It's the Christmas season!!
And with that comes many favorites for me!
First, let me say "thank you" to those of you who said you'd pray for me and the throat thing. Yesterday my throat was much better and I actually slept all the nite through without needing to get up for water or throat lozenges....it never turned into a cold so....guess that grapefruit worked!
And....today is the day we celebrate the blessings that God brings into our lives. They might be simple things like a steaming mug of coffee or as significant as a Scripture verse the Lord brought to mind. Whatever they are, we come together here on Fridays for what is known as the Friday Fave Five, hosted by the lovely Susanne from Living to Tell the Story.
My faves this week:
- READING AND DRINKING HOT TEA: had some time on Monday evening to read/finish a great novel and drink steaming hot blueberry-pomegranate tea...felt good on the sore throat and the book was amazing..I highly recommend The Lion if you are a DeMille fan and read The Lion's Game.
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- DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS: We started decorating on Monday afternoon by putting up outside lights, and some of the inside decorations. Our tree goes up tonight and while the girls place the ornaments, I'll be putting a candle in each window. I love this time of year.....here in our part of New York State, we don't have snow but it is cold......temps dipped into the upper 20's last nite....brrr......and of course my daughters are wishing for the white stuff for Xmas eve! At the end of this post, I'll put some pics of what you can see around our house this time of year......
- HOMEMADE CHICKEN POTPIE: I made this recipe on Wednesday evening. I also served squash, and steamed spinach. It as perfect for that damp, dreary, and rainy evening. And.....everyone in the family loved it and had 2nds. This is my absolute fave recipe for homemade chicken potpie. (but I cheat! I use Pillsbury Pie Crusts so I don't have to make my own!)It's all about being quick, easy, and yummy.
- COZY SOCKS: after work one day, my feet were freezing! I had worn black skinny pants with ballet flats and no stockings. My feet needed something warm so I put on my winter socks for the first time since last March! They felt so nice!
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- HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING by MANHEIM STEAMROLLER: this group is my absolute fave to listen to at Christmas time. And this is one of my very faves. I heard their music this week on the Christian station I listen to when driving to and from work. It really put me in the spirit and lifted my spirits! I thought this video from You Tube was well done. Please remember to pause my playlist so you can watch/listen to the video!
And....that's it for me....here are some scenes from around our house.....we're keeping it simple this year......
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| The Nativity on side shelf in dining room |
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| Artificial red berries in cream-white creamer dining room armoire |
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| Gold star ribbon as tie-backs for gold sheer curtains in dining room |
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| Artificial evergreens and white berries on tv armoire in family room |
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| Nativity spelling the word "JOY" Cinnamon candle in holder, stars Family Room wall shelf |
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| Set of cloth Christmas trees made by a country crafter on end table in family room |
Have a nice weekend, everyone!!
Coming up on Gold in the Clouds.......a devotional about peace.....
things that might get you to age 100......teens and extracurricular activities:.when does a parent say No?
Can't promise when these will be posted but they will be up sometime in the next week if all goes well!
9 comments:
I started to pull out the Christmas decorations yesterday. Our tree goes up tomorrow, the first weekend in December for us. It's funny you should mention "keeping it simple" this year. I'm on the same wavelength. The Lord has just been speaking "simplify" to me in the last few months and I realized one of my stresses in December is trying to figure out where to put all the ever increasing number of Christmas decorations. So this year, we're just going to put out what strikes us and leave the rest. I'm breathing easier already. I love the two berry arrangements you have.
Chicken Pot Pie is one of my absolute favorite meals. My mouth is watering at the mention of it. :vP
With four cats, we have definitely moved towards more simplicity in the Christmas decorations ;-)
Thanks for sharing that recipe -- it looks really terrific, so warm and cozy!
I have to say how much I LOVE your header image. Just gorgeous.
Keeping it simple is what I did this year as well with the help of my girls of course. I also love Manheim Steamroller, they are one of my favorites I have one of their Christmas CD's love it. We are supposed to get 1-3 inches of snow tonight until tomorrow morning and it's been very cold here this week. I just wanted to let you know that I love your new blog background. I also cheat and use the pie crust when I make Chicken pot pie, so don't worry your not the only one. Have a blessed weekend.
Reading? Decorating? Celebrating Christmas?! All good things!
Happy FFF!
We FFFers all seem to be on the same page, talking about tea and other ways to keep warm!
Your Christmas decorations are lovely, and I'm in the "keep it simple" camp, too.
Glad to hear you got it together and decorated. I brought the boxes out of the basement with good intentions on Monday and they are in the same spot and I never took the lid off.
I'd rather go for pulling on a pair of those cozy socks, grabbing a good book and reading drinking tea, ya
Your cozy socks look so cute! I'm even wearing socks to keep my toesies warm way down here in FL. ;)
Simplicity is one of the passions of my life and I much prefer a Simple Christmas. :) What is more simple than a nativity scene?
The Chicken Pot Pie sounds wonderful!
I finished my decoration too, except outside, there it is impossible it snows and it is very cold 17 F ! and windy !
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