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
You celebrate the season with the same mind set as I do! It's so important to enjoy the little things in life and remember that there is no such thing as perfection. Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteI love your approach toward Christmas. Congratulations to Rhett on his award winning cake. It looks beautiful and delicious. Your walk through the lights seem almost magical.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas my friend. Christmas will indeed, come and go again.
Blessings,
Betsy
Enjoy the weekend! And the season!
ReplyDeleteOh my GOSH!!!! Your living room in the evening is just as beautiful as anything at the Winterfest Of Lights!!!! I would never leave the house. No wonder you are such a homebody, with decorating talent like this!! The Festival is so lovely, especially how the reflections are exactly as sharp as the real lights! My favorite there is the little house with the blue roof, beside the tree with the blue star on top. the cake is lovely. and I would love to make the Grinch loaf cake!
ReplyDeleteRhett's Two Layer Jell-o Cake looks wonderful! He did a terrific job!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful week! I love your mentality about the holiday; I have adopted the same one this year. If 2024 has taught me anything, it's to simplify and accept the fact that "different" doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing. I'm okay with the difference of this year, and I'm proud of myself for not only surviving another first in a year of never-ending firsts, but realizing that I am capable of hard things. It feels good that I accomplished my Christmas with my sons this year all on my own and with leaning on Jesus. Thank you for being a source of light and encouragement here, my friend. Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!
ReplyDeleteWishing you and yours a blessed Christmas! Your holiday sounds wonderful!! xo
ReplyDeleteAs always, a lovely post. Happy, smiling faces and look at that prize winning cake!! Wow! You're so right...I wanted to try and enjoy the month more...I think I made progress, now to remember what it's all about and simply be in the moment. Enjoy these days, sending wishes for a beautiful Christmas and all the love and laughter that comes with it. So, so happy to have "discovered" your blog.
ReplyDeleteSuch wisdom, I need to learn from you. I have made so many batches of cut out cookies this year, bringing them to this and that and sending them with everyone, now Christmas is upon us, and no cookies left! So, I baked more. Two huge batches today, gingerbread and regular butter cut outs. Would we survive without them? Yes indeed. I just have this mindset that the older kids have to have these things like when they were younger...anyway, I love that Rhett won, what a lovely cake, it must have tasted really good too! It's nice how much you're enjoying the season, I would like an extra week crammed in before Christmas, the days are just flying by. I am enjoying the heck out of them too.
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas lights are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteSo much to learn from you. But also the peace has already crept in over here a little bit. So I guess I have learned something. :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend.
Beautiful, Billie Jo. Wishing you a lovely Saturday. smiles.
ReplyDeleteI see what you mean about the lights reflecting on the water! They're beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe lights are STUNNING! I love them. I'm with you. Infact, right now I'm in the Christmas Nook at home, sipping a raspberry mocha, reading blogs and wrapped an a crocheted blanket. These things to me, are so important just to take a beat and enjoy the quiet. LOVE that. LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteThe lights look so pretty, and I love that photograph of you all.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Rhett! the cake looks amazing. Xx
What a spectacular photo with the lights in the background and the reflection on the water. This is such a wonderful season. Wishing you a very merry Christmas.
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