Sending a Sweet Treat

I know that every other day, I post something that I proclaim as my favorite whatever in some category or another. I'm highly excitable, optimistic person and I'm prone to a little bit of hyperbole, although really, at the time, I do consider whatever it is to be my favorite. I have a lot of favorite things. But really, and truly, this may be my favorite package out of all of my favorite packages so far.

My youngest sister, Becky, is a college student . So, when I received a poster in the mail packed in a huge cardboard tube, I looked at it and could only think the thought of someone who has been mailing way too much stuff in the past six months: I must send something in this.

Almost immediately, I realized that a huge poster tube makes the perfect funny and embarrassing package. Getting a tube in the mail is a rare occurrence, but getting a decorated one? Very rare, indeed.

I couldn't get over the image of Becky going to the commons with package notification in hand, and being given a four-foot peppermint stick. And then having to walk back to her dorm with it. Funny, cute, unexpected. Goofy. Check, check, check, annnnnnnd check.

If you want to send a giant peppermint stick:

You'll need:

• a mailable poster tube
• white duct tape
• red duct tape
• packing tape
• 3-4 bags of candy

Directions:

1.   Wrap the tube in white duct tape. Create a finished look by tucking the ends of the tape inside the ends of the tube. 
2. Starting the red duct tape at an angle, tape a candy cane pattern onto the outside and tuck the ends of the tape inside the tube.
3. Fill with candy. 
4. Secure the caps on the tube with packing tape.
5. Mail and be prepared to be stared at in the line at the Post Office.

Last night Becky called to say that she had picked up her candy cane. It makes me happy knowing that, even though we're apart, I can still treat and tease her like a big sister should.   My work here is done.

Take My Hand, We'll Make it, I Swear...

If you read yesterday's post, you know that Thursday marked exactly six months of (and theoretically, halfway through) John's deployment. I didn't post this care package yesterday because I didn't want to spoil the surprise for John (he reads the blog every so often). 

However... yesterday, John told me he had gotten the package on Wednesday! 

That means I get to share the care package with you today!

As you may know, John and I met in college at Penn State. We were both trumpets in the greatest college marching band ever to grace the face of the earth. Somewhere during those years, the people in charge of the JumboTronstarted playing "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi in the stadium during games. The student section would sing along, the band eventually got a stands-tune version of it. It became a tradition in the loosest sense of the word. And, it was a lot of fun. 

So, what could be better than summoning the great Bon Jovi and memories of Beaver Stadium to help celebrate the halfway point of John's deployment? 

Cookies. 

Cookies could be better than even Bon Jovi.

Cookies always make everything better.

So, along with the lyrics to "Livin' on a Prayer," I baked John mint chocolate chip cookies. While they were cooling, I cut them in half with a pizza wheel. (Get it, half a cookie? To celebrate half of deployment being over? I crack myself up sometimes.) And there you go. A very small, economical halfway-point care package for a very huge milestone in the deployment.

Tomorrow, I'll be back with a Countdown to Christmas update!

A Milestone and an Ornament

Today's ornament is my favorite. It might not be the cutest or funniest, but it's my favorite. And, I'm going to make you wait and first read through the beginning of this post because...

We've. Finally. Hit. Six. Months. 

That's right. 

Six months of John's deployment are officially over today! 182 days down the tubes. 4,368 hours gone for-ev-er. We're at the peak of Deployment Mountain! We're halfway across Deployment Ocean. We've made it to insert-a-ridiculously-excited-metaphor-here! I'm not going to go on a gigantic, rambling post about the last six months (mostly because I did that when we hit 100 days). More than anything, today, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for our friends, family, acquaintances, and strangers who have been so gracious and kind to us. Words fail to describe how absolutely blessed John and I are. I don't think I will ever feel that I've adequately expressed my thanks and love to everyone who has supported us during this deployment. It means so very, very much.

And now, to today's ornament! I designed this mitten originally as two separate mittens for two separate days. However, when I finished making them, I plunked them down next to each other on the living room floor (where I sit to do all of my crafts...well, actually, where I sit to do almost everything) and thought that it would be much better to intertwine the mittens than have them hanging separately on the tree. I'm a sap, I know, but I've had too much of separation lately. So, I stitched 'em together. I think they're cuter and more unique that way.  And looking at the pictures of them makes me really excited for John's leave and for a walk or two outside this winter.

I've got a template for you (as promised). I will note that the "me" and "you" stitched onto the mittens was freehand, and I didn't include it in the template. I was lucky that they both turned out as decently as they did; I wouldn't recommend it unless you're prepared to rip out stitches a billion times.

Happy Thursday! Happy Halfway-Done-With-Deployment! Happy 19  Days Until Christmas! Happy Crafting!