Happy Wednesday! It’s the last Wednesday of the month so I am sharing what we’ve been up to and wrapping up the year 20203. I am not sure if the link up is happening, but I am going with it. Let’s get to it!

WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK…

On Sunday Christmas Eve, we had my favorite dinner of the year – a rib roast and potatoes cooked around the meat with a delicious glass of red wine or two.

On Monday, Christmas Day, I do not make dinner. We switched to appetizers and snacks years ago. This year we had ham and cheese sliders, crab meat and cocktail sauce on cream cheese, steamed shrimp, veggies and dip, and a delicious taco dip that I need to share with you all! 

On Tuesday, I announced that I would not be making any meals for days. We would be eating from the fridge until it was empty.

I really do not have any meals planned until next Monday when we’ll have pork tenderloin for New Year’s Day.

WHAT I’M LOVING…

Our Christmas Card from Basic Invite

Trader Joe’s Candy Cane body butter!

My fairy hair! I wasn’t sure it would work with curly hair, but I love it!

Time with family!

Last year I started a note on my phone called Thoughts 2023 with reminders of things I needed and didn’t need and it was amazing! I started Thoughts 2024 already and I’ve added all kinds of things to it including “get a haircut right before Thanksgiving” and “get a summer Christmas card photo”. 

WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO…

We’ve been having a great time celebrating, but I haven’t taken as many pictures as I’d hoped.

I did not take one picture after this one getting on 95 south on the busiest car travel day of the season…

but we went to my Aunt Donna and Uncle Roger’s house on Saturday to see my cousin and his wife and meet their sweet daughter. We had the best time catching up with everyone and traffic wasn’t so bad. 

We made cookies with my mom and dad. (Dad not pictured.)

We played Christmas Vacation bingo. It is our favorite Christmas movie and instead of calling out the number, we made each person describe the scene in the movie. 

We spent Christmas Eve morning with Jeff’s family.

This year Jeff’s mom planned a hilarious game. It was Steal/Greed/White Elephant style, only no one opened the bag that they picked. Once we all had our bag, Jeff’s mom said the rule was that you had to put on everything in your bag. It was so fun! Every bag had a Christmas lights headband and a flashing Rudolph nose. Some people had bell necklaces and others had Christmas ties. We laughed so hard when everyone opened. There were also gift cards in the bags and that’s when the trading really began.

We went to mass with my parents and then came back here for that delicious dinner.

My parents spent the night and then we were here together for Christmas morning.

On Christmas evening, Jeff’s parents and my parents came over for a bit.

Jack has two-a-day practices for swim this week. So we’ll be driving him back and forth to the pool four times a day.

WHAT I’M DREADING…

NOTHING!! It’s winter break!
Actually, as I think about it I am dreading packing up Christmas. I love having it out but I put it all away before I go back to work.

WHAT I’M WORKING ON…

I tend to make a list of things to get done over break and power through until break is over. Then I go back to work feeling accomplished but not quite as relaxed as I’d like. So I set three relaxation goals for winter break this year.
1. Watch at least part of the Today Show sitting down each day.
2. Read during the day every day.
3. Watch an entire movie. Hopefully the Barbie movie because I haven’t seen it.

I still made my list of things to do over break. It includes going through the boys drawers and getting the clothes that don’t fit out of them, making a few appointments, setting goals for 2024, and doing some blog and book planning for next year.

WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT…

Seven days without an alarm! Seven days of family time! Seven days of easy time to exercise! Seven days off from work!

WHAT I’M WATCHING/READING…

My family is reading their Jolabokaflod books this week, I think. I’ll share everyone’s book next week. Jeff gave me The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods and I can’t wait to start it in January!

I just finished a great book – Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin and Marisa Stapley

I am still reading Christmas books this week. I shared what I’ve been reading lately a few weeks ago.

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO…

I have been listening to the mix CD, now Spotify playlist, that my sister made for me years ago. She called it Annie’s Ultimate Christmas Album and it’s so good. Enjoy!

WHAT I’M WEARING…

I made this sweater for Christmas night this year. SQUIRREL!!

I plan on living in my Old Navy joggers for the rest of the week.

We exchange pajamas on Christmas Eve and I got these fabulous Lilly pjs. I plan on wearing them well into the morning every day over break. The funny thing about these pjs is that my sister and I were planning on getting them for my mom, but I changed my mind at the last minute. Thank goodness I did because Mom got a pair for herself, too. 

WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND…

I am not really sure. Hopefully long walks, reading, and laughing.

That’s it for today! I hope you are having a great last Wednesday of the year. I’ll be back tomorrow for Monthly Musings and on Friday to finish up the year with some favorites. I hope you are have a great day full of sunshine and books!