With only a couple of days left until Christmas, I just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a Merry Christmas.
The past few years, I’ve sent two cards out because there are so many cute options. Also, I love sending them, but I hate waiting for them to arrive. So, I’m able to start addressing the ones from Walgreens while waiting on my Shutterfly order.
This blog (and the readers) bring me a lot of joy! I appreciate all of the comments and readers I’ve gotten to know in this Show Me and Sweet Tea space.
My hope is that everyone has a Merry and Bright holiday season….
…with warm wishes for a wonderful 2023!
I know the holidays can be difficult for some. Even in the best of circumstances, this season can be overwhelming and filled with many other emotions. I know quite a few people who’ve lost a loved one recently, and I’ve certainly been thinking of them this holiday season.
December is filled with so many traditions, activities, parties, and more. I feel like the hectic pace makes the time pass by quicker than I’d like, but I try to enjoy this time the best I can with my family. I hope you are able to do the same as well.
I can’t let the Christmas season pass by without sharing my most favorite Christmas card that Travis and I have ever sent:
Christmas 2009 was pretty special!
I hope you have a wonderful and blessed holiday. Many bloggers take this time off, but I hope to have a few posts next week including some of my favorites: a blogging round up, the books I read this year, and a recap of 2022.
I love winter. (My dad will read this and shake his head). I’m not sure if it’s the holidays or the fact that I have a January birthday, but I have always loved winter. On top of that, January is one of my favorite months (Again, probably because of my birthday, but January also feels like a fresh start, and it is considerably less hectic than December.)
Here are five of my favorite things about winter:
Snow! Even better…a snow day! I love the beauty of freshly fallen snow. If it’s going to be cold, I want there to be snow on the ground. The kids (and Homer) love to play outside.
Sweater weather and flannel/fleece pjs!
Sweaters and pjs on repeat with the cold temps of winter.
Candles!
Don’t get it twisted, of course I love candles year round, but I love seasonal winter scents like peppermint, fireside marshmallow, and cranberry. They make the house feel extra cozy.
Comfort food! Bonus- I feel like meal planning is easier in the winter months because soups and chili are favorites in my house. Also, they provide leftovers which is another bonus. I use the slow cooker the most in the fall and winter which means getting dinner on the table quicker.
Celebrations!…followed by a fresh start. Of course, December is jam packed with Christmas festivities, and then I just love the quiet that January brings. It’s a time to start fresh, have a bit more down time, and ease into the new year.
What about you? What’s your favorite thing about winter? (if you have one) š
One of my favorite things about Christmas is putting ornaments on the tree. It’s always fun to open the ornament boxes and take a trip down memory lane. The kids always have a few faves, and I do too.
I will say that I wish that I’d done a better job through the years getting the kids ornaments every year. I’ve even been “bad” about picking up ornaments from places we have traveled. Maybe I can focus on that in the coming years. I just know when Travis and I got our first tree in December 2004, I was able to put a few ornaments from my childhood on the tree. I’d like the same for Hayden and Hadley. The kids definitely have ornaments because my mom is good about getting them for them, but I just wish I’d think of it throughout the year.
Also, I love the look of an assortment of ornaments. I don’t need the tree to be “matchy matchy.” That being said, both of the pencil trees are filled with neutral unbreakable ornaments because those are easy to put up in November when I pull those trees out. This year, I did add a few faves to the other pencil tree once we started decorating.
Here are some of my favorite ornaments on our living room tree:
My childhood ornaments.
I have quite a few from my childhood including the 1980 silver bell (that could use a good polishing), two angels (one of which I painted when I was a kid), and an ornaments from Mrs. Overby, my 3rd grade teacher.
While the one of Trav doesn’t hang on our tree, I love it (and look for it every year on his mom’s tree.)
From the kids…
The kids have made quite a few cute ornaments through the years at school. We always loved receiving those. The snow globes are faves and you can’t beat a salt dough ornament.
I love the snowman family hand print.
Also, we used to make an ornament every year to give to the grandparents, and I always had them make one extra for our tree. One year, we made the little present to give to family.
Other faves:
My grandpa used to carve, and he made the Santa ornament. We all have one. Last year, my friend gave me the Betty White ornament, and I love it. My dad’s cousin who hosts Christmas Eve, always gives us a nice glass ornament. I love the cardinal one, but we’ve received so many beautiful ones through the years.
Of course, I love the “first Christmas” for the kids, and this was the main gift I gave in 2009! The kids were one month old, and I couldn’t really do much shopping. We have a few other “first Christmas” ornaments for them, and I also love our wedding ornament someone gave us.
My mom cross stitched this ornament…
Newest ornament
Shutterfly helped me out with a few new ornaments this year, and I decided to get one of Homer because we don’t have one for him!
What about you? What’s your favorite ornament on your tree? I plan on having blog posts the next couple of days, so come on back!
Where we shop for our moms in November (I overlooked the date and missed this post)
This month’s topic is: how you host holiday parties.
Well, my answer is short and sweet. I don’t. {š}
I decided to take a twist on this topic and share how we holiday.
Holiday Parties:
There are always a few parties that we attend. Trav’s work always has a Christmas party that is lots of fun. It’s family friendly and Santa is there.
Our friends always host a party in mid-December with neighborhood and school friends’ parents. There’s usually a beer tasting, live music, a specialty cocktail, great food, wonderful friends, and more! It’s always a fun get together.
Through the years, we’ve also attended my work Christmas party when we can, cookie decorating with moms and kids when the kids were younger, ornament exchanges, various “cookies with Santa” and more. One party that I miss is our neighborhood Christmas party. We used to have a progressive one with one house for apps, one for dinner, and one for dessert. Covid killed that one, but I hope we can bring it back in the future. It was always so fun.
Merry Christmas x 6:
Here’s our Christmas break down…
For many many years, I didn’t miss a Kansas City Christmas. Even once the kids were born, we were able to go most years. The first KC Christmas I missed was 2009 when the kids were one month old. Obviously, it was the best choice to stay home rather than drive nine hours (longer with babies) in the car.
A few years ago, we started going every other year.
Anyway, on the years we went to KC, the kids would write a note to Santa asking him to come a bit early, and our elf would take it to the North Pole. We’d celebrate the morning of December 22nd or 23 depending on our schedule. Then, we’d head to see family.
On the years we stay home, Santa comes on Christmas Eve, of course.
Thankfully, this has worked for our family quite well.
That being said, when we do go to Kansas City, we end up having a total of six Christmases! Six.
We have ours at home.
We celebrate on December 23rd with Trav’s family (We do this every year regardless of staying home or traveling for Christmas)
In Missouri, we go to my dad’s cousin’s house for Christmas Eve.
We spend Christmas morning with my dad.
Christmas afternoon with my mom.
Christmas evening with my Gma.
See…six Christmases! It’s a blessing, but it’s busy.
Letās Look:
There’s always a variety of food and activities at each of our Christmasesā¦
Christmas at home:
For our Christmas at home, I usually make a nice dinner for Christmas Eve or Christmas depending if we are staying home or not. Hadley always request salmon, and I make the green beans everyone loves along with Bob Evan’s mashed potatoes. We always make Shay’sPeppermint Mocha Bundt Cake for dessert.
Again, whichever day is our Christmas morning, I still always try to keep it pretty simple with cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. There have been times I’ve made monkey bread or a breakfast casserole too.
Christmas Eve Eve:
My mother-in-law always has lots of apps, and we usually have lasagna for dinner. Then we open gifts, followed by stockings. She’s the queen of baking, so there are lots of dessert options!
Christmas Eve:
At my dad’s cousin’s house, we always look forward to the salmon appetizer as well as other apps. Another cousin always make bacon wrapped jalapenos which are a hit. We always have a nice dinner, a gift exchange, and then usually play a board or card game as a family. It’s usually intense. haha
A favorite is Left, Right, Center!
Christmas morning:
At my dad’s, we open gifts, have breakfast (usually eggs, bacon, and mimosas (for the adults)), and then watch A Christmas Story.
Christmas afternoon:
Once we get to my mom’s we open presents and stockings. Then, by this point, we’ve already eaten quite a bit over the last couple of days, so she usually just has some snacks for us. Typically, we watch another movie and I end up getting a nap!
Christmas evening:
At my grandma’s, she has a couple of appetizers, then we open gifts. After that, she always has a nice meal (sometimes prime rib!), and her table is always so festive.
Shew! So, that’s a little bit about how we holiday. Honestly, there are times I wish I took the initiative to host a party, but between the end of the semester at school, kids’ activities, and just the general busyness of December, it’s nice to celebrate with friends, but I just don’t seem to have the energy to host!
I can’t wait for the 2023 Let’s Look topics. Until then, I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season.
…so today I’m sharing this one (and my answers) that I found on Pinterest.
T or T Holiday Edition:
Real tree or fake tree: When we first got married, we bought a tree that lasted for years. Then, we purchased another artificial one and didn’t have great luck. So, for about six years now, we’ve picked out a tree at our favorite place.
That being said, you know I love my two pencil trees from Michael’s. They stay up November-January.
White lights or colored lights: I think one year we had colored lights on our tree (probably a request from the kids), but otherwise I do prefer white lights.
Matching pjs or matching Santa hats: Well, I don’t know about matching, but I’m all about Christmas/winter pjs for myself. The kids have kind of “out grown” that phase, but I still always buy them Christmas (plaid) pjs for their November birthday. I miss the days of little ones in cute Christmas pjs though.
2010
Angel topper or star topper:Neither…and for no real reason other than we never had either, and one year I purchased a big bow that we’ve continued to use through the years.
Santa leaves wrapped or unwrapped gifts: I grew up with Santa leaving unwrapped gifts, and that’s what we do. I remember when Travis and I first had this conversation once we had kids. I didn’t realize Santa wouldever think to wrap presents. haha
Gingerbread houses or Christmas cookies:both. One evening, we usually decorate gingerbread houses. Honestly, I wouldn’t be upset if we didn’t do this, but Hadley, especially, loves this tradition. Now, the kids are old enough to do this themselves. Also, we bake cookies the week before Christmas. I find that we really don’t have time before break, so I just wait, and we usually bake the first day we are out of school.
Home Alone or Elf:Home Alone all the way. It’s one of my favorite holiday movies!
I’ll share this on Instagram. I’d love to know your answers!
Today, I’m sharing one of my favorite posts of the year…
Honestly, not too much has changed since last year, and I even referenced this post when I started getting out my Christmas decorations. That being said, of course I picked up a few new things, and I always love getting a peek inside other people’s homes…especially during the holidays.
So, come on it!
Front Porch:
Of all the spaces, the front porch pretty much stays the same from year to year.
We’ve had rain for the past few days, so I wasn’t able to get a pic, but here it is last year:
That being said, I haven’t picked up the fresh garland from Trader Joe’s yet, and I did pick up a new doormat at Michael’s this year. I think I will leave it out all winter.
We didn’t put lights out this year. We might get to it this weekend, but I had to tell myself that it’s ok if we don’t get it all done in this season of our lives.
Decorating early:
In early November, I put up my two pencil trees. One goes in the sun room…
…and the other goes in the living room until we get our real tree.
Front hall:
The front hall table is one of my favorites spots.
I picked up a couple of new things including the green and red frosted tree at Michael’s as well as the new tealight set from Amazon.
Living Room:
I did change the chest in the living room up a bit this year. I added a new tree from Home Goods and put lights on the tree and mirror. Then, the rest of the string of lights fit perfectly in the snowman lantern.
….and we played “musical trees” with one of the pencil trees. Once we got our real tree, we moved this one to the corner behind the chair in the living room. I love the reflection of the tree in the mirror as well as the extra glow of light in the living room.
The Santa that sits on the fire place is one of my favorites, and then I have a few festive odds and ends that I put on the antique chest.
I love the contrast of our new dark brown leather couch with the white pillows. (Truth be told, 90% of the time, the couch is covered for Homer, but I do love this set up when we can enjoy it.)
The tray on the coffee table holds the same flocked tree I’ve had for years as well as a candle. I usually leave the tray styled this way through January for winter.
Our built ins house a few decorations like ornaments, a snow globe and nativity scene. The light up present is one of my favorites. I’ve had it for years.
Office:
I joke that we are a “5-7 day business” tree decorating family. We got it on a Sunday, let it “fall” until the next day. Then, Travis strung the lights, and on the fifth day, we finally had time to hang the ornaments. #itsaprocess
Ta da….!
The nutcrackers and presents top our office cabinet.
Festive Touches:
Some of my favorite pieces are the most meaningful. I’ve always loved this pic of the kids with Santa. Also, when the kids were a month old, I took this photo of them under the tree. I put it out every year. Lastly, last year, my Gma gave us this framed sewing hoop with ice skates that she made. It sits on our desk in the office.
Kitchen:
I always change out the tray that sits on our island. I love the snowman that holds the tea light, and the candle in the lantern provides an extra glow.
I picked up the tartan plate at Home Goods this year, and love it next to the Trader Joe’s candle. An easy way to decorate is by switching out kitchen towels. I put the monogrammed one out every year.
For the second year in a row, we put out the Christmas village. On the cabinet, I add ornaments to the cloche that sits out year round. The cabinet is also perfect for the snowy tree and Christmas dishes. The mini wreath with red ribbon is the perfect finishing touch.
Last year, Hadley got the Christmas village organized. She helped me again this year. Hayden promptly moved the pieces around, and now I often find the village rearranged from day to day.
I’ve had the tree pillow and chair decorations for years. In our cabinet, I have one of my snow globes, a Christmas tree that my Gma painted years ago, and a Merry and Bright plaza lights (KC people #iykyk) print that my mom gave me last year. We have three swags with ribbon for our chairs, and they’ve yet to be #homered through the years.
This is the second year that I hung the stockings on the side with command strips rather than using stocking holders. The mantle is the same as last year…
…except I did pick up these gold bell trees at Michael’s. (A few new things this year from Michael’s, but just one trip to Michael’s! haha)
I still love my plates from Target. I have Santa, snowman, and Christmas tree plates that we use this time of the year.
The plaid table runner is a festive touch, and I just add in some faux holly trees and ornaments to the tray.
Sun room:
The sun room is easy to decorate with pillows, a red and white blanket and berry wreath.
The pillows add more pops of red and green.
A mix of trees and ornaments as well as a candle are on the tables out there.
Bedroom:
Musical trees continued when I moved the sun room tree into the bedroom. Since we decided to keep the other pencil tree in the living room, but I still wanted one in our bedroom, I moved the sun room tree. The pencil trees sure are easy to move aroundā¦š While I miss a tree in the sun room, we don’t really hang out there this time of the year.
The crock that holds a tea light and another tree are all that I have in our room (besides the pencil tree and a candle). I just wanted a few festive touches. I love falling asleep to the glow of the tealight in the crock after I turn off my tree.
In last year’s post, I mentioned that I’d thought about decorating all of the house in early November because last year I felt like by the time I finally got everything put out, it was time to take it down. This year, I had the house mostly decorated by mid-November, and that has felt like a really good compromise.
By January, I’ll be ready to get the house back in order after a few months of fall/Christmas decorations. That being said, the pencil trees may stay out through January. I love the glow of the light in the winter months.
Thanks so much for reading. See you back here tomorrow for Friday Favorites.
Well, ’tis the season for holiday parties which has me thinking about possible outfits these next few weeks.
Today, I’m sharing outfit ideas from a variety of places (online boutique, Amazon, Target, DSW, Old Navy, and Walmart). Some of these pieces I own, and others are just ideas.
I would have loved to try on more outfits, but lack of time and lack of daylight caught up with me.
Outfit 1:
This is definitely a dressier option. I actually ordered this black dress from Shop Style Your Senses. I have a few pieces from this shop, and have loved them all.
The clutch is a new fave of mine and is perfect for a more semi/formal occasion.
Then, depending on the weather, your mood, or the attire details, you could wear tall boots, heels, or booties.
I love this new blouse I picked up from Amazon recently (I have it in two colors!) paired with black skinny jeans. For a little holiday sparkle, these silver pumps (named “the Jen” –how perfect!) do the trick. My favorite quilted crossbody purse (huge price drop!) in black is the perfect accessory.
So, I actually tried the Vegan Leather Split-Hem Flare Leggings from Abercrombie & Fitch, but they were too long on me. If you are interested, it appears that they are now on clearance.
Proof that I know our phones are tracking us, these cropped ones (less than $20) popped up in a Walmart ad.
I saw this pic of the model when I ordered the pants which got me thinking…
…about a similar outfit I could put together with my new “rose” colored sweater and glittery heels. Again, the clutch would be a perfect match for the heels.
(FYI: I ordered the pants in both medium and large and kept the medium)
*please excuse the dusty mirror
Outfit 4:
Nothing screams holiday like a plaid shirt.
I love a plaid shirt paired with denim or a skinny black pant. Red tartan and blue plaid are definitely my fave. You could wear the glitter pumps or stick with a more classic look with black pumps. Again, the quilted crossbody would be perfect for a more put together but not as dressy look.
Thanksgiving break is usually one of my favorite times of the year. Five days off is a good amount of time to travel, if needed. It’s also the right amount of days for laziness mixed with productivity.
This post could be alternatively titled: holiday whiplash
Over our break, we toggled back and forth between fall/Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Wednesday:
We had a slow start on Wednesday. Travis worked, I eased into the day, and the kids slept in. They kids played outside a bit, I had a few errands, and we just mostly hung out at home. That night, we watched Uncharted. I hadn’t heard of it, but Hadley picked it out (she’s a big Tom Holland fan) We all enjoyed it, and I’m guessing there will be a sequel.
Thanksgiving:
Again, it was so nice to not set an alarm. I was up around 7:30, had my coffee and watched TV for a bit. Eventually the kids got up, and I turned on the parade. I love this tradition.
We got ready to leave for Trav’s aunt’s house around 11:00. The kids let me snap a pic…
…before we headed to Elizabethtown. The weather was a beautiful on Thursday, so that was good. Trav’s family is big. There were close to 70 people at his aunt’s house! (and, believe me, that’s about half of the family!) We had a good visit with everyone, and the food was delish.
We got a pic before heading home…
…and I was in my Christmas pjs by 5:30.
That night, Travis suggested watching Friday Night Lights. Travis and I watched that entire series together back in the day. We watched the first couple of episodes, and the kids liked it.
Friday after turkey day:
I slept like a rock and was up around 8. Again, it felt so good to sleep in. While drinking my coffee, one of my first thoughts as how glad I was that I’d already decorated for Christmas. I love Thanksgiving, but by the Friday after, I’m ready to soak in Christmastime.
Travis and I both did some online shopping (from Amazon, Kohls, etc. I also shopped Antique Candle Co’s 30% off sale!) The candles arrived the next day. I couldn’t believe it!
Throughout the day, I watched some episodes of Holiday Baking Championship: Gingerbread Showdown and read my first book for December.
Then, Hadley and I went to Michael’s and Kroger. On the years we stay home for Thanksgiving, I usually go to Michael’s to pick up a couple of Christmas decorations since they are on sale that day. At Kroger, I picked up the soup ingredients for our leftover turkey soup. Then, we had lunch at home before the kids went and had fun with friends and family.
Hadley went to the UK volleyball game with a friend for her birthday, and Hayden went to hang with his cousins. Both were gone until later that evening, so I did some things around the house, watched more baking shows as well as the MU football game.
Later, Travis suggested we go to dinner since it was just the two of us. On the way, we stopped at Old Navy before heading to one of our favorite sushi restaurants. It was the place to be…we saw some friends, our neighbor, and then when we went to sit down, guess who was at the table next to us?! My brother and sister-in-law. What a coincidence! The server let us combine tables, so we ate and caught up with them.
Then, it was time to pick up the kids and head home.
Saturday:
Then, on Saturday, I made the soup and a pumpkin pie. Travis pointed out that I usually make one in the fall, and I hadn’t. Also, on Thanksgiving, I enjoyed other desserts because the one pumpkin pie was room temp. I like a chilled pumpkin pie!
Saturday’s temps were pretty good, so it was the perfect time to finish raking leaves and tossing the pumpkins that had been on my porch since mid-September. We also pulled the outside Christmas decorations out from the attic and got them situated. Pumpkins out, Christmas lights on!
Travis and the kids went to the UK football game, and I continued my downtime with episodes of Christmas Cookie Challenge while eating my soup and pie!
Sunday:
We went to church to celebrate the start of Advent season. Then, we picked out a couple of names from the Angel tree.
After church, we decided to stop by our favorite place, and pick out out Christmas tree. This Christmas shop is my fave:
Some of my favorite Santa pics have happened in this sleigh:
…and look at them now!
(I appreciate that they indulged their mother for this photo!)
The kids grabbed some hot apple cider while Travis paid for the tree we picked out.
When we got home, I finished up the Christmas decor by moving the skinny tree that’s been in the living room and adding the bow to the mirror.
…while Hadley helped at the family Advent workshop at church. Santa said she’s been good this year!
Once everyone was home, we watched the Chiefs game, had leftover soup, and prepped for back to school.
We had a really great few days at home. There were times I felt “guilty” for being a bit lazy, but I also know that I needed it…and will need it to get through the month of December!
What was the best part of your Thanksgiving (break?) ?
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, so it’s the perfect time to take a moment to give thanks and be grateful.
Of course I’m grateful for a roof over my head, my healthy family, a rewarding job, Homer, starting my mornings with a warm cup of coffee, Amazon, grocery pick up and more. This is a natural time of the the year to count blessings and feel grateful. That being said, I know there are many who are going through so much more whether it’s a diagnosis, loss of a loved one, job loss and more.
I’m taking a moment to pause and think about all of the things, both big and small, for which I am grateful.
I am grateful for:
Travis.
Shew! I couldn’t do life without him. He’s the ying to my yang, the calm to my crazy, and just simply the best. We are a true team, and there’s no way I could juggle doing all the things while working full time and getting the kids where they need to be without him. Also, he’s just such a positive person who encourages and supports me. He’s there for all of us. Always.
(& of course, Iām thankful for my kids as well. They get our attention all of the time, so sometimes I need to remember to give a shout out to T-rav!) ā¤ļø
My friends.
I have such a great group of “mom” friends as I call them. Without the kids, I wouldn’t have met these wonderful ladies. That being said, this year, in particular, I’ve gotten to know some of the moms of middle school friends that the kids have made. What a blessing it is to expand my circle. I appreciate moms who treat my kids as their own, give them a ride if needed, and even text them “Happy Birthday.” I hope these friendships, both old and new, continue for years and years and years!
A rewarding job with a calendar that allows for me to be present with my kids on days off. I’m not exactly sure how to word this…I don’t mean that I’m working only for days off. š
I really enjoy my job, and it’s so fulfilling.
I just mean that it’s nice to have natural breaks throughout the year where I know that I will be home with my kids, that I’m able to pick them up after school most days, plan visits with out of town family and more. I’ve lived off a school calendar since 1985, and I just appreciate having the built in time through the year to be at home, recharge, spend time with family, and get things accomplished without having to stress about taking days off.
My health.
Now listen…I know I’m not 25 anymore…and well, I wish I had appreciated my health back then! That being said, this year has been good for me in regards to getting on track with workouts and tracking what I eat. I’ve seen results that I haven’t seen in years. I think it took a bit for my hormones to level out after my hysterectomy. And, to be honest, while I’ve regularly exercised through the years, I needed to buckle down more on nutrition. While I’m forever a work in progress, I appreciate that I’ve taken the time for myself to workout four to five days a week and eat with “progress, not perfection” in mind.
As I type this, I haven’t had a good couple of weeks. We’ve been extra busy which means I haven’t been getting my workouts in like I’ve been doing consistently for so long. Also, my eating has not even been 80/20…feels more like 60/40 the past month or so. And…I’ve tweaked my back again. Last week, when I pulled the Christmas decorations out of the attic, I felt a twinge…and now it’s a constant pain (literally and figuratively). Once or twice a year, this tends to happen to me. I’m hoping to take it easy, and then starting Friday, I’m focusing on a plan for decent nutrition and workout schedule to get me to 2023!
Quiet mornings.
I’ve taken advantage of getting up before the rest of the house for years. That being said, with constantly busy days and evenings, that quiet time in the morning has become even more necessary. I need to ease into the day with a little “me time” that includes a cup of coffee, my favorite blogs, and right now, the glow of the Christmas tree.
You! Y’all are the best! Thank you so much for stopping by, reading, and commenting on my posts. I’ve enjoyed getting to know so many of my readers and appreciate this community so much. Show Me and Sweet Tea is a fun hobby for me, and I appreciate the support so much!
Before I go, I just thought I’d share one of my favorite recipes again. We always make this Turkey Rice Soup the day after Thanksgiving. It’s a family favorite. I thought you might enjoy it too.
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. See you back here next week.
