Christmas without the panic - write a few cards

You know it is all going to be okay don't you?  It is still (just) November.  There is plenty of time to get everything done, as long as you do a little bit every day - hey?\

Your task for today is: write 5 Christmas cards.


That is all - just 5  (more if you really feel like it).  The act of writing the cards will make you feel calmer, in control and organised.

If you are not sending any paper cards at all this year, spend 10 minutes looking for an e-card design that you like, or composing your Christmas email for all and sundry.

These things don't take a long time - we build them up into an insurmountable problem, we forget how to breathe and we panic.

Go on, just write 5 cards today.  You'll feel better for it.

Getting organised for Christmas - without the panic

How does it always creep up on me? One moment I am in happy cosy planning mode. Cup of coffee, curled up on the sofa with my little red Christmas planning book. There I am, happily debating menus, shopping lists and things to bake all safe in the knowledge that Christmas is ages away and I am being very good, planning so early........

And then suddenly it is 28 November and I realise that I have less than 3 weeks to get things really sorted and organised. Just a little matter of a job and children getting in the way of Christmas bliss hey?

So I invite you to join with me in getting ready for Christmas - slowly, calmly and just doing a little every day.

In theory.  If I do a little every day and stop pretending I have loads of time - it will all be fine.......honest!

So today, to get ready for Christmas:

Dig out your tablecloths, napkins etc, check for stains, liberally apply Vanish, stain remover, bicarb etc and chuck them in the washing machine.

Go on  - I bet you could get up and do this now. It will take about 5 mins - and you are on your way getting ready without the panic.

Anyone joining me?

look no wine stains!

My Menu Meal Plan this week

Planning my weekly meals is one of the thing that keeps my week going smoothly.

When I decide that I am fartoobusyandimportantohyes to bother with a meal plan, boy do I pay for it during the week!

Starting working again after time at home has thrown my comfortable routines out quite a bit, but making a meal-plan seems to be the lunch-pin that holds things together. Ok, sometimes it holds things together by the skin of it's poor little teeth.......but sometimes that is all you need.

Sunday home-made herby turkey mince meatballs with rice

Monday home-made indian-spiced salmon fishcakes

Tuesday chilli chicken noodle soup with home made stock

Wednesday pasta with home-made bolognese sauce

Thursday spiced veg with lemony bulghar wheat

Friday rump steak and roast potatoes

Do you meal plan?  If not, I would love to know how and when you decide what to have for dinner every night!