“The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.”
-Thomas Moore
How are things this week, friend? Kevin’s mom and I are going to make lunch for the family to celebrate Jesus’ birthday on Wednesday. Pork roast, maple-glazed ham, broccoli casserole, green bean casserole, pineapple casserole, cranberry freeze salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, field peas, red velvet cake, apple pie and ice cream- Katie’s got it all written down on her little to-do list. We’ll take care of some of it on our side, and she’ll handle the rest on hers. And as she would say “we’ll all be full as a tick!” later that night. 🙂
(Katie’s ‘First Family Favorites’ cookbook published by her church.)
Steevenson says he “can’t wait to run downstairs!” that morning to see what Santa has left under our tree.
(My friend Aubrie came over and captured that cutie last night!)
I’m hoping to find an Instax camera for myself. 😉 I love the feel of the photos that they produce and I’m hoping to incorporate lots of them here next year. Because when it comes to catching up with friends who journal online, I have found that I am especially drawn to stories the snuggle up to images without all the fuss and Photoshop. Ones that make me want to lean in for a closer look. The smaller, darker, and blurrier the better because that just adds to the mystery- ha! Anything that feels like it was quickly and quietly captured…of a regular ‘ol moment in time. One that just happened, and then got SNAPpened- ha!
It thrilled my heart to read about Susan’s as-it-happened Christmas tree adventure:
“On the way home we popped into the Christmas tree lot on Main Street. Some of our one-way side streets are too narrow, we had to go around the block to get this baby home. Imagine this on the LA Freeway! Ha! They would arrest us!” – Susan Branch
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And oh how I love the mystery that comes along with the little, unedited peeks Brin sometimes shares. Dimensional with their shadows and because of the stories that accompany them.
“Today I want to be here, in a glitter-roofed, church-turned-cottage with a pink gingham fence and one lonely tree…tucked deep inside a countryside of silver-blue quilted hills and gingerbread-smelling dales, I’ll be bundled ‘neath fluffy white covers, watching snow fall to the ground. And just before I go to sleep, as the winter fire slowly dies, I’ll hear it whispered in the candy cane wind: Christmas is coming. Christmas is coming.” – Brin at My Messy, Thrilling Life
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And seeing this informal photo of my friend Shannan’s Christmas mug collection felt just like a chance to choose one!
“Changing out the mugs on my rack is my favorite rhythm for changing with the seasons. This is my personal extravagance, fueled by trips to the thrift store, and I’m not sorry. (Cory recently opened a drawer and went pale. “Did you know this is full of mugs?” Um….yes?)” –Shannan Martin
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Shaye’s old-fashioned photos and every day stories always transport me in the war-fuzziest way too:
“Instead of grieving the loss of my garden and farm life through the winter, I’m opening my eyes wide to the world as it is right at this moment. All my beautiful plants are still living under the soil. Thousands of bulbs are tucked away under the leaves and snow. The branches hold onto the tiniest buds that spring leaves will sprout from. Hundreds of chickadees dance in the rose bushes. Hawks and crows dance among the clouds. The farm animals are tucked into the barn, fluffy with winter coats and pregnant bellies. The kids are reading and cuddling and playing. It’s all just as alive in the valley of winter.” – Shaye at The Elliot Homestead
(One of Steevenson’s classmates snapped this at his class Christmas party last week.)
Anywho…time to go “practice the ordinary art” of laundry. I’m fresh out of snuggly socks and this is the wrong time of year to be traipsing around barefoot. Cozy footwear at Christmastime is definitely of more importance to the soul than its simplicity might suggest, right? 😉
I hope you have a very merry (and cozy!) Christmas, friend. See you again here soon!
Layla
Thank you so much for sharing your days and thoughts with me and us!! I know you are trying to be kept held accountable by sharing with us. You are doing great! I hope you enjoy sharing as much as we enjoy reading!! Keep it up and I hope you and your family have a great Christmas!!! Looking forward to seeing some of your Polaroids!!!
Thanks again
Doris
Merry Christmas to you and your family! I look forward to your stories everyday. Since my diagnosis of breast cancer 2 years ago my panic disorder is back. It is really giving me a hard time. I am same as you. I do not like to be alone at all. I feel like you and I are old friends almost. You inspire me to get out there and keep trying. My prayer for the new year is that we both can gain our freedom from ourselves 😁. Best wishes!
Cuddling up in front of our tree and resting is what I’m doing. Taking time to pause, reflect over what has been and what is to come, brings me peace. Thank you for being sunshine to so many. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Merry Christmas Layla! I really enjoy your posts and stories. PLEASE write a book! I’ll preorder 50 of them! 💗 Carrie
Awwww, Carrie! That felt just like a hug! Thank you! And Merry Christmas!!!
Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!
Thank you, Terri! Merry Christmas to you and yours too!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you too, Cassie! Thank you for swinging by today, friend!
Sending much love to you all for a wonderful holiday! Can’t wait to see what Santa brings you! 🎄
Thank you, Donna! Love and light and a very merry Christmas to you and yours, too! 😀
Merriest of Christmases to you and yours. You brighten my day each time I see your post. What a gift you give me throughout the year.
Merry Christmas to you, Eileen! You’ve got me beaming over here. Thank you!
Merry Christmas to you and yours Layla. I’ve so enjoyed the realness of your posts this week. Thank you. We are more alike than different.
Thank you, Stephanie! What a treat to connect with you here. I liked reading that we’re “more alike than different”! 😀
I remember reading you way back when I first heard the word blog! Dang you’re old!😉 Just kidding, I’m old. But anyway, I really enjoy everything you share. The real ness and your personality shine through. Merry Christmas to you and your family! Best wishes in 2020!
Ha! And I can hardly believe it’s been almost 12 years! WOW! Where does time go, huh? 😀
Merry Christmas right back atcha, sister!
I love your words, photos and shared quotes. Merry Christmas 🎄🌟♥️
Thank you, Heather. I hope you and yours are having a peaceful day and I look forward to connecting with you again here too!
I love this style of blogging. Keep it up!
Thank you, Kacy! I do too. I just disabled some of the pesky ads that were interrupting the flow of things too. Sure, they help us keep the lights on over here, but candlelight might be cozy too. 😉
Please ask Mrs. Katie if she would share that Cranberry Salad recipe with us. 🙂 Thanks!
Thank you for this simple glimpse of realness in your life. We lost our oldest son in June this year and our world was turned upside down. Following along on Instagram and now here is giving me some normalcy back into my life. I haven’t connected Witt real people much yet, but feel like we could grab lunch. Much love and looking forward to what you have to share with us.
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your eldest son, Kristen. I can’t imagine how difficult this year has been as you grieve. I can understand about not connecting with people much yet, and lunch with you sounds like it would fill us both up in more ways than one. I hope you’ll stay in touch here too. It’s nice to meet kindred spirits and this space is such a fun place to e-visit.
Love and light,
Layla
Okay! I will do that, Vickie! 🙂
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Thank you, Jennifer! Hugs from our house to you!
Merriest of Christmastime to you! This is a beautiful post, exactly right! On this quiet Christmas Eve morning, before the joyful chaos begins, your words are like a cozy blanket. Thank you and happy Christmas to your family!
Thank you Mary! I hope you and yours are having a beautiful Christmas week too! 🙂
Hope your Holidays are filled with joy!
How can we get copies of Katie’s cookbook? You teased us with the menu! I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the snipets you shared of photos and what was written about them!
Hope Stevenson’s wishes come true under that tree! His smile can light a room!
Best wishes to all!
Hi Karlene!
I’m not sure they still sell that cookbook, but I’ll do some checking to find out. It’s such a neat collection of recipes from the congregation and Katie uses it all the time!
Merry Christmas, friend!
Sounds like a gorgeous FEAST!!! Merry Christmas and enjoy celebrating the Reason for the Season! xo
Merry Christmas to you too, Michelle! Thank you for taking the time to swing by today and I look forward to connecting with you here in the new year too!
Oh, those jammies of Steevenson’s! SO cute. I love your decorating, but your pictures of him are my favorite “decoration”. There’s something about the joy of children at Christmas ….
Thank you, Kris! And I agree…the people make the place. 🙂
I love everything about this. Was just talking to my son this morning about hygge as I lit candles around the house. This is the season to cozy up in our houses and be thankful. Merry Christmas!
Hygge! Yes! I need to do more reading up about that. Sounds right up my alley!
Merry Christmas, friend!
Layla,
This new picture of Steevenson under the tree is my new favorite of him.
Merry Christmas to you all!
Thank you, Barbara. It’s one of my favorites too! I hope you and yours have a very merry Christmas and an exceptionally happy new year!
Enjoyed this post so much! Merry Christmas to you and your family…and the feast sounds delicious!!
My mouth is watering already, Pat! 😀 Merry Christmas to you, too!!
Gah, I love how what you enjoy others so well! I am looking forward to chatting with you more about the everyday things. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Thank you, Monica! I loved reading “enjoy others so well”. What a fun way to put it! And so kind of you to say. Merry Christmas, sweet friend!