December 2008: Most Popular Articles on Making This Home

Way back last year in 2008, I think we had a pretty good time.  You don’t know this, but it was my first Christmas away from my family.  It was really hard, although I felt really close to them as we all challenged ourselves to have a greener holiday, much like many of you did here with me.  I loved the ideas and changes you all made during the season.  You kept me strong, so thank you for every environmental thing you did in December.  Go team green!

Some highlights for the month included:

Well for us, anyway, this American classic had top priority when we arrived in the US.

pumpkin-pie

How about some highlights we shared on Making This Home since I couldn’t mail you any pie (because Martin ate it all!)…

1.  Naturally, I have to say our Greener Christmas challenge with digital thank you cards, wrapping paper from blueprints, and oh so much more throughout the month was a smashing hit.  You were all so eco-savy and downright awesome.  Do you hear the crowds cheering?

2.  We made our own fabric gift bags with a few quick stitches on the sewing machine.  I use one to hold my camera now.  It’s just perfect.  And adding a few straps to the bigger bags meant we didn’t have to add to the growing plastic problems at the landfills.

3.  Andrea Schroder from Top Design on HGTV offered us three valuable decorating tips for our holidays.

4.  Then when the weather was -20 degrees (F) for an ENTIRE week in the US, Martin and I decided to make ice cream outside.  Crazy, I know.  But soooo good.

5.  And finally, we looked at a beautiful collection of Christmas photographs in Berlin that were taken by Vica, an up-and-coming photographer I’m certain.

On to the next year!  

Don’t forget to keep sending the tops of all your used cards to St. Jude’s Ranch for kids with cancer.  They accept cards for any occasion from November to February.