Oh, wow. I wish I could give myself that gift! That sounds so refreshing.
My daughter has always been into Japanese culture, Anime, and even traveled to Japan when she was 20. Her significant other is of Japanese descent. When I was a teen we had a Japanese exchange student visit our family one summer. She brought gifts with her, one of which was a Japanese cotton kimono. As money is tight this year (as usual) I had the idea of gifting her the kimono for Christmas. I hope she is thrilled, as she expressed a real interest in it when I showed it to her a few years back. So I'm really excited to do that this year.
It was a slow week...I spent as much as I made this week (aside from my 2 hours of elder care) on the carpets...but after almost 6 months I had to do it. Between sadies dementia and littles not having control there for awhile it was absolutely necessary.
I want to be a good tenant so they aren't Leary to work with another person with dogs.
Thankfully I paid my rent in materials I had brought up from VA that I have my landlord. Barter system baby!
I scanned a lot of my eight-year-old granddaughter's art work to make into a book. I am printing the pages on nice paper with my laser printer. She wrote intro and and acknowledgement pages and designed a cover, which I printed on card stock.
I am making 5 books for her to give as gifts to her aunt and uncle, her mom, me and her other grandmother.
She lives about 60 miles from me, so we only had part of a day during one of her visits to work on the book. She learned how add text and clip art to some of the pages. She also drew her logo, which I showed her how to isolate in Photoshop and save with a clear background to put on her creations.
This has been fun for both of us, and it is a great way to preserve her precious art work.
I'm making a quilt for my nephew and his new wife. I piece by machine and quilt by hand. It's very meditative and gets my head out of my job. It takes longer though. I'll be sewing until christmas eve!
I'm making jewelry for most of my family/friends. I love taking the time to choose the materials that remind me of them and their style. Most of my other gifts are photo gifts, either photos I've taken or photos of the person/their children that I've done something crafty with.
My mom used to have a dog store that she named after her dog (she didn't sell dogs just toys, food, etc). She retired a couple of years ago. I happened to find one of those santa village light up houses--this one is a dog store! I bought it and then within a week my mom's dog died unexpectedly. I'm not sure this is a good gift anymore. I don't want to make her sad on xmas.
I am a teacher who started at a new school this year. It's been overwhelming. My gift to myself will be to pull out a quilt kit I bought on vacation last year. No thoughts about school for at least a solid week.
Since we are trying to save up as much money as possible to head back home our Christmas is a humble one. In stead of being focused on a bunch of gifts, we all get one. I am spending this week and part of next baking and freezing like a mad woman so that we have a wonderful variety of foods to eat on Christmas day as well as the days following it. I learned a long time ago that it's honestly not about the gifts but the favorite lemon sugar cookies,the home made breads,the turkey and ham that I saved and froze..those things are what my family looks forward to.
I did treat myself to a Bible..it's been years and years since I opened one and decided it was time. I need it in my life.
We sent off a few goody boxes back home to family. I am currently living in The Netherlands and my family and friends love it when they get a box filled with Dutch treats :)
It's an old school Betty Crocker recipe..it's originally called Ethel's Sugar cookies but instead of the vanilla add in lemon extract. I've been baking these since I was a kid..lol
3/4 cup Butter 1 cup Sugar 2 Eggs 1/2 tsp Lemon Flavoring 2 1/2 cups Flour 1 tsp. Baking Powder 1 tsp. Salt Mix butter,sugar,eggs and flavoring thoroughly. Stir flour,baking powder and salt together and slowly add to wet mixture. Cover and chill for atleast 1 hour. Heat oven to 400. Roll dough to 1/8 of an inch thick on lightly floured surface. Cut with cookies cutters,place on ungreased cookie sheet ( I always line with parchment paper) and bake 6-8 mins or until a light golden color... do NOT over bake these cookies..it takes only a short minute for them to go from golden to dark. This recipe produces a nice soft cookie. Cool and frost.
As far as living abroad goes..honestly..it's not what it's cracked up to be. I know that sounds weird and it's not that I don't appreciate the experience but you also learn whats most important to you..And for us..that is home. I can't homestead..it's simply not possible in a country that is so densely populated. I had 8 hens in my back yard and they were so agitated by neighbors that it broke my heart. I found a farm for them and it was then we decided to go back home. I miss Americans, I'm sick of explaining myself, I'm 41 and I need my spot. I am originally from Oregon but it's to expensive there and cold so we are heading south. Our money will go further and the growing season is longer.
I've learned a ton while living here and I cook and bake from scratch. I've learned the grass isn't always greener and faults and all..I love the U.S..I just want to come home. Anti America is alive and well over here and it makes me uncomfortable. I know not everything is perfect back home and on paper we are stupid to return. We have a home,full insurance,8 weeks paid vacation a year, everyone gets vacation money each year but it isn't enough to keep my here.
I've been gone 8-1/2 years and it's just time. I want some land and I want my chickens back and I want to walk outside and not have my neighbors breathing down my neck.
By explaining myself,I meant that when you live abroad you have to answer for a lot..it's "You American"as if we are all one person and it just gets old. I am always the odd one out and I am a rather smart and funny woman but it never comes across correctly in another language.
Back home it's not uncommon to break out into Spanish and say something funny..no one here gets that..lol
Plus you wouldn't believe the questions I've been asked. The Dutch are extremely smart..extremely but some of their questions honestly left me wondering if they were joking or not and unless you have lived the average life of an American you will never understand the reasons we do certain things and why we are so unapologetic about it.
I've been canning all year so that I could give jams and pickles as gifts. I also crochet and have made some really nice things (some that it's going to hurt to give away!) as gifts.
I totally understand not wanting to give away crocheted gifts! I used to knit a lot of presents (sweaters, hats, socks, etc.) and it was hard not to keep them.
My family is getting snowshoes. I live in a snowy climate and this will get us outdoors during the winter. Maybe I shouldn't have picked an El Nino year for this gift however. We haven't had snow yet and it's unusual. I was hoping for a Christmas day trek in the woods, but it doesn't look like that will happen this year. Bummer!
My oldest went to Green Bay in November to see his favorite football team play. Combo birthday and christmas gift.
My youngest (7) is getting a new bike. I told him he could have a new one when he learned to ride the one he had and pedal.
My husband wants new pillows for the bed. Strange I know....
I want an incubator, a fence, a barn, some cows and pigs. But I'll settle for the incubator for now. :)
I too will be giving homemade jams and baked goods. Things are just way too tight and now I am finding that I have to pay almost double for health insurance next year. This stuff is so complicated you really can't compare the policies apples to apples. I don't know how the old folk deal with insurance each year!
I LOVE homemade jam! My friend in Wisconsin actually sent me 3 jars of her blueberry,grape and cherry jam all the way over to The Netherlands and I leaped for joy..haha
I am envious of the ladies than can knit or crochet. I have tried sooooo many times and I simply don't have the knack for it. I can bake bread but thats the extent of my super power..lol
I think we're going to have a lovely Christmas this year :)
My favorite gifts I am giving this year are some great socks (Darn Tough) -- they are my favorites, and despite the warm weather we are having I know it's gonna get cold... my gift to myself? I decided to not bake and send the usual enormous number of Christmas cookies. I have too much paying work on my desk right now, and it would only stress me out. So, guilt-free, cookie free holiday!
Oh, wow. I wish I could give myself that gift! That sounds so refreshing.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has always been into Japanese culture, Anime, and even traveled to Japan when she was 20. Her significant other is of Japanese descent. When I was a teen we had a Japanese exchange student visit our family one summer. She brought gifts with her, one of which was a Japanese cotton kimono. As money is tight this year (as usual) I had the idea of gifting her the kimono for Christmas. I hope she is thrilled, as she expressed a real interest in it when I showed it to her a few years back. So I'm really excited to do that this year.
Duckmama
She will love it! That is really thoughtful.
DeleteIt was a slow week...I spent as much as I made this week (aside from my 2 hours of elder care) on the carpets...but after almost 6 months I had to do it. Between sadies dementia and littles not having control there for awhile it was absolutely necessary.
I want to be a good tenant so they aren't Leary to work with another person with dogs.
Thankfully I paid my rent in materials I had brought up from VA that I have my landlord. Barter system baby!
I scanned a lot of my eight-year-old granddaughter's art work to make into a book. I am printing the pages on nice paper with my laser printer. She wrote intro and and acknowledgement pages and designed a cover, which I printed on card stock.
ReplyDeleteI am making 5 books for her to give as gifts to her aunt and uncle, her mom, me and her other grandmother.
She lives about 60 miles from me, so we only had part of a day during one of her visits to work on the book. She learned how add text and clip art to some of the pages. She also drew her logo, which I showed her how to isolate in Photoshop and save with a clear background to put on her creations.
This has been fun for both of us, and it is a great way to preserve her precious art work.
~M
I'm making a quilt for my nephew and his new wife. I piece by machine and quilt by hand. It's very meditative and gets my head out of my job. It takes longer though. I'll be sewing until christmas eve!
ReplyDeleteI'm making jewelry for most of my family/friends. I love taking the time to choose the materials that remind me of them and their style. Most of my other gifts are photo gifts, either photos I've taken or photos of the person/their children that I've done something crafty with.
ReplyDeleteMy mom used to have a dog store that she named after her dog (she didn't sell dogs just toys, food, etc). She retired a couple of years ago. I happened to find one of those santa village light up houses--this one is a dog store! I bought it and then within a week my mom's dog died unexpectedly.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure this is a good gift anymore. I don't want to make her sad on xmas.
I am a teacher who started at a new school this year. It's been overwhelming. My gift to myself will be to pull out a quilt kit I bought on vacation last year. No thoughts about school for at least a solid week.
ReplyDeleteSince we are trying to save up as much money as possible to head back home our Christmas is a humble one. In stead of being focused on a bunch of gifts, we all get one. I am spending this week and part of next baking and freezing like a mad woman so that we have a wonderful variety of foods to eat on Christmas day as well as the days following it. I learned a long time ago that it's honestly not about the gifts but the favorite lemon sugar cookies,the home made breads,the turkey and ham that I saved and froze..those things are what my family looks forward to.
ReplyDeleteI did treat myself to a Bible..it's been years and years since I opened one and decided it was time. I need it in my life.
We sent off a few goody boxes back home to family. I am currently living in The Netherlands and my family and friends love it when they get a box filled with Dutch treats :)
Sonya
Those are wonderful "gifts"! Not all gifts are purchased.
DeleteMind sharing the lemon sugar cookie recipe? That sounds amazing.
I'm envious of you loving abroad. What makes you so anxious to return home?
DeleteIt's an old school Betty Crocker recipe..it's originally called Ethel's Sugar cookies but instead of the vanilla add in lemon extract. I've been baking these since I was a kid..lol
Delete3/4 cup Butter
1 cup Sugar
2 Eggs
1/2 tsp Lemon Flavoring
2 1/2 cups Flour
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Salt
Mix butter,sugar,eggs and flavoring thoroughly. Stir flour,baking powder and salt together and slowly add to wet mixture. Cover and chill for atleast 1 hour.
Heat oven to 400. Roll dough to 1/8 of an inch thick on lightly floured surface. Cut with cookies cutters,place on ungreased cookie sheet ( I always line with parchment paper) and bake 6-8 mins or until a light golden color... do NOT over bake these cookies..it takes only a short minute for them to go from golden to dark. This recipe produces a nice soft cookie. Cool and frost.
As far as living abroad goes..honestly..it's not what it's cracked up to be. I know that sounds weird and it's not that I don't appreciate the experience but you also learn whats most important to you..And for us..that is home. I can't homestead..it's simply not possible in a country that is so densely populated. I had 8 hens in my back yard and they were so agitated by neighbors that it broke my heart. I found a farm for them and it was then we decided to go back home. I miss Americans, I'm sick of explaining myself, I'm 41 and I need my spot. I am originally from Oregon but it's to expensive there and cold so we are heading south. Our money will go further and the growing season is longer.
I've learned a ton while living here and I cook and bake from scratch. I've learned the grass isn't always greener and faults and all..I love the U.S..I just want to come home. Anti America is alive and well over here and it makes me uncomfortable. I know not everything is perfect back home and on paper we are stupid to return. We have a home,full insurance,8 weeks paid vacation a year, everyone gets vacation money each year but it isn't enough to keep my here.
I've been gone 8-1/2 years and it's just time. I want some land and I want my chickens back and I want to walk outside and not have my neighbors breathing down my neck.
Sonya
By explaining myself,I meant that when you live abroad you have to answer for a lot..it's "You American"as if we are all one person and it just gets old. I am always the odd one out and I am a rather smart and funny woman but it never comes across correctly in another language.
DeleteBack home it's not uncommon to break out into Spanish and say something funny..no one here gets that..lol
Plus you wouldn't believe the questions I've been asked. The Dutch are extremely smart..extremely but some of their questions honestly left me wondering if they were joking or not and unless you have lived the average life of an American you will never understand the reasons we do certain things and why we are so unapologetic about it.
Really good insight. Thank you for explaining your experience.
DeleteReally good insight. Thank you for explaining your experience.
DeleteI've been canning all year so that I could give jams and pickles as gifts. I also crochet and have made some really nice things (some that it's going to hurt to give away!) as gifts.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand not wanting to give away crocheted gifts! I used to knit a lot of presents (sweaters, hats, socks, etc.) and it was hard not to keep them.
DeleteYeah, there's a shawl and a hat that it's proving hard to let go of. But I guess I can make more. Lord knows, I have plenty of yarn!
DeleteMy family is getting snowshoes. I live in a snowy climate and this will get us outdoors during the winter. Maybe I shouldn't have picked an El Nino year for this gift however. We haven't had snow yet and it's unusual. I was hoping for a Christmas day trek in the woods, but it doesn't look like that will happen this year. Bummer!
ReplyDeleteMy oldest went to Green Bay in November to see his favorite football team play. Combo birthday and christmas gift.
ReplyDeleteMy youngest (7) is getting a new bike. I told him he could have a new one when he learned to ride the one he had and pedal.
My husband wants new pillows for the bed. Strange I know....
I want an incubator, a fence, a barn, some cows and pigs. But I'll settle for the incubator for now. :)
I too will be giving homemade jams and baked goods. Things are just way too tight and now I am finding that I have to pay almost double for health insurance next year. This stuff is so complicated you really can't compare the policies apples to apples. I don't know how the old folk deal with insurance each year!
I LOVE homemade jam! My friend in Wisconsin actually sent me 3 jars of her blueberry,grape and cherry jam all the way over to The Netherlands and I leaped for joy..haha
ReplyDeleteI am envious of the ladies than can knit or crochet. I have tried sooooo many times and I simply don't have the knack for it. I can bake bread but thats the extent of my super power..lol
I think we're going to have a lovely Christmas this year :)
Sonya
My favorite gifts I am giving this year are some great socks (Darn Tough) -- they are my favorites, and despite the warm weather we are having I know it's gonna get cold... my gift to myself? I decided to not bake and send the usual enormous number of Christmas cookies. I have too much paying work on my desk right now, and it would only stress me out. So, guilt-free, cookie free holiday!
ReplyDeleteI was given Darn Toughs for xmas a couple years ago-- really nice. Warm without being bulky. And still going strong, too.
Delete