A Perfect Friday

Merry, merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you had a beautiful & blessed Christmas day, and are enjoying the holidays with your family and friends. I know I sure am.

Today, December 28, 2012, marks the 22 anniversary of my parent's marriage. I cannot believe how blessed me, and all my siblings, are to  have them as parents. It is incredible to think that with about 50% of the population's marriages ending in divorce (and probably more then that are split up) my parent's could stay true in their marriage. I know that in comparison to say, my boyfriend's grandparents who celebrated 61 years of marriage, 22 years seems so small. However, when half of the country's marriages are dissolving after a year or two, 22 years is a lifetime. My Mom has been married to my father for almost half of her life...

So, in honour of my parents, and their beautiful marriage I decided to make a list of things their relationship has taught me. I know some people will read this and consider me and optimistic idealist, but is that not better then being a pessimist, saying that my own marriage to someone some day (God willing) will be something easily dissolved?

Without further ado,

1. Marriage is constant work.

I know that this should be obvious, and entering a marriage expecting anything less would be detrimental to the relationship. However, I think it is something that maybe we hear so often that we forget just how much work needs to go into a marriage.
From the moment you wake up your day is about someone else. Yes, if you have children, it will most likely be mostly about them. But, when you wake up and look at the other  half of the bed there is someone there that you work with and work for.
You work with them to build your house into a home. You work with them to pay bills and make ends meet. You work with them to see that your children are nurtured and loved. You work with them to make sure the garbage is taken out, the wood is cut, the groceries are bought, the dishes are done.
You work for them so that when they get home after a hard day they can have a few minutes to relax. You work for them so they don't feel as if they are running your family alone. You work for them so they know you appreciate them and all they do. You work for them so they can do things they enjoy, like play golf, go to a hockey game or have a girls night.
It is constant work and sacrifice.

2. Marriage is spending every day with your best friend.

Yes, marriage is work, but it also hold so much joy!
The older I get the more I am able to reflect over my life and see how much my parent's lives have altered and shifted. Not in a bad way, but in a way that I find very intriguing.
My parent's don't have a ton of friends. They have a lot of acquaintances and people with whom they are friendly. But, once upon a time, when I was little, it seemed that there were a lot of people my parents spent time with. However, now when I look at my parents I realize that my mother's best friend is my father, and my father's best friend is my mother. I know that that is all they need. Yes, they have people with whom they are close, and talk to about important things, but at the end of the day, when an important decision is made, they go to their very best friend.
I think that is so incredibly important and beautiful.

3. Love is not a feeling.

Infatuation is a feeling. Sadness is a  feeling. Happiness is a feeling. But love...Love is a sacrifice and a commitment. Some days you will not feel in love with your spouse. Some days they will drive you crazy. But, you love them anyway, because it is a commitment, a sacrifice, and the good they do always out does the bad.

4. Cheesy Romantic movies & books can place undo stress.

Yes, there is romance in marriage, but it isn't like those chick flick books or movies. Reading or watching too many of these things can place unneeded stress on your husband. Yes, they are cute and funny and a few are okay. But, you can sub-consciously begin placing them expectations from fictional characters on your husbands, and that is not fair.

5. God is constantly first.

Your spouse has to love God more then he loves you. Not as much as, but more then! If they do this, then no matter what happens they will always have the ability to love God in you. Even when you yourself may be less then deserving of their love.
My parent's place great value in family prayer, and that, no matter what, brings us together. It is so important!

That's all I have time for today, but they have taught me so much more! I hope you enjoy this and have a beautiful day.

Happy Anniversary Dad and Momma!

God Bless,

Emily xo

A Festive Bush?

The other night I was visiting my parent's house and my sister told me that she'd just hears that at some Public schools in Canada the words "Christmas Tree" are not allowed.Wait, what?

Okay, so if you aren't going to allow Christmas trees to be called Christmas trees then you probably shouldn't have them at all. However, that is not the case. Christmas trees are allowed to exist, you just have to call them another name. And what is that name, you ask?

Festive Bushes. No, I am not kidding you. Is that not the most ridiculous thing you have ever heard.

1. They are not bushes. They are trees. When I hear "bush" I think of a little shrub in someone's yard, not a giant tree that stands in the homes of millions people around the world, decked with lights and ornaments and popcorn strings.

2. If you are opposed to the use of "Christmas Tree", then I would imagine that you are opposed to Christmas, as a whole. So, if that is the case, then why in the world do you have a Christmas tree, or feel the need to talk about them.  I have no problem with people not celebrating the same holidays that I do. I respect that they have their own beliefs, and it does not bother me at all if they celebrate their holidays. Why in the world then do people insist on referring to parts of Christmas as anything but the word Christmas.

I find it disgusting that as first world nations we cannot be okay with Christians celebrating Christmas. Canada was founded and formed on the bases of Christianity. Come on, people!

Well, that is my rant for today!

Merry Christmas,

Emily xo

Pre-Christmas Musings

I realize it has been awhile since I have posted on this sweet little blog...but I can explain. Okay, there really is no good explanation. Blogging is one of those new adventures I thought I would try, and I usually start out strong, and then, alas, the typical Emily takes over and my zeal peters off.

You would think this is because I adore change and new things and my interests are constantly shifting and changing and that's what my interests dwindle and get left under a pile of dust. However, that is not the case. I am not bored of blogging. Not at all. In fact, I am fascinated with it. I just cannot convince myself that someone out there on this big ol' world would take interest in what I have to say and so I give up trying to amuse people.

I have put my thinking cap on and thought and thought and thought about what I could write about. I have not really come up with anything so insightful or profound I had to share it, but I did draw a conclusion for all this musing. Sometimes what I write does not matter...Sometimes it's just the fact that I write at all. For my sake, and to help lift the spirits of someone who blindly stumbles across this blog.

Are you ready for Christmas time? We are only a week away! I cannot believe how close it is. I am so excited. It is looking very Christmas-y outside this afternoon and I love it (despite the fact that I had to drive on the treacherous roads today). Yesterday I spent the day re-decorating the Christmas tree that my room mate's cat destroyed, baking and wrapping gifts. All the while singing along to Christmas carols. It was a lovely day...very well spent.

I know this is extremely last minute, but I wanted to share with you a quick gift idea that's thoughtful and not crazy expensive. I put this together for my boss this year, and I think she'll be delighted by it. 

What you need:

-A bowl or basket of some kind (I bought a really cute green Christmas one with gingerbread men on it from the Dollar Store)

-A movie (any one will work, just take into consideration the taste of the gift receiver. I got one from the $5 Christmas movie shelf at Wal Mart)

-A beverage of some kind (I bought some Coca-Cola in the old fashioned glass bottle because that's her favourite treat to drink and she isn't really a lover of alcohol)

-Some snackies (I used a family sized bag of Ruffles original chips because I know they are my bosses favourite. I also includes 2 bags of microwave popcorn)

-An empty Pringles tube. Clean it out, and wrap it in pretty Christmas paper. I baked 2 kinds of cookies- lemon and chocolate chip, and stacked them in the tube.

-Cellophane, scissors and ribbon (I used clear cellophane & red & gold ribbon)

Once you have all these items, or your substitutes, according to what the gift receiver enjoys, place them all in your basket/bowl in a pretty way. Place the full basket/bowl in the centre of a large piece of cellophane. Cut the cellophane to the appropriate length (it should be large enough for both sides to reach to the top centre of the items in the basket, with some excess. 

Once cut, gather the ends of the cellophane at the top. You may want some back up for this part. Get someone to hold the cellophane in place, and cut your ribbon. It should be long enough to secure the cellophane into place with enough left over to make a pretty bow and curl the ends. Tie the ribbon tightly round the gathered cellophane and knot a couple of times. Tie a bow and curl the ends of the ribbon. 

The Finished Product!

Lemon cookies in the newly decorated Pringles tube!

Look how cute this is!?

Just to make things a little more classy (well, as classy as Coke can be-heehee)

use a glass bottle as opposed to cans or plastic.

I chose the Ultimate Gift- a really cute movie!

Make sure to knot the ribbon a couple times! You don't want it 

coming loose.

This is the bowl I picked up. It's the perfect size to use as a 

chip bowl, & is adorable & Christmas-y!

Voila! You have made an adorable gift basket. It's perfect for a date night, family movie night, or whatever! You could also do this and replace the movie with cards or a fun, new board game!

Wishing you all a very blessed and Merry Christmas,

Emily xo