For those of you who don't get the holidayplanning flylady crossover, I wanted to let any who were interested know that I posted a draft of the aforementioned cookbook to flylady here.

Intro stuff first. I followed susan402 here from flylady.

1. Name or user name: Beck

2. What "major" Holiday do you celebrate?: Christmas (primarily as a secular holiday).

3. What do you hope change this Season?: I hope to have things organized and under control so there isn't a monumental list of last-minute tasks or I don't feel guilty for not having time to bake cookies for the neighbors or forgetting to send Christmas cards or not taking the time to shop for a thoughtful gift and picking up something on the way to the recipient's house. Generally I would like less stress this year.

4. What is your favorite Holiday tradition?: The tree, definitely. It's just Stacey and me and we can be rather lazy so we have a very cute, prelit tree that goes up in a matter of minutes. We have a huge entry and a small tree so we call it our Charlie Brown christmas tree. We live at the beach and have collected beach-themed ornaments (santa in swimming trunks on a lifeguard stand, a snowperson in a bikini with a flamingo, stuff like that). It's fun and festive and makes us both smile. I hope to start some new traditions this year.

5. What is your favorite thing about the Holiday Season?: I like how everyone is just a little nicer. I like to see stores decorated for holidays although generally it happens earlier than I would expect.

6. What is your favorite holiday movie or TV special?: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (old, Burl Ives edition).

7. What is your favorite Holiday recipe?:
( Thumbprint cookies!Collapse )

Now for my progress: I was doing pretty well with week 1 until we were hit by Ernesto. My rear porch is now a mess again and I still have to relocate some stuff that has been sitting on the front porch for MONTHS. So I'm a little behind on the deep cleaning.
I did make lists -- gift lists, I'm beginning to collect addresses for christmas cards, together we made a list of baked goods and unusual ingredients we need to make those items.
This week I'll be collecting the recipes so we can have them in a central place.
Historically I am a poor menu planner. I'm never able to plan meals in advance and stick to that schedule -- it feels rigid and forced and rather like growing up when we had to have spaghetti on Tuesdays whether we liked it or not. But I'll see what I can do.
And I might even answer all the questions. We'll see.

1. Name or user name: Susan

2. What "major" Holiday do you celebrate?: Christmas

3. What do you hope change this Season?: I'm not sure if I've said this here. I think maybe, but...Since my dd was born, I've felt a lot of pressure to do Christmas and give her special Christmas memories. This has somehow turned me into an insane, stressed-out person, which is pretty much the opposite of how it should be. I used to love Christmas as a child, but after I got married, it was just dh and me for a long time, and we sort of let it go. I want it back, and I want it back without the crazy. Hoping that feeling planning, organization, and stretching it all out over a period of weeks will help me get there.

4. What is your favorite Holiday tradition?: Right now I really don't have anything that makes me gushy thinking about it. But I'm trying to plan some new traditions like a family (nuclear family) tree-trimming party and a "B and Me" homemade ornament for Grandma and Grandpa making, and I'm hoping those sorts of things will become the traditions we both remember fondly.

5. What is your favorite thing about the Holiday Season?: I like how strangers are nice. I like to see people in Santa hats and those embroidered Christmas sweaters. I like to sample my own cookies.

6. What is your favorite Holiday recipe?: ( Glazed Mint BrowniesCollapse )

I spent some time today beefing up or user page. You might want to take the time to check it out. 

Also, you may notice we have a suggested Intro post for new members. Yes, it is optional... but, I thought it would be a good way to get to know our members. I'm urging our current members to fill out the survey as well but, don't feel obligated. 

Here I go:

1. Name or user name: Ara

2. What "major" Holiday do you celebrate?: Christmas

3. What do you hope change this Season?: I hope to actually enjoy the season this year. I hope that by planning everything and doing most of it in advance I can look forward to Christmas instead of dreading it.

4. What is your favorite Holiday tradition?: Baking cookies with my Mom and Sister.

5. What is your favorite thing about the Holiday Season?: I love walking into the shops and seeing everything decorated. ::sings:: "Take a look at the 5 & 10, glistening once again."

6. What is your favorite Holiday recipe?: (Please Cut)