Thursday, November 17, 2011

A Jar Full Of Surprises

Tonight we had our Church women's meeting (The Relief Society). We focused on doing something we could give as gifts for Christmas. The committee had everything decorated in Christmas colors. It looked very festive! We do our Christmas meeting in November because we don't have one in December so it's not so busy for us to try and squeeze one more thing in during that crazy month. We made "gifts in a jar"..I'm sure everyone has made these before. We have too, but they are fun and easy and nice to give away. We are just a small branch here in Ohio. So to have about 25 women there is a great turnout for us. It's been a pretty crummy week for me. Challenges at work have been very depressing. I haven't been in the best of humor..just ask Donna (Starkey Hollow)! I wasn't looking as forward to this meeting as I should have been. I have a great committee that did an awesome job of organizing this. Food was prepared, ingredients assembled, and much planning and set up was done. I was grateful I didn't have to stress over this. I was even more grateful for the fun atmosphere that was there. A special feeling of love and friendship that surprised me and brought a smile to my face that wasn't there most of this week! So the real "gift in a jar" wasn't in the ingredients....it was in the air that made it into my heart. I'm glad I was there to enjoy it!
Before we put our gifts in a jar together we had a lite meal of soup, salad and bread and dessert. The salad (made by me) was refreshing and tastey...but I almost forgot to take any pics and when I did finally get around to it, most of the food was almost gone and everything looked sort of..well, almost gone! We also had bread and an assortment of desserts that were also part of what we were putting together in our jar gift project.
We had 2 soups for our gifts in a jar. We were able to sample each soup so we could have an idea of how they would taste. Both were really good. This pic looks funny because most of the soup was gone and it didn't make for a pretty picture! Trust me when I tell you that it was wonderful!
The tables were laid out with all the ingredients and note cards that gave the amount we would need for each step in filling our jars. Funnels, measuring cups and spoons and the finishing touches with material and ribbon were all ready for us.
The finished product looks very cute. It holds most of the ingredients that you need to make a soup or a dessert. But the real gift tonight was the gathering of women of all ages to share a lite meal, fun conversation, working together, laughing, and feeling a togetherness that uplifts us. The month of November encourages us to remember our blessings, and tonight I'm grateful for this small gathering of friends.

21 comments:

karen said...

I love gifts in a jar! I've made them and I've received them, and they're always a nice thing to have, I think. The last ones I made were different cocoas. Some were peppermint, some with marshmallows. The jars all looked so pretty.
It's funny sometimes how the things we least look forward to turn out to be so nice. Glad you were able to relax and enjoy. Chin up!

joanne said...

I call November the month of gratitude and try everyday to list things I'm grateful for. I'm usually quite grateful for things in my life but to take the time and say them out loud does not usually happen. I'm so glad the spirit of giving and friendship found it's way into your heart expecially since this has been a tough week for you. I haven't made gifts in a jar for quite awhile and I've forgotten just how great they are...making a list to get some ingredients to make some. Thanks for the great post!

Sweet Tea said...

Now who wouldn't enjoy getting on of these Gifts-in-a-Jar?!! It's fun to get together with friends and work on a project. Glad you had a nice evening!

Sush said...

I've done gifts in a jar for friends before. It really is an act of love and very helpful!
How great of you and your group to be doing this for others...
I can tell your salad was a hit!
sounds like a nice way to spend th day!
Hugs!

Mrs Catch said...

Glad you were able to have fun in the midst of depressing times. It can make the world of difference. Your group sounds like a lovely bunch of ladies. And good food's always a winner, right? Gift in a jar. I've never heard of it before, but what a great idea.

Wander to the Wayside said...

What a wonderful way to spend an evening, and what a great gift idea! I'm thinking it looks like something the grandsons could assemble for Christmas gifts to mom or the other grandparents - that doesn't involve paint, glue and glitter all over the place!

I hope the weekend helps you recharge your batteries and put this frustrating week behind you...

acorn hollow said...

I am sorry about work issues. I think about the nurses on this floor and how hard it is for them.Glad you got out and had some fun.
Cathy

Susan Anderson said...

Getting together with the Relief Society sisters is always an upper.

And I love those gifts in a jar!

=)

PS. The food looks delish, even nearly gone...

Kim said...

Gifts in a jar are great ideas. I'm glad that getting out with the ladies lifted your spirits.

Donna said...

What a great idea!! Someone out there has a great imagination!!They are useful gifts as well as beautiful. It's fun to do "crafty" things with friends and have a good evening out too. Glad it was that for you...while I was at home bending poor Larry's ear about all the rest. Hm.

Bonnie said...

I have received a few gifts in a jar over the past couple of years, and they are honestly some of my favorites. It is nice to know that someone took the time to hand-craft something for you.

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Darlene said...

I have received one of these gifts but I have never made one. Looks like everyone was enjoying the occaision. That's what it's all about anyway. Getting together is so fun. We have our Christmas projects in Novemeber too. Our ward has always made a big deal out of making things that require a lot of detail work......painting, wood cutting etc. Usually they are done by some of the men in our ward. All of the cut out work etc. I am not even sure what things they made this year because I didn't even go into the Cultural Hall except to partake of the appetizers that we all brought. I spent my time in the hallway by the kitchen where we put up chairs and watched a great demonstration by our Bishop's wife who used to own a bakery. She made her version of cinnamon rolls, in addition to many other rolls that she made with one dough. It was really interesting and I sampled a few too many of the rolls, I'm afraid. You can always find me around when baking demonstrations are going on.......the other creative things they make have no interest to me. I am just not a crafty sort of person.

So far,I haven't gotten the holdiday blues. Who knows what next month will bring if we don't get our Danish done early enough. Hope things are going better for you by now.

Stacy said...

It looks like you had a great turn out! Wish I could have been there. I ended up having a crazy night and didn't even make it to the board meeting. I had to settle for emailing the board...

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

I miss being involved in things like that. It looks like a lot of fun..and a really nice thing to do.
Love,
Mona

MunirGhiasuddin said...

I remember my mom used to make Guava jelly from the big ripe fruits from our backyard tree and that was a gift so very well appreciated.
It must be nice to be so active in your church.

Hilary said...

I like the idea of these gifts made with love. I'm glad you could break bread with your friends and allow the week's stresses to fade for a while.

Rick Watson said...

I feel for you on those work challenges. The last few years I worked were brutal.
But, I'm glad you went to your meeting and had a good time. That's a good way to get the Christmas season off to a good start.
Take care.
R

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Oh honey how I have missed you! This is such a beautiful post and I am so glad you were able to receive so much from attending the Church Women's meeting. Isn't it a blessing to have such gatherings and the real blessing is what it brought to you but probably to so many of your friends.
Sorry for the crummy week you have had yet you come by and left me such lovely inspiring comments.
What a true friend you are to me and so many others.
I love and appreciate you so much and thank you from the bottom of my heart for the prayers and comments to lift me and Christi through this ordeal.
Sending you lots of love and blessings for a beautiful Thanksgiving
Maggie

Sandi said...

I loved this last part of your post, "the real gift tonight was the gathering of women of all ages to share a lite meal, fun conversation, working together, laughing, and feeling a togetherness that uplifts us."

The gift of friendship and sharing burdens is the best gift of all . . . but those gifts in a jar are pretty great, too!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

We made these little recipe jars with my Special Ed. class one year for Christmas. They're so cute!

Looked like ya'll enjoyed a fun time and great fellowship too.

God bless ya sweetie and have a marvelous Thanksgiving!

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