Christmas in July + Gift List Printable

Can I tell you guys something? Promise not to judge me????

 

I already have my first Christmas gift wrapped. Yes... I am totally aware that it is July (even if it's the last day of July). I have never before done such a thing, but when I ran into a sale at the hardware store, I couldn't pass up a few small things that would be perfect as Christmas gifts for Dad. I knew that if I just packed away the bag, it would surely get lost or forgotten... or discovered by Dad, himself. The best option was to wrap it and stash it in our guest bedroom.

 

After seeing that present there, all ready to be gifted, I felt a sense of weird calmness. It got me thinking... I could really start looking for Christmas presents now and not have to worry about it and be stressed out in December. I could actually spend the month of December baking cookies, decorating, doing festive things, and spending serious quality time with my family.

 

And that's when this printable was born. It's designed so that I can write down my gift recipients, what I think I might get for them, and a place for me to check-off that the gift has been purchased and wrapped. There's also a spot for the homemade gifts, which are great when budgets are tight or when you want to give something from the heart. I don't blame you at all if you want to stash this away until November or December. I totally get that it's near 100 degrees outside and the only thing that normal people want to do is come inside from the heat, sit in front of the AC vent, and eat super cold ice cream (or is that just me?). However, I've already got most of my sheet filled out and though most of the presents are not bought and have not even been identified, it makes the process so much easier. When I hear family or friends say that they really like something or that they've been wanting to get a such-and-such, I just jot it down. That way, if I'm out shopping and I see that very item on sale, I know to get it (and it doesn't get forgotten about by the time Christmas approaches).

 

So, without further ado, here's the handy printable.

P.S. I have a burpee challenge planned for the entire month of August. The details will be posted tomorrow morning at 6:30 EST. I can't wait for you to join in and conquer the challenge with me!
 

Life Snippets

Hello, hello...

I just wanted to pop in and share a few photos of what I've been up to.

Hope you're having a great day.

 

 

Grilled dinners

 

My favorite mocha at my favorite coffee shop- The Dancing Turtle

 

Congratulation flowers from Mary Beth and her daughters

Grass cuttin'



An evening kayak excursion

 

A storm coming in over the Bonner Bridge

 

Summer salad- strawberries, candied pecans, goat cheese, grilled chicken, and raspberry vinaigrette (minus red onion)

Health[ier] Philly Cheesesteak (Made with Ground Turkey)

Say what???? Healthy Philly Cheesesteak? Made with ground turkey? What?!?

Trust me on this one- it's pretty great and I think I prefer this version to the real thing.

Ingredients:
 

 

1 lb. 93% lean ground turkey (or another equally lean meat)

1 large green bell pepper (I used a medium and two small ones from the garden), chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1 package sliced mushrooms

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup steak sauce (I used A1)

Sliced provolone cheese

Buns or rolls

 

Directions:

 

Start by cooking the ground turkey. Season with salt and pepper.

 

When the turkey is no longer pink, add the vegetables and steak sauce and cook until the vegetables are tender.

 

Place a slice of provolone on each roll and broil for just a few minutes, until the cheese melts. Watch the rolls carefully so that they don't burn. (You can also choose to put the Philly cheesesteak mixture to the rolls, place the cheese on top of the mixture, and then broil it, but it's all up to you!)

 

Add the Philly cheesesteak mixture to the rolls and enjoy!
 

7/29: One Beautiful Thing Monday

Last Tuesday, I saw one particular family out on the beach that caught my attention. I was walking my usual route and I walked past three boys and a father playing Ladder Ball.

 

In case you don't know, this is ladder ball...

The boys all looked to be a few years apart in age, with the youngest being about five years old. The youngest was so upset that he was losing and was actually shouting while in tears. His brothers didn't seem to pay any attention to him; they were only concerned with continuing the game that they happened to be winning by a landslide. Initially, I thought that the youngest boy was acting a bit bratty and was being a "sore loser." I didn't think much else of it and continued on my walk.

 

I repeated my walk again on Wednesday and came across the same family once again. However, this time, the older boys were building sandcastles and the youngest boy was practicing his Ladder Ball skills with his dad. The father was very encouraging and seemed to be very patient with his young son. As I made my way back to the pier where I had started my walk, I heard the youngest boy thank his father for helping him. He said that maybe now he can play with his brothers and have a chance of winning the game.

 

Seeing a family play on the beach may sound like nothing special to most, but it was really beautiful to watch the attitude of the little boy change (from bratty to thankful and hopeful) and to see a father and child bond. In today's busy-busy-busy world, I'm not sure that some parents really take the time to disconnect from whatever it is that is preoccupying them and seriously and deeply connect with their children. Children need to spend quality time with their parents and this father and child were doing just that. It was beautiful.

 

 

Did you see something beautiful this week?

If so, I'd like to hear about it :)