The Holiday Preparations


I had every intention of walking about outside and snapping some photos, but we are in the deep freeze.  Just the thought of choosing to be outside in ten degree weather with the winds whipping around had me chilled.  So I walked around the house instead and snapped some photos.

Are you ready for the holidays?  I guess I'm almost ready.  I've been procrastinating on the baking something fierce.  My reasoning is that if I wait then I won't have to freeze them.  I love my excuse.   Today my son arrives (yay!) and so we begin phase one of the holiday visitors.


Phase two begins when my daughter and son in law arrive December 27th (for a week!).  The days will be busy and my house will be crazy and messy in some ways.  I am determined to soak in all the goodness.  Each year I get better and ignoring the messy tables.  

Phase three is when my sister, brother in law and nephew arrive on December 30th.  I am super excited!!


Everyday when I prepare dinner, I play Christmas music and sing along.  I've wrapped and labeled and sketched out the menu plans with wiggle room to change my mind.  (I write a week's worth but each day I cook what I 'feel' like cooking).  My personal goal of Advent this year was to savor the waiting time.


Along with the holiday prepping, I've maintained a focus on limiting my internet time.  The less time I spend on the internet, the more productive and serene I am.  Simple really and yet I fall down the rabbit hole of reading and clicking again and again.


Are you ready?


Comments

  1. JuliannDecember 16, 2016 at 8:31 AM

    The first half of the month has been a wild ride but I am hoping to get back on track with some decorating, gift shopping, and cookie baking this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. VeraDecember 16, 2016 at 8:52 AM

    Looks like you are just about ready - enjoy!! Such fun to have visitors. I, too, have gotten much better at ignoring messes and just settling in and enjoying company. Hoping to bake and wrap this weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. karenDecember 18, 2016 at 5:00 PM

      I am working on ignoring the messes, slowly!

      Delete
  3. mamasmercantileDecember 16, 2016 at 8:58 AM

    Exciting times your son is home, enjoy the quality time spent together. I am perfect at ignoring the mess the children make preferring to focus on them. Have a good weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Caffeine GirlDecember 16, 2016 at 9:05 AM

    You are going to have a wonderful holiday! Mine is going to be very quiet. My daughter will visit from Florida, but my son is going to Israel, so we will be a small group. I am looking forward to lots of decluttering and crafting!

    ReplyDelete
  5. BonnyDecember 16, 2016 at 9:12 AM

    That is a lovely long stretch of visitors and it certainly sounds like you are ready. Safe travels to all and enjoy all three phases! I have a few last errands to run today before our winter storm tonight, but I'm procrastinating going out in the cold. Stay warm!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. karenDecember 18, 2016 at 5:01 PM

      Thank Bonny! I hope your boys take selfies of the knits that you made!

      Delete
  6. AnonymousDecember 16, 2016 at 10:52 AM

    I AM ready. Granted, our preparations are quite simple.

    Our son arrives on Sunday and we can hardly wait!!!! I haven't seen him in over a year! This mama is gonna have a happy Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousDecember 16, 2016 at 4:32 PM

    I'm SO not ready. I have shopping to do and had to put it off b/c something else came up. My little one would love your decorations. She's said days ago we don't have any Christmas spirit although she really wants her dad to put up outdoor lights; he's too tired this year; we'll try next year. We just have the tree up. I have to clean house so we can put up the stockings and Nutcracker up on the mantle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. karenDecember 18, 2016 at 5:02 PM

      I hope you get to the decorating! She should make some decorations to put up!!

      Delete
  8. AnonymousDecember 16, 2016 at 6:02 PM

    I am almost ready! The major gifts are wrapped, I still have the stocking stuffers to do...ugh...but otherwise gifts are under the tree. I made my butter crunch candy and, like you, I still need to bake cookies but I will do that next week. : ) Mary arrives home on the 22nd and Michelle on the 23rd. Kate is coming for a short visit on January 4th, before she moves to London. I'm very excited! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  9. kathy bDecember 17, 2016 at 3:15 PM

    I am ready. Lucky to be retired. Son arrives TOMORROW. Daughter wednesday. The snow here is breathtakingly beautiful. Fireman and I snow shoed this morning. I have a lot in my freezer: 3 kinds of cookies. Mrs. Claus is primarily responsible for the stockings and she has some last minutes to do. Over all I so enjoy looking at all the blogger's holiday photos this time of year especially

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. karenDecember 18, 2016 at 5:03 PM

      I love snow and wish I had some like you do! have fun with your family :)

      Delete
  10. margeneDecember 18, 2016 at 10:56 AM

    You know how much I love seeing Frodo. We are starting to look seriously into adding a someone to our lives. Soon(ish).

    ReplyDelete
  11. bDecember 18, 2016 at 12:59 PM

    It looks very cozy in your house and Frodo looks so handsome!

    ReplyDelete
  12. KimDecember 18, 2016 at 5:43 PM

    I have a few more bits and pieces of preparation, but not too much to do. Your home looks very festive and welcoming, I hope you and your family have a wonderful time. x

    ReplyDelete

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