Did you have an amazing weekend?
I should have been shopping.
Or baking.
Or wrapping.
Or generally checking things off my Christmas list.
Instead?
I watched the Hallmark movie about the girl who gets a job as Santa Claus and falls in love with the head of the menswear department at the store where she works, but he has absolutely no idea that she’s playing Santa and he keeps going to Santa (who is really the girl dressed up) and asking for relationship advice.
Confused? Oh good….me, too.
And I can’t decide which is more random.
1. That no one in the entire movie questions the girl’s obviously fake Santa voice.
or 2. That the guy in the movie thought it was a good idea to ask Santa Claus for dating tips. 🙂
And now?
Thanks to all that movie procrastination, the day ahead is full to the brim of activity and spilling over with to-do lists.
And what’s on the list? Are you curious?
Here’s my mini list of what my December day brought to me (and a little Christmas decorating in the downstairs bath).
Twelve Christmas gifts to be wrapped.
Eleven creative projects that we are making for my family for Christmas.
(total aside: In case this is your first Thistlewood Christmas, we exchange handmade presents for the holidays.)
They are a little bit of amazing wrapped up and placed under the tree.
You can see an example here and here and here and here.
Oh, and one of my very favorites here.
Ten minutes spent picking up all the dishes from the party last night.
Nine Elvis Christmas carols to sing on my drive to Target.
Eight stocking stuffers I need to pick up for Christmas morning.
Seven trips to the highschool for things the twins forgot for their Christmas parties.
Six beds to make.
Five parade floats to watch.
Four football games to cheer at.
Three sets of Christmas cards to mail out.
Two parties to plan
And….
….one amazing day to count my blessings.
But before the day begins.
Before all the busy and the coming and going and cheering and driving and wrapping and creating.
The house is quiet and still and silent.
The Christmas lights are twinkling on the tree and the kitchen smells like evergreen topped off with cinnamon.
The coffee is hot and there’s a second cup waiting.
I know your day ahead is busy, too, and my wish for you is a moment before all the busy begins….
….just to celebrate the quiet.
Celebrate the stillness.
Celebrate the pressing the pause button to count your blessings.
And may your day be full of the joys and celebrations of the season…..
….now go take on what your December day brought to you.
PS I just saw the sun peeking through the windows.
The day is looking brighter already. 🙂
Oh, KariAnne! I just don't know how your posts get lovelier and more heartwarming!! My beeper is beeping telling me to walk over to the laundry room, but as usual, I had to read your post right away. The bathroom is gorgeous... and serene. I especially adore those ceramic (?) trees!! Your home has been absolutely lovely this year! I don't know how you'll best it next year... 🤔? Love ya.. and try to squeeze a break in now and then... like yesterday... 😉
Who would have thought to decorate the bathroom? YOU!!! It looks SO CUTE! You have such a knack of getting it right. Thanks for sharing your house with us. I always am anxious to see what you have for us to look at!! Very nice -- again!!!
Lovely reminder! I had a glorious snuggle filled quiet morning. Snow day here! So thankful for it!
The sun is shining here as well...Hooray! We have not seen it in days and expect a snowstorm tomorrow, so I plan to curl up in my favorite sunny spot and read a while. Have an amazing day!
Bing Crosby's version of "Count Your Blessings" is probably my favorite Christmas song!! Merry week before Christmas KariAnne!! xoxo
So fresh and pretty. I love the white christmas trees and wreath.
We're supposed to get Part Two of a snow storm this afternoon. 2-4 more inches of snow. I plan to put on Christmas music, make a pot of coffee, and finish my Christmas cards...finally! I'm just hoping the delivery man can get down my lane with Christmas packages. Fingers crossed!
So so beautiful Karianne! Inspired by you, told my sisters our gifts this year have to be handmade! Can’t wait to give mine! Have a beautiful day.
Wow, love that bathroom. Wish I could view more often but since the video and 'access denied block' is there it (using an ipad') I have a three by three space to view.
Wow your house is just so beautiful at Christmas time. I got so much inspiration from it for my decorating! I love the ceramic trees in your bathroom! Can you share the sources? I have the perfect place for those! Merry Christmas and know that your blog is my weekly inspiration! Lisa
Thanks so much, friend! Those trees actually our marble. Can you even believe it? I got them at target a couple of years ago. happy day, karianne
That Wreath against That Wooden Door=Perfection
I love your vintage wreaths plain with just the white ribbon. This is what I hung on our headboard on our bed so your post confirms I did the right thing!! The gas wall heater takes me back to wonderful childhood memories, ours was just like this one and boy would it heat up a bathroom. I love it! Another beautiful space you've created.
Christmas inspiration is everywhere...thanks for the little peek.
Karianne, Somehow you know just what I need to hear. I was feeling quite overwhelmed this morning but just starting doing things one by one and got some baking done to bring to friends tommorow and actually am done with my packages that have to be mailed today and finished up some Christmas cards. As I have said it will all get done. Now I am going out to lunch with my husband and enjoy the season of love and giving. We are all so blessed.
I just made batch 2 of spiced pecans. When I started snacking on the first batch warm from the oven, I figured I’d better make a second, or nobody else would get any! Lol! Nine days! 5 until my NYC kids get home!!!!’
I LOVE everything about this!!! Thank you for sharing! Gorgeous.❤️
Love the holiday bathroom! I did mine over from HomeGoods and a discount store (Ollie's) this year: HomeGoods always has the best shower curtains, and I found a red and white reindeer/ tree/snowflake print one. The discount store had lovely furry plush white bath rugs. Then I took a Christmas gift bag (Dollar Store) and put it in a frame I had, for instant, inexpensive art. I made "curtains" using some red and white gingham fabric I had on hand, too. Under $40 for the makeover, But now I love your simple greenery and wreaths, ...so calming and pretty. Good thing I have TWO bathrooms, lol.!!!!
Oh I do love this bathroom and the decor is so perfect. Nothing over the top, just perfect.. Your list looks just about like mine. I am baking today and then finishing the rest up tomorrow I hope.
This is such a sweet post, Kaianne...and your bathroom is looking beautiful all dressed up for Christmas!
I love those trees also. Your bathroom looks wonderful...as does the rest of the house. I find watching Hallmark movies a tad overly sweet, saccharine, etc. I'm watching the series, Heartland on Netflix and it's pretty wholesome and enjoyable. By the way, i just received your lookbook. You are a cutie in your dark blue dress. Loved the book.
Your bathroom is beautiful. I had to run errands this morning, it's suppose to sleet and snow here in Oklahoma this afternoon and night, so i am ready now.
Adore your ceramic Xmas tress, any chance we can still get them from somewhere? Please let me know, I would be very grateful. Blessings to you and your family and may these blessings chase you down throughout the New Year. Merry Christmas.....
Cynthia, Thanks so much, friend! Those trees actually our marble. Can you even believe it? I got them at target a couple of years ago. happy day, karianne
Sweet Friend, thanks for making me smile!
Forget about the Christmas decorations and let's talk for a minute about how awesome your bathroom is! I just love it. The decorations are lovely too by the way but that bathroom - I have bathroom envy - I have pinned it for future reference!
Love everything-understand about watching Hallmark movies-they draw you in to sit and relax. There is always so many things to do around Christmas, this year it was so short of a preparation time as Thanksgiving was so late. I finished my last task yesterday in a marathon of 15 hours. Phew. Wish you luck with yours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love the quiet in the morning too- my favorite time of year!!!!!!!!!
All these details are perfect! You did an amazing job! Paige https://thehappyflammily.com
Hi KariAnne! What “stuff” have you included in your chandelier vingette? I see eucalyptus but not sure the other stuff! It is beautiful! Thank you for sharing your life and home! Always a fun read!❤️
Oh my! I am so behind on everything this year. Have one more day of good shopping planned, and, yes, that includes stocking stuffers for 8. Your blog will inspire me to press on. You can do this! I can do this! They can do this!
Love love love your beautiful bathroom & any white decorations! That pierced white tree...to die for! Wishing you a very merry Christmas!
I love the decorations on your mirror! Could you give me a better view and tips on how you did it? You are such an inspiration to me. Thank you dear, friend.
Wow, KariAnne, you are busier than an entire group of elves on the 23rd of December! 😄 by any chance did you share a tutorial on those gorgeous trees? Oh my they're so beautiful! I thought your powder room looked superbly pretty with the ornaments hanging in the window with that beautiful eucalyptus garland!