The ho-ho-holidays went off in a bit of a different fashion this year. I spent the remaining $30 I had on apple butter supplies and gift wrap. I didn't have traditional tape, so I used my double-sided crafting adhesive as tape.
I made cookies for my gran and my dad this year, and after divvying them up in Ziploc bags, I took the remaining cookies to work at 4pm on 12-23. Thankfully, my coworkers were more than willing to take the extras off my hands -- it felt good leaving with zero leftovers. Christmas Eve morning I woke up and finished the apple butter. (I love my hand blender -- it got the thickened, still-chunky butter nice and smooth.) Then I packed up and drove to my parents' house and passed a few hours until it was time to join my boyfriend's family for festivities.
It was great to see everyone, and the charcuterie that we had for dinner was amazing. (Smoked Texan Cheddar cheese? OMG, yes please! And his aunt brought little sweet peppers that were to die for.) Everyone loved their gifts -- it was nice actually having ideas from people! And Jake finished his handmade gifts: an amazing hand carved, mixed-media saint for his parents and a set of bookends for his aunt.
I know I posted a couple of entries ago that I wasn't going to do store-bought gifts for folks.
Yes, that was the dream and goal. The reality was a bit harsher. (And, honestly, Jake purchased most of the gifts that were purchased; I only purchased four. I made the apple butter for everyone and cookies for gran and dad, and he made the gifts for his parents and his aunt.) We're getting better on the handmade bit. Maybe next year. (We also decided to save the hand scrubs for gifts throughout the year.)
And honestly it does make a difference when someone gives you ideas. ("I'd really love to have a shower radio!" gives you some idea in which to narrow down your field. "I don't know" doesn't narrow down anything, so EVERYTHING is a both a possibility and a non-possibility.) In the cases of my dad and gran, it was a question of, "What would they appreciate and actually USE?"
I know I posted a couple of entries ago that I wasn't going to do store-bought gifts for folks.
Yes, that was the dream and goal. The reality was a bit harsher. (And, honestly, Jake purchased most of the gifts that were purchased; I only purchased four. I made the apple butter for everyone and cookies for gran and dad, and he made the gifts for his parents and his aunt.) We're getting better on the handmade bit. Maybe next year. (We also decided to save the hand scrubs for gifts throughout the year.)
And honestly it does make a difference when someone gives you ideas. ("I'd really love to have a shower radio!" gives you some idea in which to narrow down your field. "I don't know" doesn't narrow down anything, so EVERYTHING is a both a possibility and a non-possibility.) In the cases of my dad and gran, it was a question of, "What would they appreciate and actually USE?"
My favorite gift is actually a mug made personal by one of the student-workers at the office. It's incredible! My second favorite is the necklace that Jake gave me. (He made it personal by adding a phrase in Dothraki on the card.) The rest were so great, too -- it was hard to choose a favorite. Jake and I got couples gifts in the form of gift cards for when we move in together: Bed, Bath & Beyond and Target. Come on, cohabitation! :)
The next day we had lunch with gran and my parents. Everyone liked their gifts. Except dad. But he always wants filet mignon. I got a waffle iron from my parents -- but I got that about a month early. (One of the joys of knowing the "truth" about Santa.) I've been using it to make waffled breakfast quesadillas. I look forward to expanding my waffle-iron repertoire.
Another gift was a pasta maker from my supervisor, so I'll be spending some time in the coming months making homemade pasta as well. :)
Today, I purchased a fitness tracker for myself. It'll really help me focus on my weight loss and fitness goals that I started in October. (Since February of last year, I've lost 15 pounds. Just thought I'd throw that out there.) Sure, my phone will track my steps, but sometimes I don't wear pants with pockets (and I hate that bulky holster that came with my Otterbox) and sometimes I forget my phone when I walk somewhere.
Today is also the start of my complete vegetarianism.
I'll only eat meat if I knew it was consciously raised (applicable at family functions) and if I'm buying it myself, it will come from a local source -- not a commercial farm.
I'll only eat meat if I knew it was consciously raised (applicable at family functions) and if I'm buying it myself, it will come from a local source -- not a commercial farm.
This should cut down on the fast food dining and general restaurant dining. (Thank God for online menus, so I can see if there are vegetarian options beyond "salad".) There are a few restaurants here in Fort Collins that are vegetarian or very vegetarian friendly -- lifesavers.
I didn't really make any resolutions this year.
I also didn't really spend a lot of time thinking about Christmas or getting ready for it. It just came, happened, and felt very matter-of-fact.
I wasn't the only one who was bah-humbug this year, either: several ladies at work expressed the same sentiment. It's very strange.
I wasn't the only one who was bah-humbug this year, either: several ladies at work expressed the same sentiment. It's very strange.
Well, here's hoping that your New Year has started off great and that 2015 only gets better as it goes on!
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