Yesterday I posted about not losing your joy during the holiday season.
Check it out, if you haven’t already. Then come back and tell me how you plan to reignite your joy this holiday season?
We all know the real reason we are celebrating … and it’s so important to keep that focus.
In the meantime, The Hip Hostess is generously giving away ANOTHER beautiful red Sheath Style apron here on RE! From her Merri Mixer Collection! (gasp! are those my new wood floors?)
COMMENT
How do you plan to remain joyous in the next couple of weeks?
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Do one of the above and get 2 chances to win (let me know).
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You’ll find out who wins on Friday, 12/18!
GILDA’S CLUB
Every time a Merri Mixers apron is purchased a donation will be made to Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit. And Debbie informed me that the actual Sheath Style apron that I’m wearing in the photos was the first donation The Hip Hostess made to this cause (very dear to her heart, and for those of you who know me, very dear to my heart – losing my mom to ovarian cancer!)
Here’s a bit about Gilda’s Club: Gilda’s Club is a network of affiliate clubhouses where men, women and children living with cancer, as well as their friends and families, meet to learn how to live with cancer, whatever the outcome.
Thank you, Debbie! I can’t wait to read the comments. And I hope for the discouraged person out there, you will gain some encouragement from the comments of this giveaway!
Good Luck, Ladies! And you’ll get this just in time for Christmas!
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this “icon” portrays a great message. 
As our family grows with in-laws and grandbabies, I find that I need to let go of perfection and just enjoy the people. Simple meals and paper plates leave me free to savor every minute with the people I love best. That’s joy to me!!
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My focus will be on family and not on blogging, decorating, or other distractions. I will pray for those less fortunate and be thankful for what I have, the blessings that money can’t buy.
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My joy is being restored this season as I decided to stop reaching for perfection. I am having one Christmas party instead of the usual three, and have developed a much more relaxed attitude toward “getting it all done”. Let’s see how that holds up as we get closer to Christmas! And my daughter turning 18 on the 23rd!
Gilda’s Club sounds inspiring. I lost one of my closest friends 4 years ago to ovarian cancer.
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Donating to the local food pantry usually gives me an extra surge of joy.
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I plan to remain joyous by continuing to write in my gratitude journal and taking time from the “hustle and bustle” to enjoy the best things about the holiday season!
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Joyful! When I focus my eyes on my Savior and what He has done for me on the cross, how can my heart not bubble over with joy? When I am frazzled it is usually when I am focused on me. So, by remembering that He came not to judge, but to save my joy is complete.
Lynn
keithlynn6@msn.com
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For the past few years, Christmas has been moved to the “back burner” for me as my favorite holiday – too much stress, too much money spent, etc. Now that our son has come into our lives, I am seeing the holiday in a totally different light! Although he is only 5 months old, it is so much fun to have him “help” me set up the nativity or go with us to pick out the Christmas tree. I think ahead of all the traditions we will have as a family and all of the Christmas events in the future. I can’t wait to explain to him why Christ came for us and how he came as a baby, too. I am finally excited again about Christmas for the first time in a long time!
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This year I decided to focus on doing something with the kids everyday. I made an advent calendar centered around that and made sure that the activities were simple enough that I wouldn’t get stressed about it. Last night we ate dinner by the light of the Christmas tree and candles.
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I follow your site too.
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What shopping isn’t done tomorrow, isn’t going to be done. I know I need to focus on God and my family. I don’t want my kids focused on gifts. Most everyone has something under the tree. I just would like to get some stocking stuffers. Then I hope to sit back and relax. We don’t do a big Christmas dinner – just snack foods all day. It keeps me relaxed and the kids get to have things we usually only have when company is here. They feel very spoiled.
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I’m keeping my joy by prioritizing. There are traditions we love as a family….those are slowly being checked off of the list. Everything else is ‘extra.’ If there ends up being extra time and it is a pleasure to do…then we will jump in with both feet. If we ‘run’ out of time or the activity makes me feel frazzled…forget it. Jesus and family (immediate and church) are the focus. Oh….and I bought frozen meatballs for my sweet-n-sour meatballs to take to various parties…and I’m not letting myself feel guilty one bit:) Merry CHRISTmas and thanks for your ministry.
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I decided last year to de-stress my holidays, make more homemade gifts and not sweat the small stuff. I finished with everything a few days ago and now I’m just going to cook and bake (which I love to do) and really enjoy the time spent with my friends and family. De-stressing is a wonderful gift to yourself!
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What a great reminder to keep the focus on what really counts this season. I was reminded of a key to joy this morning in the book of James, “Be slow to speak, quick to listen, slow to become angry.” It seems nitpicking has been stealing my joy, and today I will be closing my mouth! I want to focus less on me and more on others, more on Christ.
Thanks for the encouragement, and the cool apron giveaway!
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I plan to be joyous because it will be the Holidays, I’m going to see my family, I won’t have stress around me, so I know I’ll be joyous
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I am keeping my joy by making the Scripture a big part of our Christmas countdown (thanks to our Jesse Tree). Also I am giving a lot of handmade gifts – I find joy in creating things that I think friends will love.
I am a follower of this blog.
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I twitted about it
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Adorable! Decorating cookies with my precious 2 year old brings more JOY in a day than almost anything. We plan on baking more this week for teachers, neighbors, etc… And we will be spending the rest of our days just enjoying the season and out of town family members coming into town. The countdown has begun!
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I plan on looking at Christmas through the eyes of my 3 year old. Instead of stressing about making everything perfect and trying to figure out how to make every member of the family (both mine and DH’s) happy, I’m going to step back and admire the twinkly lights, wear my pjs a little longer and hope Santa’s reindeer can find the trail of “reindeer food” on the lawn.
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I hope to slow down …enjoy all the excitement as seen thru my 2 girls’ eyes …and realize that all will be fine! bridgitgatlin@yahoo.com
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I would love to win this apron! What a great cause they go towards! I plan to stay joyous by spending as much time as I can with my daughter, family and friends!
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I will remain joyous by embracing my family and staying focused on the Reason for the Season…instead of getting absorbed by all the material things that surround us.
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We plan to remain joyus by spending time with family, friends…and cookies
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I think the key to saying joyous for me is to slow down, enjoy the time with my children, family, and friends, and focus more on others!! I’ve always loved the acronym for Joy- Jesus first, Others next, and Yourself last!
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I’ve learned that nothing is going to be perfect no matter how hard you try to make it that way. Make your plans and be ready for whatever happens. Don’t stress out, smile, laugh, and enjoy your family and friends. Nothing is forever! Merry Christmas!
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I find joy in just enjoying each day as it comes. I refuse to stress over decorating, shopping, or entertaining. I just want to enJOY family and friends.
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I have an 11 month old this Christmas (my first) so I can’t help but find joy every day in my little one. It has made the normal holiday stress disappear and I haven’t needed a single reminder of what the season is all about. What an amazing experience this parenting thing is!
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My focus will be to enjoy Christmas thru the eyes of my 2 year old and 4 year old. It doesn’t get better than that.
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I am relaxing my expectations and enjoying Time with family & friends rather than getting my decorations, shopping and cookies perfect.
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I am having the little girls from my daughter’s 2nd grade classroom over to decorate a tree that we are donating to our local senior center. It should be loads of fun and very joyous to think about others!! I am looking forward to it!
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This year I have kept our schedule practically empty. We’ll spend the season at home as a family – playing games, baking cookies and not worrying about squeezing all of that in between parties & other functions. We’re also volunteering at the local women’s shelter on Christmas morning. We’ll go up there at 9:30, decorate their table and make their Christmas beautiful. Serving the women at our local shelter brings me more joy than almost anything else I do, beside being with my family.
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I am keeping my joy by not letting myself get overwhelmed by the state of my home or the places I need to go. Taking this moment by moment!
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I’m following on Twitter!!
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The only way to have joy, real joy is with Jesus… just keeping my focus on Him. Even in the midst of a really tough year I remember all I have and ultimately what I have in Him.
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I plan on “keeping my joy” by focusing on my children. Faith and Meghan (3 years and 15 months old respectively) get so excited by the simple things in life: cookies baking, a glass of cold milk, lighting the tree each night…
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Our manager (used by my grandparents for a wonderful memory) sits in our main hall signifying the most important reason for Christmas. When I get stressed, just looking at it brings me peace.
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I plan on remaining joyous by not sweating the small stuff. If my house doesn’t get dusted, it just doesn’t. I’d rather spend time with my family. Perfection is not important. Memories are.
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Oh, boy. Do we ever decorate just to impress? Whew!
I have STOPPED decorating. I didn’t do half the projects that I had thought about in the past couple of months, but what we have is quite enough. Any more might be very pretty, but completely unnecessary. Thank you for helping me to feel good about the decision to stop here.
And in keeping my joy, I am changing my Christmas party this year. In years past we’ve hosted a big, fancy party. This year, we’re hosting a casual party on Thursday night–we’re inviting our church family (we’re part of a start-up church) to come over for goodies and to watch “White Christmas.” I won’t win any hostess awards, but I think I will bless some people’s lives.
Thanks for your timely reminder!
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Through time in the Word and Christmas music! Love the apron.
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I love the apron, but even more than that…I love your new floor! Gorgeous!
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I remain joyous during this crazy time of year by thanking God for the many blessings in my life- my four children, my husband, our home, our extended families, the snow!
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Volunteering is the best.
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To remain joyous this season I did some planning a head with activities, meals and gifts. With everything either planned out taken care of (yea, all shopping is finished) I can sit back and truly enjoy the holidays with my family. I find when I’m stressed over what to buy, bake or give I forget what I’m celebrating.
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I am a follower (in a good way, of course!)
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Definitely thanking God for the blessings of a new baby! And being okay with not having a party, having simple decorations up, and sending cards out later than usual. Next year will be easier and fun in its own way – this year is just what it is, more baby-centered. But it’s easier to worship without all the other stress and distraction!
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I am making a conscious effort to only speak positive, affirming words for the entire month – and hopefully, it will become second nature, a good habit! After all, it’s amazing how mom’s words (and tone!) affect the entire family.
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PS I follow on FB!
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this holiday season i am going to keep my joy by ignoring the biting bitter words that my daughter-in-law lobs at me, and smile at her silliness.
i love the apron!
great giveaway, great hostsess!
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Reignite joy? By keeping life as simple as possible during the season, including keeping shopping to a minimum (since it’s so stressful for me). Enjoying the fun stuff, speinding TIME with family! And prayer.
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I’ve been a subscriber forever and now I am a faithful follower too!!
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I keep the Christmas music on ALL the time and sing along whenever I can!
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I try to keep myself upbeat and positive by decorating the house and tree, burning peppermint or pine candles, baking Christmas treats, sending cards to friends and family, singing Jingle Bells at the top of my lungs with my daughter (pity the neighbors lol) and watching Christmas themed movies!
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tweeted http://twitter.com/micaela6955/status/6713641781
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I have found a great deal of joy for the holidays this year. We have a new life up here in the North Country of Michigan and we love every bit of it. I have limited myself to only buying local and handmade for gift giving this year and I must say I think they are the best gifts ever! My family is healthy and happy, we are so truly blessed. Now would it be too much to ask for a Grand baby for 2010? Just saying.
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I read your post earlier today, and I have thought about it a number of different times. Here are my answers:
I limited my decorating this year – used less!
Simplified my baking – only made 2 different cookies. (In fact I made the cookie dough a while ago, then froze it in ball sized cookies for easier baking.)
I also have my “to do” list for this week. I’m trying to spread out my tasks.
With all this said, I still find myself saying, “I need to start earlier next year.”
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I plan on eating lots of cookies to remain joyous!
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I will take deep breaths – enjoy my childern.
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About to go follow you on Facebook!! Love your site
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Wow, that floor is amazing! The apron’s okay I guess…
I will remain joyous by making time for my favorite hobby : scrapbooking.
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Keeping it simple…making a list…taking one day at a time!
merry Christmas my dear bloggy friend!
Sandy Toe
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Keeping it so simple, not focusing on the gift buying but instead the time we spend together. And I would be really joyful in that apron!
It’s almost as beautiful as your wood floors!
Merry Christmas Sandy
Love, Peggy
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What a perfect time to read this…I’m sitting here with paper and my calendar trying to make lists for the next few weeks! Parties, company, Christmas shopping and grocery shopping, and we just returned from vacation. It can quickly sap the joy, but I have decided to keep things simple and not worry. To keep in mind and in sight the real reason we celebrate.
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Mostly by being organised so there’s no last minute running to the shops and stressing out over where things are and if there’s enough food and all the presents are bought.
Secondly by listening to lots of loud Christmas music and dancing around the house!
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This year, I am cutting back on my Christmas baking – it will save me time, money and calories! I have realized that we are overwhelmed with “goodies” at this time of year and they are appreciated more at other times of the year.
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Just trying to Keep Calm and Carry On!
LOL! I love that saying but that is what I’m trying to do. I tell myself I’m going to have a great day no matter what. (that’s hard since I tend to get easily depressed)
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I’m going to keep the list of day-to-day stuff simpler this year: write them down in case I forget. Then, discover the “cheer” throughout the day in music, scents, and lots of picture taking. When the evening draws near, reflect with family on all the joys we have found in our day.
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hmmm … to be completely honest the only way I can muster up even an ounce of joy when spending Christmas with my in-laws is otherwise-known-as liquid courage, but for this instance I will just call it liquid joy! I indulge in champagne, wine, vodka … normally I almost never drink, but it is much easier to have a smile on my face with a drink in my hand. Makes that family holiday party with my Mother-in-law and her 9 sisters, 3 brothers and a hoard of cousins tolerable.
But when my Husband and I spend Christmas alone here in Brooklyn nothing is more joyous then cuddling together on the sofa Christmas Eve watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation & eating fancy popcorn!
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I am planning on taking vacation time between Christmas and New Years, then I will be able to “relax” and enjoy my family and friends.
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I was feeling rather blue this holiday (partially because my brother has been laid off for a few months now and my sister was laid off on the 10th) so to bring back the joy for the holiday, my daughter and I picked up Josh Groban’s Christmas album. There is nothing like listening to his voice singing O Holy Night to put it in perspective. Happy holidays to you and your family!! Oh and I am not a Twitter follower!!!
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My family listens to a lot of holiday music…even thru our satellite TV provider. It is much eaiser to have a smile on your face when you have a song in your heart. We keep decorating simple…definitely not stressful. We focus on the giving and THE Giver, not on the presents we receive. Thank you!
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My husband and I are excited about participating in our church’s version of The Advent Conspiracy. http://www.adventconspiracy.org It’s a campaign to “restore the scandal of Christmas by substituting compassion for consumption.” It encourages Christians to buy less and give more. Specifically the program builds wells to provide clean water to millions around the world.
We did however let a little bit o’ crazy sneak in while making baked goods for family and friends. So…we’ve reduced our list, sending cards instead of candy, and we’ve rediscovered our peace. (and joy!)
Love the apron and your blog is a sweet source of inspiration.
xoxo
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I’m going to try to slow down and just do the next thing until it gets done….
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I just try to enjoy my kiddos. Bake cookies with them, decorate with them, watch them reenact all the Christmas stories they know. They find such joy all the time, especially this time of year. I just try to look through their eyes every once in a while to see the world all bright and shiny and new.
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I just keep looking at the pictures of the children in my life.
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I am trying to remain joyous by letting the kids play and make my holidays festive…I have let them decorate the tree, help decorate the house, make the cookies, etc. I am trying to make it all about their experience, because when they are happy, I am happy too! I am also trying to appreciate the time and sit down (which I never do) and enjoy the moments….and that includes listening to The Chipmunks Holiday CD over and over and over!
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I plan on remaining joyous by choosing happiness in each moment! There are so many opportunities this season where it would be easy to fall into overwhelm, or not good enough, or just plain worn out… I’m choosing to breathe in all the scents, stay in my exercise practice because I know that it is the key to maintaining grace in my body, and take the time to really connect with those close to me. I’m taking a trip with my kids to the beach… fairly non-traditional, but a great opportunity to just BE with each other… Something in the course of everyday life that sometimes can be elusive. The bottom line for me is that Christmas time is a great opportunity to focus on the light and on the love that God gives us every single day. I wish you all many wonderful and peaceful moments and a new year that is filled with wonder.
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Keeping it so simple, not focusing on the gift buying but instead the time we spend together. Winning that beautiful apron would bring true joy! Thank you for the chance to win.
Merry Christmas
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I am going to remain joyous because I am done! I have finished all of the shopping, wrapping, etc and we are headed to Oklahoma on SAturday. Then, we get to surprise our kids with a ski trip the day after Christmas. I have much to be joyous about!
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Staying joyous by remembering reason for the season. Past Christmases I have felt overwhelmed by trying to do it all. This year, I will try to do less and enjoy more.
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I am also trying to keep our holiday activities realistic. We are cutting back on spending money but spending more time with friends and family. I would love to win that wonderful apron and wear it for my next dinner gathering.
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I can’t NOT be joyous with 2 new additions (8 mth old twins) to our house this Christmas! With their big bro and big sis, it’s pure joy to watch their faces every day. We are cooking fools (my 4 year old refers to herself as my “sous chef”) and a new apron would be awesome!!
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My grandparents just moved to a nursing home – while it’s a sad time for our family – we still rejoice that we get to spend the holidays with them.
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Oh my how I love my aprons and look at that it matches the new Candy Apple Red Mixer I just won off the Pioneer Woman site…woohoo! I’m definitely rejoicing about that!!!!
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I will continue to keeping finding joy in my family. They are healthy, we are content, we will serve and we are in love with each other! How can a girl not be joyous!
My husband would find joy in me looking sassy in the kitchen in a pretty red apron too!
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Christmas candles and a few logs glowing brightly in the fireplace seem to hit the spot after a long day at the mall or doing activities with kids! There is something about the Christmas-y smell and the warmpth of the fire that bring joy to any stressful holiday afternoon!!!
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It’s hard to get into the joy of Christmas sometimes when you’re so far away from family. I love in Okinawa, Japan and needless to say, it’s rarely cold here. Decorating for Christmas has definitely put me in the Christmas spirit when there’s no snow or even temperatures to warrant wearing scarves. I mean who can resist shiny red glass balls and glowing candles?!? We plan on sharing the cooking this year with many friends and are having progressive dinners for Christmas Eve, Christmas and the day after for my husband’s birthday. It’ll be merry, for sure.
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I’m a follower, too.
)
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JOY – I have only recently found life of “blogs” and the many wonderful ideas of so many creative people. I am trying to use some of these ideas to simplify my gift-giving by making more. I also try to put a small note in the cards I send out that is personalized to the person receiving it. I enjoy reading holiday books and watching holiday movies. One thing that really “ignites my joy” is when I bring out our ornaments for our tree. We have alot of homemade and family ornaments and when I look at them I get sentimental remembering pasts Christmases and times when I was younger and my children were younger. Another thing I like to do is look at Christmas cookbooks, magazines, and websites to see get ideas. A really good magazine I found a couple of years ago is Life Beautiful! Merry Christmas! Kim
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Sometimes it’s hard to keep the joy when I’m in the middle of 100 items on my to-do list. But, I keep the Christmas music playing…especially my old favorites. I also realize that when I’m in the midst of the crazyness and utter chaos that for the moment I’ve lost the focus on the True Reason for this Season and then I scratch things off of the to-do list that really aren’t as important. Thanks for the giveaway! The apron is adorable!
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I just started following you on Twitter too
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I’ve planned a trip just for the four of us, out of town, we need to be as a family without the stress from work and blogging
yes I know, i’m a little stressed out. Anyway, I want my family to be joyful for Christmas, celebrate the birth of Baby Jesus, spend time with family, creating new traditions and after that we are going out of town for two days! fun
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I’m a follower my friend!
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I love being in the kitchen with my girls, they are 6 and 8 years old and love to bake with me. It is so much fun to listen to Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas cd while we make yummy Christmas goodies. I can get a little edgy during the holidays, I always remind myself that we are making memories together, not to worry about the mess. We have a little tradition of baking a special cake for baby Jesus, so we are already talking about the one we will make this year.
My girls each have personalized aprons that Grandma got for them, but I could use a new ‘hip’ apron. : ) Merry Christmas!
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Listening to Christmas songs and baking goodies helps me keep the joy in Christmas along with attending the Kids mass at our church! Would love be entered in the giveaway.
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Nothing helps keep a spirit of joy like finding ways to serve others…even putting away someone’s wet boots, picking up a backpack, helping find a toy. We are working on this with our kids and they draw a name each week of someone they “secretly” serve in our family.
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By just “being.” I will try to remind myself to be mindful in the moments of joy…not worrying about what is or what isn’t but truly living in the present and letting it be.
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