Author Archives: Deborah

Christmas Countdown ~ Day 3

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Planning & Organizing

Are you OCD this time of year?

Do you try and plan everything down to the minute? Scheduling everyone’s time like an Army Sargeant? (No offense to any military folks out there).  Then I have the perfect tool for you.

I came across a great website that offers a FREE Christmas Planner/Organizer – perfect for all you OCD people out there….have a look for yourself!

http://christmas.organizedhome.com/printable/christmas-planner

This website is chock full of different types of planners/dailies to satisfy even the most disciplined souls….now you can make sure Aunt Sheila doesn’t come for a visit the same day … Read more...

Christmas Countdown ~ Day 2

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Overwhelmed Already?

It’s Day 2 and already your brain is frazzled with To-Do lists.  Here is how to handle it…

Stop and Think….

“If I don’t do this? What will happen?

Nothing probably….

If you are aiming to simplify Christmas, take time to reflect on ways you can cut stress, save money and enjoy the holidays for what they really are…..spending time with Family and Friends.

Here are 5 Simple Strategies to help you get through the Holidays feeling better about yourself and your family:

Money/Gifts:   To save money, slash the gift list.  In this age of retail gift cards…how … Read more...

Christmas Countdown ~ Day 1

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The Gift of Giving

Most kids look forward to this time of year to get the latest, greatest fad in toys/games or electronics.

Instead of asking your children what they WANT for Christmas…how about asking what they want to GIVE this Christmas instead?

Let them help you pack a bag of groceries or clothing to drop off to a shelter, or a new, unwrapped toy to give a child that may not get a gift this year at all.  There are loads of social programs available in each and every city and The Salvation Army is one of the largest … Read more...

Countdown to Christmas ~ Bah Humbug!

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I love Christmas…..at Christmas time.  Which for me, starts AFTER the end of November.  Not October 15th (circa retail displays) or even November 1st after Halloween.

I don’t want to acknowledge or even think about the Christmas Holidays until December 1st and even then, it takes me a good 2 weeks after that for me to get into the spirit and start grooving to The Chipmunks.  It is just all the commercialization of it that bugs me to no end.  Didn’t Charlie Brown ponder the real meaning of Christmas and not all the pomp/glitter and 50% Off of 150% Markup … Read more...

Blue Suede……Jacket

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No, not the shoes of Elvis fame….but a jacket.  A bright, blue, fringed, suede jacket that has been tucked away in my closet for about as long as I have been married.  This was a present given to me by my husband, many, many moons ago when I was into my horse-fetish/riding days. 

I haven’t worn it in years though…it seems to have shrunk actually…did you know that suede is prone to shrinking?  They need to print warning labels….or perhaps it is the phenomena that is affecting hundreds of people over the age of 40….the realization that they have clothing … Read more...

Christmas Shortbread Cookie Baking Bonanza Day!

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That is a mouthful of a title…but not as yummy as a mouthful of buttery, flaky, shortbread cookies!

Yesterday my daughter came over for our annual Christmas cookie baking palooza day.  This is our 3rd year of baking cookies together, prior to that, she was always baking them with her cousin.  But since her cousin moved to BC a few years ago for school, she has been painfully missed.  So I happily stand in for my niece and offer up my kitchen to the Gods of Flour Scattering.  Yup, plural, I do believe there is more than one, hence … Read more...

How To Make Granola

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I love Granola.  Granola on yogurt.  Granola in a smoothie.  Granola sprinkled on ice cream.  Granola by itself even.  Makes a great snack anytime you get the munchies.

It is very yummy stuff…. but very expensive to buy and the commercial stuff is loaded with more sugar than necessary.

So make your own instead.

DSC08561Ingredients

½ Cup Un-sweetened Apple Sauce
¼ Cup Canola Oil
½ Cup Lite Maple Syrup
2 Tbsp. Honey
1 Tbsp. Vanilla Extract
8 Cups Whole Rolled Oats
1 Cup Raw Sunflower Seeds (unsalted)
1 Cup Slivered Almonds (raw, unsalted)
¾ Cup Wheat Bran (or Cracked Wheat)… Read more...

Getting Old Sucks

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Especially when waking up is like starting a car on a -30C day…you just can’t get yourself cranked up and running like you can when it’s warm, or in my case, when I was younger.

I used to literally bounce out of bed in the mornings, head downstairs to the stairclimber and spend 30 minutes bopping to tunes and stepping away.  Those days are seemingly over.  I would bounce out of bed now if someone dropped a bowling ball onto the other side and launched me.

Stair climbing now is heading down to the kitchen, putting the kettle on for … Read more...

Need A Quick Christmas Gift?

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I love Chunky yarn.  Chunky yarn makes for fast knitting for those instant gratification type folks (like me).  The pattern is so easy, even the most timid knitter can make this in no time.

If you can spare one day, then you can knit this cowl that will be sure to delight that special friend or neighbour that is on your Christmas List.  Giving a handmade gift truly is a delight…both for the Gift-ee and the Gift-or!

The yarn is available in a multitude of striped or solid patterns and is sold at Michael’s Stores everywhere. 

To access the pattern, … Read more...