to buy a new Christmas tree.  I want another 7 ft, pre-lit tree but I want it to be a little narrow. I was looking at trees last year and I really like the ones that have those thick branches. They cost a little more than regular trees but they make less of a mess - as far as shedding goes.

Today while looking on the internet I saw this picture where they decorated around the base of the Christmas tree with poinsettias.

I really like it and may be using this idea.

Pintrest

A few weeks ago I joined Pinterest.  Check out my Christmas board.

The Latest With Me

Good day all.  Been trying to survive this wicked heat we've been having.  Summer is coming to an end and I for one am glad.

My little palace has been remodeled from top to bottom.  All new kitchen and bath. All new carpet throughout.  Freshly painted walls.  Even updated light fixtures throughout. Some of the work took longer than what I was told which had me a little stressed.  Now that all the contractors are gone (thank goodness) I can focus on putting my place back together. I can't wait to start decorating for the autumn and Christmas seasons. The old decorations will  look fresh and new. So excited.

In the meantime I am going over plans for my family's Christmas Eve dinner. I've got my menu selected and grocery list printed and at the ready:

     Appetizers

• spinach & artichoke dip
• baked crab rangoon
• fruit platter

     Entree

• Lasagna
• Spare Ribs 
• Wingette platter 

     Sides

• Collard greens
• Amish macaroni salad
• Garden salad
• deviled eggs
• fresh baked dinner rolls

     Desserts/Beverages

• Red velvet cupcakes
• pound cake
• a variety of cookies
• holiday punch, sodas,wine, egg nog, 

I'm sure I will be adding another kind of entree.  I always do when I go out to do my holiday grocery shopping.

With the new, easy layout from dining room to kitchen, I know exactly how I want to put everything.   Instead of having the food set up on the dining table as in past Christmases, I can put everything on the buffet I bought this summer. With the added counter space in the kitchen I can set up the dessert station.  And the kitchen island  I bought for the kitchen will serve as a beverage station.  People will actually be able to sit at the dining table and enjoy their meal.