the white envelope

For years our family has found a worthy cause to donate to over the holidays. It all started with a struggling co-worker who was worried about the holidays because they didn't have money for Christmas. Every day I would hear of their struggles and worries of no Christmas so decided to do something about it. I didn't know much about their situation but envisioned the three young children waking up Christmas morning to no decorations, no tree, no presents, nothing. It was going to be a bleak Christmas. So I made this family my first act of charitable giving.

Tracy and I made a gingerbread house, bought a present for each child, baked cookies, and delivered it all, including a box of satsumas. Imagine my surprise when we walked into their apartment to find this large, beautiful tree with presents piled high underneath! Needless to say, I was not only shocked but embarrassed and a little perturbed as well. But we graciously wished them all a Merry Christmas and went on our merry way. As it turned out, the presents were from grandma and grandpa but it didn't make it less embarrassing for me because I thought we were helping a family truly in need; not a family who just wanted more. But this became an annual tradition of finding one cause to give to over the holidays.

One year we bought several sets of long johns and wool socks and donated them to the local homeless shelter. Another year it was donating nonperishable food to the Food Bank. A lot of our charitable giving was done through work--collecting travel-size shampoos and other toiletries for the Aware Center, adopting a family from the Salvation Army, contributing to the newly formed Boys and Girls Club. It was at work that I received an email that has had a lasting impact on me.

I don't recall who sent it to me or why. The author was unknown although searching on the internet shows that this story first appeared in Woman's Day magazine, 12/14/82. It's just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past ten years or so.

I'm such a sucker for sappy stories; stories that tug at the heart; for good deeds done by others. This story had such an emotional impact on me that for the last several years we have included the White Envelope in our holiday giving. My kids will see the envelopes laying among the branches of the Christmas tree, but they don't ask about it, they don't pick it up and see who's name is on the envelope. They know what it is.

This White Envelope holds the name of the charitable organization we have picked for the holiday season. The organization we have donated in each family member's name as part of our gift to them.

In the last few years, the recipient of our donation usually has to do with rescuing dogs and cats. They need advocates to speak on their behalf and my sister is one of them. Rescued Paws is a nonprofit organization that has rescued over 650 dogs and cats in the last year! In one year!! The best part about this organization is that it is a "no kill" organization which means these poor unwanted, abandoned, and abused dogs and cats don't have to worry about tomorrow. Their foster care families keep them until they are adopted out. A handful of women volunteer their time to make this happen; it's all done in their homes; on their own time. And we're not talking about an hour a day. These women dedicate the most part of every single day to their rescue attempts. The dedication and time spent on behalf of these poor little creatures is incredible and they truly are the advocates for these abandoned and abused animals.

You can see why we've chosen Rescued Paws as our charity of choice these days. Here's what I do. I read through the stories that have been written about each dog and cat and pick out a few that tug at my heart the most. I post their picture and their story on the poster and again remind the kids why we're making this donation. We've never really talked about this envelope; I don't know if it has tugged at their hearts like it does mine; I don't know if it holds any value to them. In my little world, it does; so we continue with the tradition in the hopes that somewhere down the line, they, too, will carry on the tradition with their family.

If you have a hard-to-buy for person on your Christmas list, why not consider making a donation in their name to Rescued Paws? It's a good thing.

christmas past

Here's some pictures from last year's Christmas decorations.


This is our tree.


One of my many Snowbaby ornaments. My husband collects them for me; snow globes, figures, ornaments.


Some pretty ribbon.


One of my rustic ornaments. This is a goose.


This is an ornament my daughter, Tracy, made many many years ago. It's still special to me.




This is a scene from my Snowbaby arrangement. I love it!


Happy Holidays!

it's officially "the holidays"

I anticipate this weekend all year long. Thanksgiving is over and the Holidays officially begin for our family. We start out with the Day After Thanksgiving Specials (NOTE: It's so important to me, it's even capitalized!) and then move into the Public Market where you can find 200 vendors selling homemade and other crafts. Mike has been busy hanging cedar garland and clear lights outside on the porch railing, around the door, and on trees and I'm supposed to be decorating inside. I keep getting side tracked though with too many other things to do. Like this post. And making lists of everything that needs to be done. And looking through Christmas magazines from years past. And filling my calendar. It all has to be done today so I know what to do tomorrow!

My family has two traditions. Tracy and I make wreaths and door swags every year for ourselves and others we give to friends. And we bake and decorate thousands of sugar cookies. Or it just seems that way after we're mid-way through. Both are quite the ordeal though because I can't do anything small.

First up with be wreath making. In years past, my mom would send up a large box of cedar, holly, and other Oregon greenery. After she passed away (11 years today), my dad carried on the tradition and then after my dad passed away, my sister, Georgia, did. We're talking a HUGE box with enough greenery to supply the neighborhood. I'd set card tables up and we'd bring all the greenery inside the house where we could drop clippings and needles on to the floor and not worry about it because of the hardwood floors. The main objective though was staying warm.... I know down south my sister makes her wreaths outside but it's just not feasible here. I'd have all the wreath forms, ribbons, wire cutters, and floral wire bought ahead of time, plus accessories we could add on to the wreaths if we so desired. I've never been such a good wreath maker, but it turns out okay. I always make a swag to hang out on the mailbox stand.

Our Christmas decorations always include the outside and always looks so nice, not cluttered or junky. Some day I'll get ambitious enough to make a wreath to hang on every split rail fence post. Our neighbors and best friends usually get some kind of greenery creation when we're done. I'm afraid we'll no longer get our box of greenery from down south anymore because of the post office's new procedure for mailing boxes. In case you didn't know, they no longer go by weight, but by the size of the box. And I can say from experience, it's no longer cheap. So today or tomorrow, my sweet husband and I will go out into the woods to cut local greenery. It's okay, but we don't have cedar here or holly or boxwood. We have horribly spruce with horrible needles that stick you. We also have hemlock and pine. It'll work okay for swags but not so well for wreaths. I guess the best part of getting that box of greenery was it was sent with love. It was from my family, whom I miss so terribly this time of year. It was our one connection over the holidays. Oh, well. Life goes on.

We're expecting snow today.

eight random things about myself....

I've been tagged by Joey from The Village Voice to share eight random things about myself. Thanks so much, Joey! Let's see.... according to the rules, I'm to link to the person who tagged me (Joey), post the rules (name 8 things you didn't know about me), and link to 8 other special bloggers. I know right now this isn't going to be so easy. First, it's hard talking about myself in such an intimate manner and secondly, I really have such a non-exciting life. But here goes....

1. I'm really not copying Joey's list, but could.... I, too, normally let my husband get up first to make coffee (also Starbucks but we prefer Christmas Blend this time of year). I stretch my legs out, taking up as much of the bed as I can, then fall back asleep for 15 minutes until I hear the beep of brewed coffee. Ahhhh, life can be so good!
2. I hate standing in lines. But if I must, there better be a National Enquirer magazine near by to ridicule. Mind you, I would never, ever, think (or admit to) of actually buying one of these periodicals.... except when I travel. Then I'll buy one for quick entertainment and easy reading. Otherwise I'm embarrassed to be associated with them in any form. My mom, however, bought it every single week. Go figure.
3. I'm more than squeamish at the sight of blood. My kids grew up knowing they better never hurt themselves to the point of drawing blood because..... chances weren't good that they would get medical attention. Okay, so that's not entirely true, but blood does make me practically pass out. Even when I go to the doctor's office and have blood work done, I wiggle and jiggle and hum songs; anything to take my mind off what's happening to my arm.
4. When I was little, I used to hide cookies and candy under my bed. I'd like to say I outgrew that trait, but sadly I didn't. I still hide candy although in my defense, my children know where I keep it and help themselves. What they don't know is where I keep the GOOD stuff! ;)
5. I love to fish and I love to eat fish, but I can't stand to see them killed. You will always find me looking the other way and otherwise occupying my mind with thoughts and noises when this happens.
6. One of my favorite past times is walking the rocky beaches, looking for fishing lures that have gotten snagged and broken from the line. The thrill of finding one is almost as good as catching the fish!
7. My glasses are trifocals. And I hate them. I will always hate them.
8. I love to sing. Even when I don't know the words. I'm not a good singer; I do not have a good voice. But I love to sing. It makes me feel good.

If you're interested in other random things about myself, you can visit a previous blog where I shared some scary things about myself. As far as tagging eight other bloggers.... I suspect most people have been tagged many times over so if you don't want to participate, that's fine. And if I didn't tag you and you want to participate, consider yourself tagged!

Simply Blissful
Splendid Things
Daisy Bouquet
Time With Shelby
Nature Trail
My Cozy Home
Hydrangea Home

So there you have it! Happy Thanksgiving!

my traditions this time of year

I know I'm not alone when I say, "I hit the after Thanksgiving Day sales." Yes, it's a family tradition even though I'm the only one in my family that does it. I tell my husband, "I go for the socks." Yea, ah ha.... sure.... But I do! My daughter gets a dozen new pair every year and the boys, too, get a dozen white sports socks. Course you can get them just as cheap a couple days later and avoid the morning madness, but it's that madness that I love. I love getting up early, with sleep still in my eyes, my hair a mess and coffee in hand and head out. Most years my sweet husband will go with me, support me, because he loves me that much. (Personally.... I think he has just as much fun as I do although he would never admit it!) For me it's the beginning of the Holiday season, of which I absolutely am crazy about. I don't care what time it is. I don't care that there are hordes of people. It's just fun. It's festive. People are happy. Plus there's free coffee and donut holes! So there you have it. It's all about the donut holes!

Let's see.... My Thanksgiving dinner is usually typical of one my mother would have made. I've had the same menu for all of my adult life, with few deviations. It's definitely a traditional dinner; very simply made with way too much food. It's always a good day though. We spend most holidays with my ex-husband and his wife. It hasn't always been this way, but we became friends after the divorce and it's good for the kids. This year Soapy asked to host dinner, which is a first. It should be a good day.

Here's the recipe for one of my traditional salads I serve on Thanksgiving Day. It's a recipe passed down from my mom, so holds a special place in my heart especially this time of year. She passed away two days before Thanksgiving 11 years ago.... This is a very sweet salad. Very delicious.

Carrot Salad

6 cups (about 4#) carrots, cut in 1" pieces, slightly cooked (until just crisp tender)
1 white onion, sliced
1 green pepper, sliced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp prepared mustard
1 tsp worcestershire
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup oil
1 can tomato soup

Mix all ingredients and pour over HOT carrots. Cool.

This is such a good salad and even if you don't care for carrots will find this a refreshing salad. Have a joyful day!

family traditions

This time of year always makes me sentimental. For family and old, familiar surroundings. There's always a strong need to return to my roots, to family. To drive through old neighborhoods, to visit my grandparents old farm house. To remember good times. Here's some of my good memories:

My dad's homemade sauerkraut. I'd love to eat it while it was still crunchy and salty, right out of the crock.

My mom's piano playing. My mom never took a piano lesson in her life but could play any song from ear. She would jazz up a song so it became a boogie woogie. I loved listening to her play and always wished I could follow in her footsteps. Sadly, I do not have that same talent.

Family time. I've written before that I grew up in a very dysfunctional family. It was. But before the drinking started in the early afternoon, we would have somewhat of a normal life. My mom never worked and my dad was a furniture salesman. We didn't have a lot of money, yet we had everything we needed. We'd go camping and fishing. We'd go to creeks and catch crawfish that my mom would cook up. Oh, so good. We had a cabin at the beach and wouldn't miss a good tide to go clamming or pry mussels off the rocks. Not only would we be up to our knees in muck, trying to dig that elusive clam, but would have to carry these heavy clam buckets back up the mountain to our cabin, and then help clean them. Would kids do that today?

Smells of Christmas morning: sausage patties and eggs fried in the sausage grease. This was in the good ol days, before everything was bad for you!

My first pair of fluffy pink slippers. My first bike. And my first Barbie (of which I still have).

Going berry picking with my grandma. They had an old station wagon and at lunch time, she would lay the tailgate open and make us chip beef sandwiches. Then we would return to a full afternoon of berry picking. I wish I could recall what type of berries they were; I want to say blackcaps.... In my younger days I would go strawberry picking. My mom would wake me up at 4:00 a.m., I'd walk the half mile to the bus stop (in the dark), catch a bus to the strawberry field an hour away, pick all day, leave tired and sore.... all for $3.25! That was the most I ever made in a day of berry picking, but back then, it was a lot of money.

It's memories like these that make me smile. Tis the Season for good memories!

good food

Today I'm grateful for fruit! I adore fruit and could live on it all year long. Especially sweet, ripe mangoes and papayas. Persimmons are my latest new love though. Have you ever tried one? I would see them in the store and wonder about them but since I didn't know how to eat them, I just walked by. A few years ago my husband and I were driving on Bainbridge Island and stopped at a fruit stand where they had persimmons cut up and ready to sample. I tried one and fell in love right there and then. Now, whenever Costco has them, I buy a few boxes. They're so delicious in a fruit salad, a green salad, or eaten alone. I peel them because sometimes the peel is tough, then slice in quarters and pop them in my mouth! Really, if you've never tried a persimmon, do! They typically can be found in the stores this time of year but just a short period of time.

This time of year you'll find oranges and grapefruits at their peak. For Christmas brunch last year, I made a citrus salad that was so good. I made it for dinner last night. I think you'll enjoy it as much as I do.

Citrus Salad With Mint Sugar

2 white grapefruit
2 pink grapefruit
6 large oranges
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup sugar
seeds from a pomegranate

Cut peel and pith from grapefruit and oranges. Cut between membranes to release the segments. Combine fruit in large shallow bowl. (Fruit can be segmented one day ahead; cover and refrigerate.)

Place mint and sugar in food processor and blend until mint is finely chopped. (I don't have a food processor and just chop it fine.) Sprinkle mint sugar and seeds over fruit.

Yummy! This recipe came from Bon Apetit 2003 and can be used for any occasion. I made it for dinner last night and then finished it off for breakfast this morning. It's not only a pretty dish but festive looking as well; very colorful with the pinks and reds. So Christmas! Enjoy!