Are you done?

OK. So there are 11 days til Cmas. Are you done?

Here are some last minute thoughts from cousin Nancy
to keep us on task...

• Check your lists, what do you have left?, what can wait?, is it important or not?
• No list? MAKE ONE!--be realistic and prioritize. Break everything down into manageable tasks--you can get things done without going crazy.
• Make time for your family and yourself!

Wow. This year has flown. Thanks, cousin Nancy.

The only thing I add to the above is keep your list with you and mark off as you go. This gives me a sense of accomplishment. By the end of the day, my list is all rumpled up and marked on, and shows I've done something!

Sam shot a video of "Wreath Embellishment", but has not completed the editing process. I'll put this on his list for posting this week!

Blessings from the Garden.
ML

Counting Down to Christmas!

Less than 4 weeks til Christmas is what Cousin Nancy from ATL
is telling me...LISTS! Here is what she has to say...


Time to get serious about planning for Christmas. Having a strategy
will take the pressure off and minimize stress!

• Guests coming? What needs to be done to get ready?


• Christmas away? Get the gift list together & shop, Cyber-shopping today!


• Gifts to be mailed? Do so before rates go up!


• List: To do & To buy & Miscellaneous for odds & ends to remember

Here are a few more items to remember, break into small chunks of time(try www.e.ggtimer.com)

• Focus on decorating- your kids will remember this & ask "when are we putting the decorations up?"


• Cleaning- Get real about this...what can you hide or slide?


• Wrapping/labeling


• Christmas Cards- a few at a time, keep on Word/Excel file and save to "Christmas Jump Drive"...


• Meal planning...try shopping & cooking one day a week, don't forget the Crock Pot!


• Have "Emergency" items handy- toothbrushes, toiletries, guest room tidied, Stain kit, First Aid kit, extra small gifts for those you might have let slip!

Thanks Nancy!

Blessings from the Garden...

ML

Notes from Nancy: Are you ready?

Cousin Nancy gives us a few tips to get ready for Tday and Christmas!













How are holiday preparations going? A few more tips:

• double check your lists and adjust accordingly


• Travelling? Double check rules for carry on's & weight limits...reservations?


• Car maintenance- oil change, tires balanced & rotated, new wipers, wiper fluid?


• Emergency road kit in car? jumper cables, first aid kit?


• Make the list for Tday dinner if not already


• Stain kit ready for spills...club soda for red wine!


• Next weekend start decorating for Christmas, begin wrapping gifts


• Buy Christmas cards & start addressing(put in bright bucket as above, with all supplies)


• Take pics & reminisce about loved ones and Christmases past!

Most importantly, enjoy time with family & friends!

Next note from Nancy: "4 Weeks til Christmas!"

Thanks Nancy!

Blessings from the Garden...

ML

Christmas Prep

Don't believe that I am organized just because I get a post out most every day!

I must say, though, that cousin Nancy's Sunday Post has challenged me to get a jump on Christmas.

I have nothing to do this season, just create dozens of Thanksgiving centerpieces, host 6 Wreath Workshops, and produce a number of custom wreaths! So prior to the holiday plunge, I am actually trying to accomplish tasks that would otherwise be the week before Christmas!

So far here is what I have done & need to do:

DONE

• house pressure washed


• started "Hagler Thanksgiving" group on FB


• ordered Christmas cards(now that is shocking!)


• decided on 2 things I can make & give as Christmas gifts


• emailed my kids for thier Christmas lists(gets better every year)


• scheduled Gizmo's hair appt (gotta look & smell good for holidays!)

TO-DO

• assign menu items for TDay at farm(you wouldn't believe the food fest!)


• make sure house at farm is clean before Tday


• double check w/those not on FB re:Tday.


• Make Advent Wreath and share with readers


• complete online Cmas shopping for most of gifts


• assemble supplies for home made gifts


• finish Cmas gift buying list

OK, this is not ALL there is to do, but you get the point. Next Sunday,I'll share the two things I'll be giving as home made "garden" gifts.

Get Busy.

Blessings from the Garden.

ML

Holiday Organizing continues...

(This is my mother who would kill me if she knew!)

Cousin Nancy sends in more ideas this week to help keep us "perfectionist procrastinators" on top of the upcoming holiday season...


Thanksgiving is less than 4 weeks away and Christmas less than 8! Look at your calendar of Holiday Timeline at least once a week. Tweak as needed & get some things done now instead of later. Guests coming over the holidays? Some thoughts:

• touch up painting, house pressure washed
• clean baseboards, ceiling fans
• thorough dusting...bookshelves, backs of doors
• re-arrange furniture for a fresh, cozy look/feel
• check light fixtures and lamps for sprucing up...new shade? light bulbs?

How about your shopping? Make a gift list now. Check out Mary Louise's garden gift list. Don't forget teachers, coaches, babysitters, etc... Christmas card list? Start addressing envelopes & create a rough draft of your "Holiday Letter". The Goal? Get it done before Thanksgiving. All these little things you can do now so you'll relax & enjoy the holidays...

Thanks cousin Nancy!
Blessings from the Garden.
ML