Planning for My Christmas Cookie Exchange

I know, I know...it is the beginning of September!?! Why am I already thinking about a Christmas Cookie Exchange. Because you have to pick a date, start budgeting and start thinking about what you might like to do.

I attended my first Christmas Cookie Exchange in St. Louis 5 years ago. It was held by a great neighbor and friend, Christi B. First, let me just say Christi and her family were always having people over. When Ty and I were new to St. Louis and had been in our apt. for all of 5 minutes, we heard a knock on the door and there was Christi with warm chocolate chip cookies and big smile. By the end of our introductions and chatting for a moment, Christi had arranged to bring us dinner that night and have us over in the next week.

Anyway, I had my first Christmas Cookie Exchange last year. It was really cool to get to hang out with my neighbors and see what everyone brought over to share. It is a little bit of work b/c you have to coordinate decorating your house for Christmas, baking and setting up for a party-but it is real motivation to get your Christmas decorating done.

Give it a try!

There are a ton of websites devoted to Christmas Cookie Exchanges if you are looking for ideas.

MMO/preschool co-op

I looked up hospitality on wikipedia....it said "Hospitality is also known as the act of generously providing care and kindness to whomever is in need.". My post is not referring to the typical hosting of a guest hospitality...but it definitely falls into the category of wikipedia's definition. :)

I've lived in my small town for over a year now and have been chatting with other stay-at-home mom's about how there's not much in town for stay-at-home mom's. Other than storytime, every thursday morning at the library, there is really nothing in town to do! There is childcare at the "Y" which I take full advantage of...there are several preschool's in town, but they are a daycare before they are a preschool...so most of those kids are there every day all day long. After talking here and there with other ladies about trying to start a MOPS group or something like that we have decided to start a preschool co-op...calling it Mom's Morning Out. The purpose is two-fold... it's going to be called MMO because we are hoping to provide at least 2 mornings a month for each other to get a morning with a break from kids. We're also calling it a preschool co-op because we're going to be very purposeful in trying to teach our children colors, numbers, shapes, letters, things that will prepare them for school....in an environment that we will be able to be a part of because we are the teachers! There are 10 mothers signed up so far. The thought is that if every mother signs up for at least 2 mornings a month that each mother would also get 2 mornings a month of being able to get a break from their child/ren. It looks really good in theory, I'll have to let you know how it works out! And...it's a practice in hospitality...an act of providing care and kindness to whomever is in need. Stay-at-home moms need a break every once in a while. The 24/7 aspect of our "job" is difficult...and exhausting....I am hoping that this MMO time will be something that will minister to the kids and mother's alike!

A Labor Day Get Together

I have this song running around in my head from Sesame Street "Oooooh, who are the people in your neighborhood, in your neighborhood, in your neighhhhhboooorhood..."

I know some folks in my neighborhood and they are great!

I am writing from my couch tonight, as I've not been able to get out enjoy our culdesac's annual Labor Day gathering this year because I'm not feeling well. Bummer for me. But I did stop in for a few minutes and I can tell from the laughter that I hear outside my window that everyone is still having a great time. Plus, one of my children and my husband are still missing b/c they are out having fun.

Our culdesac rocks! We have one family that organized our gathering this year. The theme was to kick off "Football Season". They had fun football decorations and everyone was encouraged to show their team spirit by wearing team t-shirts and jerseys. The hosting family, put together some staples for eating and drinking and they encouraged all of their guests to bring their favorite appetizer to share.

There is still time to follow our neighbor's lead...there are two more days in this holiday weekend! Go for it!

Lynne's Chicken Casserole

Now I am posting another recipe given to me by another one of my favorite people, Lynne. She was a college roommate and has become a life long friend.

4 boiled boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 Cans (reduced fat) cream of chickens soup
1 Cup of milk
1 Package of Pepperidge Farm Stuffing Mix (I use blue bag)
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Spray cooking oil in casserole dish. Shred chicken and place chicken in bottom of the dish (sort of a bottom layer). Next layer cream of chicken soup. The pour milk over top. The add a layer of stuffing. Pour chicken broth on top of stuffing and add salt and pepper to taste. Place in oven and bake for 1 hour at 300 degrees.

Time Out: Spaghetti Pie Recipe

This is a recipe given to me by one of my favorite people ever and best friend from high school, Melissa.

We ate this a bunch when we were college roomies and I've just thought about letting my 8 year old daughter cook it for the family.

Spaghetti Pie

6oz spaghetti
2 tbsp. butter
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 jar Spaghetti Sauce
2 eggs, beaten

Cook spaghetti and drain. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir butter into hot spaghetti. Stir in parm cheese and eggs. Form spaghetti mixture into a "crust" in a 10" pie plate. Spread cottage cheese over bottom, pour sauce in. Bake uncovered 350 degrees for 20 minutes, sprinkle mozzarella on top and bake until cheese melts.

What To Do When...

I had someone ask me recently "What a person should do, when someone dies?" Having just recently been through the days after my Grandma's death, I had some thoughts. I know it is kind of a sad thing to post about, but really how much do you know about these kind of things? My hope is that this will be helpful for you, for when you are at a place where you are helping loved ones or a friends through a loss.

Just as a neighbor, caring for another neighbor or friend:

1) A sympathy card, whether immediately or in a few weeks...always a good idea.
2) You'd like to cook something. Think about a couple of things- one something that might be good to snack on, that doesn't take up a lot of space in the fridge or can be thrown in the freezer. Or even consider offering to help during a family meal following the services. Please keep in mind food allergies. You'd be surprised how many people are allergic to nuts, mushrooms, etc. If you cook something, consider dishes that do not have to be returned. Bring paper plates with you.
3) If you visit their home, be sure not to linger too long. A visit doesn't have to be long to be a comfort to someone. You'll know if the people would like for you to stay.
4) A lot of times people are going through a vast array of emotions. They'll have a difficult time focusing, make choices, they may seem distant or they may cry at the drop of a hat. Just remember to be senstive, there isn't much you can say other than "I am sorry". Hang out and just be helpful. Presence is a great gift to someone in distress.

If your in a home, where people are gathered together after a loved one's death:

1) Play with kids. Keep them calm and tend to their needs.
2) Keep the dishes washed.
3) Answer the phone and take messages/screen calls.
4) Receive flowers and make a list of expressions of sympathy that come in.
5) Just sit with those grieving and hang out.
6) Help plan meals for the family.

Frozen Pizza Boost

When you have a bunch of frozen cheese pizzas (like Dijornos), you can always add fresh veggies- like green pepper and onion to make a pretty yummy pizza. You can do 1/2 cheese for the kiddos and 1/2 veggie for the adults.

A 40th Birthday Weekend Bash

Earlier this year my husband turned 40. Now, apparently 30 was a traumatic birthday for my husband and he was somewhere in Siberia when he turned 30 (that's really the truth he was in Russia in a town called Novosibirsk-which I always imagined as a little village, with chubby Grandmas and chickens, but it turns out it is a gray city with tall unremarkable buildings and a million people..really not a village with chickens...)

Anyway, I wanted to make 40 BIG for him. I am quite a bit younger (Yay for me!) so I don't have to fear what he'll do in return when I turn 40, by then I should have had plenty of time to express my desire for a quiet 40th b-day on a lush island with blue sky and no hint of black anywhere.

Friday at work his co-workers spoiled him with a surprise birthday party.
Saturday morning our neighbors and some old family friends came over for breakfast. Then Saturday night we had a gourmet dinner prepared by Ty's siblings and spouses and we had 2 couples, friends and great musicians join us. We had the best dinner conversation EVER. Seriously, it was great!!! I organized a shower of cards, I think he ended up with over 75 cards to open.

Then Sunday morning we had a lite breakfast with our church and for lunch I just gave Ty the name of a restaurant and the address and he showed up only to find two old friends waiting to have lunch with him.

He had a good time, and the fact that he was turning 40 blew by a lot faster b/c there were so many people to hang out with.

I want to encourage you if you are going to throw a big party for a big birthday, to consider doing it in smaller increments with less people so the guest of honor can visit with everyone.

I have pictures....I'll post soon.

An Unusual Place of Rest

I found an unusual place of rest. It's the chair in my hair stylist's studio. Often when women go to get their hair done, it is an opportunity to get lost in doing something to treat yourself and hopefully a break from childcare! :-)

I've been thinking about the people that have styled my hair over the years. I am thinking of the one that started it all, VW, who was my stylist for over 10 years. Man I miss her. She retired to stay home with her kids. We both got married about the same time, and had kids around the same time. I watched her go from a having a minimal faith in God to a thrist quenching relationship with Him that couldn't leave you with anything but a curiousity about what God was doing in her life. How cool it was for me to get to see her every 8 to 10 weeks and see this transformation in her life. It was really awesome.

Then there was the girl from Lativia that cut my hair in St. Louis. She was sweet and had so many stories to share and so many questions for me about why I would choose to marry a guy who wanted to be a minister. Why would I do that...When I could marry a successful man, one who makes money?!?

Then there was the girl who cut my hair just before we moved from St. Louis. Just 8 weeks postpartum from my second daughters birth. I found sanctuary from sleep deprivation, packing boxes to move and being overwhelmed as I sat in her chair. She didn't talk to me for 45 minutes. She was the quietest hairdresser I've ever met. Maybe we were both just glad to have a break from talking. After feeling guilty for not interacting more, I found that all her replies were no more than 3 words in length, UNTIL I asked her about cooking. Then she talked my ear off!

Now I've been shopping around for just the right person to cut my hair and let me sit in their chair and escape for a few months now. I've met a lady who nearly lost a child during pregnancy and spent over 4 months going back and forth from her busy hair salon to the NICU. I got to hear about how she never knew how much she could love someone until she had her little girl.

Now I've found a new friend and stylist. I sit in her chair, and she's good with me just hanging out in my own little world, taking a break from noise and the needs and demands of little people. But when I last saw her, she was on the eve of visiting her mother, who was about to die. She told me all about her Mom and fun family stories.

Isn't that amazing? How cool is it that these women would open up their lives to me? I think it is amazing. And I can thank them enough, for opening up their businesses and delighting in their work and most of all for letting me sit in their chairs and hear about their lives.

They made me feel welcomed.

Lunchie

Who wants to come to my house for lunch?

I have decided that I have this meal, right smack dab in the middle of my day and it would be a perfect opportunity for me to have someone over, just to hang out and talk.

I'd love an excuse to go out to lunch with a friend too.

Don't you think we are missing out on some good hang out time? Lunch is a great opportunity to connect with old friends and new.

So, let's go to lunch....

An Unexpected Find

I have a list of things that I would like to see get done around the house or a list of things I'd like to have for the house.

Because I have decided to be a stay at home Mom, we have to watch our pennies pretty carefully. My husband is a pretty busy dude and when he gets home he just wants to love on his kids. So asking him to do chores around the house is pretty low on the list of priorities for me. So, things that take time go on the list too.

I make this list and put it on the fridge. I pray about it. (Yes, you can pray about stuff like this.) God wants to hear not only our fears and hurts but he is a loving Father that wants to hear about our desires and hopes too.

Friday night I got to cross one of the things that I've been wanting for 3 years off my list!!! It wasn't a big deal in terms of money, but there is always something else more important to buy. Friday night I picked up a new decorative mirror for my guest bathroom. It was regularly $88. I got it for $23. It's better than what I would have picked out on my own.

I was so excited, I could feel my face turning red and my heart racing. I had just prayed about all the stuff on the list earlier in the week, and look what happened when I least expected it! A blessing.

God cares. I like that about Him.

The Importance of Appetizers

This week I made a meal for about 25 people.

You are not going to believe this, but I didn't lose my mind. In fact, I didn't stress at all. I know you are probably thinking some sort of alien inhabited my body, but I assure you I am still Kelly.

I just decided early on that I wasn't going to stress about it. It was a meal for my family, as we gathered to celebrate my Grandmother's life and share memories of her.

So how do you feed 25 people lunch? Well, it wasn't too hard for me to figure out, that I didn't want to cook the main dish. So I had them catered. As an expression of sympathy, some families we know got together and donated a Honey Baked Ham and Baked Ziti Tray.

So, then I just kept it simple. Added side dishes to complement the main dishes.

Appetizers were the most important part of the meal. Now I've never put much emphasis on appetizers before, but I've found that they are essential when feeding a big crowd. Some people run really late and sometimes the main meal doesn't come off on time.

Banana Puddin'

Banana Pudding is a comfort food. I can't not believe how many people love banana pudding! I made a banana pudding this week for a crowd of folks and they devoured it!!!

2 boxes Banana Cream Jello Pudding Mix
Vanilla Wafers
Milk
1 1/2 sliced bananas

I lined the bottom of a deep pie dish and the side of the dish with Vanilla wafers. Then I placed sliced bananas on top of the cookies. Then I poured about 3/4 of the pudding in the dish and took the 1/4 and stashed it for a snack later.

I made it about 90 minutes before my guests ate it.

Planning a Big Family Meal

I wrote last week about a very special lady in my life, Mama.

Mama went to be with God on Sunday night. She slipped away from us here on earth in her sleep and is now in Heaven.

Tonight my Sister, Mom and I sat around the table preparing for a family meal tomorrow. My sister is making my Grandma's Potato Salad, which by the way, is very YUMMY. The recipe card was so sweet. Written in my Grandma's distinct handwriting --Something passed down from one generation to another, but what was so cool about it- was my Grandma had written it out especially for my sister. It had all the ingredients and at the bottom it said-

"It may not taste exactly like mine at first. But keep practicing. And remember, that everytime I was making it, I was making it for someone special-- "YOU". I love you, Mama. "

Good Grief! I started crying. How sweet is that?! Joy in serving others and reminding them of your love for them. A good lesson for me.

Here's a heaven verse for you:
(This is Jesus talking to his disciples)
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." John 14 verses 1-4

Accomplished! Well sort of....

I blogged earlier this week about reorganizing my kids' art closet.

Well, I got it done! After 5 days of procrastinating about getting it done, I finally did it. You might ask me what closet organization has to do with hospitality? I think a few different things. One is that with kids, arts and crafts, are a big hit. I have found that I've had some my best conversations with other Moms, while we sat around and played play doh with our preschoolers. Two is, that with having people into your home, you generally do a little straightening up. I have found that have an area sectioned off in my house for arts and crafts has been enormously helpful in the clean up process.

Now while, my art closet is pretty neat and tidy, I did recover a dreaded box of stuff that I need to find a place for. Like I said...clutter has away of just moving from one place to the next. So that's the "sort of" part of this post. I am sort of done organizing the closet.

My husband insisted that I show you a "Before" picture. He said I come off too much like a Martha Stewart if I don't show you the front end of the project. I assured him that my readers all know that I don't have it all together..he obviously doesn't read my blog! But there is no glory in the organized if you can't see what came first. Good Grief! What a mess!

Mama- A Great Hostess

My Grandma, "Mama", helped raise me. Both my parents worked and worked hard outside of the home. We spent a great deal of time with Mama as a result. I've written about her before on this blog-she really is one of the people who showed me how opening up your home should be a blessing. I never saw her stress about having people over. Ever. Actually, I am not sure I ever saw her stress over a meal to be honest with you. This lady could cook, talk, clean and make you feel like you were the only person in the room all at the same time. Actually she set the bar so high in my mind, I never felt like I could measure up. I obviously missed the whole point, "enjoy those that come into your life" and "there is always room for more".


Mama is in the last days of her life. She has come under Hospice care just last week. She's been sick for a long time and she's getting older. As a result, I've been thinking a lot about all the things that she has taught me over my life.

Even as her body weakens and her mind fades in and out--so frail in her hospital bed, she lifts her head, her eyes fill with joy and she welcomes you into her room and asks you how you are and immediately looks to the child in the room and says "Hey shug. Get you something to eat." And she has a stash of goodies in a drawer she points to or reaches for a her purse to get you give the child money to go to the vending machine. My 3 year old daughter knows and has known since a very young age, that Mama loves her and wants to see her.

What an amazing lesson for me. What an amazing lady! There is always room and time for those who come to visit. Kids should be treasured and a delight. I think a lot of times we forget about making them feel welcome.

Mama has shown me love over my life. And she has shown so many, love and care. I hope that when my life is fading and it is time for me to go to Jesus, that it can be said that I loved God, I loved my family and friends, I treasured and delighted in children, I welcomed many into my home and I cared for those in need.

I don't want to waste another second! I gotta go hug my cute little curly headed girls and tell them how much I love them and how much God loves them.

How Long Will It Keep?

I pulled this guide out of Martha Stewart Living a couple of years ago...it is a guide to how long to keep food in the fridge(34 to 40 degrees)

FOOD
Raw Chicken 1 or 2 days
Raw Beef Roasts 3 to 5 days
Raw Steak 3 to 5 days
Cooked Chicken 3 to 4 days
Cooked Meat 3 to 4 days
Cooked Fish 3 to 4 days

I Am So Glad I Don't Have Cable

Here is why- I would be addicted to all the "clean sweep", "redecorate your room in 24 hours" and Food Network shows.

Seems like I am always reorganizing something around my house. I am a container addict. It's really a sickness. I love organizing stuff and uncluttering. Unfortunately, it seems like my clutter just moves from one place to the next despite my best efforts to be organized.

This week I am going to work on my kid's art closet AGAIN. Seems like once a quarter I have to clean out the beloved arts and crafts center and start all over again. I'll take pictures of it when I am done. I got a lot of the organizational ideas out of various magazines. I am going to try and not get mad. I always get mad about this particular area of the house b/c it seems like there is a place for everything, why can't it all get put back?!? But, I just realized the other day that I am guilty of just tossing stuff in there too. Uh-oh. I am going to have to be on my best behavior b/c I contributed to the mess!

We'll see how it comes together.

Mini Meat Loaves

I got this recipe from Cooking Light when my husband was in Graduate School and I was trying to learn how to cook. It's pretty easy and it is very good. I prefer it in the winter when it is cooler outside, but sometimes you just need some comfort food.

Mini Meat Loaves

Total Time: 35 minutes

1/2 cup ketchup
1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 pound ground sirloin (leanest hamburger you can find)
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs (I use Pepperidge Farm stuffing in blue bag)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Cooking Spray

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray dish with cooking spray. (I uses a square glass casserole dish) Combine ketchup and mustard, stirring well with a whisk. Reserve 2 1/2 tablespoons of mixture. (This part gets a little messy-so be prepared to not answer the phone, fix a 3 year old a drink and scratch your nose) Combine remaining mixture, beef and next 6 ingredients (beef through egg) in a large bowl, stirring to combine. (I use my hands-hey, they are going to get dirty anyway!) Divide beef mixture into 4 equal portions. Shape each portion into a 4x21/2 inch loaf, place loaves in dish. Spread reserve ketchup mixture on top of each loaf.

Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until done. Serving size:1 loaf

I typically serve with a green veggie, taters (mashed or scalloped cheesy ones out of box) or rice and green salad.

Key Lime Pie Recipe

Here is a link to one of my husband's favorite desserts and a must have for a summer dessert:

Key Lime Pie

http://www.keylimejuice.com/recipes/key-lime-pie.htm

Easy Macaroni Salad

Follow this link to a really yummy Macaroni Salad Recipe:

http://www.makesameal.com/home.asp?p=recipes.asp&r=135

It's really yummy. I leave out the green/red pepper though. It's perfect for a picnic.