Wine! Wine! Wine!
The party invites are starting to come in... but what wine should you take for a hostess gift? Or to impress your boss? Or serve the in-laws? Never fear! Mid Modern Mama has these questions, too, and I called in an expert -- Aaron Sherman, sommelier and all-around-awesome guy.
In the Wines to Give list on The Nice List Giving Guide, Aaron has a whole range of wines to recommend for the holiday season. Wines for giving, sharing, and enjoying!
Cheers!
A
The Nice List Thoughtful Giving Guide
It’s here! The Nice List Thoughtful Giving Guide! I am so excited to show you what I have been working on for the last few months. There are gift suggestions for every budget including an entire list of gifts under $15! And for all you Mid Modern fans — there is a list just of Mid Modern gifts, too!
Budget-friendly gift suggestions for everyone on your list! Lists include:
My Favorite Gifts | Gifts Under $15 | Gifts for Mid Modern Lovers | Gifts for Children | Books to Give Gifts to Make | Wines to Give | Bubbles for the New Year
And a giving guide is nothing without books. I have pulled together seasonal book recommendations for children and adults alike.
Happy shopping! And happy December!
Ciao!
Angela
Last call! I have just a few copies of The Nice List left! Grab yours before they disappear for a whole year!
Armistice Day • 100 Years
Armistice Day • 100 Years
I spent a few hours today meditating on the music and poetry of The War to End War. In some ways WWI seems so long ago, and yet 100 years is fleeting — a mere blink in time. And the deaths of 8.5 million soldiers (and an estimated 13 million civilians) can not be forgotten. Nearly 22 million people died in four years of brutal warfare.
So I spent time today listening to music of and about WWI, and I made poppies. The poppies are printed with the text of Britten’s War Requiem — poems woven together with the words of the mass for the dead. The poem written across the page is John McCrae’s brilliant “In Flanders Fields.” And this is all layered upon the pages of the gospel of Luke 2: 29-32, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.”
But it is the MaCrae’s call which keeps running through my head...
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high!
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
To read the entirety of “In Flanders Fields,” visit Poets.org.
Blessings!
A
From @MidModernMama on Instagram
The Nice List Arrived!
Announcing the arrival of The Nice List 2018! Shipping soon!
Santa came early and delivered The Nice List ahead of schedule! I am absolutely delighted — the book is even more beautiful than I expected, and Holly and I can’t wait to share it with you!
I filmed a very quick flip through video so you can see exactly what’s inside — beautiful design and lots of room to do your Christmas planning.
I am so excited for you to receive your own copy of The Nice List. Thanks to all of you who already ordered. And if you didn’t order: it’s not too late! Click the link below and purchase your own copy. I’ll start shipping orders this weekend!
Cheers! And thank you!
Angela
Projects & Downloads
New this week: DIY Aspen Branch Chandelier and The Nice List PDF download is available!
Happy Thursday! The snow is gone… but we know there will be more! That’s the joy of living here in Colorado — real seasons and lots of variety. Yesterday I spent an hour at the dentist, but the view of brilliant orange leaves out the window just washed away those reminders about regular flossing… Have I mentioned how much I love autumn?
Anyway… new this week on Mid Modern Mama — an idea and a download.
As winter set in last year, we found our dining room too dark for — well, anything, frankly. So we had to come up with a solution that was cheap, interesting, and easy. We did, and I absolutely LOVE our Aspen Branch Chandelier! It cost us a total of $15 and took an afternoon to make. And here’s the best part: we decorate it for holidays and seasons. You’ll see what Bambino created for Halloween in the post. It is an important part of our holiday decor all year round!
And exciting news! The PDF version of The Nice List is available now for instant download. If you already purchased it, an email came to you earlier this week about this. But if you are still thinking about purchasing The Nice List I have a few print copies available when they arrive SOON or you can purchase the PDF download. I put together some simple printing instructions, too.
I hope you are enjoying a cozy autumn day wherever you are!
Cheers!
Angela
Awesome Halloween Costumes for Kids
Instructions for DIY Halloween costumes including no-sew options as well as a free fall printable
It’s almost here! The day of dress-up and fun for everyone: Halloween! Seriously, even my 90-plus year-old grandmother dresses up each year.
We have been talking about Halloween for months with many, many costume ideas thrown about. We have a plan for this year, but I thought I’d share a few of our favorite costumes from years past just in case you are looking for ideas! Plus I’m sharing my secret weapon for great kids’ costumes! There’s one item that I always buy, because it makes the best foundation for all kinds of costumes and dress-up play — and it is under $30.
Bambino’s Super Hero costume
But if you are a mom, I also want to offer this: your child’s costume does not have to be a project that takes a month of your time or costs more than your mortgage or will win awards on Instagram. Let your child have fun! Let them help you — or even make their own. When Bambino was three, we went to hear the symphony play Fantasia at Halloween. All of the children were invited to come in costume, and this is what he pulled together himself. He was a Super Hero and chose every piece of his outfit himself. Clearly, Marvel has nothing on the madras pants and raccoon hat! Don’t sweat the Halloween costumes! Do something creative — or not! But don’t lose the fun!
I hope you’re having a lovely fall day! If you’re following me on Instagram, you’ll know we had SNOW this morning!
Cheers!
Angela
PS: don’t forget to make your Autumn bunting! You’ll find the free printable below.
