Day 8: Time With Friends

Today I was able to spend the afternoon having lunch and visiting with my good friend, Pat. She's one of those wonderful friends that, no matter how long it's been since you've gotten together, you just pick up where you left off.

We had lunch at Raimondo's, where the curb appeal is unprepossessing, the ambiance merely okay, the service slow, and the food utterly delicious. Seriously. If you're ever in downtown Phoenix, take the time to eat there. If you're wondering, I had the vegetable lasagna made with gray zucchini, steamed veggies, and soup of the day - potato bacon. It's so good. One nice thing about the service is that despite the fact that we spent nearly 2 1/2 hours at lunch, there was never any pressure to hurry.

I loved being able to catch up with my friend, and I hope that everyone will make the time to spend with the people they care about. After all, that is the best gift of all.

Day 7: Holiday Books

Traditions are abundant at this time of year. I'd like to share one of mine with you. Each year around Christmas, I take out the Christmas books I've stored away so that we can begin our annual Christmas story feast.  Always included is  A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

Other books we have read include:

The Christmas Shoes and the Christmas Hope Series by Donna VanLiere

The Legend of the Christmas Prayer by Brian Morgan

The Legend of the Three Trees by Catherine McCafferty

This year I plan to add a couple of books we haven't yet read:

Old Christmas by Washington Irving

The Quiet Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott




















Whatever holiday you celebrate, I hope you enjoy the stories of the season as much as we do. And if you have any stories you'd like to recommend, I'd love to hear from you -- I'm always looking for a good book.

Day 6: The Christmas Spirit

Yesterday I went to the post office to mail my Christmas packages. I didn't have a lot, but there were a couple of fairly large boxes, so my hands and arms were full. As I was walking up to the door, a woman was exiting, but she stopped and waited to open the doors for me. Our post office has a double door entry, and this kind woman stopped what she was doing to go back inside and get the doors for me because my hands were full. She offered to open the interior door to the service counter, too, but I was feeling guilty so I thanked her profusely and said I'd be okay. And I was. As I was approaching the door, a couple was exiting and the gentleman stopped to open the other door for me. While waiting in line, the other people made a little extra room near the counter so I could set my packages down. Amazing.

When December rolls around, I find these types of situations happening quite often. That's one of the most miraculous things about this time of year -- and one I hope to carry through the other 11 months.

Random acts of kindness, generosity, Christmas spirit, or whatever name it goes by -- sharing it with others and being grateful for it is what Day 6 is all about.

Day 5: Handmade Gift Tags

Today I'm getting my packages ready to ship. I got the gifts wrapped, but decided I wanted to do something handmade too.  So I made gift tags.

This was, admittedly, one of the easier projects that I've done, however, I don't think that makes them any less lovely.

If you'd like to make them too, you'll need:

The Mrs. Claus's Kitchen Stack from Die Cuts with a View* 

A glue stick

Scissors or a paper trimmer

Spare piece of paper

Hole punch and ribbon (optional)

Scotch tape (optional)

Inside the Stack, you'll find a sheet that is pre-printed with gift tags. Go ahead and tear that page out. You'll also find a lovely green and red plaid page that you'll want to tear out as well.

Decide which of the tags you want to use, then carefully cut them out, trimming the tear off edge at the top if you use any of those. Using the scissors and a ruler, or the paper cutter, trim the plaid sheet into squares or rectangles that are slightly larger than the tags you will be using (mine were 4"x6" and 4"x4").

Now you've got all of your pieces, but don't put your scissors away yet.

Put down a spare piece of paper to protect your working surface, then place one of the tags face down on it. Using the glue stick, generously cove the entire back of the gift tag. Carefully pick up the tag, trying to get as little glue on yourself as possible, and center it the way you want it to sit on the piece of plaid card stock. Press it firmly on, smoothing across the entire surface to make sure it's well adhered.

Repeat this process until all of your gift tags are made. At this point, you can further trim the cards to the size or shape that you think looks best. Then, if you'd like, just punch a hole with the hole punch, run a bit of ribbon through, and attach to your package. Or you can attach them like I am -- with a bit of Scotch tape. Enjoy!

*I am not in any way affiliated with either Joann's or Die Cuts with a View. 

Day 4: A Visit from St. Nicholas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Day 3: Community Celebrations

Whew! I wasn't sure I was going to make it today, but it looks like I'm coming in just under the wire.

Day 3: Attend and join in community celebrations.

Tonight, Jay and I went to our community's Christmas parade. The streets have tinsel decorations, the courthouse is bedecked with lights, and the town turned out to welcome the season - some with their own lights on display. The weather even cooperated, bringing gray skies, colder temperatures, and rain so that it really feels like winter.

The festivities began with local musicians performing Christmas music as the crowd assembled. Next came a non-denominational prayer, and then our Mayor shared the history of our community Christmas tree (more interesting than I would have thought it to be), followed by its being lighted.

All throughout southern Arizona, the towns and cities hold annual electric light parades - all of the entrants have to be lit up in some way. Ours began with the U.S. Marine JROTC youths presenting our country's colors, with the police providing the lighting.

Many of the local businesses, neighborhoods, organizations, schools, and community members entered floats.

My personal favorite was a float that featured Snoopy fighting the dastardly Red Baron. While I'm not sure who was responsible for this entry, they certainly went all out. Not only was it completely lit up, there were also moving parts -- Snoopy and the Red Baron moved from side to side, and up and down, as if in a dogfight.

By the time we were finished, from our cheeks to our toes, we had felt the nip of winter. We had also enjoyed joining our neighbors to celebrate this lovely holiday.

I would like to encourage everyone to get out and take part in the festivities being held in your communities.

Day 2: Gift Idea for the Crafter in Your Life

You know those people in your life that are extremely difficult to shop for? Sometimes, it gets made worse if they are crafty (especially if you are not).

One thing you might want to consider for that crafty person is a class in a subject area or technique that they've been wanting to learn. If you're wondering how to find out what that would be, just ask them. Most will end up telling you more than you ever wished to know. ;-)

I would first suggest looking for a class that is local to the recipient, but if you just can't find anything there, there are many online options available.

Day 2:

Craftsy Workshops - Here you'll find a wide variety of classes and subject matter.

Universal Class - Where you earn continuing education credits as you learn your craft.

CraftEdu - An "online art and fine craft university" - but not, as far as I can tell, accredited. They do
                  have a large variety of classes.

The Makery - A couple of makers who decided to create a place where they, and others, could share the
                       crafty goodness.



Disclaimer: I am a member of the Craftsy community, but am otherwise not affiliated with or receiving any payment or benefits from any of the above sites. Furthermore, although I have linked to them, I have not used or taken classes from all of them, so this should not be taken as an endorsement. I'm not saying anything against them either. Do your own research to find out if they are companies you wish to do business with. And Merry Christmas!