The 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge - day 8

Hello, blog friends!  I am liking this frequent blogging thing.  It is a welcome study break.

Today's Challenge?

My Least Favorite Thing About the Holidays

Ewww.  NOT what I want to blog about!!

Unfortunately, this was pretty easy and didn't require much thought.  Even though I love the holiday season, it is definitely one of those times that I really, really miss the people who are not in my life any longer, mostly the ones that have passed away.  

I always think about my Granddaddy, who died just before I graduated from high school.

I see so much of him in me.

Hopefully his best qualities, not the ones that irritated the rest of us.

(But I'm sure some of the irritating ones, too.)

He was a physician, and not a week goes by that I don't wish I could tell him some story from school that I know only he would appreciate.

I think about my Pop, who died when I was in my 2nd year of college.

He was an amazingly great husband and loved his wife until the day he died.  

He taught his sons to be men.

(I pray that God will bless me with such a man some day.)

He called me "sister gal'.

(Oh, I would love to hear that one more time.)

I think about my dear friend Adam.  And Mr. James.  And Mama Watson.  And countless others.  

I think about friends that I miss, relationships that I have not nurtured the way that I should have, and of course, around the new year always think back on the year that has passed and learn from it without having any regrets as to how I lived it. 

sigh

Goodness, this is not the lighthearted post you logged on for, now was it!  Back to cheerier things tomorrow!

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

The 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge - day 7

Happy [belated] Thanksgiving everyone!  I've been away for a few days!  I had a wonderful time away from Memphis with my family, and I hope you had a wonderful holiday with your loved ones, too.

Today's blog challenge?  Crafts and DIY's!  Oh, this just tickles my fancy, as we say in the south!

I've already mentioned Christmas cookies back on day one.  I think most people do that one, so I'll just breeze on by.  Soooo much fun, though!

One of my favorite activities (that also makes a great gift) is sewing!  I know, I know, I sound like your grandma.  But you can make some really amazing things after you learn the basics! It just takes a little time, a little creativity and some cute fabric!

Just an example:  one year my mom and I ran across some super-cute aprons that we knew would make great gifts for her lunch bunch.  They were somewhere in the neighborhood of $45 (I've forgotten exactly how much now) - whoa mama!  That would have been almost $300 for the group, no thank you!  Plus, the fabric was just so-so, it was the style we loved more than anything.  So what did we do?  Go straight to the fabric store, spend about $75 on supplies, and made 8 aprons, cuter than the first.  Yes, that's less than $10 each.  Not to mention that they were super cute, everyone loved them, and we had a ball making them!  Too bad Mom has all of the pictures. (I have got to get better at this picture thing ...)

Another sewing project I've conquered?  Custom bedding.  Yes, this one took about a weekend and much more patience, but if you have time off around the holidays (and family members who will help you) it is the perfect thing to do - you can get exactly what you want!

Not the greatest (iPhone) photo, but you get the idea!  It has inspired me to start making my bed every day.  In my 20's.  Now that says something.  

The things you can make are endless ... my hangup is usually finding the fabric I want for a particular project.  I wish I had more time to be crafty, artsy, use the right side of my brain, etc, but dental school doesn't allow much any time for that. (sigh.)

What do you DIY?

The 12 days of Christmas Blog Challenge - day 3

Today's topic?

The Best/Most Meaningful Gift You've Ever Received

Oh my gosh, this is hard.  "Santa" always did (and still does!) the most amazing job of finding gifts that they he knew Wade and I would love.

Maybe the best approach is a top 5?  Although, I'm sure I will still leave some things out!

5. Christmas 1990 - 95? - Anything and everything American Girl 

I was obsessed.  I probably circled everything in the catalog for Santa to bring.  Mind you, this was back in the day when there were only 3 American Girls:  Kirstin, Samantha, and Molly.

Molly was my first American Girl.  She is very, um, well loved.

I have saved all of my dolls (and the boxes and boxes of their belongings) in the hopes that I will have a daughter one day that can play with them.

4.  Christmas '89? '90? - Gameboy

Oh, soooo many memories!  Wade and I spent so many hours on car trips playing Tetris against each other.  Remember that you had the cord, but then you had to turn them on at the same time, too?  I wish I still had my Gameboy.

3. Christmas 2009 - Wusthof Knives

For someone as obsessed with cooking as I am, this was an awesome gift.  Five new knives.  So sharp and slice so cleanly.  Ahhhh.  They rock.

2.  Christmas 2008 - Willow Tree Nativity Scene

I had been admiring this throughout our last minute Christmas shopping.  I was shocked to find it under the tree Christmas morning!  It has been fun to start collecting things to decorate "my" home.

1.  Christmas 2000 - Baby Grand Piano

You might be thinking this takes the top spot just out of sheer size, but you would be wrong.  I took my first piano lesson when I was 4 years old and continued through high school.  Needless to say, the piano have always been a huge part of my life!  I used to go to lovingly admire other people's baby grands and the grand piano at church, and my parents used to tell me that, if I kept it up (playing, that is), I could probably have one some day.  Fast forward to December 2000:  Mom started acting strange one afternoon on Christmas break, telling me she wanted to "go ahead and take the tree down." (The pretty one in the front room, not the handmade ornament, colored light one.)  I don't even remember the absurd reason why.  I helped her clean up the living room, rearrange the furniture, etc just as the white truck pulled up from Amro Music!  Of course, as obsessed as I was, I caught on immediately.  The piano came with a big red bow.  You know, like the kind some kids get on their car on their 16th birthday.

Best. Present. Ever.  

Over the past 7 years of college and dental school it is safe to say that my skills have regressed.  I still play every time I go home and get a chance and am really looking forward to the day that I have my own home so the piano can come to Memphis with me! (soon.  hopefully very, very soon.) 

What strikes me the most about this list is that every present is special to me because the giver really put thought into it and knew it would be meaningful.  (Okay, I'm not saying a Gameboy is "meaningful", but hours of fun with your brother sure is!!)  I try to do this when I buy gifts, but admit that I often fail in finding that "perfect" thing.  I guess every gift can't be perfect, but over the years, a few are certain to be remembered!

The 12 days of Christmas Blog Challenge - day 2

Day 2 (or 1b. in my case) of this Christmas-y blog challenge is "black Friday/general shopping tips and tricks".

My advice on black Friday?  Sleep in!!

I know, I know, I know, this is practically sacrilegious for some out there, but honestly, when you get up at 4 am most days, sleeping until 6 is a rare treat!  

Every year mom and I talk about getting up and going shopping.  For about 10 minutes.  This, of course, is always in the middle of all of our cooking and ramblings about life.  By the time the dishes are washed and the leftovers are in the fridge; however, we are have laughed that little talk off and set the coffeemaker for a more reasonable hour.

The point of my story?  Enjoy your day, however that may be.  If that is knocking somebody over the head in Target for that really adorable pump in size 8 at 4:09 am, go for it!! I will be cozy, warm and snuggly in my bed.  (And shopping at 11:00, when the really intense people have gone home.)

Happy shopping, everyone!

PS - if you have any really awesome finds or ideas for gifts, leave a comment!  (especially for my brother...he is the best gift giver.  so good, it's almost annoying.)

The 12 (...um...14...) days of Christmas Blog Challenge!

Oh, this looks like fun.  First, thanks to Chelsea for sharing her holiday traditions and introducing me to this little adventure.

Here are the topics:

Day 1: Christmas/Holiday traditions

Day 2: Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & Tricks

Day 3: Most meaningful gift/best gift you've received

Day 4: Tips/Tricks to a Budget Friendly holiday season

Day 5: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show Special

Day 6: Gift ideas (what do YOU want? We all have family/friends reading our blogs...so let them know!)

Day 7: Holiday Craft/DIY  (If you don't make anything, what do you WISH you could make?)

Day 8: Least favorite thing about the Holidays

Day 9: Favorite Holiday recipe

Day 10: Favorite Christmas Songs/Caroles

Day 11: New Year Resolutions

Day 12: Show us your decorations (indoor/outdoor)

Day 13: Favorite Cookie Recipe

Day 14: Oprah's Favorite Things: What item(s) would you want if you were in the audience?

Yesterday was Day 1, so I'm a little behind already.  Oops!  Better get started.

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Our Christmas Traditions

Bowen holidays are best summed up by one word:  family.

I do not have a single memory of a Christmas or any other holiday, for that matter, that does not revolve 100% around my family:  immediate, extended and honorary.  

A great example - our Easter celebrations every year.  I wrote about it here.

At Christmas, Mom and I always bake hundreds of cookies.  We started this tradition when I was in college; we would have a "cookie drop-in" on a Sunday afternoon with my friends, mom's friends, and Mimi's friends.  As Mimi has aged and become unable to continue this tradition, we have kept baking cookies, but deliver them on pretty trays or platters as gifts instead of having people over.  I hope that one day we can resume our holiday get-together.

Sometimes we have helpers when we're decorating

Gracie, Christmas 2007

Will, Christmas 2008

As for Christmas morning, Mom and I are always up early baking (homemade cinnamon rolls - yum!!) getting a jumpstart on our ridiculously large meal and sharing mimosas.  Dad is always in charge of herding the dogs (yep, I said herding.  With Sooie thrown into the mix of their 5, it truly is herding, especially when meat prep starts happening in the kitchen.  He is a pro, though ...)

When Wade wakes up, he will pour a cup of coffee and (1) comment on the 9:30 mimosas and (2) ask us what time dinner will be.  This is when we feign defensiveness that he would question our cooking methods, rush us, etc, but we all love it! It is tradition, after all!  

When we've all had enough caffeine, the present opening begins.  Now that we're older, it is not so much about opening our own presents as it is about spending time together laughing and talking.  It is always a lot of fun to see what little surprises Santa brought, and also to see everyone's reactions as they open their presents.  

After the presents, Dad and Wade clean up while Mom and I hit the kitchen.  We never rush it, just cook and enjoy each other's company until the food is ready.  Always the same menu, plus (never minus) a few pies.

Some years there are additional family members or friends, some years it is just the four of us and Mimi.  Either way, it is perfect. Always.

At the end of the day, we are always way, way too full, and have shared so, so many memories.  

It's funny; reading back over this I think about all of the things that we do every year, like the Carols and Candlelight service at church, the Snow Village, decorating the tree ... I could go on and on ... that I did not write about!  Hopefully I will be able to write about those as they happen this year!

Wow, writing this has made me so excited for Thursday!!  Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!