A Little Weekend Recap, and a Big Merry Christmas

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A very happy Christmas Eve, sweet friends!

And here we are, ready or not, at Christmas time. Everyone's saying how quickly it came, and I can't deny that I feel the same way. As "ready" as I was a couple of weeks ago, there has still been plenty to keep me busy, and this past weekend was no exception. Come on in...

Carrie came by yesterday afternoon to sample an eggnog cupcake, and she pleaded to open just one present. We held our ground like super strict parents {ha}. Thing is that we kind of down-sized this year - or rather, just didn't go over-board on present buying - so we wanted to save everything for tonight. {Doug, Carrie, and I will open our gifts tonight when we are home from our Christmas Eve celebration with Doug's our family.}

My mom is in everything I do this year. I know I have a few readers who are experiencing the holidays for the first time without a loved one. It is so very bittersweet, and has the potential to be super, super sad if I let it. I won't let it. But I really do miss my mom.

I made an art canvas for someone special, and put the finishing touches on it yesterday afternoon. I think it's my favorite so far, but Carrie says that I say that every time I make one. I'll show you next week. :o)

Yesterday I was in the kitchen All.Day.Long. I made pumpkin bread, red velvet cupcakes, eggnog cupcakes, chicken soup {for our dinner last night} and I cooked a large pork roast and made it into chili verde to take to our Christmas celebration tonight. This morning I'll be making chocolate pancakes {Carrie will be here for that annual tradition} and I'll frost those cupcakes. Then I will be officially done with preparations and ready to enjoy a glass of wine {or two} with my three awesome SIL's over at Doug's dad's house.

My work office is closed until January 2nd {and even when you love your job it's still awesome to have some time off!} and I will be keeping myself busy with things around here. I want to catch up on my Project Life, and I'm seriously thinking about making a quilt. So much free time ahead of me - so many fun possibilities to fill it with!

And with that, I'm off to enjoy Christmas with people I love.

I have so much to be thankful for, and one of those things is the lovely friendships I've formed through this crazy little thing known as PaperTurtle ~ my blog. I'm wishing everyone who reads this post today the very best Christmas you've ever had. I hope it's filled with love and laughter just like mine will be.

Peace, love, and jingle bells,

♥ ~ Deb