From My Home to Yours
~ It's the week before Christmas, and all through the house, we're not hustling and bustling, nor trying to figure things out ... ~
Careful and intentional planning all through the year has made this status possible. I started in January making plans and setting goals for this holiday season ...
We started a Christmas fund ...
I kept my eyes and ears open for things my loved ones might want or need and made note of them, so I wouldn't forget ...
We gave ourselves permission to say 'no' to too many activities. Home is a very precious place to be, especially during the holidays ...
and I started making and creating things for our gift trunk that would serve us all through the year when a gift was needed, including Christmas.
These four things have made all the difference in the world in the amount of stress in our lives during the holiday season.
In fact, my thoughts are already turning to next year and what I want our holiday season of 2026 to look like. I'll take what worked this year and tweak what didn't work for next year. A quiet Christmas is not possible for everyone and in fact, not everyone wants a quiet Christmas. Some people thrive on the hustle and bustle and that's okay too! Isn't it wonderful to be different and accepting of each other's differences of how we celebrate the holidays?
So what did our week look like if we weren't hustling and bustling about?
It began with frigid, extremely cold temperatures for our area. We knew these frigid temperatures were coming so we spent Saturday afternoon doing last minute preparations. Because of that, we were able to weather the artic blast with little to no discomfort.
While nestled in our warm home, I ...
started a batch of garlic tincture (sorry, no picture)
cooked down and canned collards I harvested last Saturday from our garden (our high for Saturday was in the 60's, perfect weather for working outside) ...
made a batch of ham salad and enjoyed it in a tortilla wrap for lunches ...
we both had check-up's with our doctor this week and got good reports ...
watched Christmas movies ...
went out to dinner and enjoyed a drive through Christmas lights event afterward ...
I made a little after 'Santa comes' funny for our grands and sent it to them. I also reached out to their parents and told them that if the packages got their before Christmas that they needed to hide them until after Christmas day. You'll understand my request when you read the tag in the picture! (Reindeer poop = chocolate covered raisins!)
And finally, I hope you will take what I'm about to share in the spirit that it is intended. Look at this beautiful gift I received from a reader. These items came all the way from Australia and the giver made them all herself ...
a tote bag for pack and go hand work projects or to carry my Bible and study to a Bible study class ...
a handkerchief that is just too beautiful to use so it will be displayed in my home as decor ...
The perfect sized sewing kit that will take up residence in my purse for those unexpected repair needs when we're away from home ...
and if the gifts weren't enough, the giver wrote me such an encouraging note inside the Christmas card (thank you again, you know who you are), and this is where I want to park for a minute with the hopes that you understand my heart ...
There are not many of us writers/content creators/bloggers that share with the intent to encourage with no monetary intent. (Please understand that there is nothing wrong with choosing to create content for the purpose of income. I, myself have contemplated it in the past and even put out some feelers, but my heart is just not in it. Should there come a time when finances dictate a need, I would likely try it full throttle, but until or if such a time occurs, I'm happy to continue blogging as a ministry. I'm saying all this so that you will understand that what I'm about to say next in no way casts a shadow on those who blog for income.) Those of us who blog without financial purpose, need encouragement. For those who blog with income in mind, their encouragement comes with their income. Those of us who blog without financial purpose need to know that we are making a difference, that we are helping and encouraging others. We watch our 'visits' numbers and links 'clicked' just like those blogging for financial gain. We wait for the comments and opportunities to interact with our readers. For us, it's about the communities of like minded people we are trying to bring together and encourage. When the 'numbers' fall low and the comments just aren't there, we get discouraged and wonder if it's time to walk away.
With all these thoughts in mind, I'd like to make a list of like-minded blogs, Facebook groups or Facebook pages similar to mine that are not income based and post it here. The first ones that comes to my mind are ...
The Bluebirds are Nesting on the Farm (blog)
Country Home and Hearth (Facebook page)
The Tuesday Afternoon Club (Facebook group)
Help me out, let's make a list! If you know of a like-minded blog, group or page that is not income-based, please leave the name and it's online address in the comments. I'll check them out and possibly add them to the list here.
And if you're of a mind and if you enjoy their content and are encouraged by it, leave them a comment of encouragement on their blog, page or group! I can't think of a better way to spread some holiday cheer!
One more thing ... the next time I write to you Christmas will be over and it will be the day after, so let me take this opportunity to wish all of you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!
~ MEERRRRRRRY CHRISTMAS ~
Other Places You Can Find Me ...
Mrs. Patsi on Instagram
If you are encouraged by what you read here, please consider supporting my work via one of the following ways. Your expressions of appreciation help me keep my pantry well-stocked and me motivated to keep on keeping on with my attempts to inspire and encourage you (Titus 2:3-5) through my writings!
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