Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Hanging of the greens

Can you imagine a nicer gift than a handmade green wreath?

I can't. Except, perhaps, when someone brings dinner with it!

Sometime between baking fresh bread, coordinating gifts for children in need, and tending her own 3, Julie wired tree trimmings to a coat hanger circle.

Not feeling like Super Mom? Me, either.

This year, my greenery consists of tucking a few clippings here and there.

Fast, free, easy!

We chatted about how life with 3 kids is miraculously easier to handle than our first babies.

Don't believe me? Let this mom of 7 encourage you.

Need ideas for fresh clippings? Take a peek at the greenery archives:

21 comments:

Tubo Family said...

Mmm, I can just imagine the fragrance! Can't wait til we smell the fresh-cut tree at my parents house. On another note, your comment about three kids seems another nudge towards the third child my husband and I are daydreaming about.

Meredith said...

Don't get me wrong--it's definitely an adjustment. The sleep deprivation/taking care of the big kids has been the hardest part.

But overall, my abilities in mothering have become so much better. I NEVER could have cooked dinner with my first baby strapped to my chest, let alone done it with a preschooler and a first grader calling for me at the same time.

Mary Ellen said...

Wow! Now I am just blown away by the Advent wreath link! I remember one year I drove myself crazy looking for purple candles LOL! Using the tissue paper, absolutely genius!

Janel said...

I'm jealous! Love that wreath - but it's not part of my skillset. I wish I had talented friends like yours. ;)

I think I've mentioned before that I found going from 2 to 3 easy, but going from 3 to 4 all but did me in. Now I'm sorta in the Mrs. X category (but I'll NEVER knit that fast or teach 3rd yr Latin!! lol) If it weren't for my two oldest (just 14 & almost 12), we wouldn't have survived this past year. Having older children to help makes ALL the difference!

Shannon said...

I agree the switch from two o thre was light years easier than none to one or one to two. This year I'm actually feeling somewhat confident about having a peaceful, meaningful Christmas without having a meltdown:) The toddler of course is another issue altogether!

Anonymous said...

Hang in there it gets better! Your doing a good job.

Julie said...

3rd babies are easier. I figured it out...1st babies you are just learning the ropes. 2nd babies you are learning how to juggle 2 little people. 3rd babies and after by that time you are an old hand at this motherhood stuff and they just fit right in ;-)

Unknown said...

I agree! After the second one, it gets easier from there! Even with four, I have no qualms about keeping other people's kiddos, cause I know they will just get in on the fun.

Anonymous said...

As a parent of only one, I find it easier to have one of her friends over because they keep each other entertained. Of couse, now that she's 13, she often wants a friend over, but sometimes she still likes just Mom and me time and that's great!

As far as greens, if you happen to have an artificial tree that you don't use, you can try what I did this year - take the the top half off, "plant" it in a sturdy pot on your porch, and put lights on it for a simple and fairly quick outside display. It took me about 15 minutes once I remembered the tree in the garage.

ancient one said...

I'll bring in cedar and pine later to stick all around my inside Christmas Decorations. If I do it too soon, I'll have to do it twice, as I get worried if it gets dry..

Mimi said...

What a lovely gift!

Julie Clark said...

um, meredith, my mama pretty much did all the wreath making. :lol

I found her the hanger and untwisted it and brought her the limbs and the tape and string.

but I was glad to give it to you! :smile

and supermom? hardly. You;re officially invited to drop in on my house uninvited. we'll put that myth to rest REAL quick.

(And for the record, people, Ms. Merchantships was the one no-handing a sleeping newborn in a sling and baking and bagging up the most perfect sugar cookies I have ever eaten. In one sitting. On my way home.)

and yes - 2 to 3 was "like butt-ah" compared to going from zero to one!

Thanks for the link to that article! I was going to e-mail you for it but as usual - you are on top of it! :o)

Anonymous said...

Standing Ovations to you, Meredith -
You've done it again girl -

Your home is perfect and beautiful for Christmas - By the way, I must have 4 Jesus' in the house from the 4 nativitiy scenes I've collected over the years - all tabletop and ceramic - in african-american -
Just wonderful!

Merry Merry Christmas!
Latrice

Empty Nest Full Life said...

What a thoughtful gift. The wreath is beautiful, and a wonderful dinner to go with it. Jackie

Sarah @ Fiddledeedee said...

What a beautiful wreath! And dinner too - wow, you have some great friends ;)

Our Publix hasn't employed the "freshly cleaned" tape in the buggies yet, but I hope they do soon! It's difficult to say the least to wipe down the buggy with a baby on one hip, 4 year old at my feet, and purse falling off my shoulder!

Thanks for stopping by ;)

Anonymous said...

One of the many reasons I so admire you, Meredith, is your honesty and transparency, which is clearly an encouragement to other women in the same stage of life. Would that I'd been in that same place as a young mom.
I have had few revelations in my life, but one of them was tied to the realization that my focus on becoming the woman, wife, and mother I thought God had "called" me to be was an idol. A really big one. I was horrified to realize that it was really all about me, not about Jesus. What God had called me to be was a Christ follower and to depend upon Him alone. His promise to me was not to help me feel good about myself, but rather that I could boast in Him. It was my weakness through which He wanted to shine. It's all in the grace of the gospel- there is nothing else.

Anonymous said...

Oh - that comment was from Marty. Sorry!

Michelle @ Give a Girl a Fig said...

You are such an inspiration. I am very frugal too...but sometimes I get tired of either the hunt or the waiting. We own our own business...times are LEAN...so I'm having to be creative with our meals and such. I hadn't read your blog in a while...but I'm glad that I did. I needed that boost to remind me that it IS doable...just a little patience is required. lol...easier said than done!

Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Heart said...

It looks lovely. You are so creative!

Yes, there is nothing quite like that first baby to make you feel totally helpless. You are so right. Though, now that my baby is mobile and pulling up, life is a bit crazier and messier!

I'm going to go back and read the posts I've missed. My blog reading has been pretty minimal lately.

Lylah Ledner said...

Love the tree trimming ideas and especially the snow! enjoy!

Unknown said...

I MUST agree with you. I was just telling someone the other day how stressful it was with my first child- and now, with three children, I'm not even HALF as stressed.

I remember how I hated going grocery shopping with my baby, and now I take all three of them with me everywhere. It seems like so much less of a hassle now than it seemed then... with just one.

I think it really helps to have a vision now... I didn't have that with my first, and I understand more now than I did then.