Wednesday 31 July 2013

Halloween 2013

Here's a craft I made for Halloween 2013:

A mandrake like in Harry Potter. didn't have a pattern so it took awhile but now it's done.

Thursday 25 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 25 / Jour 25

CIJ! Enjoy your Christmas in July! Get a funny family picture you could use for your Christmas cards.
Noël en Juillet!  Profitez-bien de cette journée, et pourquoi ne pas en profiter pour prendre une photo de famille que vous pourrez inclure dans vos cartes de Noël?


Source : http://www.king-sheep.com/tag/funny-pics/





Source : http://kelund.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/christmas-cards/



Wednesday 24 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 24 / Jour 24 - Tea day

Today will be a relaxing day - Tea day !  We should all relax on Christmas Eve.
Journée de relaxation pour la Veille de Noël - le thé est à l'honneur.
If you are cold, tea will warm you;
If you are too heated, it will cool you;
If you are depressed, it will cheer you;
If you are exhausted, it will calm you.
William Gladstone

Si vous avez froid, le thé vous réchauffera
Si vous avez trop chaud, il vous refroidira
Si vous êtes tristes, il vous remontera le moral
Si vous êtes fatiguée, il vous calmera

Lots more where this came from: http://gardenpartyteas.com/blog/tea-poems-and-quotes/
Plusieurs autres poèmes (en anglais) sont disponibles sur ce lien.
Tea bag wreath  / Couronne de sachets de thé




               








Source : http://kojodesigns.blogspot.ca/2010/03/kojotutorial-tea-tea-tea-kitchen-wreath.html

Candle in a teacup / Chandelles dans des tasses de thé
Tutorial : http://dagmarbleasdale.com/2012/04/how-to-make-a-shabby-chic-candle-in-a-teacup/

And I love this t-shirt!  Très drôle ce t-shirt.

Tuesday 23 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 23 / Jour 23 - MHH friends

Seems I’m talking alot about Magical Holiday Home. I have been part of that group for a few years now and have made wonderful friends! In fact a few weeks ago I a box with lots of Christmas & Halloween goodies from one of my friends. It is a place to discuss Christmas, Halloween and all other festivities during the year as well as decluttering, books, etc… the subjects are endless!


There is K who loves ribbons and snowmen, A who has a heart so big it is unbelievable! She joins all community groups and is always in action to help others, my Pam who gives and gives and gives and buys all year long for EVERYONE, B who sews such beautiful gifts, SN who is such a wise woman, S with her pirates, J who talks to each of us everyday, L who is a fantastic teacher with beautiful well-educated children and who goes all out for every holiday, J who is a great family mama, D who takes care of her daughter with special needs, M who has been through alot and still keeps her Christmas spirit and has a wicked sense of humor, N who does such beautiful paintings, E who never stops, L who crafts throughout the year and makes so many beautiful things, C who drops in from time to time with her love for all festivities and for her lovely boys and so many more.

My days would not be the same without all these great gals.

Sunday 21 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 21 / Jour 21 - Staying Zen

Ideas on how to stay Zen during the Holidays. Great article from : http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-6920/5-Easy-Ways-to-Stay-Zen-During-the-Holidays.html
 
Go read the details of each idea – it is worth it.
 
Meditate for 5-10 minutes every morning
« Focus on your breath. Breathe in for 4 slow counts, feeling your belly rise and expand as you inhale. Think yoga-breathing. Then hold for 4 counts and breathe out for 5 counts. We always want to let out more than we’re taking in! »
 
Bring healthy snacks to keep you on track
« A greens drink every day will definitely help counteract the additional sugar and/or foods and alcohol that can stress your liver. Also, warm water with lemon in the morning will help tremendously with continual detoxification when you’re taking in heavier foods. »
 
Keep a gratitude journal
Write down 5 things you’re grateful for each night before you go to sleep.

Take a daily walk.
 
Smile
 
To that list I would add :
  •  Tai-chi or Qi-Qong a few minutes per day.
  • A nice relaxing bubble bath with candles at night
  • Some soft music with tv, cellphone and laptop CLOSED.
  • Read a good book
  • Light a scented candle
 Any other ideas?

Saturday 20 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 20 / Jour 20 - Movie night basket

Movie night basket ideas.
Idée cadeaux pour une soirée de cinéma.


How about a Remote control pillow?  Coussin porte-télé-commande.
Source : http://www.blessingsoverflowing.com/2011/01/remote-control-pocket-pillow-tutorial/










In a popcorn bowl put a dvd, a packet of microwave popcorn, popcorn seasoning, M&Ms, a bottle of Pop and why not a throw? Fuzzy socks, ….
Dans un gros panier ou bol à popcorn (dollarama), ajouter un sachet de popcorn pour micro-ondes, assaisonnement pour popcorn, M&Ms, un jus ou un soda et pourquoi pas une jetée, des petits bas doux, ....
There are some great printables for this here : http://christmas.yourway.net/family-movie-night-gift-basket/
De superbes étiquettes à imprimer sur ce lien.
What else would you add?
Qu'ajouteriez vous àa ce panier cadeau?



Friday 19 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 19 / Jour 19 Friday Night at the movies!

The Santa Claus movies (3 cd movie collection), which the elves will also bring this year. Looks like it’s gonna be a great year for Christmas movies!



Voici la collection dvd de 3 films que les lutins vont amener cette année.  Ce sera une bonne année pour les films de Noël chez nous!





Here’s a Santa craft (I made one of these many years ago), A bleach-bottle Santa
Un bricolage de Noël - Père-Noël fait avec une bouteill d'eau de javel (j'en ai fait un il y a plusieurs années)




Source : http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf67680491.tip.html

Fun & easy.

Thursday 18 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 18 / Jour 18 - Getting in shape BEFORE Christmas

We should all get in shape BEFORE Christmas so that we can go through the holidays painlessly.


Here are some ideas to get in shape.
  • Exercise daily (or at least 3-4 times a week). If you don’t want to do heavy exercises everyday, stretching exercises are good too – lots of short segments are available on youtube.
  • Eat healthy foods – do NOT skip breakfast.
  • Stop eating carbs after 4pm (just veggies & proteins)
  • Drink 2-3 litres of water per day
  • AFD (alcohol-free-days)!
  • Get some rest!
  
Here’s a good article on exercising DURING the Christmas Holidays:
 
1. Do less
Just do ten minutes if that's all you can manage. Ten minutes of anything - walking around the house or stair stepping or skipping or rebounding - anything that fits your level of fitness and the equipment you have available at home. You can do it in the morning before your shower and it will energise you for everything you have to get done. If you can fit in 10 minutes later on too, so much the better. You'll keep up your fitness levels and use a few calories which you can probably do with at this time of year.
 
2. Do a class at home
Fitness videos are great if you don't have much time. There's no getting to the gym - you have everything you need right at home. You can pick them up for next to nothing from charity shops or treat yourself to one or two for Christmas. And it doesn't matter if you don't know the moves or have the latest fitness gear - nobody's watching!
 
3. Clear Up
No doubt you have to get your home ready for friends and family visiting anyway so make the clear up a workout. Put lots of energy into it! Clear out all that clutter then clean, vacuum and polish everything until it gleams. You'll be ready for guests, keep up your fitness levels and use some calories all at the same time.
 
4. Active fun
If you have a lot of guests and can't get your usual exercise fix organise some active fun for everyone! You could all go bowling or skating. Or try a game of charades or Twister. If it snows, you can go sledging or organise a snowman building competition. At the very least get them all out for a walk every day whatever the weather. There are sure to be some lights to go and see or a local carol service to attend.
 
5. Dance the Night Away
Don't be a wallflower. Take every opportunity to dance at parties (it will keep you away from the buffet table too) or just invite your partner to go dancing over the holidays. You'll have fun, get closer and it'll be great exercise. Dancing uses up between 270 and 540 calories an hour depending on the speed.
 
6. Offer a helping hand
Get active by volunteering your services in your community. You can help serve lunch at a homeless shelter or old people's home. Or just help your neighbours with running errands and snow clearing. You'll get a warm glow from lending a hand as well as from the exercise and feel much better than you do after sitting around all afternoon watching the re-runs of "White Christmas".
 
7. Escape
And if all else fails, next year book a skiing holiday for your Christmas break instead of staying at home. There's a whole year to save up (and to dodge the rows when you tell your family you're going away next year!) Skiing is fantastic exercise and you'll come back fit, invigorated and without those extra few pounds so many seem to acquire over Christmas.
 
Copyright 2005, Janice Elizabeth Small
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/103730


 
 

Wednesday 17 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 17 / Jour 17 - Food art

Christmas food art! Things that LOOK like Christmas. Des recettes qui RESSEMBLENT à Noël.



That would be easy to do! Your fav coffee with some milk foam… and put a tree cookie cutter over it and sprinkle with cocoa!

Très facile à faire… un café avec de la mousse de lait dessus. Utiliser un emporte-pièces en format de sapin et y saupoudrer du cocoa.


Why not add a snowman marshmallow to your coffee or hot-chocolate? Pourquoi ne pas ajouter des bonhommes de neige guimauves à votre café ou chocolat chaud? Recipe here / Recette ici :

http://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/2012/11/easy-snowman-marshmallows/


Tuesday 16 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 16 / Jour 16 - Monthly MHH topics

Here are the 2013 monthly topics on Magical Holiday Home. Chaque mois a un focus au Magical Holiday Home, les voici pour 2013 :

January – Janvier – Notebook month (Rudy day lists + work on notebook). Mois du cartable (préparation des jours de Rudolph & préparation du cartable)

February – Février : Crafty kits month (Rudy day basket to set up with kits & ideas). Préparation de petits kits de bricolages

March – Mars : Books & movies month (inventory, list, read or watch). Livres & films (inventaire, lire ou regarder)

April – Avril : Christmas dishes month & plan Christmas magic for 2013. Mois de la vaisselle de Noël et planifier la magie de Noël pour 2013.

May – Mai : Recipe month & themes (party & decor). Recettes et thèmes

June – Juin : Party planning month & work on master gift list. Planification des party et travailler sur la liste de cadeaux

July – Juillet : Stocking stuffers month and start working on cards – and CIJ! Mois des bas de Noël, travailler sur les cartes & Noël en juillet!

August – Août : Month of the Elves – le mois des Lutins

September – Septembre : Baking month (select & plan our baking and menus) & ornament needs. Mois de préparation pour la bouffe des Fêtes (liste de ce que l’on veut faire & les ingrédients à acheter). Vérification des décorations à acheter cette année.

October – Octobre : Gifts in a jar and basket month - quick check of master gift list. Cadeaux dans des pots & paniers cadeaux ainsi qu’un regard rapide sur la liste cadeaux

November – Novembre : Wrap it up month. Wrap up other things. Advent calendar. Le mois de l’embllage! Terminer ce qui reste à faire. Préparation du calendrier de l’avent

Décembre – Décember : Relax et Enjoy. Relaxer et s’amuser.

Monday 15 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 15 / Jour 15 - Christmas music inventory

Christmas music I own. Musique de Noël que je possède :
  •  Chakidor – Le cœur en fête (4*)
  • Sears – Musique du temps des fêtes (3*)
  • Disney’s Christmas collection (3*)
  • Christmas Carols – cd gravé que Maxime a eu par un Secret Santa (4*)
  • Jigger Noël
  • Zellers – au rythme du temps des fêtes (2*)
  • Cool Yule – 2 CD (3*)
  • Christmas treasure – volume 2 (2*)
  • Christmas is for kids, volume 1 & 2
  • Un martini pour Noël (4*)
  • Pierre Lalonde (3*)
  • Noël des crooners
  • Christmas with the chipmunks
  • CD gravé musique du jour de l’an

Sunday 14 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 14 / Jour 14 - Christmas Movie inventory

Today I inventoried the Christmas movies I own (think I need to keep this list close at hand when I go shopping so as not to buy the same movies!)

Voici les films de Noël que je possède (je devrais garder une copie de cette liste dans mon sac à mains pour quand je vais magasiner pour ne pas acheter le même film 2 fois!)
  •  Polar Express / Le Boréal Express
  • Elf / Le Lutin
  • Grinch
  • Christmas vacation / Le Sapin a des boules
  • Fred Clause
  • Miracle on 34th (old version) / Miracle sur la 34e (ancienne version)
  • Four Christmases (which I don’t like) / 4 Noëls (je n’aime pas)
  • The Family Stone / La famille Stone
  • The Family Holiday / Une famille pour Noël
  • Christmas with the Kranks / Noël avec les Kranks
  • Secret Santa / Un père-Noël au grand cœur
  • Jack Frost / Petit papa Noël
  • You’ve got mail / Vous avez un message
 Films that the Elves will bring us in 2013. Les films que les lutins nous apporteront en 2013 :
  • A Christmas Story / Une Histoire de Noël
  • The 3 Santa-Claus movies / Les 3 films du ‘Père-Noël’

Saturday 13 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 13 / Jour 13 - DIY gift ideas

DIY gifts, there is a great list here with the tutorials - 100 days of Christmas gifts.  Sur ce site vous trouverez des tutoriels pour 100 jours de cadeaux faits-mains.


http://thehappyhousewife.com/home-management/homemade-christmas-gifts/

For example, this simple one - homemade plastic bag holder from a towel.  Par example, celui-ci très simple - porte-sacs fait à partir d'une serviette à mains.







http://www.blessingsoverflowing.com/2010/11/hand-towel-plastic-bag-holder/

Friday 12 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 12 / Jour 12 - Friday Night at the movies!

Christmas with the Kranks / Noël chez les Kranks

I like this funny film that teaches us what is important for Christmas. J’aime bien ce film très drôle qui nous montre ce qui est important pour les Fêtes.

 
Tim Allen is a must in Christmas movies! Tim Allen est très bon dans les films de Noël.




Hmmm… how about a Christmas sweater like the mom wears in the movie? Que diriez vous d’un gilet comme la maman porte dans le film?

Not the real one but gives you an idea.  Pas tout à fait celu8-ci mais ça vous donnes une idée.








And of course a recipe for easy-peasy honeyed ham in the crockpot! Et bien sûre la recette du jambon dans la mijoteuse très facile!

Honeyed-Ham recipe

2 cups packed brown sugar
1 (8 pound) cured, bone-in picnic ham

Directions

Spread about 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar on the bottom of the slow cooker crock. Place the ham flat side down into the slow cooker - you might have to trim it a little to make it fit. Use your hands to rub the remaining brown sugar onto the ham. Cover, and cook on Low for 8 hours.
Source : http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-ham/Detail.aspx

Of course you can add some spices per your taste. Vous pouvez y ajouter des épices selon votre goût.


Thursday 11 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 11 / Jour 11 - Christmas Journal writing topics List 5

List 5 (From MHH 2009)


1. Eggnog----Yum! or Yuck? (feel free to elaborate with specific memories of tasting eggnog for the first time, making eggnog, always remembering your grandmother having eggnog, etc...)
2. Candy canes- lick?chew? throw away? --- Have you ever read the childrens picture book called The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg? Check it out from your library this month! There is also a DVD of this story starring Tom Bosley and Florence Henderson - maybe your library has that too!
3. Christmas Carols- keep the traditional or please write some new ones? ---Music is such a strong memory trigger, talk about how the music of Christmas colors your celebration. Are there Christmas songs that make you tear up, that you dislike, that remind you of a specific time or person?
4. Gift bags?- reuse? or never use? --- Wrapping gifts is a ritual for some people and a last minute chore for others. The invention of gift bags changed the wrapping landscape for some. Some welcome the chance to be greener and re-use, some just think it is holiday sacrilege. Where do you fall in the great gift bag debate?
5. Salvation Army bell ringers- admirable or irritating? Have you every been a bell ringer? or volunteered to be the "face" of a charity during the holidays collecting money or anything else?
6. What smells remind you of Christmas or mean Christmas to you? ----Smell is also a powerful trigger and can bring us back to a specific time or place in an instant.
7. Are there dishes that you only make or eat at Christmas? What are they? Maybe include the recipe and history of the dish?
8. Do you give charitable donations at Christmas time? Do you give to the same organizations? Do you choose different ones each year? Do you give your time or your money? What does giving mean to you at the holidays?
9. Friutcake- Yes, please! or not with a 10 ft. pole? Fruitcake is always on the grocery shelf at the holidays- are you one of the ones who buys it? Have you ever attempted to make it? If you always make it then include the recipe.
10. If you could spend your Christmas in another country, what country would you choose and why?
11. Do you like to entertain at Christmas? DO you have a yearly event for friends like an open house or holiday party? Or do you prefer to concentrate your celebrations with family?
12. How would you describe your style of Christmas decorating- traditional, country, whimsical, country, north-woodsy, child-like? Has is always been this style or do you change every so often? Does this style echo your style of decorating your home in general?
13. Are the arts a regular part of your Christmas season? Do you always go to a holiday play, concert, show, ballet or movie during the holiday season?
14. Have your ever been kissed under real mistletoe? Is mistletoe a part of your holiday tradition? Real mistletoe or pretend?
15. Do you consider yourself a practical gift giver or a creative one? Do you like shopping of a list made by the recipient or just your own ideas? Do you think there is a difference between a gift and a present?
16. Do you think YOU are an easy person to buy gifts for or a challenging one? Why?
17. If you have a pet do you include them in your Christmas? DO they have a stocking and get gifts like all your other family members?
18. Are homemade gifts a part of your holidays? Do you enjoy receiving homemade gifts in a different way than a store bought gift? Are you know for giving a certain kind of homemade gift - like fudge?
19. Do you have holiday dinnerware? If so, tell how you choose it, the pattern and why you love it!
20. Snow at Christmas- essential? a nice touch? a pipe dream but a dream nonetheless?
21. What was your most disastrous Christmas?
22. Tell about your feelings about Christmas Cards--- are they a joy to write or a burden? Do you have a ritual for writing them out? Do you look for a certain kind of card each year, is it a search for the perfect card? Do you write out a letter to everyone or a hand note in each? Does your Christmas card list change each year? Has you Christmas card sending changed thru the years?
23. RE-POST- How do you feel about Christmas newsletters sent by people? DO you love hearing their news? DO you think they are just "brag letters"? Do you write one yourself?
24. Black Friday- I am right there with bells on, knocking down the doors or I wouldn't shop on Black Friday if you paid me?
25. Christmas Stockings- tell about your families Christmas stockings.. are their stories behind them? are they homemade? have you always had these stockings or have you changed them- why? What are your stocking traditions? Do you hand them on the mantle, lay them under the tree? DOes everyone in your family get stockings or just the children?
26. DO you decorate things other than your home for the holidays? Like-- your office, your car, your aquarium?
27. Do you decorate outside in your yard and your home? Tell about the decorations in your yard and outside? Do you add or change to it year after year? DO you do the outside stuff or does your significant other take are of that?
28. When does it really start feeling like Christmas to you each year? Is it the day after Thanksgiving? when your tree is up? When the presents are all wrapped? When the family is all gathered together?
29. Do you have a ritual for taking the Christmas tree down each year?
30. Do you think Santa is sexy?
31. How do you usually spend the day after Christmas? Do you have a tradition for that day? do you spend it -Shopping? at the movies? with family? traveling?

Wednesday 10 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 10 / Jour 10 - Christmas Journal writing topics List 4

List 4 (from MHH 2010)

1. Growing up- were your family's Christmas' plain or elaborate?
2. What is the first Christmas you can recall? Give details.
3. What part, if any, did religion play in your families Christmas growing up?
4.Talk about your families Christmas tree growing up? Was it real? was there a tradition around getting it? Was it decorated the same each year? lights-colored or white?
5. Did your family decorate the outside of the house? How?
6. Did you celebrate any cultural or ancestral traditions growing up? Do you know their origin?
7. What are your first memories of Santa Claus?
8. As a child did you go to visit Santa every year? What do you remember most about that ?
9. Did you open gifts Christmas eve or Day? Were their traditions around the opening of gifts?
10. How did you get gifts for your parents/siblings when you were young?
11. Were you ever in a Christmas pageant/play/production as a child?
12. Did you write to Santa each year?
13. Do you remember when you "stopped" believing in Santa?
14. Did you make gingerbread houses or other special Christmas cookies each year? What about your families holiday kitchen do you remember most?
15. What (outside) activities did you grow up doing in the winter?
16. What do you remember about music surrounding your holidays growing up?
17. As a child did you ever shake gifts under the tree to try and figure out what you were getting? Do you still?
18. Close your eyes, what sounds do you remember about your childhood holidays? Do you have a favorite?
19. What was your Christmas stocking like as a child? Were there any traditions about stockings ?
20. Have you ever been Christmas caroling?
21. Was charity a part of your Christmases growing up?
22. Were there certain holiday tv programs, movies, performances you always anticipated ?
23. What do you miss most about Christmas as a child?
24. Do you remember how Christmas was marked as "over" as a child- meaning was it the putting away of the tree etc...
25. Do you have a Christmas object in your home now that has sentimental value from your childhood?
26. What holiday traditions have been added now that you have a family? Have any been dropped? What have been blended or merged from your significant others family?
27. What is the one thing you have always wanted to do during the holiday season but haven't yet?
28. What is your favorite Christmas phrase, quote, or verse?
29. What is your favorite Christmas scent/smell and why.
30. Do you have any Christmas collections? How did that all start?
31. How did you come to love Chrsitmas so much? Have you always loved it?

Tuesday 9 July 2013

Christms in July 2013 - day 9 / jour 9 - Christmas Journal writing topics List 3

81 Elementary Writing Prompts about the Christmas Holiday – List 3


1. Taking a ride in Santa’s sleigh
2. Baking cookies with Mrs. Claus
3. Building toys with the elves
4. The best snowman I ever built
5. My family’s Christmas traditions
6. Waking up on Christmas morning feels like…
7. What I want for Christmas this year
8. What does your Christmas tree look like?
9. Does your family put presents under the tree throughout December or on Christmas Eve?
10. My favorite Christmas song
11. Write a story about the other reindeer besides Rudolph
12. What do you like to get in your stocking?
13. Would you rather go sledding or skiing?
14. Describe the taste of candy canes
15. My favorite part of Christmas
16. Does your family leave milk and cookies for Santa?
17. When it snows on Christmas
18. Do you put an angel or a star on your tree?
19. The gifts I’m most excited to give this year
20. Where does your family celebrate Christmas?
21. My favorite Christmas goodies to bake
22. Is it more fun to give or receive gifts?
23. Hearing jingle bells on your rooftop
24. Have you ever had a Secret Santa?
25. Your favorite Christmas ornament
26. The gingerbread man who came to life
27. What if there was an abominable snowman?
28. The best snowball fight ever
29. Where could you and Frosty the Snowman go?
30. What family traditions will you keep for your family when you get older?
31. Would you rather be an elf or a reindeer?
32. The things I learned from “A Christmas Carol”
33. Do your pets get presents on Christmas?
34. Your favorite store to shop at for Christmas gifts
35. Why people are like snowflakes
36. Write your own version of “The Night Before Christmas”
37. How does Santa get into houses without chimneys?
38. The funniest Christmas joke I ever heard
39. Does your family ever go caroling?
40. Describe the feeling of snow inside your boots
41. When does your family give each other presents?
42. My favorite thing about winter
43. Five things I could do to help someone less fortunate on Christmas
44. Do you have any friends that celebrate Hanukkah or Kwanzaa?
45. The best Christmas movie ever
46. Living on Candy Cane Lane
47. Would you rather be a polar bear or a penguin living in the North Pole?
48. My first memory of sitting on Santa’s lap
49. Who wakes up first in your house on Christmas?
50. Would you rather be in a Christmas play or a Christmas concert?
51. How many people do you buy presents for on Christmas?
52. Fun Christmas crafts to make
53. How does your family decorate your house for Christmas?
54. The best thing to do on Christmas day
55. Have you been naughty or nice this year?
56. Would you like to have extra snow days if it meant you had more days at the end of the year?
57. What would happen if Santa got sick on Christmas?
58. If you were a Christmas tree, how would you want to be decorated?
59. Do you dream of having a white Christmas?
60. The best Christmas present I ever received
61. How would you help the Grinch if you were a Who in Who-ville?
62. What would Jack Frost do if he lived in Hawaii?
63. Does snow falling have a sound?
64. What if Rudolph had a green nose? Or, would it light up to be green and red?
65. The best Christmas light display
66. The best time to listen to Christmas music
67. How tall do you think elves are?
68. Your favorite Christmas or holiday special
69. If I could give a Christmas gift to the world, it would be…
70. What do you do on Christmas vacation?
71. The best way to decorate a gingerbread house
72. My favorite Christmas memory
73. Describe the taste of hot chocolate
74. What kind of technology should Santa use in his sleigh?
75. Who wraps the presents in your house?
76. Christmas is (or isn’t) my favorite holiday because…
77, Write about your favorite winter coat, scarf, or boots
78. How long does your family leave their Christmas decorations up?
79. What do you like to do on snow days?
80. Have you ever looked for the place where your parents hide Christmas presents?
81. Finding a big surprise under the tree

Monday 8 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 8 / Jour 8 - Christmas Journal writing topics List 2

Quick –easy questions to answer – List 2

• Shopped early for presents or are still procrastinating?
• Buy presents because you enjoy giving or because you feel obligated?
• Enjoy all the holiday cheer or “Enough already. Give me my present.”?
• Open presents on Christmas Eve or wait until Christmas morning?
• Wrapping paper or gift bags?
• Real tree or Artificial?
• When do you put up the tree?
• When do you take the tree down?
• Do you like egg nog?
• Favorite gift received as a child?
• Do you have a nativity scene?
• Hardest person to buy for?
• Easiest person to buy for?
• Mail or email Christmas cards?
• Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
• Favorite Christmas Movie?
• Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
• Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
• Clear lights or colored on the tree?
• Favorite Christmas song?
• Travel at Christmas or stay home?
• Can you name all of Santa's reindeers?
• Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
• Most annoying thing about this time of year?
• Favorite ornament theme or color?
• Favorite for Christmas dinner?
• What do you want for Christmas this year?

Sunday 7 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 7 / Jour 7 - Christmas Journal writing topics List 1

Christmas Journal Writing Topics – List 1

• What does it mean to have the "holiday spirit"?
• Why do you think red and green are the Christmas colors?
• What are you and your family most grateful for this holiday season? Write about three or more things.
• Describe what you know about the North Pole. Describe a typical day for the elves.
• Take five minutes to draw your family celebrating the holidays. Then write in detail about your traditions.
• Use your five senses to describe the celebration's tastes, looks, smells, and textures.
• Tell about how each member of your family contributes to your Christmas traditions.
• If Christmas is one of your favorite holidays, describe why you enjoy it so much. Are there any parts of the holiday that you don't like? If you don't enjoy Christmas the most, how do you think it could be made better?
• What is your favorite Christmas book? Describe the plot and your reactions to it.
• What are your wishes for the world this holiday season?
• Use your imagination to describe Santa's journey with his reindeer. Start from the moment he packs up the sleigh to when he returns back to the North Pole.
• Do you wish Christmas was every day of the year? Why or why not?
• Pick three New Year's Resolutions. Describe why you picked them and how you will accomplish them.

Source: http://k6educators.about.com/od/decemberholidaylessons/qt/xmasprompts.htm

Saturday 6 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 6 / Jour 6 - Hand-made gifts for this year

Today I want to mention the handmade gifts I’ve started for Christmas 2013.

I started off with 2 half-eaten gingerbread men  for my niece (13) and nephew (11).
I have crocheted a smurf and a smurfette for my niece (5) and for my nephew (3).
I am now working on 12 ‘Gone to the Beach’ signs for my friends and my 2 kids (including 1 for me & 1 for mom). They are pretty much finished. Just need to glue the Santa hats on and figure out how I want to wrap them. Pics will come at a later date.
I’ve also started to make Christmas tags from Old cards that I had – recycling!
I have lots more I WANT to do… but we’ll see what actually gets done.

Je voudrais mentionner les cadeaux faits-mains que j’ai commencés pour Noël 2013.
Les premiers que j’ai faits sont les petits bonhommes en pain d’épices à demi-mangés (voir billet du… pour la photo), pour ma nièce (13) et mon neveu (11).
J’ai ensuite crocheté un schtroumpf et une schtroumpfette (voir billet du… pour photos), pour ma nièce (5) et mon neveu (3).
Présentement, je suis à terminer mes 12 petites pancartes ‘Parti à la plage’ pour mes amies et pour mes 2 enfants (j’en ai aussi fait un pour moi et un pour maman). J’ai presque terminé, ne me reste qu’à coller les petits chapeaux de père-Noël et trouver la façon de les emballer. Je mettrai des photos à une date ultérieure.
J’ai aussi débuté la fabrication de petites cartes pour coller sur les cadeaux, faites avec des vieilles cartes de Noël – récupération!

Friday 5 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 5 / Jour 5 - Friday night at the movies

I’ve decided to continue the tradition of Friday night at the movies with Christmas movies for this Christmas in July.

Today will be a Christmas Story.
Can you believe I have NEVER seen that movie? But I can tell you a secret… the elves will be bringing it this year!
Here’s an ornament I’d like to make. At some point I had found a tutorial on the Web but can’t seem to put my hand on it anymore. Anyhow, a Barbie leg, a bottle cap (for the bottom), and some paper supplies. Just need to figure out how the lamp part could be done.

Je vais poursuivre la tradition des vendredis Cinéma de Noël! Cette semaine ce sera Une Histoire de Noël. Difficile à croire mais je n’ai jamais vu ce film.
J’aimerais bien réussir à faire la lampe-jambe ci-dessus pour mettre dans l’arbre. J’avais trouvé un tutoriel sur le Web mais je suis incapable de le retrouver. Je sais qu’il utilisait une jambe de Barbie, un bouchon (sous le pied) et du papier. Je me demande comme faire la partie abat-jour par contre.

Cookies / biscuits

Thursday 4 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 4 / Jour 4 - Rudolph Day notebook

Rudy Day notebook / Journal du Jour de Rudolph

Here are some ideas of what I put in my journal for Rudy day fun and organization. I put a list per month. Most things come back often but some just once (for example review of past Christmas I do on my January Rudy day). Mainly Rudy day is for ‘fun’ things.
  • Listen to Christmas music
  • Search theme ideas for different rooms
  • Try out recipes for the holidays
  • Plan Elf mischief / gifts
  • Make up diner party menus
  • Add to year-round gift baskets
  • Make a rag garland for Christmas
  • Work on 24 days of Christmas activity list (I am not doing the 24 days of Christmas)
  • Write holiday memories to add to a scrapbook
  • Browse Pinterest for Christmas ideas
  • Drink some hot-chocolate with marshmallows.
  • Watch a Christmas movie!!
  • Relax
My January Rudy day is always the busiest (it’s cold outside and not time yet for spring cleaning so I have more time) . This is my January list for this year :
  • Update holiday notbook
  • Prepare a Rudy day Notebook and art journal
  • Work on planning Rudy days
  • Review of Christmas 2012
  • Review 2012 budget
  • Think of ideas, suggestions for gifts
  • Print out 2013 master gift list
  • Start house declutter for 2013 & print out 2013 declutter calendar
  • Watch the movie of the month (listed on the MHH site)
  • Make an art drawing to put in my notebook
  • Update & print out ornament inventory for the kids.
This year I’ve also decided to add some art to my book. Here are a few pics


Voici la liste de ce que j’inscris dans mon Journal des Jours de Rudolph. Je fais une liste par mois. La plupart des choses reviennent mois après mois, mais il y a des exceptions (évaluation du dernier Noël est fait seulement en janvier). Principalement, les jours de Rudolph sont pour s’amuser.
  • Écouter de la musique de Noël
  • Chercher des thèmes de Noël pour les différentes pièces de la maison
  • Essayer des recettes pour les fêtes
  • Préparer un menu pour les fêtes
  • Me faire une guirlande des fêtes
  • Préparer la liste des activités pour les 24 jours de Noël (je ne fais pas les 24 jours de Noël)
  • Écrire des souvenirs de Noël et en faire un scrapbook
  • Butiner sur Pinterest pour des idées de Noël
  • Prendre un chocolat chaud avec des guimauves
  • Regarder un film de Noël!!
  • Relaxer
Ma liste pour janvier est toujours la plus longue puisqu’il fait froid dehors et ce n’est pas encore le temps du grand ménage… c’est une période plus tranquille. Voici ce que j’avais d’inscrit cette année :
  • Mettre à jour mon cartable de Noël
  • Planifier les jours de Rudolph par mois pour l’année
  • Revue de Noël 2012
  • Finaliser le budget 2012
  • Écrire des idées et suggestions cadeaux
  • Imprimer la ‘liste des cadeaux’ pour le prochain Noël
  • Débuter le désencombrement 2013 et imprimer un calendrier 2013 retrouvé sur internet à ce sujet
  • Déssiner dans mon petit journal
  • Mettre à jour l’inventaire des décos de Noël des enfants
  • Écouter le film de Noël (à tous les mois il y a une suggestion de film sur le site de Magical Holiday Home)
Cette année, j’ai aussi décidé d’ajouter des dessins à mon cahier. En voici quelques-uns:


Wednesday 3 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 3 / Jour 3 - Christmas year-round prep list

For Christmas I have a year-round prep list. I’m not saying I do all this, but when I have some down-time I look at my list and what I accomplish is done, which is better than nothing and getting overwhelmed by the Christmas preps.
  • Work on cards for a cards gift basket
  • Make sample Christmas cards
  • Add recipes in family holiday favorites
  • Inventory Christmas CD’s
  • Make a Christmas compilation for friends
  • Update notebook / gift inventory
  • Make holiday gift tags using old Christmas cards
  • Elfcapades to prepare (mischief and gifts)
  • Make list of crafts for the upcoming year and supplies needed for that list.
  • Make my own Christmas stockings
  • DECLUTTER!
Lots of things can be added on here and some of these things come back on my Rudy day list.

Pour les Fêtes, j’ai une liste de choses qui peuvent être faites durant l’année. Je ne dis pas que je fais tout ceci, mais quand j’ai du temps j’en fais un peu. Ce qui est fait est fait et je n’aurais pas à le faire pendant la période des fêtes et ça m’aidera à me sentir moins débordée.
  • Faire des cartes de Noël qu’on peut mettre dans un panier de cartes de Noël. Le temps venu il n’y aura qu’à les adresser et les envoyer.
  • Essayer différents modèles de cartes de Noël.
  • Ajouter des recettes au livre de recette familiale
  • Inventaire des CD de Noël
  • Faire une compilation de musique de Noël pour les amis
  • Mettre à jour le cartable de Noël ainsi que la liste des cadeaux déjà achetés dans le garde-robes
  • Préparer les cadeaux et les mauvais coups des lutins
  • Préparer une liste de choses que j’aimerais fabriquer pour Noël ainsi qu’une liste des matériaux requis pour faire ces choses.
  • Faires mes propres bas de Noël (un jour!!)
  • DÉSENCOMBRER!! LES CHOSES DANS LA MAISON.
Plusieurs autres choses pourraient être ajoutées à cette listes and quelques unes de ces choses reviennent sur ma liste des Jours de Rudolph.

Tuesday 2 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 2 / Jour 2 - Christmas notebook

Christmas in July

My Christmas notebook
Here is my Christmas notebook.
I have had it for the last few years. I’ve separated it in sections to fill my needs – other sections can be added if you want to.
  • Rudolph day (this year I made a seperate journal and included some art in it)
  • Review of past Christmases (what worked and what didn’t work so well). Includes menu, gifts, wrapping, elves, New Year’s Eve reception, freezer list, accommodations for out of town family)
  • Crafts
  • Recipes to try
  • Year-round prep (will post about this in more detail at a later date)
  • Holiday grand plan (from Organized Home http://christmas.organizedhome.com/holiday-grand-plan/plan-calendar-2012 ). I also included the 6-week countdown calendar in this section.
  • Handmade gifts and basket ideas
  • Gift ideas / Stocking stuffers
  • Decorations
  • Traditions (includes Christmas ornament inventory list)
  • Christmas Elves
  • Music/films/Books
  • Games and activites
  • Recipes (includes freezer list)
  • Christmas cards (addresses)
  • Blog posts
 Hoping this will give you the desire to have one!

Cartable de Noël – voici une photo de mon cartable de Noël. Je l’ai fait il y a quelques années. Il y a différentes sections qui me sont utiles – d’autres sections peuvent être ajoutées selon vos besoins.
  • Jour de Rudolph (cette année j’ai utilisé un autre petit carnet pour cette section et j’y ai inclus des dessins)
  • Revue des Noëls passés (ce qui a bien marché, ce qui a moins bien marché). J’y mentionne les menus, les cadeaux, l’emballage, les lutins, la réception de la veille du Jour de l’An, ma liste de congélation, les lits pour la famille qui vient de l’extérieur.
  • Artisanat
  • Recettes à essayer
  • Planification durant l’année (je donnerai plus de détails à ce sujet durant le mois)
  • Le Holiday Grand Plan , c’est un calendrier de préparatifs (ménage et autre) pour les fêtes. J’y inclus aussi le calendrier de 6 semaines de préparation de Noël. Le tout peut être retrouvé ici (en anglais seulement) http://christmas.organizedhome.com/holiday-grand-plan/plan-calendar-2012
  • Idées cadeaux faits-mains et idées de paniers de Noël
  • Idées cadeaux / bas de Noël
  • Décorations
  • Traditions (inclus la liste d’inventaire des décorations de l’arbre de Noël)
  • Lutins
  • Musique/films/livres
  • Jeux et activités
  • Recettes (inclus la liste de congélation des fêtes)
  • Cartes de Noël (adresses)
  • Billets de blogs que j’ai faits dans les années antérieures.
J’espère que vous aurez envie de vous en faire un!

Monday 1 July 2013

Christmas in July 2013 - day 1 / Jour 1 - Christmas spirit







 
1st day of Christmas in July
How to get in the Christmas spirit - the best way to start the CIJ month!

Watch Christmas movies
Read some Christmas books
Listen to Christmas music
Drink a cup of hot-chocolate with marshmallows
Make a to-do list before dec 25th
Work on Christmas cards
Make Christmas tags
Plan your advent calendar – make one & find ideas for it
Look for creative Christmas recipes
Clear and declutter (this is IMPORTANT for when the real season comes around – it will be less overwhelming)
Look at Christmas blogs
Plan handmade gifts and crafts for the upcoming season.
Journal about Christmas – answer a question daily (I will post about Christmas journaling a little later on)
Plan some Elfcapes
If you are doing the 12 days of Christmas, start planning
Make a Christmas notebook

Comment avoir l’esprit de Noël?
Regarder des films de Noël
Lire des livres de Noël
Écouter de la musique de Noël
Boire un bon chocolat-chaud avec des guimauves
Préparer une liste de tâches à accomplir d’ici le 25 décembre
Préparer des cartes de Noël
Préparer des mini-cartes pour mettre sur les cadeaux
Faire un calendrier de l’avent et trouver des idées pour le remplir
Chercher des recettes créatives de Noël
Organiser et réduire vos biens (ceci est très IMPORTANT, car lorsque la saison des fêtes arrivera vous vous sentirez moins débordé)
Regarder des blogs de Noël
Planifier les cadeaux faits-mains ainsi que de l’artisanat
Écrire un journal de Noël – répondre à une question quotidiennement (je parlerai d’un journal de Noël durant le mois)
Planifier l’arrivée des lutins
Si vous faites les 12 jours de Noël, en commencer la préparation.
Préparer un cartable de Noël.