All is Calm

this mini sock pattern is free on my site and on Ravelry

All is calm....for now.  Tomorrow our daughter and son in law arrive as the first wave of family kick off the holiday season.  On Monday our son and his girlfriend arrive as the second wave.  I'm getting excited but I am embracing the calm days as we approach the BIG day. 

Even though I am embracing the quiet, it's been a busy week.  I finished wrapping presents, I finished baking all the cookies on my list and my new fridge and dishwasher arrived on Wednesday.  A new fridge is a big deal.  I have more room than ever and every time I go in for something, I end up rearranging food.  We tried our best to eat as much from the freezer as possible - we are still working on that.

The old dishwasher was original to the house and approximately 18 years old.  I was correct in that the dishwasher was not cleaning the way it should (yuck).  Just thinking of the filth swirling about gives me the creeps.  However we are alive and well so I guess it wasn't too unsanitary.


Even though I am caught up on my to do list, I have more to add.  Today and tomorrow morning will be cleaning the house.  Did I save the best for last?  I don't think so.  My husband is off for his Christmas break so it's been nice to have him home even though he is working from home still trying to catch up on odds and ends.

my mom made all the napkins a long time ago


Ordinarily I wish for a white Christmas, but since my company will be traveling I'm okay with the forecasted green Christmas.  I can still wear lots of wool when it's 40 degrees out! 


Today I am grateful for:

-all the cookies
-Holly's purring
-Frodo's snuggling
-phone calls from the kids
-texts from my son in law as we update each other on our baking triumphs
-Christmas music 24/7
-seeing coyote tracks in my yard -  hopefully a pass through!
-the deer who watch me watching them

my mess is an okay mess
 -the power of a well curated to do list
-morning writings
-getting lost in a good book
-focusing on the positive
-new yarn


-twinkle lights
-surprising his mother with a flower delivery
-long time gym habits
-new appliances!
-black olives and pickles and apples (not eaten together)
-the kindness of others
-feeling contentment
-my faith


Are you enjoying calmness?  What are you grateful for today?


Comments

  1. JuliannDecember 20, 2019 at 8:45 AM

    Enjoy the quiet before the bustle and joy! Your gratitude list is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. wisps of wordsDecember 20, 2019 at 10:53 AM

    You sound as if you could "Write The Book," on "How To Do Christmas" in a calm and gentle way!!!!!!!! And what a wonderful Christmas Present, to YOurself!!!

    Simply wonderful.... -smile-

    And look, you have blogged the perfect Plan... And you can look back on it, from year to year. I'd say you are having a lovely Christmas Holiday, already.

    "Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays
    'Cause no matter how far away you roam
    When you pine for the sunshine of a friendly gaze
    For the holidays you can't beat home sweet home!"
    ♬ 🎶 ♫

    ReplyDelete
  3. AsKatKnitsDecember 20, 2019 at 12:29 PM

    Your pictures are so warm and welcoming, Karen! I am sending you and your family the best wishes for the Happiest of Christmas' xo

    ReplyDelete
  4. AriaDecember 20, 2019 at 1:33 PM

    Wow it was very nice to share such a list of things you are grateful for. Remembering to be grateful is something I always like to be reminded to practice.

    My list would be something like:
    Christmas
    Break from school
    Time with friends today
    New friends
    Living in Europe
    Learning
    My family
    Books
    Information that is avalible for free
    Knitting

    ReplyDelete
  5. BridgetDecember 20, 2019 at 2:05 PM

    I'm so glad you have some time to enjoy the quiet - but I know you will have a lovely Christmas, which is the whole point. Enjoy it all.

    ReplyDelete
  6. sustainablemumDecember 20, 2019 at 4:09 PM

    Such a wonderful post. I love your gratitudes, so many wonderful things to be grateful for. I wish your family a safe journey to you and hope you all have a lovely time together.

    I was doing so well until today, we had to go out a 3pm and a 2pm I was wondering where the day had gone and we had so much to do before we went out! Ooops. Thank goodness for older children who are great helpers when mum has lost track of time!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Deb J. in UtahDecember 20, 2019 at 5:02 PM

    You have such a lovely, cozy home. So glad you have a wonderful family Christmas planned. Merry Christmas to all!

    ReplyDelete
  8. elizabethDecember 20, 2019 at 5:59 PM

    That's really lovely! I pray that you have a blessed Christmas!🎄

    ReplyDelete
  9. StefanieDecember 20, 2019 at 10:07 PM

    I'm grateful I finally figured out what to get my husband for Christmas. I'm grateful he unplugged the dishwasher so I don't have to handwash dishes!

    ReplyDelete
  10. kathy bDecember 21, 2019 at 1:59 PM

    We are about to drive to Chicago to get Zach! Im excited, But the grief thing is making me tired too. I love Christmas, so it is a good distraction, or focus however I see it at the moment. You look like you are a GO! I am too. Mostly just wondering what to knit during MY moments. lots of car travel in next two days.
    Merry Merry Christmas

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jeannie Gray KnitsDecember 22, 2019 at 10:59 AM

    I admire your calmness. I'm in full panic mode but I have a plan and 1,000 lists so I should survive. Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  12. JaneDecember 22, 2019 at 7:57 PM

    Your photos carry your Christmas spirit and love. Enjoy your family. And can I say Wow to a dishwasher that has lasted 18 years. Our three year old dishwasher - a Kitchen Aide - needs such an expensive repair, it makes more sense to buy a new one. So frustrating. For now we are hand washing. Good thing we aren't having a crowd here this year.

    ReplyDelete
  13. VeraDecember 23, 2019 at 9:44 AM

    Sounds/looks like you are ready! Enjoy your family and have fun.

    ReplyDelete

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