Please don’t think this is a “let down” post or post about “lost love”. This is actually a post about the things that don’t go right in our lives and how that is okay. Think about your year and see what didn’t go right and if in the midst of the heartache if anything good came from it. Enjoy the songs as well.
Month: December 2018
Christmas Blessings
You might wonder why this post is on the travel week but . . .this year I have felt blessed beyond measure on my own life’s journey. It has been a year full of ups and downs. I have cried many tears but I have smiled to the depth of my soul. In this year of so many changes and growth beyond compare; I decided that I needed to share my gratitude for those blessings with those that might not be able to see the goodness still in the world. I resolved this year to relieve some of the suffering that I have seen in those around me by creating homeless kits. I know that my effort was the tiniest drop in the bucket but . . .the love that I have felt while working on the project and the culmination of that love while delivering the kits this week will probably never be matched.
I found a location in downtown Portland that could use the kits and set to creating them with a few of my friends and family. We were blessed along the way with others that wanted to help and had donations given to us of items we were seeking. In all we had 52 kits created. I will never know the reason why some of these people who received a kit are in the situation that they are in but I hope, in some small way, the kit reminded them that they are loved.
Our kits were filled with toothbrush/toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, gum, protein bar, hard candy, crackers, nuts, water, small pkg of wipes, Kleenex, Chapstick, soap, band-aids, socks, Advil, hand warmers, and poncho or emergency blanket.
As we were delivering we heard people exclaim how excited they were for the socks and the gum. I know it was Christmas early for some of these people and I feel so grateful to have been apart of that Christmas exchange.
One thing I have learned over the years . . .you will never know the impact you have on the life of another. My heart is forever changed and buoyed up with love from this.
As a thank you to those that came with us last night–there was a small little celebration at Ruby Jewel afterwards. Enjoy the few pictures from our small event.
Merry Christmas Everyone!!
Christmas Work Party
While we don’t do the large full company Christmas party, we do have a smaller party in my department and this year we have opted to have disco pajama party. I am kind of excited about it being super relaxed. We are having breakfast catered but we are individually bringing in appetizers for lunch. Now I can’t decide what to bring! Do any of you have some helpful suggestions? Here are the top 5 that I am trying to decide between.
- Caprese Salad Skewers from Stuck on Sweet
- Rattlesnake Bites from Torn a Dough Alli
- Hot Crab Dip from Serena Bakes Simply from Scratch
- Cherry Pecan Brie from Southern Living
- Pomegranate Guacamole from Two Peas and Their Pod
A Beautiful Christmas
This is my first year with a VERY toned down decorating theme. I have purged my Christmas decorations back to more basic and functional designs and have tried my best to eliminate the “clutter” I feel when decorations are up in the house. So while I won’t be buying anything new, I am intrigued by these decorating ideas. What style are you drawn to when decorating?
- New wreath idea from Homemade Ginger
- Christmas tree idea from Decorecent.com
- Christmas scent/candle idea from Tastemade
- Christmas mantel idea from Country Living UK
- Christmas gift wrapping ideas from A Piece of Rainbow
Jenn is Playing Favorites 