Tag: gifts

Another Day

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Jennifer Wolfe

Her face is turned toward the window, nestled on a deep feather pillow. Long dark lashes flutter as I kiss her cheek, brushing back soft strands of hair from her forehead. It is dark out, yet she will rise and greet another day.

His face is face up, eyes closed, arms thrown back over his head in the same position as when he slept as an infant. I reach down to kiss the sweet spot between his jaw and neck, and he groans and pulls the covers tighter. It is dark out, yet he will rise and greet another day.

Sleepily she pads downstairs, honey colored hair still in a messy braid. Too early to eat, she sips cold orange juice as she pulls on long underwear and ski socks. It is dark out, yet she will go and meet another day.

Groggily he pulls on his fuzzy black and white skull patterned bathrobe and gulps down fresh water. He trods down the stairs, too full of chatter for such an early start. It is dark out, yet he will go and meet another day.

She dresses quickly yet deliberately. No worries about appearances, she thinks only of the snow that awaits her. It is cold out, yet she will be brave and face another day.

He pulls on his layers, sweet grapefruit juice dribbling down his chin. Thinking only of the countdown to Christmas, he hugs me in anticipation. It is cold out, yet he will be brave and face another day.

Methodically she unscrews her ski helmet face bar in the dark lodge, preparing for the morning workout ahead of her. Layer upon layer upon layer she bundles up and heads towards the lift, tousled braid whipping in the wind. It is dawn out, and she gets to have another day.

Slowly he prepares for the snow, insisting on doing it alone. His fuzzy brown head disappears beneath a royal blue helmet and goggles, contrasting the lime green and black of his jacket. We kiss goodbye, my assurance I will be waiting for him when he returns. It is dawn out, and he gets to have another day.

Yet as I sit by the window watching the sun crest the snow-covered hills, I cry for the mother and child who are apart, who will never feel their arms around each other again, and who cannot brush away each other’s tears.

It is bright out, and I get to have another day.

Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

Christmas Crafty – guest post by Debbie Ward

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Jennifer Wolfe

I didn’t get the crafty gene. All the other females in my family received it, but me – I don’t do crafts well. I have other talents for sure, and luckily I’m good at reading directions! When the ‘crafty’ bug gets me I always look for someone else’s ideas to follow, and that’s what appeals to me about my guest post today! Simple, easy to follow directions will let even the clumsiest crafter create a gift worthy of giving – just check it out and see for yourself! And please check back when you’re done and let me know how it turned out!

Low-Cost, Easy Holiday Christmas Craft
By Debbie Ward of Lucky Paper Girl Arts

Here’s how make a beautiful holiday frame with deep personal meaning out of an ordinary, inexpensive craft store frame. Not only is this a fine way to display one of your most treasured photos, it also makes a heartfelt and appreciated gift. Like to scrapbook? You probably have almost all of these supplies on hand already!

Supplies: Unfinished frame, Mod Podge, Holiday Designer Paper, Die Cuts or other Embellishments, Red Line Tape, Ribbon, Sanding Block, Craft Knife, Circle Punch, Distressing Ink, Photo

1. Purchase an inexpensive frame from your craft store and take the glass and frame back off.

2. Find a piece of your favorite holiday paper and cut it to the frame size, or about a quarter inch larger than your frame.

3. Take your bottle of Mod Podge and spread it on your frame. Try to make the coat as even as possible.

4. Let the Mod Podge dry a few hours or overnight. Turn the frame over, and take a craft knife and trim out the frame opening.

5. Sand the edges with a sanding block.

6. Add another layer of Mod Podge to the frame. Make sure to pay attention to the edges and look for air bubbles. If air bubbles are present, take a pin or craft knife and make a small hole or slit and cover with Mod Podge. Let dry again for a couple of hours. Depending on the type of Mod Podge used, your project may have a matte or shiny finish.

7. I die cut two Christmas trees from coordinating paper and distressed the edges of them. I also distressed the edges of the frame at this point. The frame must be totally dry to do this. I attached the first tree with red line tape and the second tree with “pop dots” to raise it up and give the frame some dimension.

8. Attach a strip of red line tape around the entire frame. Peel off the tape carefully and attach a coordinating ribbon around the entire frame. Side note: If you wish, before you begin this project, you could paint the entire frame with a couple coats of acrylic paint. The ribbon step could be optional.

9. To finish the project, I die cut a scalloped circle and printed a title on my ink jet printer. I punched it out with my circle punch and attached it to the frame with pop dots.

This project can also be completed by older children for grandparents or extended family — with the exception of the craft knife step, and a parent can assist with that. My daughters also do this for their friends on their birthday; they change the paper and put in a picture of them with the birthday girl/boy. This project can be adapted to any season of the year. I was able to complete this project for under $5…a deal by any standards!

Elin Coats writes and edits for FavorIdeas, and wants to put flamingo feathers on her Christmas tree this year. She hopes you’ll stop by for adorable favors designed for fun holiday parties.

Jennifer Wolfe

Friday Photo: Beacons

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Jennifer Wolfe

Sometimes as I’m moving around in my day, an image gets stuck in my head that I can’t shake. Sometimes it conjures up a memory, a feeling, or provides an impulse to do something. Often, though, I just see something that I want to capture in my mind for no particular reason-it just speaks to me. I’d like to offer these images up for ‘thought contributions’-as a way to generate a community of ideas together.

This week’s Friday Photo was taken a few months ago, on a special ‘girl’s weekend’ road trip I take every year with four of my most favorite women. Each of them brings different gifts to my life: humor, wisdom, insightfulness, and compassion. I haven’t seen these ladies at all this summer, and I guess I’m missing them! I know that like this lighthouse, they are shining beacons of friendship in my life.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this ‘Beacons’ photo- please leave me a comment!

What image do your friends bring to mind? What gifts do they give to you?