gifts
My Favorite Christmas Presents
I got some awesome gifts for Christmas. Some books, a necklace, tickets to the Performing Arts theater… it was truly a wonderful Christmas. But there are two gifts in particular that have become instant loves in my life.
1. Keurig Coffee Maker
Have you ever used one of these? I unexpectedly got one for Christmas from my in-laws and it’s amazing. This fabulous little machine has simplified my morning coffee routine: instead of using my huge pot of coffee to make one cup in the morning, this genius machine will give me the perfect serving size. I love it!
^That New York mug was also a gift. Since J and I gave each other the trip for Christmas, we decided to wrap up a mug we bought in the Columbus Circle Starbucks so we’d have something to open. The package said “To Jeff & Ginna, From Jeff & Ginna.” Yeah, we’re nerds.
2. A Beautiful Bike!
I feel like a little kid when I say I got a bike for Christmas, but it truly was such a wonderful surprise from my parents. Long time readers may remember when I had a bike in DC, but I gave it away when I moved to Raleigh because my first apartment didn’t have a good spot to keep it dry. So finally I have a bike back in my life! I cannot wait for spring’s arrival so I can take more frequent rides. Look how pretty she is. :)
What were some of your favorite Christmas gifts this year?
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Mysteries of the Christmas Story
I’ve heard the Christmas story so many times. I know all its characters, its ending. I can even recite parts of Luke 2. But even after countless Christmases, it still surprises me at how mysterious and amazing the birth of Jesus was.
Take, for example, Mary. A virgin mother. She must have been terrified to hear the news that she was pregnant with God’s son. Instead of remaining in that fear she trusted God and worshiped him for the life growing inside her. I love that she went to stay with her pregnant cousin, who was carrying John the Baptist. Isn’t that the natural response of pregnant women today, surrounding themselves by other mothers for comfort and support?
Mary isn’t the only one who trusted God – poor Joseph found his fiancé pregnant and had to trust that what she (and an angel of the Lord) said was true. What courage it took for him to stay with her in the midst of being ridiculed by a moral society.
The night that Jesus was born must have been extraordinary. Shepherds were just doing their job when an angel appeared to them and told them where to find Christ the Lord. Then hundreds, maybe thousands of angels filled the skies and began praising God. What in the world did the people of Bethlehem think when they saw a multitude of angels filling the sky singing praises? It must have been an amazing—and possibly terrifying—site to see. I wonder what melody they sang and how long they were in the sky?
There were certainly enough people in the town to witness the scene if there wasn’t even a place for Mary and Joseph to stay. It is crazy to think that the creator of the universe—the one who holds the world in the palm of his hands—was brought into that same world in a stable with smelly animals and piles of manure.
One of the most amazing parts of the story is that Jesus’ birth and life was prophesized hundreds of years before it even happened. Prophesies that match up to the very details of that evening: virgin birth, Bethlehem, a humble beginning. But that is not all that was predicted, even his death was foretold before his birth:
But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. – Isaiah 53:5-6
This baby Jesus grew up and bore the sin of us all that we may be healed and experience true peace. I love that we have one day a year set aside to reflect, remember, and tell this amazing story again.
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Ornament Swap!
This holiday season I participated in Micaela’s Ornament Swap, where you send an ornament to a blogger and get one back in return. I had the privilege to swap an ornament and receive one from Amanda at Project Simple Life. She gave me a sweet package of a holiday mix CD (currently playing in my car!), a peace ornament from an Etsy, and an adorable card.
In her note, she wrote:
“Here’s hoping your holiday season & 2012 is filled with peace. That is why I chose this ornament for you & Jeff, to be reminded of the peace you have through Christ, every time you look at the tree.”
I think I’ve found another blogging kindred spirit! What a sweet, thoughtful gift to receive in the mail. :) Thank you Amanda for the wonderful gifts and special thanks to Micaela for organizing the swap!
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The Handmade Market
Last Saturday I mosied myself out of my sweatpants coma and rejoined society to attend The Handmade Market in downtown Raleigh at the Cobblestone Hall. It was such a fun time – supporting the local artists with friends on a beautiful fall morning when the air was chilly and the energy of Christmas approaching brought shoppers out to buy local gifts.
You may have to look closely, but this shop below made art out of maps in the shape of trees or bikes. And that girl looking at the prints happens to be my fabulous friend Catherine. We have been friends since the sixth grade. :)
Here are cute pillows from Olive O. Home. I am thinking about buying one for our guestroom.
I loved these colorful necklaces from Lucky Accessories.
These stockings at CowBelle were SO cute and cheap (sorry for the blurry pic). She also has a lot of other pillows and fabric purses on her site.
This artist uses eclectic items and quotes to make collages.
These necklaces were hammered and very simple. I also really liked the presentation on these rustic pieces of wood.
I definitely laughed really loud when I read this card, via The Courtesy Press:
Drawings and illustrations from Wolfie & the Sneak:
I really wanted to get this print from the Marisol Spoon shop, but decided to wait. I still may get it via Etsy though. It’s just so cute!
Other shops sold things like yarn or homemade soap or chic clothes. It was such a fun morning and I loved seeing what kinds of items local artists have made. Click here for the complete list of the vendors or more information on The Handmade Market.
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Sparkle Swap
A few weeks ago I signed up to participate in Kaileen Elise’s Sparkle Swap. The challenge was to send a blogger four unique gifts – a bit of sparkle, a treat that soothes, something sweet, and a surprise. I received my gift the other day from Micaela at Dolce Vita. Here is the adorable package I received:
Something sweet. The whole box was something sweet, but she gave me yummy Biscoff cookies. Her note said, “As a fellow coffee lover, these are my most favorite to go with my morning coffee.”
A bit of sparkle. Pretty glittery nail polish!
A treat that soothes. “There is nothing like a scarf to keep you warm. I chose this one for you because it was both floral & feminine.”
A surprise. “I picked this ornament at a local craft fair because this year you’ll be celebrating your first Christmas as married people (last Christmas was mine & my husband’s first!) which is pretty special. I’m an ornaments girl–in fact I host a yearly ornament exchange on my blog. To me, they’re a hanging memory and when I saw the two birds together, I had to get it for your first Christmas together.”
Isn’t she the sweetest?! All of these gifts were so thoughtful and personal to my tastes. She even sent me a card with a Pride and Prejudice quote on it. I think we’re soul sisters. :) Thank you SO much Micaela for all these wonderful gifts. And now I have an awesome new blog to follow!
You’re probably wondering — how did she know you liked birds, feminine scarves, and coffee?! Well, that would be because of the fabulous Kaileen for putting all of this together. Thank you so much, Kaileen for all of the hard work behind this project! It was a wonderful surprise to receive in the mail.
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My Week of Thank You Notes, Christmas, and Engagements.
I cannot remember a January that was so busy as this one is! Usually it’s the slowest, longest, coldest month of the year, but it’s already clear that 2011 will be no average year.
Any free time I’ve had this week, I’ve been writing thank you notes. My goodness did I score last week at the shower! I showed you my registry wish list and I still cannot believe all the things we got! I am storing all of the presents in our guest room closet, and this is what it looks like:
Awww yeah! I got a kitchen aid mixer! My sweet Mom and Dad gave it to me. I told them no more presents–what a generous and wonderful gift! We decided not to use any engagement, shower or wedding gifts until after we are married, unless we really need it (which unfortunately is a lot of things). I’m also sleeping in the guest bedroom… I know, it’s a little weird and traditional, but I just don’t want to act married before we’re married and want our first few months to be special to both of us.
I got a late Christmas present this week… J took me to see The Lion King on Wednesday night! We went to Tobacco Road, a local restaurant then walked next door to the DPAC. What a wonderful production! I love presents that involve doing things together and I had been looking forward to it for weeks. If anyone gets a chance to see it, do. It is so good.
Last but not least, this week has been unusual because my older sister got engaged on Sunday night! We kind of knew it was coming, but weren’t exactly sure when it would happen. My family drove to Charlotte to surprise her Monday at lunch and it was so fun celebrating with them. She is thinking about having a small wedding in May, so it could be an extremely busy spring!
This is the first weekend I’ll be at home since moving and I plan to take advantage of that with lots of cleaning, organizing and, most importantly, relaxing. Have a wonderful weekend!
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