Hi friends!
Happy Wednesday. I’m excited to spend a little bit of today with you. Thank you so much for stopping by. You’re what keeps this blog running. That, and copious amounts of coffee. Just joking…kind of. A girl loves her coffee. But, seriously, this blog exists because of YOU, and I’m so thankful for each and every one of you. To show my thanks, I’m sharing four fun holiday recipes with you. Some are from my home, and some are from the McKenna clan from my Alaskan Courage series. I hope you enjoy it!
I don’t know about you, but for me, it’s so hard to believe we’re nearly halfway through December. With everything going on (see last month’s post and add in deadlines—yep, plural), this month is flying by, and the truth is, I don’t want it to be.
I want December to be the month I slow down—the month of drinking hot chocolate in front of the fire. Given that we moved to Florida, and it’s a glorious 80 degrees today, it’s iced mochas on the beach. But the sentiment is the same. I want this month to be a time of family—nights spent playing games and enjoying Christmas movies. I am with my family, and I’m grateful, but it’s seriously all going by in a blur.
So, with you as my accountability squad (I’ll report on the 25th when it’s my turn to blog), I will slow down, even if it’s for an hour to play a game. I’ll stop working earlier so I can enjoy at least one Christmas movie a week. I will not write on Sundays (this should be a yearly commitment on my part). I will order that iced mocha and go for a walk on the beach. And, most importantly, I will set aside extra time to read my Christmas Advent devotional during my Bible time.
I know lots of us get an idyllic picture of what this Christmas will be like. Perfectly decorated and cleaned houses. Presents wrapped just right. A beautiful Christmas-morning breakfast display, and the list goes on. And, for those, it goes that way—that’s awesome. But for many of us, myself most definitely included, it ends up with bows askew, dog hair on the floor, the house decorated in a fun, kid flurry, throw-in spilled milk, and a burnt breakfast casserole. Okay, I just gave you a far too accurate glimpse into my life ☺
The point is, this month, I pray we all slow down. Not to be perfect and have everything just right, because I’m convinced there is no perfect. Other than our God, of course. I think, instead, it’s a balance of not letting Christmas pass us by but not getting consumed with making everything perfect either. Just taking time to thank God for the gift of His Son, the amazing gift of our blessings, and the time we get to spend with them this Christmas season. So, from my messy, somewhat chaotic house to yours, I wish you a wonderful Christmas. One filled with love, laughter, and joy. And maybe a little dog hair.
Blessings,
Dani
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I usually make a point to slow down in December, as you mentioned, but that hasn’t happened this year–partly due to traveling over the late Thanksgiving week and partly due to some editing deadlines. But I’m trying to make time here and there to enjoy, just as you are. I’m really hoping to wind down so I can enjoy the days my daughter is in town over the holidays!
Those recipes look so fun to make! And so glad you are making time to enjoy the season and especially remember the Reason for it!
Hope you enjoy them if you make some of the recipes.
Hope you have a wonderful time what your daughter. How special 🙂
If by slow down, you mean welcome all my kiddos (6 of them) back into my house for a crazy Christmas break, then I’m all in! 🙂 So looking forward to the pause of school and to enjoying my people.
Thank you for the recipes, and have a very Merry Christmas to you and your family, Dani! May your Florida weather remain mild and beautiful. No more storms!
Dani, I love your words, pictures and books. I don’t have even my wreath up yet. No decorations. A week ago Monday, part of my apartment was flooded by a water pipe on the third floor apt. All 6 apt. had damage. Now, the fans are gone and our carpets are all stained. Complex refuses to replace just going to steam clean. I say all this to share my prayers to Jesus. “Please Lord keep me bacteria and toxins from hurting my immune system. In His name, Amen. ” Jesus is with me always even if, I don’t decorate.
As far as coffee goes, I just love Gingerbread and Peppermint Mocha by Starbucks!
Merry Christmas!