Winter Crafts: DIY Advent Tree
Please welcome guest author Kavitha George, who also happens to be my favorite little sister! I know it’s a little past the Christmas season now, but maybe you can get a head start on Christmas decorating for this December… ~Nisha
I came across a DIY Advent Tree project in Sunset magazine during the holidays. My sister refused to buy me the generic advent calendar at Trader Joe’s citing the low quality chocolate that was included and the fact I was capable to make my own advent tree craft. So, I made a fantastic alternative by adapting the Sunset magazine project. This is an excellent craft for children as well as adults around Christmas time. Add some of your favorite chocolate or a small toy for something to look forward to every morning in December.
Mailbox: Solution to Soggy Mail
I don’t know about you, but I prefer my mail dry. It helps with the readability. My house comes with a mail slot in the door that was poorly designed. The entry slot on the outside of the house leads to a vertical chute with an exit slot at the bottom on the inside wall. So the mail has to pass two 90 degree bends before reaching its destination: our floor. Unfortunately the mailman can’t always get all the letters and magazines past both bends, so half of the mail ends up jammed in the slot and the other half is left hanging outside, exposed to the elements. I am only leasing this place, so it’s not worth it to knock out the wall and make a proper mail slot. I decided to utilize the railing along the entryway landing and stairs and hang a mailbox. Not a super technical or novel idea, but it was still fun to make!
Hike to the Hollywood Sign
On my last trip down to LA to see the family, I finally made the hike up to the Hollywood sign! I had lived in LA for about 17 years and I had never actually been to the greatest landmark of the city. There are several blogs online that talk about different routes, but we found the best and most detailed descriptions at HollywoodSignTrip. There are step by step maps, pictures and directions on what to do. We lucked out with a balmy, breezy 70F degree day and clear skies. You can see pictures here. You will end up at the top of the little mountain behind the sign with great views over Hollywood, LA, Burbank and the San Fernando side of the mountains.
