some favorite things (and thoughts) for Christmas!
Here are some beloved items you may consider for the Christmas season:
For the convenient, cool and earth-friendly:
Bamboo Travel Utensils – To-Go Ware Utensil Set with Carrying Case. Yep! This is the gift I’m MOST EXCITED about giving this year! When I saw these bamboo utensils in their cute carrying case hanging off a colleagues backpack (thank you, Lynn!) I knew the perfect person to give them to: my earth-conscious missionary daughter who doesn’t need “stuff.” THESE. I want a set for the whole family (suggestion met with blank looks). What’s the big deal, you ask? LESS PLASTIC. Everywhere you go, you can whip out your bamboo utensils instead of using plastic disposable utensils that are cluttering up the oceans and forests and killing our cod. Just recently, missionary Cope-headed-toTaiwn asked me to send some chopsticks. This set COMES WITH CHOPSTICKS. I cannot get over the cleverness. (My son demonstrated what this might look like at the lunch table were he to pull out his bamboo fork. Obviously only the mature can handle the cleverness.)
For the one who is always cold:
L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins: On last year’s list. Remains on the list. Have you put your feet in these? You’ll never take them out. I wear them all day, ALL WINTER. Watch for sales!
For the baker:
Silpat Baking Mat: Thank you, Glenn and Kim! I adore these baking mats because: no more pan scrubbing!
For your HEALTH:
Garmin Forerunner Watch: It’s not inexpensive, but on the other hand, a total bargain. One of the best things I own. No matter where you walk or run, this watch tracks total time run, pace, mile splits, and heart rate. It’s a huge bargain if you look at it from a health perspective. Look for sales at Groupon.com, Amazon, and Garmin.com.
I have a lot of favorite “things” (like pens and paper!) but these are just a couple I’ve recently thought of. My kids have been doing a lot of “no-sugar” challenges and so for stockings, Santa and I are collaborating on Lara Bars (3-5 natural ingredients), nuts, seeds, paleo-friendly beef sticks, gum, dark(er) chocolate, and perhaps some Seed and Sky earrings.
And now for BOOKS! You can find past book recommendations HERE, but below are the ones I’m especially fond of for Christmas.
Books For the Kids (and the kid in YOU!):
Manners Can Be Fun by Munro Leaf: this for the children (ALL OF THEM). Hysterically funny and yet so useful…I adore this book!
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine: I read this for the first time this year and loved it as much as my kids!
The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer: Paige adored this series, pestering our librarian for the next one and the next one and the next…until they were all read and she was sad.
The Unforgettable Guinevere St Claire by…you know I had to include it! See HERE for bookplate and bookmark info 
