Although the first day of winter is two weeks from now, it seems to have crept in early. We’ve had nights in the teens and evenings feeling twenty degrees colder than the temperatures.
But we’re keeping our hearts warm by counting our blessings along with Susanne and friends at Living to Tell the Story.
1. Christmas decorating as a family. I’m so thankful all the kids still come for that. We’ve usually done it on a Saturday morning, but this time we started mid-afternoon. Mittu made dinner for us all.
I love the memories, stories, and laughter that come forth with the ornaments.
I mentioned getting an artificial tree for the first time. Though we were reluctant to for a long time, we’re glad we did. It went together much more easily that I thought it would, and there was no wrangling with lights since it was prelit. And we don’t have to water it (though I am still fighting the impulse to have it checked) or sweep up pine needles for weeks afterward. Plus this one was big enough that most of our ornaments fit on it.
2. Commemorative ornaments. I don’t really need any more ornaments, but this owl caught my eye at Cracker Barrel. My mom collected owls, and I thought I’d get this one in her memory. Then I saw the boots and cowboy hat and thought of my dad. He was something of a cowboy in his younger years, even riding in the rodeo before he was married. The ornaments were on a buy 2, get 1 free sale, so I got a little church ornament as well.
3. A new microwave. I mentioned that our microwave died on Thanksgiving Day. It was a wall-mounted one over the stove, so the replacement had to fit within certain parameters. My husband looked online, but the ones he liked wouldn’t arrive for a week in one case, and several weeks in another. He looked a couple of places in town and found one in stock. He installed it this week, and we’re quiet pleased!
4. Good sleep. I often wake up once or twice during the night, and always have to get up to go to the bathroom when I do. The past three nights in a row, I’ve slept for about five hours straight. That makes such a difference!
5. A productive week. I had prayed for grace and help to get certain things done this week, and God answered. I think the sleep helped. One goal was to get the Christmas letter and cards out this week, and they are just about ready to be sent..
Bonus: Warmth by way of sweaters, winter coats, and central heating.
That was our week. How was yours?
Stray Thoughts 
Those ornaments are adorable! and how nice to have them in memory of your parents. I love it.
YAY for warm blankets, cozy sweaters and fuzzy socks. Been cold up here in eastern NY although we only have a dusting of snow……where i’m originally from in central NY they have over 6 inches already! And where i hike they’re expecting 14 by the end of tonight!
I hope you have a warm cozy weekend with more good restorative sleep
Love those ornaments! Also, good sleep is vital to good health. Glad you were able to have a good night’s rest. My husband and I hosted a family Christmas gathering last Sunday evening. Everyone wants us to make this an annual event. Scavenger hunt, decorating cookies, and much more. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂
Sounds like a lot of fun!
All of the sudden, it got super cold here too! I have enjoyed wearing some “warm sweaters” this week that normally would be too much.
I hear ya with getting up at night! I often feel like I wouldn’t go to the bathroom at all if I didn’t wake up — it’s just “well, I’m awake so probably a good idea to go to the bathroom” —
I hear you too with plenty of ornaments. But little owl is definitely sweet!
Love the connections attached to the ornaments. Sounds like you had a good week. I need to do some catching up on Christmas preparations – going to the US for Thanksgiving means I’m well behind! Have a good weekend.
I love when I see things that remind me of loved ones. Christmas is the perfect time to remember those who are no longer with us.
Those are really cute ornaments and it’s special that they remind you of your mother. Christmas decorating as a family is a great way to make fun memories. Glad you had a nice week. I hope you have a good weekend. See you again soon!
Decorating together is such a lovely tradition and I’m glad you all had such a memory-making time together.
Amazing that you were able to locate an appliance in town (IRL for the win!).
Wow, both a productive week and good sleep — these are faves indeed.
You are so far ahead of me on the decorating and Christmas cards. Maybe this next week I’ll have a bit more time. I’m sure that the good sleep helped much with your productivity.
I love that the family comes over to help decorate the tree.
Yes, I think the calendar got mixed up this year and thought it was already winter. Warm house, cozy blankets and hats and gloves are definitely a blessing. Have a good weekend. Willow
Those ornaments are so cute! I love how there is a significance to each one.
I’m glad you’re been able to replace your microwave. I went without one for years but once I got one, I don’t know how I managed without it!
I love those nights when I get a good night’s sleep. I usually up at least once during the night.
What fun for the family to get together to decorate! And for Mittu to make dinner! Win – Win.
Have a wonderful weekend.
We made the switch to artificial trees a few years ago and never went back. They’re so much easier, especially now that they make the prelit ones–it’s greatly reduced Jeff’s frustration putting up the tree. lol. Although I do miss the smell and presence of a real tree in the house.
I know what you mean about getting 5 hours of sleep in a row. Any time I do that, I consider it a major victory! 🙂
I was happy during years with my fake fir ! No cat climbing in the tree and no football with the balls from little son ! It’s so nice that you are all getting together ! In my case it is rather complicated ! My son and family will come one week before Christmas, because they have to go to the MIL who lives in the south of Holland and then to the FIL in the North, (they are divorced) I will make it easy, no tree but Christmas decoration, we will have lunch in a nice restaurant and celebrate in the afternoon in my room which is huge and there is space for 4 adults a cat and a dog !