First Things First! 🎄

Beautiful December has arrived! I plan to fully embrace the spirit of the season by creating new memories while cherishing the old ones from Christmases past!

I’m a nostalgic soul, and my home is filled with treasures passed down from my family and their family and so on and so forth. I have at least 3 generations -  not counting mine. Every box I open feels like I'm bringing back cherished memories and stories of those who once owned the items. These meaningful family connections mean so much more to me than anything I can find at Hobby Lobby. While I adore shopping there, it can be a sensory overload for me.  Ultimately, my home has always been a tapestry of stories that reflect my family's story. 

The outdoor nativity was arranged in the front yard yesterday, marking the beginning of a Christmas tradition! I fondly recall receiving my childhood nativity set from my mom, but, unfortunately, it ultimately fell apart over the years. Then, in the 1980s, I stumbled upon this nativity at Montgomery Ward, which was similar to what I had grown up with. I've showcased this set in every home I've lived in, as the tradition continues. 

Years ago, we had a Maine Coon named Kitty Koo who loved basking in the warmth of the nativity lights and preferred the outdoors to the coziness inside. He would sleep indoors during the day, but at night, he wanted out. I always think of him. 💓

🎄🎄🎄🎄

My husband will put up the lights on the outside of the house. Our old lights, which I had before we married, were probably close to 30 years old, and they died last year. 

Getting the nativities up inside the house. 

My newest one. 

I’m not finished yet - there will be candles, or fairy lights, with greenery tucked in.  Once complete, they’ll add a nice focal point the living room creating a cozy atmosphere that I am looking forward to when I'm done. 

🎄🎄🎄🎄

The tree will get put up this week - 

No rush - we have what's most representative of the season. 

I did place this metal stake among my dusty millers 

with their unique pale greenish leaves.

I'm slowly but surely getting there.  

There will be time for the stuffed Santa to come out for display -  his worn fabric from countless holiday seasons, the rustic wooden trees, the charming white wooden church, and the simple wooden reindeer my dad made. 

But for right now,

 It's First Things First 

May we all delight and fully embrace this first evening of December.

Debby

 

We went for the turkey and now have a daughter!

Yesterday, our family gathered for a wonderful Thanksgiving at my son's home, and it truly was a delightful celebration! My amazing daughter-in-law, Sara, and her sister, Cassie, put in so much effort to make everything perfect. Sara's perfectly brined turkey was a hit, and the feast was abundant - with way more food than I could even try!

They generously sent us home with plenty of delicious leftovers plus desserts! Which we will enjoy tonight for dinner. 

I thoroughly enjoyed everything, so I happily invited Sara to prepare our Thanksgiving meal each year if she’d like, and she agreed! 

I’m excited to take on Christmas in return! 

It was especially awesome that I wasn't expected to do anything - 

Being the matriarch of the family has its rewards. 

I’ve always wanted to host my own Thanksgiving, but my mom preferred to keep the tradition at her house for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, with absolutely no consideration for my family and me.  All I wanted was a little compromise - where I could begin to make my own traditions with my boys. 

I knew there would be one day, I would pass the torch - and happily take that step back - when my daughter-in-law was ready, so they could shine and celebrate their beautiful traditions as a family.

What a lively scene it was, with my sons chatting so loudly, each trying to outdo the other! Their banter never fails to bring me joy - my only regret is that Michael wasn't there as well.  Navy has this hilarious routine about baseball players at the plate that always leaves me in stitches. And don’t get me started on his take on the funny end zone dances in football - it’s pure comedy gold! He has one for basketball, too. 

The thing is, Navy only does this for family. 

And then reality shows up...

Recently, Cassie, Sara's sister, has been navigating the challenging journey of losing her high school sweetheart of 20 years, a couple of months ago. Her grief is still fresh, but she is showing incredible strength. There were moments when the weight of her emotions became overwhelming. 

It did not put a damper on the evening; instead, it fostered a closeness and connection. My husband warmly hugged her and welcomed her, saying she was now part of our family. 

We went for the turkey and now have a daughter! 💕

It was so nice to see Laydee having a good time! She looked adorable in her leather boots, which helped her navigate the wooden floors with ease. Seeing the Grandcat Harry is always nice, although we never did catch a glimpse of Ed. He prefers the peacefulness away from the noise, so it's understandable he chose to hide. 

The thankfulness that blossomed in November shouldn’t go away with the leftover turkey. As the month ends and Advent begins, we enter a time of waiting - not just any waiting, but hopeful waiting. The world looked forward to the Messiah, and now we look forward to His presence in our daily lives: in our homes, our families, our joys, and our struggles.

See you in December! 

Debby