Happy Friday! I hope you are having a great week – relaxing if that’s what is best for you, full of activities if you want that, or a mix if you’re feeling like a little of both. I have had a mix for both this week. I’ve been pretty productive a few evenings and enjoyed some calmer evenings, too.
Before I get to my favorites, I need to share a little Hello Monday news. Holly and I are so excited to continue hosting Hello Monday in 2024! We are going to take a two week break and start up on January 8th. Hello Monday is an open ended link up to share whatever you are thinking on a Monday morning. Be on the lookout for a new link up image and we hope you’ll join us again on January 8th.
Ok, on to my favorites!
Favorite 1: COWBELL!! One of the parents at Jack’s high school swim meet was handing out cow bells and I am so excited to use it. Jack only had one event left to swim when I got it, but I rang it hard for that event. It is so fun and the parents are making a bunch of noise in the stands!
Favorite 2: SWIM MEETS! We volunteered at a swim meet on Saturday morning for the kids’ club team. It was fun to watch the big kids take charge and help the little guys.
Jack swam in the big kid distance meet on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. He swam really well, but I think he’s ready for a little break from racing. He had a swim meet six out of ten days recently and that’s a lot!
Favorite 3: HOLIDAY PARTY! We had a great time at a Christmas party last weekend. I didn’t take any pictures at the party because we were having too much fun catching up with friends! Jeff and I grabbed a quick selfie when we got home.
Favorite 4: WINTER SOLSTICE! I bet that is a surprise to anyone who’s been here for very long. Why in the world would I love a time when the sun shines for the very shortest amount of time?? Well, it’s because I know that this is the worst it will be. From here on out, the days get longer and we have more sunshine. I loved these posts about the winter solstice.
Favorite 5: WREATH! We had a wreath making/decorating contest at school last week and I won most unique! I was pretty excited and I loved how my wreath turned out! I had this garland my office and usually put it in one of my showcases or use it to decorate my door each December. This year I wrapped it around a metal wreath frame and put a few book covers behind it. I think it turned out darling!
Favorite 6: GIGGLES! Did you see this floating around on the internet this season? It made me laugh so much!
Favorite 7: VILLAGE! We added a few more shelves to our home library. We also added a few more things to my Christmas village that we found in my mom’s basement from my grandmother. As we rearranged, we made this Griswold set up. I am hoping to add Cousin Eddie’s RV next year!
Favorite 8: FAMILY!! This one hasn’t happened yet, but I am really looking forward to spending time with family this weekend. I love our Christmas traditions and how we have so much time to hang out together.
I am not sure when I’ll be back here posting. I’m hoping for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday next week but I am not making any guarantees. I am looking forward to our winter break which starts today around noon. I’ll still wake up pretty early but it won’t be to an alarm all week! I hope you have a chance to do something to feed your soul in the next week or so – relax, travel, keep your routine, exercise, cook, whatever it may be. Have a wonderful weekend full of sunshine and books!
I’m hoping for Wed., Thurs., and Friday next week too but we’ll see.. That Griswold village set up is adorable. It looks like you have had a lovely week. Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas My Friend!
I came home from work yesterday and my husband said, “well, today is the worst it will be – tomorrow the days start getting longer” – ha! It was just the thing I needed to hear :). Two of my favorites in life are the title of your blog!! Merry Christmas – I hope the time with your family this holiday season gives you lots of energy to start 2024 with happiness in your heart.