A Very Merry Christmas....... Sort of....

I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas and wish you bright new year.

This Christmas wasn't a Christmas we would like to repeat anytime soon as it was spent all day in the emergency room. But in several ways, it was a good Christmas -- just not one we want to repeat.

George had been having quite a bit of lower back pain lately but he felt pretty good Christmas Eve. We had a great laid back Christmas Eve dinner with my sister and her family and George seemed like everything was fine. Later that evening after our company had gone, a cough did him in. Who would've thought a simple cough would be the nail in the coffin so to speak? But it was; that one cough caused something in his back to go off kilter enough to pinch a nerve. He was in horrible pain and barely able to move. Something like this (only much less painful) happened one other time since we've been married and it greatly improved in a day or two, so we didn't go to the hospital right then thinking it would be better in the morning. Christmas Eve night was one long miserable, sleepless night.

Looking back on the matter, I should have insisted George go to the ER as soon as I knew he was suffering like this. If you are ever crawling on the floor in agony, unable to walk it's probably not the kind of pain that will go away on it's own. Go to the hospital for help (and the good drugs) sooner, rather than later.

So, Christmas morning we went to the ER and called our in-laws to cancel dinner. George really lucked out with medical personnel in his family; both brothers and his mother are nurses. So was his grandma. While George clearly did not get the nursing gene passed on to him, he is very grateful that there are so many in his family that did. One of his brother's met us at the ER; it's a real comfort to have some company in there with you and especially good to have someone that knows something about medicine.

After a round of the good IV pain medication an exam and a strong exhortation to follow up with George's family doctor on Monday we left.

As miserable as George was and the inconvenience of spending a day in the ER, on the way home mulling the day, over almost at the same moment we both expressed how grateful and blessed we were.   What first made me express my gratitude was the realization that I could've been driving home alone from the hospital. I mean I actually thought -- "what if I were going home, alone and leaving George there? And, not to recover. How many wives have had to make the long lonely trip home because their husband died? When you look at it from that perspective, anything short of that is a good day. We got to talking over the day and decided we were so very thankful that we had caring, supportive and helpful families, that we had health insurance to help with the cost, and there was a hospital to go to and that we won't be without food or shelter because George won't be working for a while. We are truly blessed.

Christmas night when I closed my eyes to sleep nothing came to mind but all of our blessings and how good God is to us  Sure, our day didn't go as planned and George had an awfully long, hard time of it, but honestly that wasn't what came to mind. Only the good things.

Post Title → A Very Merry Christmas....... Sort of....

How to Have a Merry Christmas: Reduce Your Expectations

A disclaimer: I already know that I need therapy for my issues  and if you ever come visit me, I promise to try really hard to act normal. : )

I am a control freak. And a really big neat freak -- according to people that have children. I don't really think I am (a neat freak; I KNOW I'm a control freak) because I've only, always lived with myself and a husband that's the same way, so I don't notice it much. Do you know Kate of Kate Plus 8 fame? Well, I would be like her x10 with only one or two children. Don't laugh; it's true.

Cooking Baking Day

We had started out planning an actual cooking baking day. But, we didn't have very much time to spend together and because we wanted to do the fun part -- the decorating, we changed the plan from making 3 kinds of cookies to just one and I baked them the day before so we could all frost them together and then have a quick bite to eat for lunch. Just because you can't do everything you start out planning doesn't mean the event is a bust; even doing a little bit can be fun.

Knowing my  control freak nature you will completely understand that inviting a group of people over for a cookie baking/frosting day is like begging for a stroke -- even if they are all adults and don't plan on shoving frosting up their nose. But, I really wanted to bake some cookies and have fun visiting with my mom and sister while doing it. We seldom get some girl time like this and we all wanted to do it. It's proof they love me; even knowing how I am, they were willing to come over and use frosting.

In preparation for today's fun festivities I prayed. Yes. I. Did. It went something like this: Dear Father; please help me to lower my expectations and not get mad when people are not decorating cookies like I think they should (yes I really said that!) and help me to not get irritated if they get frosting somewhere other than on a cookie. 

Holiday Meals

We are hosting back to back family get togethers on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I might like to serve something fancier, have better seating for our guests and better gift ideas than gift cards and a few odds and ends that have all the creativity of a limp noodle.  But, honestly if I look at from the perspective of those being my worst problems then things are looking great! We all will have a great time visiting with each other. Thank God we have a family on both sides where we all enjoy each other (we're not counting the ones that are in jail : )  It's not the end of the world if some of us end up sitting in kitchen chairs in the living room  or the plates don't match. Whatever it is you are stressing over this season... chances are if your family is happy and healthy, (even if they can't make it to visit) then things aren't so bad after all.

Holiday Events

George and I don't have issues with a multitude of holiday events to attend, but if we did that would be a big problem because we are such homebodies.  A lot of my friends and some family members struggle with this and it makes me sad to see them run ragged going here and there and everywhere when they most want to be home. For any family, there will always be a certain handful of "must do" or "really, really want to do" events. All I can say is pick and choose very carefully and do not allow the expectations of others dictate what is the best way for your family to spend your time during the holiday season or any other season. Once you've decided to manage your own family's calendar DON'T start feeling guilty about it and caving in to last minute pressures -- unless of course it's something that you will really enjoy doing and won't wreak havoc with the rest of your schedule.

People

They say the holidays tend to bring out the best and worst in people. Thankfully I usually see the best in people at our family get togethers.We try to be gracious guests and hosts, and we work with each other to not create overly complicated and perfect expectations for the holidays. So, based on my personal expectations there probably isn't a lot of encouragement I can share with you if your whole extended family is a bunch of nuts. If that's the case, try to find a quiet corner and hide until the festivities are over.

On a more serious note: Establishing good family relationships requires discipline, love, mercy and forgiveness day in and day out all year long. Often times we try to reap the benefits of this type of good relationship at the holidays without putting in the work that's needed the rest of the year. You can't make a withdrawal of something you never deposited. We don't know whats in the hearts and minds of others. Many of our loved ones and possibly ourselves are mourning the loss of loved one, a job, a marriage. This Christmas things might not be the same as they always have been; and that's very unsettling for most anyone.

To give you an example from our family; this is the second Christmas since my grandma's passing. As in most families; the older women tend to be the "coordinators of the holiday festivities" my Grandma was the one person that seemed to hold the whole extended family together. This year we are all missing her and my aunts are having a challenging time carrying on in the role of matriarch for their families. They are now the ones that will hold together their own growing brood of extended family. The only problem is that it doesn't look or feel anything like what they are familiar with. That's got to be so amazingly difficult!  My heart goes out to them.

In this season of celebrating how much Jesus loves us, let's purpose to make our focus be on loving others. Let us show love, kindness, mercy and grace to our loved ones, even if they don't respond they way we want them to and even if they never do the same for us.

Post Title → How to Have a Merry Christmas: Reduce Your Expectations

Christmas Cottages!

Four distinctly different small homes decorated for the holidays should get us in the mood for upcoming festivities!  Seven days and counting...

Photos Courtesy of Country Living

Christmas in a New England Cottage

Christmas in a Cozy Cottage

Photos Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

A Red, White and Blue Cottage Christmas

 

Beach Cottage Christmas

Post Title → Christmas Cottages!

New Year's Resolutions

This year, instead of resolutions where success depends on self-deprivation and steely willpower - the usual suspects of dieting and sticking to a budget come to mind - why not consider New Year's promises that bring beauty and joy into your home and life.

Here are a few suggestions.

Bring fresh flowers or greenery into your home.

Photo Courtesy Martha Stewart Living

And think beyond store bought. Home grown garden greenery or seasonal flowers are just as lovely.

Photo Courtesy Martha Stewart Living

Put your rooms on a diet. Get rid of clutter and extra furniture.

Photo Courtesy of House Beautiful

Calm and beauty will naturally follow.

Photo Courtesy of House Beautiful

Create a haven for yourself. A comfortable chair in a sunny corner...

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

a good book...

Photo Courtesy of House Beautiful

a few pillows and a cozy throw are all you need.

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

Make small luxuries part of your everyday life. Thick white cotton towels are not just for guests.

Photo Courtesy Martha Stewart Living

Use your best china and table ware to make any occasion special.

Photo Courtesy Martha Stewart Living

Light a fire just because.

Photo Courtesy of Midwest Living

Open your home to family and friends. Plan at least one dinner party.

Photo Courtesy Martha Stewart Living

Or a simple tea party.

Photo Courtesy Martha Stewart Living

Start a garden. On a patio ...

Photo Courtesy Martha Stewart Living

... deck ...

Photo Courtesy of Midwest Living

or backyard.

Photo Courtesy Martha Stewart Living

Do you have any home projects or resolutions planned for the New Year? Amber and I would love to hear about them.

Cheers!

Genevieve

Post Title → New Year's Resolutions

Happy Holidays!

Everyone at The Jewel Box® Home would like to wish you a very lovely Christmas and Happy Holidays!

My focus this year, as every year, will be in those small moments, tiny treasures that linger in my memory for years to come. As the hustle and bustle of the season slows down and "The Day" is upon us, I make a point to stop and reflect on the many things about this time of year that I love and the abundance of things for which I am grateful. I challenge you this week, to stop and savor the small moments. Remembering that life is made up of those small moments and that those memories can be made in your own cozy Jewel Box® of a home.

This holiday season, may you experience sparkle...

Photo Courtesy of Midwest Living

...moments of repose...

Photo Courtesy of Midwest Living

...the gift of greetings from family and friends...

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

...the joy of giving...

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

...a feast to share...

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

...visions of sugarplums...

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

...and the warmth and joy of the season!

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

From my little Jewel Box® Home to yours...I wish you love, joy and happiness!

~Amber

"A little house~a house of my own~
Out of the wind's and the rain's way."
~Padraic Colum

Post Title → Happy Holidays!

Christmas on a Budget

This year I decided not spend any money on holiday decorations, except for buying the Christmas tree. My beloved amaryllis, poinsettias and fresh arrangements of roses and lilies would not be part of our Christmas scenery. I did not even buy a wreath for the front door, but instead used white lights and red bows saved from last year. I almost made an exception for my annual tradition of buying a few new Christmas tree ornaments. As a girl, my mom took me every year to pick out two or three new tree decorations. I have continued the annual tradition on my own, always thinking of my mom as I choose my ornaments. But this year, I was not spending money which I knew would make my mom happy.

So here are the results of my frugal creativity.

Christmas Greenery

Instead of buying roses and white lilies - which I love - for the front entrance, I filled a vase with pine greenery from the lower branches of the tree and fresh variegated boxwood from my garden. The 'red berries' are artificial. I reuse them every year to add a little pop of color to greens.

A large flower and fruit filled crystal vase is one of my 'wow' Christmas centerpieces each year. To recreate this focal point without spending money, I again used greenery from the tree and hung my Santa ornament collection from the branches along with gold bells that also typically hang on the tree. As a final touch I tied a Rudolph ornament on a slim red ribbon around the neck of the vase. A completely different look from the elegant flower and fruit arrangement, but still very 'Christmasy' and one my young niece and nephew will enjoy when they visit on Christmas day.

My Santa collection hanging from Christmas greenery.

Close up of a Santa ornament.

The Christmas Tree

I didn't spend any money, but I still have two new ornaments for the tree.

This is a tiny Godiva chocolate box tied with a red ribbon. I used an ornament hook to hang it from the branch.

This special ornament is a small jewelry bag that belonged to my mother. I stuffed it with tissue and hung it from a red tie cord near the ornamental birds that my mother always loved.


My tree skirt is two yards of red velvet I used several years ago for a Halloween costume. I think it frames the tree nicely and is an elegant backdrop for presents. (And yes, I forgot to sweep around the tree before taking this photo. That green speck on the floor is a broken tree tip.)


I also wanted to make holiday decorating a little easier, so I didn't hang the dozens of crystal icicles in my ornament collection. Not as much sparkle, but still festive. And less to put away when the holidays are over!

More Holiday Budget Decorating

Rosemary topiaries decorated with 'red berries' for the holidays. I'll be using these rosemary clippings for my beef tenderloin on Christmas day. (You can find the recipe on my New Year's Celebration post from last year.)

Santa ornament collection with holiday rosemary topiaries.

Dining room chandelier decked out with artificial greenery and a favorite ornament.

A trio of nutcrackers and a red berry wreath purchased several years ago.

A simple white bowl and pomegranates add holiday color to the coffee table. The pomegranates will be served with dessert at Christmas dinner.

Homecoming

Fast becoming a traditional holiday scene at my house is luggage dumped in the entry way when my son comes home from college. To be fair, this pile also includes luggage my younger son used for a trip to visit a friend out of state. It has now been over a day since both boys came home. I'm waiting to see how long it takes them to pick up their bags.

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Genevieve

Post Title → Christmas on a Budget