On Fridays I like to pause for a few moments with Susanne and friends
to reflect on some of the blessings of the week.
Well, most of us are officially in the Christmas season now. Here are some favorites from the first week in December
1. Christmas tree shopping and decorating. We got our tree Saturday. We still do it the old-fashioned way and buy a live one from a lot. Jason and Mittu and Timothy come along to help choose the tree and then decorate it at our house. Jesse got decorations from the attic. Mittu made soup and sandwich for lunch. It’s always fun to hear the kids exclaim over the ornaments as they put them on the tree. And I love how Timothy plunges right in. I love how everyone takes part, and we get it all done in a few hours.
It hadn’t seemed like it was time for Christmas yet. But once we got everything decorated and started playing Christmas music, the Christmas spirit definitely arrived.
2. Christmas music. I enjoy listening to Christian music in the kitchen and other times, but there is something special about Christmas music.
3. Productive days. I made a little shift in my order of doing things, and it has made a big difference.
4. Enough leftovers for meals. With just three of us home, I still pretty much cook like I always have, and we use the leftovers for lunches. Somehow we ended up with a stuffed refrigerator, not even counting Thanksgiving fare. I didn’t think we’d conquer it all at lunchtime, and I had enough of two main dishes to use for dinner two nights. It was nice having a couple of evenings of just warming up food and adding a new side.
Jim’s mom asked me once, years ago, if my family minded leftovers. I told her it depended on what was left over. Thankfully, everyone was ok with what we had, though we were glad to see some of it finished off.
5. Sweaters, heaters, throw blankets, and fingerless gloves have all helped keep me warm during the cold snap we’ve had this week. We even had our first snowfall—the kind I love: big fat fluffy flakes that don’t accumulate on the roads and only stay around for a day.
What’s one good thing from your week?
Stray Thoughts 
Three cheers for leftovers (depending on what they are)!. I purposefully cook big meals so I can enjoy a night (or more) of not cooking the next night.
There’s definitely something special about Christmas music! I’m enjoying hearing all my piano students (except for the Jewish one and another who doesn’t celebrate) playing Christmas music this week and month 🙂
It sounds like a really nice week. Leftovers have always been a staple at our house. I love how your family gathers to decorate the tree. I’ve been on my own with ours for the past few years. I don’t mind it, but I do miss the days when the kids helped me.
I love it when there are leftovers that sort our lunch or dinner for another day. Hoping to get our Christmas tree etc up this weekend. We’ve had a hectic couple of weeks. Enjoy your weekend.
what wonderful blessings! thank you for sharing Barbara……looking forward to finally getting our tree up tomorrow.
Sounds like a good week. I am sure you enjoyed picking out your tree and decorating your home with your family. I am also enjoying Christmas music now. Hope you have a good weekend.
I like to call those leftover PLANNEDovers. Our frig might be stuffed still.
What fun to watch the kids and Timothy decorate the tree. My grandkids hadn’t seen most of our decorations before so they enjoyed asking about some of them.
Yes to all the Christmas music!
Have a good weekend–more snow?
Some leftovers I love, some not so much. I had to really change the amounts I cook, we were eating the same leftovers for days. I like using leftovers for Saturdays so I have a nice day off. How fun that everyone helps with the tree. I am missing that this year, none of the kids are home.
Definitely sounds like Christmas at your house! Your family tree effort sounds like lots of fun, especially now with Timothy — maybe adding his own ornaments 🙂
I know what you mean about some left overs that last for days. If I can tell things are going to last a while, I try to freeze some (if it’s the right kind of thing) for a much more future meal.
Glad you enjoyed that first fluffy pretty snowfall. We’ve still got temps in the high 70s but nights and mornings call for warming helps.