Category

Christmas

Category

Easy DIY Neon Christmas Tree Topper

Today, I’m sharing with you my very simple neon Christmas tree topper. I know, neon doesn’t really scream Christmas, but I’m running with it. And there’s a funny (to me) story that goes along with it. When we moved to our new house in 2012, Adam mentioned having two Christmas trees and I blanched. Two? Really? Sure, we had upgraded from our sad “Charlie Brown” tree that cost us $20 when we moved in together, but it seemed indulgent to have two. You’re talking to a girl who grew up in a small ranch style house in a firmly middle class neighborhood. Rich people had two trees. We had one. But, Adam and I still had that small, sad tree hanging around and I hated to just dump it in a landfill, so I decided to embrace the idea and run with it. It helped that I gained points with…

Simple Southern Sides for Thanksgiving – Deviled Eggs

This post is part of a blog hop hosted by Kirsten at Sweet Tea and Saving Grace. To see all of the submissions for this hop, check out the link up below. Do you guys have any food traditions for Thanksgiving? For me, it’s things like my mom’s deviled eggs or her pear salad, or even her dressing or potato salad. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of “cooking” with my mom on the holidays. I don’t think she ever used a recipe and I was happy to be “taste tester”. When she died a few years ago, it became really important to me to carry on her traditions – especially food. Knowing that I have her food at my holiday table makes me feel like she’s there with us as we celebrate. (Did you know that that’s how our departed family members “visit”? As long as you…

The Christmas Ornament

I thought I’d share a Christmas story with you. It’s going to start out a little rough, but in the end, I hope it makes you smile and remember those who might not be at your Christmas table this year. The story is entirely true. I haven’t made any of this up. I know, because it happened to me. Grab a soda, it might be awhile.When I was 18, I suffered my first big loss. The summer between high school and college was spent watching my mother, care for hers. And then comforting her when Memaw (that’s Southern for Grandmother, y’all) passed away. I was ill-equipped to deal with death and therefore, I didn’t. I won’t go into details, that’s really not the point of the story, but I will share with you that I have been a different person since that time. That loss changed me forever. It was just…

What Your Child’s Teacher Really Wants for Christmas

This week, many children will celebrate Christmas/Winter holidays and then enjoy two weeks off from school. Most schools have Christmas parties and most kids want to bring their teacher a Christmas gift. I was a teacher for 5 years (and may go back some day), so I thought I’d share some insight into what your teacher really wants for Christmas.First off, let me say this: Teacher’s (99% of them) are really grateful to receive anything. And I mean that, anything. It just means a lot to be recognized for all they do on a daily basis. (I won’t get on a soapbox here, but trust me when I say your teacher’s three months “off” in the summer are spent working, attending training, getting a jump on next year.) So while this may sound like I’m telling you what not to buy, please don’t take it as such. I’m speaking from my…