7 Things I Want for Christmas

I wasn't sure if I was going to have much Christmas Spirit this year. When you live in a world controlled by chronic illness and caregiving, you often don't have the energy for things that aren't musts. Sometimes you wonder, what's the point?

As Thanksgiving neared, I knew I didn't want to be in charge of the meal; I asked my dad to run with it. I thought for sure I'd start decorating for Christmas during Thanksgiving weekend, but I didn't. I wasn't even sure if I'd send any real holiday greetings this year.

The Real Reason People Are Pissed Off About Starbucks Cups

source: Starbucks

I have been following the absurdity that is the "War on Christmas" with a mixture of amusement, bewilderment, and lots of head shaking.

Getting Back Into It: A Brain Dump

So I've taken nearly two weeks off from publishing anything here.

It's been good, but my blog has been on my mind the entire time. I've been thinking non-stop about so many things I could write.

It's funny, before I started to blog 4 1/2 years ago, I didn't fret over such things. Now that I do blog, it's like I HAVE to. Blogging is like crack.

Know what else is funny, that I feel the need to write about how much I've been thinking about writing before I can get on with what I want to say.

Thinking about what to share is clogging my brain so that actually doing the sharing is hindered!

Blogging Over the Holidays

Three, two, two....

Those numbers are how many times each of the weeks of December I have published a post. Apparently I squeezed out three the first week, but only two posts each of the following weeks.

When I am one who normally blogs three or four times every week.

But it's the Holidays. Not to mention, MY LIFE as of late.

I have been ten times busier in my everyday life since my husband's hospital stay in September. It has been a lot of work on my part (even with help) to keep everything running smoothly for us.

My blog is my refuge....but I haven't been able to get to it as much as I'd like. It makes me sad. But also in a way, it doesn't.

Because while blogging makes me feel good, so does taking care of my family.

I actually kind of hate it when bloggers feel the need to explain why they've been blogging less, or might need a break, to their readers.

What I'm Thankful for Right Now

Yes it's Thanksgiving week and yes, lots and lots of people are thinking (and writing) about what they're thankful for.

As it should be.

I am no different. If you've read me at all, you know I share my gratitude a lot. In the four and a half years I've been blogging, I have never been able to let Thanksgiving go by without some sort of thankful list.

So why should this year be any different?

It shouldn't.

Even though it has been one of the hardest years. Or rather, BECAUSE it has been a hard year?

I Don't Need to Pledge Not to Shop on Thanksgiving

Have you seen this?

Pledging not to start your Holiday shopping on Thanksgiving Day seems like a worthy thing to do, right?

It's meant to be a day for gratitude and family. To make yummy food together, eat it, clean it up, have seconds, have pie, watch football or a movie and just SPEND TIME with those you love.

You shouldn't be itching to get out the door to the local mall for scrambling and brawling over the latest hot toy for your kid or grandkid. The next day, Black Friday, is soon enough for all of that.

Right?

The View From Here: We Are Free

For this patriotic holiday week's View, I specifically asked a blogger who

is also a military spouse to be my guest. I'm clever like that.

This is "A Girl" of A Boy, A Girl and the Marine Corps....

__________

We Are Free

The Fourth of July has always been more my husband's holiday. Me? I’ve never been a huge fan of fireworks, and having caught my coat on fire once as a child, it’s easy to see why. He has always loved to blow stuff up and the 4th is no exception. But the day is more than your average holiday, and way more than the one time a year that many areas legalize fireworks.

Yes, I Will Have a Holiday Weekend Brain Dump, Thanks!

It is the much anticipated Memorial Day Weekend here in the States!

It is so well liked because it is considered the "summer kick-off".

I don't want to rain on any one's parade (although it will probably rain on mine, literally), but class, do we remember what Memorial Day is really about?

Dead soldiers.

Yes, I did just say "dead soldiers". The title of this post says "brain dump" and it's on my mind, so there ya go.

When I'm out with my husband I've noticed that whenever he sees a veteran or active duty military, he stops, shakes their hand and says, "Thank you for your service." He did so just yesterday in the Safeway check-out line.

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas Eve!

My mom and step-dad are here spending the holiday with us.

We have opted not to cook a big meal this year.

Instead, we are going out to a nice buffet at the local casino tonight.

Then I will let the kids open their new ornaments and PJ's.
We will get cookies ready for Santa.

After the kids go to bed, we will stuff their stockings and stage the Santa gifts.
(I don't wrap them.)

In the morning, my dad will come over to share in gift-opening with us.
Mayhem will ensue.

And then we will watch football, put things away, and probably get some Chinese food.

Other than that, there will be visiting and laughter and movie viewing,
and alcoholic beverages consumed.

Oh, and a cat to help not be too angry that there's a dog in his house.

Our card

Peace, Love & Joy to you!

How do you DO the Holidays?

It's Old School Blogging all about the Holidays!

What do I do and how do I do it?

Er, WE. Because, family, right?

First things first: One Holy Night or Eight Crazy Ones? (Do you Celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, both?)

We celebrate Christmas. I did say to Mark, though, that I think it would be cool to celebrate Hanukkah too. I think Menorahs are beautiful. Is that a silly thing to say? I don't mean for it to be.

Peppermint or Chocolate?

Not "or", but rather AND!

Sing us into the Holiday Season, what is your favorite carol this time of year?

Rocking Around the Christmas Tree, Baby It's Cold Outside, Blue Christmas (by Elvis), Silent Night

Tell us about a Favorite Family or Personal Holiday Tradition

I'm awful. I can't really remember any family traditions from my childhood. There must have been some....

What I like to do with my kids now is let them put all the ornaments on the tree. We bake cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve and also that night, I try to give them each a new ornament and new pajamas all washed and ready to wear to bed.

C’mon you remember your favorite gift, tell us all about it

From childhood, I remember birthday gifts more. Except for the year I finally got a Cabbage Patch Doll. She even had glasses just like me. My mom knew I was getting one, and sewed me clothes for her.

As an adult, a year that stands out was me and Mark's first Christmas. We had moved in together in October, so for Christmas we received a lot of household items. I thought that was really cool.

That magical moment? (Your favorite scene from a Holiday movie…it’s okay if you have 2)

I love the scene in The Santa Clause when Scott and Charlie arrive at the North Pole after finishing gift deliveries and all of Santa's Village is revealed. And the ending of Elf when all of New York City is "singing loud for all to hear". Both give me tingles.

Kissing under the mistletoe?  Who do you hope is standing underneath (We know it’s normally your spouse, if it did not have to be, who would you choose?)

Who would I like to kiss other than my husband......? Too many cute boys, er men! If I'm being a cougar, Zac Efron. No judging!

Swans a swimming, lords a leaping, golden rings; which gift of the 12 days of Christmas would you like most?

The 5 gold rings, of course!

Play Secret Santa, what inappropriate gift would you love to give this year?

Maybe something having to do with bacon. Do you know there's bacon flavored toothpaste? How can your mouth feel clean using that?

Martha Stewart or the Grinch? What is your decorating style? (Pictures would be awesome!)

I don't like Martha Stewart so I don't try to emulate her at all. I just like my house to look warm and festive. I put gift wrap over all the living and dining room pictures, we have a tree, some cute little rugs/mats, stockings, Christmas mugs and blankets.

If Santa could assure its delivery, what’s the first thing on your holiday wish LIST?

Well, as of a few days ago....a new treadmill. Or maybe an elliptical instead. Ooh, or maybe that treadclimber one! Something smaller would be new walking shoes or an Old Navy gift card.

What is ONE WORD that defines the holiday season for you? (Examples: Believe/Wonder/Bah Humbug?)

Stillness. Contentment. Magic. That's three, sorry. I have always felt like Christmas Day FEELS different than any other day of the year.

Part of the fun of Old School Blogging is tagging friends. But I hate putting people on the spot. So I tag YOU...if you want to! The link-up is open for five more days. Just let me know if you join in, OK?

31 Day Yoga Challenge

One more fitness challenge for the year!

I want to do something a little different for December.

The Holidays can be a very crazy time of year.

People get stressed.

We eat too much sugar.

Maybe drink a little too much alcohol.

So the idea of doing yoga came to mind.

Whenever I've done yoga, I've felt better for it.

I found this lovely blog where they have been doing a "Year of Yoga".

UPDATE:

Their December challenge wasn't up at the time I was ready to publish this post,
but I'm sure they'll get that posted soon.

Their December chart looks like this:

OR, the next most recent month with 31 days is October:

Not sure which one I will follow.
Maybe I'll do TWO poses a day!

Join me?

Thanksgiving Wishes

This Holiday week there is no View From Here contribution,
so you get a little something from yours truly.

Because it's Thanksgiving Day here, and a holiday is a holiday.

(Meaning, taking the day OFF!)

Just a quick message of THANKS for YOU.

For your comments.

Your shares.

Your support.

Your friendship.

I can't say I couldn't do it without you,

'cause I could....

But doing it WITH you, is so much better!

I wanted to give you a little something.

A yummy something....

One of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving dinner is cranberry sauce.

Last year, Mark found a recipe for HOMEMADE cranberry sauce that is DELICIOUS.

We are having it again this year.

I do believe it will be a staple at our table forevermore.

The recipe is from Emeril Lagasse.

BAM!

Even though it's from a fancy chef, it's really easy.

(I don't do complicated, people.)

It goes like this:

Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Port Wine and Orange

Ingredients

2 cups cranberries

Juice and zest of 1 orange

1/4 cup Port wine

1/2 cup sugar, or more if needed

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon cornstarch

Directions

In a small saucepan combine cranberries, orange juice and zest, port, sugar and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmering and cook until cranberries are tender, stirring occasionally. In a small cup make a slurry with cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water. Whisk cornstarch mixture into cranberry sauce and cook, whisking, until sauce thickens. Taste and add more sugar, if necessary.

See? So easy.

AND SO GOOD! Totally worth the extra effort.

I made mine yesterday and plan to just warm it up today.

Here's hoping we all have good Thanksgiving meals with people we love!

If you're interested in contributing to The View From Here series, please go HERE.

I'll Probably Never Write a Holiday Gift Guide

We don't give Christmas gifts the way other families do.

We can't.

We went bankrupt living in the Bay Area and trying to "keep up with the Joneses". We can't do that again.

It really bothers us that we are simply unable to give every single person we'd like to a gift.

For the last ten years since we literally went bankrupt, our Christmas gifts to family and friends have consisted of things like a nice card, family photos or pictures of the kids, things I've knitted or crocheted and the occasional small gift card or other inexpensive items.

Mark and I rarely even buy gifts for each other. Often just a few stocking stuffers. We feel inclined to make Christmas for our kids more than for ourselves, so we put whatever resources we have when December comes into making the Holiday special for them first.

I used to watch the Oprah's Favorite Things shows every year, I would feel so excited for those audience members who got to take home all of those wonderful things, even if I was secretly wondering if they were truly grateful or just greedy. I felt very happy when Oprah started filling the audiences for those shows with all teachers or all military families. And yet, even though I know Oprah is very charitable, and I've never gotten the impression she is a snobby rich person, I wondered why on earth did everything she counted as a "favorite" have to be so damn expensive?

When I see holiday gift guides pop up all over the Internet at this time of year, I completely ignore them. I've even gotten emails asking if, as a blogger, I planned on putting together a Holiday gift guide and if so, would I like to participate in whatever promotional thing.

Nope. Not this blogger.

Because I just know I cannot afford to buy anything on those lists. Why bother looking? Why torture myself with longing, either for myself or for what I can't give others? And putting a list together for you guys would be just about the most fake thing I could ever do here.

I've tried to be the kind of person who spreads out gift buying throughout the year. I've told myself, "Jen, if you see something someone might like at a great price, grab it and save it for Christmas." But it doesn't work, because even month-to-month it's very hard for me to feel justified in spending money on people outside my little family. Birthdays are good reasons, but if I also tried to buy Christmas gifts and save them.....I might have to sacrifice birthday gifts.

It's been a huge lesson in humility to accept what others want to give us with grace, when we're unable to reciprocate in the same manner. I've tried to tell people not to give me anything, to maybe just focus on the kids, but they still do and it's lovely. I never have expectations so I am always pleasantly surprised by my loved one's generosity.

I just wish we could be more generous too. And I hope our loved ones know this. I hope everyone knows we would do more if we could, that we're not merely being stingy or thoughtless.

In Search of Holiday Cards

*This is a review for Minted. I am being compensated with store credit, but all opinions expressed are my own.

I still love to snail-mail Holiday cards every year. I think as each year passes, I am more and more in the minority. That makes me sad.

I do it because it's just once a year and I think I can be bothered to reach out to all my friends and family at once. I know how I feel when I receive Holiday cards, so maybe it makes others happy as well.

I have bought boxed cards from the store and photo cards from various places. This year my eyes are on the selection at Minted because, well, they're really pretty.

I haven't decided yet if I want to order photo cards or no-photo cards. Guess what? Minted has both!

I just love those hanging ornaments

I like how this one pretty much says it all

Happy everything - easy, peasy

"Meowy everything" - so cute!

A little more traditional

Artsy

While perusing I discovered that even if you don't want a photo on the front of your card, you do have the option of putting some on the inside.

I think I'm going to have a heckuva time choosing!

Minted is currently running an offer (through Monday, November 11) for $25 off and free shipping on Holiday card orders. The code is JOY25FS and they say you can "buy now, upload your photo later". So if you don't have the photo you want yet, you can still take advantage of this offer! That's something I've never seen before.

Do you still snail-mail Holiday cards?

Why Thanksgiving is Important All On Its Own

For so many years now, perhaps my entire adult life, I have felt like Thanksgiving is paid only lip-service by the masses. As if it is merely a "gateway holiday", if you will, to the real Holiday season that includes Hanukkah, Christmas and the New Year.

Christmas decor is displayed for sale in stores BEFORE Halloween now (I even saw some at the end of August while getting my kids ready for back-to-school). This year, I started seeing holiday-themed commercials the DAY AFTER Halloween.

I tweeted about it:

As Thanksgiving approaches, everything seems to really be more about Black Friday. And, oh yeah, get all your Thanksgiving dinner needs here too.

I understand that we want to plan out our holiday season so as not to leave it all for the last minute. And believe you me I love a great deal as much as the next gal. Hanukkah begins on December 8 this year. So yeah, those who celebrate the Festival of Lights are getting down to the wire.

I celebrate Christmas so I can only speak to that holiday. There is more than a MONTH between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Is that really not enough time to eat, sleep and breath it?

Every year I feel like I need to defend Thanksgiving. That people need to be reminded that it's about so much more than stuffing our faces and watching the Dallas Cowboys play football.

It is called "Thanksgiving" because it is meant to be for Giving Thanks. Regardless of the exact details of its origins in American history, it is at its heart a day to stop and appreciate life by celebrating with a feast, shared with family and friends.

It is good and right and healthy to count your blessings. Saying "thank you" for the things that really matter centers us, gives us perspective. It helps us learn to not sweat the small stuff and, dare I say, find contentment. If you have some good food to eat and someone to share it with on Thanksgiving, you have a lot.

So I implore you, continue to think of Thanksgiving as it's own special day. Please don't ever think of it as merely Black Friday Eve. And don't keep your gratitude to yourself. Say it. Share it. People need to hear it.

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Yarn Your Yule

I knitted a bunch of these cute little tree ornaments last year.

(Although that is not a picture of one of mine. I am apparently a big moron and either didn't take, or didn't save, any pics of mine. Ahem.)

They are so quick and easy! They are also easy to mail, since they are small enough to fit into a holiday card envelope.

Here's the pattern (that I got from....somewhere??):

*I used size 7 needles and cotton, worsted weight yarn

Cast on 16 sts

Gst 3 rows

*K2tog, k to end, K2tog (14 sts)

Gst 2 rows*

Repeat from * to * until 8 sts remain

Inc 2 sts at each end of next row (12 sts)

Gst 2 rows

Repeat from * to * again until 6 sts remain

Inc 2 sts at each end of next row (10 sts)

Gst 2 rows

Repeat from * to * again until 4 sts remain

K2tog twice (2 sts)

Gst 2 rows

K2tog (1 st)

Bind off and cut leaving long thread (for loop to hang)

To Finish:

Darn in cast on thread length. sew length of thread at top of tree into a loop for hanging and decorate if you want! (glue and sequins, for example)

They were truly so easy and fun.

A couple other Christmas-y things I did with yarn last year was to crochet some garland for my banisters and a couple of little squares for candle jars to sit on. I would have done circles, but I had only just learned how to crochet.

These are just a few simple ideas for using yarn to help deck your halls. There are many, many others out there. I highly recommend Ravelry for TONS of knit and crochet inspiration, whatever your skill level.

Merry Yarning!

Veteran's Day

It is Veteran's Day in America.

Our veterans rock!

We just held a free election.

One of many.

We owe that to them.

Tomb of the Unknowns
commerce.gov

For as much as I appreciate our fantastic military and am so glad we have them,

what I'd really love to see come to pass are the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes:

Lord, bid war's trumpet cease;

Fold the whole earth in peace.

One day....

Halloween Happened

We got so lucky! Mark was scheduled to work from 3-7:00 PM on Halloween, but when he got there, he was clearly not needed. So he got to come home and really DO Halloween for the first time since we bought this house.

That's right, this was a our 3rd All Hallows Eve here but Mark had not had good ones. In 2010 he had a toe amputated a few days before, and last year, he had teeth pulled.

Mark and the kids decorated outside and carved pumpkins. Then Mark donned an all black costume and sat outside waiting to scare unsuspecting trick-or-treaters. I heard some lady gasp too!

To top it off, the kids got to trick-or-treat on their own for the first time.

This is the pumpkin AJ picked at the patch. He and Mark collaborated on the face, Mark carved it and stuck the screwdriver in it's head.

This is Camryn's puking jack-o-lantern!

All the jack-o-lanterns! (and fog machine)

The porch. Can you see the bat dangling? It flew around.

Miss Vampiress

I think it's funny that my 6 1/2 year old can get one of these costumes, but he cannot watch the movie.

As for me..... I forced the kids to eat Gorton's fish fillets for dinner. Figured it was a good source of protein. Then I hid inside tweeting and crocheting.

Later, I ripped out my crocheting and started over. Mark and I got caught up on The Walking Dead, and after the kids were in bed, we watched Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

Pretty good Halloween, I'd say!

Origami Flower Creations by MyBelovedAdoria

I suppose you could see this as just another product review and giveaway.  But to me it is much more.  You see, no one asked me to do this and I am not being compensated in any way.  I WANTED to show off these items because the person behind them is one of my very best friends.

But I'm not offering you this solely because I know her personally.  I also happen to LOVE each and every thing she has ever made and sold.  I would love her creations even if she wasn't also my friend.  Truly.  Every time she shows me something new I am giddy with delight.  I am continually surprised by the new and creative things she can make with her craft.  And yes, I am very proud of her.

She is Jessica who runs the Etsy shop MyBelovedAdoria.  When she first opened her shop less than a year ago, she listed items she had crocheted, thinking that was something people would like.  But when she took up Kusudama origami (Jessica is a real Renaissance woman!) the response was an unexpected pleasant surprise.  Not long after she listed her first paper flower bouquet, she got her first wedding order....

Peacock theme

Another wedding order...

And another...

Then a second peacock themed wedding order, even better than the first....

Amazing peacock boutonnieres!

Then some playing around with different ideas...

Since starting last spring, Jessica has done flowers for TEN weddings!  Not only that, but she has placed many individual items for sale in her Etsy shop.

Such as...

Wall flowers!
Isn't that the cutest play-on-words name for them?

In a MyBelovedAdoria blog post, she expressed:

"I'm not only getting better at making these, but I'm learning what materials work, what doesn't, and different tricks to make it all come together so much easier."

And some awesome feedback she received:

"Probably the smoothest, most positive experience I've ever had buying something that was custom made. She took the time to find out what I wanted, made suggestions when I had no idea and kept me updated the entire time. I can't wait to have a reason to buy from her again, and I'm telling EVERYONE!!" ~AmandaH

Now we have arrived at her first Holiday season as an origami flower crafter and she has jumped in head-first with NEW festive items!  Jessica first made an Advent wreath which I coveted and someone snapped up quicker than you could say "but I wanted that!"

Next came ornaments....

Holiday origami ornaments in classic red and green

Blue/white/silver flower "ball" ornaments

Red ornaments with snowflake centers

I love this wreath too!

Plaid and poinsettias holiday wreath with nesting red robins

OK, so!  Now that you can see just how talented and versatile Jessica is, you totally want some of these beautiful flowers, don't you?

You are in luck, my friends.  Jessica and I are excited to host a GIVEAWAY of a set of 4 handmade Holiday ornaments!

Mulit-color polka dot flowers with green centers and red hanging ribbon
Aren't they cute??

Mandatory entry

• Go to the MyBelovedAdoria Etsy shop, look around and comment below with which listed item you like best.

Additional entries

• Follow Jessica on Twitter @MyBelovedAdoria (leave separate comment with your twitter name)
• Like the MyBelovedAdoria Facebook page (leave separate comment with your Facebook name)
• Follow the MyBelovedAdoria Blog via GFC or RSS (leave separate comment that you did so)
• Tweet about this giveaway (one entry per day): I entered the @MyBelovedAdoria origami ornament GIVEAWAY via @JenAnnHall and you should too! Or something like that.  (leave separate comment with tweet URL)

The fine print

Giveaway will be open for 1 week, through next Tuesday, December 6.  A winner will be randomly selected and announced on December 7.  Winner will have 48 hours to respond.  If no response, I will redraw, and so on and so forth.  Jessica will ship the prize to the winner as soon as said winner responds with shipping info.

PS: In order to keep the comment count as accurate as possible, I do not plan to reply to them here.  So if you have anything you want to say about this post that's unrelated to entering the giveaway, please find me and/or Jessica on Twitter!