All posts tagged: christmas

Candles for the Advent Wreath

Published by Sula H.

Candles are a peculiar thing. Especially here in China. The use of candles generally is reduced to the purpose of shedding light in the case of blackouts which happen every once in the while (though admittedly, rather rarely). So, finding pretty candles to decorate your home with can turn into a rather challenging quest. When putting up my Christmas decoration a couple of weeks ago, I didn’t realize that I was in for another challenge. The problem: On my shelf I had a pack of red candles, which I had gotten last year for my advent “wreath.” Little did I know that the candles in that pack were actually the ones I had used last year already. In other words, they weren’t new. ‘Bummer,’ I thought to myself, ‘now I have to make another (whole day) shopping trip into the city just so I can get more candles.’ Well, I was able to combine it with some of my other Christmas shopping and errands. So it wasn’t actually that big of a deal. But for …

Christmas Bake Sale 2012

Published by Sula H.

Oh what fun it is to … have yummy American treats during the Christmas season! Well, you may think there’s nothing special about bake sales in December. But I can tell you, for those of us who don’t really have any alternative to yummy Christmas treats, having a bake sale in December is a highly anticipated, and well received event. In fact, those bake sales are getting so popular that it’s rather a challenge to stand in that never ending line and hope that once it’s your turn there’s going to be at least a few treats left. I did manage to get a couple of yummy treats after making it through that long line, and now I’m left to deal with the sugar overdose that is to follow inevitably … Off to enjoy some yumminess!

The Good News, the Bad News, and a Little About Christmas Shopping

Published by Sula H.

 I don’t know about you, but whenever there’s good news and bad news, I prefer to hear the bad news first! So, the bad news is that this year, for the first time we have to work past the Christmas holidays. In fact, if it was really bad news, I’d have to work on Dec. 26th, which back home is still a pretty full fledged Christmas holiday, called the “2. Christmas Holiday.” Fortunately, the good news about the bad news is that I can choose to not work on Wednesday, and work on Thursday (the 27th) instead. So far the bad news. Now to the good news … The good news is that this year, because none of us have their family around, among our friends we decided to have a real deal gift exchange. (Of course, not being able to celebrate Christmas with family is the bad news of the good news!) Anyhow, since we’re always trying to make the best of things, I think it’s a pretty splendid idea to have a Christmas …

december daily, digital scrapbook album

December Daily 2012: Week 2 Recap

Published by Sula H.

Another week has passed, and I’m happy to say that my DD project is coming along nicely. First, I was a little concerned that I might not be able to stay on top of it this year (because I decided to make a couple of changes to the routine). But with some delay, I’m actually able to keep up. So, with no further ado, here comes this past week: For larger views and credits click on the images. And don’t forget to pick up the latest part of the scrapbook kit “A Grateful Heart” in the freebie section. [border ] [share title=”Share this:” socials=”facebook, twitter, google, pinterest, bookmark” class=”” ]

St. Nicholas' Little Surprises

Published by Sula H.

It’s Saint Nicholas Day in many places in Europe, and that usually means it’s a happy day for all the children. On the night of December 5th, they will put out their shoes in front of their doors, and over night, St. Nicholas comes by and puts treats and little toys into their shoes or boots. So, at least, goes the legend. Of course, I’m far too old for Nicholas boots and stockings, and usually I’m the only one around here who cares or even knows about such things. But when I opened my front door this morning, I found a sweet little surprise hanging on that door knob. And as I happily gathered that little stocking filled with goodness, I thought to myself: maybe there’s more to St. Nicholas than I thought … Anyhow, I for my part am glad that someone in our community knows about St. Nicholas Day. I’m glad that someone cares for these things as much as I do … And so, to everyone young out there, or young enough …

Hybrid Hub: Christmas Cards 2012, Part 2

Published by Sula H.

I just mailed my batch of Christmas cards (and hope they’ll make it to Europe in time for the holidays) – yay! (Big sigh of release …) And while I’m waiting for them to arrive, I’m happy to share some more with you here this week. (And in case you’re wondering why my Christmas cards are so generic and don’t have any family photos etc. that’s because in that part of Europe where I’m from we don’t have the habit of mailing photo Christmas cards.) Supplies used: Deck the Halls Classic by Kristin Cronin-Barrow, white card stock, ribbon. Supplies used: This Life: December by Penny Springman, card stock Supplies used: Noel by Shawna Clingerman & Penny Springman, ribbon, card stock And since in much of Europe, today’s St. Nicholas Day, I wish everyone who cares about such things a Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Mailing Christmas Cards and Other Adventures

Published by Sula H.

  Doing simple things here sometimes can be a lot more complicated than you think it is. Mailing Christmas cards, for one. The expected procedure: You take your Christmas cards to the post office, label an envelope with the correct address (yes, you don’t use your own envelopes; they have to be provided by the post office here – that, I learned early on when I first got here). You place your cards inside the envelope, pay the appropriate amount for the postage fee and leave the post office with that deep sense of satisfaction that you’ve yet once more accomplished to do something successfully. So goes the theory. Now to the practice (the way I experienced it two years ago): You get to the post office, show the clerk your pile of cards and explain that you would like to mail them internationally. And that’s when the frown comes. Not at the word “international.” That’s not the difficult part, really. That frown comes with the statement that these cards cannot be mailed, because they …

That Book We Call December Daily

Published by Sula H.

If you’ve peaked over into my little Digiscrap Corner these days, you may have realized that the December Daily takes a prominent role in the discussions over there. Most of my friends here wouldn’t know what the December Daily is, unless I told them: “It’s that Christmas book I made last year!” And then a glow of acknowledgement would light up their faces and they would say something like: “Ahhh, yes! That pretty book, which is so much fun to read,” because all year they’ve studied last year’s DD album, laughed at the pictures, and remembered the various occasions. And of course, they love to discover themselves in the photos, because most of them are part of the story at some point. This year, I’ve been working on a new December Daily album, which means I’ve gotten into the habit of using my camera a little more often, and taking pictures more regularly than usual. So, of course, my friends have noticed it, and they started to wonder about it. But when I tell them, …