Chocolate covered...

I have a confession to make. I was a party pooper last night. I have been dealing with a cold for about a week and couldn't muster the strength to stay up past 10:00p.m. My bed and sleep were calling my name. Before my head hit the pillow, my husband and I did enjoy a nice evening out with friends.  During dinner, my husband and our friend started discussing their plans to go to a friend’s house today for the Blackhawks game and football.  My husband mentioned he needed to bring a snack and I volunteer to whip something up.  They were both razzing me that I wouldn't be in the mood to get up and have something ready by 11:30, the time when my husband would be leaving for the party. 

Not that I wanted to prove them wrong, okay I did, but I also saw the opportunity as my gift for the day.  I decided to make chocolate covered pretzels and Ritz crackers with peanut butter.  Not only did I make enough for the party, but I have some left for a neighbor and a friend I wanted to mail cookies to at Christmas, but didn't. 

When my husband came downstairs, I think he was a bit shocked to see wax paper laid out on the counter, a pile of crackers and peanut butter ready to be dipped, a bowl full of pretzels waiting for chocolate to be drizzled and stirred and chocolate melting on the stove.  What I love, but I also find annoying about my hubby, is he jumped right in and started helping.  I often joke with him that he jumps in to help so he can take claim for my gifts!

The main job he took on was sprinkles.  He dug in our cabinet for maize and blue sprinkles so he could have Michigan University themed pretzels!  Even though they didn't

make it to a bowl game, he has been super excited about the announcement of their new head football coach.  He also wanted to make the chocolate red for the Blackhawks, but unfortunately the coloring I had made the chocolate clumpy so we had to nix that idea.

After the pretzels and crackers were dipped and dried I found several leftover tin dishes from Christmas and packaged the treats up beautifully so he could take them to the party. 

Today’s gift was one I could have totally ignored and my husband would have been perfectly fine swinging by the store and buying something prepackaged for the party.  I like giving gifts that are not expected, but appreciated. Sure there were a hundred other things I could have been doing in that hour, but in this new year, I’m focusing on being intentional with my time, especially as it relates to giving back and making a difference. 

Blessing for 2015,

Stephanie

365 Days of Giving

Happy New Year!  Well 2011, a great year, has come to an end and I am looking forward to the possibilities for 2012.  A year ago today I made a goal to give a gift everyday for year and I am happy to report that I accomplished that goal yesterday!

In the beginning I don’t think I really knew what I was getting myself into or where my gift giving journey would take me.  It has been fun, challenging, heart-warming and life changing.  I have met many great people, learned about wonderful organizations and causes and have made many new friends.

This journey that started as a challenge has turned into a new way of life for me; something I can’t live without.  Over the past couple of months people have been asking me if I am going to continue with my daily gift giving and without hesitation my answer has been, “YES!” 

I know this will sound strange, but I think I would be sad not to give a gift every day.  It is something I look forward to and enjoy the smiles it brings to people faces.  It is something truly being done with no expectation of receiving anything in return.  I also strongly feel this journey I have been on and will continue in 2012 is part of God’s plan for me. What I am suppose to be doing.  And until I feel otherwise, I will continue to make the commitment to give.

Are you wondering what my final gift of the year was?  It was a New Years Eve Party at my home for a group of close friends.  There was one catch if they wanted to attend, they couldn’t bring any food.  Usually when we have parties we all pitch in and everyone brings food but not this party.  I think I outdid myself and had tons left over.  With the help of my husband, I spent half the day in the kitchen preparing all types of yummy appetizers.  We are not partiers so the night included watching a football game, Family Feud, Dance Central, Rock Band and the Newlywed game.  We all made it to midnight and some of us even made it until about 1:30.  We had fun laughing, joking with each other and more importantly enjoying each other’s company.  I love to entertain so this was a fun gift to give.

I am not big into New Year’s resolutions, but I do set many goals for myself for the year.  If you do the same and I hope one of your goals for the year is to increase your giving!

Thank you for letting me be a part of your life for this past year. I hope you continue to follow me on my gift giving journey.  Have a blessed 2012!