Secret Santas and the Falliablity of Flu Shots

For the first time in about seven years, I got a flu shot this year.

For the first time in about ten years, I've got the flu.

The pharmacist informed me cheerfully this morning that my flu shot should at least lesson the duration of the nastiness.

That's something, I suppose.

Anyway, I unexpectedly have time to do a bit of planning for one of my favorite holiday traditions: Secret Santas.

At my school, participating teachers and staff draw names and trade goodies the last week before school gets out for break.

Since gift-giving is one of my love languages, I'm quite sure that I have more fun than the recipient.  

I don't have my person's name yet, so right now I'm just browsing for general cuteness.  If it's cute, cheap, and creative (the CCC test), I'm all over it. If I draw one of the few male teachers who participate, I'll just buy a two-pound bag of M&M's, slap a bow on it, and call it good! ;-)

Things that pass the CCC test so far:

Candy Cane dip and an apple-yum!:

 

Pumpkin Spice Creamer:

 

Microwave Popcorn +gloves:

 

I've already bought the polish  (the NYC brand to keep the "cheap" part in place) to do these for my lunch table buddies:

 

So, how about you?  What's your favorite small gift to give (or receive)?

Be blessed,

Ginger

Open House

Here's my disclaimer even as I post this:

 I am lying on my couch nursing the full-blown version of the sore-throat/cold that's threatened for weeks.  This post is an observation made in full awareness of the practical difficulties; this is about baby steps. 

Every night this week seemed to disappear in blur.  Pastor search team, choir practice, the inevitable Walmart run.

Normally, Big Red and I are in a small group Bible study on Wednesdays when our girls are at youth group.  With it unexpectedly cancelled this week, visions of a few peaceful hours danced in my head.  So when some friends invited us to drop by for supper, I can't say I was looking forward to it.

I can say I was amazed by it.

(When's the last time you had an impromptu gathering at your home?

Um, hasn't happened here lately.) 

  

There were no decorations yet, but piano music played softly in the background.

There was potato soup.

Some cornbread that had stuck to the pan and and was somewhat worse for wear.

Pound cake and fruit.

It was simple.

It was perfect.

It reminded me again that we have vastly over-complicated what it means to be hospitable 

and therefore in community.

We have a zillion excuses for our hermit lifestyles. 

Don't blame Pintrest.

Before it, it was Martha and magazines.

My house isn't__, my cooking isn't__, fill-in-the-blank.

More truthfully, my schedule is overfilled and my heart for people is undernourished.

I want to appreciate (and emulate)the potato soup, 

imperfect cornbread,

a mug of coffee,

a cup of cold water

in His Name

for His people.

Be blessed  today,

Ginger