A cozy corner in the kitchen for Christmas

Hello there!

I hope you are having a wonderful week friend, ours has gone by so quickly with a crowd of teenagers having sleepovers every night this weekend, and the usual laundry and preparation for the coming week.

I think we just about have all the germies out of the house now, and I am sure everyone is tired of me reminding them to wash hands and down the dozen vitamins I assign to them each morning.

I have started back on my walking routine and I feel so much better getting that regular exercise. It is amazing when you have the wintertime crud how easy it is to not feel like going for a walk. And our live tree seems to love the humidifiers I have going around the house. So that is a win win.

After we brought our tree home Troy asked me if I wanted to keep the trimmings to do my usual 500 foot garland to put above the front door and nearly out to the street. I typically will gather armloads of the discarded cuttings at the tree farm and spend an afternoon with very sappy hands and a few pokes from the florist wire building more garland than any one house needs.

I decided I wanted to do something, but it had to be quick and simple.

I’ve mentioned in my last couple posts that I want our home to feel cozy without being overly decorated this year. In the process of using only my favorite things in just a few areas of our home, I feel so much more relaxed. And, as a side benefit, I am not dreading taking it all down in a few weeks.

It’s amazing how a few simple touches can make you want to grab some tea and a warm blanket and just be in your home. Just you and your thoughts, a few twinkle lights, and maybe a nap while some soup simmers in the slow cooker.

Going thru the tree trimmings I saw the potential for a big fluffy wreath, a swag, or a lovely green centerpiece too. One branch in particular stood out to me however.

It was far from perfect, and a little soggy from sitting in our trimming pile in the rain.

It didn’t need to be hidden behind other branches hoping no one noticed it’s imperfections.

It was a little wonky, misshapen, and just perfect for being gathered together and used in a little spot that needs some simple Christmas cheer.

Here is how I made this little corner of my kitchen ready for the season with the most simple supplies ever!

I started with placing my crock in the center of a large square of kraft paper, pulling up the corners, folding them over and tying the jute twine around the crock to secure the paper.

I added a large mouth quart size mason jar inside of the crock and added a couple smaller branches, saving my favorite to go in last in the front.

Some favorite cutting boards that Troy and I have made, a little more tree trimmings on the shelf and this little spot is so cozy and inviting now.

I have always thought of it as a really hard spot to decorate but I am beginning to feeling differently about it.

With everything going on in the world right now I am more and more drawn to living simply and slowly. Sometimes the weight of it all is so much, and we feel as though there is nothing we can do to help.

There is always a way to help, if simply being the good, and looking for the helpers as Mr. Rogers would say. To pray, be grateful, and look for ways we can be the light in a sometimes dark world.

I asked my Grandma years ago what the most important thing a person could do in their life and she paused a moment, she was such a thoughtful woman.

Kindness.

She said kindness was the most important thing in her eyes. Surviving the Great Depression, marrying my Grandpa 6 weeks after a blind date, running a farm, raising two kids (and a wild teenager 🙂 ) She taught me everything I know about grace, Grandma once again gave me the words to keep close to my heart each day.

Friend, I reach out across the miles to give you a big early Christmas hug, and thank you for your sweet messages, encouragement and kindness. Your following along and friendships mean the world to me, I thank you so very much!

Until next time,

xx Tanya