My Favorite Christmas Movies

Hi Friends and welcome back to my blog! Today's post is all about some of my favorite Christmas movies.You know those movies that you have to watch every year, without fail, or those that best represent the season for you.

Here's my list!

1. Christmas Vacation:

As the holidays approach, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) wants to have a perfect family Christmas, so he pesters his wife, Ellen (Beverly D'Angelo), and children, as he tries to make sure everything is in line, including the tree and house decorations. However, things go awry quickly. His hick cousin, Eddie (Randy Quaid), and his family show up unplanned and start living in their camper on the Griswold property. Even worse, Clark's employers renege on the holiday bonus he needs.

2. Home Alone: 

When bratty 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) acts out the night before a family trip to Paris, his mother (Catherine O'Hara) makes him sleep in the attic. After the McCallisters mistakenly leave for the airport without Kevin, he awakens to an empty house and assumes his wish to have no family has come true. But his excitement sours when he realizes that two con men (Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern) plan to rob the McCallister residence, and that he alone must protect the family home.

3. Elf:

Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn't fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. As it happens, this is Walter Hobbs (James Caan), a cynical businessman. After a DNA test proves this, Walter reluctantly attempts to start a relationship with the childlike Buddy with increasingly chaotic results.

4. The Holiday:

Dumped and depressed, English rose Iris agrees to swap homes with similarly unlucky in love Californian Amanda for a much-needed break. Iris finds herself in a palatial Hollywood mansion while Amanda navigates the lanes of a picture-perfect English village. Soon enough, both lovelorn ladies bump into local lads perfect for a romantic pick-me-up.

5. The Family Stone:

Everett Stone (Dermot Mulroney) wants to bring his girlfriend, Meredith Morton (Sarah Jessica Parker), to meet his bohemian Connecticut family at Christmas. Straitlaced Meredith, feeling she needs backup, asks her sister Julie (Claire Danes) to come along. Hoping to win the approval of her boyfriend's parents Sybil (Diane Keaton) and Kelly (Craig T. Nelson) and the rest of the family, instead Meredith succeeds only in highlighting her uptight personality and making Everett doubt his intentions.

Now, this doesn't make up my entire list, but these are the movies that I have watch every single year.

What's on your must watch movie list?

Top 10 Christmas Facts You Might Not Know

Since Christmas is next week I thought I would do a quick search on the interwebs to find some interesting facts that you may or may not know about Christmas. 

1. The Germans made the first artificial Christmas tree out of dyed goose feathers .

2.  Each year more than 3 billion Christmas cards are sent in the US alone.

3.  All the gifts in the Twelve Days of Christmas would equal 364 gifts.

4.  In AD 350, Pope Julius1, bishop of Rome, proclaimed December 25 the official celebration 

            date for the birthday of Christ.

5.  Christmas trees have been sold in the US since 1850.

6.  Christmas trees usually grow for about 15 years before they are sold.

7.  Alabama was the first state in the United States to officially recognize Christmas in 1836.

8.  Christmas wasn't declared an official holiday in the United States until June 26, 1870.

9.  Oklahoma was the last U.S. state to to declare Christmas a legal holiday in 1907.

10. During the Christmas season, nearly 28 million sets of Legos are sold every second.

 

What are some facts you would like to add to the list? Please leave them in comments down below!

 

December 2021 Goals

It's finally the end of the year, which has been another long year ever. I am looking forward to spending Christmas with my family and starting some new traditions with the girls. I plan on making this Christmas extra special for them since they have missed so much these last two years.

Anyway, here are the goals that I have set up for December.

December 2021 Goals

 1. Read two books

2. Clean and organize the playroom

3. Set up a printable shop on Etsy

4. Walk daily even if it's in the house

5. Organize the pantry

6. Clean and organize the freezer

7. Cross things off of our quarantine style Winter Bucket List (again)

8. Finish editorail calendar and content for January

9. Post more onto Instagram and learn how to use stories and reels

10. Launch my new meal planner on Amazon at the end of the month.

What are goals for December? Please share in the comments below, I would love to read them!

 

3 Ways To Stay Sane As A Stay At Home Mom

Even though I am a SAHM with 2 kids (11 and 7), I still do not a have a routine set. You would think that being a SAHM my house would be clean all day. Well, that's not true, my house is always a mess (I usually clean it at night after the kids are in bed), and there is always a pile of laundry that either needs to be washed or folded and put away. As you can see, I am not perfect, but there are things that I can do to make my days go smoother and to keep the laundry from piling up:

3 Ways to Stay Sane As a Stay at Home Mom

1.  Prepare the night before.

Sometime after dinner and before bedtime, make sure that you are ready for the morning. I sign folders and any other papers. I will pack her lunch when she doesn't want to eat in the cafeteria. I then straighten the living room and dining room and I will clean the kitchen (sometimes I don't do this every night). 

2.  Use your planner.

Have a planner session every week ( I do mine on Sundays) where you write down any appointments, school events, and other important dates. This really does help in the structure of my day.

3. Take time for you.

This is very important, just do something that you enjoy for a few minutes at night. I usually read or I will write in a journal. Recently I have started coloring in an adult coloring book and this has really helped to relax at night right before bed.  

How do you stay sane throughout the day?

4 Ways To Take Care of Yourself During The Winter Months

 I feel like during the holidays we can run ourselves ragged. It’s so easy to forget to take care of you while you’re busy trying to find the perfect gifts, go to all the family parties, and do all the things. Today I am sharing 4 ways to take care of yourself this holiday season so you don’t feel like you need a vacation come January!

4 Ways To Take Care of Yourself During The Winter Months 

 Take Care Of Your Hair: With all the parties and events, you can really damage your hair this time of year. Plus colder weather can make your scalp dry and flakey! Especially if you’re one of the 50 percent of people who have issues with dry, itchy scalp and dandruff, which can get worse when the temperatures drop. I recommend using a tea tree and peppermint-infused product from Head & Shoulders that will ensure the only flakes on your shoulders this winter are snow.
  
Take Care Of Your Mentality:  I  am a big fan of yoga. This is a great ways to take care of your mentality so the holiday stress doesn’t get to you! It’s one of the most stressful times of year.

Take Care Of Your Sleep: It can be so easy to want to do ALL THE THINGS. Sometimes you have to say no to something and get the extra few hours of sleep. Otherwise you will make yourself sick and you may not be able to do any of the fun stuff you want!

Take Care Of Your Body: While it can be easy to want to indulge in all the cookies, pastries, drinks, etc. remember to take care of your body with moderation. Everything in moderation. Also, this is not the time of year to skip the gym. Make sure to give yourself time to get some workouts in, even a 2 mile walk around your neighborhood. It will make detoxing after the holidays SO much easier!

 

Currently {11/13/2021}

  

 

Time and place: 3:50pm  and I am in the dining room, typing up this post.

  
Eating: Nothing at the moment, but I am thinking about what I am making for dinner.

Drinking: A big glass of water (always)

Watching: The Prince and Me on Prime Video

 

Reading: Suicide Med. This was recommended on Prime Reading. So far, it's pretty good, but it's getting kind of creepy.

Loving: Being able to sit down after a long day of housework and taking care of my family and read my book for a little while/.

Working: I just started designing a meal planner. I cannot wait to see how it turns out! I'm so excited for this new project. I am also working on a weekly planner insert that I am excited about and a note pad that I have been wanting to design for a while now. I am also working on a monthly/weekly planner. I can't wait to see how these turn out. We have also launched a weekly planner on Amazon. This is something that I have always wanted to do and it's always been my dream to have my own planner and now it has finally come true. 

 

Here is the link in case anyone is interested:

 

Build Your Dreams Weekly Planner 

Listening to: the TV.

Buying: Groceries for the rest of the month and stocking up on certain items that are needed. I'm also looking at clothes and other household items that are needed. I am also shopping for science experiments.

Planning: I have most of my posts planned for the rest of November. I just have to write and schedule them. I am working on setting up some deadlines for my meal planner and other planners that I am working on. I am also working on some planner inserts. This should keep me busy for a while!

 

I'm trying to plan out a work schedule for the rest of the year. It's hard when we are homeschooling both girls this year. Hopefully I will figure one out soon.

Wondering: can I pull it off? How will I pull it off?

Feeling: tired, but happy, always.

 

November 2021 Goals

It's hard to believe that November is already here! Crazy to think we are so close to Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's hard to believe that 2021 is creeping towards the end and before you know it a new year will be starting. I want this year to end with a bang! I have a few goals (new business) that I would like to accomplish before the end of the year.

So now that we are in November it's time to share my November goals. Here we go!

 

 

Personal goals for November

• Read 2 books
• Decorate for the holidays
• Start Christmas shopping for the girls
• Unplug during Thanksgiving break
• Rest and relax
• Have at least one at home date night with the Huby
• Celebrate Hubby's birthday (it's a special one)
• Spend on on one time with the girls

Work goals for November

• Start writing posts for Blogmas 2021
• Schedule blog content through the end of the year
• Complete editorial calendar through the end of the year
• Increase the number of followers on my blog
  
• Market our planner
• Work on more planner designs
• Launch Meal Planner by the end of the year 

What are your goals for November? Please share them in the comments below!

Jake Ryan, Electric Youth, and Sweet Valley High: A trip through the 80s

 Hi Friends and welcome to day #7 of Blogtober!

I have been taking a trip down memory lane and loving every minute of it! As some of you know I am an 80s baby through and through. It was a time of mismatched socks, scrunchies, feuds between pop princesses, and of course the ultimate boy band, New Kids on the Block. Those were some of the best days. So, today's post is dedicate to some of my favorite 80s memories. 

(1) Putting plastic charms on every possible accessory and knowing that each charm had its own special meaning.

(2) You knew being a rock star with a secret identity was the best job ever!

 Also, the life lessons Jem taught you:

 

1. It’s OK if your man cheats on you, as long as it’s with your secret alter ego.

2. Sometimes it’s way more fun to be the villain (looking at you, Pizzazz).

3. That anything can be solved by pressing down on your earring and saying, “Showtime, Synergy!”

(3) The importance of always nailing the perfect sideways ponytail.

(4) The smell of Electric Youth.

(5) How Jake Ryan is still your perfect man.

(6) Knowing that Over Our Heads was the best fictional store to ever exist.

(7) Watching these movies over and over again.

(8)  You went through, like, one Sweet Valley High book a day.

(9) You needed to a SWATCH watch to match every outfit.

(10) Making something in your Easy-Bake Oven was your favorite way to spend a Friday night.

(11)  The style icon that was Denise Huxtable.

(12)  Wanting to paint your room like Punky Brewster’s

(13)  And totally wanting that badass sofa chair from My Two Dads.

(14)  The horrible smell jelly bracelets left after you wore them all day…

(15)  …but knowing that these smelled way worse:

(16)  Drooling in front of your TV on 21 Jump Street night. 

(17) You looked forward to ABC Afterschool Specials and felt sort of edgy watching them.

(18)  Sitting in your room for hours poring over Teen Beat, SuperTeen, Bop, and Tiger Beat.

(19)  You loved NKOTB and had memorabilia mostly of your favorite one in the group.

(20)  The importance of the Slam book.

1. 

I hope you enjoyed my little trip down memory lane. What are some of your favorite memories?

Fun Facts About Pumpkins

I was looking up some facts about pumpkins (per my daughter's request) since Halloween is a couple of weeks away. It just wouldn't be Halloween without the pumpkins. Am I right? So here we go! I hope you enjoy and learn something new!

Pumpkin facts:

1.  The word "pumpkin" showed up for the first time in the fairy tale Cinderella.

2.  The original jack-o-laterns were made with turnips and potatoes by the Irish.

3.  Over 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins are produced each year  in the United States.

4.  The world's largest pumpkin was more than five feet in diameter and weighed over 18000 pounds. 

5.  The largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2020 pounds.

6.  Each pumpkin has about 500 seeds. 

7.  Delaware hosts an annual "pumpkin chunkin" championship.

8.  There are about 45 different varieties of pumpkin.

9.  Pumpkins are fruits.

10. Pumpkins are 90% water.

11. Pumpkins are usually orange, but can sometimes be yellow, white, green, or red. 

12. A pumpkins is really a  squash.

13. Pumpkin flowers are edible. 

14. In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the crust of pies, not the filling.

15. pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and for curing snake bites.

16. Native Americans flattened out strips of pumpkins, dried them, and used them as mats.  

Fun Facts About Fall

It's finally time to pull out the sweaters and watch the leaves morph into various shades of yellow and orange. Fall can be a gorgeous time of year, but do you know the history behind it? Well, my friends, I have compiled a list some fun fall facts to celebrate this time wonderful time of year! Enjoy!

 Fun Facts about Fall:

Fact #1:  Americans typically refer to this time of year as “fall,” while the British use the word “autumn.” Both terms date back to the 16th century but before that it was called “harvest.

Fact #2:  Fall was called “harvest” because of the “harvest moon” that occurs when the full moon is closest to the autumn equinox. Before man-made lighting, this moonlight was essential to a prosperous harvest.

Fact #3:  Weight gain around this time of year may not only be due to comforting fall foods like pumpkin pie and cider, researchers have found that lack of vitamin D reduces fat breakdown and triggers fat storage.

Fact #4:  According to The Weather Channel, pumpkins are the most craved food during the fall. Although, if you’ve left the house anytime recently, this may not come as a surprise to you.  

Fact #5:  The yellow and orange colors you see actually always exist in leaves but they are overpowered by the abundance of green from chlorophyll. The amount of chlorophyll starts to decrease as the sun weakens and the days grow shorter.

Fact #6:  Red and purple leaves are only that color because of the presence of sugars and sap that are trapped within the leaves. These sugars provide plants with the energy they need to survive.

Fact #7:  Many birds will prepare for their winter migration during the fall. The distance they can travel is impressive; the Arctic Tern travels 11,000 miles each way for it’s annual migration. That’s no small feat.

Fact #8:  Evergreen trees such as pines, cedars, and spruces stay green because their leaves (needles) are covered with thick wax and they contain materials that prevent freezing when it gets cold.

Fact #9:  Men and women experience high levels of testosterone during the fall. This makes sense because more babies are conceived during the fall and winter. The cause is unknown but it could be due to lack of sunlight or even go back to ancient mating rituals.

Fact #10:  We can’t forget Halloween! Halloween takes place in the fall and comes from ancient Celtic tradition. They believed that ghosts roamed on Halloween and people would wear disguises in order to hide from these spirits.

October Goals 2021

 Hi everyone and welcome back to my blog!

 October is one of my favorite months.Between Halloween, the cooler weather, and all things pumpkin it's just a fun month. Today's post is all about my goals for October.

Now that all of our routines are established, I am excited about setting some goals and I am really going to push myself this month. There are alot of things that I would like accomplish so hopefully by the end of the month I will feel good about things. Here we go!

Personal Goals

• drink more water
• meditate for 10 minutes
• stretch for a few minutes before getting up
• get better quality sleep by going to bed earlier
• workout consistently
• read 2 books

Family Goals

•  keep adapting to our Fall schedule. Continue to work on morning, afternoon, and evening routines
• celebrate Halloween
• Cross off items from our Fall bucket list

Blog Goals

•  post once per day during the month of October
• make a new list of blog post ideas
• schedule posts until the end of Ocotber
• create an editorial calendar for the rest of the year

I hope your October has started out as a fantastic month! Have you set any goals yet? Any fun Fall plans? Have you started crossing things off of your Fall Bucket list?

Welcome to Blogotober 2021

 Hello and welcome to October where we begin the first of 31 back to back posts in Blogtober! I am excited to be participating again this year.

Let me tell you a little bit about myself.  I have been blogging off and on for a few years now as a hobby, but I am hoping to turn it into a full time job (which I know will take awhile to accomplish. I am married to my college sweetheart and we have known each other since elementary school (that's a story for another day). We have two beautiful girls, our oldest is in the 6th grade and our youngest is in 1st grade and we are homeschooling this year. My husband is a Psychology professor while I am a stay at home mom. We are in the process of launching a new business soon (more details soon).

I love to read (Stephen King and Mary Higgins Clark are my favorites) and I love being in the kitchen creating delicious meals for my family.

I am looking forward to the rest of Blogtotber and to see what other bloggers post this month.

Tomorrow's post will be all about my goals for October!

Are you participating in Blogtober?

 

Happy Homemaker Monday {9/27/2021}

Good evening everyone and welcome back to my blog. 

I hope every everyone had a wonderful weekend and are ready for the week ahead. 

It's almost 7pm pm and I am just now sitting down to write this post. Today, I have finished 3 loads of laundry ( the last is hanging to dry), cleaned the kitchen for the last time tonight (who loves a clean kitchen at night?), and I have finally picked up the living room and dining room from a long day of homeschooling. I just hope my week will be as productive as this day has been.

Happy Monday and have a wonderful and productive week!

Happy Homemaker Monday 

 

 The weather outside is:

HOT! HOT! HOT!All week long!

What we had for dinner tonight (instead of the breakfast plate):

Spaghetti and garlic bread

As I look out my window:

The sun is beginning to set and there some clouds rolling in.

As I look around the house:

Most of the house is clean. The kitchen needs to be straightened and the clothes need to be folded and put away.

What I'm wearing today:

A black t-shirt and gray pants

Currently reading:

The Perfect Son

On the TV this week:

Right now I am watching Riding in Cars with Boys (Prime video), Call Me Kat, Blossom, shows on Hulu and Netflx (I'm watching Cobra Kai again)

On the Menu this week: (I'm still figuring out the meal plan for this week)

Monday- Spaghetti and garlic bread

Tuesday- Sandwiches with chips and fruit

Wednesday- Tilapia with pasta and veggies and fruit

Thursday- Potato soup with rolls

Friday- Meatballs and salad and garlic bread

Saturday- Mississippi chicken

Sunday- Chicken and dressing

Inspirational quotes: