Good Monday morning, my friends! I hope you had a lovely, cozy weekend. We had a fun, productive, relaxing, and Christmasy weekend here. On Friday, Madison and I went shopping in the charming Hallmark Movie town near here. I am not a shopper. I prefer online, always. But, after I went with Madiosn, I realized that I dislike shopping because of the crowds, chaos, and overstimulation of big stores and malls. I always felt overwhelmed and rushed and too warm. I discovered that shopping in a small town, in little shops with friendly people and slower vibes, is much more my speed. The cozy lunch by the fire was nice, too!
Life is funny, isn't it? As my firstborn and I walked through that sweet little town, I thought of all the times I took her places, led her down the street, and helped her with her coat. I thought about how quickly time passes, our children grow, and roles reverse. And I could have been sad. Instead, I felt such happiness that that little girl with the bows in her hair grew to be such a remarkable young woman and a wonderful friend.
We ate lunch at a beautiful hotel that displayed this outside the dining room. I thought it was so cute, and then I read the sign that said it was all gingerbread! Then I thought it was amazing!
On Saturday, I did some wrapping. Allow me to offer this friendly advice, dear friends: No matter how young you think you are or how long you think you will be wrapping, think twice before sitting on the floor to wrap presents. I was rolling along, so proud of myself, wrapping away. It wasn't until later, at mass, that I realized that may not have been the best decision for a woman of my age! Nothing two Tylenol couldn't handle, though. By the time I returned home, I had realized my outside-the-house time limit and was more than happy to spend my Saturday night snuggled under a blanket in front of the television with four of my favorite little friends, Mocha. Cosmo, Marty, and Draper.
Madison and Nicolas got fancied up to attend his work Christmas party...
These two were at hunting camp with Peyton and Chris...
And Rhett was working, so I was on my own. I turned on the Christmas tree and had a cozy night with my pups, coffee, and Alfred Hitchcock.
Have a cozy Monday, my friends! Take time to enjoy these Christmas days!
I will have a special Tuesday post with the winners of the Christmas Giveaway tomorrow!
Billie Jo
Google for the Christmas Past images.
I agree with you on shopping. Shopping at malls with crowds of people is not my thing either and I do like online shopping. But your day with your sweet daughter in a cute town sounds so fun! I am amazed by that gingerbread building!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same about shopping! Don't like the crowds and chaos. Walmart is almost too much for me these days!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a great weekend and what an awesome way to spend your Saturday night! Hope your week is just as wonderful!
I loved catching up with you here today! I laughed over your antics of wrapping gifts on the floor. Girl, what were you thinking?? 🤣 I wrap at my kitchen counter after I've cleaned it off. Speaking of...I'm off to do that now! I'm having a cozy day, which makes me think of you!
ReplyDeleteI want a closer look at the decorations behind your mugs! Or did you already post them and I forgot? I love that tasseled cloth hanging over the fireplace. As for me, when I get on the floor, we have to call 911 to get me up!!
ReplyDeleteThere is always a part of me that wants to get home and get comfy by the fire. I love the fire and tree lights. So cozy.. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteHi Billie Jo. I am well past the age when I can wrap presents on the floor. I bring up a card table from downstairs and use that. Your shopping trip and lunch in the small town with your daughter looks lovely. I am not a shopper either - especially at crowded places like the mall.
ReplyDeleteI am all about Amazon and other online sources for gifts, although I did get a few things at the small St. George mall when we were there the day after Thanksgiving. Your evening alone watching Afred Hitchcock with your pups sounds just right! Have a great week. See you again soon!
Sorry my comment cam up as anonymous, Billie Jo. This is Deb J. in Utah. :-)
DeleteEvery little bit of it sounds wonderful to me! I'm off to wrap my husband's gift right now while he's at work. ~smile~ Then, vacuuming is in order. I think my little grandson will be visiting this evening.
ReplyDeleteHappy Kringling!
Laura
Such happy faces and such sweet memories in the making. Perfect. It looks like you’re spending this month exactly as one should - have a wonderful week - laughing, eating, cozied up together.
ReplyDeleteI prefer shopping in small shops too instead of malls. The malls around here are slowly dying.
ReplyDeleteI like shopping in smaller settings as well!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun weekend!! You and your girlie look like you are having the best time:) Did they really film a Hallmark movie there...or it reminds you of a Hallmark movie?? Just curious. Happy Monday!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on shopping. Downtown Lakeland (my town) has some great little shops that I do enjoy, but I do most of my shopping online. Looks like you and your lovely daughter had a nice time!! Have a blessed week!!
ReplyDeleteA perfect Christmasy blog post. I don't like the crowds either, but as everyone has said, going to the small town with your "baby" girl looks like lots of fun. I can't believe that gingerbread. I, too, am amazed. You got down on the floor? You're kidding, right? I would never, ever get back up. I wrap at the kitchen island and I'm so grateful to have it.
ReplyDeleteI love how your family loves to be together, even hunting, but your night at home with the puppies, movies, fire and tree sounds perfect to me.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
I don't like shopping much these days, either. I managed to do nearly all of mine online this year. The gingerbread building is amazing! Enjoy these final days leading up to Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI think we've all been there, with the wrapping :) I also have a habit of underestimating just how long it takes. Xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful shopping time with Madison, and a nice lunch by the fire afterwards. I know what you mean, going to shops in a quaint town is right up my alley too. And how special that you shopped in the same area that you did when Madison was a little one. She looks so pretty all dressed up to go to the party. That gingerbread creation is something else! I love those pictures of the hunters too. It seems like we are able do so much, but then later, we are sore or have pulled muscles, which is always my case haha. I loved this post today, Billie Jo, and those vintage pictures just made it sweeter.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Your outing with Madison looked like fun, Billie Jo! I'm not one for shopping, but I could definitely get into shopping in the small town you featured. That gingerbread creation was amazing. Happy Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteYou all look beautiful and a lot is happening. Mrs. Madison has a lovely handbag. We do not prepare well for Christmas, we spend a lot of time in clinics. Merry Christmas, prosperity for the whole family.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet time shopping with your daughter! I agree that shopping for Christmas in person is just so stressful. Your Hallmark town though sounded lovely.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you and Madison got to enjoy a productive day of shopping. Smaller stores definitely do make a difference! Wow, that gingerbread hotel IS amazing! Looks like everyone had a fun weekend! And yes, wrapping presents in the floor is a very humbling experience for me now! Haha!
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