Acts of Kindness // How You Can Help This Christmas Season | Blogmas 2017 Day 10

’Tis the season for giving and loving and caring. All that fun stuff. Although random acts of kindness and kindness in general should be natural instincts outside of the holiday season, if you need a push in the right direction about pursuing intentional acts of kindness this holiday season to give back to the community, stay tuned. I got you.

• Donating | Finding a charity that speaks to you to which you can donate your left over Christmas money or whatever you want to give. One that I personally connect with is Convoy of Hope. During this year especially with the insane natural disasters, Convoy of Hope has been there to help in the best way they can; supplying food, water emergency supplies and whatever else they can give to help set people free from the bounds of poverty, hunger, and disease. So if you’re looking for a nonprofit organization to donate to, I would recommend Convoy of Hope.

• Service | Volunteering your time and energy to pour into the lives of those around you. It could be something as simple as buying a blanket, or a meal for someone you see on the street. Or it could be that you would like to volunteer a few days to help at a shelter. If money is tight, but you still have a heart to help and give, volunteers are needed everywhere. All you have to do is ask if anyone needs your help this holiday season.

• Supplying | In everyday life, not everyone has time to give or a whole lot of money to spend. Especially around Christmas time when literally all you’re doing is working hard, possibly more for peak season, and spending money on gifts and also bills and unexpected payments. This act of kindness is something you can do to brighten the day of those around you without breaking the bank or skipping work. You could buy donuts for your office, first come first serve. Treat one of your friends to coffee and just sit and talk for a bit. Send a text to someone to let them know you’re thankful for them (as long as you know their love language is words of affirmation…otherwise that might be a little strange). There are a bunch of little things you could do for people to brighten their day a bit.

What is your favorite thing to do on this list?

// kenzie

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Prince of Heaven Cover | Blogmas 2017 Day 9

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D E S C R I P T I O N

Originally I wanted to do a fun Christmas cover, because I just recently uploaded a more "serious" cover. However, every time I would sit down to record said-video, something would go wrong. I wasn't feeling it, and I didn't want to upload something my heart wasn't really in. I didn't want to post something just for the sake of needing to post content. So I was struggling for a while, literally nothing was going right and I was so frustrated. I thought "what the heck am I doing wrong?" Then this song popped in my head. This is a song we're introducing at church tomorrow morning, so I figured that was probably why it was in my head. Then I thought, "well let's just see how it sounds." So I recorded the base, and the rest followed. The FIRST TIME. Everything fell into place. God placed this song on my heart this Christmas season. It's a powerful one, and a necessary-listen. For whatever reason, He wanted to speak through this song to someone. I tried to the best of my abilities to allow Him to speak through me. The reason this blog is up so late, is because I was struggling with something I was trying to force. I wanted this "blogmas" song to be fun and the first one didn't work out because God wanted something else. Blogmas is a fun way to spread Christmas cheer, however it's times like these when God tells us to "check yo self" and we have no choice but to listen. Because when it comes down to it, this season isn't about anything other than Jesus. It's so refreshing to be given a reality check from God, even in the littlest, seemingly "carefree" moments.

So, kick back, throw some headphones on (trust me it's better that way), and I hope you enjoy.

Also find this cover on soundcloud

Q U E S T I O N S

Camera: Canon Rebel t5i

Lens: Canon EF 35mm f/2

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M U S I C

Prince of Heaven by Hillsong

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D I S C L A I M E R

This video is not sponsored.

Christmas Makeup Tutorial & Mini Lookbook | Blogmas 2017 Day 8

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All products are listed in the video! Have questions? Comment them below and I have answers. This video is part of my 2017 blogmas series, if you're interested...go check out the rest of the series here! I'm posting new Holiday-related things (videos, blogs, poems, photos) everyday until Christmas (25 days).

••• U P D A T E S NEW POSTS ON MY BLOG EVERY MONDAY | kenzienorris.co

••• Q U E S T I O N S Camera: Canon Rebel t5i Lens: Canon EF 35mm f/2

••• D I S C L A I M E R This video is not sponsored.

Nan's House by Marlee | Blogmas 2017 Day 6

Nan's house

It's not just a house, it's my true home.

It's where I have my most magical childhood memories.

It's where I laid in bed with my cousin on Christmas Eve as Nan rang bells in the attic, and I was sure I heard Santa's sleigh bells on the roof.

It's where Nan let me eat ice cream and cake and pies and cookie dough on the couch.

It's where Nan comforted me when I was struggling with my friends.

It's where every Christmas morning I would walk down the steps to see a room filled with beautifully wrapped presents.

It's where the whole family sat and listened to Grandad in his Santa PJs read the Christmas story out of Luke.

He would get choked up every time because of how indescribably grateful he was for the gift of Jesus.

It's in that house's dinning room where the whole family would play card games as the room filled with their laughter and joy; for a moment they could forget about the worries of life.

Why?- because they were at Nan's house.

It's where I feel safe and loved.

It's my little slice of heaven I get here on this earth.

It's the first place my mind goes to when I think of joy and life and peace.

// marlee
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Artificial vs Real Christmas Trees // Pros and Cons | Blogmas 2017 Day 5

I’ve always liked the idea of getting a real tree for Christmas. However, there are definitely pros and cons to this whole situation that make me question whether or not I will continue to use artificial trees upon moving forward with my individual life (aka when I move out). I’ve heard from many different people that once you start getting real trees, you’ll never want to get artificial ones again. I’ve also heard from many people that artificial is the only way to go if you don’t have any time on your hands (or if you kill any plant you come in contact with, like me). ARTIFICIAL | PROS * Saves time and heavy-lifting | good for those who aren’t strong enough to set up and carry a real tree alone * Saves money | you only have to buy an artificial tree every ten years or more * Clean(er) | You don’t need to keep it hydrated, and it doesn’t shed all over your carpet

REAL | PROS * The smell | Nothing compares to the wonderful smell of a real Christmas tree * The experience | your family, friends, kids, roommates, will never forget the times you went out to pick the Christmas tree * Uniqueness | Each tree is unique, you can search for, and find “the one” every year * Fullness | No gaping holes or damage from using it every year like you might see with artificial trees * No Tree-Storage Necessary | Once the season is over, so is the tree

ARTIFICIAL | CONS * It’s not a real tree | You have to put it together, untangle the light and ornament remnants from the last year * Looks like a fake tree | Who are you trying to fool? Of course it looks fake. Nothing beats the look of a nice, big, full-looking real tree * Takes Up Space | You have to find a space out of sight to store your tree and ornaments

REAL | CONS * Price | Buying a tree every year for ten years {the lifetime of an artificial tree} adds up to around 3 times the amount of purchasing a single artificial tree * Messy | Keeping care of this tree is one thing, keeping it hydrated. But you also have to clean up after it when you first set it up, every day until you take it down, and then the worst- cleaning up after you’ve taken it down *shivers* * Saying Goodbye | You’ve finally found the perfect tree, decorated it, spent all season with it, and then you have to let it go * Guests | You might get special tree guests that attack your grandparents and cause your cat to get electrocuted (10/10 Christmas Vacation reference)

What is your take on this annual decision between artificial and real trees?

// kenzie

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p.s. twitter says artificial

I Celebrate the Day Cover | Blogmas 2017 Day 4

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D E S C R I P T I O N

This video is part of my 2017 blogmas series and is featured on my site. This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs, hope you enjoy!

Also find this cover on soundcloud

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M U S I C

Song by Relient K, arranged by myself.

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// kenzie

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Easiest, Most Delicious Peppermint Bark Recipe | Blogmas 2017 Day 3

I N G R E D I E N T S

• 20 Peppermint Candy Canes {roughly}

• 1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 1 bag of white chocolate chips (or whatever chocolate chips you want to complement the peppermint)

T O O L S

• A microwave

• A refrigerator

• Parchment/wax paper

• 2 microwave safe bowls

• Gallon-sized plastic baggies

D I R E C T I O N S

1. Lay out your parchment/wax paper.

2. Place your first box of candy canes in a gallon-sized, sealable bag. SEAL THE BAG. With a metal spoon, fork, or heavy object that’s good for crushing things, start to pound the candy canes until they’re evenly crushed up and an appropriate size to place on top of finger food (that’s a personal-judgement call on your end). Repeat this step until all of your candy canes are evenly crushed up. Set those aside.

3. In 2 SEPARATE microwave-safe bowls, empty the bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips in one and the bag of white chocolate chips in the other. Place the bowl which contains the semi-sweet chocolate in the microwave, melt it for 30 seconds, stir, melt for 30 seconds, stir, and repeat until the chocolate is smooth all around. *the reason for melting in 30 second increments is to prevent the chocolate from burning or “crisping” together. if that happens, the bark will not turn out right.* Repeat this step for the white chocolate chips, but don’t wait to move to the next step.

4. Chocolate hardens quickly, so while the white chocolate chips are still melting in the microwave, take the bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips you just melted, and pour it evenly across the parchment/wax paper.

5. When the white chocolate chips are melted, slowly pour that on top of the semi-sweet chocolate layer.

6. Take a spoon or a straw and very gently swirl the white chocolate into the semi-sweet to create the classic “peppermint bark look”

7. Once your chocolate is aesthetically pleasing to your eye, grab your pre-crushed bag of candy canes.

8. Sprinkle the remnants of the candy cane all over, ALL OVER, the chocolate. Make sure you gently push the peppermint pieces into the {still warm and melted} chocolate so that it sticks and you won’t have to deal with TOO big of a mess later on.

9. Once everything looks nice and deliciously put together, place your beautiful creation in the refrigerator for a few hours. It’s different for me every time, just check on it every 2 hours or so.

10. When your bark is done, it should be hard enough to be peeled off of the parchment paper. If it’s not, it’s not done yet. Put it back in the refrigerator.

11. As you peel the chocolate/peppermint glob off the parchment paper, break it into “two-bite” or “three-bite” pieces, I like to call them. Break it up into pieces and place them in a cute little Christmas cookie tin and you’re ready to take on any Christmas party or gathering that presents itself to you this season.

EZ PZ, if I can do it. You can do it. This is my go-to recipe when I need to bring food anywhere for the holidays.

What is YOUR go-to recipe for holiday get-togethers?

// kenzie

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DIY Gifts That People Will Actually Like | Blogmas 2017 Day 2

• Hand-Knitted Blanket | This sounds hard but trust me, if I can do it, anyone can. I learned from this cute little video I came across and decided to try it for myself. If you have time on your hands (which I assume you might if you’re looking up DIY’s for Christmas gifts), then this is a great gift to give someone this holiday season. Plus, there are guaranteed brownie points when you tell them you make it with your own two hands just for them.

• VIDEO | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M77CY-bux8g

• Good Smelly Things | Create a bath bomb, sugar scrub, or essential oils chapstick combo for them and name it after them or an inside joke you share. You’ll be greatly appreciated for your thoughtful, useful, delicious smelling gift.

• Mason Jar Goodies | Put ingredients for cookies, brownies, or just a bunch of candy in a beautifully decorated mason jar. Food is always a good option, especially when it satisfies their sweet tooth.

• Bundles of Joy and Happiness | No, I’m not talking about dogs or babies. Personalized bundles of food, games, movies, and things of that nature. They like makeup and nail polish? They’re a movie-addict? Grab a few things in that category, doll it up in a cute little box or basket with fun cards and stickers (and more food) and you’re golden, Pony Boy.

• Customized Coasters | Since this is a decorative item, make sure you know their style and what will match with their home. You don’t want to confidently give someone a gift like this just to have them throw it in the back of their cabinets, never to be seen again. That’s useless. I make coasters for my Nan two years in a row. One year it was “family themed” so I grabbed pictures of our family and extended family and mod-podged them onto 60 cent tiles from home depot, and put sticky velcro on the bottom. Voila, a masterpiece.

• LINK | https://www.thinkingcloset.com/2014/10/06/30-d-i-y-coaster-gifts/

What has been your favorite DIY gift you’ve ever received and why?

// kenzie

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Favorite Christmas Movies (Sorry No Hallmarks In This One) | Blogmas 2017 Day 1

• The Nightmare Before Christmas | First off, although this movie may not technically be categorized as a Christmas movie, it’s inevitable that at some point I have to share my love for this movie…

  1. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation | This movie is so good that my dad and I quote it throughout the year, and even further than that: my dad has a mug with his favorite quote on it "Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere, leave you for dead?” Quality Chevy Chase film.

  2. ELF | Everybody’s favorite modern Christmas movie, it’s no surprise to anyone that elf is on this list.

  3. A Christmas Story | Fun fact: on Christmas day, this movie plays all day long on TV. Another fun fact: my family and I went to visit the house this movie was created in. If you don’t know where I’m talking about, check out my post about fun places to go in Ohio

  4. The Polar Express | Great songs and is overall a great feel-good animated family-time movie.

  5. White Christmas | A movie highly favored by my mom and I, everything from the plot to the songs and dancing. A classic and still is a great film to this day.

  6. Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas & Mickey’s Christmas Carol | These movies are fun for the whole family, but they’re a few of my favorites because my little sister was a toddler baby child, we would watch these together all the time, ever Christmas. Call me sappy or whatever but that’s why I love these movies. The nostalgia.

  7. Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas | For those of you who are unaware, Beauty and the Beast is my all-time favorite princess movie. So matching that with Christmas time just makes everything seem right in the world.

  8. The Nativity Story | This is a great movie to watch as a reminder of what the season is about, and to watch with the family. Our family tries to watch together every year at some time before Christmas.

  9. It’s A Wonderful Life | Every year on Christmas eve, we get together with one side of the family, cousins and all, to watch It’s A Wonderful Life and it’s been a wonderful tradition through the years. A classic.

What is your all-time favorite Christmas movie?

// kenzie

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