Sunday, December 23, 2018

Christmas cries and Christmas joy












First of advent came and today it is the day before Christmas Eve. What happened? Every year is the same, I have so many plans for December. So little time. Next year I'll start in November...

I filled my home with Christmas spirit, that First of advent, as well as I started a new job. That is what happened. The job is just temporary, a challenging project. A job that makes me feel like a real working woman. A job where I'm using so much brain power that I crash into bed in a fog of exhaustion early in the evenings. It is great! I am learning new things and I get to leave the house every day to go in to the office. It is a great feeling. I'll take my chance to do a shout out as I am working on developing an Intranet site in SharePoint. If anyone of you have experience of SharePoint and how it works, please let me know as I'm trying hard to crack how to use this complex platform and need help to do so.

And what else did I do this December?

I attended the Swedish Christmas market in Lausanne and sold almost all of my handmade creations to benefit the Swedish church. A day filled of Swedish tradition and culture. So lovely.

I baked saffron buns that was eaten within the baking day. Many times. We love saffron buns in my family. Saffron bun recipe here.

I've tried to buy gifts from the heart instead of just from a list. It takes brain work but is more satisfying.

I have written rhymes on chosen gifts as we used to that when I was a kid. It makes gifting even more special.

I have not written Christmas cards, and I feel really bad about that. I've collected so many beautiful Christmas cards over the years but somehow I most often fail to get them written in time. Or sent. Next year...

We invited friends for dinner, once, and to make it real special Jay made seafood tacos with homemade tortillas, tomato black bean salsa, red cabbage ceviche and guacamole topped with feta cheese crumbles. It was divine! Who would have thought salmon and lobster could be great for tacos? My new favorite dish.

We ate countless ginger cookies. Say now more...

I have not taken my daily walks for weeks, and I really - REALLY - miss them. I have come to realize how important those walks are to me and will make an effort to find the time for them again from now on. Being kind to myself.

I watched just a few Christmas movies like The Grinch, Elf and Love Actually. I still want to watch The Family Stone, The Holiday and Jack Frost. I do have a weak spot for sentimental Christmas movies that makes me cry.

I had my annual Christmas cry on the Third of advent. Ironically Jay said that morning that he was surprised I hadn't had my Christmas cry yet. Maybe he jinxed it as I later that afternoon was sobbing it all out in the laundry room over a failed batch of saffron buns and feeling overwhelmed from all the expectations I put on myself this time of the year. Same ol', same ol'. I folded two boxes of laundry and then I stepped back into reality and decided it will all be alright.

I haven't touched my crochet hook in weeks. All things crochet and crafts has come to a stall. It is what it is... That granny cluster blanket will be finished, one day...

We've listened to so many Christmas songs, good and bad. Favorites are still Bublé, Elvis and old classics. A new found version of Silver Bells has climbed in on my top 10 Christmas Song List, sung by John Legend this time. Cheezy and super Christmassy with bells, back up singers and all.

I still have gifts to wrap, Christmas candy to make. I wanted to invite people for Christmas apertif's, buy myself a Christmas sweater, craft with the kids, go for long walks, play games... I shouldn't beat myself up about it. Instead I should just do what I want to do today. Go with the flow... I'm thinking to do some of these things today:

- Leave all chores to the side
- Go for a long walk
- Make Christmas candy with the kids
- Continue to listen to Christmas music 
- Wrap the last couple of gifts
- Play Monopoly, all family involved
- Drink Glögg and eat even more ginger cookies.
- Watch a Christmas movie

And last but not least I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas. And say Thank You for sticking it out with me for another year, no matter how hot and cold I get with my space here. And Thank You for purchasing my patterns, leaving messages, sharing your thoughts and stories and listening to my rambles.

Turn on your favorite Christmas tune and dance all the stress away (if you have any, I know I have some...). It's Christmas time, a time for cheer, love and laughter. Good food and drinks. Pyjama days and woolly socks. Chilling. No need to make it complicated. After all, the best gift is to just be together. Let's be together.





Kärlek
Annette


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21 comments :

  1. Happy Christmas with your family, dear Annette, and all the very best for the New Year!

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  2. Dear Annette, just love reading your blog and I have missed it - keep checking to see if you have written a blog entry. What lovely photos - especially your sewing and patchwork. Spied your kitty hunkered down sleeping in one of your photos. Have a happy Christmas and New Year. Regards, Robyn

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  3. Merry Christmas and holiday blessings to you and yours. xo

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  4. God Jul fra en nordmann(kvinne) i New York! ��Thanks for all your lovely posts��❤️ Klem, Rigmor❤️

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  5. Você é uma inspiração! Obrigada por mais um ano de inspirações e carinho, Feliz Natal , beijos!

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  6. It all sounds blissful with you, and the saffron buns look excellent. Not sending Christmas cards is the green eco-friendly option, so well done you! I'm wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas, have a wonderful day. CJ xx

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  7. Have a happy Christmas time, Annette :)

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  8. Happy Christmas to you and your family with lots of fun, love and all the simple things that make life beautiful. Enjoy every thing.
    Xo,Jo

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  9. Glædelig jul og godt nytår, søde Annette. Du har lige givet mig tårer i øjnene, de sidste ord i indlægget gav mig en overvældende indre ro. Tak. Knus fra Karen i Danmark

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  10. A very Merry & Blessed Christmas to you and your family Annette!
    I still have to bring out our Christmas records and give them a listen!
    Tonight (Christmas Eve) is our Christmas. Tomorrow will be a relaxing day.

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  11. May your Christmas be filled with the love and warmth of friends and family! And may your new year be blessed with happiness and success....

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  12. Happy Christmas to you and your loved ones, Annette.

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  13. such a lovely blog! Cheers!

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  14. Thanks for sharing this interesting blog with us. My pleasure to being here on your blog
    isc888

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  15. Hi Annette,
    I get the feeling. I always start christmas preparations to late. This year I have been like a turtle, couldn't get myself moving. I lost my 19 year old brother last September in a car accident, but it still feels strange. I sometimes don't realise that he is gone. Well, I made little crocheted angels to sent to people who supported us a lot. And of course I only figured it out a week ago or something. managed to get them done in time. haha. Sorry for my personal stories.
    Keep breathing Annette, just stay calm and relax. Don't beat yourself up about something that isn't worth it. And do the things you want to do. I learned it from my brother. Just do the things you really want to do.
    Have a great Christmas Annette and a very happy 2019 I wish for you and your loved ones.

    Sweet greetings,
    Emily

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  16. Happy Christmas to you! I just found your blog via Google search - and I adore your writing, your approach to a balanced life, and being kind to yourself. I'm looking forward to reading more - this also seemed to appear at a time I needed it most, so thank you!

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  17. Happy New Year. Love your blog..I love that black/grey blanket! Do you have a pattern or tutorial for that?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Mary
      Thanks for popping in. The blanket is a traditional granny stripe blanket. I will make a blog post about it in the new year including the thoughts behind the choice of colors and all.
      Happy New Year!

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  18. ...och julen kom och gick! Jag gjorde för mycket julgodis (igen) så vi har fortfarande kvar! Släkten åkte iväg så kvar var min familj + svärmor. Den lugnaste och mysigaste julen vi nånsin haft. Inte dumt alls faktiskt! Min virknål har gått varm, kaffemaskinen likaså! Inga promenader utan bara latat mig.
    Om det är nåt jag missat, ja då kommer det en chans att göra det annorlunda till nästa jul!
    God fortsättning på 2019!

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  19. I love this post. I think we women put a lot of pressure on ourselves to make a “perfect” Christmas for our families. I ended up shouting at my husband just as our guests arrived! And great news about your job. It is exhausting being the “new girl” and trying to prove yourself whilst remembering everyone’s name and where the toilets are!! I hope you have settled in (& that your daughter is on the mend - poor love) Renie xx

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Thank you so much for visiting my world. I love reading your comments and I do my utterly best to respond to questions and sweet messages. Thank you again for popping by.

Kärlek
Annette

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