* I am now officially a Christmas package mailer.
A stand in long lines, I really should have planned ahead, Christmas package mailer.
I've always been able to avoid the Christmas Post Office Experience until now.
I just shipped my overseas son's package to him last week. I have no hope that it will get there on time. If at all. He's had packages that never show up, and packages held up in customs for more than three weeks. Contrary to popular belief, chocolate chip cookies that have spent three weeks in customs don't taste all that great.
Notice that by slipping in disparaging comments about the customs office of a foreign country, and casting doubt on the reliability of the military mail system, you and I can just pretend that my late shipping date is in no way responsible if/when my boy's Christmas gifts don't make it there on time.
Oh, who am I kidding. I have officially flunked Military Mom 101. There's no getting around it.
* I still have a list of approximately forty five projects that I would like to make before Christmas. Right now, I'm smack in the middle of a glitter, scrapbook paper and pom pom fringe frenzy.
I love pom pom fringe more than I love life itself.
I also love glitter, but a teeny tiny bit less than I used to after I had to get out of bed last night to remove a piece of glitter from my eye.
* I also have plans to make salted caramels. I've never even tasted a salted caramel, but I've been obsessed with them forever. Years ago, when they became all the rage, I knew I'd love them. I'm a big fan of any salty/sweet combination, but I have yet to cross paths with a real, live salted caramel. I finally acquired some fleur de sel, so now the only thing standing in my way are the bad memories of pretty much every other candy making experience I've ever had. I blame my candy thermometer for the previous candy disasters.
I could buy a new one, but I kind of like having a scapegoat handy, and as you've seen from paragraph one of this post, blame casting is kind of a way of life for me.
So, how about you all?
Are you on top of things?
Or, like me, are you in a project, shopping, wrapping, baking frenzy?
Happy week before Christmas!
HA! I just posted "Twas the Monday before Christmas"! Great minds think alike. Today is cleaning day then we can enjoy the rest of the week. I have to wrap things and get some stocking stuffers, but mostly I'm done. We'll bake cookies again, too. Maybe I'm not done.
ReplyDeleteYou'll get it all done!!! No worries! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is just so pretty...those skates against the shutter...
ReplyDeleteHope the parcel arrives!
Salted caramels? You are speaking my language since I put salted caramel sauce on my to-make list last night. So random foods can be dipped in it while thinking about healthy snacks.
ReplyDeleteCrushing on your chippy, green shutter.
I have yet to start my shopping.
ReplyDeleteYour decor is beautiful. Seriously, some of the BEST I've seen. I like the understated simplicity. Makes me happy!
Merry Christmas!
I have to tell you that making caramels of any kind is dangerous to your health. As in, eating way too much of it. I made a batch on Saturday and I think I'm sick from eating it. And I don't care! It's so good. Good luck with your. Also, I just love your pics and decorations.
ReplyDeletebeautiful...I'm adoring the red laces! I can feel the fresh crisp air and smell the pine looking at your pictures! now HOW did you do THAT? xoxo
ReplyDeletewww.northerncottage.blogspot.com
I look forward to your updates! Also, your photos & decor are so inspiring ♥♥ Here's wishing you & yours the Merriest Christmas ever.... Enjoy the Holidays :D
ReplyDeleteOh shoot! You just reminded me *I* need to go to the post office to ship a package! Hope you're boy's gets to him, hope you get caramel salt done, and hope you get no more glitter in your eye. But I hope you do take more gorgeous pictures and post them to your blog daily, actually three times a day would be nice, so that we can get a frequent fix because, like with most addictions, the more you love it, the more you want (need?). Is Mr. Meadowbrook ready, does he have all the wonderful gifts you put on your list?
ReplyDeleteMary
Frenzied up in here, too, my doll! So much so, that I have to take a break every now and then to read blogs, and eat pretzels dipped in caramel, then dipped in chocolate and drizzled with white chocolate. It's just that time of year... As I say every year, Next Christmas I will be more prepared...
ReplyDeleteHave you checked out Flowerpatch Farm Girl's salted caramel pretzel bark? I made it last night...YUMMY!
ReplyDeleteNope not even remotely done.... I am in a frenzy.......
ReplyDeleteNancy
So wonderful to know we are in the same boat!! :)....Wishing you a lovely Christmas!....Your friend, Heidi XO
ReplyDeletelove what you did with the old washtub. i have one. do ya think I did anything cute with it? nope. thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI still need to get a couple of small gifts and some gift bags. I need to get groceries and I keep putting it off because I despise grocery shopping so. Love these pictures you took.
ReplyDeleteTeresa
ReplyDeleteDon't feel bad, I use to be one of those last minute shippers too. Now I order off of the internet and am doing better!
I love your porch vignette. I did skates on my deck too.
Oh, those caramels sound yummy. Let us know how they turn out.
Seasons Greetings!
Pretty much done. Just have a few gift cards to pick up this week! I also have to finish my son's teachers' gifts. Love your pics! Those vintage skates are just perfection!! Hope you get everything done & still have time to enjoy the holiday!! Merry Christmas to you & your family Teresa!!
ReplyDeleteI thought I was finished, but sadly, I was mistaken. I was going to save myself an hour travel & post office standing in line time, by using the USPS "Click & Ship"...but my label wouldnt print!!!! drat.
ReplyDeleteI am a hot mess who likes to spend her time zooming up and down the road. I will be buying my candy. MY candy, all mine.
ReplyDeleteI am SO happy I stumbled across your blog today! You are hilarious and your pictures are beautiful. Love, love, love!!!
ReplyDeleteI've done most of the things I NEED to do, but there are still a million Christmas-ish things I'd LIKE ro do...
Katie x
Frenzy? No...I have passed frenzy and hit the wall. Our tree is still sitting outside. Our christmas boxes are still mostly in the garage. The only presents that have been wrapped are those that I was required to wrap in time to ship or give. My week is jammed and somehow it will all get done :>)
ReplyDeleteAnnette
I waited in line at the post office on Saturday and it was horrendous! I went back today and there were hardly any people. Lucky, especially since they said on our news tonight that it's the busiest day at the PO. :)
ReplyDeleteI love your skates with the cute laces.
I love your writing!
Merry Christmas!
Pam
I'm pretty much done with the shopping except for tomorrow I'm going to Home Depot and stand there looking pathetic while I try to find some tools for hubby for his gift that I have not idea what he needs but can't ask him as then it would not be a surprise. :-) I hope your son's stuff arrives miraculously on time. We can hope!
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*M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
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((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Teresa, love the post. I am not completely done shopping, I need to create a menu for this weekend, clean the house and wrap my presents. I think I am done baking though, that was this weekend's frenzy.
ReplyDeleteI too had to send a package or two in the mail this year. My son is working at Big Sky this winter.He just flew in on Dec 8. We are from Michigan so we celebrated his Christmas before he left, but I wanted him to have something to open on Christmas day. I have now sent him three packages. Hopefully one will show up before Christmas.
You should definitely try the online shipping with USPS. So super easy and I even arranged for them to pick up the package at my house, Love it!
Thanks for sharing the snipits of your life. It is always so good to see/hear how things are for someone else.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
You must be a better mom than me, late cookies or not... Tonight we had tears n tantrums (whose I'm not sayin') as DD had to prepare for a math test. Seems her teacher's even meaner than her mom. ;-P
ReplyDeleteNow I'm even later n less inclined to wrap up baking n cards n wrapping. Will drool over pretty pinterest pics like yours and pass out. Prolly even dream of salty caramels. :-)
Wishing you and your family a peaceful and joyful Christmas!
XO!
I just want to lay down on the floor and cry. I can't believe I've put off all that I did. Not only have I stood in that post office line but I will have to go back tomorrow. Nothing will ever top the $4.00 vintage gift I sent to a friend, cost to send? $50 I kid you not. I'll be thinking of you fondly tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteI'm in a last week before frenzy, although here I sit blog reading when I should be productive! I am managing to get some things done tho...like paint the inside of my kitchen cabinets a bright robin's egg blue...that's a Christmasy activity, right? Trader joe's has amazing Fluer de sel caramels if you can get to one...
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you!
I fail every year at getting out of town gifts in the mail on time. I lucked out though and the person who's gift I was supposed to send out last week is actually going to be at our families for Christmas after all.
ReplyDeleteI have a few things left to sew and then I'll be done, I'm actually pretty ahead of the game for me. Normally I'm finishing gifts on Christmas eve at 11 pm. It's still early though,I'll see what happens
Your glitter comment made me chuckle! I love glitter, but working in an elementary school has taken some of the sparkle out of it for me too! (Can't tell you how many times it's been stuck to the seat of my pants!) Yep, everything's done because I decided to almost do nothing this year...except go out and see people, concerts, etc. Wednesday I'm on a plane to Vegas to see my son. Oops, your post reminded me that I need to send a card to Ethiopia. It'll no doubt be late. Oh well...
ReplyDeleteI'm totally with you. I just wrote my Christmas cards tonight, and we only started shopping for gifts yesterday. Do you know what a nightmare the Palisade's mall is the Sunday before Christmas? Yes, I've lost my mind. ;)
ReplyDeleteBright and early tomorrow morning I'll be in a baking frenzy. I thought I was on top of things and then I realized I have two days to wrap - every, single, gift and do most of the baking! I'm FREAKING OUT!
ReplyDeleteBut right now, I'll put it off just a little longer and read blog posts about amazing holiday decor. there will be plenty of time to feak out tomorrow. LOL!
Dear Teresa...you MUST...right NOW...go get your ice skates...slather the blades with glue...and dump pretty glitter all over them. You will love them even more than you do right now...if that's possible. You're welome and good night.
ReplyDelete-Vicki
p.s. I am right now buying bow ties online. That's right bow ties. There totally hot...seriously. Hot. Don't believe me? I will report with a picture of the most handsome late 30's, slightly balding, father of three little girls you ever did see after Christmas...brace yourself.
ReplyDelete-Vicki
I'm so happy I'm not alone in my behindedness. I have two or three must complete projects and a whole lotta baking still in my future. Your photos are gorgeous as always. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI am at the place where I say . . ."oh well . . ." realizing it isn't going to get PERFECTLY done, finished, completed. But . . . I did manage to accomplish a first which hasn't happened for years. Cards will be arriving to others as a Christmas and a Happy New Year greeting, (on time) instead of my usual mailing Christmas Eve day.
ReplyDeleteNow I can concentrate on what I look forward to the most . . . my family sitting across the "Christmas board" together . . . I can't wait . . .
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Teresa . . .
Got the kids gifts wrapped, but still have my husbands neices and nephews and the rest of the family to wrap. Gotta bake this week so we have something to give to the mailman, bus driver and to take to my husbands Christmas luncheon. Gotta go to the grocery store later this week for fresh veggies....not looking forward to that one, but other than all of that, I'm pretty much ready! Merry Christmas Teresa!
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ReplyDeleteOh my, I still haven't mailed my son's package to him (in Germany)! This is my first time doing this mailing to another country thing!! Always love your blog posts and pictures!!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the frenzy...and WHAT am I doing sitting here??!? I get sucked in each time I walk by! Great photos BTW!!
ReplyDeleteI too was in the line at the post office. Why do I always wait so long? I had to chuckle over the glitter. We used glitter in our Sunday school class this week. Big mistake! Gold glitter all over the floor when one of the girls tried to grab the container from someone else. It did look kind of magical though! None in our eyes, but all over our shoes, so of course we carried it everywhere. No more gitter for awhile.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
T-factor - I'm doing nothing! Ha! I'm lying about reading - I'm out shopping for a new area rug in the livingroom and fabric to make pillows for the kitchen bench. I've given no thought to the dinner for 10 that I have planned for Saturday. No wrapping, no shopping, no baking. I'll go shopping for two gifts on Thursday. I'll bake a bit on Friday. The tree will go in the garbage a week from today. It's a weird, wild, wonderful Christmas. I think Glenco's been putting something in my turkey sausage.
ReplyDeleteI've missed checking in on you T! It sounds like you've had a lot going on. I hope your blob weekend was a resounding success. It sounds wonderful to me. I'm considering not getting out of my pj's after Emma gets out of school tomorrow. I feel worn out from the season and I am quickly losing any desire to care if anything else gets done between now and the big day.
ReplyDeletei have yet to wrap Christmas presents :O
ReplyDeleteChristmas is here in how many days? I have not finished shopping, baking, cleaning, and trying to spend time with visiting family. I think we need to add another month on to Christmas. Never have enough time to do everything. Oh, still have to decorate gingerbread houses in the village. We all need "Calgon" to take us away.
ReplyDeleteoh goodness you make me laugh..good for the soul. Merry Christmas~
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