There's something so peaceful about the day after Christmas.

The tree stands alone as the gifts have been delivered, and yet it has never looked so pretty. The lights quietly twinkle, reflecting off the ornaments and casting the Christmas glow. The calm has returned as the chaos of the season has come to an end.

I know some people are ready to put Christmas away as soon as it is over. TIme to get back to routines and normalcy. I get it. But before that happens, don't forget to take some time and breathe, rest, and reflect.

There's comfort in the quiet. And there's also joy.

And in between comfort and joy is the peace that is and will always be Christmas.
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#comfortandjoy #peace #christmastime

The driveway needs resurfacing. The doorbell is "vintage-style" ... no tech-y Ring or Blink device for this old home. The blue living room carpet is worn in spots and a kitchen chair is needing replaced. Upstairs...the kids' room has seen lots of playtime and the parents' room features a badly DIY flooring project gone wrong.

But yet, love still lives here.

The family is showing their age and their beloved dog has long since crossed the rainbow bridge.

But yet, love still lives here.

New friends and dear friends are still welcomed in this old home. Laughter still takes place around the dining room table while a cozy fire warms up the living room. Up above, wooden floors once again come to life with the sounds of children running and race cars zooming.
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Because love still lives here.
#vintagetoy #bestgiftever #childhoodmemories #fisherpricelittlepeople #favoritetoy

One of my most precious wedding gifts some 38+ years ago was this hand-made crocheted afghan from my mom.

As newly married college students on a financial aid budget, the afghan was the perfect cover-up needed for our vintage but affordable 1960s style futon.

It was the perfect cover-up needed on long evenings and even longer weeks when a new job/career meant travel for my husband and lots of alone time for a pregnant me in a city far from home.

It was the perfect cover-up needed on days when sick kiddos spent their time on the couch, resting while watching Tom & Jerry.

It was the perfect cover-up needed when grief gripped our hearts over the loss of a parent or two.

It is still the perfect cover-up for watching hours of Hallmark shows while fighting cold symptoms and sniffles.

This sweet afghan has been washed time and time again and yet it still retains the same shape and color from when it was first made, all those years ago.
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It was made with love, which continues to be the perfect cover-up for all seasons of life.