Monday Morning Coffee

Good Monday morning! I hope you had a lovely December weekend! Last night, I thought about how December starts with a consistent pace, our minds and hearts filled with plans and images, lists and dreams. We have twenty-four full days to fill with all the fun. And then suddenly, we are halfway through, and Christmas is only a couple of weeks away! For me, that is the focus of December, the waiting and anticipation. I clear our schedules of all non-essential things. We have eleven other months for all that. Instead, I try to stay close to our home, finding peace in the calm and cozy December. This weekend, we had some fun with an impromptu taco night, followed by a new card game and ice cream sundaes. The most fun part was trying to figure out the card game and realizing after two rounds we were playing completely wrong! It is called something like Yes Yes Yeti, I think. If anyone has any insights into that game, please let me know! Otherwise, Do Not Recommend! 

Before mass, Madison wanted to take a picture of my outfit, maybe because it involved actual clothes as opposed to my regular uniform of oversized crewnecks and sweatpants. She is the queen of all things fashion, so I agreed to do it to keep it for future reference or proof that I do indeed own actual clothing. I was quite uncomfortable, in case you didn't notice. 

And then it was back to my normal, informal, pup-loving self.

Much better. 

Well, have a lovely Monday, my friends. I am going to do homeschooling today with Flynn and possibly wrap some gifts. Tonight, we have mass to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. After that, takeout sounds pretty good to me! Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo

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December Days

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

Goulash

O Christmas Tree

There is something so peaceful about having a tree adorned with sparkling lights in our homes this time of year. For me, it is a reminder to slow down and recognize that this time of year is special. The glistening lights remind me how much I love and wait for these few short weeks every year - How I love to sit in the darkness of the early mornings, just me and my coffee, and how much I love gathering with my family at the end of the day. Our Christmas tree is warmth, light, calm, and cozy. It is both memories and anticipation. It is here now, and I am glad.

Have a lovely December day, my friends.

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee

Good Monday morning, my friends! And Happy December! I am currently sipping my morning coffee from one of my very favorite Christmas mugs. I have a whole set of these Rudolph mugs I got when the kids were young. Rudolph will always be my favorite! How was your weekend? Here, it was filled with the end of Thanksgiving—turkey soup, turkey sandwiches, pumpkin pie—and the beginning of all things Christmas!

Friday night, we went to the tree-lighting ceremony in the center of town. It was like a Hallmark Christmas movie! If you have seen Gilmore Girls, you can relate to me expecting to see Taylor and Kirk around or thinking we could pop into Luke's for coffee and cocoa. 

 

On Saturday, we attended a beautiful mass for the first Sunday of Advent. Then, we came home, lit the first Advent candle, and enjoyed some turkey soup. It was delicious if I do say so myself!

The remainder of the weekend was spent in cozy clothes, doing some online shopping, sipping hot coffee, and planning all the fun things we hope to do this Christmas season. Will we get to all of them? Probably not. There is no shame in not going and doing and filling every free moment. Sitting by the tree, listening to Christmas music, sipping cocoa, and eating a cookie or two is one way to enjoy the Christmas season and bring peace to yourself as well. 

Have a cozy Monday, and thank you for visiting!

Billie Jo