It’s that time of year, and you think about it more as the days get shorter and the weather gets colder. This morning, a very cold rain poured down as I went to a Bible study. The wind was blowing and it made the cold penetrate deeper. The leaves are turning to beautifully deep, oranges, golds, and reds. I found my heart at peace and excited for the holidays ahead.
I’m more excited this year than ever before as I think of preparing cozy holiday meals for my family and having everyone together. The decluttering is still in progress and improving. I’m removing some things but replacing them with other things as an upgrade. I’ve contracted with a local man to make a nine foot table so that we can try to fit the whole family around one long table in the dining room. The old table will go.
I’m updating toys in our basement playroom as the grandchildren are outgrowing the baby toys of past years. The old toys go, and are being replaced by more age appropriate, and fewer toys. I love space and bare places for creating calm minds, and I’m going for things that I think will encourage creativity and longer attention spans.
The Bible study that I am working on, by Lisa Harper, mentioned that we should practice “radical hospitality”. I can’t remember if I heard her say that on one of her videos or read it in the workbook. Of course I can’t find the original source right now, but those words stuck in my mind and it is a great time of year to think about those words:
Radical Hospitality
This year — that is what I’m going for. Cleaning and organizing my home and decorating to be inviting to others. I’ve changed some of my seating arrangements to create areas where we face each other rather than the TV, to promote more conversations.
I’ve been watching cooking videos and thinking of recipes to try. One of my favorite young girls to watch is Julia Pachecho on her YouTube channel. She shows how to make easy, inexpensive meals and even has one on how to prepare a great Thanksgiving dinner for $25. You can check it out by clicking here. She also has a new cookbook coming out in November.
Here first cookbook, pictured below, is wonderful for preparing fast, delicious, simple meals.
It has gone up in price since I first bought it, maybe because her new cookbook is coming out. But keep tabs on it. The price may go down after her second book is published or there may be a combo package available for both of them. Amazon seems to do that frequently. You can tell from all the paper tabs, it is well loved and used.
Are you getting excited about the holidays ahead?
I’ve had many holidays that I didn’t look forward to.
This year is different.
How are you approaching the holidays? With dread or anticipation… and why? Please comment below if you feel you can. I know holidays can be very emotional as well, and you may not want to talk about it.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18 (NIV)
Have a great week!