living gifts

A little while ago I hinted at some DIY gifts I was working on for Christmas.

My dad is a fly fisherman and loves his garden.  He's also a sort of hard person to buy for.

He really doesn't want much, and if you get something he doesn't need or want it'll sit there. Forever.

I don't like that.

So I saw this on pinterest (the source was from here - although this item is no longer showing up) awhile back and thought it would be a perfect combination for my dad.

A fishing tackle box turned mini easy care garden.  Perfect.

And if I was at the garden store, I thought I'd get enough to make my mom one of these to match.

I found the idea on pinterest, from this site where she explains that she uses clippings from all of the succulant plants she had on hand.  I did not, so buying the plants from scratch did kind of add up, but it was worth it.  They didn't have all the amazing colors she had in her collection, so I had to stick with mostly green.  

I picked up some reindeer moss to fill in the holes.  I loved the different tones of green and was so happy with the end result.  

I had my husband drill six holes between the two different levels of the tackle box.  Three on top and three on bottom for drainage.  While I was putting it together, I put some press n seal on the bottom to keep the soil from making a mess.

But let me tell you, I was making a mighty big mess of my kitchen on this eve of Christmas eve.  I don't think I know any other way to create.

I'm not so good at tutorials because I never want to take the time to stop what I'm doing and take pictures.  But I tried here, with my cell phone to give a little tutorial on the wreath.

I had a wire frame from Michaels already in the closet from some long forgotten craft idea.

The directions called to soak the sphagnum moss in water for 5-10 minutes.  Then you begin putting it in between the wire of the wreath frame, on the backside.  

Using floral wire or clear fishing line (I found some at OSH where all the wires are) to wrap around the entire wreath.

Once this is complete flip the wreath over and start filling in the moss around the front and repeat with the wire/fishing line and tie in knots securely to hold the moss in place.

Now comes the fun part.  I used the eraser end of the pencil to put little holes to 'plant' the cactus plant inside.  I first had to get all the soil off of it and take the root and press it deep inside. 

The handy trick prudent baby suggests is using bobby pins to help hold the plant securely in the wreath.  You don't poke through the plant, but sort of wrap it around the sides.  It worked perfectly.

All in all, I was really unsure about taking this project on just before Christmas.  So when it came out looking half way decent I was really happy.  

And happy it's a gift my parents can enjoy for some time to come.

gifting fun

Ok...this is going to be quick.

I have about three posts to write, but didn't want to lump them all together so I think I'm going to make them separately.

First, this year I was so inspired by pinterest to do this...

Gingerbread play-doh.  The source is from this adorable blog.
and this adorable packaging sourced from tatertots and jello.

Except I made it a goal to just use whatever I had on hand and not to buy anything new.

So mine are a little of this and a little of that.  With my joy to the world tags I already had printed.

It helps that I seem to save scraps of ribbon and paper from everything.  Sometimes I wonder why I do,
but then when it comes in handy like this I'm glad.

Inside the grown up jars are these cookies from one of my favorite gluten free sources, the pure pantry.
They're dark chocolate dipped molasses ginger cookies, featured on Martha Stewart's whole living site.  You would never guess they're gluten free.  We couldn't keep them in the house...so we'll be making more later today.

Speaking of today...lots to do on my list still.

So I must get going.

Hope you're all having a Merry, Merry Christmas Eve's Eve!

Joy Of Gifting

 It's looking a lot like Santa's elves have set up shop in our living room here.


My husband decided he wanted to put together gift baskets for some of his clients by the end of the day.  He had part of the gift, a custom embroidered director's chair back.  But he wanted to put it together and make it look nice.

These things spark joy for me.  I love finding the perfect gift and making baskets, even better.  


So creating these gift baskets is my joy # 80.


Of course the parking lots, and crowds of people and lines to pay all while dodging rain could run the risk of ruining the joy.


But I chose not to let that happen.


And did you know I haven't done a single bit of shopping for my kids!!! I haven't been away from them long enough and at this point I'm afraid there isn't enough time for shipping.


So I decided I'd set out on an adventure to The Grove tonight as soon as I got them to bed.  If you know me, you know normally this isn't a 'fun and joyful' outing for me.  I think I've mentioned before I avoid malls, especially outdoor malls when it's raining, especially when they're a pretty far drive. 


But I thought this is an adventure.  So what if it's raining.  It might be fun.  There won't be traffic.  There shouldn't be as many people.  And it's night so all the Christmas lights will be on and brightly shining.

First I stopped at our local toy store to pick up something the kids really wanted ... shh it's a surprise. ;)

And my favorite vanilla latte from coffee bean.  It's a rare treat, but a treat I thought would be perfect to set out on my adventure.  


Almost there it occurs to me an old high school friend lives near The Grove and we were trying to find a time to see each other.  So I called her and asked if she might want to join me.  She was game so I picked her up.  

Oh and she is the absolute expert navigator of everything.  She and I were co-captains of our cheerleading squad our Senior year.  We drove all over together with her always making sure I wouldn't get lost.  We fell right back into the same old routine tonight.  I was talking and driving and she was telling me where to turn.  


Seeing Adriana was my joy #81


It made the whole adventure even more fun.  Especially because although The Grove closed at 11, I arrived at the American Girl store to discover it closed at 9.  We missed it by five minutes.  The other store I wanted to go to was also closed.  Bummer.  This trip seemed to be a wash, but I wasn't going to let it steal the joy.

Joy #82  When the store you need is closed, step into the bliss that is Anthropologie. 

And pick up some adorably colorful latte bowls.


Joy #83  Plan B... Target.  The great resource of all things on your list.  I knocked out most of my shopping even without The Grove!  Yippee.  Did you know it's open till midnight right now.  CRAZY people.  But tonight I was in a crazy kind of mood and closing at midnight was music to my ears.

Joy #84  The drive home took me on Santa Monica Blvd.  where I got to see some of the cool Route 66 Christmas lights.  


And Joy #85  Discovering a series of pictures taken by one of the little people in our house of a comfy fort they set up for themselves today complete with a reading nook,  a light and stuffed animals perfectly aligned.  The pictures and the way the pint sized photographer carefully selected their shots made me smile.

Feeling The Love

I got you a "pur-prise" my husband calls to say.

That's Audrey speak for surprise.

Ooohh surprises are fun.

I love surprises.

I love knowing he was thinking of me in the middle of his work day.

But this, truly was a surprise to me when he came walking in the house with it.

He was on a job in Santa Barbara waiting for their shoot to start.

It was delayed as they often are so they were told to go get lunch.

He found a little market and when he walked in said he knew I'd love it.

Everything was local, organic and just plain yummy and fun.

He decided to get me some tea.  There we go with tea again.  I'm not complaining at all.

Anyone who comes over sees I have quite a collection and truly love trying new kinds.

It makes me happy.

But then he said he couldn't stop there.

And then he saw that they made gift baskets.
So I got a gift basket just because.

I love that.

And I love my man.

For thinking of me and doing something like this just because.

Going through it, hidden in there are blue cheese stuffed olives, stress relief tea, chai tea, garlic pistachios, a fun vegetarian cookbook for entertaining and a pretty dish towel.

He picked it all out himself.  

There are a few things he wanted to try too. 

But my favorite, absolute favorite was this 'Mother's Little Helper.'

 
Before reading closely I was thinking it was some kind of gadget.

Nope.. just pure dark chocolate. 

Scrumptious. 

Cute marketing right?

I loved it.

I mentioned a little earlier that I had been feeling stressed.

I know he's trying in every way he knows how to lessen the load.

Last night was back to school night at the preschool which coincided with soccer practice.

I gave him the choice of going to back to school night or taking all three kids to soccer, then coming home at 7 p.m. and feeding them, bathing them and putting them to bed.

Do you know what he picked?  

Choice B.  

I said, "Are you sure you know you're signing up for the harder deal?"

  

He did.  

But did it gladly and man I tell you when he does the routine he has it down like a well oiled machine. 

Sometimes I think he should be the mom.

And as the back to school night was winding down I got a text.

Kids are asleep.

Dishes are done.

Beautiful!

I'm feeling the love. ;)

A Gift

I love tea.

I think I've written about it a few times already.

When a friend of mine found this out about me,

she knew she had to get me a belated birthday gift.

She works near this store.  

And she recently gifted me with two bags of their tea.

One is a green tea, the other is called Choco Latte.

Hmmmm... with a name like that, it has to be good.

Actually they're both amazingly yummy.

And every time I open the bag and smell them,

scoop out a little bit to put in my infuser,

I remember her

and I think of friendship.

 And I feel special.

I savor the tea and I savor the fact that 

this tea made her think of me and a gift

she thought would be perfect just for me.

Oh and I think, one day when I have a 

babysitter I'm going to go check this place out.

Because it's in Beverly Hills and it looks like lots

of things are breakable.  I'll be visiting alone

when I can think and smell and soak it all in.

This flavor is top on my list to check out.

Because I also LOVE lavender.

Isn't it neat how the people who know you

and grow to love you know the things

that would make you smile

and make you happy.

I love finding gifts that would be 

perfect for a person.  In fact I don't like settling

for just anything for that reason.  I like to find

the gift that has their name on it.

I love having a reason to buy someone a gift

and spending time finding just the right one.

I really just sat down to write about this yummy tea

that is making me happy these days.

But it occurred to me that God feels the same way

about us.  

He has gifts just waiting for us to open.

As we grow closer to Him and learn about Him through

his word so many of these gifts are opened to our eyes.  

He has picked them out just for us. 

Because He knows us in and out.  

He knows what will make us happy.

What will bless us.

We just have to seek Him with all our heart.

He also has blessed each one of us with our own

special gifts.  We talk about this with our children

all the time.  

Again spending time with Him, 
listening to Him and following in

his ways these gifts become more and more

apparent and we're able to open them more fully.

Thank you Lord for the blessings you bestow upon

all of us.

May we all have our eyes wide open to see them and

to receive them!

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Luke 11:13

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us."

Romans 12:6