Archive for December, 2011
Hammock Stand
I have a small problem. We finished an additional room in our home last year. We weren’t sure about the furniture we wanted and I like to take my time with important decisions. We ended up bringing our large swing stand and hammock stand in last fall to use until we decided on our decor and style of furniture that we wanted.
Well, I have finally decided on a furniture set and it is on its way. The problem is the large arc hammock stand in there has got to go, or the huge arc hammock swing stand does! I am able to give up the latter of these, however, I am quite attached to a hammock in this nice room! I will see if a metal hammock stand will take up less room or I will hang it from the ceiling, because I cannot part with it!
Today, in church, they said that the world spends 4.6 billion dollars on Christmas each year, and that, if just one percent would be donated to help those truly in need, four countries in need could have clean water! This is mind-boggling to me! I also find it a bit appalling. Most of us, at least who are reading this, need very little, but there are so many, in our own country, and many third world countries, that need the basic necessities of life!
We think about gifts of pleasure and enjoyment, like a hammock chair for our favorite shady spot. But these people think of gifts like basic items of survival, such as goats, lambs, weaving looms, and fishing nets. There is a website, GFA.org, Gospel For Asia, where we can go donate from $1, to an unlimited amount, to help people so much less fortunate than us. My family is going to pick an item to donate, rather than overindulge on each other. After all, the true spirit of Christmas is love and giving.
I like to get my “Christmas hammock” out at this time of year. It looks like a candy cane, a red, with white stripes. My Hatteras Hammocks quilted hammock fits in well with the decorations of the season. I like changing out my hammocks to use as a decorative item inside the home.
The nicest part is that it also serves as a comfortable spot to rest. I look forward to my special moments in it, spent reading or napping. I like to share the other half with my dear husband too!
The Hammaka parachute hammock is a travel hammock made of the silk material that parachutes are made of. This makes it so lightweight and cool in hot weather. However, it has a weight capacity of 450 pounds, easily holding two average sized people.
It is the perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiast on your gift list! They will love the fact this portable hammock folds into its own pouch and can easily be packed into a backpack. It’s perfect for hiking, camping, or even just out in the backyard. This hammock can even be hung in the house!
You may have a great hammock, or maybe even two, but do you have some great hammock accessories to enjoy while in it? These make life a little easier. For instance, the hammock mister keeps you cool while it’s hot out. The hammock caddy holds your loose items, like iPod, book, glasses, etc. The hammock tree straps make your hammock portable if you travel or camp.
They make great gifts for our loved ones too. People will buy themselves a hammock, then overlook the nice, little “extras”. Keep these items in mind as write out your list to Santa! That is, if you have been nice this year, not naughty!
Do have someone in your life that seems to have everything? They can be so hard to buy for! It might be a good possibility they do not have a hammock. If they do, it may be for outside in the warmer weather, and now they may not be able to use it?
A Brazilian hammock is the perfect gift to use in the house also. It can be hung from a stud in the walls or hooks in the ceiling. It is perfect for a family room or den, and can even be hung from one hook as a chair. Choose a color scheme that matches their room. It is the greatest idea for a unique gift, and they will thank you every time they see you!
There is a little town in South Carolina, called Pawleys Island. It is below Myrtle Beach, then Murrels Inlet, then you finally end up in a quiet, little town along the water. This is the birthplace of the well-known Pawleys Island hammocks, designed and woven by a riverboat captain, way back in 1889.
That was over 120 years ago, but the tradition continues today, basically in the same design, but with the modern day improvements to to the rope fabric to make it weather durable and available in colors. They still have a small hammock shop here, that my family and I visited last summer. One thing I remember was the delicious fudge in the back of the store! We liked the Mary Jane fudge best!
When I was at church this morning, I received a powerful message. It was to be more aware of people that are, who we feel are “unlovely”, the people that cut us off in traffic, are slow waiting on us in line, etc., and to provide them with more understanding and grace. Perhaps they are having issues of their own, worried over finances, have a sick and aging parent, or are a single parent trying to rush home to care for their children.
It was a reminder to me to stop, slow down, and be kinder and more understanding to everyone I meet. I will try to be the better person and not become annoyed with people so quickly. The people that are not my favorites, I will try to extend them more grace. As I sit here in my hammock chair stand and ponder over the message I have received today, I truly realize that we are all connected and the most important thing, at this time of year, but also all year long, is love.
This is a busy time of year for many. We rush around, shopping, baking, cooking, going to parties and Christmas events. It can be a great and enjoyable time of year. It can also be very stressful! We forget the true meaning of Christmas and the fact that we don’t stop to enjoy it!
There are 22 days left until Christmas. Let’s make a vow to enjoy it! Take a break each day and relax! Pick your favorite spot in the house, my favorite way to relax is always a hammock. I just stretch and sway. Read a book to your children, bake cookies with them. Show the true spirit of the season by helping someone in need, like volunteering at a nursing home for a few hours, or picking out a special toy to donate to underprivileged children. Just be aware, instead of rushing through the season blindly!
A great, inexpensive gift of relaxation would be a Mexican hammock. They are handwoven of cotton threads from many villages in Mexico. Different families have their own style of color weaving, therefore, there are variations in each hammock. It is amazing that these people spend so much time making these, and the way they turn them into such a nice, finished product!
The colors are so beautiful and vivid. The natural cotton makes them comfortable, however, they can fade quicker if left out in the elements when not in use. They can be strung between two trees, hung under a deck, on a balcony, or even in the house!
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