All The Christmas

Hello! Welcome to the week in between, otherwise known as the week you are unsure of what day it is; cookies are the breakfast of choice, the beds go unmade, the vacuum is untouched, and the most significant decision you make is what television show to binge. Or is that just here? In any case, I love this week, as it keeps Christmas alive for more than just one day. Here is a look back at our Christmas, which began on Christmas Eve.

I lit the candle we light only one day a year and started to prepare for our Christmas Eve dinner by setting the table. I do that first so it is ready, no matter what else comes up during the day.

The rest of the day passed quickly with cups of cocoa, dinner prep, and even a quick nap. Madison helped me with my hair before we put the finishing touches on our dinner. 

This year, we prepared beef tips in a red wine sauce, barbeque meatballs, egg noodles, cheese potatoes, red cabbage, Christmas salad, and cornbread. For dessert, Madison made pumpkin pie.

Christmas Day was cold and cloudy, which was perfect weather for me! There were stockings, cinnamon rolls sent by Peyton, and presents galore. We spent the day together in our cozy clothes, opening gifts, heating up leftovers, and snacking on delicious cookies. Thank you, Peyton! And, of course, a Christmas day phone call with my wonderful, sweet momma!

What else have we been up to these cozy Christmas days?

Even though our family was not together this Christmas, we were not apart. That will always be this mama's Christmas wish. Happy and Blessed New Year, my friends! I will be back on Friday. And for anyone staying in over the new year, Syfy Channel has a Twilight Zone marathon running from New Year's Eve through New Year's Day. You know where I'll be if you need me! 

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee

Good Monday morning, my friends! I hope you enjoyed a cozy, festive weekend as we approach the most wonderful day of the year! We had a good mix of preparation and relaxation, starting with my go-to festive breakfast, French Toast...

Easily made festive with my sister-in-law Beth's homemade hot cocoa in Rudolph mugs, of course.

We lit the Fourth Sunday of Advent candle...

And made pomanders at the kitchen table while listening to classic Christmas music. Madison is my head elf in charge of activities, and she showed us how to make tiny holes in oranges before putting in cloves and then tying ribbons around each one. I admit I was skeptical, but it was easy and fun!

We had a roast chicken for dinner on Saturday night, so last night, we had the most delicious chicken soup. I had saved the chicken carcass and boiled it with water, chicken broth, and poultry seasoning. Madison seasoned some carrots, celery, and squash and roasted them in the oven. Then I drained the broth, added some cooked noodles and the vegetables, and Madison finished it with her signature fresh lemon juice. It was delicious!

We finished the night with two of our favorite little shows...

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

And The Story of the First Christmas Snow.

Both are available on Amazon Prime to watch and are restored to the best quality.

Today, we will prepare for our Christmas Eve dinner, wrap the last gifts, and relax by the tree. Our preparations are complete, and we are ready to celebrate this blessed, beautiful time of the year. 

Thank you for sharing this Christmas season with me. I have enjoyed being welcomed into your homes so much this advent. From our family to your family, Merry and Blessed Christmas. May your days be filled with family, love, quiet, calm, chaos, cookies, twinkling tree lights at night, and cozy coffee and cocoa when you wake. Peace, joy, and love, my friends!

Billie Jo

Christmas Fun

Well, we are getting closer, aren't we? I hope you are enjoying this special time of year in whatever way brings you and your family joy and peace. This week, we sprinkled some Christmas fun into our beautifully ordinary days. We bundled up and walked through the Winterfest of Lights, a display of beautiful Christmas lights downtown. It was cozy, pretty, and calm- just my speed. It is in a park that surrounds a pond, and the lights reflected in the water are amazing.

While we were enjoying Christmas lights, Rhett and Kyrstin had fun at their work Christmas parties. Rhett's work party had a dessert contest, and clearly, baking runs in our family because Rhett entered this beautiful two-layer Jello Cake...

He baked and decorated it all by himself! And at the end of the night...

He won! So proud of him and how he embraces everything in life with joy! 

Other fun, festive things this week included watching the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas together and enjoying a little Grinch loaf cake Madison made...

Watching Red Boots Christmas, one of Madison's favorites from when she was young, on YouTube...

And lots of this -

Watching pretty Christmas scenes with cozy music playing on Youtube while we sip tea, coffee, and cocoa. 

This weekend, we hope to continue our quiet, cozy, intentional moments of appreciating Christmas and all that comes with it. We will attend mass for the Fourth Week of Advent. And I have some wrapping to do and a grocery order to make. One of the gifts getting older has given me is a beautiful sense of peace. I am content with things as they are and no longer fret about ensuring I get everything done: the house cleaned, the cookies baked, the phone calls made, the neighbor gifts delivered, the clothes all pressed, and the fridge all stocked. Now, I pour myself a cup of coffee, snuggle on the couch, and rest, knowing Christmas will come and go until next year. Why not enjoy?

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends.

Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo