Keep it SIMPLE!

The past little while I have been thinking that I need to simplify my life and do only the things that are the most important. I'm going for that feeling like when you have your email in box totally full of so many messages and then you finally get it cleared out to just one or two important messages....ya that's the feeling I'm going for, but for my life and not just my in box (although that would be nice too!) I was looking for ideas on the internet and I came across these tips. Check it out here.
I just loved it, because it seems like it's this time of year that you start thinking about all the millions of things that you have to do, places to go, things to buy and all that, and then in January, you look back while you're setting those goals and think, what the heck was I doing. So this year, maybe I will try and follow these tips for simplifying and stay sane during the Holidays this year.


7 Tips for savoring the simplicity:

1. Plan ahead: I have my gift list bought before December begins. I buy a little throughout the year for extended family members and I depend on the items I buy after Christmas every year for small gifts (teachers, friends, Sunday School teachers, etc). I also make many of my gifts. (Every Friday in November, I'll be sharing some homemade gift ideas!)

2. Create a budget: Make your list and check it twice! If you commit to buy only three gifts for your children, stick to it. Don't impulse buy and don't use your credit card.

3. Plan birthdays/anniversary parties at the beginning of the month.

4. Be the Master of the calendar, not the slave: commit to things that you will enjoy! It's okay to say No.

5. Involve your kids in the decorating, wrapping, gift-making, and cleaning up of the aftermath. If there's a "kid's table" during holiday dinners, use brown paper as a table cloth, so they can draw place settings or turkeys. Use fun holiday kid-friendly plates too!

6. If your hosting a big family meal, it's okay to ask guests to help out. Delegate side dishes and desserts to willing guests. Don't try to do it all by yourself.

7. Be reflective with your family. Before you eat Thanksgiving dinner, share why you're thankful. At Christmas, remember what the day truly celebrates.

**Please let me know if you have any tips or have seen any cool tips on Keeping things simple. I would love to have you share them. (Not just for the Holidays either)

Favorite Things Swap

I had a friend tell me about this Favorite Things Swap. (Thanks Dorey) What you do is gather up a few of your favorite things and then each person participating in the swap, gets a partner and swaps things. It sounded really fun, because you get to put together your favorites (home-made or store bought) and send them to someone else. In return get some cool, random, favorite things. I think that it will be fun to find out about someone else. Here are the things that I am going to send. I will post pictures when I get my package! Totally cool, fun, different, and so exciting! Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Here are the pictures of the package I sent to my swap partner

And here's what I got from my partner.

The best part of it all was recalling my favorite things and being able to share them with someone else. Although it was pretty exciting to get the package today and see what was inside for me (it was a little like Christmas). I needed a little excitement! Overall it turned out great! Thanks Rosa for the great stuff and it has been fun getting to know you! Maybe I'll try this again in the future. It was pretty cool!

Clippin' Coupons?

I love a good deal, but sometimes it seems like a lot of work. I just read about this website on my friends blog (thanks Jen). I am definately going to try this. With the cost of living going up and higher gas prices, I am ready for a deal (and who dosen't like free stuff?) I will let you know how it turns out. Meanwhile check out this website:http://slavetosave.synthasite.com/. Hey you know the old saying..."A penny saved is a penny earned."

A little bigger

Here is the first update on the garden this year. I have to admit that I have helped with the garden, but the master behind this great garden is my dad! He is so great with plants. He totally has a green thumb. We are so excited to have fresh produce to use. Here is what it looks like now. To view up to this point view my previous post How does my garden grow.