Did you read all of the wonderful things that people are doing while out and about this season? I love how you’re all reaching out and finding ways to make someone’s day! If you’ve found some kind act to do since last week’s post, please post it in a comment below and we’ll draw a winner next week. (Note – we’ll have one more Random Acts Contest next Monday, so keep watching for opportunities around you.) The randomly drawn winner of last week’s contest is Jenny from MO, who won a $50 Loopy Ewe Gift Certificate. (Yes, we also up the certificate amount for these Random Acts contests, just for fun!)
This weekend, we did our holiday baking. One of my random acts this week was to put together trays of cookies and treats for neighbors. We have several elderly couples on our street who probably don’t do much baking during the holidays, so this is a fun way to share our baking with them. These Oreo Truffles are amazing. I think everyone and their brother made them last year, but I didn’t see the recipe until this year. If you haven’t made them, here is the recipe:
Oreo Truffles
1 package of Oreos
1/2 package of cream cheese (about 4 oz.)
white melting chocolate
Put the whole pack of Oreos into a food processor and process until it’s all dark crumbs. Add the cream cheese and mix until well blended. Scoop out bite-sized pieces and roll into a ball. Place on a cookie sheet in the fridge for 15 minutes. Dip the balls into melted white chocolate and let them harden on waxed paper.
Note – I tried this with the mint oreos, too. While the taste was good, I had to use two packs of Mint Oreos to one package of cream cheesse, due to the peppermint oil in the flavoring. Not sure I’d make those again.
The cookies in the photo are made with our favorite sugar cookie cutout recipe. We make these for two or three different holidays per year.
Sheri determinedtofinishthenever-ending-scarfbyWednesday’sblogpost
with a monster snowstorm all of Saturday into Sunday, totals more than 20 ins, the birds squirrels and other critters were hard pressed to find anything, and they cant hit the grocery stores. I set out two cardboard box lids filled w/birdseed and bread spread w/chunky peanut butter. Everything was gone in minutes so in between digging out my car, I refilled the feeding stations four more times before darkness fell.
I made a shawlette for a Ravelry friend who’s husband was the victim of downsizing. He is their sole income and she had to sell off a huge portion of her stash. So I wanted to make her something to let her know I was thinking of her. The shawlette was perfect (I made it in 4 days) because it was in her favorite colors, in a pattern in her queue, and it was a little bit of comfort in the mail.
I put the lights on my parents’ Xmas tree – usually something my brother does, as he lives with them, but let’s just say he wasn’t getting it done. So I spent part of the afternoon doing that. Mom finds that part hard – but now she can hang ornaments to her heart’s content!
Mom wanted to bake some vegan food for her Christmas dinner (because I am a vegan and my brother is a vegetarian) but wasn’t sure how to go about it, so I went and spent a day baking with her. It was great fun, and she was really happy to have something on hand that we will all be able to enjoy together. Definitely a win-win situation!
I had donated a scarf to an auction to raise funds for a friend in need. I mailed out the “won” scarf today–and also mailed out one to the auction organizer. She had bid on it early, but was outbid. She also organized this auction because she had a benefit aution for her earlier this year, organized by the same friend who needs it now. It’s all about pay it forward. Good Yule!
I made cookies for my neighbours too (it’s amazing how many people’s RAKs feature cookies at this time of year), and I gave directions to some people who were driving down the wrong road and looking lost.
I live in Philly, which got a lot of snow this past weekend. When I shovelled my walk Sunday, I also did my neighbour’s stairs and sidewalk.
The usual salvation army donations and door holdings occurred but I also made a point of being kind to any salesperson I encountered and leaving a tip at any cafe/coffee place that I could.
This week I bought blankets to drop off with a group that resettles refugees in our area.
Sheri,
the peanut butter Oreos are yummy in these cooies, too!
It’s been a crazy week. I work in a grocery store meat department, and people are ordering lots of yummy things for their Christmas dinners. I always try to remember the small things that they might be forgetting, and give suggestions when the customer is stumped on what to buy, or how to make something. I did a special order for a customer on Friday, and when she came in and picked up her meat (I cut it into strips so she could make beef stroganof) she thanked me several times, gave me a hug, and then called 2 hours later to thank me again for doing this for her, as she was running short of time. Too often we only hear the complaints from customers, and it’s nice to get good feedback once in a while.
Merry Christmas, enjoy having your family home.
Carolyn
More snow = more opportunities for RAK. My husband and I spent a little time to help out an older gentleman who was trying to clear out a spot for his and his wife’s cars. I’ve also been trying to be extra patient with drivers who are not used to navigating snowy roads. Having some nice Christmas music on in the car helps my mood tremendously!
The truffle recipe sounds great, I may have to try that one today!!
Those truffles look really, really good!
I invited my elderly neighbor over for coffee and treats on Christmas day. She has no family living any longer. We try to help her out as much as we can.
I donated blood on Saturday — always good to donate this time of year if schedule permits.
My officemate and I are always cold. So last week I brought in hot chocolates for us.
I so love reading these comments – they warm my heart
I ended up going to the grocery store late on Friday and when I got there there were rogue carts all over the parking lot. I went through the area I was parked in and collected all the carts, organized them by size (our store has a couple of different sized carts so if you put them in the cart return area willy-nilly it fills up really quickly because they don’t nest), and put them back where they belonged.
I have continued to help a dear friend in a time of need this past week. She is very special to me!
I have a very special gift for a friend of mine whose sister died earlier this year. I think she is gonna love it!
I didn’t get out as much this week, but look forward to getting the opportunity to do more RAK’s.
Yesterday on the subway I saw a man give up his seat to a pregnant woman. How nice!
Today I made breakfast for my roommates. They loved it š
Happy Holidays everyone!
we have an ‘ornament tree’ here at work, where, instead of ‘adopting a family’ you can take information on a single underprivilidged person, and buy things. there was an email sent out that 2 people didn’t turn in gifts. I walked down there with someone else and they said one was for a 17y old boy (who only wanted a sweatshirt and hat!) and the other was an 8y old girl who wanted only shirt, pants and nightie. Well, my funds are tight, but I couldn’t say no because my middle daughter is turning 9 on saturday, so they are the same age and she only wanted those three things (not even toys!!)… so i took the girl, went to target, got her a couple of shirts, jeans, nightie and then when i got home i wrapped an extra ‘in case’ bracelet… wrapped them up and brought them in. And then i took a hat/scarf set i finished and brought all of it in just in case someone else needed an extra warm set.
Well…this isn’t so random, but it so wonderful that I have to share. I played a large part in organizing an Angel Tree at my church that had requests from at-risk students at the high school where I teach. There were 150 requests on the tree, asking for anything from gifts cards to toilet paper to house repair to movies to money to take driver’s ed. training. Every request on the tree was fulfilled by the wonderful people at my church. I feel so blessed to have been a part of connecting my church to these kids. It is the best present I will receive! And though I didn’t intend that the students find out I was involved, they did and they have been sending me thank you notes and hugs all day. What better Christmas is there?? š
AS a treat to myself I ordered a pair of very nice sheepskin slippers from Lands End and when they arrived I discovered they were way too big. I was going to return them but it is becoming a pain to find the right size box, etc. so I have decided instead to leave them on the doorstep of one of my elderly neighbors anonymously with instructions to pass them along if they don’t fit.
I helped neighbors shovel our 20 inches of snow from driveways and sidewalks. I am putting together trays of cookies and candy to share with friends and neighbors.
I work with a single women who just got her own place for her daughter and herself after relocating to Denver from Chicago. She left almost everything with her now ex-husband so my husband and I went through some of the things we have and gave her a complete bedroom linens set and four sets of towels. She said her daughter loves the bedroom set and was very excited.
I left a card and some sweet treats for my mail carrier. I know it’s a crazy time of year for them, so I just wanted her to know I was thankful.
I moved a shopping cart out of the way that was behind a woman’s car before she backed up. She did not know that it was there and was ready to back right into it. She thanked me and I was grateful that I was able to help.
This past week, we took care of our “angels”. Every year we choose angels off a tree and purchase gifts for them. This year we sponsored a handicapped man living at an assisted living center. He requested shoes and pants for gifts. We also purchased toys for Toys for Tots; a charity I just love helping each year.
Today I ran over to the drugstore and the parking lot was nearly full. I pulled into a spot and looked at the large van parked next to me and realized that without getting in on the passenger side, there was no way the driver of that vehicle would be able to get in. The car on the other side had parked so close to the line that I was centered between the two vehicles. Even though it meant a longer walk and a possibly a wait for another spot, I pulled out and went to find another spot to make the van’s driver day a little easier.
My mother and I visited my grandmother’s Alzheimer’s unit at a nursing home and brought every single patient a present – most were handmade fleece capes to keep
them warm. We also cooked up a bunch of yummy food for all of the awesome staff who take such good care of my Nanny. Happy holidays to you all and to everyone who responded with such neat ideas for little kindnesses here and there.
I had a skein of yarn that I knew that someone had been admiring for quite some time. While I adored the yarn, I knew that she would enjoy it three times as much, especially if someone just gave it to her. So I did! She was so surprised!
Merry Christmas to all.
Tonight we’re going to sing Christmas carols and share goodies with some seniors, who can’t easily get out to events. After that we are delivering (on behalf of a small group of people) presents to a single mom and her 2 children to help them in their celebration of Christmas.
A fellow Air Force wife has to move in early January. She has four children, one with Asperger’s so another friend and I will be helping her make up beds and generally be her slaves for the day and provide lunch and/or dinner on moving day. Thankfully it’s summer here (in Australia) so we will organise a tasty barbecue and salads.
I have also helped a very busy colleague with her Christmas shopping.
A lady in my LYS was short 5 skeins for a jacket she wanted to make. I told her I would bring them to her tomorrow.
Merry Christmas to all! And Happy New Year!
I work in a busy rehab hospital and we organize a Communion service each year at Christmas (and Easter) for the patients and their families and our staff. A very special coworker and I do the music for the service. This year we had more patients and families than we have had in the past several years. Today’s service was beautiful. That was at 11:00, then at 1:30 the staff met and went through the entire hospital caroling. It’s amazing what a few songs can do for people.
Last night I had to go to a local mega store to finish up my Christmas shopping. Just after getting out of my car I was approached by a woman who was in obvious distress. She was visibly pregnant and had another small child in the car next to her. She said she was homeless and had no money to buy food for her little boy. I know for a fact that our local shelters are full and turning people away and I could see the little boy was holding a pillow and wrapped in a blanket. It appeared that everything they had was in that car. She asked if I knew where she could go to get a meal. I didn’t know of anywhere but I knew I had money in the bank. I went into the store found the ATM machine and took out money for her. I went back outside and gave her the money and told her to go get her son and herself a hot meal. SHe began to cry and thanked me and asked me to pray for her family. I usually avoid people like “her” in parking lots thinking they are lying but my heart went out to her. I only hope that I made some small difference in her life.
I finished my scarf for the Red Scarf project! Sheri: You make the most interesting cookies.
A very kind person paid for my groceries one day…soo I paid it forward and paid for a strangers groceries too! Fun!
This is a bit of a long-term random act of kindness….our family this month started sponsoring a young boy in Mozmbique through World Vision. His name is Americo and he is 5 years old. He’s the cutest thing ever and I take joy in knowing that our small contribution is helping his family of 5 and also his community with AIDS awareness and education. I hope that he will be able to go to school soon with our assistance and give back to his community. We are truly blessed to have so much and be able to give to someone with so little.
Merry Christmas to you Sheri, and all you Elves. May you all have a Merry Christmas and a fabulous 2010! Thank you for all you do for us in the knitting/spinning community.
I love reading these! It is so inspirational that people are taking time out of their busy schedules to give back a little.
This week I did some shoveling for an older neighbor and took her out to lunch. Her kids live far away and won’t be in town until Christmas Eve this year, so I think that it was nice for her to get out of the house for a little without worrying about driving by herself. We’re thinking of planning a cookie exchange for New Years (instead of Christmas) for our apartment building.
Happy Holidays to Sheri & all the Loopy Elves!
We’ve made some good friends at the place we buy our dog food. They really care about everyone’s pet, keep a photo album of them all on their Mac and give us great advice since we have labs with some chronic health problems. I knitted each of them a cowl, and they were so touched I thought they would cry. That was a gift right back to me.
I brought my hairdresser and the other people at the salon a dozen doughnuts when I went in this morning. Good doughnuts made daily by a local shop (not healthy, but undeniably delicious).
I helped at my Daughter’s school again…love helping there
My Mom’s favorite part of Christmas is filling everyone’s stockings. I also know that fillig stockings for 15 people can get expensive and she always has a hard time deciding what to put in them (especially all the guys). So I shopped for all the stocking stuffers for her, then I took them over to her house so she could have the pleasure of filling them – but not the expense.
A coworker had been given a heavier assignment at work than the rest of us for the day. I exchanged some patients, and made my schedule heavier, because I knew that it wouldn’t be a problem for me. I also volunteered to take another patient for bloodwork on my way to work.
I know these are small things, but they lessened the load of my coworkers, and that made all the difference in moral and work environment. I was blessed too!
At the airport, on the way to visit my friend in Mexico over the Christmas break, I helped a young lady “unknot” her knitting so she could get on with knitting the scarf she’d started for her mom as a gift. She was delighted – I felt so good to get a chance to “help someone along”. Mom will love the scarf, I’m sure! salam wa sa’aadah Linda
I love the scarf! Nicely done.
My RAK this week: I was at the doctor’s office checking in. The receptionist was swamped and not paying attention as she might. A woman came in who was a new patient. The receptionist thrust a packet of forms at her. The woman blanched and said she couldn’t understand. The receptionist said, “It’s all very clear.” and returned to her work. I realized that the woman could not read. I offered to read the forms to her. (In the end, I could not do it, as the doctor was ready for me but I made sure to explain to the receptionist that the woman could not read and that she would have to read the forms to her. The receptionist agreed.)
My uncle died last Friday. He was my mom’s brother. My husband and I made flight reservations on our points so that she wouldn’t have the extra expense during this time of year. I went with her to the funeral because I loved him very much and because I love her and wanted to be there to give her extra love and support. He was her only sibling.
RAK….I’ve invited my “orphan” friends and my kids “orphan” (no family nearby) friends over for Christmas dinner and gift exchange…….Dungeness Crab and tamales….YUMMMMM!!!
We went to BJ’s, bought about 100 Klondike ice cream bars and a few bags of apples and oranges and brought them to a local shelter for homeless. My boyfriend does it every Christmas.
There is a little girl at my son’s school who does not have a family (it is a residential school for kids with autism). She mentioned she would love to have a pink scarf. I knitted a pink scarf for her, bought a little stuffed toy dog, knitted a tiny pink scarf for the dog from the same yarn and brought it to school on behalf of Santa. I hope it brought a smile on the little girl’s face š
Sorry to slide in at the last minute- I’ve been sans Internet this weekend! My DH and I gave a big tip to the employee who pumped our gas in NJ on Christmas Eve. It was miserably cold out, and in NJ you have to get your gas pumped, so we gave our attendant a big tip.