A few packing tips that make the job a bit easier - from someone who really hates to pack.

Tamara Nugteren


We travel quite a bit.  Not as much as someone who would say they are always traveling, but enough that I have devised a system.

We are Minnesota transplants.  That means that multiple times a year we make the four hour trek "home" to South Dakota.  Many holidays and weekends spent on the road.  If time and finances allow, we also try to take a summer vacation to a lake location and a winter vacation to somewhere warm.  Truly, we live for that opportunity.

But no long weekend or well deserved vacation will happen in a family with children without the time sucking, mind numbing, stress inducing task of packing.  Seriously, I really don't like it.  And, as most mothers can attest, 99% of all packing and other pre-vacation chores and errands are done by one parent.  In our family's case - it's me.  I pack for myself, the children and take care of the pets.  Dad just packs for himself.  And maybe I help with that a little, too.  It's not that my wonderful husband isn't willing, but I'm home and he's not.  And, let's be honest.  He doesn't know what we need.

Back in the day, I would have a hard time sleeping the night before a trip because my mind would be running a million miles an hour.  "Don't forget to stop the mail. Remember to grab the baby Tylenol. Did I grab the charger? Remember the pillows."  I'd actually have to get up and write myself a note, or just get the "whatever".  After a while, my college skills kicked in and I decided to make myself some permanent lists.  Now - with only a few exceptions - I can just go down the list and grab what I need for the particular packing occasion (trip to SD?  vacation to a lake?) and I won't forget something.  And the real beauty?  It's a checklist - so ANYONE can help.

This is  our "camping" pack list.  

There are many ways to do this.  When I first started making pack lists, I had a Palm Pilot (remember those??).  Today, my personal preference is the low tech "reminders" list making app that came loaded on my phone.  A Word document works just fine as well.  With any of these you can edit your list as your family grows and if you are using Word, you can print it for all to see.  On my reminders app, I can save lists and then check of the individual items in the list as I go.

If you are going to make yourself some permanent pack lists - which you should, of course - I suggest going all out and including everything.  Even the things you think are so basic you would never forget them.  Because otherwise you will.  Or you assume someone else already put it in the van.

Now I know list making isn't revolutionary.  But here is the time and sanity saver - not remaking the list ever darn time.  The editing option is huge too, if you go back to the same location again and again.  For example, the first time we ever traveled to Mexico, I WAY over packed.  And over packing is expensive if you are flying.  I edited my pack list when we returned home, so that if we ever went back I would remember some things.  Like, there are no mosquitoes, so don't bother with bug spray.  One bottle of sunblock is enough for the whole family for a week.  It will never be cold enough that we'll need pants (this is a mental block for me as I'm always cold).  In fact, just don't pack so many clothes.  They never got worn.  Bring beach toys.  You get the idea.

Even on short trips its easier to check off the "pre-travel" requirements.  Stop the newspaper and the mail.  Take out the trash.  Run the dishwasher. Tip the blinds.  Pack the dog food. These are the things that keep me up at night before a trip.  I have peace of mind knowing they are on the list.  And of course, the real beauty.  When my husband asks, "what can I do?" I can say - do something on the list.  Awesome.

A few other tips and tricks that make packing easier.  Yes, these are simple - but you may not do them. You should.  You may eventually have come to these conclusions on your own, but that might take a few trips or a few years.  I like to think I'm saving you that time.

1) Keep toiletry bags packed as much as you can.  Buy duplicates of your make up, toothbrushes and medicines - even the over the counter, just-in-case ones (Ibuprofen, cold medicine, etc.).  Buy the travel size deodorants, toothpastes, lotions, hair products and shampoos.  Running around gathering up all these things takes time.

2) If you aren't flying on a plane - use big, clear, plastic tubs with lids for packing.  Everything will fit, you will be able to see it and they are stackable for the trip.

3) For kids that are old enough to dress independently but still need help with packing (thinking grade school):  Pack each outfit into a rolled up bundle and rubber band it together OR if your kids clothes are small enough, put each outfit into a gallon sized baggie.  This is especially helpful for trips to camp or to grandparents houses.  Each day they can just grab a new ready-to-go outfit without trying to figure out what to wear with what or what is clean in that great big bag.

Shorts, underware and a shirt.  Rolled up together
and held together with a rubberband.

4) Have a laundry bag.  Simple idea, right? But do you have one?  It is much easier to both find clothes to wear in your suitcase (or tub 'o clothes) without all the dirty ones getting in your way and to come home and just toss the whole bag in the laundry rather than sorting through everything after you return.

Repacking at the end of a week at a cabin in Wisconsin.
Tubs, pillows in garbage bags and our big, full, black and purple laundry bag.
Can you believe all that fit in the van?  

So as you pack up your family for holiday travel this year, consider taking some notes.  Write down all the things you have “To Do” before you leave.  Add on all the things “To Pack”.  When you return, edit it, type it up and save it for next time.  You’ll be glad you did.

Happy Thanksgiving.

It's a SOUP SWAP!

Tamara Nugteren


I love holiday cookies just as much as you do, BUT - this year, I am going both practical AND delicious! I am forgoing the traditional cookie swap and instead hosting a Soup Swap.  That's right.  A soup swap.  Its fun and it feeds your family without adding to your December sugar high.

My soup: Tomato Basil

Here is how it works:
1) Find a willing and excited group of friends.  You can work with any number, but a good minimum to set is six.

2) Pick a date and time to meet and swap. I hosted my soup swap just before our monthly Bunco group.  You could also just call it a "girls night" and serve some wine and apps.

3) Set up a formal RSVP system* that will hold your swappers accountable and also allow them to announce their soup variety.  Ask everyone to choose a different variety of soup to prepare. **
*I used Evite, but Facebook would work as well.  The reminders are key.
** If you have a very large group, you could allow two chefs per variety. 

4) Make sure everyone knows the expectations and the rules of the swap.  See below.

5) Award a prize or two to add to the fun!  I awarded a Caribou gift card for "most beautiful packaging".

Stacey easily won "most beautiful".  I think next time everyone
will try a little harder!  She set the standard for us!

6) Start cooking - well ahead of time.  You need to bring 6 quarts of the soup, frozen.

7) At the swap: Have everyone bring their frozen soup to the table, and have a "telling of the soup".  Each chef shares the variety of soup, the general ingredients and if there is a history to the recipe.
For example:  "I made a tomato basil soup.  I got this recipe from the owner and chef of a local deli and have been making it for years. The recipe starts by sautéing carrots, celery and onion, then adding the rest of the ingredients.  My version is made with half and half and fresh basil.  It goes well with croutons and my son really likes it with the addition of pre-made cheese tortellinis."
When my girlfriend Stacey was up, she added in the history behind her soup, minestrone.

Stacey's Minestrone label:  History of the soup and directions for prep.

8) If you have 6 participants, everyone takes one of each soup and takes one of their own home as well. (After all, you worked hard on it. Might as well eat one!)
If you have 7 participants, everyone takes home one of everyone else's soup.
If you have 8 or more participants, everyone takes turns selecting one soup at a time until everyone has 6 total.  This allows the most flexibility, in case there is a variety or two that someone doesn't care for or cannot eat for some reason.

8) Everyone puts their frozen soups into their coolers and enjoys the party.  Or goes home. Host's choice.  Either way, everyone is happy to have some delicious meals, ready to go in the freezer for those cold days ahead!

The rules:
- Everyone must choose a different variety, when possible.
- Everyone must make 6 quarts total of their soup (I used a big stock pot - its very do-able.) and package them into 6 one-quart containers and freeze them.*
- If the soup requires noodles, I highly suggest preparing the soup without them and supplying the correct amount of dry uncooked noodles with the soup to be added when eaten.  They don't freeze and reheat well.
- All soups must be labeled and any ingredients that have allergy potential must be noted.
- Encourage attention to packaging.  Like I said above, a little competition adds to the fun.

Frozen soup, noodles on the side.  This container is smaller than a quart,
but when the noodles were added, it bulked up to the required amount. 

* For quart containers:  In the grocery store you can find quart size, freezable containers like Gladware. The deli counters use quart sized containers for salads and sides, they may sell you a few or even give them to you if you ask nicely.  The big yogurt containers are quart sized.  I used quart sized, wide-mouthed Ball jars (make sure to leave 1 1/2 inches of room at the top for expansion).  If all else fails, you can use quart sized freezer bags.  They won't win any prizes, but they are very practical as they freeze flat.

Our group had so much fun swapping soups that we were already discussing when we could do it again - even before leaving the first time!  Since then, my family has eaten three of the six soups and they have all been wonderful.  I'm trying to ration out the rest!  Maybe one a week.... we'll see if we can make it that long!

There are SO MANY varieties of soup to choose from.  Here is the list we had at our swap:
- Tomato Basil   For this recipe, check out my previous post about tomatoes HERE.  
- Beer Cheese
- Minestrone (noodles on the side)
- Chicken Wild Rice
- Chicken Noodle (noodles on the side)
- Chicken Tortilla (homemade tortillas on the side)

Enjoy!

Five of our six soups.  

Four of our six participants.  I'm on the right...

 Next time, CHILI!