Little Joys

I had grand plans to finish all my Christmas to-do's this week, since we are finally on Christmas break from homeschooling.  I was going to wrap all the presents, send out Christmas cards, finish baking, write Christmas letters, mail Christmas gifts...everything.  

Instead I find myself reading a lot of books, and now sitting down to write this.  Procrastination? Yes, I suppose so.  I did get my Christmas cards mailed, and today I hope to mail a Christmas present and start the wrapping.  I'm justifying taking a time out to write this because I can't really wrap until Derek is finished with work for the day, and I miss my blog.  

I've been thinking a lot about changes I want to make in the new year, and one thing I keep mulling over is how I can tip the balance away from social media and toward this blog again.  I've been struggling with social media for a long time, because while I think a lot of it is a waste of time, it is also the main way to connect with people online these days - including all of you, my blog buddies.  So what to do?  I don't know, but I figure just getting back in the habit of writing is the first place to start.  My writing motivation has derailed big time in the wake of the election, but it's time to get back to the little things, simple habits that anchor my days.  Blogging is one of those.

Anyway, what are you all baking for Christmas?  We have our Christmas favorites, but I always find myself wanting to branch out and try new goodies around the holidays.  My ideal holiday treat would be relatively inexpensive and basically fool-proof, which unfortunately rules out a lot of cookie recipes.  I live at a high altitude, and can basically trust no cookie recipe ever.  If you find a high altitude baking blog, send it my way, will you?

(One of the gingerbread houses we made with friends.)

On our list so far are the following: gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies, Christmas fudge, snowdrop cookies, and chocolate-covered pretzels.  And wassail on Christmas Day, of course.  Believe it or not, I used to make more Christmas goodies than that, but these are our favorites.  I'll probably just round it out with an experiment or two.

Instead of baking this week though, I've spent a disproportionate amount of time reading, which I do not regret at all.  I've finished several books, and am hoping to still make my reading goal of 48 books this year, even though I'm woefully behind!  I'm especially enjoying re-reading Lord Of The Rings during these winter months.  Those book are winter books to me.  I just got past the creepy marshes in The Two Towers, so basically we're getting to the good stuff now.

Despite everything going on, December has been as busy as ever for our family, with dinners with family and friends, Christmas light trails, and weekly Awana night dates for Derek and me.  We went out to one of our usual places last night, but there was no room for us in the outdoor-seating tent, so we sat under a heat lamp on the patio while drinking our root beer and cream soda.  We couldn't take our coats off (so I guess my careful outfit selection was a little pointless), but it was romantic sitting outside in the cold, eating our dinner and watching the traffic lights "blink a bright read and green".  I enjoyed it very much.  Sometimes things aren't ideal, but you make the best of them and find joy in it anyway.  Hasn't that been the story of this whole year?  

I hope you are finding the little joys this week, friends!  I'll try to be back soon with photos of the fruit garland project I did with the kids, and hopefully a book post and some Christmas reflections in the next week or so!