Making Merry in the Midwest
Welcome to Christmastime in our little Ohio ranch! This truly is my favorite time of year, and having little ones makes it all the more special. Since we’re still a young family, we’re just now creating our own traditions and watching the wonder and excitement that we’re helping to create in Lucy’s life. I’m learning to let go of my own expectations for this time of year and to be more flexible. Lucy’s actually been allowed to play with some of the decorations and she helps with everything I do, even though everything is much more difficult with little helping hands. Mom points for me! Ha! (I didn’t even rearrange the bulbs Lucy hung on the white Christmas trees above, though props to her, because she did a pretty good job!)
Seriously, though, this season is all about the ultimate gift of love, and my greatest hope is that above all else, we can teach Lucy about the love of God as we also strengthen the bonds of family and home during this season.
We just have one living room in our house— no basement, family room, sitting room, or any kind of bonus room. Just the living room. So in an effort to maximize our home’s Christmas decorating potential, we always put a tree in our dining room and mini trees elsewhere! I try not to get too crazy, because I want decorating to be fun, and not stressful. But often I dream of what it would be like to decorate a room with a mantle, or how I would adorn a stairway with evergreen and pine cones. Oh well! Maybe some day? But for now, I focus on our cozy home, happy famil,y and the gift of Jesus in our lives.
I also focus on the gift of food (aka butter and sugar) a lot this time of year. I’m not too worried about gaining a little holiday weight, to be honest. It always happens, and I’m happier indulging this time of year and dealing with the repercussions after the fact. January is what shift dresses and gym memberships were made for, right?
Lucy and I tried a new gingerbread recipe this year that we really liked from the Brown Eyed Baker. I think I might try different variations on it the next time I make it, but overall I was really happy with how soft and flavorful they were. I thought Lucy would have fun using squeeze tubes to decorate them, but it was sort of a fail for her developing muscles. Next we’ll try thumbprints, I think.
We’ve also been watching the same movies over and over when the sounds of Pandora Christmas stations aren’t filtering through our home. Mostly the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July. Today we watched the Veggie Tale’s Little Drummer Boy to make sure Jesus gets his screen time too. But as of now, it’s all about Rudolph and Snoopy.
I’ve still got more Christmas decorations up my crafty sleeves, and I can’t wait to share them with you! Later this week I’ll be cutting up fabric scraps for a last minute Christmas gift for Lucy that I’ll share at A Beautiful Mess, and also mixing up some salt dough for a project I’ve been wanting to work on for ages. Stop back soon! I’ll also be decorating Lucy’s dollhouse for Christmas, and I couldn’t be more excited!
My mom and dad are pictured above. Aren’t they precious? This is my favorite ornament that my mom made when they were newlyweds.
Gorgeous photos! the ornament of your parents is precious, so lovely!
Love the feeling of your rooms! I’m inspired to use (steal!) some of your ideas!!! Cheers and Merry Christmas to you and yours!
I love your whole scheme here! That couch looks super duper comfy and this particular type of tinsel is my husband’s favorite. But I won’t allow it in the house. Just like my mom wouldn’t allow easter basket grass in the house. :)
Ha! You’re smart! This is my first year doing tinsel. My neat-freak grandma always did it growing up, and I never realized how messy it is— with kids especially! I don’t mind too much, but of course, luck would have it that our vacuum needs a new belt all of a sudden and doesn’t work right now! Gah!
OH! Also, I have that same donut ornament!
Every detail is perfect…have always loved your decorating ideas!
Oh, thank you! Very sweet. I’ve always enjoyed your stuff too! :)
Love your decorations! Where did you get that flip clock? I love it :)
I got it from Amazon here: http://amzn.to/1IZ3Yxh We love it!
LOVE your Christmas decorations! I’ve been wanting to put tinsel on our tree like that for years :)
Just be warned, it gets tracked all over the place when you have kids! And probably would even if I didn’t have kids. hehe
Your decorations are awesome!!!! Your home looks so cozy and perfect for the season! Also, I love that you mention many times about God being part of the season, so many bloggers don’t and it drives me nuts! :) Your family is adorable! Have a very merry and blessed Christmas!
Thank you! Yes, I can see how that would drive you crazy! Pretty common, I guess.
I love your whole Christmas vibe! And where did you get that amazing black and white wall clock??
Thank you! It’s a Karlsson Big Flip knock off from Amazon: http://amzn.to/1IZ3Yxh
Thank you!! I just discovered your blog and it looks like lots of fun. :)
Love your style!!
Lovely! Where is that amazing painting from? Thanks!
Thanks! I’m assuming you mean the one behind the deer? It’s a Milton Avery reproduction. I forget where I got it, but I searched around for Milton Avery repros and found a site making them. :)
Dear Mandi ,
I honestly just want to know how do you find the time to do so many amazing things! I am also a mom of a 5 month old baby and i have a full time job, but i find it so difficult to do anything…
Maybe do a post about how you manage, please ….i just feel so overwhelmed with only one kid, lol!