Wintry Light

I was out wandering around town yesterday, needing a few things: I picked up my Christmas cards, got some new socks, and found this pretty antler candle holder. I took this photo last night without a tripod. It reminded me of what I wrote on Monday. I think I am going to start shooting more still lifes without the tripod and see what happens. Life on the edge here at Paulson Place.

I'm thinking today with sincere gratitude about all of the men and women who serve and protect our country so selflessly. I would love to hear your ideas for ways to support troops who are overseas and far from home at the holidays.

Comments

[Jennifer]

The candle holder looks beautiful, love the warm glow from the candles. There is a long line of military men in my family, and I was navy brat growing up, so I really appreciate the sacrifice made by many. Our prayers are with them all.

[Whitney]

It's a little old school, but the USO (http://uso.com) sends packages to troops who are serving, and you can give a donation as a gift to someone on your list who really doesn't need more stuff. My grandmother, whose husband served, always loves this for Christmas.

[Jenny]

My daughter and I anonymously leave a plant or gift at a veteran's home in our neighborhood with a note of thanks each year. We will call all family members who are veterans. Love and prayers go out to all vets who served. Thanks for remembering them,

Jenny

[Becca B]

Both my mom and dad are retired Sergeants Major. As a military brat, I would suggest contacting your local National Guard and inquiring after their Family Support Group; most units have one. Sometimes the best way to take care of a soldier overseas is to take care of his/her family. It's one less thing for the soldier to worry over. Family Support Groups also send care packages to troops, but their primary focus is the soldier's spouse, girl/boyfriend, and/or children. Best wishes! :)

[Chrysanthemama]

Sears has an incredible program called "Heroes at Home." http://www.sears.com/shc/s/dap_10153_12605_DAP_Heroes+at+Home?adCell=Egheroes&adCell=W3

I love the antler candle holder!

[martha in mobile]

I knit helmet liners. They are easy and fun and hopefully make life overseas a little better.

[angie in asheville]

About the socks.....being the frugal person I am, paying twenty bucks for a pair of socks is painful. BUT. Those socks have made all the difference in my personal comfort. I had no idea, up until recently, that my cold clammy feet were simply a result of my inferior cotton socks. COLD FEET NO MORE!!!

[Wandering Chopsticks]

The Baking Gals make and send baked goods overseas to the troops.

http://www.bakinggals.com/

[Colleen]

I love the socks and Becca's idea to support a family at home. Thanks for getting me thinking, as usual!

[Monica]

For supporting the troops see link below. It's for Any Soldier, a website that you can use to send packages to the troops overseas.

http://www.anysoldier.com/

[Holly]

Operation Support Our Troops (http://www.operation-support-our-troops.org/Holidays%20From%20Home/Santa%27s%20Soldiers%202009.html) in Renton, WA (Seattle area) is putting together care packages in Christmas stockings for overseas soldiers. Last week they contacted my local Project Linus group asking for help in making more stockings; they were several thousand short. I dropped off 12 stockings at the PL coordinator's house last night, and she said she had received a total of 1,662 from our PL group alone! In less than a week! Way to go, Snohomish County sewists.

[Jenny]

There is a showing on PBS most places tonight of The Way We Get By. It is about the 3 troop greeters in Bangor Maine. It is one of those movies I keep thinking about. It made me think - what can I do? Thank you for asking the question.

[Kelly]

Sometimes, the families who are at home without their soldier need a helping hand...whether it be hanging Christmas lights, or babysitting the little ones. Think about it! Their household is one parent short of the norm.

My fiance is currently serving in Iraq. He called me yesterday and told me that he'd gotten a little care package from a sweet little second grader. There are programs everywhere to support our soldiers...

One of the BEST things I think would be maybe a month's gift/sponsorship of SKYPE so the families can talk without limit! Having that daily contact has really helped us through this deployment. He gets to see our son on the webcam...and our son loves to make goofy faces at his dad! It's actually pretty affordable...

[Amanda]

I participate in a remarkable program called "Soldiers Angels". This program partners you up with soliders deployed all over the world. You can send them letters/cards of encouragement, care packages, etc. I've adopted two different soliders since I signed up for this program, and supported them throughout their entire deployment. They are genuinely thrilled to receive items from "home", and it's equally thrilling to know that you are helping to do your part to help support these honorable individuals.

[Selena]

I kind of had to do that but it wasn't my choice. I misplaced the little thing that goes in the bottom of the camera and then hooks into the tripod? It's somewhere but has been missing for at least 6 months. I've gotten used to taking photos without it.

[Stella]

As a Veteran who has served in Iraq I must say that the idea of an anonymous package to those serving overseas is always a wonderful treat! Great idea!

You mentioning this on your blog is deep felt as well. There's always the good ol Yellow Ribbon you can hang outside your home too. ;)

Thank you for the note!

[Jay]

My family and I sent packages to a hospital in Iraq through Any Soldier a few years ago. Some of the items the troops requested broke my heart - socks, deodorant, chapstick, and sunscreen were really common.

One of the nurses there became a pen pal with my grandmother - if you do send packages, make sure to include letters with them, the soldiers seem to especially appreciate those.

[Melissa]

I was at Khols today and picked up candle holder that look just like those, for my step daughter for Christmas, Who just returned from Iraq a couple of months ago. The request I got from my step daughter was send beef jerky and potato chips, so we send out packages every so many weeks, for our troops.
Melissa

[stephanie]

What beautiful ideas have been left here in the form of comments and kind words. I'm not normally a comment reader but I couldn't help myself. I love that there is so much love "out there".

And those antler candle holders....I LOVE!! I just ordered me some! Call me a copy cat. :)

[Shannon]

I have to say that "Life on the edge" really did make me laugh out loud. Thanks! : )

[jody]

we are knitting helmut liners at the LYS - the basket is filling nicely. I love your quiet antler candle holder

[Sarah]

If you prefer to help those soldiers left back home due to injuries, Quilts of Valour is a network of quilters, both in Canada and the U.S. (and elsewhere I suspect) that makes quilts for injured soldiers. I believe there are groups that make quilts for families whose soldier has been killed in action as well. You don't have to be a quilter -- any Quilts of Valour group will take donations of batting, fabric, quilting services, etc.

[Jenny]

I've heard they need books - some people are sending them books to read. Or letters to give them distraction.
Plus, as Sarah said - supporting those at home with injuries is a great idea too.

[deb]

The candles are awesome! such lovely restful light :)

[Vickie]

Wow! I am blessed by the comments about ways to encourage our servicemen and women. Thank you for including this in your post. This was a reminder for me to get with it and do my part.

Love the candles!