As much as I love to write, I definitely can't keep up with it every day....it's too time consuming, and frankly, I find other things way more important sometimes. But, once I take a break, all I want to do is come back and write......but I find the whole task daunting because I'm "behind". And the stress of that is overwhelming, so I wait longer and longer and never seem to catch up. So instead of trying to play "catch up", I'm just going to skip ahead and *try* not to look back.

As much as I tried to get in the Christmas spirit this year, I find myself still having a hard time.....baking cookies helps (although Buddy's done the heavy lifting there), and reading books at night helps....but the cats destroyed our Christmas tree (and by destroyed, I mean the tree doesn't even look like a tree anymore), I never finished decorating (so boxes are still out in the hallway), and the weather here is being all sorts of crazy (which definitely doesn't help). I tried wrapping presents to feel "connected", but since I don't really have a tree to put them under right now, it didn't really help.Christmas music is slowly helping....but I think what I need the most is to see my family. Seeing Buddy's family at Thanksgiving was so great - it was a fun time that was relaxing and stress free and full of good food! Now I need that with my family! 

It's amazing how little things really mean so much this time of year. All the traditions we used to do - they just aren't the same without those original people. Like singing the 12 Days of Christmas on the way home from the candlelight service where we all take different days and sing them (with Dad doing the low 5 Gooooooooooolden Ringgsssssssssss) as we look at Christmas lights. Or having Christmas day stocking presents opened before breakfast but having to wait for breakfast before opening anything else. I'm so looking forward to seeing my family this year! Wish they lived closer.....

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

Some days all you need is a good nap. Some of my favorite memories of Christmas are falling asleep on Christmas afternoon with the sisters while watching a movie with the Christmas tree lights shining in the other room. Today, I could have used a good nap like that - bundled up under a blanket with my family all around me, and the smell of Christmas dinner cooking (or the smell of the leftovers from Christmas breakfast wafting through the room). I'm sure Mom didn't appreciate all the times we fell asleep and didn't help cook or clean-up, but I know she appreciates a good nap just as much as the rest of us. As I've gotten older, I find that naps are more and more desired and less and less actually achieved. If I actually get to find time to take a nap, I either sleep entirely too long or not enough, and I yet, I still crave that little bit of snuggle time with my bed (and my kitties)!

Day 4 cookies: Blockbuster (raisinets and popcorn) - definitely a strange combination, and a popcorn kernel busted a friend's tooth.......so definitely not making the list next year!

Book 4: If you take a mouse to the movies by Laura Numeroff
Love this series, and the Christmas(y) theme of this one was a perfect book for last night!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

Day 3: Fiesta Fudge cookies - definitely one of my favorites! I had some trouble finding Hershey Hugs this year and had to go with a mixed bag of kisses and hugs....so now to find something to do with those kisses.....

Buddy did the cookie baking last night, as I wasn't feeling well. They turned out so good! They even look festive! I spent a little time tonight decorating the house, and it's starting to feel a little more like Christmas. I'm not done yet, but a little every day is helping....here's hoping I can get it all done before the weekend so we can get a real tree this year to go with our fake one - yes we like to do two! As much as I really don't like being cold, I really think that would help with the whole Christmas spirit feeling....last weekend in Richmond definitely felt more holiday like than the weather right now here in Charleston.

Book #3 was Little Porcupine's Christmas by Joseph Slate 
It was alright - had a cute message, but I wasn't that into it. That might be because I wasn't feeling well - who knows. 

We are back to having "date night Wednesdays" - during Upward season, it's usually the only night we don't have something going on. A few years ago, we started alternating game night and craft night on Wednesdays, so we are trying to reinstitute that to have some fun time together where we enjoy each other and get some of our projects done. Tonight, I made one of those make it-bake it suncatchers for my office at work! Made me feel like a kid again, plus the turtle turned out really cute!  And now that I have a window, I think it will help with the depression I seem to always find myself facing in the winter time. Coming home from work in the dark is hard! I'm trying to find joy in the small things and stay focused on those - never thought it would be that hard, but being an adult and having responsibilities really takes its toll. Having a few minutes each night with Buddy to snuggle and read something light hearted and fun is definitely helping!  

The best way to spread Christmas cheer

Last night, I "wrapped" my first Christmas presents - or rather, I supervised as the youth at Bible study wrapped presents for a family in need. Another small group at the church donated the money for the family, and our youth went shopping last week and wrapped the presents this week. It always warms my heart when so many of them show up for Bible study by their own choice - something they don't have to do and it's always "for them", and yet they come week after week to learn something new about the Bible and spend time with each other and do things for other people (sometimes who they don't even know).

Since they know about our Christmas cookie tradition, they were disappointed that I didn't bring any extra cookies last night, but Buddy promised we would bring lots next week (a variety of what was left from this week). As to the offers to drop by unannounced to sample cookies - I informed them that they had to help decorate if they came by :) Either way, I win that battle!

Day 2: Melt in your mouth sugar cookies
Definitely not better than the snicker doodles, but I didn't have any complaints with the lunch bunch. I was a little surprised that the sugar in the recipe was powdered sugar and not regular white or brown sugar.....but they were pretty decent. If I'd thought a little about it, I might have made these closer to the end of the month and decorated them....instead we went with vanilla royal icing - still good, but could have been cuter.

Our 2nd book was Moosletoe by Margie Palatini. Definitely a cute read - Buddy and I took turns with him reading the BOLD words and me reading the rest. He fell asleep about half-way through (it was midnight by the time we were ready for bed...) so I had to nudge him awake to read his words - but we made it!

So far so good - day 2 and still on track...now just to finish the decorating/sorting/cleaning/donating part of Christmas decorations....maybe I should really invite those youth over to help ;)

Christmas Traditions

I'm trying really hard to get into the season early and dive in head first - last year we waited too long, and it never really felt like I was ready for Christmas. This year, I'm going all in!

So, to get started, we started our tradition of the 25 Days of Christmas Cookies/Baking! We never actually make it through all 25 days, but part of the tradition is just trying!

Day 1: Holiday Snickerdoodles
Usually, I rely on Sharon to make the snickerdoodles (she is a way better chef), but since she's not in SC anymore, I decided to add them to my list this year (plus I had everything I needed at home without having to go to the store)....and they were great! It definitely helped get us into the Christmas spirit (along with some outside lights that Buddy put up and the fake tree that I put up - still not done with either, but it's a start). With 60 degree weather right now - the smell of baking cinnamon definitely helps it feel like Christmas! 

We also started a new tradition last year that we brought back this year - 25 Days of Christmas books. We read one each night before bed. I think it would definitely be fun with children, but for the time being - we read to each other and the kitties. 

Day 1: Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner  
Love this book - great art, and there is a fun activity to search for on each page!