How My Project Management Skills Help with Our Family Traditions
It is so hard to believe 2021 is coming to an end with December halfway over! The calendar is full of both business and personal activities and events that are keeping us busy. I can tell you my project management and event coordinator skills are put to the test this time of year. You may have read in a previous blog, I am called “bossy” because I take control and get things done. That is just what is needed this time of year to get things done, so my skills come in handy in planning for our personal and business traditions.
One of my favorite personal holiday traditions is baking with my grandchildren. Just before Thanksgiving, my 19-year-old grandson, James, asked me when we were going to bake Christmas cookies? My three grandchildren, Kayla, Jason, and James have been baking Christmas cookies together for over 12 years, ever since their family moved to Florida. It is something we all look forward to, but as the kids get older, it takes serious coordinating of schedules to make it happen, but we make sure it does.
It is a labor of love, and a great time to connect with my grandkids, but it is so much more. We not only make for treats our family, we also take Christmas cookies to our neighbors and homebound people from our church. It is our time together to bake, share and make a difference in the lives of others. It has become a time we all cherish.
One of my favorite business holiday traditions is giving my clients a gift to let them know how much they are appreciated and what a pleasure it is to be a part of their team. It is a token to say thank you for believing in Project Management Specialist.
As a thank you to you, those who support us and our business, we would like to gift you one of our secret family recipes:
Poppy Seed Bread
3 cups all-purpose 3 eggs
2-1/4 cups white sugar 1-1/8 cups vegetable oil
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1-1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds
1-1/2 teaspoons salt 1-1/2 teaspoons butter flavor extract
1-1/2 cups whole milk 1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, milk, vanilla, and eggs.
Mix in the vegetable oil, poppy seeds, butter flavoring, and almond flavoring.
Beat with an electric mixer for 1 to 2 minutes.
Lightly grease or spray 3 medium pans.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Bake 45 to 60 minutes.
Cool Poppy Seed Bread for 3 minutes and top with orange glaze.
Orange Glaze
1/4 cup orange juice 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup white sugar 1/2 teaspoon butter flavored extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Stir together and pour over warm cake.
ENJOY
The truth is, while they may call me bossy, my project management skills are needed each holiday season. I coordinate one of our favorite holiday traditions and provide sweets to enjoy too, there are no complaints about that. What about you? We would like to hear what some of your favorite holiday traditions are – business and personal?
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season from all of us at Project Management Specialist.