Thirty Days of Kindness Guide.

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I had a few requests to create a little guide of sorts that will allow accessing my Thirty Days of Kindness posts easier. I've decided to link to each individual daily post here. All you need to do is click on each day and you'll be taken back to the original post. Thank you for all of your encouragement through this project. I hope this simple guide, in it's own little way, continues the spreading of kindness.

New Year's Party in a Box.

Last week as Christmas drew closer I had to let some things go. One of those things was delivering treats to a few friends. I figured I could come up with something fun for the New Year which would give me time to stop stressing and really enjoy the Christmas holiday.

This week as I was brainstorming ideas I remembered seeing these cute miniature glass bottles of sparkling cider at the Grocery Distributor the last time I was there. I made a special trip and low and behold, they still had some in stock. 12 mini bottles for $12.

I found 30 paper party blowers for $5 at Target in their "New Year's Party" section. A little dash of handmade confetti and I had a New Year's Party in a Box.

The kraft boxes are from Xpedx and were from my stash.

I created the labels with our name on them but made a more generic version to share with you all. Just in case you had to let some things go last week too.

You can download the label here.

The thing I love the most about this idea is that you could use this same concept for an anniversary gift, wedding party favors, housewarming, etc. A quick label change and the possibilities are endless.

Hello, Sam.

This may have been our most magical Christmas yet.

Full account coming soon.

Until then, say hello to our new friend Sam.

Wishing you a...

My talented sister in law helped me finagle some overlays from pugly pixel to create our Christmas cards. They're kitschy. And cute. And I'm going to stop obsessing over them right. now.

I wish you all a peaceful Christmas. May you step back from the hullaballoo that is so easy to get swept away in and remember our Savior Jesus Christ. He is the source of all true happiness, the Light of the world and He lives.

Love to you all!

Kisses,
Dandee

Around Here.

Late night doll making with Wee Wonderfuls. 

I promise to show you the finished results.

Cozy fires.

Dancing Christmas tree lights. 

Oliver was sure he was in heaven and the rest of us were pretty entertained too.

Birthday Dinner + Giveaway Winner.

Saturday was a happy day. A low key kind of day.

I woke up to a fresh blanket of new fallen snow. A perfect gift.

Breakfast at our favorite little ma and pa diner. Then some light housework.

A nap.

A fresh coat of "Limited Addiction" red paint on my nails. A date.

I chose my favorite chicken and three cheese pizza for my birthday dinner. The second we walked in the restaurant door Ryan and I were both searching the place for our unsuspecting dinner recipient.

The host took us to our seats and I knew almost immediately who we would buy dinner for. The sweet older couple was across the room from us. They were quietly chatting (not ignoring one another by playing on a phone or staring into space). They looked happy. Ryan excused himself from the table to find the host and tell him our plan. The gentleman was a little confused, but of course obliged.

And then we started talking about all the things I knew we would. We made a list of gifts still to purchase, activities we wanted to do with the children this week. Then out of nowhere, Ryan stopped me mid sentence. The sweet older couples waitress (who was also our own) had just told them that their meal had been paid for. We were pretending to continue with our conversation while stretching our ears to hear their reaction. The woman exclaimed "I don't see anyone we know here!" and "I just can't believe it!" They were surprised. Maybe even a little stunned. While walking out the front door they made a stop to speak with the waitress again, asking her if she knew who had treated them. She of course said she had no idea. The husband and wife lingered for a few seconds as if they were unsure what to do. They spoke a bit more with the staff then left. When they were gone our waitress came to our table with tears in her eyes. She said that the man and woman wanted whoever bought their dinner to know that they said "thank you, and Merry Christmas."

That's when I cried. It was a pure moment. One that I will never forget. I was genuinely touched by the sincerity of that couple. They were kind, and I know they will pass the kindness on and on.

Thank you for your happy birthday wishes. Reading every comment was like opening a gift. I feel a little embarrassed by your generous words, you are too good to me.

Are you anxious to know who the 30 things package winner is? Me too.

Congratulations Caroline!

I will post the contents of the package for you all to see. But first, I need to gather them. Then of course Caroline will get the first peek.

Oh, one more thing. A few of you mentioned listing all 30 acts of kindness in one post for easy reference. I will be working on that shortly. It's a fantastic idea.

Thanks again for your kindness + support. And a big welcome to you new friends. I'm so glad you're here + look forward to sharing my next chapter with all of you.

So, I'm Thirty Today.

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This birthday feels like a long time coming. I've been married for nearly twelve years + I have five children. I should be thirty. At least. I remember thinking back in my early twenties how I couldn't wait until I turned the big 3-0. I thought people would take me more seriously and I would have more things figured out.

I was right about both.

Thank you all for stopping in and joining me in my tiny piece of the world. I never thought when I started blogging almost four years ago that comments and emails from people I've never met could mean so much. You encourage me + brighten my day. Truly, I'm grateful for all of you.

To show my appreciation I want to offer a little giveaway. Friends, imagine a happy mail package loaded up with 30 of my favorite things. Awesome things. Well, not Oprah awesome (no cars or cashmere throws) but Dandee awesome. Think paper + Japanese masking tape. Maybe a piece of my favorite jewelry and a copy of a book I love. Sound good? It's been an awful long time since my last giveaway and you deserve it.

Just leave me a comment on this post and I'll choose a winner. Simple as that.

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Today is the final day. Day 30!  Which means tomorrow is my 30th birthday. I have so enjoyed the past thirty days- coming up with the ideas, finding the perfect images and of course completing the tasks. I hope even if you weren't following along completely, you were inspired to show a bit more kindness to those around you.  

Many times while dining out Ryan and I have discussed how fun it would be to choose someone in the restaurant and anonymously pay for their meal. But that's where it's ended. Just us talking about how "someday, when we have more money..." I can imagine how happy + grateful we would be if someone showed such an act of kindness to us. I decided to end the Thirty Days of Kindness with this gesture because it's something I've always wanted to do. I don't know why it's taken me thirty years to figure out that doing the things you talk about, dream of or aspire to only requires one step: doing it. It's simple. 

So tomorrow, on my 30th birthday Ryan and I are going to sit down at a restaurant. We're going to laugh and talk about the gifts we need to wrap + the fudge we need to deliver. We're probably going to discuss the advent activities we've missed this week due to Oliver's sickness and decide where we can fit them in. And then, we're going to look around to the other people sitting in the booths and tables. We're going to choose someone from the crowd and anonymously pay for their meal. And I bet when we're leaving we'll wonder what in the world took us so long.

Please come back here tomorrow for a special birthday treat from me to you. 

You won't want to miss it.

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Christmas Gifts For Visitors.

A tradition we started a few years ago has quickly been moving up my favorites list. When the holidays arrive, I package up little gifts and place them in a basket by the front door. When friends visit they leave with a treat. Some years I've filled boxes with inexpensive toys for children and edible treats for adults.

I decided to simplify our gift basket this year and placed Lindor chocolates in every package. I also added clementines to the basket for our friends with dietary restrictions. (there are a few missing clementines in these shots because my children keep snitching them.)

It's so fun to see friends eyes light up when they find out they get to leave with a little something. My children also love this tradition. Owen especially. The sweet boy runs after people holding boxes of chocolates if we've forgotten to hand them out before their departure.

Oh, and I don't limit the gift giving to friends. I give these small gifts to our mail carrier, the UPS + FED EX carriers, the guy who fills our propane tank, etc. It's a simple way to spread a little Christmas cheer.

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This very moment. . .

Instead of checking off my to dos I'm cuddling this little man. Oliver spent some time in the ER last night. He has a cold and unfortunately, when he's sick his lungs are the hardest hit. Poor boy suffers terribly this time of year.

Happily, we are home and he is feeling better. He's a cranky, wild beast but he's feeling better.

My washing machine died on Saturday. Sad, sad day.

Brandi is serenading me with The Heartache Can Wait. I love her.

There has been a big Christmas card debate this year. I was unsure if I should to send them. Then I came to my senses and decided I had to send them. I love mailing cheery Christmas greetings too much to let go of this tradition. 

Winter break begins on Friday at 3:20 pm. I can't stop thinking about it.

Winter break begins on Friday at 3:20 pm?! 

Oh boy.

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Want Need Wear Read Tags Listed!

The Christmas countdown has officially begun at the cozy brick house. There are paper chain remnants on the children's bedroom floors + the excitement in the air is tangible.

How are you faring, friends? Is your shopping done? How about your wrapping?

I still have a lot of wrapping to accomplish but first wanted to create some new Want Need Wear Read tags for our packages. Saturday's slushy snow was the perfect excuse to stay indoors and craft.

I decided to spice up the classic wood tags with pretty gold eyelets. The little bit of sparkle makes me happy.

And the classic paper tags have a fun new font.

Both are available right now in the shop. Quantities are limited so if you would like some, snatch them up fast.

p.s. You can read more about our Want Need Wear Read tradition here.

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Simple Advent Calendar.

Generally I don't make the time for too many holiday projects but this year I really wanted to update our advent calendar. While looking through my stash a few days ago, I came across these tiny red envelopes and thought they might be the perfect solution.

I printed up our Advent Activities to some red labels, attached them to scraps of card stock + stamped numbers on the pretty red envelopes.

I've been drawn to all the lovely yarn wreaths I've been seeing and decided to give it a shot. I found the wicker wreath form at the dollar store and spent some time in front of the fire wrapping the yarn around and around. And around. This step took longer then anticipated but I love the results.

Finally, mini clothespins attached the envelopes to the wreath.

It's very simple, which fits my aesthetic perfectly.

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Firsts.

My surprise birthday weekend was all about firsts.

It was...

...my first time seeing those mountains covered in snow.

...my first time eating genuine Café Rio.

...my first time in a real music video. (it's true!)

...my first time attending the Beehive Bazaar.

...my first time meeting a lovely blogger I admire.

...my first time at the conference center for Music and the Spoken Word.

What else? I'm sure I'm missing something.

Oh, yes!

...my first time seeing Paul Jacobson & The Madison Arm, Fictionist and Libbie Linton live.

The show was great. Mr. Jacobson's voice? It sort of stirs my soul. 

[and this sweet babe? perfection. he was a trooper]

We also...

...visited with a few fave cousins Jen + Cory + Noelle + Mark.

...got addicted to satellite radio.

...ate cupcakes.

All in all, the weekend was delicious.

p.s. you can read the Passionista's account here.