THE PERFECT GIFT

Addendum---after posting this entry, 2 different folks said (directly to me)----don't let your tinsel get in a tangle! Then ,I "uncovered" this gift from a friend.........."I get it! I get it!"

Some people are "naturals" at gift giving---thoughtful, creative, pragmatic, & within budget all rolled into one. Many folks I know do this. However....
I  would not be one of those. It's not that I don't try. I even try to keep notes on who likes what so I don't give milk chocolate treats to the dark chocolate diehards, or "forget to delete nuts" in non-nut folks' recipes---actually, I usually err on the side of extra nuts so I just eat it all extras myself!

I have really struggled this season, trying for perfection in all my shopping. Though son Buddy's recent sermon, reminded me that joy is re-findable, even in holiday chaos, when folks tend to lose their way. A reminder to slow down and "savor the season" (and the Savior) and not "over shop it." So....I pulled out some gifts I've received to try to replicate similar ideas of thoughtfulness for others---these "small" gifts were "perfect" for someone like me.

 "My" favorite Christmas carol highlighted on a super-sharp pencil (and it has a great eraser!!)

Fresh gathered eggs from Full Circle Ranch for me to share with family. Grandson could not believe there were pink ones, white ones, along with light and dark brown ones. But, all tasted delish!
Just ask, Owen.

So many but don't want to list for fear of leaving someone out!! But what I see in each is that relationships are real between the giver and the receiver----I'm just blessed to be on the receiving end!

I do keep trying so hard to make all (12) stockings personalized and yet fair---don't want to hurt someone's feelings. Then, I read an Ann Voscamp quote. "Stop holding onto a standard of perfection instead of being held by the arms of grace." I had already written an AV observation, that began to ring true as I wandered distractedly here, there and yon (in my own house, no less. Voskamp said anxiety can give you God Alzheimer's." I might forget where I've hidden hubby's gift or M's tea but I don't want to forget God or move Him to the back room. So, I stopped, refocused and 5 folks walked in unexpectedly. Yahoo!

Of course, the only true perfect gift arrived centuries ago in a manger in Bethlehem. A gift from our heavenly Father who keeps on giving....
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights... (James 1:17)

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

Maybe the "memory moments" began as I sat by "my Molly" at the funeral of  6 yr. old Milla G. this week. Such a service can have any parent wanting to hold on to sweet memories of their precious children.

This morning I wondered what memories my children and grandchildren would carry with them once I am gone. Would they remember that in their early years I always sang a little 2 line "ditty" to help them ease into their mornings. "Good morning Sunshine. How you doing friend?"

Guess what made me think of that today! My morning cuppa!

But would they recall the spiritual & sometimes quirky Christmas happenings---

• Donald Duck always goes on tree first as it's the 1st ornament bought for a Liles tree in 1969
• 24 days of no TV which they gave me as a gift (and then wanted to take it back, but didn't) 
• the lobster races on the kitchen floor, 
• Pop's "little" prayer for the "big" meal "For these and all our many blessings we thank you."
• country ham (cooked in black ironskillet) with biscuits & re-eye gravy on Christmas eve
• In 1982 when we walked "late" on the night of the full moon and discovered 2 moons that  December---13 moons that year---one of those "once in a blue moon" years
• the year the lights went out, only on our street, so we had to entertain a house full of Advent guests in the DARK---at least we could use our camp stove & run an extension cord across to our back door neighbors to plug in an electric skillet, 
• our Advent Sundays with a Jewish neighbor in attendance just to hear Mr. Liles sing "We Three Kings", 
• the on-going "hunt" for the lost Double Bubble bubble gum canister/tub, 
• always picking out a "real" Christmas tree, 
• Cutting the names off of every Christmas card we received and taking turns throughout the next year praying for the names we "drew" from the yellow smiley mug. Mug had been given us by Maxine (Mommar's sister) & Clyde---along with King Leo peppermint sticks for Molly
• taking 20 leftover Christmas trees the day after Christmas to use in Molly & Corey's wedding, 
• Lucy being small enough to bathe in the kitchen sink on our first Colorado Christmas, 
• the deer in the front yard on our 2nd Colorado Christmas as it snowed everyday we were there in 2014,
• making Christmas angels in the snow then darting back inside to the hot tub
• magic wands that turned on the Christmas lights over the big mantle,

Maybe this Christmas we can all share what we remember and then I can add to the list---remembering the One who should be the ultimate focus of the entire celebration. (Isaiah 9:6)

You, reader,  might want to start your own "Christmas Memory" list! 

Gift Extraordinaire

I know there is probably no such thing as a "perfect" gift but for needed a key-chain, "map lovin' granny" who loves her kids and grands where ever they are----this one is pretty close!!

A key ring map that shows all the places closest to my heart---New York---Lucy, Tennessee---Owen,

Texas---Nathan, Noah, Caleb, John Parker and Andrew. (Proverbs 17:6)

Thanks Day----this is truly a gift extraordinaire. A gift that touches my heart!

Smiley gifts

12/19/12 Some gifts just make you smile---this one does because it is a "grand" one----our ID. Grandparents live here! Old men and old women!

Grandchildren are the crown of old men,....(Proverbs 17:6)

Me, ingenuous?

12/19/10 Not exactly but………...with a little help from some yet to be named folks, I pulled it off. I told Larry that I did it all myself---but he’s not buying that.

Here’s the scoop.
Larry is not a big fan of “my” brown sofa (from Springers, no less) in our den. Though I’m the one using it 99% of the time, he says it sinks way down anytime anyone sits on it. So yesterday for the ingenuous gift, that required only a “small” tip and some holiday “goodies,” I gave Larry a “new” den couch for Christmas for 1 year. Didn’t go to Aaron rentals either. I just sent Larry to Kroger with an unusual list of hard to find items. Then, I, and my elves, merely transported the den furniture for seating, except his big recliner, to the living room. We then moved the living room couch into the den. That way the big couch, that in no way sinks down---Mommar’s feet wont even touch the floor when she sits on it--has become the den couch. My prayer chair was included in the swap as well, so there was definitely some sacrifice in the giving. The window treatments blend enough with the swap so hopefully my friends with a real decorator’s sense won’t be appalled. Maybe, they, like Larry, will think (at first glance anyway) that we got a “new” couch.

The gift wasn’t costly or time consuming but I still think it hit the mark. Ingenuous giving involves giving a little of yourself in a thoughtful, creative, resourceful and original way. I hope I met those requirements.