Simplicity for the season....

We had a lovely Thanksgiving holiday!! How was yours?

This morning after tidying the house...I find myself putting away the Autumn decor and bringing out a few Christmas touches a little at a time. I do a little each day..that way I don't have boxes everywhere and I'm not exhausted at the end of the day!

After ordering a few gifts online yesterday, I felt such a sense of accomplishment!! I try to stay away from the malls on the weekends, and hit the stores during the week just after dinner to avoid the "rush". The Christmas rush to me has no place in the season!! We should be able to relax and enjoy our family and friend's at this most blessed time of year. I have learned to plan and make lists, tis' the only way for me.

In the book I'm reading "A Woman's Christmas~ Returning to the Gentle Joys of the Season", has really affirmed the fact that less is truly more! The introduction states this..."A Woman's Christmas is a return to the simplicity and the joy of this most wondrous season. No overly elaborate organizer, no recipe book crammed with complicated menus, no advocate of late-night wrapping frenzies and season-long spending sprees, this volume instead offers ideas and inspirations for celebrating with uncomplicated pleasure. Above all, it demonstrates how the small personal touch is still the supreme gift of Christmas~decorating home and hearth with natural materials, selecting or making gifts of tender thoughtfulness, contributing time and energy to one's community, and enjoying the uniqueness of the season itself." Beautifully stated!

So words of gentle wisdom that I will hold onto for this Christmastime and in the future years. I always ask of the Lord to bring across our path another family that we can bless and show the Love of Christ, especially this time of year. Every year since I've prayed that prayer....He indeed has brought people to us...and every year we have the awesome privilege to be a blessing to others. It isn't just a Christmas season duty either...this is how I live. God has blessed us so much, that I want to share with others. Hubby and I are in agreement too....We get the kids together and go out to deliver the gifts, ring the doorbell and run to the car! To see the faces of those who come to the door...there is nothing like it!!

Dinner is simple...Salmon patties, Mac n' Cheese, and salad. After all the rich foods over the past few days....this works for me. The kids are home from classes already and I will enlist their help in bringing in a few boxes. We will open them up and recount the memories of each precious treasure, and enjoy the afternoon.

Here are a few Christmas inspirations from my house to yours~

~ Simmer some mulling spices on the stove....make your own using cinnamon,cloves, orange peel, and vanilla~ Smells divine...

~Tie up some festive holiday hand towels with pretty organza ribbon and place on your bath vanity...

~Fill antique bowls, urns, and buckets with pine cones and stick a ribbon wired to a chopstick amongst the pine cones and set out on your stair landing, porch, patio, and entryways...simple but so pretty...

~Gather up some of your favorite Christmas reading and wrap with some beautiful plaid ribbon and fashion it into a pretty bow and place on your coffee table or your cozy reading corner....

These are just a few to get started for this beautiful Christmas season.

Blessings to you this day....as you create and deck the halls of your home....see you soon.