Hello Friends! ♥
Can you believe we are in the second week of December already? Christmas is quickly creeping up on us. I was looking at my calendar this morning and saw there are only two more weekends until Christmas. Despite how hard I try, it always comes too fast. I've been enjoying quiet mornings lit only by the Christmas tree (always my favorite part of the season). It's been very cold here and we've gotten a bit of snow. It only makes my hot coffee taste even better in the early morning. It feels like winter, and I don't hate it. My Dad loves it when we all watch movies together so most nights after dinner we put on a Christmas movie. He loves Home Alone. It's tough for him this time of year so we are doing our best to keep things festive and upbeat : )
I had a very nice weekend. John and I both took Friday off and went Christmas shopping. At Christmastime we always take a day and go to the mall together. He treated for coffees on the way, and I treated for lunch. He's the best shopper because I never know what to get anybody and he always finds the perfect gifts! We had fun. On Saturday we went to a family birthday party (a surprise 70th for my cousin's husband) which was a delicious brunch at a cozy restaurant I'd never been too. My side of the family doesn't get together very often anymore so it was great to see some of my extended family.
On Sunday we had a special year anniversary mass for my mom. I can't believe it's been a whole year. I miss her so much. We came home from church, and I made my Dad fried eggs with toast. We talked about my mom and Christmas and reminisced about the past. My Dad is 86 and not in the best health. Some days he sleeps all day. Other days he's up at 6 and calls me down for coffee. He misses my mom and has fought so hard this past year. When you're young no one ever tells you what it's going to be like when your parents get old. Maybe that's best. I'm grateful for every day I have with him.
Another highlight of my weekend was noticing this....♥
And here I sit, dear friends (well, sort of). I'm not in a cute scarf like she is or sitting in a cozy cafe, but this picture did remind me of me a little bit. She's gazing out the window in thought, surrounded by books and hot drinks. That's me in my happy place. Even better if it's snowing outside.
I'm actually sitting at my kitchen table working. We just had lunch and Rob went outside to do something in the garage. I think he's fixing a snowblower or maybe hanging some tools on the wall. I'm not really sure because I don't go down there very often : )
It's time to make a cup of hot chocolate to get me through the afternoon and get back to work. I've been thinking about dinner and I think tonight it's going to be pasta alfredo. Not the healthiest option, but no better time to eat unhealthily than in December, right?! We will all be eating salads in January!
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Have a wonderful Monday everyone. Be cozy and I'll see you tomorrow! Xx
Hello Dear Danielle! Continued hugs and prayers and wishes for peace for you and your family missing your Mom. The holidays makes it all extra poignant - let alone the actual anniversary. Thinking of you! 🙏🏻💗
ReplyDeleteLove seeing the Christmas cactus budding - and your hope decoration....so much said there. :)
Christmas always does creep up so fast. I try to stay focused on the moment and soak it all up. And I LOL'd when you talked about we'll all be eating salads in January. 😂 Too true. Matt and I were just saying the other day we're going to enjoy the Christmas fudge and treats we have right now and not beat ourselves up as January will come soon enough. 😉
Blessings to you.
Hi Danielle. Thinking of you and your dad and your whole family and praying for comfort and peace as you remember your mom. It's hard to believe it's been one year since she passed. I know it's been tough at times for all of you. As you know, this is the first Christmas without my mom, and it's not the same, and it never will be. I told my husband I'd be fine with going away for Christmas this year, although I don't think we will hopefully, we can sneak away a few days for New Year's. I'm not feeling very festive, and it is what it is, but I'm trying.
ReplyDeleteYour Christmas cactus is beautiful! They remind me of my mom. She loved them and had a lovely, huge one at one time. I made fettuccini alfredo for dinner last night, and it was so good. I made Ina's recipe for the first time. I served it with a Caesar salad. Have a cozy evening, dear friend.