2012: My Upcoming Family Events

September 25, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

When I shared my upcoming 2012-2013 events last week, I failed to mention my upcoming family events. As I wrote the other post, I was in the midst of planning, searching, and nailing down vendors and acts for our Fall Festival. With school projects on my mind, I only shared the school-related events.

On Monday afternoon, my toddler kept asking for “her cookie.” Figuring she wanted a cookie, I offered her one. But she didn’t want that cookie, she wanted “her cookie.” Really confused, I asked if she could show me. To which she trotted off to get the weekly ad from the Sunday paper. Then, I realized the miscommunication.

Toddler’s Birthday Party

Over the weekend when I went through the newspaper, I found the advertisement with all the birthday decorations. With my toddler close by, I asked her what kind of birthday party she wanted. She worked her way through the sales flyer naming the characters until she chose Mickey Mouse.

Though her birthday is not until the winter months, my toddler is ready for her Mickey Mouse birthday party and “her cookie.” The cookie part is because brother and sister each got a large chocolate chip cookie to share on their birthdays.

With a one-track mind, I think I need a distraction less my toddler remembers every day for the next few months. 😉

Halloween Bash

In skipping our annual Halloween Bash last year due to illness after the Fall Festival, I return to planning this year’s Halloween party. While shopping with my older children on Saturday, we found some cute Halloween crafts in the Target $1 Spot section as well as a Halloween game.

For accountability, I mentioned our party to a friend to put on her radar around Halloween. I still have a few details to work out, but I usually keep the same schedule to make planning simple and the party predictable. My kids love knowing the plan and repeating the games.

In using time wisely, my toddler’s birthday party and our Halloween bash comprise my upcoming family events. Thankfully, I have hosted both of these themes in the past, so recreating or tweaking these ideas will save me money, energy, and time. Happy planning ahead!

Question: What events are on your calendar or radar this fall and winter?

My Upcoming 2012-2013 Events

September 18, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

This school year seemed to take off like a rocket. In whizzing past opportunities, I have chosen to limit my event planning this year. Last year, I took on too much. Though the events went really well, I was worn out, tired, and sick after each event.

Though I am still very active at my children’s school with chaperoning on field trips, organizing lunch pickups, and assisting teachers with daily tasks, I am not directing any of the school programs this year. I enjoy directing, but I lighten my load. In using time wisely, these are my upcoming 2012 -2013 events:

Fall Festival

Our school’s primary fundraiser is our Fall Festival in November. In the midst of our building project, all proceeds from the Fall Festival will benefit our growing student body.

These Fall Festival preparations are in the works, and I have been working to nail down commitments. Creating a safe, fun environment with lots of activities and shows is my goal in coordinating KidZone. I’ll keep you updated as our event takes form.

Lunch Coordinator

As our school is growing, I volunteered to help our new school office manager at lunch time. In past years, the students only had the option to purchase pizza on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Each child is responsible to bring their own lunch to school as there is not a school cafeteria. To assist parents with at least one lunch option a day, I researched, visited establishments, negotiated deals, and created an order form for weekly lunches. The new system takes effect next week. Stay tuned for more details on the good, the bad, and the ugly. 😉

Forensics Coach

My new adventure this year is coaching one student in the NFL (National Forensics League). Though I have entered speech contests, directed productions, completed two speech degrees, taught Fundamentals in Speech, and judged numerous speech contests, I have never coached one-on-one.

Besides the newness in coaching, I have no experience with the NFL, so I’m learning their rules, guidelines, and judging regulations. The first meet might be interesting, but we have to start somewhere. 😉

With my upcoming 2012-2013 events, I look forward to learning new concepts, applying my experiences, and enjoying the process while using time wisely. In preparing for these events, I expect to make mistakes, but in the end, I’ll be better for it. Stepping out of my comfort zone!

Question: What are your plans this school year?

Summer Picnic & Barbecue Planning Guide – Part 5 of 5

August 21, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Rubbermaid Products

Many schools started this week here in South Carolina. With one last week of summer fun, our family is taking advantage of near-empty establishments to get in those last few moments of an unscheduled routine.

As our summer whines down, so does this series on planning a summer picnic and backyard barbecue just in time for Labor Day weekend. In case you’ve missed a post, here’s a recap of the series:

Summer Picnic and Barbecue Planning Guide

Part 1: Planning the Menu

Part 2: Distributing the Responsibilities

Part 3: Creating an Inviting Space

Part 4: Keeping Refrigerated Items Cold

Part 5: Enlisting Cleanup Helpers

Enlisting Cleanup Helpers

In this last segment, I will share how cleanup can come together in a snap. If the picnic occurs in the evening, then as the sun sets and everyone begins moving indoors, I enlist helpers. 😉

For our barbecues, the table rests near our sliding glass door. As individuals pass to go indoors, I ask them to take a dish to the kitchen. After the first two or so requests, the other participants join in to help.

When I get a number of volunteers, I just coordinate the tear down:

1. Provide trash cans

2. Take all food and beverages to the kitchen

3. Place all paper and plastic products and decorations on my dining room table

4. Provide cloths to wipe down the table

5. Direct the chairs, tables, and trash bags to the garage

Once the outdoor area is clear, I move to the kitchen. In using time wisely with our guests, I simply get the food put away and in the refrigerator and return to the party. Once our friends leave, Paul and I tidy the kitchen and dining room. Cleanup goes rather smoothly as most is done because everyone shares a part.

NOTE: If your summer picnic is more formal, then do not expect your guests to help with cleanup. This planning guide is for a relaxed event with family and friends, who should not feel offended when asked to help.

As you plan and adjust to your fall schedule, remember to fit in hospitality. A relaxed summer picnic and barbecue offers opportunities to entertain while enjoying time with friends and your family. With a Labor Day break on the horizon, use this summer picnic and barbecue planning guide to make some special memories. Happy planning!

Question: What would you add to the planning guide?

Summer Picnic & Barbecue Planning Guide – Part 4 of 5

August 14, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Smabs Sputzer)

Many summer schedules are coming to an end, but summer continues officially until September. As your routines change and you are reunited with your friends, enjoy times together over a summer picnic and barbecue.

After planning the menu in part 1, distributing the responsibilities in part 2, and creating an inviting space in part 3, today continues with keeping refrigerated items cold and organizing your food layout.

Keeping Refrigerated Items Cold

With the summer heat, keeping the refrigerated items chilled is a challenge. Besides keeping those dishes inside or in a cooler, I like using ice packs. Since the ice packs will melt, I do the following:

1. Find a coordinating hand towel that fits nicely on the table,

2. Set the hand towel (folded in half) in the place of the refrigerated dish,

3. Place the ice packs on top of the hand towel, and

4. Put the dish on top of the ice packs.

Throughout the picnic, I check the refrigerated dishes for coolness and return them to the kitchen as the dinner comes to an end. Keeping refrigerated items cool is difficult in the direct sunlight. If the ice packs are too bulky for under the dish, I have placed the ice packs around the dish as well. As each picnic menu has its challenges, I focus on keeping the refrigerated items cold when organizing the food layout.

Organizing the Food Layout

When I setup the food table, I choose to group like items together as needed. My organizational pattern is as follows:

1. Paper Products

In this section, I place the plates, napkins, and silverware. Of course, I skip this step if tables are preset with these items.

2. Meats

A platter of meats followed by breads and condiments fill the next section on the serving table.

3. Sides

Placed next to the meats are the sides, including salads, vegetables, and fruit.

4. Desserts

If desserts are included on the table, then I add them at the end. Depending on the setup, I usually serve dessert after dinner is complete.

5. Drinks

If I only have one table, then I set the drinks with cups at the end. This way, guests do not carry their drink through the food line as they fill their plates.

With a simple setup plan that works with any type of gathering, I can quickly prepare for guests without lots of fuss. Inviting friends on the fly is possible with a plan in place. Entertaining others does not require china and crystal glasses. Thank goodness. 🙂

Planning a simple summer picnic and barbecue need not take lots of time and energy. In using time wisely to plan ahead to keep refrigerated items cold and organizing the food layout, you can focus on relaxing and enjoying your evening.

With Labor Day weekend coming, consider inviting some friends for an enjoyable summer picnic and barbecue. Happy planning!

Question: How do you keep the refrigerated dishes cold?

Summer Picnic & Barbecue Planning Guide – Part 3 of 5

August 7, 2012 by Tracy

Summer picnic and barbecue planning guide

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Buck Lava)

With back-to-school responsibilities underway, I almost forgot that Labor Day weekend is less than a month away. Without my monthly blogging plan, I would have overlooked this opportunity.

Our family enjoys attending an annual cookout and camp out with friends. But if those plans change, I will refer to this series for hosting a summer picnic and barbecue.

In part 1, we looked at the food options and started planning our menu. Then in part 2, we continued planning by distributing the responsibilities since our friends willingly offer to help. Today, I will share simple ways for creating an inviting space.

Part 3: Creating an Inviting Space

With the goal of having a great time, I keep our decorations simple and small for a couple of reasons:

1. Decorating is not one of my strengths. I enjoy matching items, but my style is simple and practical.

2. Frugal-minded, I prefer to invest in items that will last. Getting lots of matching disposable paper products with banners and other cute items translates to tossing those items later or storing more items in my home. As I have spent much time decluttering my home, I evaluate every item coming back into the clean, empty spaces.

Keeping to the basics creates an inviting space. My basics are food area, seating, and open space for play.

1. Food Area

Usually I choose either a table outside or my kitchen counter. If using my outside table, I choose a simple table cloth and secure it well. If using my kitchen counter, I clear the counter of extra items to keep the food centralized.

2. Seating

Offering plenty of seating options gives our guests choices to move about chatting with friends. Movable chairs are my favorite as friends can relocate throughout the party. If I am short on chairs, then I borrow or setup smaller tables and chairs for the children.

3. Open Space

Since our parties always include our children, I plan extra space for them to run and play. Setting up our picnic and barbecue close to the house, I leave a large space in the backyard for the children to play. If your space is limited consider using half of the space vertically or horizontally for play.

If time and funds permit, I also enjoy a simple centerpiece, candle, flowers, or confetti for an added touch. With a little creativity, I can create an inviting space full of color and festive flare with an assortment of food, solid colored napkins, and simple white plates, plastic ware, and cups.

As you consider your next summer picnic and barbecue, creating an inviting space does not need lots of extra items. But if you have the decorating gene, then enjoy this process. I know others who thrive with a blank slate to paint a masterpiece. However, I am content focusing on food, seating, and open space with a little extra color to brighten our afternoon or evening event.

Next week, this series will continue with part 4 – keeping refrigerated dishes cold and organizing your food layout. Until next time, happy planning while using time wisely!

Question: What are your upcoming plans for Labor Day weekend?

« Previous Page