We sure seem to have a lot of geese here in Fort Collins. They fly overhead in the mornings, honkinghonkinghonking trying to figure out who is supposed to be at the head of the V formation. They waddle up and down the sidewalks in different spots. And they swim in the local lakes and ponds. Paul (WH) took some great photos that I wanted to share with you. (Does anyone cook a goose for Christmas dinner? Never mind. I probably don’t want to know.)
And just so the ducks don’t feel left out:
We have had two Loopy Elf parties in the past two weeks. The first one was a dinner that included spouses, and that was a lot of fun. Then we had a fun lunch with everyone bringing something, earlier this week. Cathy brought a warm beverage called Cranberry Bog that we all enjoyed. I’m going to have a pot of this simmering on the stove on Christmas day. Yum.
Cathy’s Cranberry Bog
3 cups boiling water
2 tea bags
2 cups cranberry juice cocktail
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
Steep tea for 3 minutes in the boiling water. Combine all other ingredients and heat. Serve with cinnamon sticks.
It’s time for our final RAK Reporting day. Did you do something fun for someone else this week? Leave a comment and tell us about it below and I’ll draw the winners and will announce them on Monday’s blog. If you need ideas so that you can squeeze in a Random Act of Kindness before I draw winners on Monday, check out our first two blog posts here and here. The randomly drawn winners will receive a skein of The Loopy Ewe Seasonings Series of their choice. Thank you for all of your participation this year in our RAK’s!
Do you have guests arriving this weekend? My mum-in-law arrives today and we always love having her here with us for the holidays. I really lucked out in the mother-in-law department. Have a great weekend!
Sheri hopingyougetallofyourlastminuteknittingdone,too
I have a check written out to drop off at the local food bank when I go into town today. Also, have some food items to take them too. I’m hoping my contribution can provide Christmas dinner for a few families.
On Tuesday, I shipped 5 of my shawls to Newtown, CT, to comfort the children and adults during their time of unspeakable tragedy. I had knit them over a period of 5 years but non had ever been worn. I think God meant them to go to Newtown.
Sherry, because of your blog I’ve been very cognizant of RAKing this season. I’ve chosen for my RAKs to give little gifts of time–time to other people that I might generally rush through an interaction with.
On Wednesday, I went to get gas and the young man filling up the tank (I live in Oregon, we don’t have self-serve gas stations here) wasn’t the ‘regular’ one. I said “hi how are you” in a rushed clip tone and he said “fantastic” with a smile but I could tell he was being sarcastic. I rolled the window all the way down and said “at least the snow and rain stopped! And look at that view!” (The gas station has a great view of the Cascades). He told me how miserable he was working the day before because he didn’t wear long johns and it was cold and wet…I asked him if he was new and he said he just started working days after working the swing shift. I asked him if he enjoyed it…and we ended up talking for about 15 minutes about working weird hours, some of the nuts who live in the area, some of the people who stop to get gas…it was a great chat. At the end, he said to me “thanks for talking to me like I’m a real person.” All I could say was “back at you.”
Sorry this was so long, but it really was a special encounter for me and I think for Travis (the gas station attendant–we’re on a first name basis now). I wouldn’t have done this wtihout your blog to remind me that we need to make stronger connections in all aspects of our lives. Thank you and Merry Christmas!
even though i have the day off, i woke up as early as i normally do. so i decided to RAK the morning! off to the deluxe doughnut shop and into the office before everyone else shows up and VOILA! christmas doughnuts waiting for those intrepid friday workers. and VOILA! a box waiting for my daughter and husband! you can totally RAK your own family — it was wonderful to see how delighted they were.
This week I dropped off a large stack of towels to my veterinarians office. They always have a need!
Two nights ago I was in line at Office Depot for a return/exchange, and the lady behind me had a toddler, and no way to corral the wandering child. She was trying to engage the little one, who wanted nothing more than the go play in the “magic” doors. While the young thing was in a great mood, the mom was getting more frazzled by the moment.
I let them go first. I’ve been there with a small person, and understood the situation. The Mom was pleasantly delighted.
I know this doesn’t count, but I wanted to share it too. Later the same day I also made the post office workers laugh–I was asked if I needed stamps (as they do), and I said, kinda loudly, “Oh, no! I overestimated my Christmas cards, and won’t need stamps until at least the end of February.” They (both cashiers) laughed and reminded me that it was a good thing they were Forever Stamps. Best part of my day.
So this week I made a homemade chocolate cream pie (yes, the one with butter, egg yolks, half n half, and lots of chocolate) for one of the administrative assistants at my son’s high school. She’s been so nice and understanding with our boy and it is the least that I could do.
Participating and reading other’s comments has made me much more aware of others. I’ve done lots of small things, but did participate in an all day event.
Our church makes homemade candy to give to everyone that attends our Christmas program this year. I helped make it last year, too. They usually plan for 100-125 attendees that will receive approximately 15 pieces of candy each. I’m not doing the math for you because I really don’t want to know. We made peanut clusters, coconut bon bons, and peanut butter balls. There were four of us this year.
Everyone loves it. Another nice thing is that I almost completely lose my appetite for candy after that for awhile. You’ll notice I said almost. 🙂
Merry Christmas Sheri & crew!
I just wanted to share how it seems that I keep running into folks with great seasonal spirit right now — the lady at Costco who let me go in front of her at the register because she had a full cart, and I had only a few items; the lady who helped me untangle my key ring from my sweater coat because my hands were full; the lady at the liquor store who helped me choose a nice bottle of wine for my Dad and gave it to me at a great discount — and that was just yesterday afternoon. I love all those little gestures! So we’ve been trying to pay it forward — baking cookies for the elementary school teachers, having one of my daughter’s friends over to bake cookies for Santa because they just moved and don’t have time to bake cookies, that kind of thing. It feels good! (And I have already won once, so don’t consider this an entry. Consider it recognition that there is still a lot of good in the world.)
On Saturday I was at the Starbucks local to my favorite local yarn store, and they were doing a buy one holiday drink, get one free. The person ahead of me gave me her free drink, and I gave two 20s to the people working the registers to use on the people behind me. A win for everybody!
I’ve also been doing a few little things for the homeless man who sells Spare Change near where I work. I am going to bake bread or muffins and bring them to him next week.
A woman from our church has “adopted” a family in great need this Christmas season, and she decided to bring the 3 girls from this family to our church’s Breakfast with Santa fundraiser at which I was working. One of the girls came up to me and asked me if there was more chocolate milk anywhere, I showed her where we had just put more out and got one for her and asked her if she needed help opening it. She asked me if she could just take it home with her to have later. I told her (with a lump in my throat) we would send some home with her and her sisters and to drink all she wanted while she was here. She said thank you with a big smile and drank it straight down! I told the other women helping that I wanted to make sure to send some milk home with the girls, they all agreed and went one step beyond and we were able to send them home with lots of little cartons of milk and juice, some fresh fruit, a dozen eggs and pastries that were all leftovers. When the girls were taken home by our church member she said their mother was overcome with our generosity. I am so glad we were able to help out this family in their need.
So it was a joint RAK among a couple church members.
We have several students at our high school who live in poverty situations and are unable to go out to lunch during the junior/senior open lunch period simply because they have no money. I anonymously donated a Dairy Queen gift card to one of these students so that they could enjoy lunch with their friends sometime.
In addition: I joined the 600 Monsters group on Rav and am working on knitting up my first “monster” to be donated to the children of Newtown. We’ve been hearing that these children have had an abundance of toys donated, so the group is working hard to find additional charities that deal with children who have experienced violence in their lives and just might need the comfort of a hand knit “monster” to protect them. (The word “Monster” is really just for group members because that’s what we’re knitting…they won’t be called that for the children!) This has really helped me process the horrible events of last week and allows me to say small prayers for each of the lost children with each stitch I knit. Merry Christmas everyone!
A local family in our small community just lost their 24 year old daughter in a head on car accident a couple days ago. I brought them some bread I freshly baked, and some jam we made this summer, along with a platter of cookies and a card. I know I can not take away their pain, but I did let them know we were praying for them and are here if they need anything — I am so thankful for our community and how quickly people are to come along side one another when it’s needed.
We are in the midst of a snowstorm – 12″ expected before it ends. We’ve already received over 8″, and it’s wet and heavy, as the temperature is right at freezing. The plow came down the street and left a monster pile in front of my driveway and the house beside me. When I headed out to slowblow my mountain, I saw my neighbor across the street out with his shovel. When I finished my driveway, I headed over and offered to help him dig out. And, he very nicely paid back by cleaning up my driveway (scraping down what the my snowblower missed) while I plowed the mountain at the end of his driveway.
Then, I headed over and plowed out the neighbor next door. I cleared space for his car all the way up the driveway, since I had seen him go out early this morning and I know he doesn’t have a snowblower either. I’m sure he’ll love being able to get into his driveway at the end of a long day.
Last week, I looked on Ravelry for knitters living in Sandy Hook CT. I wanted to reach out knitter to knitter and gift them with a pattern from their que. I sent both shawls along with a hug at this time of sorrow. I also gave a waitress a 50 percent tip. She is in her 50’s and has waitressed since she was 15. I offered a hot beverage to the person ringing the bell in front of Sam’s club. Today is snowy and blustery in Michigan. Thank you Sheri for reminding us to share what we have whether big or small with someone!
I gave a pr of (hand knit of course) fingerless gloves to a woman I see in the neighborhood who walks several elderly dogs in our neighborhood, she is always smiling even tho some of these dogs are slow or snappish (I know them all). She was so surprised and kept asking what she needed to pay me for them. I told her I love to knit and the warmth of her hands would now match the warmth of her heart.
I had some gloves in my yarn stash that I bought with the intention of trimming them with novelty yarn to match scarves. I took them to a co-worker whose church is hosting the homeless women of our area in hopes they will provide 8 warmer hands this winter. I also sent an “emergency ornament” to two Ravelry acquaintances, neither of whom I had communicated with in at least three months. I can’t wait for them to get them!
I do not know if this is considered a RAK or not but I did a craft show last Sunday which turned out to be a dud but I decided before hand to gve extras to anyone who bought anything. I had some hand made tree ornaments that I had made years ago so I decided that anyone, not just those who bought anything (which there were not many), who came to my table to just look at my stuff would get one of the ornaments and people were so surprised to get something that it brightened my day to see that. My bad show turned into a good show just to see their pleasure at receiving a small simple gift for just being there, I even went around and gave them to all the other vendors too.
My husband had to be hospitalized earlier in the week and then I broke my Thumb when one of our apartment windows collapsed on my right (kniting hand) but I still managed to get the scarves I knitted delivered to the wait staff at the local diner where we breakfast on weekends, and a few more shawls to the oncology unit at the hospital, there will be no Christmas cookies this year, and a few other things will be absent but we know we gave gifts where it counted.
There is a woman that takes donated yarn and knits for the homeless shelters and vets, etc. So I sent another box of yarn out of my stash. And remembering kind acts and held the door open for a older gentleman and his wife. Just got to slow down sometimes and remember the small things that you can do for strangers. They do get surprised and it puts a smile on their faces and yours.
Merrry Christmas to all!!!!!
this is the first year i’ve had something for every week. that makes me feel pretty good about myself.
my last RAK isn’t so random. i am the only knitter in my husband’s family. i am gifted a LOT of yarn, much of which is not really my style. rather than let it sit, i knit hats, scarves, mittens, and blankets all year (alternating with yarn i enjoy). all the items are put in a box and donated to a local combined charity (the opportunity alliance is its current name). i dropped the box off last saturday.
A neighbor of mine hasn’t been doing well health-wise lately. I’ve taken some time this week to help him with little things around his apartment and was around to help him out of a tough spot during a snowstorm. As another commentor said, it is good to slow down a bit during this season!
my RAK happened rather unexpectedly Sheri – I am a member of a local chapter of a national embroidery guild. We have a member who is a cancer survivor and I didn’t realize it but has been missing some events lately because she is undergoing all kinds of testing again. She emails me from time to time but never bemoans her condition however to the point of my story. She had asked me about purchasing a very pretty sampler chart I had in my stash from a designer in England and I told her I would sell it – this was before I heard she was in trouble again. So she emailed me a week or so ago saying she couldn’t buy the chart because of money problems. I knew it was probably because of all this testing so I just said Ok no problem. Got to thinking about it and I put together a kit for her of the required skeins of DMC thread and sent out the kit with a card saying ENJOY ! I think to make matters worse she is going to be alone on christmas. very sad – anyway – I hope i brightened her day and made her aware that someone was thinking of her. Have a very merry christmas – Melody
I did something that I picked up from someone from last year’s RAK reporting! I waited near the checkout of my local Target and gave out some coupons I had to people who had the coupon items in their carts. I had a “$5 off toys purchase” that I gave to a lady with a cart full of toys. She was sooo pleased and grateful. Made me feel good!
I bought a doll and a truck and dropped,them off for Toys for Tots.
This has nothing to do with knitting. I’m a weight watcher. There is a woman named Mary in my weekly group. It’s evident that she doesn’t have much money or self confidence. She passed on a brilliant idea for creating a taco salad using a black bean burger. Brilliant!! My husband and I love them. I was at Bed Bath & Beyond and saw these taco shell makers that you put your flour tortilla in and bake in your oven, so you’re not adding extra calories. I bought a set and they work! I ran over and bought another set for Mary. I wrapped them up, put it in a nice Christmas bag and gave it to her on Tues at our meeting. She was do touched, again her smile was MY present from her! I told her that her recipe idea was a huge hit and I thought she might like these baking tins so she can have her taco salad in a taco bowl she can eat. It was a “just because” gift. She gave me the hugest hug and a kiss and we both cried. And isn’t this season about showing others kindness and that they truly count!
I’ve twice attended a recovery group meeting to support a friend who is struggling. This time, I brought enough refreshments for anyone who attended the meeting; the person in charge of setting up the meetings said in all the years the meetings have been held, no one has ever brought anything to share with others.
I love reading everyone’s RAK’s…they are so inspiring! This week when I was shopping at Walmart, I picked up a gift card, had the cashier put $10 on it, & wrote “Merry Christmas from Santa” on the envelope. My plan was to give it to someone who was coming into the store as I was leaving the store. However, my plan changed a little. On the way past the other check-outs, I spotted a woman who was obviously very frustrated. She had a cart full and was waiting for her cashier to come back to her from customer service. Since she looked like she could use a pick-me-up, I had my daughter take her the gift card & say “Merry Christmas”…hopefully, it made her day a little better. It certainly made my (7-yo) daughter’s day to be kind to someone!
I do this all year long. I always tell the folks helping me ,” Thank you for working so we can…..” , buy food, enjoy dinner out, mail a package, or whatever. I really like to show appreciation to folks working service jobs that often are taken for granted, but make life go smoothly for others.
This week I’ve worked on a prayer shawl and a huggable toy for the folks from Sandy Hook Elementary School. I also tipped the breakfast place and one of our favorite restaurants, for the servers to split.
Many blessings of the season to you, your family, the Elves and their families, and the whole Loopy Groupy community!
Our family likes to send gift cards (anonymously) to single women in our church each year at Christmastime.
We had a little snow after some rain, with very high winds, coupled with a very poorly designed (new) office building so we ended up with ice on our vehicles, our sidewalks, and our parking lot. Several of us helped coworkers who were not dressed, or otherwise equipped to deal with this by walking them to their car safely, cleaned off their cars, and warmed up their cars. Merry Christmas to everyone!
My RAK today wasn’t planned or thought out, but when McD’s gave me the wrong order, I shared with my co-worker who had skipped lunch.
People are always so appreciative of the littlest of things!
I was out running errands on a cold, rainy day this week on my lunch break – my mood was terrible as I was rushing from place to place. I was in the neighborhood of my grandmother’s nursing home – and I decided to surprise her with a brief midday visit. I always visit her after work, so she was very surprised and pleased – those 15 minutes made both of our days!
My hospice/rescue dog, Mr. Pugsley, wore his little Santa suit and helped me deliver homemade cookies to some of our wonderful local dog rescuers.
just a little thing this week. I mentioned to a on-line/and phone friend who had just celebrated her 70th bd, that I had just opened a jar of peach amaretto jam and she said it sounded yummy. She orders basic supermarket delivery every 10 ten days as she has no transportation and I doubt that her local market has more than the regular jelly and jams. Toast with jam is so good in the evening, and the the morning , or anytime. I mailed a pkg to her of Stonewall Kitchen jams (including the peach amaretto) and I think she will be surprised. I almost gave it away today when I asked if she had gotten her mail yet and she wanted to know why? I hope she has some fresh toasting bread for when it arrives.
Does donating a pint of blood count?
My Dashing handwarmers (thank you Knitty!) that were being knit for my coworkers, had a flaw that I found as I wove in the ends. Instead of ripping them back, I’ve put them into my vehicle to donate to the next homeless person who looks like they could use them (or to a shelter). Given the cooler weather, they’ll disappear in a day or two. I’ve already made a new pair for my coworker. I’ve also very done with knitting fingerless gloves now and need something new!
I don’t know if this counts – but it did make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. As I was attempting to shovel the sidewalk this afternoon, I looked up and saw a goofy Lab and a hesitant Husky gamboling toward me. I know most of the dogs (or at least recognize) the dogs on our street, and these were not two of them. The Husky was closer to me, but she refused to get close enough to me to look at her tags for a number. Luckily, the Lab seemed tired, and he wandered into the garage where I carefully cornered him to check his tags (he was friendly and not snappish, so all was good). It wasn’t a local area code, so I was worried I wasn’t even going to be able to get a hold of anyone. Luckily, a man answered on the first ring and started thanking me when I asked if he was missing two dogs. Unfortunately, I couldn’t keep them corralled as I guided him to my street, but he was still very gracious that I even did that.
Did you know Canada geese mate for life? I didn’t know that until there was an editorial from a resident with a pond nearby. Apparently some boys were pelting the geese with rocks and killed one. The male stayed next to his mate for several days, just pacing around, waiting for her to wake up. It was heartbreaking to read. But I love that these glorious animals are so monogamous.
Not much – but when hubby was done planting his winter garden we has some onion sets leftover. So we gave them to our neighbor since she loves gardening
I spent my lunch break helping wrap the gifts we purchased for our ” adopt a family” at work. With all of the heartbreak and anger in the air lately, it was nice to look at a room full of gifts brought there to give Christmas to a family who otherwise had nothing. There really is still good out there!
I love reading these stories. I don’t have any specific RAK’s for this week. I did make ear warmers and hats for quite a few school staff but those were gifts that I wanted to give. :). Happy Holidays everyone!!!
I knitted a Turn a Square for my grandson and it was too small. I had it in my knitting bag to show my friend while we knitted Wednesday evening at the bookstore. A young woman carrying a very asleep baby boy came and sat down with us. She was a knitter but fairly new. My friend said show her your hat. So I dug it out and she took it and fell in love with it. Asked if she could put it on him and I said sure. Then she wanted to buy it. I said no, but you can have it. It’s too small for my grandson and it is only going to sit in a box or basket at home. She was so tickled. I took a couple of pictures and was glad the hat would keep someone warm and that someone looked very nice in it.
While checking out at the grocery store yesterday the clerk asked if we wanted to make a donation to provide a meal for a local family. $5 for breakfast, $10 for lunch or dinner, or $25 for a whole day of meals for a family of four. After looking at the abundance in our own cart, my husband and I looked at each other and knew we wanted to make a donation for a whole day of meals. The clerk was so appreciative and said they rarely had people who donated at that level. We were so surprised. We’re just two college students so not exactly rolling it it but especially at this time of year, how could there not be more people supporting this? I know one day of meals is just a drop in the bucket but we hope it brightens someones day!
I gifted a pattern to a Sandy Hook, CT resident that was in their que. Tipped my son’s hairdresser extra. A friend and myself went out for lunch one day and I tipped the waitress more than my bill and gave her a $5 gift card to Starbucks. Today while in the Cookout drive-thru, I paid for the car behind me. Made sure I hit every Salvation Army kettle I came across. I have really enjoyed passing little RAK’s and have been blessed.
My husband and I took the kids to an organization tonight that packages up food for hungry children. We all enjoyed volunteering and the kids learned about the kids in Haiti who will be relieving the food we packed.
I did two things this week. I work at the local market, and took both opportunities.
First, we have a fair sized immigrant population. Most of them work, and are SLOWLY getting better at English, but may not speak it well. I used to tutor ESL, so most of the girls send them to me. Well, one lady had her groceries. I rang them up, and she tried her debit card. NSF. She had a $20 bill, but that still didn’t cover everything. We took out some of the toiletries, tried again. NSF. Took out more, same thing. Finally, there was only food and toothpaste. She couldn’t take out the food, she’s got a family to feed. So, I told her Merry Christmas, rang her out, and sent her on her way. Fished the difference out of my wallet and covered it.
Then today, there’s one older cashier (in her 70s). She’s bitter and crabby and a bossy britches and a know-it-all and lazy and generally makes all crazy at one point or another. She’s had a life that hasn’t been what she hoped for in a lot of ways, and I think it comes out. Well, she got off earlier than I did, and stopped on her way out to wish me Merry Christmas. I asked if she was going out to her cousin’s house (he lives in the country about an hour away), and she said no, she was staying home by herself because she was worried about driving through farmland in bad conditions. So, I invited her to join us. No one should be alone on Christmas. I think she was truly surprised. I hope she comes. It’ll be good for her.
My fiancée and I were driving home from the movies a few days ago and we passed a homeless man that had a dog with him. I felt so bad that they were out in the rain, I made my fiancée turn around and go to the petco around the corner. We purchased a doggie sweater and dog food. then we went to Carl’s and ordered a cheeseburger and fries for the guy.
We have passed by once since and saw that the dog was wearing his sweater!
I told my DH that he wasn’t getting any hand knits for Christmas since he didn’t ask for any…and now here I am at 1am knitting him some ‘quick’ worsted weight socks. The guilt got me and I admitted that he can never have too many warm socks.