The time between the holidays

 Happy holidays.  It is the time between Christmas and New Year. Where some of us are breathing again and some of us are re-ramping up.  New Year's parties anyone?

Family gatherings. Packing and leaving the house or making space for incoming.  Trying not to stress over sleeping arrangements, flights arriving/leaving on time, enough food, family dynamics (who to sit next to who) and spending too much. Most of all expectations that might be met or not met. We put so much on ourselves over making the perfect holiday. It is even possible?

We had a talk before the holidays about expectations and lowering them. We can't make it perfect for everyone as we don't know what people expect or even how they will react. Some people love drama. Others detest. So we tried (emphasis that word) to not expect things to be perfect. We did our best and worked at letting it go. 

Okay place not as clean as I would want. Didn't get all my cards sent out. Can't control flights so not taking that on or apologizing like my fault. Saying yes if people offer to clean up or bring something. Leaving dishes in sink to talk to people now. Lowering what I expect - like behavior I have no control over especially adults. Big thing don't apologize for other adults' behaviour. That is on them not us. Learn to walk away if starting to feel stressed. That is what bathrooms and bedroom are for.

To start the year with lessons learned. Lower expectations for holidays and people. Enjoy them where they are coming from. Don't expect to fix them or fix everything around you. Learn to let stuff go. Don't take stuff on that doesn't concern us. Put ourselves higher on the priority list. This is what we want to head into the new year with. Lessons learned and put in place.

Word of the year

 We are taking the challenge and have started thinking about a word for the year.  you can always start now has a post on finding your word for the year.  Summary think about how you want to feel and what you want / need to do in the coming year.  Read the full post it is worth it.

There is no right or wrong word. It is your word. You can always start now says it keeps her focused and pushes and challenges her. We are so in for that! 

So we're over here thinking of feelings, projects and needs.  If you have a word for the year let us know! We'll keep you posted in the new year what our words are and why.  It is bring focus hello!!!!

The Holidays are here - how did that happen!

 Hello, it has been over a month since our last post.  Life has been happening and now a few of us are on panic mode.  A few not. The holidays shouldn't be stressful. What expectations have we put on ourselves and others? What can we change? Conversations to be had. We don't have to do it all and it shouldn't be expected that we do.

Put the brakes on expectations yours and others. People do not need expensive gifts. They need your time and attention. Give people experiences.  A walk, make soup together, a craft together, go out to supper and that is everyone present. Being together with no shopping or expectations just together.

It might be too late to start changing things up now - or maybe not. But it is time to start the conversation of what we can do different next year.  Have a family / friend conversation of making Christmas and/or holiday less commercial and more time and attention.

Happy Holidays

That time of year !!!

Okay this post is not from all of us! Some of us are not happy about the turning of the calendar and the coming season.  A few of us, well me in particular, are excited. I was excited to pull out my fall wreath. To get out my blackets and pillows. To pull out my sweaters and pants.

I like the cooler temperature. I have more energy and am excited about the possibilities of the season. The warmer colour palette. Love decorating for the fall and the upcoming season (won't mention it here as a bit too early). I'm off to look for a new sweater dress and boots. Did I mention I also like fall/winter clothes the best!!

So to embracing whatever season you are currently in. Enjoy it isn't going anywhere soon.

 

Halloween or Fall Decor ??

 We are having a debate over here with pumpkin spice latte as it is that time of year!  That said how do you feel about fall and/or Halloween décor?  When can you start decorating for the season? What can be included and what should be off the table! Here goes! We know this could be controversial. 

First pumpkins definitely fall into the fall (autumn) category. They are NOT just for carving at Halloween. One of us has a beautiful collection of glass pumpkins. They deserve to be displayed and yeah don't feel they are Halloween décor. So if you decorate for the season the consensus here is early September is when the fall décor should come out. That gives us at least two months to enjoy our treasures. Our pumpkins, wreathes, fall pillows, blankets and fall candles. 

Closer to Halloween you can add fun stuff like bats and/or Halloween décor. Say around October 20th.  Fall and/or Halloween décor rolls into November which we all know what comes after that. We are not talking about what comes after that right now. Just not ready for that. Back to fall.

Some people LOVE Halloween and want to decorate as soon as possible. Say October 1st - if that is your bag go for it. We just felt September was a tad too early for the bats to appear. But pumpkins! Put them out.

So what is your take on fall and/or Halloween décor? When is too early? Late? Mix it up? Let us know. This is all in fun.  The main thing is you do you and love your home at every season.

Instagram account we're crushing on

 This was a fun post to do as we all enjoy Instagram.  We each picked out a few account we enjoy so here they are:

Inspired by charm decor, recipes all lovely.  Check out his blog also

Creative flatlays  check it out. Is what it says "flatlays"

Guide to a magic life  yoga instructor and artist showing us what life can be

Best cities of Europe enough said

A beautifulmess  decor, food also one of our favorite blogs

Grillo designs  DIY and decor

Nairuhime soft flowers.  Hard to describe. Worth checking out.

How is it fall already?

 Okay it is not only fall but also the end of September. How did this happen? It seemed like last week??? We were complaining about the humidity.  That hot and humid was the new summer normal and not all of us were a fan.  Then........wham we flipped the calendar.

Since the first three weeks in September are technically summer, yes we know a lot of people consider September a fall month, (all month) but no. The humidity seemed to break with warm sunny days. Walks were lovely. You didn't mind being out in the afternoon as clothes not plastered to you. Life was good.

We guess the problem is the month flew by. It started great and now over. Not even sure what to say about the weeks in between. What did we do? All of us struggled to come up with a few concrete things. Yes first play of the new theatre season. Check that box. No fall crafts happening. Books club not this month as when talking in the summer thought September might be too busy. 

So what exactly did we do for the month? Seriously? It is a reminder to stop and live in the moment. As apparently we didn't do that in September if we can't think of anything major that happened. Maybe nothing did and that is okay. It is just the month is over and a few of us feel we have nothing to show for it. Not even a fall craft! Look at this!

Next month we are stopping and saying this is what I am doing right now. We are making plans to meet for supper. There is the theatre, Farmer's market. We have plans. Boxes to check. Life is happening with or without us. 

Happy official fall!