FIVE THINGS I LOVED
- slowing down
- Christmas music playing on repeat on the record player
- the beauty of candles in each window
- getting through a bitterly cold snap without losing power
- a beautiful and simple Christmas
THREE LESSONS I LEARNED
- You’re not supposed to put your wet hair up with an elastic. // I stumbled down a hair care rabbit hole and oops! I do this all the time! I thought scrunchies were a far gone part of my childhood, but I guess I need to get a new supply.
- “No idiot, you just add more glitter.” // This blunt comment was under a video about some celebrity who recently left her husband after five years. From what I gather, I guess she went on a podcast and defended her decision because “the glitter” just wore off. I read through tons of comments from people married 20/30/50 years and their advice was so good and so wise. I especially liked that snarky one above.
- Little Christmas traditions matter. // Advent seemed to pass at lightning speed this year. And with my husband’s week-long business trip thrown into the middle, we didn’t get to some of the little activities we normally do in December. I was so surprised to hear my kids, especially the older ones, insist on them, even if they weren’t on schedule. So often in motherhood, I wonder if any of these insignificant things matter. Am I trying so hard for nothing? I got a glimpse of the answer this year: those little things make up the fabric of our family, our memories and our shared experiences together. They matter.
FIVE GOALS FOR DECEMBER REVIEWED
- ✔
Wrap, wrap, wrap!// And a bonus frugal accomplishment: I used leftover paper from last year and ribbons I’ve saved forever. - ✔
Mail extended family gifts and cards early in the month.// These were in the mail by the 8th, so not too bad. - Sew up the remaining three cross-stitch pillows for the big boys. // Nope. My patient boys! Definitely need to finish these up in January.
- Finish an introductory Javascript coding course. // I didn’t finish, but I did get a good chunk accomplished. Learning Javascript is stretching my brain in brand new ways – I’m getting it slowly, but it’s complicated.
- ✔
Relax, reflect on the year and brainstorm goals for 2023.// Relaxing was a bit of stretch (lots of things to do!) but I definitely slowed down and tried to enjoy the season. I’m excited for what’s to come in 2023 too.
FIVE GOALS FOR JANUARY
- Propagate the fig trees.
- Refocus on healthy habits.
- Write a least three things in my gratitude journal daily.
- Order birthday and different holiday cards for the year.
- Make curtains for the kitchen windows.
I really like your mantle…simple and lovely. The orange slices are so pretty. I dried some in 2021 – and saved them (they’re still decent) – but never put them up this year.
So true about the little things – they do matter! I found myself feeling a bit guilty because we neglected one of those this Advent season, but we did replace it with making some salt-dough ornaments, so I guess that’s a win!? (To be fair, we do have 2 Advent birthdays in our family, so there’s that…)
One thing we did again that I really liked was to hang our Advent wreath above the table. I just love it! My husband made a wooden ‘donut’, then I hot-glued 4 wooden candle holders to it (equally spaced), plunked in 4 beeswax candles, and purchased a candle wreath from Trader Joe’s for the greenery (the fit just happens to work). There are 3 holes drilled around it, with 3 black chains (teepee-like) running up to the ceiling held up by a hook. It’s probably not the most elegant option, but it works! (Well, okay, we do need to do something about the opening in the middle, as wax drips down to the table…)
I really do enjoy your blog – keep it up if you can! I find a lot of good book recommendations on here, as we seem to have similar taste in books. I also admire your homestead life-style: it’s a dream of mine! I tell my husband lately – with all the chaos of our lives and this world – I just want to live somewhere that I can hang my laundry on the line and have chickens. I’m sure it’s not without its difficulties, but is seems such a satisfying way of life.
A blessed remainder of the Christmas season to you and yours,
Melisa
Thanks so much for sharing about your hanging Advent wreath! I’ve heard of the idea before but loved learning more about the execution. Sounds beautiful!!
Merry Christmas and happy new year! I’m cheering you on from here regarding the cross-stitch pillows 🙂
Yes! I need it. They are a project that never ends… 🙂