The End is Near

Well, here we are. Christmas of 2015 is a thing of the past.  This year has certainly flown by, hasn't it?  I have to admit it hasn't been a stellar year for blogging.  I have plans to be better in 2016.  (Better is going to be a big thing next year - stay tuned for that!)

I can't say for sure that I won't be blogging anything between now and the end of the year.  But just in case that's how it ends up happening:

Happy New Year!!  God bless!

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Merry Christmas!!  Sure, I'm a few days early - but why not...

I haven't done much blogging this Christmas season, it was pretty busy for a while there. So, now that things are winding down, I thought I would take a moment to share a few of my favorite Christmas pretties around my home.

(I apologize for the fuzzy pictures, I walked around snapping a few shots with my tablet this morning.  Not the best lighting or camera)
 

My cute "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" snowmen and this pretty sign great you as you come in the front door.  Along with these sweet little pillows I got for a steal at Target last year on the storage bench.

The mantel might be my very favorite part of all my holiday decor.

Except for the tree, of course!

There's a little tree just for the grandbaby which decorates the coffee station in the dining room

And even the hall bathroom gets a little holiday love.

Do you enjoy decorating the whole house for the Christmas season, like me?  Or are you more into 'just the basics' for your holiday decor?

Merry Christmas!!

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

Somebody's Watching Me

Ever feel like you're being watched?  Me too!  Especially now...

There's an Elf on the Shelf in our house getting up to all kinds of mischief. Including putting googly eyes on everything he could get a hold of one day last week.  Several toys, a few Christmas ornaments, an apple... and my coffee maker!  Which made me laugh enough that I left them!

Now my Keurig watches me whenever I prepare a cup of coffee or tea.

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

Get Some Rest

"Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat"...

Do you ever feel this way?  Especially this time a year with all the hustle and bustle of the holidays? Yes, me too!  Shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking, cleaning, entertaining, visiting...  it can be down right exhausting.  And there truly are days when I feel as if I don't even have time to eat.

Those are the days I can almost feel the Spirit whispering to me the same words Jesus says to the apostles.  'Come with me by yourself to a quiet place and get some rest.”

God still calls us to come away with Him to a quiet place and rest in His presence.  To press pause and rejuvenate our souls.

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

A Spirit of Gratitude: December 3

You may find yourself reading the title up here and thinking "Another gratitude post? Thanksgiving was a week ago. Haven't we moved on to Christmas already?"  Well, yes.  The DAY of thanksgiving was a week ago today.  But gratitude isn't something special meant for just one day, one week, or one month a year.

Gratitude should be practiced year round.  The more you seek out and acknowledge all the little blessings in your life - the more you see how many reasons there truly are for giving thanks!

I really do keep a gratitude journal.  Almost every day I write down at least 3 things that made me feel blessed.  They can be big or small.  Profound or silly. Some of the things I write in there get shared here each week in my Spirit of Gratitude posts.  For example, this week -

I Am Thankful For:

Leftover turkey

Pumpkin pie

A little Black Friday shopping with the female offspring

Window shopping for tile

Stopping for lunch

Not having to cook for 3 days

More business than I was prepared for

The grand baby napping on the couch

A Christmas wallpaper for my tablet

Snuggly grand baby

The Man of the House scratching my back

Take out for dinner

Shopping for yarn

Finding stocking stuffers

The Male Offspring working on his project

What are you giving thanks for this week?

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

Hello December!

And that brings us to December.  The last month of 2015 is upon us!  Can you believe it?  Because I certainly can not!

publicdomainpictures.net

I am so excited for this month!  I'm looking forward to putting up the Christmas tree.  Enjoying all the excitement and anticipation through the eyes of he grand baby.  Spending time with my sisters.  Visiting with my nieces and nephews.  School break.  The Man of he House having an entire week off from work.

Good times!

I am looking to finish this year strong.  I've met several of the goals I set for myself for 2015, and there's still time to work out a few more before year's end.

While December can be a time for reflection on the year past; it is also a good time to start looking forward.  I am already thinking ahead and making plans for my Etsy shop and for the blog in 2016.

This time of year do you find yourself evaluating the year almost completed and planning ahead for the one soon to arrive?

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups