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Of Hardships and Thanks

The holiday season is in full swing. Many of you are eagerly anticipating watching your children and grandchildren open presents. Or perhaps you are looking forward to a festive dinner with family. But there are many who will be celebrating the holidays far from home and far from the family they love. These unselfish men and women are protecting our country and they do it because freedom is important to them. They are our unsung heroes and we owe them our lives.

It has become a Christmas tradition of Red Pine Mountain blog to send your personal messages along with a box of gifts overseas.  But it is my generous sponsors who exemplify sharing who make it all possible so today I’d like to say a big thank you to them.

I met Karen through blogging.  She has an Etsy store where she sells her handcrafted purses and bags. When Mountain Man and I decided to stop using grocery bags and carry our own totes, I asked Karen to make a couple  that would be manly enough for a Mountain Man and one for me in girly pinks. And, I have to tell you they are fabulous!  But not only is Karen a fine seamstress, she has a generous heart. She kindly donated 3 bags to send with the gift package. Here they are:

Karen Zemek, a good blogging buddy and a woman with a heart of gold, generously donated 4 signed copies of her fabulous book, “My Funny Dad, Harry.”

Linda, of Spotted Cow Soaps, makes fabulous soaps and lotions from my home state of Vermont.  I’ve become a devotee of her scents such as “Christmas in Vermont” and “Peppermint Stick.”  Linda generously offered to pack a big box of goodies and then went even further by designing custom packaging.  I think the photos tell it all.

 

I hope those of you who read my blog will think about making a purchase from my fantastic sponsors.  And, Karen, Linda and Karen Z,  I can’t thank you enough for spreading holiday cheer to our troops far from home.