27 December 2011

Stick a Fork in Me, I'm Done with Christmas Leftovers

Chandler: Stick a fork in me, I'm done.
Phoebe: Stick a fork what?
Chandler: You know, like when you're cooking a steak.
Phoebe: Oh, I don't eat meat.
Chandler: Well how do you tell when vegetables are done?
Phoebe: Well you just, you know, you eat them and you can tell.
Chandler: Okay, then eat me, I'm done.
~ Friends
Are you as stuffed as I am? It was three solid days of eating and drinking and piles of wrapping paper and whining (and wining) and more eating and piles of dirty dishes. But it was so very fun.

Yesterday evening we relaxed on the couch and watched the last two Harry Potter movies. Makes me think that maybe I didn't read that last book. So much of it was new to me. But it was such a good movie series.

Today I brought in the leftovers to work. Enough for a fourth day of feasting! Luckily, Tuesdays are my half day so I won't be here to eat any more of it.

And speaking of leftovers, the winner of the Christmas Leftovers bracelet is.....


Here is what cryssT said...

"What a nice blog about Christmas and making it have meaning. Those are beautiful bracelets that you have crafted. The red one has such deep wonderful color that I find I really like it best of the two. Anyway, hope your Christmas with family was great. ~cryssT"

cryssT, please email me your address at enjoytheday(at)tesoritrovati(dot)com and I will mail out the red LOVE bracelet.


But wait! I decided that in the true spirit of the season, I wanted to spread more JOY, so I am gifting the JOY bracelet to....


Cindi, please email me your address at enjoytheday(at)tesoritrovati(dot)com and I will mail out the greem JOY bracelet.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Is there a present in your family that brings a tear to the eye each year? One year when I was in high school it was surprise tickets to Florida leaving on December 26th through New Years. Another time it was ring settings containing the diamonds from my grandmother's wedding ring, my grandma we called Bousha who died just before Christmas 1986. There were loads of tears that year.

This year it was my present to my daughter, Tiny Dancer.

Obviously, she is a dancer. She is good at it too. She often tells me that she wants to be a senior up on that stage. She also says that she wants to open a dance studio. I have told her that will take a lot of commitment and she will be giving up a lot in order to continue taking dance as much as she does now. For now she is all about that. But there could come a day when other interests take hold. So for now, if this is what she loves to do, I am all for encouraging it.

In the box with the sweatshirt from her dance studio, I added an envelope. Inside the envelope was the gift of dance performances. We have already attended an amazing performance this fall from the Azure Barton & Artists (Ms. Barton choreographed and danced with Mikhail Baryshnikov). We also saw the Afterimages performances by student choreographers at our very talented UW-Stevens Point dance and theater department. But I wanted to gift her more.

I wanted to expose her to different kinds of dance. So I bought her three performances in the coming year.


The State Ballet Theatre of Russia's production of Swan Lake to experience ballet. We will go with her favorite Aunt Mary and a friend of her choosing for dinner and the theater about an hour away (this will double as her birthday party). Ballet is not her favorite type of dance, but it is the foundation of all the dances she does. This will show a classic story told through dance with beautiful costumes and thrilling music.

The Lily Cai Chinese dance theater production to experience a world culture and unique contemporary dance. This will just be the two of us. The contemporary with a Chinese twist will be a fun way to travel the world through dance. Their use of props is fascinating and will show a different type of movement.

CATS at the Overture Center in Madison, WI (a truly remarkable place to see any performance) to experience the longest running Broadway show in history. This will be during our spring break for the entire family. (I am terribly allergic to cats, so this will be the only way to view them without sneezing for me!) Broadway theater is some of the most fun and this will be a great way to see what goes into making a contemporary musical theater performance.

Three performances with memories in the making.

There were much tears from my Tiny Dancer. I didn't expect that. She was so moved by the chance and that makes me feel even more gratified that this present hit the mark and will be appreciated (and especially since these tickets were not an inexpensive gift!). But I am glad that I hit the nail on the head with this present that will keep on giving through the first part of the year.

Your turn...
Were there any unexpected gifts that you received this year?
If you could be gifted with an experience, what would it be?
Do tell!

19 comments:

Alice said...

I'm so glad you are encouraging Tiny Dancer to follow her dreams, even if they may change fifty times before she's a senior in High School. Growing up our father had his own ideas about what girls should do (wife/mother,nurse, teacher, secretary), and were really never encouraged to do much else. If we showed talent in any area (like art in my case) he had his own vision of how it should go. And so we 'colored inbetween the lines' so to speak. With my own children I hope I have given them the kind of encouragement they need to do whatever they want in life, even if they change their minds often, or have the desire to backpack Europe (like daughter number one).

Wishing you a Happy New Year filled with hope and joy.

Therese's Treasures said...

Hi Erin,
That was a wonderful gift you gave to your daughter one that she will remember and charish for a lifetime.
There were no tear involking gifts this year just lots of fun and laughter as is always the case when my family gathers together.

If I could be gifted with an experience it would be a trip to the United Kingdom. My Mother's family is all German and we lived in Germany when I was a girl. My Dad was in the AF and we were stationed at Hahn AFB. So now I would like to see where my Dad's family came from, his ancetory is Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and British. Ofcourse if I ever did get a chance to go I would certainly have to meet up with my new friends through the blogs, Lesley, Lynsey, Tania, and Jo!
Happy New Year,
Therese

EB Bead and Metal Works, LLC said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful holiday and I am so glad Tiny Dancer loved her gift. You guys are going to have so much fun at the three different dances.

Mom and I didn't give each other gifts this year, except on St. Nicholaus Tag (Dec. 6th). Though mom did surprise me with a PowerPoint presentation of my life. Mom is still working on it, hopefully it doesn't take her as long as it is taking me to finish her birthday gift from two years ago (drawing a picture of my grandmom holding mom when she was a baby). I love what mom is creating for me and I told her she also needed to make a presentation of her life because I want to know all the little things that she has done!!!

I hope you and your family have a wonderful New Year!

Beth

Cindi said...

Erin, Thank you so much for your generous giveaway. I am so excited about owning one of your pieces. I sent you an email.

SueBeads said...

What a great gift for your daughter!!!!

Dawn Doucette said...

Awwww, Erin that post just put the biggest warm fuzzy spot in my heart! So happy Tiny Dancer was surprised and for you to be able to share in each of the shows is priceless!

{Hugs!}

CreatingCures said...

Doesn't it feel good to hit the nail on the head like that! My youngest son - Age 16 and VERY MUCH a "teenager" (which is not always a good thing!) - always teases that he wants footy pajamas like his younger cousins. He is 6'4" and now has bright blue footy pj's with penguins from head to toe - I have not seen a smile like that in ages! Enjoy ~~T

Mary Harding said...

Erin, I love the way you encourage creativity in your daughter and through your blog in everyone who reads it. My most meaingful gift this Christmas was to spend it with my grandchildren and go to see Tin Tin. My sons grew up on Tin Tin and now my grandsons. It was so special to share it with them--all of us sitting there in our plastic 3D glasses--entranced!!

Sally Anderson said...

We didn't do presents this year but I want to tell you about one that cause me to sob. My dad had died in a house fire that caused everything he owned to be lost (Mom had died 5 years before). In order to provide all the information the insurance company needed, I went into Tiffany's (we worked in Manhattan then) and got prices on some Steuben glass that they had owned. While there I (of course) browsed the jewelry. One piece captured me. A simple diamond circle pin with one sapphire. I loved it's simplicity and contemporary feel. So that was that. I never even mentioned that pin to anyone. When I opened my present from my husband and saw that pin, I started to cry. I couldn't stop crying. He thought he'd done something terribly wrong! HA! When I finally could speak, we all marveled at his ESP and ability to find the perfect gift for me without even asking. I treasure that and will never forget it.
Now... could I be your daughter? Just for 3 evenings? I would esp love to see the Chinese dancers (having seen both of the others) but I love dance (and can't do any at all). They sound like great things to take your aspiring dancer to. Have fun!!!

rosebud101 said...

You did good! What a fabulous gift! My children were home and we had a great time! That was a wonderful gift!

Holly said...

(finally getting around to reading my fave blogs after Christmas...I missed everyone on my blogroll!)

Erin, what exquisite gifts for your Tiny Dancer! I'm sure she's going to enjoy them all immensely...as will you, with her. What could be better? I was lucky enough to see CATS on Broadway in high school (mid to late '80s). It was fantastic, and is def one of my fave Broadway shows. There's a reason it's so long running!

As to a gift I'd like to experience? An art retreat! Or perhaps a newer Broadway musical... ;)

Have a fantastic day!

The Cabby Crafter said...

That was a great gift for your daughter - she will always keep those precious memories with you in her heart. It's nice to cultivate the little one's talents.
In addition to being with family this Christmas, I got a Vintaj bigkick (with a little hint from ehem..) from my husband. It's nice to know that he supports my hobby and is helping me hone my talents as well... haha.
Happy New Year, Erin!

Lori Anderson said...

I love contemporary dance! Ballet is amazing when influenced by that style.

indigo heart said...

such a thoughtful gift for tiny dancer! what a good mama you are;). if i could have an experience gifted to me it would be art retreat with heather powers. i am so inspired by her work, avidly collect and use her beads, and adored her book. it's my favorite beading book of all time. i so wanted to go to her michigan retreat but i'm in alaska and the airline tickets were prohibitive. one day....

Here Bead Dragons said...

Erin,
just got your email. thank you so much - the Red bracelet is amazing in pictures, can't wait to see it for real. Love what you are doing for your daughter. What great 3 things to see. I still remember my Aunt taking me to see the Nutcracker when I was about 15 - it was awesome.
thanks again
cryssT

Michelle said...

Hey Chica! Lovely bracelets. I hope you all have a wonderful time at the performances.

I'm done with the cookies. It's the only time of year that we really make sweet stuff--but I'm done. Not much in the way of leftovers (those are the best part of the meal) except for those cookies.

Happy New Year to you!

Michelle

Aquariart said...

Your gift to your daughter, tiny dancer will make a lasting impression on her. My grandfather was a professional violinist and all the concerts and musicals I saw because of him inspired my first passion, music, and my choice of professions. Those are the gifts that are treasured for a lifetime. We usually opt to go see a show but this year we had to be extremely frugal so Christmas was a quiet day at home. My favorite part of this time of year is coming home to Christmas lights brightening the dark and crispy cold nights.

P-WA said...

Amazing....CATS!!! brings back memories.Sometimes all a child needs is exposure to realize their dreams.


http://p-by-p-wa.blogspot.com/

Here Bead Dragons said...

Just received the bracelet - it is gorgeous. Thank you.
CryssT

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