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3 Paper Planner Pitfalls You Need to Avoid

Planner Pitfall #1 – FOMU

You have been anxiously waiting for the arrival of your new Erin Condren planner.  Now that you have it in your hands you are “waiting” to start using it.  Why? You have a bad case of FOMU.  No, that isn’t a typo.  I must tell you, I am incredibly impressed with myself for coming up with this.  What is FOMU?  Fear of Messing Up!

I can’t even count the number of times I have sat down to make notes in a new planner and felt paralyzed. I start thinking, “Maybe I should wait until I come up with the perfect system, find the perfect pen, etc.” 

Rid yourself of FOMU and JUST GET STARTED!  As you begin using your planner you will figure out what works best for you.  That brings me to mistake #2.

Planner Pitfall #2 – Thinking everything must be consistent.

Once you finally get over the fear of messing up, stop thinking you need to do things the same way each week  Try something this week and if you don’t like it, do something next week. It’s okay to figure out what works best for YOU! Your planner can evolve with your life and needs.  You may need to use more space for appointments and commitments this week than your to-do list.  

I use an Erin Condren vertical planner that has 3 boxes for each day.  I have changed how I used these boxes many times.  Just when I think I have figured out what works best for me another kind of obligation or activity enters my life that needs planner space.  Or… seeing how someone else uses their planner sparks a new idea.  Speaking of how others use their planner…

There isn’t one right way to use a paper planner, but by avoiding a few Paper Planner Pitfalls you will develop the style that works just right for you!

Planner Pitfall #3 – Comparing your planner style to the pictures you see online.

Don’t compare your planning style to someone else’s.  It’s great to get ideas from others, but it’s too easy to get discouraged when we start thinking our pages need to look just the pages we ‘ve been admiring.  Develop your own style.  I go back and forth between using mostly pen and using a combination of Washi tape and stickers. Again… your style needs to meet your needs.

Conclusion

Avoiding these Paper Planner Pitfalls will give you the freedom to develop the personal planner style that fits your needs and your life.

Do you have other ideas to add to this list! Please share!

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Tip Tuesday – Apple Pie Spice Mix Recipe

Apple Pie Spice Mix Recipe

Make your own Apple Pie Spice Mix with just a few ingredients!
Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup ground cinnamon
  • 2 tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp ginger
  • ½ tsp cardamom *if desired

Instructions
 

  • Combine cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Add cardamom if desired.
  • Mix well.
  • Pour mix into spice jar or other container.
  • Use whenever your recipe calls for Apple Pie Spice.

Download the Apple Pie Spice Mix gift tag!

Apple Pie Spice Mix gift tagDownload
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Gingerbread Cookies

December 4th is National Cookie Day! Celebrate by making these wonderfully soft gingerbread cookies.

Gingerbread

This will be your new favorite gingerbread recipe. This is a soft cookie, not a crispy one.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Dessert

Equipment

  • Rolling pin
  • Cookie cutters
  • Baking sheet
  • Spatula
  • Mixer – stand mixer preferred
  • Parchment or Silpat baking liners

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup Crisco shortening *
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup molasses
  • 2 Tbsp white vinegar
  • 1 large egg beat lightly with fork
  • 5 cups all purpose flour
  • 1½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground cloves
  • flour for rolling cookies

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Cream shortening and sugar.
  • Add molasses, vinegar and egg and mix until blended.
  • If using Bosch, remove beaters and replace with kneading arm.
  • Combine remaining ingredients; use whisk or fork to mix together.
  • Add dry ingredients a cup at a time to mixture and mix until dough pulls away from side of bowl.
  • Place dough in sealed container and refrigerate 4 hours – overnight. (Overnight is best!)
  • Lightly sprinkle cutting surface with flour. Use as little flour as possible for best results.
  • Divide dough into four balls. Keep extra dough refrigerated.
  • Roll dough into desired thickness. Cut shapes and place on parchment or Silpat lined baking sheet. (No need to grease the pan.)
  • Bake at 375° for 6-10 minutes depending on size and thickness of cookie.
  • Remove cookies from oven when they look "not quite done." Allow to cool on cookie sheets for a couple of minutes, then gently place on cooling racks to finish cooling.
  • Decorate!

Notes

  • I definitely prefer Crisco to store brand shortening. It is one of the few things in which I notice a significant difference.
  • My mixer of choice is Bosch. I’ve been using Bosch for almost 40 years.  Before adding dry ingredient mixture, I remove the beaters and replace with the kneading arm.
 
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Tip Tuesday – Snowman Cocoa Toppers

Snowman Cocoa Toppers

Last week, I showed you how to make the perfect whipped cream. This is a great way to use leftover whipped cream. It’s also a great project to do with children.

Place a piece of parchment paper on a jelly roll pan.

Put whipped cream inside an icing bag. I used a Wilton 2M tip. You can also use a coupler with no tip, or a plastic freezer bag with a hole snipped in the corner.

Piping on parchment paper, create a circle of whipped cream. Add eyes, nose and mouth using chocolate chips, mini m&m’s etc.

Freeze until firm. Place on hot cocoa and enjoy!

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Erin Condren Winter 2019 Surprise Box

What’s inside? Watch video for details!

I love the Erin Condren Surprise Boxes! The Winter 2019 is one of my favorites. The boxes are $40 and include $80 worth of PlannerLove! Watch the video for details on what’s inside.

Spoiler alert! The picture below includes contents from box!

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Perfect Whipped Cream

Perfect Whipped Cream

Perfect Whipped Cream is easy when you use this simple trick!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Equipment

  • Glass or metal bowl
  • mixer

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup HEAVY whipping cream
  • 2-4 Tbsp powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp flavoring vanilla, almond, etc.

Instructions
 

  • The secret to PERFECT whipped cream? Place your bowl and beaters in the freezer for 20-30 minutes before using. I prefer using a glass or metal bowl.
  • Pour cream into bowl. Mix until cream forms soft peaks.
  • Add 2 Tbsp powdered sugar. Add more to taste.
  • Add flavoring. Most people use vanilla when making whipped cream. I LOVE using almond extract. It makes the whipped cream feel a little more special and really takes the flavor "up a notch."
  • If you want to be even a little MORE fancy, place the whipped cream in an icing bag and use a tip to create perfect swirls. No bag? No problem! Place the whipped cream in a zip loc pac, snip the end and create your swirl.
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Turkey Craft

I remember making Thanksgiving turkeys with apples and marshmallows when I was a child. I did it with my children; now I get to do it with my grandchildren.

To make the turkeys you need: apples, toothpicks, marshmallows (large of the head, small for the feathers), and miscellaneous items to use for decorating. We used chocolate chips and candy corn. We used corn syrup as glue to stick the chocolate chips and candy corn on the marshmallow head.

I gathered all the materials needed and put them on the table. I put the toothpicks in the apples for the younger kids, so they could just add marshmallows. The thing I enjoyed most about this activity, was seeing how creative my grandchildren are. When I was young, (and still in many things), I wanted to make mine just like the sample. These creative geniuses went to town. Our turkeys have pumpkin feet, etc. They had a great time creating their turkeys, and I had a great time watching them.

Even the 2 year old was able to get in on the action!

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Pumpkin Bread

I have been making this delicious pumpkin bread for more than 45 years. I first received the recipe from my neighbor, Beverly McDaniel when I was about 10 years old. I have changed mix-ins and added substitutions but have never found a recipe I like better. Thanks Mrs. McDaniel!

Pumpkin Bread

Easy to assemble Pumpkin Bread recipe – Perfect for Fall! Plan time for baking – it takes 50-70 minutes, depending on your oven.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 2 loaves

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil you can replace all or part for applesauce
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 15 oz can Pumpkin
  • 3 ½ cups All purpose flour
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ⅔ cup water Try substituting apple juice!
  • 1-2 cups "mix ins" as desired chocolate chips, dried cranberries, nuts

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray bottom of sides of 2 loaf pans.
  • Combine sugar, oil, eggs and pumpkin.
  • Mix until ingredients are well combined.
  • Combine dry ingredient using fork or whisk.
  • Add dry ingredients to previously mixed ingredients. Alternate with water until completely combined.
  • Add "mix-ins" as desired. I don't care for nuts, but I love adding chocolate chips.
  • Pour into prepared pans and bake at 350° for 50-70 minutes depending on oven.
  • Bread is done when toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. If you added chocolate chips, make sure you insert toothpick in area not containing chips.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool 10-15 minutes on rack.
  • Remove from pans and allow to cool completely for a more clean "cut". I am never able to wait that long, I love it warm!
Keyword bread, fall recipes, pumpkin, quick and easy

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