Blessings of the Ordinary

Right now, my Mom, who has the beginning stages of Alzheimer's, has taken a turn for the worse, {requiring two days in the hospital on Thanksgiving} and needs lots of care. And Mr. FgH and I will need to be making some tough decisions about that care. So, this year, I will do quite a lot less decorating, and leasurely probably won't happen as much, if at all.

Over the last few days, I have come to appreciate the beauty of the ordinary.

Things that are beautiful all by themselves, without the need of tinsel, ribbons or other embellishment.

Things that I had gotten used to, and didn't really "see" in all their glory any more. Things that we have been blessed with as a family.

Things that bring beauty and warmth to our lives. Our family. Our friends, whose love and support have meant more than they can imagine over the course of the last few days and weeks.

The same is true of decorating to celebrate Christmas. The glow of our chandelier prisms, how beautiful they are when the light hits them "just so" and they sparkle and shine. My little cement angel, who sits on a corbel next to our mantel in the living room, he looks so happy and beautiful just with a sprig of Juniper greens tucked behind him.

This is a shot from years ago of my kitchen, and my trusty Kitchen Aid, simply "decorated" with a clean, new Holiday Towel. Looks festive, so easy to add to the bowl, and brings a little pop of color for the holidays.

Sometimes it's the little simple things that make rooms festive, in my kitchen it's usually antique red towels, some holiday Teas and a few sprigs of greens. Cookies in an antique French glass jar. Maybe some twinkling lights above the cabinets. This year, I am so thankful for the small joys, and simple decorative touches that spell out C h r i s t m a s.

It's not necessary to have over the top decorations that take days and days to do to make your heart, and your home, a happy, loving warm place to be. There is something about that "It's a joy to be simple" that I am embracing fully this year. This is the season to celebrate, to gather those that you love, not the season to be stressed out. I am going to spend purposeful time enjoying our home, the peace of a half hour by the fire, sipping tea, sharing time with my friends, laughing, and being with our family.

I am fully embracing the beauty of this season, and I do intend to decorate our home. But it will be on a simpler, smaller scale, I will still relish in the preparations of getting our home ready to celebrate Christmas in all its beauty.

I wish you all joy as you decorate your homes for the holidays! And a blessed Advent for those who celebrate that.

XO Lidy