by kathilipp | Nov 20, 2012 | Uncategorized |
Project #2 Put Together Your Christmas Binder
1 Corinthians 14:40 “Put all things in order.”
Today I want you to create a safe place to keep all of your Christmas “stuff”.
If you’re like most people, you have your recipes in various cookbooks, a bunch of envelopes from last year’s Christmas cards stuffed into a kitchen drawer, and your Christmas stamps are tacked to your fridge with a magnet waiting to be used.
Stop the madness.
I want you to grab a binder (yes, you can go buy a pretty one at Target, or you can scavenge one from your kid’s room,) and start pulling all your loose papers, Christmas labels, lists and recipes and any other holiday-related paraphernalia into one place.
Here is what you will need:
- Binder
- Binder tabs
- Sheet protectors
- Three hole punch
- Permanent marker
If you don’t have all these items laying around the house, no worries. The important thing is to gather all your holiday-related papers into one place. Even if you just have a folder lying around, that will do for now.
If you do have the binder and the tabs, here are some sections of the binder you may want to consider (you don’t have to use them all, in fact, the simpler the better.)
- Calendar
- Christmas Cards
- Recipes
- Hiding Places
- Christmas Gift Lists
- Menus
- Receipts (use a page protector to store these in that section)
- Budget
- To Do List
Start putting all your gathered papers into the sections. it’s going to make it a lot easier when it comes to finding your favorite pumpkin custard recipe or the receipt for the Barbie Toothbrush that your daughter just said, “is for babies…”
Over the next few days, I will be posting some form for you to help keep track of those different areas, but for now, just gather up what you have.
Oh, and if you want a fun cover for your binder like mine, you can download it over at my Facebook Author Page Just got to the Tabs and when you click on day two, your will see the pic – just keep clicking and you will get a downloadable version of the cover.
- The Binder Cover
by kathilipp | Nov 19, 2012 | Christmas, Home, Uncategorized |
Welcome to The Christmas Project! We are so excited to get this holiday up and going. Start planning with us now, and you will experience a more sacred and sane holiday this year – Promise!
Project #1 – Create Your Holiday Mission Statement
Proverbs 19:21
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”
What you will need:
I know, I know. You want to dive in and start checking things off your list since it’s going to be a busy few weeks. I get it.
But, I want you to spend ten minutes determining this: What do you want your Christmas to look like this year.
If we can go into the holidays being intentional about how we spend our time, physical and emotional energy,
it truly will be the key to a more sane and sacred celebration.
Brainstorm about what is important to you. Some years, I’m looking for Joy. I want to experience that deep, abiding Joy that only comes from God and being with His people.
In 2011, it was different: I was all about the Peace. Between chaos in my ministry, chaos in our home lives, chaos in my husband’s job and a triple shot of chaos with my mom’s health, I needed that peace that passes understanding. Here is what my mission statement looked like:
For Christmas 2011 I will share God’s peace with my family, my friends, and people I meet and I will to be done with my prep by December 20th so that I can experience peace during our celebration. I will read the Christmas story each morning of December.
And yes – God delivered that – even while at the mall. In December.
In 2012, here is what I want my Christmas to look like:
During this Christmas season, I want to throw off any old traditions that are just habits, and do those things that:
- Bring me closer to God
- Bring us together as a family
- Equip us to serve
I will ask in advance for help from Roger and the kids.
I’m putting my Christmas Plan on an index card in three places:
- On the fridge
- Taped to my computer
- On the visor of my car
Since these are the three places that I need a little more Jesus during the holidays.
I’ve got a free resource to help you brainstorm and come up with a sentence (or two) about your intention this Christmas. Just go to my Facebook Author Page to download My Holiday Mission Planning Sheet (we’ll be putting all of our goodies up there!)
For a chance to win a copy of THE HUSBAND PROJECT sent to any address on your Christmas list (and it will be wrapped and a gift enclosure card will be added with your note!) tell me on my FB author page or here at the blog write your mission statement in the comments by Friday, November 23rd. I’ll announce the winner next Monday!
If you would like to receive The Christmas Project to your inbox every morning, just sign up in the box below.
by kathilipp | Nov 18, 2012 | Christmas, Home, Uncategorized |
There is enough drama around Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner that it’s best to keep some things very simple. The funny thing is, four of the five super simple recipes listed below are the ones that we get requests to make (and for the recipes… I end up emailing at least a couple of my kids or their friends the recipes every holiday season. So here are 5 Quick Dishes To Make (or Bring) for Thanksgiving or Christmas. whether you’re hosting at home, or bringing these on the road, you’ll be thankful for a few appetizers and deserts you can make (mostly) ahead.
Artichoke Dip
8 oz cream cheese
1 c. Parmesan cheese – shredded
1 c. mayonnaise (low-fat or fat-free is acceptable) (pantry)
½ t. dill weed
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (pantry)
Preheat oven to 350
Cream the cream cheese, add the Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, dill weed and garlic. Mix well.
Fold in the chopped artichoke hearts and then spoon mixture into a 9×9 pan.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Serve with crackers, toasted baguettes, or toasted pita points.
Serves 8 as an appetizer
Goat Cheese Bruchetta
Ingredients
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs, such as dill, parsley, or basil
Toasted baguette
Goat cheese
Prep
Add the balsamic vinegar and herbs together. Drizzle over slices of toasted baguette or other bread and spread with goat cheese. Finish with another drizzle of vinaigrette. Garnish with thyme.
Drive By Cheese Plate
For those last minute party invites. Just grab a plate and cheese knife from home. You can assemble once you arrive. (Or, if you’re like me, in the backseat of the car while your hubby is driving…)
Grab at the store:
Camembert or other artisan cheese
Carr Water Crackers
1 bunch of green grapes
Roger’s Pumpkin No-Bake Cheesecake
2 sticks of cream cheese
1 Cup of sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
¼ Cup Pumpkin pie filling
Pre-made graham cracker crust
Blend until creamy and fluffy
Pour into graham cracker crust.
Garnish with
Cinnamon sugar (makes it look baked)
Shaved white chocolate
Refrigerate for a few hours
Roger’s Cranberry No-Bake Cheesecake
2 sticks of cream cheese
1 Cup of sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1/3 Cup Whole cranberries in jelly
Pre-made graham cracker crust
Blend until creamy and fluffy
Pour into graham cracker crust
Garnish with any (or all) of the following:
The remaining whole cranberries/jelly. I put this just on the outside edge of the pie.
Orange peel zest
Shaved white chocolate
Refrigerate for a few hours
Now it’s your turn. Tell me your can’t miss, so simple it’s embarrassing, recipe that you pull out for the holidays in the comments below.
by kathilipp | Nov 4, 2012 | 21 Ways to Connect With Your Kids, Relationships, Uncategorized |
Day 1: Connecting with Your Kid’s Personality
I know my kids pretty well. I know that Kimberly could spend all day watching Gilmore girls while Justen would rather die than see one episode. I know that both of my kids are into Steampunk (which, when it comes to literary genres is about as far as you can get from me and my women’s fiction). I know that Justen has an affinity for numbers (the kid can remember my car’s license number off the top of his head) and I know that for some reason unbeknownst to me, both of my kids have a soft spot for our mean, cranky cat Zorro who no one else seems to like.
But, I don’t know anything about your kids. I don’t know what makes them literally squeal with excitement. What quirks they have. Or what they’d do tonight if they were given $20, ten gallons of gas and a chauffeur to drive them anywhere they wanted.
And, you’re probably wondering how I can help you to connect with your kids if I don’t know them.
I thought of that, too, and I have a plan. My friend and personality expert, Cheri Gregory has created a simple questionnaire that will help you to determine your kid’s personality type.
So, to get started, answer the questions below about your child on this simple quiz at: Discover Your Child’s Personality Type
by kathilipp | Oct 14, 2012 | Christmas, frontpage, Me, Uncategorized |
Thanks for visiting me here. If you are an imperfect mom like me, you have found a home. (Or at least a place to have a lukewarm cup of coffee.)
For those of us who know it’s better to do things as a tribe than alone (cause what’s the fun in that?) Check out my Facebook Page and download the free ebook: Six Chicks Freeze and Fix – How to Start a Freezer Meal Co-op (look at the “Tabs” at the top of the page.)
And wait – there’s more!
Sign up for my monthly newsletter (filled with great tips about keeping your life in order!) and you will receive my free ebook THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO MAN FOOD filled with great recipes to keep that man in your life extra happy.
Oh, and next week we are going to work on some Shame-Free Organizing of our lives – sign up for the blog (under the 15 Minutes to a More Organized Life sign in here on the blog.)
Thanks for being a part of my ministry – here on the blog, on Facebook, and through MOPS. You are each so precious to me. I just want to squeeze your cheeks.
by kathilipp | Sep 30, 2012 | 21 Ways to Connect With Your Kids, Uncategorized |
I know – it’s the worst thing a mom can admit (well that and admitting that sitting through hours of sporting events really isn’t that fun…) but there have been times in my parenting that I didn’t feel close to one of my kids.
Justen is a bright, smart, funny kid who loves history and can remember license plate numbers from over a dozen years ago. I could not love him any more if I tried.
But when it comes to natural compatibility, we are opposites – and not in a fun way. He has a much easier, more natural relationship with his dad, my ex-husband. They like to watch sports, enjoy the same kind of movies, and feel really comfortable being together.
Justen even really clicks with my husband, Roger, his stepdad.
Yep – nothing makes you feel like more of a doofus than realizing everyone has more in common with your kid than you do.
So I’ve had to spend the last few years working really hard at connecting with Justen – with mixed results – granted – but it’s so much better than it was a year ago.
Here’s what I did:
- I Paid Attention. When Justen mentions something on Facebook and I have no idea what it is, I Google it so that I have a peek into his world. I also try to pass along things that I think will make him laugh. Recently I saw this posted on a friend’s wall and shared it with him and the rest of the Trekkies in the family. I may not watch the show, but I’m learning some of the inside jokes. (If you are not a Trekkie, have one explain this to you…)
- I Prayed. It’s hard for me to remember this one truth: the best thing I can do for my child, whether we are “clicking” or not is to pray for him. I pray for Justen (and all of our other kids) every single day. It has not always been this way, and I tend to kick myself for it. But I remember that great saying, “When is the best time to have planted an oak tree? Fifty years ago. When is the second best time to plant an oak tree? Today.”
- I Talked with Other Parents. Turns out, each and every mom I’ve spoken with will, when pressed, admit that one of their kids is easier to connect with than the others. And that is OK! It doesn’t mean that we love them any less, it just means we have to work a little harder for those connections.
If you’re looking for new and easy ways to connect with your kids, whatever their age, stage or personality, check out my new book 21 Ways to Connect with Your Kids co-written with author Cheri Gregory on sale for only $9.99.
And, while I am announcing new things… I’ve just opened up my new online store. Come on over and take a look, I think you will like it! To say “thank you” for dropping by, I’m offering free shipping on all orders $15 or more.I’ll even sign it for you if you’d like. Come on over to my online store today. (Sale and free shipping on through Friday.)
