Almost Advent Calendar

 

It's almost Advent! Time to start the countdown to Christmas! Which means, in addition to anxiously awaiting the return of Cubby the Elf, it's time for an Advent calendar!

Christmas JOY Mantel

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I used to think that, as a society, we rushed into Christmas. That we allotted a disproportionate amount of time and energy for it. That Thanksgiving got cut short, every year, by our eagerness to move on to Christmas.

It used to really bother me. So much so that I used to delay Christmas decorating as long as possible.

But this year? This year's different.

Chocolate-Orange Pretzels

 

The other day I had the unique experience of Ellia actually wanting to come grocery shopping with me. How nice, I thought. Some mommy/daughter bonding time! Until I realized the only reason she wanted to come with me was because she had seen our next door neighbors drive away a minute earlier and was somehow convinced we would run into them at the grocery store....

Framed Keepsake Art

Love: It's a beautiful thing. It supports. It protects. It nourishes. It grows. It heals. It creates.

Somewhere in the midst of planning my parents' 40th anniversary celebration, we honed in this last one and, as has become customary in my family, we came up with a list: "40 Things Your Love Has Created."

Thankfulness Turkey Wreath

 

Thanksgiving is in 3 days....can you even believe it? I suppose I should start pulling out some recipes! Ha! But before I do that, I just want to share one little tip with you: Save the feathers!!

Gratitude, Presence & Letting Go



This past weekend my parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. 40 years!! That's a long time! My parents are, and always have been, a wonderful team. They love one another, encourage one another, help one another, take care of one another. After 40 years they still show great tenderness and affection toward one another. They make decisions only after consulting with one another. They play games and take trips and go for walks with one another. They truly enjoy one another's company. My parents are a great couple.

Easy Pumpkin Spice Waffles

I woke up this past Saturday and realized it had been a loooooooong time since I had made breakfast. It kind of goes in waves around here...sometimes the eatin' is good and other times we're just getting by. I guess the same could be said about most things around here - at times it feels like all we can do to keep from being overrun by sheer chaos (you know the feeling?)

Thankfulness Mantel

This is officially my first time decorating a mantel. We've lived in our Lemon Tree Dwelling for a year and a half, we've celebrated every holiday here once before, and we've decorated for most of those holidays in some way, shape or form. But we've never done the mante..

I blame it on Nora: