Last week at the end of the post my wish for you was to create a project you’ve been wanting to do for a long time, or to finish one you have started but then set aside. I’m so proud of myself because I took my own advice! Last summer I went to a new store in Bountiful, “Real Deals”. They are located at 509 West 2600 South – Bountiful, Utah 84010. They have a website, but don’t have an online store. https://realdeals.net/bountiful It’s an adorable home décor/clothing store and their prices are much less than some of the more popular stores, but with the same quality.

While I was there last summer, they had these gorgeous green faux pod picks. I had been wanting to create a wreath using real ones, but when I saw these, I bought every stem they had. I knew I had a wreath form at home in my craft stash that I’ve been holding on to since before I got married! I’ve picked it up numerous times and set it back down not being able to decide if I should keep it or get rid of it. I knew as soon as I got rid of it, I would need it. It was such a great quality wreath I couldn’t bring myself to part with it. They just don’t make them like this anymore. I brought the stems home, put them down in the abyss of the crafting mayhem in the basement, then life took over and the project was forgotten. . . . Well not really, because every time I went into the room we affectionately call “The Holiday Room”, I would see the sack of stems looking sadly at me. The summer months were one health challenge after another, and before I knew it, summer was over and the project hadn’t been done.

After last week’s post of my beloved “little-house-in-the-middle-of-the-bottle-brush-forest-wreath” (which by the way, I added FIVE more trees to – and will be adding about 6-7 more to fill in the remaining empty spots . . . eventually 😊), I was down in the holiday room foraging for more bottle brush trees.

I didn’t find any, however, I did see the sack with the green pod picks in it and remembered what I had written at the end of the post.

I decided right then that I was going to finish that wreath. I grabbed the old wreath base, the sack of faux green pod picks, a spool of green floral wire, and my tool bag. I had so many other things that needed my attention, but I also knew that checking off an unfinished project would feel wonderful! I put my Christmas music on and started laying the picks on the wreath form to see if the size was correct for the project. I knew it would be close, but I began cutting the stems of pods off the picks and wiring them onto the wreath in clusters. Rarely if ever, do I use an entire faux floral pick or flower without cutting it off the main stem and then re-arranging it to look like it’s naturally grown that way.

This is an extremely simple wreath, but that’s the beauty of it! I completed it in no time at all, and had fun in the process! I had exactly the number of pods necessary, with none to spare. I hung it on my back door to see what it looked like.

It turned out just as I envisioned it would, and I love it! I was a little sad to take it down to my wreath storage hanging rack in the basement, but know I will be excited come spring, to bring it back up to enjoy through the spring and summer months. I may or may not add a ribbon bundle to it later, but will decide when it comes time to hang it up. Ribbon bundles are fast and easy, and with my “ribbon issue”, as my granddaughter tells me I am afflicted with, 😊 I have no doubt I already have everything I need to do that. Now when I go downstairs, I have a finished project happily looking at me knowing it will be displayed in five short months! The guilt of holding on to that empty wreath form is gone, as it went to a project worthy of its quality.

Ron will be the first one to tell you how much I LOVE and adore checking off the boxes on my to-do list. Finishing this wreath made my heart happy knowing I completed a project that had been set aside! One project at a time, my “Holiday Room” is getting a little lighter, and more organized. Last week my life was filled with creative joy, and that brought LIGHT to my soul.

My wish for you this week is to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the season. We are in the countdown before Thanksgiving and Christmas. I hope you are able to spend it in the company of those you love and cherish. Enjoy every second of your time with family and friends. Don’t stress or worry if you don’t finish every little thing on your list. The thing that truly matters most is not the presents, but in being present. Look for the LIGHT of the season, for that is the gift! He is the LIGHT of the world!

Love Ya, Les 😊

P.S. – Be sure to look for the “Light The World – Giving Machines” in a city near you. They are available in 126 locations throughout the world this year! These machines are the perfect way to easily donate shoes, books, or even a chicken to someone in need. Here is the link to learn more about this initiative. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/welcome/christmas/light-the-world?lang=eng

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Unfinished Projects – Checking The Boxes On The To-Do List