Dear Friends,

If you have learned anything from FlyLady, I hope you get this one part. A little planning NOW, saves a lot of time LATER! AND ENERGY!

Have you started planning your Easter Holiday Dinner? Do you know the menu? Have you bought the needed groceries? Have you made out a to do list? If you sit down for 30 minutes and seriously think about the process, you life will have less stress. I am going to walk you through the planning process.

1. What are your plans?

2. Am I cooking or going out?

3. Do we do Easter baskets and dye eggs?

4. Do I have goodies for the baskets?

5. If you have to cook, what on the menu?

6. Don’t forget dessert!

If you are like me, cooking a holiday dinner really zapps your energy. There is a way to cook this meal and still enjoy the family and I am going to tell you how in step by step instruction. This plan worked for my Thanksgiving celebration. This was the first time I ever tried this method. I well never do another holiday meal without this plan.

Here is what I did first!

1. Made sure the house was clean ready for company and kept it that way while I cooked.

2. Got my dishes ready for the table several days ahead of time. Tuesday before Thursday. A couple of days is enough. Get out your table cloths and center piece. Have you thought about a center piece yet? Silverware and serving dishes too. Make sure they are all clean ready for the table. Either set the table, (if you do not have to use it or put the dishes aside for the time being on a clean counter and cover with a dish towel. I have a cat.  I also cover the whole table if set with a clean sheet. The table is set and I don’t have to worry about it anymore. I even have time to fold napkins and do cutesy stuff to the table. Because I am not rushed. It’s a Martha S. Moment.

3. Make out your menu for the dinner. Examine your recipes and pick your your family favorites. Also try one new thing. Surprises are always nice.  Could become a new family tradition. Pick out some things that can be made ahead of time and put into the refrigerator until time to cook or serve. Some salads need to be made a day or two ahead of time, so that the flavors meld.

4. Make out a grocery list. Check the recipes for items you have on hand and list the ones you need to buy. Think of everything you will need. from egg dye to candy. Beverages and desserts. What is the main dish?

5. Clean out your refrigerator, really well to make room for covered dishes.

6. Go shopping early in the day or the day before you start to cook.

7. TODAY! Make an appointment calendar for your cooking. especially the day you are serving the dinner. You can’t have everything in the oven at once. So plan on what needs to go in the oven and stagger it according to how long they need to cook or can they cook together if you have room. This is when I would love to have 2 ovens.

8. On this appointment calendar. at the top Write: Only prepare one DISH at a time. Set a time for each particular item on the menu.  Follow this schedule, allow plenty of time to clean up after preparing each item. Don’t forget to thaw the turkey or ham. Write it on your list.

9. Cook or prepare something each day for 3 days. If you divide the work out over 3 days, you will have time to plan something fun with the kids and you will have the energy to do it. You can do dessert early, a salad. Throw together casseroles. Pick items for your menus that allow you to make ahead. This way you are only popping in the oven and setting it on the table.

10. When you start to cook anytime. Make sure the dishwasher and sinks are empty. Run Hot soapy water in the sink, so you can clean up as you go. Remember to only prepare one item at a time and clean up after yourself as you go. DO NOT START A NEW PREPARATION UNTIL THE MESS IS CLEANED UP FROM THE PREVIOUS DISH. I MEAN THIS. I can hear you know.”Oh I can do two things at once.” Do you remember how overwhelmed you get and the feeling from turning around in circles in your kitchen floor because you don’t know what to do next.  Focus on one item at a time. This relieves all the stress. I promise. Your kitchen will be clean too. That is the biggest stress reliever.

11. Don’t forget the rolls. This is a family tradition in our home. Someone always forgets the bread. So from now on, I buy the frozen roll dough at the grocery store. It is wonderful. All you do is read the directions. They are on the back and put them in the pan to rise 3 hours before your meal. Put this on your schedule; 3 to 4 hours ahead of meal time. They have to rise and then be cooked. Read the directions. They are great. Everyone thinks they were made from scratch. A new family tradition.

12. Give everything a time on the calendar. But if you don’t look at it, you won’t follow your plan. Take your calendar or notebook with the schedule written on it and put it on the refrigerator or on the counter.Look at it every hour. It has your next few days planned out. Guess what you don’t even have to think now, you just have to read, the thinking has already been done. Keep your recipes with this notebook too.

One word of warning. Do not let your sink become a catch all. Put everything away as you use it and wash up all your dishes. Then you can start the next preparation.

If you want to have a wonderful family celebration, the hostess does not need to be exhausted and at her witt’s end. You can do this. If I can anyone can.

One other thing. Get dressed in good clothes and put on an apron while you cook. I don’t know why, but I always feel so festive when I cook with an apron on. Have your hair fixed and your face looking good too.  No sense scaring the guests.

Holiday celebrations are special memories for your children and family. Make them memorable, in a way that only you can do. You are blessing your family with your efforts. Don’t be a Martyr. Enjoy and love every moment of the preparation.

Wishing you all the joy and happiness that this Easter Season brings.

FlyLady

P.S. Here is a wonderful way to remember Christ Resurrection. It was sent to me by a Dear Friend.

These cookies can create a really neat family Easter tradition if you don’t already have one.

EASTER STORY COOKIES

You need:
1 c. shelled whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 c. sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 F.

Place pecans in zipper baggie.  Let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.  Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers.   Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar.  Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.  Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar.  Eggs represent life.  Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.  Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand.  Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.  Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke23:27.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.

Add 1 c. sugar.  Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.  Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.  Read Isa.1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts.  Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.  Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed.  Read Matt. 27:65-66.

GO TO BED!  Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven over night.  Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.  Notice the cracked surface and take a bite.  The cookies are hollow!  On the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.  Read Matt. 28:1-9.

HE HAS RISEN!———-

Be the First to Get Your 2024 FLYLADY Calendar!