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. 🙂

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Comments

  1. Image for Denise Cox Denise Cox

    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... 😉

  2. Image for Mary Mary

    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!!!

  3. Image for PJ PJ

    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!

  4. Image for Peg Peg

    Bing Crosby's version of "Count Your Blessings" is probably my favorite Christmas song!! Merry week before Christmas KariAnne!! xoxo

  5. Image for Linda Miller Linda Miller

    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!

  6. Image for Sheri Sheri

    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.

  7. Image for Mari Mari

    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.

  8. Image for Lisa Lisa

    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

    1. Image for KariAnne KariAnne

      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

  9. Image for Charlotte S Snodgrass Charlotte S Snodgrass

    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.

  10. Image for Kathy Menold Kathy Menold

    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.

  11. Image for Regina Merrick Regina Merrick

    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!!!!’

  12. Image for sue sue

    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.!!!!

  13. Image for Marty Marty

    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.

  14. Image for Eileen Eileen

    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.

  15. Image for Marlene Stephenson Marlene Stephenson

    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.

  16. Image for Cynthia Sobczak Cynthia Sobczak

    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.....

    1. Image for KariAnne KariAnne

      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

  17. Image for Carol Carol

    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!

  18. Image for TERESA GONZALES TERESA GONZALES

    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!!!!!!!!!

  19. Image for Pam Pam

    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!❤️

  20. Image for Rev. Suzanne Taylor Rev. Suzanne Taylor

    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!

  21. Image for Sherry Darlington Sherry Darlington

    Love love love your beautiful bathroom & any white decorations! That pierced white tree...to die for! Wishing you a very merry Christmas!

  22. Image for Debbie Debbie

    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.

  23. Image for See Turk See Turk

    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!

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