Currently // December

Linking with Anne as we all discuss what we're currently...

gifting // Homemade lotion bars made with shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax! I poured it into my silicone heart-shaped cupcake pan so they were so easy to pop out when dry and they look adorable. I also have crocheted lots of earwarmers of different styles, including this adorable crown pattern for kids. I have no idea how I found the time to do these things when I look at the pile of homemade gifts, but it's very satisfying to my creative heart.

baking // treats to enjoy during the Christmas season instead of Advent. I've been trying to find ways to "live liturgically" when it comes to the actual Church liturgical seasons of Advent and Christmas instead of just doing all the Christmas stuff during Advent. (And I just can't wait with the decor so that's out, haha.) This has been a perfect thing for me-- baking things and freezing it. I love stocking the freezer and knowing we'll have all sorts of goodies to celebrate the true Christmas season and make it special and long-lasting.

singing // O Come O Come Emmanuel each night around our Advent wreath with the first candle lit. It's so precious to hear our little girl try to sing with us, and there's nothing that says Advent to me more than candlelit prayer. Love it.

mailing // Just bills today, haha! I'm still waiting on our family pictures to come in mail to slip in our cards this year. Normally I create cards on Shutterfly with our family picture but somehow we've collected several boxes of beautiful Christmas cards so I decided just to tuck in a 4x6 of our newest family picture. I kind of like the old-fashioned feel of that anyway.

I'm normally not a big fan of the "Pinterest kissing poses" haha, but this one
turned out kinda cute.

decorating // hopefully some sugar cookies soon. But otherwise, all decor is up and sparkling! That's one thing I can't save until Christmas! But for me, all the decorations give such a sense of peace, beauty, and anticipation that they seem like Advent decorations. Wink, wink.

This is the only picture I have uploaded but you get the idea...minus the black antenna my husband hung on the
tree to get the football game to come in!!!