The Peace of Christmas Mornings…more decor and hot cocoa #3

Christmas Kitchen Decor on Over 50 Feeling 40

One of my silver linings from this crazy, difficult year has been more time to enjoy Christmas mornings…the decorations and the peace.

 There is just something reinvigorating about beginning my day in my chair, with my coffee, Christmas lights on, candles lit, maybe a fire and quiet…blissful quiet. 

Especially after a week which included unexpected family activity and a car accident…breathing in the peace keeps me going.

This is one place where I sit with a constant smile on my face.

In the past, I would rush out 5 days a week to get to work, and not be able to relish my morning time except on the weekends, but this year has been different.

It has blessed me to have many Christmas mornings and with Christmas Day just one week away, I want to fully enjoy what remains.

Holiday Kitchen decor on over 50 Feeling 40

Besides snowmen and Santa’s, I am also captivated by little houses with either tea candles or tiny bulbs inside.  The small white houses were my choice for the new kitchen this year.  

New Christmas Decor on Over 50 Feeling 40

Of course, I kept the snowmen in the kitchen…but selected them for color and style.  

A select few are looking over us from atop the cabinets.

Kitchen Snowmen on over 50 feeling 40

A local coffee shop shared this on their social media about snowmen…and, of course, I loved it!

ADVICE FROM A SNOWMAN

  • Be a jolly happy soul
  • Spend time outdoors
  • Avoid Meltdowns
  • Be well-rounded
  • Live well, life is short

Christmas decor from Target on Over 50 Feeling 40

Affordable white buildings were at Target and Bed Bath & Beyond

Christmas Decor at Target from Over 50 Feeling 40

I believe my fascination with houses began as a child.  I have always loved to see homes at dusk or dawn with their lights on.  I found them to be captivating and comforting.

One of my goals is to create this same feeling in the mornings going forward into January.  Not sure what my decor will need for that to happen.  A work in progress and I will keep you up-to-date.

MY OWN CREATION – HOT COCOA #3

Pamela Lutrell's Hot Cocoa Recipe

It seemed fitting to end this Friday series on Hot Cocoa with my own creation…next Friday is Christmas Day.

GIGI’S SMOOTH AND CREAMY HOT COCOA

1 1/2 cups of whole milk

1/4 cup of Coffee-mate French Vanilla Creamer

1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla

3/4 cup of white chocolate chips

1 Tablespoon of Andes Creme de Menthe Baking Chips

Stir until melted and hot.  We like to top this one with whipped creme and a peppermint stick.  If you want a really smooth, non-minty cocoa, then add a tablespoon more of the white chips and leave out the mint ones.

This is really good, and on the Mr. B-likeability- barometer….seems to be his new favorite among the three.  But, I think he said that every week!!

THE WEEKEND

Yes…we will be Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree this weekend!  Actually, while I would like to enjoy the decorations all weekend...I HAVE MASS WRAPPING TO DO!  I have adult children who sent me their gifts to wrap! Sigh!

I know they have their hands full with little ones…so I will be diving in!  Never fear, Would You Wear It and more content will be here…so please stop by… would love you to support the blog with my links…share the blog with others who need encouragement….and always

KEEP SMILING!!

Pamela Lutrell with Holiday Joy

 

Teleflora To Say You Care

Talbots

JJILL

Chicos

Dillard’s

Anthropologie

Ann Taylor

Loft

Ulta

Lane Bryant Plus Size

LuLuLemon (Perfect gifts for young adults)

World Market

Kohls

Walmart  

Target

Home Depot

Nordstrom

Lowe’s

Best Buy

Sephora

Williams-Sonoma

Nordstrom Rack

Ross Simons Jewelry

Lands End

Naturalizer

J Crew Factory

NEST Fragrances

Macys Joy Ornament on Over 50 Feeling 40

Rack Room Shoes

Art of Tea

Rugs.com

Kirklands

Ebay

Etsy

Anthropologie Home

Crabtree & Evelyn

Artfully Walls

Overstock

Bed Bath & Beyond

Pottery Barn

West Elm

GOLI on over 50 Feeling 40

For everyone who agrees with me that Apple Cider Vinegar is great for the metabolism and other health benefits, then order your GOLI today.  Just go to my page at GOLI HERE.  

 

 

 

MY COMPLEXION LOVES CHAMONIX…KEEPING ME YOUTHFUL!  Currently, running a  SPECIAL NOW!

 

 

By Pamela Lutrell

 

19 Comments

  1. There is something about the peace in the morning before the sun is up. I have come to really enjoy this time also. The white houses are such a pretty addition, and unexpected with all the traditional ‘themes’ of Christmas. I really like that. Because I’m planning to put my house on the market, I didn’t do my usual Christmas decorating, even gave a lot of things away to prepare for moving, but I’m looking forward to a new beginning next year, and already thinking of a big celebration next Christmas. I’m thankful this year that I’m going to be celebrating with my family members who live in and out of state, that we’ll all be together. So much to be thankful for! So much to look forward to!

  2. Pam,

    Thank you for happy, inspiring posts. We, your readers, truly enjoy them. When my 4 grandchildren were small, my daughter brought their gifts to me to wrap. I offered and provided the gift wrap, ribbons and gift tags. She had 52 gifts for me to wrap for them. I know that over the last 40plus years, I have wrapped thousands of gifts. Even now, I love wrapping gifts! Some things never change!

  3. There is so much to be thankful for…despite all the challenges…in these morning quite times I focus on gratitude. I am sure if I were moving, I would not decorate to this level. Thanks for starting my day, Karen.

  4. You made me think about it, Sharon…I hadn’t realized that I also have probably wrapped thousands of gifts…it is just a part of my holiday joy!

  5. I love decorating with snowman you can leave them up all winter. I’ll leave mine up until the end of February. Peace love and happiness to you and your family

  6. First of all Pamela, so sorry to learn that you had a car accident but happy to hear you didn’t sustain any injuries.

    As to the wrapping of gifts; like yourself hate to think how many I’ve wrapped over the years but it is something I always enjoyed doing and still do. (Yes, I even wrap stocking stuffers …. lol! ….. but those usually only in tissue paper.) Also years ago for four seasons I actually managed a Xmas Store for a close friend of mine (until she sold both outlets), so from October to December it was not unusual for myself to be in the Christmas mode during that period; not to mention also accompanied her to the different Trade Shows (prior to that) which were always a lot of fun.

    In closing; shall definitely try your hot chocolate recipe as sounds delish and love your little white houses as so enchanting. -Brenda-

  7. Your mornings are certainly peaceful looking and so inspiring! I love your little white houses and like you have always loved seeing the lights from other houses at dusk. It always makes me smile and gives me such a homey feel…happy to hear I’m not the only one! This year will be definitely be a different Christmas for us. I have hosted Christmas Eve for 43 years with all the family, but not this year. We will have quick visits to the grandchildren on Christmas Day and my one daughter will actually spend the holidays with us. I’m trying not to be sad and enjoy the slow pace. Like you, I was working full time and trying to shop for gifts and food and get everything ready for the celebration. This year it’s online shopping, cooking for 3 and just trying to savor this very unusual Christmas season. Though I’m so ready for things to be better, I’m starting to think that the craziness from before Covid shouldn’t be my “normal.” Incorporating the peace and quiet into what was our old busy lives is my goal for the new year. Praying 2021 brings us all joy!
    Merry Christmas, Pam!

  8. So nice to sit and read your blog this morning, in the early quiet as you describe so well. Sorry to hear about the accident and worries this week. I have been off my phone for the past several days also with family concerns. My father is in the hospital for the third time in the past two months, and we are all feeling a little wrung out from the experience and his declines. All our holiday hopes have changed. Nonetheless I am encouraged by the seasonal displays I see each evening in my neighborhood, and also enjoy quietly basking in the Christmas solitude of our home. One of my piano student’s whole family is in quarantine following finding out that a classmate in her little brother’s preschool has covid. I am praying mightily for everyone touched by this, and that we all can look forward to the safer days promised this coming year.

  9. I had to laugh when I read how your adult children send you gifts to wrap because I have done that for years for our two sons, and their families. I enjoy wrapping gifts, and buy big rolls of Christmas paper after Christmas for the next year. I wrap all of each son’s gifts in the same paper so they are easier to separate, using a little tag to identify the gift. I have found it much easier to cut straight edges of paper if I buy paper with some straight geometric design I can follow with my scissors. Your house decorations are so festive, and bound to make you feel happy in spite of the dire happenings around us this year. Thank you for your uplifting posts.

  10. I join you in those prayers, Connie…and I will pray for your family and your father. I know those times are stressful. Thanks for joining in this morning.

  11. Now I am glad to find someone else who likes houses at dusk!! Does that make us lighted-house-sisters??

  12. Oh my goodness…I would love to manage a Christmas store! How much fun. I so hope small businesses will thrive again one day!
    Thanks so much, Brenda

  13. It is the greatest way to start a day…I am sad it is going by so quickly! Thanks Paulette…those old carols are the best.

  14. Since I am a huge fan of white chocolate & French vanilla, this cocoa recipe sounds perfect to me. I didn’t put up my Christmas tree this year as my husband has been experiencing mobility issues resulting in falls. I did however, decorate with many cherished table top pieces that hold special memories for me & bring me joy.

  15. I like that your table tops bring you joy, Becky. I think I would feel that way also…you will love the cocoa!

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