Christmas Cookies

I realize Halloween hasn't even come and gone yet, but I'm already excited about this idea for packaging Christmas cookies. If you're a neighbour of mine, beware - your cookies are coming to you in much nicer packaging this year!

Ashan Children's Home

Given that this is the time of year for giving, I think it's important for everyone to remember that the ipods, laptops, iphones, new clothes and other goodies we wish for are such luxuries and there are so many people in the world with such greater needs. Ashan Children's Home is an example of this need. For christmas, these 60 orphaned children need new homes. Lauren, a friend I met in Ghana, recently returned from volunteering at this orphanage, and here is an excerpt of why these children are suddenly in dire need of a home:

"There are four babies and 56 children living in three overcrowded rooms. The children are currently sharing bunk beds or sleeping on the floor. In order to attempt to improve conditions, the department of social welfare has mandated that by the end of 2010, all orphanages must begin construction to convert all dormitory style housing to family style housing units, otherwise they will be shut down. The fact of the matter is that the government is mandating this change but providing no financial support, and if this orphanage gets shut down, the 60 children who are living, eating and getting an education through Ashan will be out on the streets."

If you want to read more, or might be interested in donating (even $5 can help make a difference!), click here to go to Lauren's fundraising site.

Bridesmaid Gifts

Well we're on the theme of gifts I can now tell you what we got my bridesmaids! I love the elegance of pearls, but didn't think a plain white pearl necklace really suited too many of my bridesmaids and I wanted them each to get a gift that was unique to them as well. So, a few evenings spent browsing on Etsy and I discovered the perfect jewels for my ladies!

I ended up wearing the double stranded bracelet myself, and the necklace was a gift for the groom's mom. Then three of my bridesmaid's got earrings while one got a bracelet. Hopefully they will find another occasion to wear their pearls!

Groomsmen Gifts

As you might remember, I was having trouble deciding what to get our groomsmen as gifts. Well, we ended up buying each of them a funky new tie. At first I was planning on getting some fun Amy Butler fabrics and making them myself. That plan didn't last long. Next I delegated the task to my mom, who is much better with a sewing machine than I am! However, it wasn't long before I realized I could buy them for a better price than all the fabric and save my mom some grief. So, we went shopping and found each groomsmen (and the groom) a unique tie!

Now, if someone had told me how much work all the groomsmen (and bridesmaids, and family members) were going to do to make our wedding happen perfectly, I would have multiplied our budget a million times to get them gifts that would truly show how grateful we are for their efforts. Well, it's too late for that, but somehow I will figure out a way to thank them (probably over and over again) for all their work!

Serious Dilemma

 

This bride's birthday is coming up quick and I'm facing a very, very serious dilemma. Adam offered to take me shopping (and to do it whilst not looking bored!) for new work clothes. I need new work clothes desperately. However, I also want a Roomba. I want a Roomba so bad I can taste it (I imagine it tastes like dog hair and dust). If I got a Roomba, I would name it Roberto. So what should I do? Clothes or Roomba? Roomba or Clothes? 

Apple Cobbler in a Jar!

 

I was recently inspired by a post about single serving pie in a jar over at the blog, Our Best Bites. I will definitely try making the pie once I have a few different types of fruit in the house to experiment with. In the meantime, I took my family's apple cobbler recipe and put that in a jar! I thought the recipe would only make 4 jars, but I ended up with 6 and some cobbler topping leftover. I could've kept going, but I was out of apples!

We baked two of them after dinner the other night and they turned out great!

I bet if someone was feeling super adventurous they could make a bunch of these as wedding favours! Or, if you're feeling moderately adventurous, as gifts to your bridal party. I think I'll use this idea for birthday gifts!