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Day Eleven :: Layout & Label Your Serving Pieces
I love, love, LOVE hosting Thanksgiving. I haven't gotten to host for the last several years, but I still make a full Thanksgiving-ish meal for my own family sometime during the last week of November. I love the planning, the prepping, the cooking, the serving and the...
Day Ten :: Stovetop Holiday Potpourri
I made this last fall as a craft during a Pinterest night at my church, and oh my - does it ever deliver!! It scented my whole house while simmering on the stove. I can't wait to get my hands on a bag of fresh cranberries so we can make it again! It's a super simple...
Day Nine :: Clean Out Your Closets
Something about fall gives me cleaning fever. Also the 'throw out all the things' fever. This year will be especially interesting: house formerly on the market + garage full of 'extra' things + a 33-week pregnant nesting mama = gear up, Husby. We're getting rid of all...
Day Eight : Create Your Soundtrack
Both of my parents are music teachers, my grandma a church organist, all of their siblings in choirs, my mother still a church choir director... You could say music is in my blood. When my husband and I were dating long-distance, music tethered our hearts. We'd send...
A Real-Life Trip the Orchard
We go to the same apple orchard every year to kick off the week of my birthday (which is today!) This year was no exception. I shared one photo on Instagram, the best of the bunch, but in the spirit of #realmomconfessions, here are the 'outtakes' from our trip: A...
Day Six :: Freezer Cooking is Your Friend
I'm no expert here, but this just makes sense. During October and early November, spend a day or two deep in your kitchen prepping for busy days during the holiday season! Your freezer will be stocked, your budget will be on track (both financially and calorie...
Day Five :: Have a Quiet Night
Actively plan for a quiet night after the kids are in bed – even though it’s late and there are projects to check off and floors to clean and plans to make and and and... You need this - you need rest and refilling. So mark your calendar and keep this appointment!...
Day Four :: Let Your Kids Help (for real!)
This weekend I let my son water the flowers. Not a big deal, I know. But it drives me nuts when the walk is soaking wet and we track it into the house. Or when he waters the weeds or giant bushes that don't need water. So dumb, but it's a thing (tell me you have a...
Day Three :: Intentional Decor Only
As you deck the halls of your home, be intentional about the décor you set out. Do you really, truly love it? If not, place it in a separate bin. At the end of the season, donate whatever items are in that bin. Your home will be a little lighter and only decorated...
Day Two :: Create a Holiday Notebook
Keeping it simple & practical, and starting early = holiday organization. Buy a brand-new notebook (bonus points if it has a Christmas cover!) I always grab a cute one from the dollar bins at the craft store. Label it and make this your go-to place for storing...
Day One :: Pray Over Your Season
We're starting simple, at the very best kind of beginning. Start with your heart in the right place - start in prayer. Don't enter battle unarmed, the kitchen without ingredients, the holiday season (or any busy season) without a heart open to Him. The only way to...
31 Days To a Less-Stress Holiday Season!
I have this thing for Christmas. Growing up, my mom always made it a magical time for us. There were cookies, a grand tree decorated to the hilt with heirlooms and popsicle stick ornaments, bedtime readings of the Polar Express and Laura Ingalls Wilder's The Long...