Hello, friends!
This week, I’m ready to burst in with an idea that truly helps me. But first…if you haven’t been asked lately — how are you? How are you feeling in your body? How are you navigating your run up to the holidays? Are things stable and normal or a little off-kilter in your world?
Today we’re tree trimming (so early, I know) but we have sons and girlfriends here before someone heads off overseas for a uni (university) study trip, and this weekend was our window to share the family traditions. I’ve got a dinner planned with the Nutella Christmas Tree pastry for dessert — recipe below — and the Christmas lounging pjs are wrapped and ready for a Christmas movie night after dinner.
So…that’s me, starting to celebrate Christmas.
It makes me think of how much I love the holidays, and here’s the secret: I love to create joy.
This year, more than ever, when the news is terrible and life has honestly been unsettled for us, I want to drive up in the Fun Bus and create a beautiful holiday with all the people I’ve been given to love.
I want to fiddle with baking the treats my family loves.
I want to find and wear the matching pjs.
I want to pick up sweet and small gifts for girlfriends, and wrap them with care.
I want to celebrate — to throw some good back into this world, to make some dinners and play some games and laugh with people and breathe it all in.
The older I grow, the more I know that our lives are always changing. What we have is now, today, and the micro-moments of happiness we create.
No one has ever come to my door and handed me some happiness. I wish! Some days, when things are hard and extra “life-y” I wish this were the case…but I do believe we can open our own door, and hand some happiness back.
My plan in the lead-up to Christmas this year is to take every opportunity to hand out joy. And to sit back in a chair with my feet up and my cup of hot coffee, and marvel at all the amazing things we have:
People to love.
Hearts to warm.
Lights and sparkle and magic (and summer for us…and maybe you’ve got falling snow)
I hope you join me in feeling really good — in learning to feel even better — as we go ahead like all women do, and make the magic this season.
Love,
Catherine x
PS. The fun stuff!
Remember the pup who hangs out on the trolley at my local flower shop? There are TWO. I don’t know why this delights me so much…but think about puppies riding on flower trolleys, setting out the flowers every morning. Life is delightful, right?
The Nutella Christmas tree recipe - so easy and cute.
Hot tip: I was browsing ASOS.com in September, and found Christmas pjs at a huge, huge discount. I got sets of these for $15 and the quality is amazing. Who knew you could buy family pjs so early? I’ve put a reminder in my calendar for next year.
A perfect little girlfriend gift: these small cross-body bags. Honestly, the caramel one looks like it’s from Zshoosh for $150 but it’s Kmart and $10.
(A quick and respectful note on sharing budget-friendly options: over the years, I’ve had so many lovely emails from readers who, especially since Covid times, have lots of creativity and love to share, but not so much money. That’s why I try to be balanced here, and share what works for everyone. Hugs, hugs, hugs to you all. I hope today is flooded with opportunities for you and your families, and so much joy. 🩷🩷🩷)
Had to share - our picture book, Violin & Cello, was featured on Playschool last week. So sweet to be part of this Aussie iconic television show.
