The Kindness Box

My fav outdoor Christmas decorations - Reason for the Season

Yesterday my almost 9 yoa grand-angel Miss M pondered what to give Santa for a present. And here is what I had told her, I said the absolute best present you can give Ole St. Nick is a year’s worth of kindness. More on that in a bit ….

Merry Christmas and I'll take a Chance on You

Greetings friends!

A couple days ago I went to a retirement party of a colleague.  He talked about how he had started his long career.  It began when he walked in and asked for a job, and the man behind the counter said “I’ll  take a chance on you” and started him in a temporary hourly position.  From there on out, as he advanced, again each person of authority said the same, “I’ll take a chance on you”.  And when my friend had advanced to a position where he could be a source of help and guidance to others, he stayed and excelled in his role.  And his parting words to us, his well-wishers, were to reach out and keep trying until you find your niche, and remember to take a chance on others and help your fellow man anytime you can.

A Farm-Chick's Christmas Message

Christmas 2015

My Christmas Wish Letter To You,

I’m sharing my Christmas letter that I have sent out to family and friends, because after all if you take the time to read my blog, then I consider you virtual family.  (best part of being virtual family that is that you most likely will escape my warped humor and being asked to take join me in some of  my goofy adventures)

 

Christmas greetings to you! With the onset of the holidays, my focus naturally shifts to the people that are in my life and the role they play. Perhaps it is because I find myself spending more time together sharing holiday meals and gathering in one another’s home.  For me, it’s a time when memories are made over good food and conversation. I like to think of it in terms of another layer of love that gets frosted on in the sweet memory category (guess you can tell I’ve had my share of frosting things this season!J)  But seriously, for me these last three years on my own I have been the lucky recipient of so much kindness, love and caring from those around me.   I can’t even begin to tell you how simple gestures can warm up a heart and soul.  And if you add in a bit humor to the mix, well all the better. The way I see it, a happy life is a lot like baking, as it takes all sorts of different kinds of ingredients in the right doses to get the desired end result.  For my personal recipe of happiness, it goes like this - sift in a truly wonderful man (Randy), with time spent with family & friends, add a big dollop of laughter, sprinkle in a bit of solo time and then frost it with things that inspire  passion, and as Martha Stewart would say, “it’s a good thing”.   

On a quick personal note, this past year I added chickens and a new rescue farm dog into my life. Randy and I enjoyed a few days in the Arizona sun last Spring – so it was good to know we travel well together too. He’s a good sport and doesn’t flinch (too much) when he’s accompanied me on a few adventures to find that perfect yard art (an old truck) that now graces the entrance to the driveway of my home.  I get the privilege of writing for a wonderful publication call Home and Harvest Magazine as well as my blog and also continue to get paid to lovingly harass the constituents that I work for at WSU.

So in the crazy and sometimes scary world, the message that I would like to share is that kindness begets kindness.  If you are like me, there are so many things that I regret not doing, having good intentions and never getting around to do them or to show someone just how much I care about them.  And so another goal for the New Year is to not be so task oriented, try to be present in the here and now, be more spontaneous, and take the time to do more kind acts.    I pledge to enjoy those sunrises and sunsets more, spend more quality time with the people in my life and as always smile & laugh every day.  I invite you to join me in standing united for the goal of “you must be the change you wish to see in the world” ~ Gandhi

I wish  for you a very joyous Christmas and Happy New Year.

Hugs and kisses,

Gayle

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Christmas at the S-Wheat Farm

Christmas at this S-Wheat Farm-Chick's house is a big event.  It means a focus on rural Americana, not only in decorating and food but in gift giving as well.   My grand-angels love to read and when I came across this company that specializes in personalized children s books about farms, well I couldn't resist and wanted to share a really cool company with you. Here is a link to  the I see me books  . 

A unique gift and way to make learning fun

As for me, well when it comes to Christmas, I'm like a big kid and love all the decorating, baking and festivities.  I have at least 14+ totes filled with stuff I've collected  throughout the years and my theme changes each year, so it's always chaos when I'm decorating. (It usually means a few evenings spent puttering until I get the look I want, sipping on wine with Christmas music playing in the background).  My style is  a mix of traditional and usual items too, so come along and I'll show you want I've been up to lately. Click here if unable to view.

I love vintage ornaments and the boxes they come in

An all blue tree, red tree, green tree and a mixed one with ornaments that are from my travels

I love this old paint splattered ladder found in a barn,
perfect setting for a Christmas vignette 

And when I get stressed... well I'm a stress baker - so when I start feeling like I have too many things to do and not enough time.... I bake.  Sort of crazy, but then again that's just me! 

Sugared cranberries ( 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water - bring to  boil for simple syrup.
Drop in cranberries for about 30 seconds and roll then in sugar). Easy and pretty.

Chocolate Cranberry cake. Recipe is on the OMG dessert page

Yummmm

This is what my kitchen looks like when I bake, some call it messy, I call it being exuberant!  

New recipe, I'm trying, Spiced Cranberry cake.  If it is a keeper, then I'll let you know !

And my next fav thing to do, is watch Christmas movies.  Here is my collection that I try to watch every year.  Best part is that my sweetheart likes them too! This makes me a very happy camper.

 As always, thanks for stopping by, feel free to email me at swheatfarmlife@gmail.com or leave a comment. I am excited that I'm going to learn to how to  make a German bread that I get every year from my Auntie Lois.  So more stuff is coming your way!  Talk to you soon.

All my best, Gayle