Yes, it's the first day of December, and also time for the montly calendar roll-call! So here we go!
Oh, I love this scene from the John Sloane's Country Season calendar...doesn't it just make you want to be right there helping them carry in the big beautiful fresh Christmas tree that they just cut out in the woods? And can't you imagine that mother standing at the door to welcome them has prepared some hot cocoa and cookies for them to enjoy once they come inside and take their snowy boots and jackets off? I can just feel the warmth and welcome flowing out from the windows and doors...happy times are coming!! It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!
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"There comes a quiet season in life
where you stop trying to impress everyone
and start trying to be at peace.
You stop rushing.
You stop forcing.
You stop explaining yourself to people who were never truly
listening.
You learn that slow mornings are not laziness —
they’re healing.
And early evenings are not boredom —
they’re peace you spent decades earning.
Growing older isn’t about fading.
It’s about finally seeing clearly.
You start noticing the softness in things you used to overlook:
• the way sunlight warms the kitchen tiles
• the comfort of a familiar chair
• the peace of breathing slowly
• the joy of doing nothing but existing
You no longer need loud rooms or big circles.
A few real people — or even just your own company — is more than
enough.
And somewhere between all the birthdays and all the heartbreaks,
you gain a quiet kind of wisdom:
The kind that isn’t loud,
isn’t showy,
isn’t trying to prove anything.
Just… lived.
You realize you’ve survived every single day you thought you
couldn’t.
You’ve learned more from silence than applause.
You’ve grown softer, not weaker.
Kinder, not smaller.
Wiser, not tired.
And maybe — just maybe —
this is what beauty truly looks like:
A life that learned to bloom slowly.
A heart that stayed gentle in a sharp world.
A soul that finally understands its own worth.
Growing older isn’t a burden.
It’s a blessing hidden inside ordinary days.
A gift you only recognize once you’ve carried enough years
to understand what really matters."
I guess it spoke to me because I've been so very tired this past weekend, and a bit under the weather after the hustle and bustle of last week's Thanksgiving festivities at our house. I ended up having to stay at home from church yesterday, missing the beautiful first Sunday of Advent and also a 5th Sunday potluck dinner after church...but my tummy would not allow me to even think about participating in another big dinner! Oh my! But I am much better this morning, and trying to get myself back in gear to get started on this journey of Advent and preparing my heart and my home for Christmas...
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Oh, here's my own little picture of "bringing home the tree"...but we haven't brought out our tree just yet...that is yet to come...
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I did manage to set up the grapevine tree on the front porch so we can have some lights shining in the darkness...
I enjoyed your calendars as usual. Your home is looking bright and festive!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you weren't feeling great and had to miss church yesterday. Praying that tummy improves quickly!
What a beautiful post to start my day/month. I love all of the pretties you've put out for the month. I hope you continue to feel well.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the tummy issues, and glad you are better. I love the teapot night light, and the snowman teapot. your home looks like it is ready for the holidays to me.. cozy and warm and pretty. Hope Blackie is ok outside alone. waiting to see if he brings a friend home.
ReplyDeleteLots of folks have issues as a result of pigging out at the holiday table. A couple of days of salads and juicing usually sorts things out.
ReplyDeleteTake care of yourself as you care for everyone else, dear friend!! Hoping you are feeling better today!! I so love the quote you shared "There comes a quiet season in life where you stop trying to impress everyone and start trying to be at peace." I am there 100%. Your calendar photos are all snowy. It look pretty in the pictures, but I do not ever want to be snowed in anywhere!! LOL I am so over cold and snowy. Have a HEALTHY and blessed week ahead!!
ReplyDeleteOh those tummy issues after a feast can be taxing. We always try to have plenty of fresh fruit on the Thanksgiving table. It really helps! I liked everything about this post. I can feel your excitement for Christmas. Our outdoor nativity is out, as our indoor nativities. They always are the first pieces that go up, to remind us what this season is first and foremost all about. The tree and all, will Lord willing be sometime this week. It was supposed to be this weekend, but we lost steam. It will get done when it's done.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will have a beautiful day as we count down to the arrival of our Prince of Peace.
Hi Pamela, yes I do have 4 Madame Alexander ornaments.
ReplyDeleteI sent a note to you with the pictures on Face Book Messenger, just now ... Monday 11:45 AM PST
No pressure just wanted to have you see what I have. Each one is in its original box too.
Sue
Happy Advent, Pamela! How I love seeing your calendar pictures, as I've said here many times before, and the reflection about growing older truly touched my heart, too. I want to be at rest with God in this season of waiting, and not spinning around like an over-wound top. Sorry to hear that you weren't feeling well for a few days, but so glad you're feeling better now. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteHi Pamela...Sending you hugs on this cold, rainy day here in East Texas. Wow..how beautiful your place looks all decorated up. There are so many gorgeous calendars these days.... just makes you want to frame all of the pictures. I do enjoy the art work of Thomas Kincaid. I actually have a huge Christmas painting of his. I didn't put it out this year, but with second thoughts, I may need to do this. You have everything placed in the most special places and it all looks so warm and inviting for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteYikes, I haven't even begun the transition.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, I'm trying to take a page from this wonderful piece ("restful") and give myself a pass ... no rushing; no forcing.
You know, I always love your first of the month parade of calendars. I do hope Heaven looks a bit like Kinkade's cottage on the lane.
Saying a little prayer that you feel much better real soon!
"There comes a quiet season in life where you stop trying to impress everyone and start trying to be at peace." I LOVE THIS and I am so there.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about your stomach and glad you are feeling better.
I enjoyed your calendars, and everything looks beautiful and festive. I'm sorry you missed church yesterday, but I'm glad you are feeling better today. Happy December!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful post with your calendars, teacup and decorations. The poem really spoke to me too. I can relate to it too. I missed church last Sunday because of a migraine. I couldn't see well enough to drive and Dennis had to be at church at 5:30 am to put the turkeys on for the Harvest Dinner after church. By the time I realized my vision was so blurry he would have missed church driving the 1/2 hour each way to get me so I stayed home and listened to the service on Facebook. Then yesterday I was in the nursery rocking babies which I absolutely love, but missed two weeks in a row of being in the service. We'll be gone most of December too so that's kind of sad.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're feeling better today my dear friend. I've decided to leave Bentons wooden tomb out on the fireplace mantle instead of packing it away for Easter. It's a wonderful reminder that HE LIVES! Every time I look at it I'm reminded that the stone rolled away and now we're just waiting eagerly for Him to return. I think it will be soon, don't you?
Blessings and love,
Betsy
I am SO sorry you had a migraine and were dizzy/blurry. That's an awful feeling, I know, but rocking babies is a wonderful feeling! It's been too long for me...
DeleteOh, I am SO happy you are enjoying the Empty Tomb. I must tell Benton. I didn't even know he had sent it already! I'm so glad he did. Have you taken a picture that I haven't seen? I'm so far behind in reading posts and commenting. Yes, I do believe Jesus' return is soon and very soon!!!Then we'll be going to see the King, Hallelujah! Hallelujah! We're going to see the King. (do you know that song by Andre Crouch? our choir sings it ever so often. I love it!) I'm feeling a little groggy/foggy with all the medicine I'm taking, but I'm managing to do a little here and there in the house. Just a little at a time. Hopefully Benton will help us bring in the tree and decorations later this week so I can get to work on those, but I'm not rushing it. I hope you feel better and stay better for your trip. Praying.