Christmas Can Can

Love Straight No Chaser for Christmas tunes.

Right Now

• I am sitting in front of the tree lights. LOVE the tree lights.
• I've just enjoyed some homemade spinach tamales (thanks Angiepants) on my Christmas plates.
• I have a nice pile of pretty presents under my tree. In fact I'm done wrapping. LOVE that.
• I've received some lovely gifts from clients this year. They have been good to me. I especially love reading the cards and notes of thanks that come with them.
  
• I've got apple cider brewing on the stove.
• I'm deciding what I want to bake tomorrow.
  
• I'm loving my "Merry Birthday" presents....very belated birthday gifts are pretty fun.
• I've got several fun new ornaments, including a giant red glass ball from my mom.
• Looking forward to spending the rest of my night knitting and reading.
  

Holiday Happenings

I've been enjoying this month. It seems a little less hectic and busy and more relaxing and peaceful. Don't get me wrong, I'm working like crazy and have the usual long to do list, I just seem a little more at peace this holiday season. Maybe its because I've been fighting the ick for the past week and spending my evenings really low key or maybe its because its been chilly and gray around here or maybe because most of my shopping is done or maybe because I've pretty much decided to forgo the December daily this year...whatever the reason, I'm kind of enjoying this mellow holiday.

This month I've been:

Documenting less and enjoying more. Even though I have my book all ready to go, I have decided not to do my December daily. I've kept notes and even taken a few pictures, but I'm just not feeling it and have decided not to push it. I'm ok with that. The book will be there for next year.

Doing less scrapbooking and holiday crafting. Last year I crafted up a storm and am currently enjoyed all my handmade trees, wreaths, ornaments, garlands, etc. But this year, I've only made 2 projects. An ornament wreath (which I have yet to hang and photograph) and the canvas I made with my Scrap for a Cure kit. There are some great holiday projects out there in blog land, but I'm just not feeling the urge to create. I'm ok with that too.

Doing tons of this:


I've pretty much been knitting in front of the tree and the television most evenings this month. I've been working on Christmas presents and a little scarf for me. In fact, I've got knitting ADD right now and have several projects on the needles. One of which I must finish soon. Seems as though I'm in a knitting phase right now and the paper goodies are a little jealous.

Watching lots of movies, most of them on tv. I love this time of year for all the holiday movies and regular movies that replace the usual tv lineups. Normally, I'm not around much to enjoy them, but this year, I've seemed to catch quite a few. Yesterday alone I watched 3.5 movies. I went to see Precious with my mom and Ellen and than came home to watch You've Got Mail, Polar Express and part of Eloise's Christmas on tv (with my knitting keeping me company of course).

Giving. As I previously mentioned, I am trying to emphasize giving more this year. Though I'm not sure I will get all of my 12 days of giving in, but here's what I've done so far:

• Day 1: gifts for two kiddos off the Salvation Army angel giving tree. My sister and I bought several fun play kitchen items (including a play mixer with holiday cookie cutters) for a 4 year old girl and a tool belt, elmo building blocks and musical toy for a 2 year old boy. It was pretty fun to shop for them.
• Day 2: Donated dollar toys for military children at Dollar Tree while picking up a few extra ornaments for my ornament wreath.
• Day 3: Sent a postcard from here.

I was going to buy starbucks for the lady behind me in the drive thru the other day, but she was rude to the person who took her order (the line was crowded so I heard) so I opted not too. This will be on my list for this week, as well as canned food donation and a few other ideas.

Shopping. I've been taking advantage of several online sales and have finished most of my Christmas shopping. I've only got my dad and Ellen left, but know what I'm doing and just need to go get them. I've also purchased a few items for myself while shopping. Like this and this to fight the super dry skin I've had lately. I've also gotten a pair of jeans and a pair of corduroys at Marshalls (both of which need hemming) and a couple old navy t's.

Cooking comfort foods. I love this time of year because I can make and eat soups and stews. Mmmm. So far, I have made chili (with beef for Shawn and veggie version for me) and cornbread, vegetable soup with dumplings and lentil and sweet potato stew. Tonight I'm making butternut squash risotto and have stuffed squash planned for later this week. Minestrone soup is on my list as well. Yum!

Hope you are enjoying your holiday season as well. Happy Sunday!

A little holiday dance

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Amazing Lights

HD Carol of the Bells - 2007 from Richard Holdman on Vimeo.

12 Days of Giving

I was inspired by Stephanie Howell and a few other girls at Studio Calico to participate in a season of giving. I've decided to make it official and call it the 12 Days of Giving. From now till Christmas, I intend to participate in 12 acts of giving or random kindness in the spirit of the season. Today I started my first act of giving by choosing a couple names off the Salvation Army Angel Tree. My sister and I will be purchasing gifts for a 4 year old girl and a 2 year old boy.

I'm not completely sure what the next 11 acts of giving will be but here are a few ideas:

food donation
used clothing and toys (from my work stash) donated to Goodwill or Savers
The Toy Society (thanks for the link Andrea)
buying starbucks for the people in line behind me
Cards for kids
Operation Nice

I'm thinking a couple days will just be random acts of kindness. Want to play along? Got any other great giving ideas for me?

Getting into the season

Thanks to Stephanie for sending this. Pretty cute.