The Twelve Ideas of Christmas ~ Second Idea

The Second Idea of Christmas My Blogger Gave to Me...

Designate Assignments ~ I wanted to gift this idea now before it's too late & you get behind, get frazzled, start using another f word that is not 'festive'. The idea is for all to enjoy the holidays and that includes you!! You may be the master coordinator so it 'all' comes together, but the 24th & 25th will get here no matter what does or doesn't get 'done'.  There is no need to miss out on those amazing warm feelings that come this time of year. So pawn off some cleaning, baking, cooking, shopping (on-line is easy!) wrapping, decorating to others (the kids especially.) Even a few things will make a big difference. (I mean how do you think Santa gets it all done? ~enlist some elves! If you can't find help, then do less (say a few more No's & a few less Yeses; don't overbook yourself!)  & enjoy yourself more!  You don't have to control it all for all to be wonderful!

The Twelve Ideas of Christmas ~ First Idea

    So here's the idea for my latest blog ~ The Twelve Ideas of Christmas from me to you ~ one per day. These are ideas, recipes, inspirations to keep you moving with all that you need for the holidays as a gift giver, hostess, party-goer and so on...

The First Idea of Christmas my Blogger gave to me...

A Chocolates Filled Advent Calendar - This is the gift that gives from December 1st through the 25th! Behind each perforated picture is the sweetest piece of chocolate. This is a favorite of my daughter (who is now 23)! When she was in Australia thru Christmastime, I even mailed one to her - tradition and all that! The calendars can be found at most grocery stores, CVS, World Market, etc.! Brings out the kid in everyone!! This is my perfect idea for my coworkers this year; lots of stress the first couple weeks of the month so a little sweetness will hopefully go a long way!

Stocking Stuffer Ideas For You!!

Ho, Ho, Ho 'tis that time of year again! Just wanted to share some fantastic stocking stuffer ideas for you to put on your list this year. Some have been reviewed thumbs up by me before & some are new ideas - again with a thumbs up from this tester. All are inexpensive. In no particular order...

~ Garnier Micellar Water - game changer for cleaning skin
~ Any kind of Spill-proof Pump Nail Polish Remover - Genius!! I use Walmart's Equate Brand

~ Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara - still the best in my book

~ Ecotools  Makeup Brushes - inexpensive and fab

~ Burt's Bees Chapstick - so many to choose from...

~ Cetaphil Body & Face Moisturizing Lotion - another game changer

~ Face Mask Sheets - any kind what a treat but no photos please!

~ Maybelline Eye Shadow Palettes - Blushed Nudes are my go to

~ The Ped-Egg - still the basis of the home pedicure

~ Neutrogena Hand Cream - classic and still awesome

 

~ Aveeno Positively Radiant 60 Second In Shower Facial - new & fabulous!

~ A really good nail file - I don't have one, any suggestions??

~ The WetBrush - a must for hair of any length. There is even one now       that hangs in your shower!

~ Your favorite chocolate!!!

Fall Outdoor Cleanup Time!

   This will be an unusual garden cleanup up year for many of us. With flooding rains is so many parts of the country & unusually warm temperatures east coast, this is the year fall can turn in winter cleanup.

    Here on the east coast the leaves have been taking their time changing color and falling. Yes, some have fallen without changing but I still have hope! This becomes problematic if we have any early snow (seems unlikely... but you never know) the branches on all trees with leaves become vulnerable. What we need this year is to be diligent and keep up even though leaf removal may last well into late December. (used to be Thanksgiving!) I can't complain though, my annual begonias are still blooming (unheard of in November here) thanks to no frost or freeze. I got my money's worth out of then this year for sure. Here are some cleanup tips:

  ~ Instead of bagging all your leaves or using the curbside pickup, think about using as many as possible as mulch in your beds & mowed into your lawn . This benefits your soil & the wildlife that needs warm hiding places. The only type I have found that doesn’t work for me are ginkgo leaves. I have a 100+ year old HUGE tree so beautiful but the leaves are too heavy & rubbery & never seem to break down. No wonder this tree was around in prehistoric times! See the nice link below for best mulch ideas.

http://www.smilinggardener.com/organic-gardening-tips/mulch-types-how-to-choose-the-best-mulch

~ Leave seed headed perennials alone in your garden to feed the birds this winter. (Goldfinches do not migrate so the coneflower seeds are a treat for them.) The exceptions being any that showed signs of powdery mildew or other diseases at the end of summer. Dispose of these in the trash, not even with the garden waste.

~ Go shopping for Spring bulbs & consider buying a few to force indoors. My favorite to force are hyacinths. These require a few months of refrigerator time & then a bulb vase. This allows the bulb to sit with just a hint of water at the base. Soon roots will form & then the green leaves will peak through. Start to bloom is usually three weeks. Something about that wonderful smell come February… Check out the link below for outdoor planting.

http://www.americanmeadows.com/planting-flower-bulbs

And indoor planting…

http://www.gardeners.com/Growing-Bulbs-Indoors/5158,default,pg.html

~ Most of all get out and enjoy the crisp air & the eventual beautiful colors. There is nothing like it!