Weekend Design & Wellness Project
Sit in the Shimmering Lights of the Season
Photo by: Michael Voroshnin @mvzero
MERRY CHRISTMAS! Regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas or not, the pagan worship of trees is worth celebrating. Besides, who doesn’t love trees? Put some lights on that puppy, make something chocolatey or spicy to drink, grab the softest blanket and plop down in full view of your glorious shimmering tree. Take in all of the seasonal scents; pine, cinnamon, anise, vanilla and a bit of citrus. Then, maybe do some reflecting on how you’ve balanced your naughty and nice sides this year. And finally, think of one thing you’d like to learn or experience in 2022.
Your Life
Where have you been?
“Today is the oldest you’ve ever been, and the youngest you’ll ever be again.” ”
Ever randomly think of where you’ve been in your life? How about people you’ve known over the years, all of the, ”most amazing dinners ever,” or the countless all-nighters? And what about the pictures living behind plastic sheets in a book, in the digital abyss or those disposable cameras having yet be developed sitting in a box? So many memories, moments, celebrations, winnings, losses, beginnings and so many endings. Take some time to look through photos from any phase of your life or read old cards and letters. Hopefully, you gain a new perspective of how much you mean to people and how your life has touched others over the years. Keep being you and navigating your way through life, it’s gotten you this far.
Photo by: Roman Kraft @romankraft
What In The Dicken's?
Photo by: Marina Khrapora @mimiori
Dicken’s Villages across the country have become an interactive step back in time for the holiday season. Charles Dicken’s, “A Christmas Carol” has been a treasured classic for many generation. In 1984, Department 56 created tiny visual masterpieces that spark the imaginations of people of all ages. Their goal was to “capture the spirit of Christmas in Victorian England.” The Dicken’s Village houses encompass fine attention to detail in architecture and design. In towns across the US, Dicken’s 18th century works have been brought to life by many designers, seamstresses, tailors, set designers, sound and lighting engineers, creative directors and actors working together. The Dicken’s experience creates magic and memories for children and pays tribute to traditions for adults.
Here are some Dicken’s Villages brought to life for an interactive experience…
Macy’s Dicken’s Village & Santaland, Philadelphia, PA. The 6,000 square foot holiday display, retelling the classic, “A Christmas Carol,” is located on the 3rd floor inside the Center City Macy’s Department store. Santaland is another featured tradition where children follow Santa and his Elves through the North Pole and his workshop through activities.
Skaneateles, New York’s Finger Lakes region hosts a Dickens Christmas every year. Over 50 characters from Charles Dicken’s novels, including Dickens himself come alive to interact with the town each weekend following Thanksgiving through December 23. Characters including; Father Christmas, Queen Victoria, Scrooge, Tiny Tim, the Spirit of Christmas Past, and the Ghost of Jacob Marley, interact with residents and visitors in the streets and businesses of Skaneateles. Roasted chestnuts and carolers fill the town with the holiday spirit, complete with horse and wagon rides around the Dicken’s Village.
Dicken’s Victorian Village in Cambridge, Ohio Lifelike figures recreate over 92 Dickens scenes with characters include everyone from Tiny Tim and Father Christmas to carolers, street peddlers, and lamplighters. The charming town features 36 animated displays with 30,000 lights are synched to a holiday soundtrack to create four different shows each night. The Dicken’s scenes are located along Wheeling Avenue at every bench and lamppost between 6th and 11th streets. The Victorian Village scenes are comprised of handmade, life-sized mannequins wearing authentic vintage clothing along with each character’s face having been sculpted and painted by local artists.
Enjoy the magic of lights displayed where you may be!
Weekend Design & Wellness Project
Healthy Drink Recipe
Photo by: Fallon Michael @fallonmichaeltx
Want to get a super dose of Vitamins (especially Vitamin C) and antioxidants?
Well here is a quick recipe to stuff in the juicer:
3 Leaves of Kale
3 Rainbow Carrots
2 Mandarins (cuties)
1 Pinch of Diced Fresh Ginger
After putting through a juicer there should be roughly 6 ounces of juice. The carrots and mandarines sweeten the bitterness of the kale and the ginger adds a soft kick of spice. Of course add more or less of each of these to your liking, but be sure to include all of these ingredients for the full vitamin packed benefits.
Looking for a great masticating juicer that won’t wake the neighbors? Try the amzchef slow juice extractor. The juice comes out pulp-free and the clean up is quick and easy.
*This is not a paid affiliation. This is the juicer that I use and love so much!
Good Tidings
‘Tis the season of giving and receiving. Consider adding For-Purpose/Non-Profit foundations or charities to your giving list this year. Choose something that solves a problem where you’re personally invested. Here are two incredibly impactful organizations to get started with, Comfort Cases and charity:water.
Photo by: Nathan Lemon @processrepeat
Comfort Cases provides backpacks and suitcases filled with age appropriate necessities to children in foster care. Founded by foster parents, Rob and Reece Scheer after seeing children arriving in their home with very few belongings in trash bags. Today 150,000 Comfort Cases have been distributed since 2013.
charity:water brings clean and safe water to developing countries through wells serving over 13,000,000 people in 29 countries. Water is essential and for some people retrieving water is a daily treacherous and sometimes deadly feat. charity:water assembles the equipment needed for digging wells in communities to make water accessible.