Happy New Year!

Happy (almost) 2013!!!  I haven't blogged in a bit and was missing this space so I thought I'd check in.  We're in the midst of what we're calling our Upper Mississippi tour.  We've visited family in Wisconsin, spent a couple of days at the Wisconsin Dells, and are now en route to one of my best friend's home in Minnesota to ring in the New Year!!!  Since my last post we've celebrated Jesus' and Eli's birthdays and our 10th (!) anniversary.  We're feeling thankful and full.  I hope your evening is wonderful and that the new year brings peace and love and joy and ridiculous happiness to all of us!

Weekending...

It's Snow Day No. 2 and the beginning of break for the kids!  The sugar cookie dough is waiting to be rolled out; the lemon cookie dough mixed and ready to bake.  Oliver is outside, Elihu upstairs, and Sintayehu next to me threatening to sabotage this post with curious fingers.  I got out and shoveled snow this crisp, cold morning and am now enjoying a cup of coffee and a relatively peaceful house.

The next few days before Christmas will go quickly, I'm sure.  Tonight I am looking forward to heading to a friend's house for a ladies' night.  At some point we'll load up in the car and take an evening drive to look at Christmas lights.  I need to wrap gifts.  I believe I've heard talk of Jake and Oliver going to see The Hobbit, a book that Oliver finished this week.  And then feasting!  And family!  I'm looking forward to it all.

I did not get Christmas cards out this year.  I'm thinking Valentine's Day?  Groundhog's Day?  Who knows.  I do love going to the mailbox everyday this time of year though.  This might have been a good shot to print and mail.

I don't know about you, but this year, more than ever before, I am grasping the meaning of this season.  God born into this world.  His love and his example of how to live in this world are overwhelming.  I feel desperate for this Love.  Sigh...

"Celebrate God all day, every day.  Revel in him!  Don't fret or worry.  Instead of worrying, pray.  Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.  Sense God's wholeness....Meditate on true things, those that are noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not curse..." (The Message)

An fun + easy Christmas craft for the early elementary set.

Last week we invited our neighbors over for a little afternoon craft project/playdate.  I saw this idea on Pinterest last year and thought it looked like something they would all enjoy.  And they did! 

 I started gathering supplies awhile back.  All you need are clear bulbs (they're glass, but the kids are old enough to handle it), Mod Podge, paint brushes and fabric scraps.  I never thought I'd be someone who had fabric scraps on hand.  And yet here I am.  Ahem.

I showed them my example (you know I love to pretend I'm an art teacher!) and they went to town.  It was fun to see which scraps each of them chose for their ornament.  Popular patterns included superheroes, bicycles, music notes and bright polka dots.

Once they figured it out, they really got into it.  It's a great project for this age because Mod Podge is very forgiving...and washable. 

I was, of course, less inclined to let me two-year-old handle the glass bulbs, so she painted instead.  Eventually Sintayehu decorated her paper with fabric scraps as well, which was also fun.

I let them dry overnight and we delivered them to the neighbors the next day.  The results, if you don't mind me saying, are beautiful!  The kids seemed proud of their work and were anxious to hang them on the tree.

*************

On another note, I don't know about you, but I'm still feeling really, really sad.  

This article resonated with me.  I hope you're well!

C'est bon!

 

Judging by our choice in recent reading material, Jake and I seem to both be dreaming 

of a certain city....

Idle and blessed.

Like you, I spent the weekend vacillating between profound gratefulness at the life laid out before me to utter despair, anger and heartache over the loss of precious, innocent life in Connecticut.  On Saturday morning, I cried as I sat in a coffee shop finishing up a project and reading the latest news reports.  That night, we put on smiles and drank wassail with friends.  We celebrated my father-in-law's retirement with a lovely party on Sunday afternoon and then lit our advent candles at dinner, read prayers and dabbed our eyes at the pain and blessing.  I am not sure how to move on from this.  I know that part of me wants to remember this pain and anger and to use it for good.  I want to keep a prayer on my lips.  I want to be better at savoring the day—the mug at my lips in the morning, the cereal I will pour for Eli, the second bowl for Oliver.  The moments of watching Sintayehu push the small, green cart at the grocery store, the afternoon phone call I'll get from Jake telling me he's on his way home.  My mom will call today.  Our friends will gather tonight.  The beauty is in the minutia.  By the grace of God, that's where I want to live. 

The Summer Day

by Mary Oliver

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean—
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

"The Summer Day" by Mary Oliver, from The Truro Bear and Other Adventures: Poems and Essays. © Beacon Press, 2008. 

A Letter to My 2013 Christmas Self

Time.  It's flying.

Dear 2013 Christmas Self,

I hope this letter finds you well, though I am going to boldly presume that as you read this you are self-medicating with red wine and avoiding the color-coded to-do list tucked in your planner by reading old blog posts.  Because it seems to be a personal Christmas tradition for you to enter the season with grandiose ideas of baking, sewing, craft- and memory-making, I would like to take a moment to reign you in and remind you of a few things.

• Last week, you literally sat in your mini-van crying on a Sunday morning because you didn't see how you would get everything done by the time it needed to be done.  Even though we all occasionally can use a good cry, don't let this happen again.  Christmas Self of 2013, look me in the eye and listen: Choose ONE hand-made gift item that you can have fun creating.  You can then gather your supplies (in one trip), look at your enormous list of recipients, purchase all materials in bulk and then have fun crafting.  Neighbors, teachers and friends will all appreciate the same item; there is no need to create 17 different prototypes.
• Just because it is the holidays and you're trying to create a magical home-front, it doesn't mean that you should turn down an assignment.  You are a freelancer and this is never a good idea.  You love to write and you love to edit.  You do need to be better at saying 'no', but the things you enjoy professionally should not necessarily be on that list just so you can spend more time with your glue gun.
• Not every gift that you ask for for yourself or your children needs be practical. Have a little fun. Be whimsical and frivolous for a moment. Chill. to. the. out.
• Because I know you love handmade items and take great pride in purchasing or making such gifts, wait to do the bulk of your shopping at Handmade City, the annual "renegade" arts and crafts fair that your city hosts.  You'll support local artisans and have a great time doing so.  I also know you love to save a buck, but by the time you inevitably don't complete the projects you've planned, I am pretty sure that you'll come out even.  (Remember the canvas you tried to paint for your mother-in-law and ruined...twice?  And all of the flannel p.j. pants you bought at Salvation Army to turn into flannel infinity scarves...and then didn't?  Know your limits, my dear.)
• When throwing parties, you don't have to make everything from scratch.  Concentrate on a main dish and a simple side.  Order the bread and dessert from Eastside Bakery.  It's fun to have great food and wine, but you can't enjoy it if you're feeling stressed.
• Choose one craft to do with the children.  Enjoy the time together.  Wipe up the glitter and move on.
• Be forgiving of yourself.  I know you love to choose the perfect gift for everyone on your list, but you're not always going to find the perfect gift.  Your thoughtfulness is probably gift enough.

All of this is to say that time is flying.  Your children are getting really big really quickly.  You don't want to be so absorbed in tying the perfect bow that you forget to notice their excitement, their current mannerisms and their quirky commentary on the season.  It's like your mother reminded you the other day when you asked why you were feeling overwhelmed all of the time: "You are overwhelmed because you are trying to be perfect," she said.  You know she's right.

Christmas Self of 2013, I say this gently.  I know that at your core you know that imperfect sugar cookies made by a six-year-old are just as good as the beautiful cookies shown on your favorite foodie blogs (let's face it, they're even better!) and that a lopsided tree decorated together is just as good as any you'll find on Pinterest.  When you're at the point of meltdown, please remember that your newspaper delivery person won't care if his cookies are homemade or bought at the bakery.  In fact, he'll just be touched that you thought of him.  Carry on with your traditions, but maybe take a step back to be sure they're not making you crazy.  Be sure that you're treating the people you love kindly.  And be patient with yourself.  Busy is not a badge of honor and perfection can be the enemy of good.

I know this is hard for a Virgo perfectionist to hear, but you will never be a perfect wife or mother or friend or merry-maker, no matter how hard you try.  Luckily, those around you don't seem to need you to be.  Somehow, they just want you around.

Cheers,
Your 2012 Christmas Self

Life According to the iPhone, Vol. III

A much better idea...

I am not a knitter, but I purchased a ball of soft red yarn this year to adorn the presents I am wrapping.  It looks lovely against anything from shiny blue wrapping to newspaper, right?

Well, the boys had a different idea. They spent the weekend building intricate webs with my soft red yard.  And really, who can blame them?

Listening to babes and sages...

We had the most delightful dinner party last night.  A scene like the one above will fill me up for weeks—evidence of a moment in time well spent and life well lived.  I'm thankful for such good friends and such good food.  And now we're barreling into the weekend!  I'm hoping to be fairly leisurely over the next few days.  We might check out this tonight and on Sunday my mom and I are taking the boys to The Nutcracker.  We go every year and are delighted that this year we'll be treated to live music that will accompany the dancers.  It should be beautiful!!

After a really busy week within a really busy season, here are some words I am reading over and over.  I've posted them here before and I've actually written them in sharpie marker over the windowsill above my desk.  Still, it sometimes bears repeating in the midst of such a season...

“To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart, to bear all cheerfully, to all bravely await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony.” ~William Henry Channing

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

When I was a child, my mother always honored the memory of St. Nicholas, a Greek bishop living in the Roman Empire who was known for his generosity and is said to be the real-life model for Santa Claus. I fondly remember leaving my shoes out the night before December 6th and finding them filled the next morning with candies and trinkets.  My mom would throw parties on this day and let me invite my friends over to decorate cookies and play.  Even after I moved away to college and then to the big city, she would send me a St. Nicholas day token each year in the mail.  My mom still honors this day—I'll see her Sunday and I'll bet she has a little something for each of us in honor of the saint.

Fast forward twenty years.  I somehow lost the holy Bishop of Myra in the holiday shuffle.  My kids had no idea of this real-life saint until I started talking about him a few days ago.  I grew up Catholic and was surrounded by saints and my interest in them has been re-ignited recently as I have been so intrigued by my lovely Orthodox friend and all of her family's beautiful traditions.  So, the kids woke up this morning to trinkets and chocolate coins in their shoes and we're having a small gathering honoring the saint tonight.  May his acts of love, kindness and generosity live on in all of us!

Tokens in the form of Power Ranger and Hello Kitty Christmas ornaments,
along with a few gold coins.  I'm doing the best I can.  :-)

Handmade Hostess Gifts

I love the holidays for all of the special soirees on the calendar.  Whether it's an informal gathering with friends, a bonafide holiday fete or an all-out New Year's Eve party, I am always sure to bring a little something for the host and/or hostess as a sign of my thanks for their hospitality.  Lately, I've enjoyed making these small offerings and I thought I'd share some of the simple, perfect-for-a-dinner-party projects here.

These projects are all frugal and, in my book, quite fabulous.  By no means am I an expert crafter (in fact, my fine motor skills and attention to detail are quite lacking!), but each of these projects is very straight-forward.  I love to try new things and I love the intention of creating something new for someone I love.  I tend to think that the receiver appreciates the gesture as well.

My advice is to choose one (maybe two) of these projects to tackle, go out and purchase supplies in bulk, and then set aside some time to make as many as you will need for the entire season.  Maybe pour yourself a glass of wine or pull out a few dark chocolates while you work. (Am I the only one who keeps a stash of chocolate in the freezer?).  Doing every single one of the projects might prove to be a bit overwhelming—that's why I'd focus on one or two.

I think that presentation is very important, so I made fabric bows for each item and printed gift tags on light brown cardstock.  I purchased some of the fabric for the bows on sale at Joann's and some of it was from a skirt that I thrifted and cut apart.  Our local Salvation Army has a whole wall filled with long skirts, many of which are made from really fun, interesting fabric.  These skirts are usually just a few dollars (or less) so using one of these for fabric will not only you save money, but you'll keep textiles from the landfill and avoid creating demand for new production and the overuse of materials and resources.  You can literally snip the edge of the fabric and then rip a straight line.  The look is cute and casual.  Happy crafting!


CURRIED LENTIL SOUP

This is a great recipe that is my go-to, year-round hostess gift.  I also make this soup and deliver to friends who are ill or have a new baby.  Recently, I made it and sold it as a fundraiser!  It really is delicious—I'm often asked for the recipe.  Here's what you need to know:

Using a funnel, layer the following in a quart-size mason jar:

1 cup red lentils

2 teaspoons salt

3-1/2 tablespoons minced dried onion

1 tablespoon curry powder (or more depending on taste)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 cup green lentils

1/2 cup dried apple rings cut into small pieces

2 tablespoons dried parsley

Make sure you attach a label that includes cooking instructions when you gift this.  Here's what I write:

Place lentil soup mix in 3-quart saucepan with 7 cups water.  Heat to boiling on high.  Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 20 – 30 minutes stirring occasionally.  Makes 8 cups.  Enjoy!


GRANOLA

There are a lot of wonderful granola recipes floating around, but this one is my favorite.  It's from Cathy Lafrenz of Miss Effie's Flower Farm and I've been making it for years.  This makes a great hostess gift as well as a gift for neighbors and co-workers.  Instead of plates of cookies, this year we'll be delivering jars of granola up and down the block!  I double the recipe and it makes about 5 quart jars full of deliousness.

4 c uncooked oatmeal 
1-1/2 c Wheat Germ 
1 c shaved coconut 
1/4 c powdered milk (I omit this because my daughter is lactose intolerant)
1/2 c flax meal 
2 TBSP cinnamon
1 TBSP brown sugar

Mix all the dried ingredients together.

Then microwave the following ingredients for 1 minute on high.

1/3 c canola oil
1/2 c honey or 1/3 c agave nectar 
1 TBSP of vanilla

Stir into the dry ingredients until all the particles are coated.

Bake for 1 hour at 250 degrees. 

When it has cooled, you can add extra ingredients like dried fruit, nuts, sunflower seeds or just about anything else you'd like!


SIMPLE SYRUP

By far the easiest of the projects is the Simple Syrup.  It's equal parts water and sugar.  Combine the two in a saucepan and boil until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally.  Let it cool and then pour it into your container.  This is great for someone that you know enjoys a cocktail during the holidays.  It's also delicious in iced coffee, iced tea and lemonade.  I packaged one simple syrup in a half-pint mason jar.  For the other, I added a pourer to one of the cute Coke bottles marketed around Christmas time.  (I'm not a big soda drinker, but I can never resist these!)  With a bow and a note, it's delightful!

PAINTED SERVEWARE

This project is the most time intensive and has the most detail.  However, it's really clever!  I first read about it here, via this website.  I'm so glad I ran across this idea!  I bought three sets of serveware at my local Hy-Vee.  Each piece was $2.49.  I had acrylic paint in the supply cabinet at home, so this was another inexpensive project.

After removing the labels, I painted the handles of two sets white. I left one set the natural wood color just to see what it would be like.  I'm glad I did because it turned out neatly.

Next I used painting tape to create a striped design on each of the utensils.  They can match...or not...the project is very forgiving.  

After painting several coats regular acrylic paint onto the serveware and letting them dry completely, I removed the tape and was pleased with what I saw!  I did have to do a bit of touch-up when the tape came off and I decided to seal the paint with an acrylic gloss.  This added a nice shimmer and makes me feel better about the painted utensils getting wet.  All in all, it's a really fun project!


TEA TOWELS

Before this project, I had never done any stamping before.  However, I found the finished product to be absolutely charming and will definitely be doing it again.  I'm even thinking about getting the kids into the action–these would make great grandparent gifts.

First, I bought two packs of tea towels at Target. (Each pack contains four towels and costs $4.99).  I washed the towels and then spent a bit of time ironing them.  After they were pressed, I spread them out on my kitchen table and used my stamps to embellish the white fabric.  I used a few different stamps (some of Hobby Lobby, a few from the dollar store) and fabric paint.  One of the fabric paints came in stamp pad form, so I literally just stamped the fabric.  I used a foam roller brush to roll the regular fabric paint onto the larger, more intricate stamps.  By using the roller brush, you avoid getting the paint deep in the crevices of the stamp.  It worked pretty well!

My favorite stamp.

The set-up.

After the towels are stamped and dry, you need to iron the parts that you embellished in order to set the paint.  Be sure to use some sort of light, cotton cloth between the towels and the iron.  (I used a cloth napkin.)  The towels are machine washable and, when tied with a lovely little bow, quite cute.


VINO
It's almost too obvious: A bottle of wine is always appreciated.  I'm including it here because with the addition of a fabric bow and a little note, your bottle will be a bit more dressed up for the holidays.  I always like to bring a bottle of wine that has a story—whether it's a favorite, it's from a local winery, or as is the case with the bottles pictured here, it was purchased as a fundraiser.  (As many of you know, proceeds from each bottle benefit the training of well mechanics in places lacking clean water.)  What host wouldn't love this?

What are some of your favorite hostess gifts?  Is there a memorable gift that you received from a guest? I'd love to hear!

On the writerly side of things...

Just in case you feel like doing some Monday morning reading, here's what I've been working on:

"Beyond the Banquet: With the right frame of mind, every meal can be a feast" for Radish Magazine.

This essay was fun to write.  I was given the topic of "holiday thanksgiving" and as you'll see, the first thing that came to mind was food.  Specifically, butter and brown sugar disguised as sweet potatoes.  The essay ended up taking a life of its own.  And I always love it when Paul Colletti takes photographs (such as the one below).  

Also for Radish, I wrote about experiential local gifts in "Keep on Giving: This year, give a gift that delights for months to come".  Maybe you'll get a few gift ideas for loved ones on your list!

For The Gold Book, I wrote about shopping local museum stores as a way to find unique gifts + support local institutions of art and culture.  I focused on the Figge Art Museum and was happy to be able to promote their lovely little gift shop.

Have a great day!