Good Monday morning, my friends! And Happy December! Here we are, at the cusp of all this new month brings. This year, I am entering December with a sense of peace and a desire to embrace calmness and intention. It may be the season of life I find myself in, but I want to let go of all the distractions and simply be in the moments that make this time of year so very special.
What does this look like? Well, I think it means less scrolling on social media, where extreme excess is the norm, and where somehow traditional, homemade Christmas has been replaced by constant pressure to engage in rampant consumerism, to the point that women actually think they need to redesign their Christmas tree every single year. It means setting that phone down and instead putting on a cozy Christmas YouTube scene with Christmas songs playing and relaxing by the light of our Christmas tree. My parents used to do that all the time. They would sit by the fire in the morning, drinking their coffee, and by the Christmas tree in the evenings, just being together.
My December will be focused inward, toward my family and our home. I want to light a candle and watch those Christmas movies we all love: Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey, The First Christmas Snow, and Annabelle's Wish. If you haven't watched these in years, I encourage you to do so with your family. Make some tea or cocoa and some place and bake cookies and snuggle in. Somewhere along the line, we began to think everything had to be a production. It doesn't. Just be in the moment. I plan to slow down this year, do less, rest more, and find the peace of Christmas.
We did attend one event this past weekend. It was the lighting of the Christmas tree in our lovely downtown. Nicolas, Madison, Kyrstin, and I went and had a wonderful time. Flynn was home recovering from an annoying cold.
We had a nice time, but the real reason we were there was to watch Madison put the finishing touches on her new bridal boutique on Main Street! Yes, my girl just opened her new bridal shop in the town of her dreams, and I am so very happy for and proud of her!
She and Nicolas have worked so hard, and it was an absolute labor of love. It is beautiful!
Well, my friends, I wish you a happy, healthy, cozy December week. We will be here, eating cupcakes made from a mix, and snuggling by the fire. I don't mean to suggest I don't have worries on my heart, and sadness and grief in my soul. I have work to do, of course, like scrubbing toilets and sweeping floors. All these things weigh on my mind. However, I am determined to put them in perspective and embrace this time of year for what it is: waiting for Jesus, and waiting for Christmas. Thank you for visiting. I am always glad you do.
Billie Jo
Good luck to your daughter on the new business venture!
ReplyDeleteI am in the same place my Friend. I have done less shopping this year than years past. I am making several homemade gifts for people - as well as a lot of my main gifts will involved homemade food gifts. Like true old fashioned giving and it makes my heart feel so happy! I'm determined to slow down and be present and enjoy the absolute gift of this season and what it is about as well.
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats to Madison! That is just so awesome. It is evident she is amazing at what she does (I follow her on social media) and she seems such a beautiful young woman -inside and out. Kudos to you Momma (& Steve too) Blessings to you all and this lovely holiday season ahead. ❤️💚
Oh my goodness, you must be so proud! The boutique looks gorgeous! I loved peeking through the beautiful arch shaped window. And the city tree is totally stunning. What a memorable evening you had. And I love your snowy Christmas tree header.
ReplyDeleteIs this her second store? I guess I am confused about where u live and where you vacation. Do all of her children live near. I just moved from Florida back to Indiana so might have missed some blogs. My 30 plus move. Have a good Christmas season. Prayers. Brenda
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda! Yes, this is her second store. We live in Maryland now, for the most part. We are in the process of finalizing the permanent move here. Three of my four children live here now, with Peyton and her husband Christopher remaining in Pennsylvania. You have moved quite a bit! Have a wonderful Christmas season, and I am so happy to know you!
DeleteThe tree lighting looks like such a fun thing to do.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Madison. Her store looks beautiful!
Big congratulations to Madison...this is so neat and I wish her great things. The town tree is so pretty..that blue is beautiful. I am with you Billie Jo...I just want to enjoy the season...no rushing, no overbooked calendar... Just taking in all of the beauty and the magical moments that I can. Enjoy your week and make it a really good one filled with great memories.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on slowing down and enjoying the season in the simplest and coziest of ways!
ReplyDeleteI love your outlook on Christmas and I'm going to try and implement those feelings within myself as well. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and the anxiety of trying to make it all perfect. I hope you and your family enjoy this December and create amazing memories. Congratulations, Madison on the new bridal boutique. It looks beautiful. She has a gift, I can tell. Maybe one day I'll take a trip with my daughter when she's ready to pick out the perfect wedding gown ... but she's only 14 so that shouldn't be for a long time.
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas tree is so pretty with all the blue. It's fun to see that tree lighting in our towns. Wonderful news about Madison opening her bridal shop. It looks so elegant and very nice. I love that picture of the arched window, and she even has a Christmas tree in the shop! The cupcakes look so Yummy. Your words on slowing down during the season are special, and those shows sound delightful. I've been watching many too. I love your vintage Santa cup!
ReplyDeleteWishing you peace and joy this Christmas season, Billie Jo.
~Sheri
I've actually never heard of any of those Christmas movies! Best of luck to your daughter with her new business!
ReplyDeleteI'd like one of those cupcakes.
ReplyDeleteLike your Christmas mug!!
How exciting for Madision and her new venture!! Do please keep us posted!! I loved seeing your photos and hearing about all the coziness in your home. Wishing you and yours abundant blessings during this wonderful time of year!! xo
ReplyDeleteHi Billie Jo! What a lovely, lovely post about putting things in perspective and slowing down to enjoy the season. I love Madison's wonderful new shop, and wish her much success. The Christmas tree lighting in your town looked like the perfect kind of Christmas event. Have a truly blessed Christmas season.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Madison! I wish her all the happiness and success with her new shop. It's so exciting for her and all of you.
ReplyDeleteI agree so much about perspective. Life has been so sped up the past few years and the pressure is unreal for so many. Since we'll be gone most of December, I just put out my snowmen because they'll also hang out in January. We already have about 10 inches of snow on the ground so they fit into the season perfectly. Only the nativity will be put out in addition to them.
Enjoy your hot cocoa and cupcakes, hot drinks and coziness my friend.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
Billie Jo, I want to have your calm attitude :) But for some reason I decided that a renovation and move would be great to add to the 3 birthdays and Christmas we have in December. Not to mention working half the month. But I'm trying not to panic and maybe just reading about everyone's calm demeanor will rub off on me :) And congratulations to Madison! That is a dream and what a beautiful storefront! I wish her all the best. I hope you have a slow and cozy week my friend. I'm nursing a sore throat this week, but hope to be over it soon.
ReplyDeleteI love your December To Do List. I am going to make that one mine too.
ReplyDeleteOur season is here my friend!! I stopped the hustle and bustle of the season years ago and do not regret it one bit. The consumerism is out of control.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Madison!! The store window is gorgeous. May she have much success there. Wishing you a cozy week.
Yes - perfectly stated my friend! I’m jotting down your thoughts to help me keep perspective- pull focus, as it’s said. If I know we’re both doing it, it makes it easier for me - yes, even while scrubbing toilets! And oh that GORGEOUS shop window…congrats on a second shop - what talent - chasing dreams! So pretty - is it a renovated old church?
ReplyDeleteHello, your post is just what I have been talking about as of late. For some reason this year the commercialism is bothering me so much. My husband and I made a choice to slow it all down 6 years ago. I am so glad we did. We have a daily advent study we do together sitting by our Christmas tree. We still have our family traditions, but the hustle and bustle we put a stop to, we enjoy the peace of family time.
ReplyDeleteHigh Fives to your daughter. The storefront is beautiful and so is she.
Happy December,
Carla
I appreciate your down to earth post. Let's get back to the more simple life and focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Three of my neighbors have put up enough lights and blow up stuff I feel sure it's visible from space. The worst part is not a single thing is about the true reason for Christmas Jesus.
ReplyDeleteWOW - congratulations Madison! That is amazing...I know your momma heart is just so proud! I wish her all the success - and lots of fun in the process!! I enjoyed your encouragement at the beginning of your post as well. Here's to a traditonal, homemade Christmas:)
ReplyDelete