Here we are, my friends, right in the middle of December! We are adding a few festive touches to our blessedly ordinary December days because we all know they pass way too quickly every year.
Here is Madison and Nicolas' calendar candle, or kalenderlys, in Danish. Nicolas shared this beautiful Danish tradition of lighting a numbered candle each day of December and burning it down until the next day's number. It is a lovely reminder of light in the darkest days of December.
We are cooking some simple but hearty meals using things we have on hand. For me, now is not the time for too much meal planning! This is one of our favorites, except with Flynn, who has yet to recognize that tomato sauce is a mandatory food group in our family. I have posted this delicious recipe before, but I will link it below if you are interested.
Yesterday, we took Flynn's little guy to the vet. He did quite well and was prescribed a bit more quiet time and a little less puppy wrestling with Cosmo to rest his back.
Zip is back! He found us here in our new home, and we are all glad. Zip is an old-school elf. He doesn't cause trouble or make messes. He prefers to hang around and report back to Santa. We sure do love this little guy. He's been a part of our Christmas fun for a long time!
December is also a time for prayer for me, and I am currently praying a novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe. I saw this beautiful prayer online yesterday and wanted to share it with anyone who needs it now.
Of course, December days are not complete without a phone call or two with my favorite person in the world, my momma. My sister Margie is awesome, visiting my mom every day and calling me after lunch so we all can visit. I am so thankful for that and enjoy every single moment we share.
Well, that is all for now. We have school today, and I am considering grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner. Flynn wants to make some brownies, so we will have those with a Christmas movie tonight. We have watched Christmas with the Kranks, Annabelle's Wish, and Holly Hobbie and Friends Christmas Wish so far. I am looking forward to Rudolph, Frosty, and Elf soon!
Have a cozy weekend, my friends. If you need me, I will be right here.
Billie Jo
I like that Zip still comes. Traditions are important!!
ReplyDeleteThe pics of Flynn with Zip and her drawing are so sweet!
ReplyDeleteI saved your goulash recipe. I don't have a good one, and will be making this soon!
I love the candle....such a neat way of counting down the days. I don't think I've ever seen one of these before. Brownies and a Christmas movie sounds great and relaxing. The movies you have already watched are some of my favs. Zip is so very cute...hope he gets the rest needed for his back...
ReplyDeleteSounds like you will have a wonderful evening. I am so glad you linked the goulash recipe! I have already copied it and will be making it. Your Mom is looking good!
ReplyDeleteYou make the most of every day and especially the holidays with your sweet family. I was thinking of something to take along on our camping trip next week. I think an elf needs to go camping! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWe are watching James and have to do the Elf on the shelf.
ReplyDeleteI love the candle and the burning of it each day.
ReplyDeleteHow fun that your Elf continues to bring such joy to your December as we anticipate the birthday of Jesus!! I enjoyed your post and thanks for sharing the prayer of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteHi Billie Jo. I love that cute little Elf and how he has become a fun tradition to your family. I also love that beautiful novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe. I hope that you and your have a lovely, cozy weekend! See you again soon!
ReplyDeleteHi Billie Jo~ I always love to see the wonderful new, and old things you do in December! I can remember seeing, Zip in so many of your past Christmas posts! It's hard to believe that, Flynn is all grown up! Your mom is as beautiful as ever. I'm so happy that you are able to talk to her each day, what a blessing. I love the novena, it's a much needed prayer for all of us. Have a wonderful week-end! Hugs, Barb
ReplyDeleteThat is a very beautiful candle. I've seen them before, but I think this is one of my favorites. I also enjoyed seeing Flynn and Zip in the "old" days. How sweet that he still visits your home.
ReplyDeleteIt's so good that you get to visit so often with your Mom and your sister. As we know, it's so important. We had grilled cheese for lunch today. Yum!
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
I love the candle advent idea! Your meal looks delicious. Just about any sort of pasta dish is a it in our house; especially this time of year.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a sweet family Billie Jo, thank you for sharing these delightful photos. Flynn and her little pup, and your dear mother, being with your family, such blessed times. That candle is very pretty, and the meaningful prayer, the teacup, the recipe, everything puts a smile on my face. Wishing you a very blessed December.
ReplyDeleteLove love this post my friend. Wishing you a beautiful weekend. smiles
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet post! I love the candle calendar tradition. And I do like Zip. I like that he's not intrusive or causes problems. He just sits there and watches. LOL
ReplyDeleteHope you have a lovely weekend.
The kalenderlys is such a neat idea!! I love how you said it is a “lovely reminder of light in the darkest days of December.” In the late 70s we moved to Seattle, moving into our house the week of Thanksgiving. Being that far north, our days were really short and usually very cloudy with rain. We could have benefitted from a kalenderlys candle at that time!
ReplyDeleteI agree that tomato sauce is a mandatory food group. But like your Flynn, not everybody feels that way about it.
Zip is so cute, and yes, I much prefer elves who are not troublemakers.
I do like “Christmas With the Kranks”!
Thanks for such a cheery post!
I love Our Lady of Guadalupe! She is so comforting. The whole story of her appearances and the tilma that is present in Mexico to this day is truly magnificent!
ReplyDeleteYour mom looks so happy - what a blessing!
Jo
P.S. Go Steelers!
The candle tradition is a beautiful one. Lily and I tried it last year, but kept forgetting to blow it out in time, each day :)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Billie Jo :) I like that your elf is not naughty. And I love that candle and tradition! I would love to have a candle like that. I think it would be a wonderful tradition to add to Christmas. I hope you have a great and cozy week, my friend :)
ReplyDeleteThat candle is so cute! I need to remember to get one for next year. Flynn and Zip are precious! I miss the "elf days" around our home.
ReplyDeleteI love the tradition of the candle. And thank you for sharing the prayer <3 Enjoy what sounds like a lovely day, Billie Jo.
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