Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

12 December 2011

It's been awhile...


I have not fallen off the face of the Earth.  Quite the opposite.  I've been firmly planted on the ground trying to get things done for the holidays.  My goal was to have the non-glamorous stuff out of the way 2 weeks before Christmas Day.  For the most part, I've accomplished that, but there is little stuff that pops up along the way.  The little detail bits that I always seem to forget year after year.

Once school let's out, I will breathe a bit easier. 

But sharing details about my schedule is a total bore.  So, I will tell you what I'm making all of the teachers, bus drivers, occupational therapists, speech therapists, physical therapists, and teacher assistants for Christmas gifts. 

I insist on handmade when possible, and useful in some way.  You can imagine my difficulty every year in coming up with something.  Honestly, if I could give them all $100 in a card I would.  We love our teachers, etc.  They deserve it without a doubt, but my pockets do not run that deep.  :(

For the men on the list above, we are doing THIS.
Assembly will take place later this week.  If you want to know where any of my supplies came from they came from here and here.  I am making some cute, vintagey red & white labels for the spice containers with clip art from here.

For the ladies on the list, we are making THESE.


They are coming along nicely.  I was able to find fun wooden spools at Hobby Lobby, and I think they make the kits look much better than the cheap plastic ones. 

These gifts are turning out cheaper than I originally budgeted for, but I think since our blood sweat and tears {mostly mine} is going into them, they are more meaningful, even if it's just a little bit.

What do you do for teacher gifts?  Do you give to your mailman, trash men, etc?  If so, what do you give?  In the past, we've given those peeps fast food bucks for a quick lunch.  You'd be amazed at what good service you'll receive when you let them know they are appreciated, too. 

If you have any questions about these projects just let me know...

25 December 2010

A Christmas Song a Day.

Merry Chirstmas!

May the true meaning of this holiday be in your heart!



Today's song is pretty spot on.

Sufjan Stevens, "Joy to the World"


Love,
Odd Girl Out

24 December 2010

A Christmas Song a Day.

Merry Christmas Eve to you all!

Thank you for sticking with me during my little break.

It's snowing in the Lou, and for once we have nothing to do tonight, but go to church this evening.

I'm making a big dinner {maybe some candlelight}, and plenty of cookies.

So, Jake and I will be snuggling with our four littles all the night through.

I saved one of my favorites for near to the end...

This gem features my 'boyfriend' Glen, and sweet, Marketa, of course.

'The Frames' classic is revisited with some Christmas cheer in the middle.

I could weep when I hear this song.

The Swell Season, "Star, Star" {Daytrotter Session recording}

23 December 2010

A Christmas Song a Day.

This one is so pretty.

 So, so pretty.

It's a wonderful cover.

Feist, "Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming"

22 December 2010

A Christmas Song a Day.

Oops...I think a missed a day or two.

Sorry.

If you like synthesizers, then today's song is for you.  ;)

The Raveonettes, Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home).

20 December 2010

A Christmas Song a Day.

You may recognize this from a Target commercial.

Or maybe not.

I didn't realize it was from the Red Bullseye's advertising campaign until I searched for a video of it on You Tube.

But, either way...Target's cool quotient has gone of the charts in the last 15 years.

Jenny O., "Get Down for the Holidays"

18 December 2010

A Christmas Song a Day.

Low, "Just Like Christmas"

Happy Weekend!

17 December 2010

A Christmas Song a Day.

A classic in its own right...

The Waitresses, "Christmas Wrapping".

Plus, I posted a video of one of those crazy 'light' houses that time their blinking lights to the music.

Because, as you all know...that's what Christmas is all about.

Tacky lights.

People have way too much time on their hands.

16 December 2010

A Christmas Song a Day.

This one is on my year-long playlist.

It's just too pretty.

Hopeful.

The harmonies will knock your slipper socks off.

Ingrid Michaelson & Sara Bareilles, "Winter Song".


15 December 2010

A Christmas Song a Day.

Today's song is a new arrangement of an old, beloved classic.

Jack Johnson, 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

Be prepared to dance around.

14 December 2010

A Christmas Song a Day.

Now, we come to "Last Christmas"

Many of you may recognize this song as the Christmas hit originally by Wham.

Ahhhhh, Wham.  Do you remember Wham?  Those were the days.

Not.

Anywho, this is performed by Erlend Oye, and, in my humble opinion, it's better than the original.

Enjoy.




13 December 2010

A Christmas Song a Day.

Moving on...

This fact that I'm posting this is humorous, ONLY because my mom and I were just discussing Yo Yo Ma the other day.  Definitely a topic that doesn't come up too often with my mom...or ever!

Alison Krauss is flawless.  Yo Yo is flawless.

Here is "Wexford Carole"...

12 December 2010

A Christmas Song a Day.

Can't help it...

another Sufjan song.

He is just so good at Chirstmas...and everything else he touches.

LOVE the banjo.

Sufjan Stevens, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"

11 December 2010

A Christmas Song a Day.

This one is awesome!

I love 'The Maccabees'.

I love 'The Snowman'.

I love this song.

Here is, 'Walking in the Air'.

10 December 2010

A Christmas Song a Day.

And, the next tune...

Fleet Foxes, "White Winter Hymnal"

Another tale of winter and snow.  Not so much Christmas.

Add a crackling fire, a cup of cocoa, a glittering tree, shut your mouth and like.

09 December 2010

A Christmas Song a Day.

Next up...

Dave & Tim.

The End.



08 December 2010

A Christmas Song a Day.

Song trois {3}:

This one is more wintery than straight up Christmas'y.

Laura Marling, 'Goodbye England (Covered in Snow)'

Folksy, woodsy, British'y, timeless. (I like to make up words, yo.)

07 December 2010

A Christmas Song a Day.

Second Christmas song...

Owl City, "The Christmas Song"

Upbeat, very Christmas'y on the 'Reason for the Season' scale.

Peace!

06 December 2010

Doh! {A Christmas Song a Day}

Because I would feel completely unconnected to you all, I've decided to post one super cool Christmas song until the New Year. It's my way of still being 'around'.  How's that?  A win, win for everyone.  Easy post for me, maybe-new-to-you Christmas music.  Sounds wicked to me! Here we go...

The first installment:

Sufjan {SOOF-yahn} Stevens, 'Christmas in the Room'

05 December 2010

Bare with me.



I have been absent for awhile.  
Not really, but 'blog' absent.
{I wanted to post a short video of sweet, lil' Ro 
swinging on the trapeze at circus class to illustrate the fact
that I feel like LESS than a graceful trapeze swinger these days,
but, alas, I am too warm and snuggly on the couch to get my phone
and upload the cuteness.}
So, here's the deal...
I am finding it hard to add regular blogging into my priorities during these crazy days
{house reno, Christmas, room mother duties, etc},
BUT I will be back.
The new year will mean a new look, 
a new me {probably not that so much}, a fresh beginning.

I added our new family photos
just because they're sweet.
Don't ya think?

So, since I'll be on hiatus...
here's wishing you and yours
a truly blessed, special Christmastime.
The most wonderful time of the year!

Hope you don't have to drink too much
eggnog to get through it in one piece!

I, for one, actually LIKE being around
my {extended} family.
One of many blessings to count this time of year.

Happy Chirstmas!
See you in 2011!