The Giving Season

Written by Lynn on December 18th, 2008

If I celebrate this time of year at all, it’s a time of giving. Trying to get away from too many things, this year I am giving gifts that can be used up, not stored away in a drawer or closet. Baskets of hand soap, lotions, foods, handmade useful gifts.

The best thing I have received by far this year was a jar of double-chocolate brownie mix. It was so lovely, all the layers of mix visible in the jar, topped with chocolate chips, and the jar tied off with bright calico fabric and a piece of twine. Princess of the Universe got a baking lesson from that gift. It was quite a useful gift and I will always remember it.

From “The Quiet Little Woman” by Louisa May Alcott:

“Patty’s surprise began early the next day for the first thing she saw upon opening her eyes was a pair of new stockings crammed full of gifts hanging at the foot of her bed and several parcels lying on the table.”

“What a good time she had opening the delightful bundles. She laughed and cried at the droll things the boys gave and the comfortable and pretty things the elders sent. Such a happy child was she that when she tried to say her prayers, she couldn’t find words beautiful enough to express her gratitude for so much kindness.”

You’d have to read the story to understand just how much Patty deserved and needed these things.

It’s a wonderful book for this time of year. We’ll be reading it again this year. The Quiet Little Woman.

Enjoy today.
Lynn

Posted in Holidays |

4 Comments so far ↓

Dec
18
2:57
PM

Robin
We are kind of coasting through this week too…our progress in school has been great so we are only having 2 hours workdays lately!

My desk is a horrible mess too…DH keeps asking me if I’m going to clean it…LOL.
Hugs,
Robin
Dec
23
12:43
AM

Marlaine
I just re-read “The Quiet Little Woman” a couple of days ago–perfect for this season! And we just finished the yummy brownies my daughter made from a gift jar of brownie mix.

Blessings to you and yours!
Dec
25
11:18
PM

carriejoy
Lynn, we read The Quiet Little Woman this year. It is just a lovely book. My son in particular liked it and was sad that the “orphan story” was over so quickly.
Dec
27
8:26
AM

admin
Robin, the mess here has only intensified!

Marlaine, I also think it’s the perfect story for Christmas reading. I hope you enjoyed your brownies as much as we enjoyed ours!!

Carriejoy, I felt the same way! I didn’t want it to be over.

Lynn

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About Lynn

I am a 40-something-year-old mother of four delightful children, have been married for 22 years to my carpenter husband, and live in a 1921 farm-style house. I find the most joy in my garden, growing and harvesting herbs and flowers and caring for our delightful bunnies.

I have a 21-year-old son, an 18-year-old son, a 15-year-old son, and a bright and bubbly (and very funny) 11-year-old daughter who is homeschooled.

I'm a North Carolina girl and I love sharing North Carolina links and information. I'm a book lover, bird lover, gardener and aspiring herbalist. I seek no help for my thrift store addiction. I do medical transcription from home part-time.

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To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony.
William Henry Channing
1810-1884

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