A Christmas Tea Party

Merry Christmas

I have managed ONE post this year! (it was a doozy as our oldest graduated from COLLEGE! and I do have to figure out what happened to the pictures there)

Anyway.... a few of my children had asked why this space went dormant this year. The short answer: I couldn't post. I just couldn't. Too much stuff in my head this year that just got jumbled whenever I tried to write anything. But lately I have been feeling that this space is a place where I should spend more time. 

Dawn over at By Sun and Candlelight has a Tuesday Tea and this week is the Christmas edition. I have been an admirer of Dawn for a long time and decided to jump a bit late and join the tea party and give myself a jumpstart back to blogging.

Firstly, how was your Christmas?

Thank you! our Christmas was fantastic! Very quiet. For the first time we had no one joining us for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Lucas sang with the children's choir at the 4:10 Mass and Nathaniel served the Midnight Mass. Other than a headache I battled, it was just about perfect.

What was the best thing you ate (or drank) this Christmas? 

That would be a toss up between the turkey Frank and Nathaniel cooked outside on Christmas Eve and the HUGE breakfast they cooked Christmas morning. (can you see some of the reason I think this was the best Christmas ever?)

What are your hopes for next Christmas? What would you like to do differently?

Start earlier. Definitely something Frank and I mentioned to each other. I am also hoping to get back to our Advent activities next year. This year: nothing! it was a tough year.

Do you celebrate Christmas beyond December 25th in any way? 

Not really this year. We are really embracing the lack of travel and outside activities. Spending time watching some of the movies the kids got for Christmas. Relaxing... a lot.

What refreshments are you enjoying this week?

Blueberry Tea! and maybe a Strawberry Margarita or Pomegranate Martini (or two)

What are you reading this week?

Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives by Gretchen Rubin 

Also some Salesian readings for my formation as well as the ever present Introduction to the Devout Life by St Francis de Sales

What are you listening to this week?

The music on my phone via my new bluetooth speaker.

What are you working on this week?

Habits, schedules, cleaning, and best of all: organizing and purging! (and yes, I actually find these to be relaxing!) And the not so relaxing year end paperwork. 

What's happening in nature this week?

Snow finally hit here in Massachusetts. The littles are enjoying the cold and most especially the wood stove.

Any projects with the children this week?

Does forced cleaning (they DON'T find it relaxing) count?

Any quotations to share, some words to inspire?

One of my favorites: 

HAVE PATIENCE WITH ALL THINGS, BUT FIRST OF ALL WITH YOURSELF. St Francis de Sales

Oh, that was fun! Thanks, Dawn for the invite.