Holiday Grand Plan Week 8 - Kitchen Week

It's a big week for the Holiday Grand Plan!  And guess what - if you are just now starting to think that this might not be such a crazy idea after all, the Christmas Countdown is about to begin for those who want a shorter, more focused plan. 

This week was easy and successful.  Like I said, my guest room got a big clean over the summer and we rarely have guests.  All it took was a cleaning to get it ready to go.  I'll put the flannel sheets on in a few weeks when it gets a little colder.

I also got two more meals in the freezer and made some delicious cookies.  The only thing I'm still pretty behind on is my shopping.  I can't quite get myself geared up for it yet.  The good news is that we don't shop for many people anymore.  The bad news is that all of those people are tough to shop for.  (Dad?  FIL?  Husband?)

Kitchen Week is a big focus.  You really need your kitchen to be as efficient as possible during the holiday cooking season.  You also want it to be not just surface clean, but inside the cabinets clean.  Pretty embarrassing when a considerate guest offers to help and opens your drawers or pantry and finds a mess! 

Keep up with the usual freezing, baking, shopping, and wrapping.

Last, this is the checkpoint week.  If a handmade gift is not going well and doesn't look like it's going to get done in time, start thinking about a backup option. 

Buy your pumpkin!

Meal of the Week - Sausage and Peppers

This week's meal isn't a freezer meal since, as I confessed last week, I'm out of ideas!  But this is one that you could make simply on a busy day with just a brief stop in the grocery store.  Or plan for a low-key Sunday in front of the football game. 

• Mild Italian Sausage - I plan on about 2 per person
• Bell Peppers - mostly green, but throw in some yellow or red if you want the color.  I plan on about 1 per person.  Core and cut into strips.
• Sweet Onions - I plan on 1-2 per person.  Peel, cut in half and slice. 
• Olive oil

You can grill or brown the sausage ahead of time but that is not required.  My family thinks it looks more appetizing with the grill marks, but not browning them first has never stopped them from eating it all.
Toss sausage, peppers, and onion in a roasting pan.  A disposable foil one is not green, but this is one of the times I use them.  Or line your pan with foil for easier cleanup.  Drizzle with olive oil, cover tightly with foil, and bake in the oven on 325 for an hour.  If you didn't pre-brown the sausage, remove the foil and cook another 30 minutes so they get a little brown.  You can also put this on the grill on medium-low for the same amount of time.  

Serve on hoagie rolls in front of the football game!

Has anyone ever tried this in the crock pot?  I think it would be great to come home to on a chilly night after practice or a game.

Holiday Treat of the Week - Pumpkin Scones

Just a link this week.  My walking buddy made these and said they were too good to pass up, and super easy.  They are on my list to try once I can get pumpkin again (stock up when you find it!).

Enjoy!

Pink Out

Dressed to the nines.

Go Pink or Go Home!

The Drum Line

At the football game tonight, the theme was "Pink Out" for breast cancer awareness. I thought you might enjoy some of the great pics. Sorry for the quality - for the first time I had decided to travel light and leave my camera home, so these are from my phone.

On My Design Wall

I think I have too many projects going at once.

Brye Lynn at Sew Stitch Create just did a great episode on why WIP's are like broken windows. You should listen to the whole thing, but the gist of it is that the more things you have unfinished, the easier it is to leave something unfinished to go work on something more interesting. You get into or out of the habit of finishing. Okay, so she explains it better.

But it was a timely episode because I've got a lot of balls in the air. My guild's annual challenge is due in 18 days. I'm not totally in love with how the blocks are turning out, plus I realized that I didn't turn the blocks consistently in the same direction, so some of the logs aren't lining up. Does it actually matter in the long run? I'm not sure.

My challenge blocks, so far.

I'm feeling very rushed for time, which is ridiculous since a) I came up with the challenge and am responsible for it, and b) it was presented in January and I knew then what I planned to do.  But the first one is officially done and arrived in the mail to me today from a quilter who has to miss the November meeting.  Seeing hers finished gave me a bit of an anxiety attack, although it did prompt a two hour sewing session. 

For leaders and enders I've been making strip sets, light and dark, out of 2" strips for one of the three (!) baby quilts I need to finish by mid-February.  They will be the scrappy four patch part of the Jacob's Ladder quilt I'm making, similar to Piper's Circle of Love quilt. 

Leaders and Enders

This is all in addition to the knitting project, the twin bed sized quilt I'm trying to finish for Mom for Christmas, and the other holiday gifts I have going.

I think I need to fix some windows before the graffiti and stolen car parts take over. 

Wordless Wednesday - 10/13/10 - The Haunted Castle

Overheard

"Do you think God ever gets bored...being omniscient and all?"

"I don't know.  At least you wouldn't have to waste two hours watching Wild Hogs."




I love my kids!

Blogtoberfest Postcard Swap - Last Chance!

Last chance to join us for the Blogtoberfest Postcard Swap.

If you had trouble emailing me, you can click here for a form to fill out. 

10-10-10

It's 10-10-10 Day! I hope yours is a perfect 10!

Wondering what it means - if anything?  Check out this list of possibilities.

Commemorate the date!  Heather Champ has issued a challenge to take a photo today and add it to the flickr group. 

Looking for something to do? Geek Dad has 1010 ideas!

 Got some extra energy?  Visit 350.org to find a "Global Work Party" event near you.