tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post2645669691660277197..comments2024-03-29T21:11:37.724+10:00Comments on down to earth: Christmas prep and an email from a dear friendUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-15569528349899574262007-12-14T01:42:00.000+10:002007-12-14T01:42:00.000+10:00I used to get very stressed about Christmas prepar...I used to get very stressed about Christmas preparations. I thought everything had to be perfect. I had lists of lists, would stay up late, eat terribly, and really just make the whole time rather ugly. Now I've finally figured out that good enough is perfect. I do what I can when I can. If I don't bake everything I want to bake, no one knows but me. If our home isn't decorated the way I pictured, no one knows but me. Our gift giving is simpler, I don't panic if I haven't sent out cards, etc. My husband and children (4 with one on the way) are more relaxed now that I am, and we all enjoy the season SO much more. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for letting us know that Jewels and her family are doing well. I miss her beautiful blog.Tanya @ Ever After Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17527191091701776813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-84038267824031319502007-12-14T00:00:00.000+10:002007-12-14T00:00:00.000+10:00I bet Cricket gives a quieter day than [American] ...I bet Cricket gives a quieter day than [American] football though! Lovely pictures again, too!Hopewellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02510172065585770709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-59655380663211718062007-12-13T22:56:00.000+10:002007-12-13T22:56:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda;I agree it is best to do a few jobs a da...Hi Rhonda;<BR/>I agree it is best to do a few jobs a day then all at once. This year is a very low key Christmas for us. I decided this a few months ago, when I felt we needed to simplify our lives. I spend a nice day with my mom yesterday, having lunch, and getting all the shopping done, and then had a cup of warm tea. I am done and the kids are only getting 2 presents each. It was the first time in a long time that I did not feel stressed or anxious:) Now I will do some baking, which I enjoy. I am ready to have a stress free holiday. <BR/>AlexiaAlexiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14788099869497416916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-40047847191266451422007-12-13T15:17:00.000+10:002007-12-13T15:17:00.000+10:00We don't do a great deal for Christmas so there is...We don't do a great deal for Christmas so there is not too much preparation involved. We opted out of gift-giving and receiving years ago, although I will be sharing a few canned goodies this year. We generally spend the holiday with family but have a pretty lowkey celebration.<BR/><BR/>On an unrelated note, Rhonda, I've nominated you for a writing award. You can read the details <A HREF="http://chilechews.blogspot.com/2007/12/feeling-loved.html" REL="nofollow">here</A>.Chilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11406176434011890590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-78137827934097201062007-12-13T15:09:00.000+10:002007-12-13T15:09:00.000+10:00RJ, I'm getting a few jobs done everyday. Tonigh...RJ, I'm getting a few jobs done everyday. Tonight, I have to do a few bits of secret wrapping when the children are in bed. Tomorrow, I am making truffles and shortbread. Yum. The terrible part is the testing process, which in my house is extensive!!!!!The Tin Househttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03422547957232680227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-77855814539367833832007-12-13T15:07:00.000+10:002007-12-13T15:07:00.000+10:00hello everyone! I hope you're all enjoying your p...hello everyone! I hope you're all enjoying your prep and not stressing out at all.<BR/><BR/>Coleen, I stopped eating meat about 9 years ago when Hanno had a very high cholesterol level. He tried all the diets and natural remedies but nothing worked. We decided against drugs as we believe they do more harm than good. I told him I'd give up meat if he did so we embarked on no meat eating. Three months later he cracked and bought a BIG MAC!! I never went back to it. I don't eat meat because it's cheaper not to and I don't like the idea of killing other mammals.<BR/><BR/>We get our protein from milk, butter, cheese and yoghurt, hens eggs, wholegrains, vegetables like brocolli, cauliflower, beans, peas, chick peas etc.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-60448483806458438602007-12-13T13:04:00.000+10:002007-12-13T13:04:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda Jean :) I love your Christmas colors pic...Hi Rhonda Jean :) I love your Christmas colors picture! It makes me miss our garden. <BR/><BR/>This year my sweet Miss M and I made a Christmas planning calendar on a posterboard (she didn't want to miss out on a single part of the prep). We drew in the month, and I wrote in all of the parties, shopping, crafts, baking, and other tasks. After that, she illustrated and decorated it. It's so cute, and it's keeping us going at a steady pace - which is lovely and fun.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the update on Jewels. It's a joy to know she and her precious family are well. Love, QQuinnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14446233534591572279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-7175176776661883122007-12-13T10:46:00.000+10:002007-12-13T10:46:00.000+10:00All the talk of northern hemisphere baking for Chr...All the talk of northern hemisphere baking for Christmas makes me feel hot. Here it's all about getting up early and washing the dishes in the coolest part of the day so I don't melt trying to do it later. I'm certainly not turning the oven on!<BR/><BR/>I am wrapping presents though, all those things I bought online months ago have arrived (nearly, not the wine!) and the box sets of books and cds are being broken up for nieces and nephews.<BR/><BR/>We don't collapse for Boxing Day in my family - all of my Dad's family get together for a huge lunch, but we do have the test on the telly in the background, and the kids and uncles all play cricket after lunch.katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05933494864542847343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-91887008877750976872007-12-13T08:33:00.000+10:002007-12-13T08:33:00.000+10:00I love making a list (and checking it twice!) and ...I love making a list (and checking it twice!) and I also have buy german beer on my list for my Dad who is also German. This weekend will also begin the cookie dough making for items to go in my gift baskets. Thanks for the ice reminder, must start on that one too! What a beautiful photo of all your garden produce :)<BR/>-hugs-Lishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00066863074405512584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-65324674280693964832007-12-13T07:40:00.000+10:002007-12-13T07:40:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda,My Christmas prep starts right after Tha...Hi Rhonda,<BR/><BR/>My Christmas prep starts right after Thanksgiving. I pick one job, finish it and pick another until everything gets done. Right now I'm into my baking mode. I do have a question...could you let us all know why you don't eat meat and why your husband eats very little? And what you use in place of meat for your protein? Thanks.<BR/>ColeenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-76476769489910557872007-12-13T07:27:00.000+10:002007-12-13T07:27:00.000+10:00I plan to do my Christmas baking next Friday. 2 ba...I plan to do my Christmas baking next Friday. 2 batches of muffins, and 2 types of cookies. Some are for my family, and others are for those who are here. I haven't decided if I should wrap gifts before I leave for home or wait until I get home. Wrapped presents don't travel well. Aside from that I just have to find a cat sitter for my little guy and I am all set for the holidays. <BR/>Enjoy your preparations. Cheers,<BR/>maggie<BR/>http://creativeportal.spaces.live.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-83154165472153523292007-12-13T06:57:00.000+10:002007-12-13T06:57:00.000+10:00I also love hearing about Christmas in the summer!...I also love hearing about Christmas in the summer! I try to bake a batch of cookies every day starting about a week before Christmas. The rest I just take as it comes trying to finish a bit off my list every day if I can. I am glad that Jewels and her family are all well. I am also glad you have your house back to normal with time to spare before the holidays!Sharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03314290576757837045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-55772286975812665512007-12-13T06:41:00.000+10:002007-12-13T06:41:00.000+10:00I love hearing about your preparations and despite...I love hearing about your preparations and despite knowing you are the other side of the world I still find it hard to get my head round it being summer and children having 2 months holiday at Christmas!<BR/><BR/>Here in southwest France we are just settling down to our first real frosts and the ski resorts are overjoyed as they are expecting a good covering of snow this weekend just in time for the Xmas breakdNDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00531819276422542672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-84274287120355262932007-12-13T05:39:00.000+10:002007-12-13T05:39:00.000+10:00Hi rhonda,I too love doing a few jobs each day in ...Hi rhonda,<BR/><BR/>I too love doing a few jobs each day in the run up to christmas. I find it simplifies your life, rather than run around like a nut in the week beforehand. Christmas in the sunshine sounds lovely though, its so cold in the uk at the moment!Jamiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11011243670422710228noreply@blogger.com