So This Was Christmas ~ 2023

 It seems like a dream, those beautiful days of Christmas joy we spent together as a family. I used to tell my kids when they were sad that it was over, they could go back anytime in their hearts. And now, we can come here to remember those blissful days in December.

Christmas Eve

The day was spent cozy at home, lingering over coffee and scones. We prepared, relaxed, sent wishes, and then got ready for our annual Danish Christmas celebration hosted by Nicolas and Madison.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day dawned cloudy and warm. I pretended it was cold and snowy and prepared brunch while Steve and I waited for the kids to wake up. We opened stockings, enjoyed brunch, gathered together, and opened gifts. It was a beautiful, cozy afternoon. We watched a beautiful mass together, and then some snacked, some napped, and others played with new gifts. Later, we had a lovely Christmas dinner before settling by the tree, savoring the last moments of a blessed Christmas Day.

I miss Christmas. But I know it will come back around again. And every single day until then is a chance to find that beautiful Christmas joy in our ordinary days. 

Have a cozy day!

Billie Jo

How Well Do You Know Your Christmas Movies?

The classic Christmas movies are the best, don't you think? Watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for the first time with my children took me back to a magical place I thought I had left behind forever: childhood. I still remember watching Santa Claus is Coming to Town with a two-year-old Madison and realizing that I could experience the magic of Christmas again, this time through my child's eyes! We have many favorites, some familiar and some not so much. Let's see how many you remember on this snowy Wednesday morning. The answers are down below!

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Thanks for playing, my friends. I am sure each of these is available on a streaming platform. Why not choose a favorite to watch tonight? Even watching without young children, we can experience the joy of childhood at Christmas, which is something we can all appreciate these days. There are many more I could have added, but these are our favorites. How did you do? Do you have a favorite?

Billie Jo

Answers

1. Frosty the Snowman~1969

2. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer~1964

3. Jack Frost~1979

4. The Little Drummer Boy~1968

5. A Christmas Story~1983

6. Elf~2003

7. The Leprechauns' Christmas Gold~1981

8. 'Twas the Night Before Christmas~1974

9. Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey~1977

10. The Year Without a Santa Claus~1974

11. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town~1970

( Google for the images )

Oh, One more thing! The stocking holder we use is available at Amazon. We used to hang our stockings from the fireplace mantle until one Christmas Eve when a little Peyton got bonked on the head with a heavy stocking holder letter from a word I can't remember. Those things went into the trash that night!

Monday Morning Coffee ~ Our Christmas Home 2023

Good Monday morning, my friends! Three weeks from today, we will wake to the joy that is Christmas Day. Until then, I plan on enjoying these December days by resisting the urge to do and, instead, simply be. And by snuggling in and enjoying our cozy Christmas home. I was more intentional with the decorating this year, choosing to use only the special things that bring us joy.

 

Have a wonderful day!

Thanks for visiting. I am always happy you do.

Billie Jo