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Outside My Window
It’s getting cooler! I was in despair because temps over the weekend were close to 80. I hate a hot, muggy Christmas. But today it is cooling down and rainy. Weather will be perfect for Christmas (other than the lack of snow).

I am Thankful For
My family. We had such a lovely Christmas gathering this weekend. My niece got engaged. Everyone was together. All the little kids played as hard as they could. The food was delicious. Good times.

I am Thinking About
Blogging! I want to narrow the focus around here and do much more of it in the new year. I have been studying up on how to be a better blogger and am excited about the changes I have planned.

I am planning a new weekly link-up about capturing our memories, the Tech Thursday series, and some fun printables. I hope that you are going to enjoy them too.

In the Schoolroom
Christmas break!! We slid on in to the end of the year. It wasn’t a strong finish, but nor did we whimper out neither. I plan on getting us set-up and rebooted to start the new year strong about January 6.

From the Kitchen
Christmas cooking! I have not made cookies at all this season, so today finds us making sugar cookies for Santa, peppermint bark, and candy kiss cookies. Later this week we will make some gingerbread people.

We will host my Mom and George tomorrow night for an after Mass dinner which will include Creamy Vegetable Soup (recipe coming soon), Caesar salad, and fun appetizers. Christmas Day will be a big breakfast with ham and then all-day snacking of more appetizers and ham on rolls. Very relaxed.

I am Creating
Blog posts and graphics and printables.

A scarf that was meant to be a Christmas gift, but in my slow-knitter-fashion did not get done. Ah well, a gift any time of year is nice, isn’t it?

I am Reading
Nothing at the moment, though I have a few books in progress. I am, however, going to be taking part in the Motherhood and Jane Austen Book Club. If I read nothing else this year, I will be reading these six books.

Praying For
A friend’s mother who is really sick. Please pray with me.

I am Listening to
The Wizard of Oz — the kids are watching here while I type. Brings back memories of my childhood. I had the soundtrack on a 78LP when I was about five and played it over and over and over. Yes, I still know all the words. In fact, when I was a senior in high school I dressed as the Scarecrow and sang, “If I Only Had a Brain” in our county’s junior miss pageant. I didn’t win the pageant, but did win the talent portion and a small scholarship. <---- weird random fact Clicking Around

Around the House
No big projects before the holidays, but hopes we can get to some while Matt is off after Christmas. Right now we are relaxing. Christmas decorations are up and the feeling is festive. Today is touch-up cleaning before Christmas. And laundry — which seems to be never-ending.

My Favorite Things
My new pjs that my Mom gave me for Christmas. They are so soft and comfy that I may not ever want to take them off. In the less than 24 hours since I got them I have been wearing them about 20 of those hours. Is that bad?

Plans for the Week

Look at the calendar! It makes me so happy. Will probably drive the kids crazy, but I love it. Olivia has a small solo at Mass on Tuesday night and that is it! I foresee lots more pajama time in my future. And we did go to Mass yesterday, but thanks to the party Saturday I didn’t change the calendar until Sunday afternoon this week.

A Picture to Share
And to promote truth in blogging, here is a photo of this year’s Christmas tree since I fessed up that the one from the Living Liturgy post was from a few years ago. I never did much get into the decorating spirit, so Matt and the kids did most of the work on this one. I came behind and evened a few things out, but that was about it. I think they did a fabulous job.


Linking up with Jenny’s Catholic Woman’s Almanac at Plain Grace. Click over to see all the entries!