I flipped my little daily wooden calendar this morning and realized it's the last day of November. The very last day! I don't like to rush time. I like to savor the season. But because it's the last day of the month, that means I can start with our advent calendars beginning tomorrow. My heart bounced with a little joy when I realized that! December is almost here!
I can't believe I haven't written about this before. Don't get me wrong. I love surprises. I love spontaneity. But I also love getting back into our routines. After a week+ at Disney World and then the Thanksgiving holiday, I am sooooooo glad to be back in our routines. The kids at school. My husband at work. Me, back to my daily chores and responsibilities. Today, I'm finding joy with every familiar minute of our daily schedule. Ahhhhh, back into our routines.
My cold followed me to Disney World. It followed me home, too. I'm running at about 72% and it's driving me crazy. I have had no energy to unpack or do laundry but I did it anyway. And guess what? I'm finally finished! The last load of laundry and the last suitcase is unpacked and tucked away, resting up for our next trip. It's taken me a bit longer than it usually does; which is probably why it's something I found joy in today. Such a simple thing, but I'm so glad this chore is finished.
It's tradition. The weekend after Thanksgiving I pull out all of the Christmas decorations. We've spent that last 10 hours decorating the inside and the outside of the house. We play Christmas carols (I never tire of them!). We laugh. We reminisce. We disagree about where to put things. Most of all, we have fun. This year was no exception. Lots and lots of joy in holiday decorating!
Last year, my daughter wanted to shop on Black Friday. I hate shopping. I'm a have-a-mission-go-in-and-get-it-then-leave kind of shopper. But she begged and she pleaded. So I said, OK. But only if we leave at 5am (knowing she'd rather sleep in). She called my bluff and we went. At 5am. And we had a blast! Who knew? We decided then and there to make it a yearly tradition. Off we went today and it was so much fun. We shopped. We stopped for breakfast and coffee. We shopped some more. It was some amazing one-on-one time with my daughter and we even found a few deals, too. Even to a non-shopper, there is joy in Black Friday.
This entire blog is, essentially, about giving thanks. And I love it that Americans are the first to designate an entire day, an entire holiday to stop and recognize the bounty that is in our lives. I have so very much to be thankful for. My husband. My children. My family. My friends. The three of you who stop in to see what I'm thankful for each day. Thank you, faithful few readers. Thanks for peeking in. Happy, happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
I love the holidays. I love preparing for them. And the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is when I get into full swing. Today, about the only thing I have the energy for is to make my cranberry relish. It HAS to be made the day before you eat it. It needs 24 hours so all the flavors can mix and mingle, get to know each other and create an amazing, fruity, gingery little burst with each bite of turkey. I love the methodical chopping. The scents. The sounds of the wooden spoon hitting my favorite glass bowl with each stir. I find joy in eating my cranberry relish but making it brings joy, too!
