I made sure everything was straightened up and looking good for my husband to come home to, he appreciates the house in order.

Another great post from digthischick. And that BlueQ stuff looks amazing!

I called my mom. Just to say I love her, nothing more.

I love reading your blog each week. I look forward to column in Mamalode every Monday morning too! Also, I just took up canning and learned a lot from you. I’d love to try your plum jam, as I wish I knew how to can when our plum tree went crazy this past summer. I ended up freezing most of them, but would have loved to have canned some of it. 🙂

This weekend with a list a mile long, I stopped and welcomed guests to our house for dinner and conversation. Including homemade soup for my mother-inlaw, who is two weeks out recovering from major surgery.

My baby girl (who is 20) is coming home tomorrow after spending the last 4 months in England going to school. I scrubbed the bathroom, put fresh sheets on her bed and dusted all of the dust away readying the space for her return. I can hardly wait to be able to physically take her in my arms, tell her how much I have missed her and how very much i love her. And I am so thankful that I get to do this…my heart is broken for the mama’s that will never get to again

I bake cupcakes for people.. it always pulls the heart strings.. I love to share food its amazing the emotion they bring.

My husband and I threw an impromptu party on Saturday evening- very casual with good friends, good food, good music (an acoustic guitar and vocal musician) and a chance to be together among the bittersweetness of life.

I love your blog so much. You touch so many hearts without ever saying a word actually. Your pictures along communicate so much love, happiness, and zest for life. One of my highlights is seeing a new post of yours. 🙂 Thank you SO MUCH for all that you inspire in me to do!!

My daughter and I just got done making homemade peppermint body scrubs for her teachers and babysitter. I want to say thank you a million ways to them for keeping her safe every day and this small gesture is the least I can do.

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do to touch someone’s heart in sorrowful times. Today, I was on the receiving end of a meal (we have a newborn and our church friends are bringing meals, meals, and more meals!). I learned of another family who just had a baby too and arranged to take them dinner. Food is at the heart of healing and care, don’t you think?! I’m excited about the Blue Q products – thank you for the generous giveaway… and I’d be over the moon to try your plum jam! 🙂

I am hoping to touch the hearts of all my close family and friends this Christmas. I have done my best to slow down and appreciate my time with them all. This year I choose to make gifts that I thought each of these people would really enjoy, and they would know that I made them with thoughts of them and of course lots of love.

We just donated Christmas presents for a family with 6 kids that receives food from our church food pantry. When I talked to the mom, she said what the kids really needed was new socks and underwear. We made sure they got that, plus some really fun toys, winter coats, etc. Of course the intrinsic reward in this is my own gratification of helping, but hopefully the family will enjoy the gifts as much as I enjoyed choosing and wrapping them!

Nici, I find your blog delightful. I’m a 50 something new (step) grandmother in Central Illinois who didn’t marry until my 30’s. I haven’t raised children, and have always worked outside the home. On the surface one wouldn’t think we’d have much in common. But we do! I may new sew or can (I did all that growing up though) but I’d like to think if I had raised children I’d have had your common sense, compassion and sense of humor. What lucky little girls you have. And, by the way, I love Blue ! I just ordered co-worker gifts and they sent me an assortment of “freebies”. How awesome is that? I’m happy for the connection I have with both of you – from here in central Illinois. Take care.

Nici, you know how I adore you and your family. Blue q is a favourite in my house too, and is a gentle way to bring smiles back to everyone who is feeling so sad about Friday.

Today idecided to make some homemade gifts for those who need it most. Warm, natural heating pads that will accompany the packages of goodies collected at work and dropped off to a homeless shelter here. Just in time for the holidays!

Xo jen

I took the day off of work to meet my father and stepmom halfway between our homes, just so we could see each other for several short but beautiful hours, which equaled into much-needed time together, hugs, and laughs. My dad was so thankful that we had “squeezed” them into our schedule… but family time doesn’t need to be squeezed in at all. Nothing was more important than a day together.

Today I went with my son on a field trip to a chuch hosting a toy drive for the less fortunate. We helped people pick out new and gently used toys for their children’s Christmas presents. I also finished making blankets for all my nieces. My husband is making wooden toys for all the nephews this year. Only handmade things this year. I am also super excited that I received my order from Earlywood today in the mail. I can’t wait to go use them!! Merry Christmas

Wow…what awesome stuff! I just went over to Blue Q to make an order for my family…. thanks for sharing…

Wow, you have a great way with words. Look forward to reading more. For my entry: My son’s classmate’s mother is having minor surgery on Dec. 20. Ethan will be coming home with us after school and when we bring him home that evening we also will be bringing dinner.

I called my Mom…. Just to tell her I love her. Just to feel closer.

I cleaned up where the dog had diarrhea 3 times so my husband would not have to bend over and go back and forth cleaning it up. He just had major surgery Monday the 10th & has a catheter. No one should have to face diarrhea early in the morning, let alone someone who’s miserable already.

I was late for work on my first day back after being off for 11 days for the surgery because I stopped to clean it up. I saw it as I was heading out and decided being late was worth it to make his day better.

I’m a teacher at a middle school. I always hug kids. I think a great number of kids miss out on love in their families. It’s important to make that connection.

I’m a NICU nurse and i gave my patient a little extra love and attention since her family hasnt been in in awhile. Love my little babies!

I wrote out my feelings about this weekends tragedy. I can only hope that it touches someone’s heart who reads it!

http://aylasmama.blogspot.com/2012/12/december-14th-2012.html

I love your words. They speak to my heart in such a way that I always end up nodding along in agreement.

We have just received the sad news that our elderly neighbour has passed, after a long and painful battle with cancer, leaving a gorgeous woman who is trying hard to be strong for her children. Today, I have baked for her. I have bought fresh fruit & vegetables. I have watered her garden and brought her bins in. Anything to save her going to the shops with these crazy Christmas crowds. She is such a strong, caring person so I hope I have helped her just a little by doing these simple tasks for her.

Nicole xo

I made cookies. I feel like it is something I would do with my kids so I did it and it made my heart smile and it will make my sisters smile when they appear in their mailboxes later this week

I listened and made promises I can keep to the dear friend I rarely get to see anymore.

I sent hearts to https://www.facebook.com/PaperHeartsAcrossAmerica trying to send love and peace of heart out in the world.

Yesterday, I went to my friend’s house so she could vent. She’s having a really tough time now, she has 2 kids and one on the way. I picked up Starbucks… Chai tea latte for her and hot cocoa for her kids. I’m no therapist, but I’m a great listener. I think I’ll buy someone’s coffee at my local cafe next time I pop in.

It has been a rough weekend for this country, hasn’t it? Little acts of random kindness can make this world such a better place.

What a lovely sentiment from Blue Q, to touch a heart, or two, I always make sure to smile at strangers walking towards me on the sidewalk, I tell my husband and other family that I love them-constantly and I say thank you.

I painted with my daughter today. I was sick and grumpy but I know how much she loves to paint. It made ME feel better. I am such a lucky mama.

Today I skyped with a friend who is about to begin her journey with IVF. Sometimes people just need someone to listen!

After picking my daughter up from school on Friday, I had her call her daddy to tell him she loves him. He and I split up when she was very young. He’s a great dad and I knew he would really be missing her that day.

I’ve been sending little holiday gifts to mamas I’ve never met in real life, mamas who I met in a children’s clothing swap group on Facebook. It’s such a rush to seal them up and mail them. Then today I got a beautiful bunch of gifts in return from one of the mamas. So sweet and unexpected.

Also, I’ve been squeezing my almost 2 year old so much these few days. And she must sense that something in the air as well because she let me. Love…

I thanked the security guard outside my sons elementary school who was a new and welcome sight this morning. He smiled and nodded, but in that simple exchange I could see he was emotional, as was I.

I delivered 5 donated bikes to deserving kids today! A special Christmas delivery for the community cycle program that I volunteer with.

I emailed my son’s first grade teacher last night to let her know how grateful I am for her work, how thankful I am for the way she loves my son and the rest of her class, and how confident I am in the decisions that she makes during the day.

I took care of a puking 2 year old, today. Poor baby.

Thanks for putting into words, so eloquently, the confusion of thoughts and feelings running through so many of our minds. As a stay-at-home-mom, I had to think…’okay, what did I do today that might have touched someone’s heart?’. Most of our days are filled with the ‘little things’…but I’m hoping when my kids are grown, they can look back and appreciate that those little things did indeed touch their hearts. Today we made and decorated sugar cookies. And tomorrow I will try to remember this sentiment while I’m out in the hustle and bustle that is late December.

Today I went to my daughters Xmas show at school, so sweet and touching all those little voices singing together . So grateful and such a full heart watching my little girl. Tonight I will download and sort the pictures to send to her grandparents.

those are perfect stocking stuffers!

I helped my friend who is going through a hard time with her husband, hopefully some encouraging words will help her make the right decision.

the kids and i made candy cane chocolate stir sticks to go with the hot chocolate packs …gotta love easy, appreciated small teacher gifts!

A co-worker and I just shared coffee and a good long chat. My stepfather is recovering from an organ transplant he had Thursday, my co-worker’s brother died 10 years ago waiting for one.

Sharing pain, and hope and comfort!

I couldn’t see what the pile of stuff is (the pictures on your blog are stretching all funny and really really long here on my computer) but I think sometimes funny is what we need.

Thanks for the chance to win!

My hope is that the families suffering directly from the massacre will be able to experience small glimpses of joy and laughter like this that will remind them (in the achingly good way you speak of) of their babies, their loves. I hope they are surprised by joy and able to be reminded of how their kids are and always will be.

i helped my friend with some writing that she needed for a class. just to help her begin. and she did! and i think she still may pass her class. it felt oh so very good.

barb f.

What a lovely company and post. I know not how to deal with this tragedy, yet I know how to pray. When I want to do something nice for someone, with no special occasion, I usually give them a tin of my tea 🙂 Find Serenity is particularly useful during times like these.

Oh Nici, I haven’t been able to blog recently, my heart is just so heavy and it seems unfair to share my happiness when the whole world is grieving. It really grounds people, tragedy like that, reminding us to hold near and dear to the ones we love most. This holiday, I’ve given the most to my kids. Instead of advent calendars and junky presents, i’m focused on giving them me. My time, my love, my energy. Spending time with them is much more meaningful than any material possesion, and it’s making us all feel good. Sending you and yours love and hugs this holiday. Thank you for having the courage to blog during this difficult time, maybe i’ll give it a try today too. xo [email protected]

I am attending a funeral today of my neighbor, who was like my grandpa. I miss him already and also am feeling so happy to have known him.

~meaghan

What’s fun assortment, thanks for sharing and for reminding us of the beautiful but delicate balance of the season!

Love Blue Q. I just got a package from them yesterday. How fun, and I’m not ashamed to say it was all just a gift to myself. I have many blue q bags, pouches and now a cute little tin too. Love them all and yes they go everywhere with us… The HUGE overnight bag is awesome, that was a gift to myself last year :0) Love the blog as always. Thoughtful and beautiful… Warm wishes for the holiday from the chilly North!

I’m doing my normal holiday baking, but I am giving it away to friends and neighbors. Most of it is freezable, so hopefully they can pull out cinnamon rolls far off in February and heat them up and think of our family, and remember our visits over the holidays.

Haha! ‘I blogged your mama’. Love the chance to laugh at the light hearted. This mama’s heart needed lifted.

Made my first “secret” pact with my 13 year old daughter. We promised to keep each others secrets (when specified). To trust each other. To tell no one, even if that means Dad. She opened herself up to me and confided in me about teenage girl stuff. A first for us and I hope the trust is there for many more secrets to be shared. I know she touched my heart and I hope I touched hers.

Today, I randomly texted my cousin , who is 6 years younger that me and impresses me constantly with her bravery, wisedome, humor, light heart, unselfishness and drive to say “Alice, you are my dear. I think about you every. single. day.” In these busy, harried weeks, where everyone’s got a heavy heart, you’ve got to remind your people how much they’re loved. I love the looks of this Blue Q prize, especially with the possibility of some homemade plum jam too! Yum.

oooh goodies!! Here’s what I did. Because all the little kids in my family are teenagers now, or practically, and I have no little littles to shop for at xmas, I remembered my old friend Sarah, who has a little girl named Charlie and a few years ago escaped from an abusive relationship. she is nothing but lightness, sweetness and strength. I texted sarah, who i haven’t seen in three years and knew only briefly but powerfully, and asked what charlie wanted for christmas. i got a few of those things at the general store in woodstock, wrapped them up with all the love i’d wrap them for my own daughter i’d like to have, and sent them on their way.
hmmm….maybe in hindsight this was all for the purposes of my own heart.

i guess that’s how it works.

xoxo
lina

I CANNOT go by a red Salvation Army pot without donating, been doing this for years,….This year I have also gone in the store where the volunteer is and bought them water and a treat!
xoxo

First of all, I LOVE your blog and pictures!! We took some cookies to my son’s after school teacher to let her know how much we appreciate all she does:)

LOVE Blue Q! Just ordered a special delivery tin for special things. 🙂

I sent a funny picture of my 2 year old to my mom and thanked her for teaching me through her example to be a good mother. She let us kids get messy from time to time just for the fun of it – mud fights, messy painting, etc. The pic I sent her was of my son at the kitchen table with paint all over him and the table with a big goofy grin on his face.

I’m baking dog cookies to give to all my friends and neighbors doggies. They are in the shape of squirrels, bones and biscuits. I’m also putting flannel sheets on the bed for my husband even though I prefer plain cotton sheets and today I got up early and shoveled our walks and our neighbors sidewalks.

you are seriously an inspiration to me. today… i let my son walk as slow as he wanted while we shopped for christmas presents. every bench we passed he wanted to “take a rest” so we did. normally, i make it some sort of game to go as fast as we can… but he’s a child & that shouldn’t be rushed. i’m sorry it takes a major tragedy to remind of these things sometimes.

those products look awesome!

Oh My, I do not even know where to start, I love that you write your daughters saying, they are so easily forgotten. I have scrolled these pictures about 4 times, they are perfect in everyway. I love the perfect little finger, the tongue out while in deep thought, the perfect handwritting, the delivery of that perfect gift all wrapped and signed, like I said where do I start but more so where do I stop? They are so cute, sweet and it is so obvious thoughtful and inquisitive. Everything a child should be. Have a Blessed Holiday Season and New Year to come. One last thing Thank you for allowing me as a blogger to ENJOY your family through your blog. I enjoy every post and am always left looking for the next!

I have to be truthful, I sat for a few minutes before writing this down because my thought was,”what have I done that I would say was worth passing on”? I believe that this should be done without thinking that it should win a contest but this is what came to mind, I was in Walmart yesterday and this eldery gentlemen was in a wheel chair looking very distant and upset. I started to go down the aisle when he said “Mam, could you tell me where the sandwich bags are? (No, I do not work there) he went on to say that he not only had gone through many aisles looking for them but couldn’t reach a good share of the things he needed from his wheel chair. I said that I would find them and asked him exactly what he wanted and that he could just hand tight right there and I would return with them and anything else he needed. He was so appreciative and kept thanking me over and over. It is very hard to reach things on shelves when you are just short but when you are in a wheel chair (as I was for a year) it makes it very hard to do your own shopping. I hope to someday come up with a solution for that problem. Sorry I commented for the above post in the wrong spot, but I have had trouble wit your spot to comment in. Sorry