Christmas bucket list

Well it is already December 3rd, which I just can't believe. Whenever the Christmas season comes around, I always want to do so many things to soak up the season. With such a short season this year, it is even more important for me to take advantage of the days we have so that I don't feel cheated out of the the season. So here is my Christmas Bucket List for this year!

What is on your Christmas bucket list this year?

simple thanksgiving decor ideas

Thanksgiving is just a week away and every holiday is just a little bit better with some lovely themed decor. And as much as I love decorating for the holidays, with moving this year, I skimped on any sort of decor. So here are a few simple, but festive, decorations to add to your Thanksgiving celebration.

Cinnamon Candles: there is nothing more festive than a light scent of cinnamon in the air. These basic pillar candles are covered with cinnamon sticks. It creates a great scent but also looks rustic and festive!

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Pumpkin Pillars: Super easy but perfect for Thanksgiving. Instead of candles, place small pumpkins on top of your pillars. Creates an easy table accessory.

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Thankful Place Mat: Stay at the core of what Thanksgiving is about-- being thankful! These place mats help keep the focus on what your guests are thankful for this holiday. Use some simple kraft paper and a sharpie. It will take a little time to write on all of them, but well worth it when you take time to share what everyone is thankful for.

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Wine bottle Words: now this one may take a little more time and planning. You can use wine bottles instead and use stencils to paint letters on the bottles. Then simply fill the bottles with threshes of wheat or small twigs for a natural and rustic feel.

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Leaf Name Cards: Name cards keep table setting less confusing when you're carrying a plate full of food. These gold leaves are pretty simple but look formal and chic. Gather either real or fake leaves and spray them with gold spray paint. Once they're dry, use a permanent marker to write the names.

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Mini Pumpkin Pie: this one isn't really a decoration but it was to good not to share. I love any kind of mini dessert and these are perfect bite size pumpkin pies! 

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And then just a personal note, I may be a bit opinionated-- ok, I'm a lot opinionated-- but I want to encourage all of you to take a stand against shopping on Thanksgiving Day. To me, big retailers are completely erasing what the holiday is about by opening stores on Thanksgiving Day. They're taking people away from their families on this day and creating a materialistic mindset to a day that should be focused on blessings and gratitude. So will you join me in not shopping on Thanksgiving Day?

Happy July 2nd

Yes, according to everyone else it is the great summer holiday, Independence Day. For me, I am only considering it to be July 2nd. Why you ask?!?

Well, because I spent this glorious holiday in my office...working. Albeit, I volunteered to work today, but it doesn't make me any less envious of everyone else enjoying being poolside, eating yummy grilled food, and catching candy at the parade. Yet, since I worked today, I get to have Friday off, which is when I have declared my July 4th celebration to take place. So while everyone is back in their offices, I'll be poolside posting pictures to Facebook of my floating raft in the pool and my awesome umbrella drink. (And no, I'm not bitter)

Anyway, today is great day regardless of whether your working, serving, or enjoying. It's our yearly reminder that what we have in our county didn't come without a fight. We had to declare our independence and create something completely new. I am a big history buff and, as uncool as it is, historic events such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence, make me excited. A couple years ago, I visited Independence Hall. I just stood in awe thinking of the events that had taken place in that very building. Thinking of those incredible movers and shakers who would discuss their ideas and make plans.

The first time I went to Washington D.C., I was enamored by the history and overwhelmed with the magnitude of what events take place in that city. It opened my eyes and made history so much more real. Then about six year later, I went to Egypt. It was during my time in Cairo, that I came to realize just how valuable our freedom is to us. It was such a different world in Egypt, especially as women. we were treated in such a way that I have never been more thankful to be an American.

And as I am just 59 days away from having the same last name as one of the coolest people in history, not that I'm biased or anything, it is such a sweet reminder today make sure we say thank you and pray for our country.

Happy July 2...err...4th!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

It's time again to pull out the dusty boxes. Hang the garland and lights. And of course, put the ornaments on the tree. This is what we did last night. Although, I didn't have a Christmas tree, so we picked one up this weekend as we did Christmas shopping (which was wildly successful!). So, we found a 4 ft. pre-light artificial little tree to suffice for this year. (I'm a real tree kind of girl).

This year as I pulled Christmas ornaments out of the box and slowly unwrapped them, anticipating what memories laid inside the tissue paper, the feeling was a bit different. Even though, I love Christmas and everything that comes with it, something felt a bit different...not quite as Christmasy as I remember. Then I realized, this year is different. This year I am unwrapping ornaments at my house; not the home I grew up in. This year, I was surrounded by my fiance and puppy; not my mom, dad and brothers. This year, I wasn't listening to Alabama Christmas playing loudly. Although the ornaments were the same, it's just wasn't the same.

This season of life is one of transition. As I am preparing to marry the man of my dreams and create a new life with him (which I am so excited about), it is a time of transition. This is the last year I sign my long last name on Christmas cards, and exchange it for a shorter, more historical one to share with my future hubby. This is a year of starting/thinking of some new traditions for my future family and remembering the traditions that hold such deep joy in my heart.

I am truly excited for the new stage of life, I will be entering. But as someone very wise once told me, "To every Yes, there is a corresponding No." And even though I am not married yet, it is a time of preparation and transition into that stage of life. There is great joy in what is to come and deep sadness of what used to be. It's one of the unspoken challenges of making this life altering decisions.

Yet, it is a blessing to have such great joy and people in my life no matter what season I am in.

Top left - One of my first Christmas ornaments

Top right - The reason we celebrate

Bottom left - Winnie's first Christmas ornament

Bottom right - Another first Christmas ornaments

Middle - The Angle at the top of my tree

The finished product

 And to end...always a picture of this precious pup.

Lately, still thankful

It's been a while. I've been busy with Thanksgiving festivities that I haven't spent much time writing. So this is what's been going on lately.

I had Wednesday off from work, so I got to spend it doing things I don't normally get to do. Like sit and drink tea and read on the couch in my pj's. 

And I got to hang out with this sleepy puppy.

We then headed to Illinois for holiday gatherings. Thanksgiving day was spent at my grandmother's house, which is actually a first. Usually, that family gets together after the day, but this year we all made it to grandma's for turkey. It was so wonderful to have everyone together for the day. We caught up, we laughed, we stuffed our bellies more than once. We played cards, we talked weddings, job changes, moving, school. It was wonderful. Sitting by the fireplace, chatting, and sipping wine with my favorite people is the kind of day that warms the soul.

We also got the chance to see the rough draft of our family cookbook. I'll tell you more about it soon, but I will say that it is going to be awesome. I cannot wait to see the finished product.

The next couple days were spent lounging, enjoying doing a whole lot of nothing with my family. We went to a movie, laughed til coffee came out of our noses at Starbucks, celebrated Dad's birthday, and enjoyed being together.

Saturday, Jake and I jumped in the car and headed northeast to see Jake's family. It was very much the same thing. Fun, laughter, relaxing, food, and great people.

I am so thankful that Jake and I are so blessed with two families that are so dear to our hearts and who we cannot get enough of. It's truly something to be thankful for.

Even though Thanksgiving is over and the Christmas music has been turned on. It is still necessary to remember to be thankful. Thanksgiving isn't reserved for November and December, but throughout the whole year. For it is when we are thankful, that we really realize how blessed we are.

Can it be Friday, yet?

I am going to be perfectly honest. It's only Tuesday but I really wish that it was Friday. I'm tired and ready for another weekend. This past weekend, I was down in good ole' Nashville celebrating the upcoming wedding of a dear friend.

This is Ashley. I met her during grad school. She was the quiet girl from Nashville who quickly became my survival method for grad school. Although we only spent that year together, we managed to form a friendship that is meaningful to us both.

We had a great time celebrating her last few weeks as a single gal, before she marries her prince, Mr. Charlie. I am so excited for them both. Ashley deserves nothing less than being treated with the utmost love and respect. And I know that Charlie we do all that he can for her.

But this weekend, reminded me of how I have quickly become an what I claim as an "old soul." I consider myself a night owl, but I am just not as quick to rebound after only 3.5 hours of sleep and a 6 hour drive to and from Nashville. Hence, why I am so tired this week.

Anymore, my idea of a great weekend involves conversation, good food, good wine, and good friends. I'm amazed at how my idea of a great weekend has changed. And honestly, I'm grateful for that.

I'm also amazed that Thanksgiving is next week! Where did November go? It just seems to be flying right by. There are already Christmas decorations up and I heard Christmas music the whole time I was at Starbucks today. I love Christmas, more than any holiday, but I am one of those that believes Christmas shouldn't start until the Friday after Thanksgiving. Let's not forget that there is still an important day to be celebrated.

I cannot wait until next week when I am back at the farm, celebrating all that we have with a family that I am so thankful for. And maybe eating some pumpkin pie...

It's getting to be that time of year again

Today I had a moment. One of those humbling kind of moments. It was after work and I was at the store. I needed to pick up a few things since I haven't gone grocery shopping for about a month...it was about time to get some milk and bananas.

Our small group decided to fill a couple shoe boxes for Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. You can learn more about it here. It's a really great opportunity to give a child a boxed filled with Christmas gifts. The gifts can range from hygiene items, toys, mittens, etc. You pack all the items in a shoe box for a specific gender and age, then you drop it off and it gets delivered to a less fortunate child during the Christmas season. Like I said, it's a great idea. If you haven't ever done it, take some time to do this small task. It's well worth it.

As I was picking items to select for the boxes. I noticed myself watching the price of what I picked up, trying to budget the amount that I was spending. Now,I am no means trying to gain any sort of self righteousness in regards to my generosity. But, it eventually hit me...I was questioning how much I was spending on these children who have next to nothing but not thinking twice about paying $3 for a box of cereal. Does it seem like there is something wrong with that?

It sure seemed like it to me.

I am somewhat embarrassed and disgusted with myself. I felt convicted, guilty, and spoiled. As I was going to my comfortable, heated home to make a warm dinner then sit at my computer and blog, while possibly looking at a few new wedding ideas, there are so many people out there who are so much less fortunate for basic needs to be met. It really shook me. It bothered me how I was evaluating whether or not to spend $5 on a toy for a child who has nothing. Yet, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Christmas present for a sibling which costs much more than $5. I feel like I need to give myself a reality check.

It's getting to be the time of year that generosity is often sought after. We are asked to give and to donate and to volunteer. But I feel like this shouldn't be something that we do just during the holiday season. This should be a way of life.

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." ~Matthew 25:40

We are commanded to take care of the less fortunate, the oppressed, the poor. I know I need to do a better job with all of my resources. At least it's something for me to chew on right now...