GotchaBaby

This weekend one of my dearest friends, Angie, came to town unexpectedly. Unexpected trips in December are never for fun, and her trip wasn’t for pleasure. BUT, despite the circumstances, we were happy to see each other. What was even cooler? Our kids were SO HAPPY to see each other.

Since college, with the exception of about six months when we were both in Indianapolis, we’ve always lived far, far away from each other. She was in Indy, I was in Cleveland. She was in Massachusetts, I was in Chicago. I was in Indianapolis, she was traveling across the country, then back in Massachusetts. She’s the friend who moved heaven and earth to make it to (and be in) my wedding, met me in Atlantic City (because, hey,it’s just a little south of Boston), and met me in Atlanta. Her twins and my MaM are only four months apart, and are becoming thick as theives. At the most, we get a couple of days a year together, but they are always good days.

This time around, our girls were just as excited to see each other as we were. Her daughter came with me to pick up MaM from school, and they squealed when they saw each other. They immediately ran upstairs and shut the door to MaM’s room. When it was time for little P to go, MaM protested. “MOM! We need more time! We didn’t even get to play with my toys, we just got busy talking.” (Like you do.)

MaM & P — *These girls. I love everything about them, as people and as friends to each other.*

Sunday, our last night together, the girls exchanged gifts, and I gave Angie a special star from the Hearts of Haiti collection at Macy’s. I’ve got a star on my tree, and now she’s got one on hers. Now whenever I look at it, I think of her and her entire fantastic family. She truly is a star in my life, and her daughter is one is MaM’s.

The Hearts of Hait Collection features more than 40 home decor items including quilts, metalwork, jewelry and paintings all made almost entirely from recycled and sustainable items such as old cement bags, cardboard, oil drums and local gommier wood. These fair trade items bolster the Haitian economy, which is critical since it is the poorest country in the western hemisphere.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. #CleverHaiti

Sometimes, lack of planning can be a good thing. A few weeks ago, I saw the chocolate Advent calendars in the stores, but didn’t buy them because I felt it was too soon.

Note to self: Anytime after Halloween is acceptable for securing the chocolate Advent calendars. Also, it is unreasonable to think that they will be available at all on November 30.

Friday and Saturday I made attempts to track down two chocolate Advent calenders with no luck. Candy loving Mam was very distraught- how ever will we count down to Christmas, how will she get candy for the month of December, whatever would we DO?!?!

I promised her we would make one. I have to say, despite my own reservations, it came out just fine.

Christmas cards cut out and tied to banister spindles for Advent — Turns out, we have exactly 25 banister spindles on our staircase. How lucky is that?

To make this nifty Advent Calendar all you will need is the following:

Old Christmas cards
2 brown grocery bags
small candies or trinkets
string or ribbon
pipe cleaners (optional)
glue stick
tape

1. Cut the cards to desired size- I went with about 3×5, and then punch two holes in the top of each (if tying- the other thing you could do is use clothespins on a line of ribbon). Number each card- I used a marker, of course you could print stickers if you wanted to get fancy.

2. Cut the grocery bag into strips that measure just narrower than your cards, and a bit longer- mine were abour 2.5 x6 (clearly, I did not use a ruler). Any kind of paper would do, we just happened to have these bags handy.

3. For each card, glue the strip of brown grocery bag onto the back of the card. Write a message and/or tape the candy or trinket to the botom of the paper.

Christmas card with brown paper attached, candy taped to bottom — Somedays, there’s just a treat. Other days, I jot a note about what we’re doing.

4. Carefully roll the paper up, and secure with either a ribbon or pipe cleaner.

5. Repeat until all 24 cards are made.

6. Once done, you can hang them from a fireplace, from a staircase like I did, or even clip to a ribbon with clothespins.

Each day, the kids run to the countdown card, and unroll the message. They are working their way down the stairs. I know it will seem like FOREVER to them, but they’ll be down the stairs and enjoying Christmas morning before I know it.

How do you countdown to Christmas?

Month: December 2012

Our Shining Stars: Forever Friends

The Countdown is On: Advent Calendar Using Christmas Cards