Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Thankful Thirty #20 (Humility)
"I want, I want, I want!" I'm sick of hearing it already. The Toys 'R Us toy catalog came in the mail nearly a month ago and I haven't had a quiet day since. Every time I think I've hidden it, thrown it away, or incinerated it the blasted magazine reappears, a little more banged up, but still readable and enticing. My kids are begging me for things they've never heard of and I guarantee would hate as soon as they found it underneath the Christmas tree. To try and combat the vacuum of materialism that can put a damper on the holidays, we sat down as a family tonight for a lesson I called "I Want/I Have." First we did an activity I adapted from the Groovy Storytimes blog. She said,
For an object lesson on greed, build a small "table." Use building blocks at either end for legs, and a rectangle of thin cardboard, (I used a postcard) for the top...Place a small pile of small stones beside the "table."(We used building blocks) Pick up one of the stones and say, "I want a _______." Fill in any item that you know your kids like. Place that stone on the cardboard tabletop. Pick up another stone and repeat. Again, fill in the blank with anything, from a bicycle to a Playstation to a pet dinosaur. Place this stone beside the first one on the cardboard. Continue in this fashion until there are so many stones on the cardboard that it collapses. Explain to the children that, if we're not careful, our "wants" can overwhelm us.
The second part of the activity was to draw a turkey on the chalkboard. Each person named a thing they are grateful to have and added it as a feather on the turkey. Then I explained to my boys that every time this week that they started a sentence with "I want...", I would stop them and we'd add another "I have..." feather to our turkey. They were excited and I thought I was a genius.
Then my great activity kicked me in my own behind. As we ate our family night treat and got ready for bed, I caught myself choking on my own "I wants...". Real art when we move into our next house, a newer car seat for my toddler, new pans on Black Friday, and on and on and on. Apparently, I'm as bad, if not worse, than my kids with their toy catalogs.
I didn't add more feathers tonight because I was able to stop myself before sharing all the material things I was wishing for. But tomorrow morning, I will add a few important things to our turkey and hopefully by the end of the week our entire family will be focused a little more on the many blessings we have to be thankful for.
I'm grateful for the lessons I learn when I thought I was teaching my kids.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Uniquely December: Winter Solstice
Officially, the winter solstice does not strike until late late tonight and so a lot of time zones in the world will recognize this year's winter solstice on the 22nd. Where I live, however, the official start of winter will be at 10:30pm and so I'm celebrating today.
Having lived so long in Alaska's Midnight Sun, the Summer Solstice is my big celebration holiday. I have a big get together in June every year. I did spend one winter up there, though, and can tell you the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere takes on a whole new meaning in the extreme north. In Fairbanks, where I lived, a good share of the winter months barely see the shades of dusk in the middle of the day. Literally, the sun will barely break the horizon, move across the sky, and then retreat. The whole sunrise, daylight, sunset process happened between 11 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. (Makes for a really dark day when you go to work in the dark and go home from work in the dark)
In complete contrast, I've spent more than one winter solstice on the opposite half of the world. In the Southern Hemisphere, the December solstice marks the longest day of the year. Ah, summer! I need to figure out a way to swap hemispheres halfway through the year and get double the summer solstice partying and festivities!
Having lived so long in Alaska's Midnight Sun, the Summer Solstice is my big celebration holiday. I have a big get together in June every year. I did spend one winter up there, though, and can tell you the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere takes on a whole new meaning in the extreme north. In Fairbanks, where I lived, a good share of the winter months barely see the shades of dusk in the middle of the day. Literally, the sun will barely break the horizon, move across the sky, and then retreat. The whole sunrise, daylight, sunset process happened between 11 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. (Makes for a really dark day when you go to work in the dark and go home from work in the dark)In complete contrast, I've spent more than one winter solstice on the opposite half of the world. In the Southern Hemisphere, the December solstice marks the longest day of the year. Ah, summer! I need to figure out a way to swap hemispheres halfway through the year and get double the summer solstice partying and festivities!
Now I'm curious-
What does the solstice look like where you are today?
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Uniquely December: Go Caroling Day
I wanted to find a cheerful uplifting video of Christmas carolers to share with you today. Instead what I found was an Internet FULL of amateur videos conveying everything that I remember being painful in my own caroling life (freezing cold, people looking at you bored and confused). So, sorry. No classic caroling videos.
With my search at a dead end, I decided to share the two videos that amazed me and made me smile. I hope you enjoy!
3 songs, each one better than the last
It'll get addictive...
Do you have plans this week for Christmas caroling?
Monday, December 19, 2011
Uniquely December: Find An Evergreen Day
Today I'm re-sharing a post of one of my favorite childhood holiday memories ...
The winter holidays are meant for kids. Santa Claus is real, snow falls solely for sledding and building snow families, and a baby (just like I used to be, they'll say) was born in the hay. When else do we let them bring trees in the house or bury them with brand new toys, shiny paper, and glittery ribbon? In the thick of it, they'll tell you every bit of it is magical. It's not until we get a little older that particular pieces of that holiday magic begin to plant themselves in a special part of our memory. For me, the enchantment was the Christmas tree.
Growing up in Iowa, the formula for the perfect Christmas tree involved waiting for a bitter cold day and swirling biting winds. The whole family piled out of the station wagon at the country Christmas tree farm, picked up a hacksaw and trudged acres and acres to the farthest, most un-harvested hill. The arguments then ensued as six girls poured out their hearts in defense of their " perfect" tree. Ultimately, Mom got the one she wanted, and the saw went to work chopping down her tree.
The adventure continued on as we dragged our enormous tree back across the snow-laden hills looking for a tractor and trailer willing to give us a ride back to our car. If we were lucky, the tree would fit in the baler-one year it would not-and a great big Christmas tree bundle got strapped to the top of the car. Piling back into the station wagon, we raced home to set up our tree.
The happy memories don't end there. Getting the tree home was only half the act. Enter Pa-pa and his voice of reason. "Dawn, that tree is too big. It won't fit in our house." He was right nearly every year. The tree's trunk always received a second round of shearing before taking it's place front and center in the living room window.
After the tree was decorated and lit, we enjoyed seeing more and more presents accumulate underneath. We would plug in the lights in the late afternoon and sometime before going to bed, Mom and Dad would unplug it again. Until Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve we all knew the twinkling lights stayed on all night. Early in the morning (or later in the morning depending on how old we were getting to be), six girls would tumble out of bed, shuffle into the living room and be greeted with the most breathtaking sight! The glow of the Christmas tree illuminated the room, shining off wrapping paper, and calling attention to a big bag from Santa. Spread out on the floor, in front of the tree, were six stuffed-to-the-brim stockings inviting us to come and partake. With the allure of new toys, the moment was over in the blink of an eye, but the living room aglow on Christmas morning is what Christmas time magical to me.
Imagine then, the struggle it's been with a husband who grew up a little bit differently. In a home that in all ways seemed even more frugal than my own, the electric bill at Christmas time apparently just went out the window. He wants the lights on all the time, day and night and any extra time in between. Last year we followed each other around, secretly plugging and unplugging. I was certain he was being obstinate only because he didn't like digging around for the loose cords to fit into the socket. There had to be a solution before we started our holiday celebrating again this year.
In come our kids. Even before talking about getting a tree, Beck was telling us excitedly and assuredly that Christmas trees have lots of presents and candy canes. I have no idea where the candy canes came from, but he was certain and now our tree is covered in candy canes and he's eating one every day. The first night we had our tree up I heard Beck telling his dad that if he couldn't sleep he would just come out and look at the tree. The second night we had our tree up, I found him Beck sleeping on the couch and when he woke up the first thing he said was, "I just wanted to lay here and look at this beautiful tree."
A mom's heart melts. It's a struggle to walk by and see the lights on at all times of the day. I want my family to know joy the way I remember it as a child. At the same time, who am I to take away a three-year-old's joy? Children make the holidays!
The winter holidays are meant for kids. Santa Claus is real, snow falls solely for sledding and building snow families, and a baby (just like I used to be, they'll say) was born in the hay. When else do we let them bring trees in the house or bury them with brand new toys, shiny paper, and glittery ribbon? In the thick of it, they'll tell you every bit of it is magical. It's not until we get a little older that particular pieces of that holiday magic begin to plant themselves in a special part of our memory. For me, the enchantment was the Christmas tree.
Growing up in Iowa, the formula for the perfect Christmas tree involved waiting for a bitter cold day and swirling biting winds. The whole family piled out of the station wagon at the country Christmas tree farm, picked up a hacksaw and trudged acres and acres to the farthest, most un-harvested hill. The arguments then ensued as six girls poured out their hearts in defense of their " perfect" tree. Ultimately, Mom got the one she wanted, and the saw went to work chopping down her tree.
The adventure continued on as we dragged our enormous tree back across the snow-laden hills looking for a tractor and trailer willing to give us a ride back to our car. If we were lucky, the tree would fit in the baler-one year it would not-and a great big Christmas tree bundle got strapped to the top of the car. Piling back into the station wagon, we raced home to set up our tree.
The happy memories don't end there. Getting the tree home was only half the act. Enter Pa-pa and his voice of reason. "Dawn, that tree is too big. It won't fit in our house." He was right nearly every year. The tree's trunk always received a second round of shearing before taking it's place front and center in the living room window.
After the tree was decorated and lit, we enjoyed seeing more and more presents accumulate underneath. We would plug in the lights in the late afternoon and sometime before going to bed, Mom and Dad would unplug it again. Until Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve we all knew the twinkling lights stayed on all night. Early in the morning (or later in the morning depending on how old we were getting to be), six girls would tumble out of bed, shuffle into the living room and be greeted with the most breathtaking sight! The glow of the Christmas tree illuminated the room, shining off wrapping paper, and calling attention to a big bag from Santa. Spread out on the floor, in front of the tree, were six stuffed-to-the-brim stockings inviting us to come and partake. With the allure of new toys, the moment was over in the blink of an eye, but the living room aglow on Christmas morning is what Christmas time magical to me.
Imagine then, the struggle it's been with a husband who grew up a little bit differently. In a home that in all ways seemed even more frugal than my own, the electric bill at Christmas time apparently just went out the window. He wants the lights on all the time, day and night and any extra time in between. Last year we followed each other around, secretly plugging and unplugging. I was certain he was being obstinate only because he didn't like digging around for the loose cords to fit into the socket. There had to be a solution before we started our holiday celebrating again this year.
In come our kids. Even before talking about getting a tree, Beck was telling us excitedly and assuredly that Christmas trees have lots of presents and candy canes. I have no idea where the candy canes came from, but he was certain and now our tree is covered in candy canes and he's eating one every day. The first night we had our tree up I heard Beck telling his dad that if he couldn't sleep he would just come out and look at the tree. The second night we had our tree up, I found him Beck sleeping on the couch and when he woke up the first thing he said was, "I just wanted to lay here and look at this beautiful tree."
A mom's heart melts. It's a struggle to walk by and see the lights on at all times of the day. I want my family to know joy the way I remember it as a child. At the same time, who am I to take away a three-year-old's joy? Children make the holidays!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Uniquely December Giveaway #5 Some of My Favorite Things
*Giveaway now closed*
For the final Uniquely December Giveaway I wanted to share with you a special Christmas gift...a few of my favorite things...
First, I'm a journal junkie and happen to have a stash of new ones waiting to be used. I picked this one out for you, along with two pens that I'm in love with.
Second, don't these look delicious? I'm resisting the urge to open the bag, take one out, and then seal it back up before I send them to you.
Third, I love these socks from Target. They're super affordable with lots of bright colors to choose from.
Fourth, some cute new earrings because jewelry always makes me feel happy.
Are you getting excited? Here's how to win:
Giveaway Items:
1 Journal, 2 Pens, 1 package Ghirardelli Dark & Sea Salt Caramel Chocolates, 2 pair socks, 1 pair earrings
Giveaway Information:
One winner will receive entire giveaway package
Contest will begin at 12:01AM(MST) on Friday, December 9, 2011
and end at 10:00PM(MST) on Tuesday, December 13, 2011.
Giveaway open to U.S. and Canada residents only
Entry Options:
~Mandatory Entry~
EASY!!! Leave me a comment here mentioning one of your favorite things.
~Optional Extra Entries(Leave a comment for each extra entry)~
Follow Wandering Still through Google Friend Connect
Subscribe to Wandering Still email updates
Follow Wandering Still on Facebook
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Uniquely December Giveaway #3 Season of Love
*Giveaway now closed*
Today's giveaway comes from me!
Here's what you'll get:
Giveaway Item:
1 11x17 "Season of Love" Picture in Gold Frame
Giveaway Information:
Contest will begin at 12:01AM(MST) on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
and end at 10:00PM(MST) on Sunday, December 11, 2011.
Giveaway open to U.S. and Canada residents only
Entry Options:
~Mandatory Entry~
Since I have nothing to sponsor here, we're going to have a little fun.
Find the "My Path" archive list in the right sidebar.
Then choose your birthday month, find a post you like in that month,
and comment on this giveaway post what caught your eye.
~Optional Extra Entries(Leave a comment for each extra entry)~
Follow Wandering Still through Google Friend Connect
Subscribe to Wandering Still email updates
Follow Wandering Still on Facebook
Make sure to enter these other Uniquely December Giveaways...
Monday, December 5, 2011
Uniquely December Giveaway #1 Something Store
*Giveaway now closed *
(But keep reading, it's still fun information!)
- Today: Come on now, be patient and keep on reading...
- Tomorrow: A feminine gift for you or a friend
- Wednesday: Something handmade to help you focus on the season
- Thursday: Catching up and connecting to the Curly Hair Challenge
- Friday: It's a surprise...even to me...
Each giveaway will be live for 5 days and have fairly easy entries. Good luck and now onto the giveaway!
I LOVE the Something Store! The idea behind it is simple: Pay them $10.00 and they send you...something. It's that easy! The surprise and fun is in not knowing what you're going to receive, but the company guarantees the item's value will be more than the $10.00 you've paid. And to make it even better, that $10.00 also includes your shipping!
Honestly, the Something Store isn't a website I remember all the time. It just pops into my head every once in awhile and I treat myself then and there to a pick-me-up treat. In the past I've received...
- silver earrings
- flashlights
- glass earrings
- Toys
One year we even used the Something Store to buy all of our white elephant gifts. That year we got...
- a silk scarf
- a wine thermometer
- a cheese board
- an egg timer
The only downside that year was that I bought 8 things and got doubles. So two of each of the things above. I don't know if that's always how larger orders go, but it did happen that way that year.
So, how does it work? It's easy.
- Click "Get Yours"
- Select the number of "somethings" you want to receive (up to 20 per order)
- Finish your purchase through Google Checkout and wait for you package to arrive.
It's so easy and who doesn't love a little mail surprise?
Ready to win? Here we go...
Giveaway Items:
Two $10.00 items from the Something Store.
Giveaway Information:
Two winners will receive (one) $10.00 item each
Contest will begin at 12:01AM(MST) on Monday, December 5, 2011
and end at 10:00PM(MST) on Friday, December 9, 2011.
Giveaway open to U.S. residents only
Entry Options:
~Mandatory Entry~
Visit the Something Store website and leave a comment on this post about something you see there.
~Optional Extra Entries(Leave a comment for each extra entry)~
Follow Wandering Still through Google Friend Connect
Subscribe to Wandering Still email updates
Follow Wandering Still on Facebook
Tell me, aren't you at least a little bit curious?
The Something Store is providing this item at my request.
They in no way have asked for my endorsement or influenced my review.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Uniquely December: International Sweater Festival
I'm pretty sure this one is made up because I can't find any information on it, but who cares...
Ugly Christmas sweaters immediately came to mind when I sat down to write for today. That naturally led me straight to Pinterest. Here's how my searching evolved...
Ugly Christmas sweaters immediately came to mind when I sat down to write for today. That naturally led me straight to Pinterest. Here's how my searching evolved...
The Ugly Christmas Sweaters didn't really do anything for me. No milk shooting out my nose or vomiting. This, though, this seemed appropriate...
And though it's not an ugly Christmas sweater, this knitted beauty absolutely takes the cake!
For some reason I really liked this look...
And even though I'm definitely not an animal person, these dogs keep making me smile...
Finally I gave up on the Christmas sweaters and moved onto clever sweater repurposing...
What about you?
Share your most inspiring sweater photo
on the Wandering Still Facebook page and
get an extra entry for each of next week's giveaways.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Uniquely December: National Fritter Day
"Tomorrow is National Fritter Day."
"What are fritters?"
"You know, like zucchini fritters and potato pancakes. Basically anything grated and fried."
"Oh. Aren't there apple fritters?"
"AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Apple fritters!!!!"
Working my first hotel job I was responsible for ordering the doughnuts for the continental breakfast. The hot fresh doughnuts were delivered at 4AM and always disappeared quickly. What was always the last to go? The apple fritters. Apple fritters would normally never be my choice for eating, but watching them go into the trashcan morning after morning (and adding in the 3rd shift lack of reasoning) gave me a brilliant idea. I figured no one was going to miss them and started pulling a warm and gooey glazed fritter out of the box immediately after the delivery man handed the boxes over to me. One of those wired me for the rest of the morning.
In honor of National Fritter Day, I decided to try my hand at frying up my own batch of fruity fritters. My husband and kids are loving me! Here are the fruits of my labor...
"What are fritters?"
"You know, like zucchini fritters and potato pancakes. Basically anything grated and fried."
"Oh. Aren't there apple fritters?"
"AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Apple fritters!!!!"
Working my first hotel job I was responsible for ordering the doughnuts for the continental breakfast. The hot fresh doughnuts were delivered at 4AM and always disappeared quickly. What was always the last to go? The apple fritters. Apple fritters would normally never be my choice for eating, but watching them go into the trashcan morning after morning (and adding in the 3rd shift lack of reasoning) gave me a brilliant idea. I figured no one was going to miss them and started pulling a warm and gooey glazed fritter out of the box immediately after the delivery man handed the boxes over to me. One of those wired me for the rest of the morning.
In honor of National Fritter Day, I decided to try my hand at frying up my own batch of fruity fritters. My husband and kids are loving me! Here are the fruits of my labor...
 |
| My kids' favorite |
Paula Deen Apple Fritters
 |
| DIVINE as a dessert, or, in our case, a SINFUL midnight snack! Uses a whole apple slice. We added vanilla bean ice cream and caramel sauce. |
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Fun Things Coming!
I had so much fun writing regularly when I was doing my A-Z's. Yesterday when I came across a list of lesser-known December holidays I got excited again. With a mix of serious events and hilarious observations it'll be perfect to motivate me for another 30 days of writing. Check in later today, and every day this month, for what I'm labeling,
Uniquely December
Even better? Each day next week I'm giving away some of my favorite things! Some are fun, some are handmade, some are great and amazing. Hope you'll stop in Monday to see!
Oh, you know I'll give you extra entries (one for each giveaway)...
Tell me in a comment on this post what you love about December.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
Letter X
I've looked and looked for an "X" topic that would make any sense for me to write about. There isn't anything. So, if you'll indulge my leap, today I'm going to write about X-stitching.
Cross-stitching is pretty much the only craft skill I learned as a child that I still know how to do. And now, for nearly 10 years, the only projects I've worked on are Christmas stockings for my nieces and nephews. In that time I've completed 7 and I have 3 in the works right now (sorry, sisters, only 2 will be ready by Christmas-want to draw straws to see who gets pushed back to next year?)
Of course, the irony in the time and effort I've put into these gifts for all my cute relatives? My own children have been using every-day white socks for their Christmas stockings since they were born...
Cross-stitching is pretty much the only craft skill I learned as a child that I still know how to do. And now, for nearly 10 years, the only projects I've worked on are Christmas stockings for my nieces and nephews. In that time I've completed 7 and I have 3 in the works right now (sorry, sisters, only 2 will be ready by Christmas-want to draw straws to see who gets pushed back to next year?)
Two of the finished ones
Monday, July 4, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
American and Free
I cry when the flag goes by. I try to stop, to hold it in, but the tears escape every time. I still love parades like a little kid, and that is the reason why; a community joined together in reverence to salute the essence of what it is to live in our country.
Sunday I attended the Freedom Festival Patriotic Service in Provo, UT. My family and 15,000 of our closest friends gathered together for 90-minutes of independence-focused singing and dancing. One of my favorite songs is the Armed Forces Medley. I only have one relative that ever served in the military and he never speaks about it. It is touching beyond description to watch as members of each branch of the service stand proudly to receive the recognition they deserve. I love to watch the eldest veterans and their wives and their generations of family. And I especially love to see our current or recently discharged soldiers standing at full salute with all the seriousness upon their faces that that office holds. If I managed to hold in the waterworks during the presenting of the colors, I guarantee you my mascara is running by the time this song ends.
The entertainment on Sunday was enjoyable, but I will forever remember the more serious event of the evening. An audience of grateful Americans watched as the flag of the fallen soldier was ceremonially folded and presented to the mother of fallen Army Chief Warrant Office 3 Matthew G. Wagstaff. She has been dealing with the grief that comes with losing a son for 10 months now, but not a person experiencing that moment with her would have denied the opportunity to take that burden away from her.
I cannot put into words the degree of gratitude and sadness I felt as I watched her stand with composure while tears streamed down her face. Every American who has not experienced the sacrifice of military life personally owes it to themselves to be in a place where they can witness an event similar to this. I will never have another day when I get out of bed and take for granted the acts of courageous selflessness enacted on my behalf each day.
And, so, we move closer and closer to the 2011 celebration of the United States' Independence Day. If you have a soldier in your midst, please reach out in any way you can to give them a hug and thank them for me, and for my children, and my neighbors, and every person walking free around me. If you do not have that special privilege, try this week-try hard-to make put yourself in a place that will make the cost of freedom real to you and your family. You'll never regret that you did!
Sunday I attended the Freedom Festival Patriotic Service in Provo, UT. My family and 15,000 of our closest friends gathered together for 90-minutes of independence-focused singing and dancing. One of my favorite songs is the Armed Forces Medley. I only have one relative that ever served in the military and he never speaks about it. It is touching beyond description to watch as members of each branch of the service stand proudly to receive the recognition they deserve. I love to watch the eldest veterans and their wives and their generations of family. And I especially love to see our current or recently discharged soldiers standing at full salute with all the seriousness upon their faces that that office holds. If I managed to hold in the waterworks during the presenting of the colors, I guarantee you my mascara is running by the time this song ends.
The entertainment on Sunday was enjoyable, but I will forever remember the more serious event of the evening. An audience of grateful Americans watched as the flag of the fallen soldier was ceremonially folded and presented to the mother of fallen Army Chief Warrant Office 3 Matthew G. Wagstaff. She has been dealing with the grief that comes with losing a son for 10 months now, but not a person experiencing that moment with her would have denied the opportunity to take that burden away from her.
I cannot put into words the degree of gratitude and sadness I felt as I watched her stand with composure while tears streamed down her face. Every American who has not experienced the sacrifice of military life personally owes it to themselves to be in a place where they can witness an event similar to this. I will never have another day when I get out of bed and take for granted the acts of courageous selflessness enacted on my behalf each day.
And, so, we move closer and closer to the 2011 celebration of the United States' Independence Day. If you have a soldier in your midst, please reach out in any way you can to give them a hug and thank them for me, and for my children, and my neighbors, and every person walking free around me. If you do not have that special privilege, try this week-try hard-to make put yourself in a place that will make the cost of freedom real to you and your family. You'll never regret that you did!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
May All Your Christmases Be Bright
The winter holidays are meant for kids. Santa Claus is real, snow falls solely for sledding and building snow families, and a baby (just like I used to be, they'll say) was born in the hay. When else do we let them bring trees in the house or bury them with brand new toys, shiny paper, and glittery ribbon? In the thick of it, they'll tell you every bit of it is magical. It's not until we get a little older that particular pieces of that holiday magic begin to plant themselves in a special part of our memory. For me, the enchantment was the Christmas tree.
Growing up in Iowa, the formula for the perfect Christmas tree involved waiting for a bitter cold day and swirling biting winds. The whole family piled out of the station wagon at the country Christmas tree farm, picked up a hacksaw and trudged acres and acres to the farthest, most un-harvested hill. The arguments then ensued as six girls poured out their hearts in defense of their " perfect" tree. Ultimately, Mom got the one she wanted, and the saw went to work chopping down her tree.
The adventure continued on as we dragged our enormous tree back across the snow-laden hills looking for a tractor and trailer willing to give us a ride back to our car. If we were lucky, the tree would fit in the baler-one year it would not-and a great big Christmas tree bundle got strapped to the top of the car. Piling back into the station wagon, we raced home to set up our tree.
The happy memories don't end there. Getting the tree home was only half the act. Enter Pa-pa and his voice of reason. "Dawn, that tree is too big. It won't fit in our house." He was right nearly every year. The tree's trunk always received a second round of shearing before taking it's place front and center in the living room window.
After the tree was decorated and lit, we enjoyed seeing more and more presents accumulate underneath. We would plug in the lights in the late afternoon and sometime before going to bed, Mom and Dad would unplug it again. Until Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve we all knew the twinkling lights stayed on all night. Early in the morning (or later in the morning depending on how old we were getting to be), six girls would tumble out of bed, shuffle into the living room and be greeted with the most breathtaking sight! The glow of the Christmas tree illuminated the room, shining off wrapping paper, and calling attention to a big bag from Santa. Spread out on the floor, in front of the tree, were six stuffed-to-the-brim stockings inviting us to come and partake. With the allure of new toys, the moment was over in the blink of an eye, but the living room aglow on Christmas morning is what Christmas time magical to me.
Imagine then, the struggle it's been with a husband who grew up a little bit differently. In a home that in all ways seemed even more frugal than my own, the electric bill at Christmas time apparently just went out the window. He wants the lights on all the time, day and night and any extra time in between. Last year we followed each other around, secretly plugging and unplugging. I was certain he was being obstinate only because he didn't like digging around for the loose cords to fit into the socket. There had to be a solution before we started our holiday celebrating again this year.
In come our kids. Even before talking about getting a tree, Beck was telling us excitedly and assuredly that Christmas trees have lots of presents and candy canes. I have no idea where the candy canes came from, but he was certain and now our tree is covered in candy canes and he's eating one every day. The first night we had our tree up I heard Beck telling his dad that if he couldn't sleep he would just come out and look at the tree. The second night we had our tree up, I found him Beck sleeping on the couch and when he woke up the first thing he said was, "I just wanted to lay here and look at this beautiful tree."
A mom's heart melts. It's a struggle to walk by and see the lights on at all times of the day. I want my family to know joy the way I remember it as a child. At the same time, who am I to take away a three-year-old's joy? Children make the holidays!
Growing up in Iowa, the formula for the perfect Christmas tree involved waiting for a bitter cold day and swirling biting winds. The whole family piled out of the station wagon at the country Christmas tree farm, picked up a hacksaw and trudged acres and acres to the farthest, most un-harvested hill. The arguments then ensued as six girls poured out their hearts in defense of their " perfect" tree. Ultimately, Mom got the one she wanted, and the saw went to work chopping down her tree.
The adventure continued on as we dragged our enormous tree back across the snow-laden hills looking for a tractor and trailer willing to give us a ride back to our car. If we were lucky, the tree would fit in the baler-one year it would not-and a great big Christmas tree bundle got strapped to the top of the car. Piling back into the station wagon, we raced home to set up our tree.
The happy memories don't end there. Getting the tree home was only half the act. Enter Pa-pa and his voice of reason. "Dawn, that tree is too big. It won't fit in our house." He was right nearly every year. The tree's trunk always received a second round of shearing before taking it's place front and center in the living room window.
After the tree was decorated and lit, we enjoyed seeing more and more presents accumulate underneath. We would plug in the lights in the late afternoon and sometime before going to bed, Mom and Dad would unplug it again. Until Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve we all knew the twinkling lights stayed on all night. Early in the morning (or later in the morning depending on how old we were getting to be), six girls would tumble out of bed, shuffle into the living room and be greeted with the most breathtaking sight! The glow of the Christmas tree illuminated the room, shining off wrapping paper, and calling attention to a big bag from Santa. Spread out on the floor, in front of the tree, were six stuffed-to-the-brim stockings inviting us to come and partake. With the allure of new toys, the moment was over in the blink of an eye, but the living room aglow on Christmas morning is what Christmas time magical to me.
Imagine then, the struggle it's been with a husband who grew up a little bit differently. In a home that in all ways seemed even more frugal than my own, the electric bill at Christmas time apparently just went out the window. He wants the lights on all the time, day and night and any extra time in between. Last year we followed each other around, secretly plugging and unplugging. I was certain he was being obstinate only because he didn't like digging around for the loose cords to fit into the socket. There had to be a solution before we started our holiday celebrating again this year.
In come our kids. Even before talking about getting a tree, Beck was telling us excitedly and assuredly that Christmas trees have lots of presents and candy canes. I have no idea where the candy canes came from, but he was certain and now our tree is covered in candy canes and he's eating one every day. The first night we had our tree up I heard Beck telling his dad that if he couldn't sleep he would just come out and look at the tree. The second night we had our tree up, I found him Beck sleeping on the couch and when he woke up the first thing he said was, "I just wanted to lay here and look at this beautiful tree."
A mom's heart melts. It's a struggle to walk by and see the lights on at all times of the day. I want my family to know joy the way I remember it as a child. At the same time, who am I to take away a three-year-old's joy? Children make the holidays!
Monday, November 29, 2010
An Evolution of Holiday Greetings
I used to try so hard to find the perfect Christmas card-not generic, not preachy, not boring, not something my grandma would send. Pawing through shelf after shelf of impersonal greeting cards was a tedious task, but, when the perfect box of cards appeared before me, I unhesitatingly snatched them up and sent them out with cheer. Then, when I met my husband, my Christmas card tradition began to be turned on it's ear. His entire family was using photo cards long before I had ever heard of them. Most were sending out the obligatory annual family photo card, however, the "Super Six" were still single, living at home, and living unabashedly against the rules. The first card I saw them concoct was indescribably ugly-everyone dressed in black with construction paper ornaments framing their heads. It could only be topped at a later date when I got a glance of the card they had sent out the year before...there certainly should have been no question why none of them had a date for the holidays that year!
It was fun in our first married years to meld together holiday traditions. I adopted the photo card tradition and we put our hearts and souls into making sure they were an extension of who we were. One year we decided to wait until January to send cards and to this day I am in love with the idea of sending New Year greetings.
This year I guess is the year we become old. We have decided to go the route of the traditional family photo. The main reason? This is the first year we've spent the time to find a good photographer and actually think about what we're wearing. The pictures turned out well and so we're sharing. The supporting reason? I found the most beautiful and inspiring holiday photo card on Shutterfly.com. It melds together the personality of a photo card with the sentimentality of a traditional boxed card. And I immediately felt it shared our current holiday point of view.
Curious about this card that has inspired it's very own blogpost? A few of them have already been mailed, a few are waiting for stamps, and I have a stack just waiting for you to tell me you can't wait to see it. Leave me a comment and I'll get it on it's way!
It was fun in our first married years to meld together holiday traditions. I adopted the photo card tradition and we put our hearts and souls into making sure they were an extension of who we were. One year we decided to wait until January to send cards and to this day I am in love with the idea of sending New Year greetings.
This year I guess is the year we become old. We have decided to go the route of the traditional family photo. The main reason? This is the first year we've spent the time to find a good photographer and actually think about what we're wearing. The pictures turned out well and so we're sharing. The supporting reason? I found the most beautiful and inspiring holiday photo card on Shutterfly.com. It melds together the personality of a photo card with the sentimentality of a traditional boxed card. And I immediately felt it shared our current holiday point of view.
Curious about this card that has inspired it's very own blogpost? A few of them have already been mailed, a few are waiting for stamps, and I have a stack just waiting for you to tell me you can't wait to see it. Leave me a comment and I'll get it on it's way!
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