Tag Archives: holidays

Foolproof Easter!

Posted on by
2
Collage #1

via “Nessas Family Kitchen” blog

Life is short.  Eat dessert first.-Jacques Torres 

This is going to be our Easter Dessert. It is from one of my favorite Irish Blogs- Nessas Family Kitchen.

So head on over to her blog and see her beautiful photos and recipes. The photo above is her Easter cake.

Lemon Frosted Easter Cake

I always find that cake is well suited to every occasion. This lemon frosted cake makes a perfect Easter treat, as yellow themed goods seem to fit nicely with an Easter theme. It’s basically a madeira cake which is smothered with a creamy lemon topping and filled with lemon curd; perfect to enjoy with a cup of tea anytime.

http://nessasfamilykitchen.blogspot.com

After dessert, here are my picks for the rest of Easter.

Easy is my motto for all holidays. Easy does not imply not made with love and delicious…it simply means that I can enjoy the holiday with my family. 

Cool Mom Picks

Some great suggestions from Cool Mom Picks for Easter Brunch!

Quick Brunch Recipes ….and by that I mean 30 minute ones, are always good even if you are not having anyone over for Easter…here are a few from Cool Mom.

Allrecipes

Allrecipes is my go to website for quick, easy and delicious favorites. Easter is a sweet spring holiday and these Jelly Doughnut Cupcakes are right up my alley if you know what I mean.

Although I love breakfast sometimes I prefer the European approach which is to indulge in something sweet with a really good cup of coffee!

 

 

“Happy Holidays”…

Posted on by
Reply

“From Our House to Your House!”

Okay…after watching the “madness” of Black Friday and Small Business Saturday and not really partaking in it to any degree…I am thinking about how to shop this season without breaking the bank and without letting my adrenalin kick in too much when I enter a store with the holiday hum playing in my head.

Over the years I have found that Christmas Shopping has become more about consumerism than about giving. I like to buy gifts for my family and friends that I would like to receive myself and I do enjoy giving. So do not get me wrong when I suggest something really drastic this holiday.

I read this blog post from Leo after “Black Friday”. “Zen Habits” is a blog that I follow pretty regularly. If nothing else Leo keeps me thinking about trying to keep life simple and meaningful. Now I realize that Leo makes his living from this philosophy but I find his approach soothing when life gets chaotic around me.

These days between Thanksgiving and Christmas can and often do get very hectic. I find that I have to plan any trips to the mall very carefully so that I can actually enjoy the Holiday spirit rather than get into the frustration mode of trying to find an item and then find a way to pay for it.

I am not a DIY person but I admit to baking cookies and cakes for Holiday gifts and including gift cards along with them.

Who does not like homemade sweets and gift cards?

My problem with gift cards is making the right choice so they do not expire or get lost before getting used.

How do you handle holiday buying and giving…what tips do you have for making it a happy hassle?

And if you are wondering about my “friend” Leo’s approach and his challenge…here it is…a bit dramatic but mostly meaningful!

And so today I extend a challenge to all of you, and the world: Buy Nothing Until 2013.

Yes, I’m taking Buy Nothing Day and extending it through the end of the year.

Why the hell would you want to do this challenge?

Do it as a protest against consumerism and corporate influences on our lives. Do it as a tool for contentment, for simplicity. Do it to reclaim the holidays as a time of connection and love, not of buying and debt. Do it just to see if you can.

And yes, you can still do it if you’ve already done some Black Friday shopping. We’ll forgive our past sins and start afresh. 🙂

via » Challenge: Buy Nothing Until 2013 :zenhabits.

Surviving the coming week …

Posted on by
Reply

I wish I had some great tips for surviving the week before Christmas…

It just seems that sometimes I cannot wait until December 26th when time returns to normal…

This year I am looking at the holiday through the eyes of a three year old grandchild.

Three is a wonderful age…Santa is real… the Elf on the Shelf is real…and the mysterious wonder surrounding the appearance of random candy canes in the Advent Calendar every morning is a delight.

Hiding gifts is not too difficult…three year olds are not snoopy..,

Thank goodness for  shopping online…and good weather.

Hats off to FedEx … USPS… and …UPS …what  I do without them?

Now, if only the tree was fully decorated…but that will happen  and the stockings will be hung and …

soon it will be Christmas.

Santa will arrive…the Elf will depart

and all the squeals of surprise will sound.

… it will all be over in the wink of an eye …until 2012!

Thanksgiving…

Posted on by
Reply

I miss New York at the holidays.

Thanksgiving brings with it many memories of growing up in New York.

I love  watching the Macy’s Parade…it is a visit to the canyons of New York without the hassle.

I remember my first Thanksgiving Parade…we watched it from my uncle’s office windows…it was amazing to see all those balloons come to life…and float down the NYC streets to Herald Square. It was followed by my grandmother’s wonderful turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

I love this holiday and have much to be thankful for this year as always.

It is now memory making for the little ones…their enthusiasm for family and friends getting together is like none other and so much fun to watch and share in with them.

Turkey and all the trimmings… friends, family, story telling and laughter…I can’t wait.

Have a great day

Happy Thanksgiving!

Potty Training during the holidays…away from home.

Posted on by
Reply

 

Potty Training away from home….

http://www.pull-ups.com/na/pull-ups-bigkids-awayfromhome-potty-training-on-the-go.aspx?phase=2

If you are trying to potty train and you are caught in the holiday frenzy this is a great resource for you.

There are some really great tips for you to help keep up with the potty training while you are away from home

Potty training is challenging for you and your baby so I know that we all need as many tips as we can get.

Good luck and happy holidays.

 

Holiday Safety…

Posted on by
1

 

Keeping your family safe…

The holidays are here and it takes only a little time and thought to make it safe for your young child who is so curious and is exploring everything that you have around the house this time of year.

All those twinkling lights and sparkling ornaments…how inviting.

  • Christmas Trees…make sure they are secure and cannot tip over. Keep the live ones watered and do not block doorways with a tree.
  • Lights…use indoor lights only indoors and make sure your outdoor lights specify that they can be used outdoors.Check the wires for any breaks. Never use lights on a metallic tree…this is an electrical hazard. It can actually cause a tree to be electrically charged and cause electrocution. Bubbling lights can break and they are filled with a chemical that is potentially harmful and hazardous. Use with caution.
  • Decorations… use only flame-resistant materials. Be especially careful of ornaments that can break and create sharp pieces that can harm your little ones. Also be aware of decorations that have small little parts that could create a choking hazard.
  • Fireplaces…keep trees and decorations away from the fireplace and have a screen or closed door around your fireplace while it is burning. Even when the fire is out keep it closed so that your little one is not tempted to play around it and get burned. Do not burn papers in your fireplace.
  • Plants...certain house plants are poisonous to humans and pets…check to make sure which ones these are. When in doubt throw it out or give it to someone who does not have pets or children.
  • POISON CONTROL– 1-800-222-1222 Keep this website and phone number handy.

Holiday Safety...

  • Keep things such as matches, candles and lighters out of the reach of children
  • Establish an emergency exit plan if the unthinkable happens and a fire breaks out. Practice this plan and make sure your children know the plan and where to meet when you all get out of the house.
  • A little precaution goes a long way and makes for Happy Holidays!