Christmas Cards... Do people even mail them anymore?

Are Christmas Cards even a thing still? I remember when I was small, my mom loved getting and sending cards, and would hang them on a string with clothespins on a wall. I remember scribbling my name on a few for family, but never the ones that were to be mailed to others because they had to look neat and tidy. I remember thinking how important you must be to get a lot of cards at Christmas. I don't get any cards at Christmas now...I never have..how weird, right?

When I was in my 20's, I wished I had friends/family from lots of places so I could send cards out and get them in return to put on my string on the wall...that was a depressing year. I went out and bought a box of cards and sent to every address I had...which, let's be honest was only like 12 ish? and all of these were really family members...which I guess makes it more depressing that I didn't receive 1 card back!! Yea, not even 1!! Not even from my own mom, who used to be sooooo dedicated to the Christmas Card ritual.

I decided maybe it was me, maybe I sent them too late, or maybe my in laws weren't card sending people...ok no big deal. So we moved on and I let go of the idea for a while..Until this year!

I am working extra hard and a bit recklessly I'm sure, but I found a group on the FB that is only for peeps that want to exchange cards! How amazing! I had come to think that FB was purely for sharing weird (although hilarious at times) memes and fake news..but I found it..and I'm so excited!

I have received 4 YES 4!! cards and sent almost 36. The only issue I really have with card sending is the absurd postage cost! I really feel like it is showing my age, but I swear I remember when a roll of stamps was $29....yea, I know, I'm old..but good grief..is this why no body sends Christmas cards anymore? 

I mean, yea, I know, everyone is busy and everyone is on FB, Insta, Twitter, etc..but I feel like something as small as a hand signed Christmas card could do so much to make people feel better during the holidays.

Especially older people, NOT that I'm that old, but elderly people, that may not have family that visits often..I just think it might be nice for them to receive mail. I hope someone on my list is one of those people that really enjoys receiving cards. I hope I can make their holiday just a little nicer this year.

And yes, I do let all of my kids sign their names :) Except for the baby, he is only 5 months old after all...maybe next year!

I hope all of you receive all the joy and happiness you need this holiday, even if it is just a meme or ecard on FB or other platform <3

November wrap up!

Whew! Made it! Ok, one more month down, one final month of 2018 to go. This means Christmas is upon us, and it's all downhill from here.. I have orders coming in pretty steady from the shop, I am sending my first order to the UK this weekend!

I'm such a fangirl of all things british haha So this was really exciting for me to see when I got the order notification.

I am getting a little ambitious and making linzer cookies this weekend. I hope they turn out as good as I think they should. I remember when I was little loving these cookies so much! I want my kids to love them too. Plus, whenever our friends come over for Dungeons and Drangons, they seem thoroughly impressed with my baking skills :D  My husband loves having me whip up cookies and such for him to take to work too. One time I hadn't made anything for about a week, and one of his coworkers asked if things were "ok with the Mrs?" since I wasn't baking that week! I thought that was adorable so I threw together some snickerdoodles the next work day.

I really am driven by others expectations too much probably. I love making other people happy. I'm sure it's part of my many afflictions, but I just love to see others happy. Even if it is just because of a cookie..how much easier can it be to please people than to make some cookies..I am pretty sure cookies, made properly, could save the world. No? Has anyone tried it yet? I didn't think so.

Today, I am finishing up the 2 bag orders from yesterday. I then plan on entering the swirling vortex of terror that is the garage (and my sewing room right now), to organize and  plan some fun projects.  I am planning to get the kids to sit down and make some Scandanavian star ornaments, and possibly some folded fabric ball ornaments. Those balls take about a million straight pins though. I only have glass ball top pins, I'll need to see what I have hidden away in all the nooks and crannys and containers and drawers...I'll probably fine a portal to world G493..who knows...stay tuned to find out!

I also need to figure out a better way to get photos in here. I have everything on my phone, like every other person in the world, but my app doesn't like to post to the blog. It's been a very frustrating realization. I'll get to that eventually. I have a bunch of cool project photos I want to post and show all of you (assuming there is more than just 1 person who ever reads this), but even if it is just 1 person, I would love to share these neat little projects with you too.

All month, I've been dreading Christmas, but now I am just accepting it for what it is, as I do every year, and I will roll with it and we will make many crafts and have lots of family fun! Yes, that is what we will do.

I hope any and all of you who may wander by, have a wonderful holiday season, whatever your holiday is or isn't <3