Hello Monday ♥

 

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....♥

I've had this Christmas cactus plant for two years and not one flower. I've been waiting and waiting, wondering what have I done wrong?...

It's finally happening! I have buds!! I'm so excited.  I guess there's hope for me after all :)

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! 

♥

Have a wonderful Monday everyone. Be cozy and I'll see you tomorrow! Xx 

I'm back! ♥ Thanksgiving and getting ready for Christmas!

Hello dear friends! ♥

It's so nice to be back here with you!  I didn't intend to take such a long blogging break, but days turned into weeks and now it's December.  I was sick for the first half of the month and literally could not get out of bed.  I'm so thankful for my family who took care of me (especially Rob who would bring me anything I asked for : ) and for antibiotics!!!  The flu and pneumonia are no joke and I'm just glad that no one else in my house got it.  The good news is that and I was better for Thanksgiving and was able to host and we had a lovely day ♥

I honestly think getting sick was my body's way of telling me it's time to slow down.  We have a lot going on behind the scenes right now which I'll talk about another time (all good things) but I've been running around doing a million things for weeks now and it finally caught up with me.  I also realized that what gets done gets done, and what doesn't, doesn't.  It's not the end of the world if I don't get my tree up before Thanksgiving (which I didn't) or get all my shopping done (which I haven't).  Everything always ends up being ok.  I'm just glad to be healthy again.   

And now it's time for cozy holiday vibes. Hot chocolate by the twinkling tree, frosted window pains, and classic holiday movies on TV.  I'm soaking it all in.  To be honest, I'm struggling to get into the holiday spirit but being surrounded by family and twinkling lights is really helping. 

So, let's see...I'll give you a quick recap.  While I was in my sick bed we decided to host Rob's family for Thanksgiving.  It was still a few weeks away at that point and I was hopeful I'd feel better.  I had mixed feeling about hosting because it's the first Thanksgiving without my mom and that's heavy on my heart.  But I also felt that cooking and baking and doing all the things would keep me busy and I'd feel her with me in the kitchen (our favorite place)...and that's exactly what happened. 

I took the day before off and did so much prep. I have never hosted Thanksgiving before, so all of this was new to me, but I felt excited.  I never made stuffing before!  I used all my mom's China and pretty glasses.  We set up a bar and appetizer station.  I got all my serving pieces nice and shiny.  It was fun.  John and I also watched Charlie Brown Thanksgiving because we do that every year.  

It's a classic! ♥

Out of the entire meal I was most proud of my mashed potatoes!  They usually turn out like wallpaper paste but I used a Martha Stewart recipe that came out so well!!! (they should with all that butter and heavy cream...but hey, it's the holidays!) I made them on Wednesday, and they reheated in the oven beautifully.  My sister-in-law even commented on them.  Whew! 

Cream and butter can do wonders!! ♥

I also tried something new with my butternut squash.  Instead of mashing, I cut into cubes, drizzled with olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, S&P, and roasted them in the oven.  Again, the day before and it reheated perfectly in the oven.  They were a hit. Yay! 

I never got a picture of the turkey because I was so busy.  That always happens to me!  I get so caught up I forget to take pictures.  There were 11 of us for dinner (Rob's family, us, and my Dad) and everyone seemed to enjoy the food and the day.  My brother-in-law did the carving, Rob did the cleaning, and the rest of us did the eating.  After dinner we played a few games, and after everyone left, I sat down and was so happy that 1. it went well... 2. it was over and I could rest... and 3. I took Friday off.  That was must : )

On to the weekend, which was dedicated to decorating for Christmas.   John had a youth group retreat and Rob was working in the garage so it was all me.  I put up my Dad's tree and decorated the first floor first.  This is my childhood tree and holds so many memories.  It was bittersweet to decorate without my mom, but I know she must be so happy that I'm carrying on the tradition. 

♥

Took a grilled cheese break.  One for me, one for my Dad.  We were watching Elf while all the decorating was going on by the way : ) 

On to my little tree upstairs.  My favorite ornaments are these vintage glass ones that belonged to my grandmother.  I remember being very little and decorating her tree with her.  Even at 7 years old I loved these ornaments.  My mother gave them to me when I got married.  

I think they could be my most treasured possession ♥

I tend to overdecorate (if that's a word) meaning I cram every ornament in the world on the tree.  I like white and colored lights, and I love tinsel.  

I will not apologize! LOL 

Of course, Lucy is represented on my tree! ♥

This one is a gift from my friend Rosinda:) 

It took me 2 days to do the trees, the decorating, and I did the outside lights too. I was on a roll.  I did not rush.  I enjoyed the process.  

Monday morning was freezing cold.  The river out back was frozen on the edges and the marsh was covered with frost.  Winter is coming.  I lit the trees and all the twinkle lights around the house, gave the heat a kick, and sat quietly for a good few moments feeling thankful, sipping my coffee, cozy, cozy, cozy. 

I still have shop and wrap but I'm not stressing out about it.  I think I'll visit some local shops this weekend and I have a full Amazon cart ready for checkout. 

Things will be simple this year and I'm ok with that ♥

I will be visiting your blogs and catching up with all of you very soon.  Thank you for the well wishes and those who checked in on me while I was away.  

Wishing you all a blessed and peaceful December ♥

The holidays are here.  Let's be present and enjoy the most magical time of year 🎄🎅