Glimpses of Christmas

My daughter just asked me if I had written a blog post lately.

"Nope," I said.  It's not that I've planned NOT to.  It just hasn't happened.

She thought about it for a moment and replied, "People probably think you've fallen off the turnip truck!"  -- which really made me chuckle.

Since our daughter was quite young, she got the idea of verbal "expressions," but she got this one all wrong.  I tried to explain to her that she was thinking of the expression:

"I didn't just fall off the turnip truck yesterday!'

which is the equivalent of

"I wasn't born yesterday!"

which does not mean the same thing as

"People will think you've fallen off the face of the earth."

OR saying that somebody has

"fallen off the wagon."

Did you follow any of that?  If not, don't worry about it.  It's just a long way of telling you that my daughter's words lit a fire under me, and here I am writing another post... finally.

So, guess what happened today?  The sun came out.  Really.  Our area isn't usually quite this gray in December, so this morning when the sun came out after SEVERAL really gray days -- well, I grabbed the camera just like I told you I would.

I feel like the decorations around here are a little half-hearted this year.  As I mentioned in previous posts, there's been a lot going on around here.  I've got one more afternoon of childcare tomorrow, and then I am home-free.  But life has been busy, and rather than stress out about what isn't done, I'm just letting it be.  For me, I'm just looking for some peace this holiday season -- not polished perfection.  Can I get an AMEN?  Let me also say that I salute those of you that have the time and ambition to "do it up big."  {And p.s., I have enjoyed touring your homes!}

MOVING RIGHT ALONG.  Sorry if I am belaboring that[above] point this year, but I am mostly preaching to myself that it's okay to keep it simple.  Thanks for bearing with me.

In keeping with simplicity -- I'd like to share a few Christmas scenes from around our home.  It felt good to take advantage of the sunshine this morning to get these shots.  EnJOY!

The weirdest thing happened this year.  I stocked up on candy canes -- specifically a brand that I've been buying for lots of years... cheap and delicious.  My daughter opened one to snack on, and it had ZERO peppermint flavor!!!  Have you ever had that happen?  Weird, right?  So, as far as my family is concerned... I purchased a Christmas decoration -- not a SNACK!  Oh well, fewer calories that way!

Simplicity :: A woven tray filled with pretty collections in jars and bowls.

I LOVE this silly little ornament.  I'm not sure if it's because that roof looks a little bit Mary Engelbreit-ish, if it's that glitter, or if it's a little bit of the Scandinavian looks that I love.  Each year I try to find a little place of honor for this gem.  Do you do that with favorite ornaments, or do they automatically go on the tree?

Speaking of little gems -- have you tried these Candy Cane Tootsie Pops?  They are awesome!  I happened to be standing behind a lady at Target who was purchasing them, and when I inquired, she really bragged on how delicious they were.  Hmmm.  She should know that she got me hooked! [as in "who cares if the candy canes have no flavor!"  LOL

This little scene [below] is atop my microwave.  Do you like the little runner?  It's wrapping paper from the Christmas Dollar Spot at Target.  I can't tell you how many times I have looked for that ever-blogged-about gold polka-dotted paper at Target.  No dice.  It's always GONE.  But I spotted this and just couldn't resist.  I knew I'd find something to do with it.  Hey - I might even wrap gifts with it! *wink

Thanks for stopping by to see my glimpses of Christmas!  May your Christmas Season be filled with GREAT JOY, remembering the REASON for the season -- Jesus Christ!

I'm linking up over at Nesting Place for the 2014 Christmas Tour of Homes,

and at the 2nd Annual Holiday Home Link Party.