I think this stretch is the longest I’ve ever gone without posting on my blog! I can’t remember ever taking five full days without posting anything. I’ve always taken posting fresh content very seriously. It is my job, after all! But this year, I decided to relax a bit and allow myself a few days without posting or prepping posts ahead of time.
I didn’t set a “back to work” day, but I woke up this morning and felt ready to write, so here I am.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! We definitely did. The boys are at a prime age to appreciate gifts and we were able to surprise them with some really fun ones this year. My parents, brother and sister-in-law joined us, so the house was full of noise, fun, wrapping paper scraps and yummy smells.
Marshall woke up feeling a little queazy, so he carried the “puke pot” around with him for a while. Once he got into the presents, though, he started feeling better.
We had homemade banana bread and clementines out to hold everyone over until Christmas brunch…
And, of course, we had lots of presents…
…and horsing around.
My sister-in-law made some beautiful cards for everyone. Can you tell which one is mine?
Eulalie was her inspiration, of course, and she totally nailed it.
My mom loves snowmen, so this one was for her…
…and the bucolic farm scene was for Jeff.
I received a lot of thoughtful gifts and things that were on my wish list.
I love this blanket scarf from Grace & Lace (you know me and scarves)…
…I got a few boot socks and cuffs from them as well. (Instagram marketing works! I’m a sucker!)
My mom got me a little cast iron cow, which was a fun surprise…
I also got a Charge HR Fitbit, which I’m excited about as I refocus my energies on healthy eating and fitness. Anthropologie (which I used during their 25% off clearance sale) and Gap gift cards, books, perfume and a few other things rounded out my haul this year. I even got a few gifts from readers including a silver necklace (it’s a little bell made out of the top of a sterling silver knife) and a magnetic bowl to hold my pins!
As a bonus, my mom took Tai (my sister-in-law) and I out for a girl’s shopping trip and she treated us to things we took a fancy to. I got a new purse and a plaid coat (you can get it HERE from Dress Barn, and it’s on sale!)…
…some cute, comfy shoes…
…a pair of jeans, a couple of shirts, some tights and a knit hat.
We’ve spent the days since Christmas lazing around the house, enjoying our new gifts and gadgets and leftovers. I usually take down the tree and fresh greens pretty quickly, but I’ve left them up and have been okay with giving into the lack of motivation I’ve felt.
That organization and hyper-productivity bug I felt before Christmas has started to creep back in, though, so I plan on getting some things done today…
33 Responses
Hello Marian and happy to hear you had a wonderful holiday! Ours was equally wonderful and I must admit I am ready to get back into the “groove” of life (too many treats!). Looking forward to sharing a wonderful 2016 with everyone and an early “Happy New Year”!
JoanMarie
Looks like a sweet holiday with the family 🙂 Thanks for sharing!! Looks also like you guys all got spoiled!
Happy New Year!
I love that a reader sent you a magnetic holder so your pins won’t spill anymore.
Love this post; beautiful photos of family Christmas! That plaid coat & your new scarf are great! I don’t blame you for the tree still up; the kind you can just leave the lights on & sit by & relax!
Love the plaid coat, can you share where it is from?
It’s from Dress Barn. I added a link, but here it is… http://rstyle.me/n/bgtgjnvp66
Thank you for inviting us into your home.
Beautiful Christmas pictures: You will have wonderful memories from these times with the boys still young.
Read quite a few blogs, love yours, your sincerity and graciousness shine through and your talent is amazing. Thank you for sharing, it always makes me smile.
Really love the plaid coat, too! Do share where it came from and would you post a picture of the silver necklace that you received from a friend? It sounds wonderful…just like your Christmas!
Yes, I will. I know it’s hard to picture from the description, but I’ll share a picture.
Happy you had a relaxing holiday! Love that coat! I have that same purse in the tan & black version and I LOVE it. Just the perfect size to fit everything and a classic look 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful Christmas. So very happy that you have left the tree up and have been enjoying the season still, as we all should instead of rushing to the next thing. Time goes by so fast. Spending the last few days with your boys and family is making lasting memories that you will treasure in the years to come.
BTW I loved your Christmas song and true meaning of Christmas your shared with us your readers.
Have a wonderful happy and healthy New Year!!!
Leslie
You needed that magnetic pin holder!! Could never figure out why you didn’t have one.
Okay, I expect you to be styling’ it when I see photos of you next! All that good clothing and stuff!!
I love the coat and purse and would love the details please.
Happy new year!
Julie
The coat is from Dress Barn. I just added the link to the post and the purse was from TJ Maxx. It’s made by Tignanello.
Santa was good 🙂 I got some “Bobs” and can’t seem to take them off, so comfy – happy new year 🙂
It sounds like you had a much deserved relaxing Christmas. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us.
I love that a reader sent you the necklace. When my husband and I were away celebrating our anniversary this summer on St. Michaels in Md. he bought me that necklace. Funny thing is when I saw it I thought of you. I love mine and the sweet sound it make when I move.
I’m looking forward to what you will share with us in 2016.
Happy New Year!
I got a Parson’s West brush for Christmas! I am so psyched to use it. I think I may start by painting a piece of bead board White and screwing it to studs as a base for the towel bar my kids have now torn out of the wall twice.
Glad to hear you got a good rest.
The Other Marian
Sorry but I had to laugh at the puke pot – when I was a kid some 50+ years ago, mom used a cooking pot too….. too funny! Glad you had a wonderful holiday@
Loved everything! Can you share the source for the green drinking glass on your counter? Thanks!
Oh yes. I just found those over thanksgiving at HomeGoods and just spotted them again at TJ Maxx a couple of days ago. I was able to get 16 drinking glass and 16 juice glass for about $40. I’ve been looking for new glasses for a long time and I love how these look like old “wavy” glass.
Marian, thanks for sharing your Christmas with us. You got wonderful gifts, to add to The One Whom you sang about in your last post:-)
If I was still collecting black ‘n’ white cows, I would drool over the cast-iron cow. I edited my collection when we moved into our apartment. Tia’s cards are cute, wish I could draw or paint (besides painting furniture). I echo another reader’s sentiment, do model your new outfits for us from time to time.
Have a warm, safe Happy New Year!
I am actually loving that rug displaying your shoes!
Love that coat!!! Happy New Year to y’all!
Thank you for sharing your Christmas and family with us. I recently discovered Miss Mustard Seed and am enjoying every bit of it. We had the stomach bug at our house Christmas week. I couldn’t meet my in-laws at the door because I was tending to my five-year old in the bathroom. My husband was sick Christmas Eve. When my older kids were little, we had a “feel better bucket.” It was covered in stickers for them to look at to get there minds off of feeling yucky.
Hi! I am a new follower and am really enjoying your blog! I got so tickled over the puke pot. We also used a big cooking pot for my four kids growing up. It somehow migrated to my in laws house (disinfected) & I recently borrowed it back. I made chili in it, not even realizing it was the same pot. My kids, now grown, had a fit when they saw it! “No way we’re eating chili from the throw up pan!” ?
I loved the pictures and the sharing, glad you had some time off.I got to spend some great fun with my family too. Looking forward to next year. Happy New Year Marian.
So glad to hear you’re getting good rest and a sweet time with your family! Happy New year!
Glad you took some time off for yourself!….We all need that…so loved the photos of Christmas day…the cards are so beautiful…how sweet of your sister in law to make them. Loved seeing your beautiful gifts and love Bobs..especially knowing that part of the profits go to charity…
Happy New Year Marian!
I’m happy to hear you had a joyful Christmas. I love those Christmas cards by your sister-in-law. They’re so lovely!
Glad you had a happy, fun Christmas with your family. I also loved your family “choir” and the beautiful song you sang.
From this post I really like the Bob’s slip-on shoes AND the rug they are sitting on! I was shoe shopping the other day and saw a pair of sparkly silver Bob’s slip-ons which I dearly wanted to buy, but sadly, I have very narrow feet and they don’t come in narrow sizes. I LOVE shoes but my foot width has been the bain of my life. But a pretty small thing to complain about when I’m so blessed in other ways!
Anyway, blessings in the New Year. May you have a year full of fun, satisfying work and love!
Happy New Year to you Marian! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful Christmas with us! Looks like you and your family had a magical time. I love all your gifts, and the cards your sister in law made were so beautiful and thoughtful. Best wishes to you and yours for this New Year! XOXO