happy, happy...

Things will be quiet around here for the next few days as we "unplug" and soak up the rest of the Holiday season with our families.

The other day in the car I was talking about the birth of Christ with Henry. We were commenting back and forth to each other about the details of the Nativity and when he was describing the angels singing, he sort of paused for a moment and said, "don't you remember that, mom?" I asked him what he meant and he didn't go into much more detail, he just said, "I just kind of remember that part 'cause I was there." I thought it was an interesting thing for a five year old boy to say.

The legion of angels is my favorite part of Kershisnik's Nativity (image above). I don't know if Henry was there. I don't know if I was there. But as I have made a careful effort to appreciate and celebrate the true meaning of this Christmas season, there have been several moments where I have felt like singing, when I have wanted my voice to ascend with the believers in praise and thanks for the incredible gift of a Savior.

We hope your Holidays surround you with moments that make you want to sing.

Warmly,
Anne & Em

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Be sure to submit your photos for our 2nd Annual Handmade Gift Parade. Details here.

And if you're a YNAB (You Need A Budget) user, read about the awesome contest they're sponsoring here.

More Holiday Goodies

If you want a big, sweet, beautiful dose of inspiration for your holiday baking, we highly recommend Mel's Sugar Rush over at My Kitchen Cafe. She's got a fantastic variety ranging from Gingerbread with Cinnamon Whipped Cream to Chocolate Haystack Cream Cheese Squares. (My blood sugar went up just reading through all the recipes!) A dozen days of deliciousness. And if you're still hungry for inspiration, dig the Sugar Rush archives from the past two years.

Speaking of archives, we posted some yummy recipes for a Holiday Goody Plate last year - chocolate/caramel dipped pretzels and almond poppyseed bread. I've got that poppyseed bread penciled in on my list of things to bake this season. Don your aprons and stock your pantries, friends - 'tis the season!

Christmas Service Ideas--Help for the Truman Family

If you were to say: "Name someone who makes you want to be a better person," I would shout out "Lori Truman!" before I even took a breath.

When I was first married and settling into a new home in Utah, Lori became my first real friend. She stopped by to see how I was, brought me meals when I had my first baby, and asked genuine questions about my life. We worked together at BYU, which solidified our friendship. What solidified our friendship even more? When she brought me saltines and 7up because my whole family was barfing and when she left cupcake themed Valentine's kitchen towels outside my door just because and when she took care of Blaine all day when Roger was born. We moved from Utah in May of '08 and were back in June for a family reunion. Taylor planned a birthday dinner for me with all of our old friends there. When I got out of the car and saw Lori, I burst into tears.

I guess you're probably getting the picture.

What I haven't explained yet, is that through all this time, Lori has worked from home, born two amazing children, and grappled with the reality that her darling husband, Wes, has brain cancer. And while that brings pain and stress unimaginable, Lori and Wes continue to be faithful that God will provide. As Lori has written on her blog, they know that "peace and pain can co-exist." Like I said, Lori makes me want to be a better person.

Here's where you and your Christmas cheer come in: Lori and Wes have been given an amazing opportunity to build a house, which is currently in the works. And some friends are working to raise funds to make a warm, furnished, beautiful home possible for them.

Please take some time to look at Lori's blog. You will fall in love.

If you want to do somethingto help the Trumans, you can:
*Donate through paypal by sending your donation to westrumanfund@gmail.com
*Purchase something from this registry to help furnish their new home

You should know that Lori and Wes feel a bit overwhelmed by all of these fundraising efforts. Lori was hesitant when I asked if we could ask Bloomers to help out. That is to say, they are humbled by and tremendously grateful for all of this help. And I know they would want you to know that.

xoxo,
anne

Christmas Service Ideas: Think Globally

Today's service ideas are dedicated to looking outside our own families and even our own communities.

#1--Sponsor an Orphan
My husband and I have had the opportunity the last few years to sponsor a boy who lives in an orphanage in Ukraine. For $75 for the entire year, it is amazing the extra things we're able to provide for him. I love that every year the time to recommit to sponsorship comes in December. As I'm making lists and stressing about decorations, I get a letter about the orphan we sponsor and I'm reminded about what is important and what is real. We participate through an amazing program (started by some of our family members) called the TOUCH Project. Learn how you can help here.

#2--Help for Haiti
It has been almost a year since the devastating earthquake in Haiti, and there is still so much that remains to be done to help. The latest heartbreaking news is that cholera is rampant in Haiti right now, with many deaths and up to 1,000 new cases daily. Go here to learn more and find out what you can do.

#3--Operation Smile and Smile Train
For the last few years my dad and brother have accompanied plastic surgeons to places like Mexico and the Dominican Republic to assist in cleft lip and palate repairs. They do an incredible number of surgeries a day and come back with amazing, humbling stories. This work is done through programs such as Operation Smile and Smile Train. Obviously the doctors donate their time and services, but these programs need a lot of money for all of the set up, supplies, etc. That's where we come in. Again, see here or here to find out what you can do.

Obviously there are countless other needs in our world and great ways to meet them. These are just three that happen to be on my mind. Feel free to link us to any other great programs that we could participate to give a little more this season.

xo
anne

Roundup: Printable Tags

I'm not much for fussy gift-wrap; just not something I feel like I have time for in my life right now. I'm into "brown paper packages tied up with string." And it's a win/win because brown paper+cute string+cute tag=charming gift!

Today we want to help you with the "cute tag" part. There are so many great free printables in the interwebs, but finding them can feel akin to looking for the one cute top lurking in all the horrors at ROSS. We don't want you to have to do that, so we rounded up some goodies for you:

Vintage Style Tags via Nice Package

Personalized Labels via Martha

Reindeer & Lights Tags via Creature Comforts
***Check out their whole series of free printables (gift tags, food labels, etc.) Fantastic!***


These little sweeties via Black Apple



Love the colors & the modern edge of this set via Paper Crave.

This last one is not a gift tag, but we wanted to post this Christmas subway art that Amanda Stringham created and shared with us. A beautiful reminder to print and enjoy for this time of year.

Regardless of the trimmings & trappings, we hope you find great joy in your gift-giving this year.


Don't forget there's still time to enter the Smitten Blog Designs Giveaway -
you could win a brand new custom look for your blog!

Christmas Service Ideas: Hot Chocolate for Charity

In all the rushing and planning and wrapping and baking at Christmas time, one of the things we consider most important is finding meaningful service opportunities to share with our families.

Obviously there a lot of wonderful, tried and true service ideas this time of year--choosing a family you know is in need and secretly dropping off gits for the twelve days of Christmas, picking a name off a Christmas tree at the mall and purchasing gifts for that person, participating in Toys for Tots, and so on.

We thought it would be fun this year to draw your attention to three unique service opportunities. We'll share one each day for the remainder of this week.

Today's is an idea I saw in my December Better Homes and Gardens and I looooove it.

Hot Chocolate for Charity

Help your children set up a Hot Chocolate Stand in your neighborhood. Deck out the table with holiday decor and make sure to have fun toppings like whipped cream, peppermint sticks, and marshmallows. Help the children choose a charity or cause they'd like to donate the earnings to, and have them make a sign explaining their cause. Then bundle up and brave the cold as you watch your children learn how exhilarating service can feel!

**Obviously some neighborhoods (and some climates!!) aren't ideal for this idea. Think of ways to adapt it. For example, a hot chocolate stand outside a busy store or inside a holiday bazaar.

Bloom Christmas Show-n-Tell 2010!

I (Anne) went for a really simple mantle this year. I love poinsettias deconstructed so much, I don't think I'll ever leave one intact again!

The boys' delights: advent boxes, peppermint sticks, and mint m&ms

Our little front porch tree and the $4 after Christmas sale green sparkly wreath that tickles me to no end!

From Mirien, who says,

I started these stockings two years ago, just after my 6th child was born. I wanted matching stockings, but ran out of time to finish them before Christmas. Same story last year. I just finished them last week, and it makes me happy to walk by the mantle and see them all lined up. Not only because they are finally finished, but because it's a reminder to me that our family feels complete, too. Our last little girl surprised us, but what a wonderful blessing she has been.

How sweet is that?

From Tiffany of Simply Modern Mom, whose theme this year is a simple, elegant white Christmas:

See more of Tiffany's darling decor here.

These next photos from Rae tell a great story. Pictured below, 'A once barfus, hideously ugly 1970's hutch I grabbed for $80 turned into my favorite piece furniture in my home.'

Check out the after

and better yet, the new and improved hutch trimmed for the holidays:

Way to see the potential, Rae!

From Lindy, who decided she should decorate the room she spends much of her time in--the kitchen!

Merry and bright is right, Lindy! We love it!

From Lindsay, who used the place card holders she inherited from her grandma to display Christmas cards:

Lindsay also captured her younger boy as he tried to sneak a bite of a 2-year-old gingerbread man!

And her oldest as he gazed at his reflection in a sparkly ornament!

From Lacey, who made this to replace her weathered front door wreath. She says, I love it and find myself opening my front door several times a day to look at it. I just hope I don't become known around the neighborhood as "that weird lady who stares at her front door!"

Kirsten of 6th Street Design shares pictures of her little Russian tree. She says, I've decorated it with handmade Russian ornaments that I bought when I lived there. This tree is colorful and whimsical and it always reminds me of my time spent in St. Petersburg. Each ornament is a little Russian palace all different colors and shapes.

From Keri,

The Willow Tree nativity is probably my favorite. Sometimes, I sit by the glow of the Christmas tree light just staring at the pieces and thinking about the Christmas story. This is what makes Christmas feel warm and Christmasy to me. (Santa table runner made by her mother-in-law.)

"Elf on a Shelf," who takes note of the children's behavior...

Advent painted by Keri and treasured nativity scenes

This advent also made by Keri. So cute!

From Jayne Wells:

As always, charming and lovely.

From Karissa, who designed this darling peppermint candy striped tree skirt:

See Karissa's tree skirt tutorial here.

From Heather of the Coterie Blog:

a pom pom garland to add a vintage spunk to the tree, a snowflaked floor lamp

and a reminder of Heather's years spent in Hawaii. She says it brings warmth in these cold winter months. Don't we all wish we could be there right now?!

From Danielle,

Does it get any more charming than that happy display?

From Chris:

The tree on the right is the family's scripture tree. To read more about that fab idea, see here.

From Cat:

Love the added detail of the red wire shapes.

How much do you love the little shoes as ornaments?! So brilliant.

From Amy, a picture of her daughter, Rachel (2 1/2 yrs.): After putting on each ornament carefully, she would exclaim, "I did it!"

From Abbie:

Check out the how-to on those awesome trees here.

My (Em's) mother-in-law has perfected Cozy Christmas decor. Her home glows with warmth and magic. Pictured here: her fiberoptic Santa (a wonder for the grandchildren to behold) and celestial mantle. Lovely!

And if you were to walk in my (Em's) front door...

I love how my entry table came together this year. The stripes and polka dots give it a candy shop charm, I think.

I am deliriously happy about my "Have Joy" print from Sarah Jane Studios. I'd like to leave it out all year - isn't that such a nice life motto?

And finally - the sparkly snowflake collection that hangs above our bar. We spend a lot of time at the bar - eating and snacking and playing with play-doh. It's nice to have this spot infused with sparkle and cheer.

And that's the Christmas Show-n-Tell 2010! Thanks so much to everyone for participating! We hope all of your homes are feeling warm and cozy, merry and bright!

love, love,
em and anne