Christmas is definitely a busy time of the year. Decorating, cooking, parties, all within a
month’s time. I’ve been known to run myself ragged, doing way too much in a
short time. So this year, I decided to take it slow and savor the month.
Instead of getting caught up in so much “stuff” that I barely enjoy myself, I vow to stop
at least once a day to take a deep breath and relax.
Repeat after me, deep breath and relax.
Tough to do, isn’t it!
I don’t even have my Christmas tree up yet. In fact, as I
write this, I just finished taking down the Thanksgiving decorations. But I
refuse to stress. It’s still early. Or late, depending on your point of vow.
Judging from the amount of pictures on Facebook featuring festive trees, I may
be a tad bit tardy.
I even bought myself several Christmas themed romances that
I intend to read before year’s end, you
know, to keep the Christmas spirit. So...reading is my big Christmas
activity this year.
Disclaimer: These beautiful pictures of Christmas lights were taken at Hollywood Studios at Disney. Not my house!
Let’s face it, I may have good intentions, but I know I’ll
get caught up in some Christmas thing and love every minute of it. Who am I
kidding? This is the best time of year!
Just for grins, here’s my holiday picture. Grumpy cat has
nothing on my Belle!
To all our wonderful Heartwarming readers, I hope you enjoy
your time with family and friends during the Christmas season. Whatever you may
do, take a few moments to remember the reason of the season.
To celebrate this wonderful time of year, leave a comment
about your favorite Christmas activity. I’ll be giving away the three books in The Business of Weddings series, Orange Blossom Bride, Magnolia Bride, and
my current December release, Honeysuckle
Bride. Winner will be announced in
this comment section on Saturday.
Your poor cat! She looks about ready to escape. Hope you get a chance to breathe and relax.
ReplyDeleteShe wasn't very happy! Enjoy the holidays!
ReplyDeleteTara, your ideas of taking it easy really appeal to me. Unfortunately I am destined to mail all gifts I buy, so I must start thinking of Christmas early. And this year I'm behind. Very behind. Today I need to go stand in line at the post office and it's pouring rain. Why did I wait until one of our two days of rain you ask? Aiyii--darned if I know. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
DeleteTara, I agree with the taking some breaths and letting some things go! I'm scaling back this year and I'm already okay with it(: As long as the kids in my life get their gifts I'm not going to stress (this is what I've been telling myself). Looking very forward to your new release Honeysuckle Bride!
ReplyDeleteThx. Keep repeating...no stress!
DeleteI'm scaling back this year, too...I think. At the very least, I'm going slow. My favorite things are the surprise ones that happen throughout December. Today my daughter, who teaches special ed., declared it Tiara Thursday in her classroom and I got to help put tiaras on a flock of excited little girls. It made their day--and mine.
ReplyDeleteI love it! Tiara Thursday. Hmm...sounds like a book title.
DeleteSince the kids are off to college, we've scaled way back. It is a nice break. Although I don't have it in my "schedule" to read until after Christmas
ReplyDeleteEnjoy reading whenever you can.
DeleteTara - I'm going to follow your 'take a deep breath and relax' advice. I don't do a lot anyway, but I just sent a book off day before yesterday, and while I'm thrilled and relieved, I have that "Aaagghh!" feeling we probably all have at that time because the house is upside down and my husband is hungry for something that didn't come out of a box. I love Christmas! Our local Historical Society has a tea using old china and everybody's teapots. They make plum pudding and a big fuss. I used to take the granddaughters, but now I go with friends. It's like a Meet Me in St. Louis Christmas in Astoria. Christmas blessings, everybody!
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun. Enjoy the tea.
DeleteI don't have my tree up, either. But perhaps tonight...I've been saying that for a week now. lol I did help with our singing Christmas Tree at church if that counts. Merry Christmas All!
ReplyDeleteI'm probably the odd one out here but I've made the conscious decision to forego the holidays many, many years ago and have chosen instead to honor my friends and family all year long. I didn't particularly agree with the commercialism, stress and origin of many of the holidays so now I just celebrate each day instead of waiting for any particular day to do it. I respect others' decision to do the traditional celebrating, but I have been okay with choosing not to. I wish everyone a happy, stress-free December.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the commercialism. So let's celebrate every day!
DeletePoor cat. We put antlers on the last dog we had and they stayed on for about a second until she pawed them off her head. I don't think our new puppy will let us put stuff on her. My favorite Christmas activity is watching the Christmas classics. I do also enjoy reading holiday romances.
ReplyDeleteI can't help it, I love dressed up animals. Enjoy watching the classics.
ReplyDeleteLOL, my cat wouldn't stay still long enough for me to do this.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter dressed the cat, not me. LOL
ReplyDeleteI loved your post and those pictures of Disney-decorated houses are breathtaking... but even more beautiful are always your covers and the wonderful stories between them <3
ReplyDeleteI had a hard time getting past the pictures, Tara, including the adorable one of Belle! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for a wonderful Christmas, and a happy and healthy 2015.
And the winner of the giveaway is.....Lynsay Forsyth. Please contact me at www.tararandel.com. Thanks!
ReplyDelete