Month: November 2015
5 steps to a stress free Christmas
Christmas is my favourite time of the year. So much joy and love around! However the dark side is the stress it can bring. Trying to impress people with your fabulous home made puddings or be the perfect host with mistletoe hanging in every corner. Just thinking about all that needs to be done can bring on a headache! So here’s what I’m going to follow this year to reduce the last minute frenzy that occurs.
- Lists, lists and more lists.
I love writing lists. I currently have about 4 on the go. I regularly just write a list of things I need to get done on any given day, as simple as hang the washing out! But it sure feels good when you tick things off.
In terms of Christmas my lists include; who I need to buy presents for, Christmas baking list, last minute shopping lists (fresh food I’ll need), Christmas card list, cleaning to-do list, and my current shopping list! I also have been known to have a list of jobs for my dear husband to complete 😉
2. Not overbooking
Trust me I’m a shocker for running myself to the ground trying to attend every function I’m invited to. This year I want to do things differently. I have my calendar in view daily ( strategically placed in the kitchen) and I’m trying to only book one event per day, some have two but morning and evening. Its not only me who gets exhausted but the kids do too, and we all know what tired kids are like….
3. Start shopping early
This is the first year that I have started Christmas shopping before December. Let me say this though.. I LOVE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING! There’s something about the carols playing in the shops, the people everywhere, the wrapping…But I know many people who loathe Christmas Shopping. My Mum can’t stand it so I usually do some for her! But the biggest tip here is don’t leave it all to the last minute. Get your list (yes!) and tick off a few each week. If you only have to go the shops for an hour at a time its definitely less stressful. And you get to tick things off your list!
4. Clean a little at a time
If you have guests staying this Christmas, or family coming for lunch if you’re anything like me you’ll be madly scrubbing from top to toe to make the place shine. I’m assuming though if you’re reading this that you have children and shining your house gets a little tricky! We have an office/study in our house that only we are allowed in! It’s like the junk room. Everything gets piled in there. But you know what? I don’t really care! No one else sees it.
In the weeks between now and Christmas clean a room at a time, or do a big job each week. That way when its the week of Christmas all you really need to do it a quick mop and bathroom shine and you’ll look like a regular Martha Stewart!
5. Breathe
Some people have holidays, others work right through. What ever your situation, stop and think about the meaning of Christmas. Whether you are religious or not, Christmas is still a beautiful time of the year. And for me it got even better since having children. Stop and enjoy it with them. Sings carols, dance around to “go Santa go” and eat all the delicious tree shaped cookies you can. Well that’s my plan anyway!!
Sunday night deliciousness
Today we took the two older boys to their first cricket Test Match. It wasn’t without its dramas but overall it was a fun day. Man was over eating fried foods though and was I looking for a decent feed when we got home. Thank goodness we had some left over stir fry from last night but it got me thinking about some of my favourite meals. One of my all time favourites is another Jamie meal. His sausage cassoulet is to die for! Find the receipe here! It’s great for reheating and there’s always plenty for the next night! I made it for a friend after she had her second baby and she loved it! So after all this.. Guess what’s for dinner tomorrow night?!! Have a lovely week, stay tuned for tips on a stress free Christmas.
My 1 Minute Mug Cake!
I have heard so much about these Mug cakes but had never tried one. Tonight I was craving something sweet but easy and with nothing in the cupboard I had to be creative. So I played around and made my own 1 minute Mug Cake! Oh My goodness, it actually worked! Here’s the ingredients and the amazingly simple steps!
1 Minute Mug Cake
1 tablespoon of butter (soften a little in microwave)
2 Tablespoons of water
1/3 cup of SR Flour
1 heaped tablespoon of Cacao (or cocoa would work also)
2-3 tablespoons of sugar
Method
Mix the butter and water in a large mug.
Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. (add a little more water if its too thick)
Cook in the microwave for 1 minute!
Seriously it was that easy! I plan on experimenting with some flavours so stayed tuned! Perfect for a lazy Friday night on the couch. x
Mummy Friends
It’s hard sometimes to catch up with everyone you want to. Life gets in the way. Having kids changes things totally. It’s not so bad while they are still newborns who sleep happily in their pram but once they start moving, its over! Sitting for more than 5 minutes involves a constant supply of baby chinos and sugary cookies and the conversation revolves arounds ‘sit still, won’t be long, do you want my phone?!’. I had lunch with a dear friend last week and I was telling her about my new blog and my hopes. Her immediate comments were about how friendship changes when you’re a working mum. Maybe it changes just as a mum, not only a working mum but this blog is all about working mums..!! As a working mum we are trying to balance our careers and our families and walking the tightrope that becomes our life. My dear friend spoke of how managing her own successful law firm and her beautiful daughter made it hard to catch up and stay connected with friends that didn’t have children. It got me thinking about how I catch up with my nearest and dearest. We don’t see each other lots and it’s definitely hard to coordinate around everyone’s different commitments but we make it happen and when we do see each other it’s like no time has passed. However it takes a special person for this to happen. My friends understand that life is busy. Theirs is too, just in a different way. True friends will accomodate and understand. Those that can’t understand, truthfully aren’t worth your time. It took me a long time to realise this. Cherish your dear friends, make time ( and it may only be every few months) even if it’s just for a quick coffee just to touch base. Life is better when you have friends to share it with, cliche hey?!! But so true!!
Washing Time
Washing! It’s never ending.. Just when you think you’re on top.. It’s bath time and there’s 3 more dirty outfits! This article has some great tips on how to reduce our time washing. I’m not convinced I could try not folding some things but her organisation is fabulous! I too have the odd sock box in the laundry where all odds go to try find their friends! Take a look here and let us know what you think. What are your tips for saving time on the washing?
The Two Headed Monster!
Tonight’s blog was motivated by my complete lack of energy. That feeling that creeps up sometimes and other times hits you like a bus! Defined as a state of extreme mental or physical fatigue (Oxford Dictionary) exhaustion hits everyone at some point or another.
I don’t know about you but when I get seriously tired.. not just ‘I’ve had a busy day tired’.. but exhausted, I turn into a two headed cranky borderline crazy person! So in the hopes of trying to prevent the monster to come out too often.. I wanted some tips for trying to beat exhaustion, or at least handle it!
Firstly some thing all us Mums, whether working or Stay at Home, we need to go easy on ourselves. A lot of Superwoman mums really aren’t doing as perfectly as they seem to be on the surface. Surely right??
For me, getting sunshine and fresh air makes the world of difference. In the 5 minutes you may get for lunch, try eating outside! Not only will it boost Vitamin D levels, (which is great for your mood) but fresh air always gives me a little perspective on things.
I know its a cliché but eating healthy really does do you wonders (soon we will be investigating healthy and FAST recipes!) I am a sucker for chocolate though!
Orange is the New Black, will wait! Go to bed early. Key advice I need to remind myself of constantly. I always fall into the trap of I’ll just watch one more episode (I’m a little addicted right now) and before I know it its 11pm! Nothing beats the feeling of a good nights sleep. I still am getting up to the little one some nights but that extra hour or two I can get by going to bed by 8:30 rather than 10:30pm is bliss. I definitely don’t do it every night, or I may not ever see my husband, but man it sure does make a difference.
Then there’s drinking more water, exercise, start yoga, meditate, the list is endless!
I really think what we need to do is listen to our bodies. Slow down if you need to. Don’t take it out on your loved ones and be kind to yourself. And when you see the Two Headed Monster, give him a high 5 because you are doing a fabulous job.
K
We do what we can.
Sometimes you have to do what you can to get through the day. It’s a huge debate screen time vs no screen time.. And don’t get me wrong I won’t plonk my 8 month old in front of the TV, however if his older brothers are watching something he’s going to be exposured. I’m of the mindset that it’s not going to kill him! There’s seriously worse that could be happening. An interesting article in the Adelaide Advertiser. I love it! A mother has recorded herself reading a story and puts it on TV so she can get things done! Fabulous! I wish I had thought of it! For those 5 minutes you need to get dinner on in Witching hour, or you really need to ring the bank/plumber/or heavens for bid the hairdresser! Everything in moderation.. Like chocolate right! Well done Mummy!
Is there ever the right time?
Timing is everything they say. But is there ever really the perfect time? In thinking about a different job, a new role, a change. There’ll always be school drop offs and pick ups, always be child care runs (until it becomes school runs!), there’ll always be washing to do.. even when I’m home full time, there’s always washing to do! When opportunity knocks, how do you know to take it? Is there ever the right time? I always figured as my kids get older it’ll get easier.. nope. It just changes. There’s school lunches, play dates, after school sport, reading, homework.. the list goes on. None of that is going to change. So, is timing really everything? The answer.. I don’t know!
Kris Kringle
Its that time of the year again.. Now that the pageant has been and gone, the count down begins! This year we are doing things a little differently with the extended family and organising a Kris Kringle for the kids. Im still unsure how I feel about this.. However it sure does save time! And since that is what this blog is all about I thought I’d share! I’m sure everyone has heard of this concept before however here’s the run down… Everyone draws a name out a hat and you only buy for that person. We set a price limit for everyone and Ta da your done!! I feel like it does take away from the ‘giving’ of Christmas a little though as my children can’t choose gifts for their close cousins but I can totally see the benefits of it too… What are your thoughts?
The Working Mum 
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