November 11, 2012

Thank a Veteran

44 daysToday is Veteran’s Day. Many children will be home today, wondering why there is no school. Some communities have a Veteran’s Day parade, while others are quiet on this day. There will be a lot of veterans and their families struggling through the holidays this year because of separation through deployment, coping with injuries, and the tough financial times.

Countdown to Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comThe Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to take this opportunity to teach your children that because of a history of dedicated veterans, we have the freedom to celebrate the holidays in whatever style suits our beliefs and traditions. Today, with many children being home from school, it would be a good day to enlist their help in delivering the food you have been collecting to your local food bank as there will be a good number of veterans partaking in the donation of charitable organizations this holiday season. And, if you know a veteran, tell them “thanks” for their effort and sacrifice to our country.

Happy 40th Birthday to my husband (who also happens to be a veteran) today!

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November 6, 2012

Election Day

Day 49: Exercise your right to vote today! | 100DaystoChristmas.comElection Day is an opportunity to exercise your right as a citizen and to contribute to the democratic process. Although Election Day may seem to have no bearing on holiday preparations, it is still an excellent reminder of why we should feel grateful this holiday season.

Countdown to Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comToday’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to get out and vote! And then call your friends to remind them to vote! It may not be easy to think about the possibility of standing in lines, but some things are worth a little inconvenience. Be an example to your children and let them know you voted today!

Did you vote today? Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and wave your vote flag.

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November 4, 2012

Make It a Soup Sunday

Day 51: Make a soup for a cozy, Sunday meal | 100DaystoChristmas.comDid you “fall back” yet? Do you have clocks in your home that still need an adjustment? If so, adjust those now while you are still thinking of it.

You cannot beat a hearty, healthy meal in November where all you have to do is throw all of the ingredients together into one pot (or a slow cooker).  Soups and stews also make great football fare. Make Soup Sunday a part of your fall and winter meal planning!

Countdown to Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comThe Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to consider new soups to serve your family or even start a new tradition of Soup Sunday! Send out invitations to friends and family and let them know that if they like soup, they are welcome to drop in on your Soup Sunday (with some advanced warning, of course). I know many families that prepare a big pot of soup the night before Thanksgiving or Christmas when they tend to have a lot of company. It’s easy to feed a lot of people with soup. Just add some type of bread and maybe even a salad for a delicious meal!

What soups do you love? Tell us over at the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page.

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October 22, 2012

Pumpkin Puree

Day 64: Make pumpkin puree from your sugar pumpkins | 100DaystoChristmas.comEven if you feel you are behind in your holiday planning, you can still catch up and be ready. We are taking baby steps so that December will be a fun month rather than a stressful push to just “get through the holidays”.  Fresh pumpkin is truly the best. It is not that hard to make a big batch of pureed pumpkin for your fall desserts and breads. It can be made from a good sugar pumpkin by cutting it in half, scooping out the seeds (don’t forget to save those), and roasting the pumpkin on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes to one hour. When the pumpkin is ready, peel the skin and mash or process the pulp. Finally, store the pumpkin puree in a freezer bag or container in 1 to 2 cup quantities for easy usage in recipes.

Countdown to Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comToday’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to make a delicious loaf of pumpkin bread or muffins today. Not only does it make a great breakfast, but it also makes a terrific after-dinner treat.

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us about your favorite pumpkin recipe.

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October 21, 2012

Pick your Pumpkin

Day 65: Pick your Pumpkin for fall & Halloween fun | 100DaystoChristmas.comThere are so many uses for a good pumpkin! They make wonderful pies and baked treats, decorations for your home and porch, soup tureens and bowls, and of course, Jack-O-Lanterns.

Countdown to Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comToday’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to visit your local farm stand or grocery store for the perfect carving pumpkin. Then, spread out some newspaper on the floor of the kitchen, over the kitchen table, or even on the lawn. Grab the appropriate utensils for carving such as a large, sharp knife for the top of the pumpkin, knives with smaller blades for the detail work, and a large spoon to help you scoop out the “guts”. Create a traditional design such as a face or search the internet for a more unique pattern or design. Do not forget to remove the seeds for the extra bonus of yummy Spiced Pumpkin Seeds.

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us your favorite uses for pumpkins. Submit a photo of your best jack-o-lantern.

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October 14, 2012

Take a Hike

Day 72: Get out with the family and enjoy the beautiful colors of fall | 100DaystoChristmas.comDepending on where you live, the leaves are either sporting their lovely colors or are beginning to turn from green to red, yellow, or orange, and then to brown. The air is turning crisp and we are spending more time outdoors wrapped in cozy sweaters.

Countdown to Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comThe Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to find a place to enjoy the fall outdoors. Go on a leaf hunt and collect the brightest leaves. Take them home and lay them down one at a time between two sheets of wax paper. Iron them on a low setting for about 30 seconds. Send them to friends in the mail or put them on display in your home to preserve the fall color throughout the year!

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell about your fall hike!

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October 8, 2012

New World Holidays

Day 78: New World Holidays. . .happy Columbus Day and Canadian Thanksgiving! | 100DaystoChristmas.comIn 1492, Columbus first set foot in the Americas. Many people find that today, in honor of that historic event, they may not have to go to work or their children will likely not have school. Canada has even more to celebrate today – they are all sitting down with their family and friends for a nice Thanksgiving meal to recognize the end of the harvest.

Countdown to Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comToday’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to complete (or at least work on) a project. Ugh! I know. However, those winter clothes that you’ve been saying you’ll get to will not make an appearance on their own. Your basement or garage will not improve by itself. Now is your chance.

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and let us know what fall project you tackled today!

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October 7, 2012

Be a Leaf Peeper

Day 79: Get out today to view the beauty of the changing fall leaves | 100DaystoChristmas.comHere in the Northeast, Columbus Day weekend is the peak for fall foliage. We have a steady stream of leaf peepers all weekend long. If you are lucky enough to live in or vacation in a place where reds, oranges, and yellows light up the trees, don’t miss the opportunity to be a leaf peeper while you can!

Countdown to Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comToday’s Countdown to Christmas Challenge is to take a fall foliage foray either in the car or by foot. Don’t put it off because you’ll find yourself waiting until it is past peak and all that is left are leaves to rake in the yard.

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October 3, 2012

Crafty October

Day 83: Make it a crafty October and have some Halloween fun! | 100DaystoChristmas.comCraft projects are such a great outlet for creativity. Even if you believe you don’t have a creative bone in your body, the holiday season is a great time of year to let loose your inner artist or crafter. Children LOVE to create and should be allowed to let their imaginations explore through provided materials and instructions.

Countdown to Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comThe Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to look around online or in some old magazines for some new craft ideas for the holidays. You may have already begun to work on handmade gifts for Christmas, but October crafts can be many types of fall or Halloween projects. There are so many wonderful resources out there for craft ideas such as FamilyFun.com, Kaboose.com, and BHG.com. Add your craft ideas to your Holiday Craft Planner* so you’ll remember which projects were and were not successes.

* Available as a download in the 100 Days to Christmas 2012 eBook.  Members to ListPlanIt.com can print or download Holiday Craft Planner in Holidays & Occasions as a worksheet for your holiday crafting.

Visit ListPlanIt’s Fall/Halloween Craft Board on Pinterest

Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us your favorite October crafts!

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September 24, 2012

The Apple of My Eye

Day 92: Put those fall apples to good use and make an apple dessert today | 100DaystoChristmas.comPut those apples you’ve picked or purchased lately to good use! Apples are delicious and nutritious, they make perfect portable snacks, and they are the major ingredient to some of my favorite desserts.

Countdown to Christmas 2012 | 100DaystoChristmas.comThe Countdown to Christmas Challenge for today is to locate your family’s favorite apple crisp recipe, or find some apple inspiration here. Apples not only make a delicious dessert, but have you ever tried apple crisp for breakfast. Before you decide to make an apple crisp, be sure you have the following: lots of apples, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and butter. Add what you don’t have to your shopping list and make a point to stop by the store today. Your family will thank you for such a delicious fall treat!

 Visit the 100 Days to Christmas Facebook page and tell us your favorite apple dessert or fall treat!

 

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