C is for Christmas and Coffee and Cookies and Cayla

Image from Pinterest

And just like that, December is upon us!

This month will be mostly a pictorial blog because I will share some of the lovely pictures I saw on Pinterest and Instagram.  I don't think I will have time to write too much.

This Christmas is going to be so very special because we have a little one in our lives.

May you find this joyful season to be filled with CHRISTMAS magic, good COFFEE, and delicious COOKIES.  For us, we have the added bonus of CAYLA and her first Christmas.

Christmas Month - Day 4

Image from Pinterest

All the things about Christmas make me feel so good inside and outside.

My favourite time of the year when life feels surreal.  

Christmas Month - Day 3

Lights are so beautiful and make the home look so cosy especially with Christmas music playing.  

Add to this, a husband who prances around while he sings and the mood is elevated to the magical level.

Christmas Month - Day 2

Image from Pinterest

Image from Pinterest

We are mindful of every bit of magic in the air everywhere!  Thank you, Lord Jesus for all our blessings.

Christmas Month - Day 1

Image from Pinterest

We are advocates of this.  Thank goodness for youtube with so many channels to choose from.

Day 25 MERRY CHRISTMAS

From Pinterest

Busy today to write more but send a wish, I must!!

May the spirit of Christmas love, joy,
and happiness reside in you 
and last until the next year!

and

Day 20 Christmas Blessings

Image from Pinterest

As we reach the last few days before Christmas, Let's count our blessings and look around to see who we can bless during this beautiful season.

We haven't decided yet what we will do but we always make it a tradition to shower someone with a surprise blessing.  There's still time and we will finalise this before the year is over.

Come on, Stephen, put your thinking cap on! 

Christmas is forever

Image from Instagram

This is true in so many ways.  Many, many years ago, we had a Christmas in April (if I remember correctly).  I was living in Section 14, Petaling Jaya then and we had several family members at home that day so we celebrated Christmas then. 

Why? 

Well, Why not?

It's always Christmas if we feel love in our hearts.  

It's always Christmas if we hold on to love in our hearts.

It's always Christmas if we remember the love in our hearts.

It just can't get any better than knowing that Christmas is not just one day or one season.  Christmas is forever. 

Post-Christmas thoughts

Image from Pinterest

We may not have snow but December is definitely the coldest month in Singapore.  It's the rainy season and most days it looks just like winter without the snow.  The sun stays behind the clouds and the weather is lovely for any outdoor activity.  

We have hardly put on the air-conditioning and the horrible hazy months are just a distant memory now. 

Such a wonderful time of the year and makes me look forward to each morning.  Feeling so mightily blessed.  

Christmas Day

 

(All images from WWW/Instagram or Pinterest)

Christmas thoughts

Image from Pinterest

Christmas is so near and amid all the hustle and bustle there's always time to think of all the people who have touched my life. Some gone forever, some living far away, and some just out of touch for various reasons.

Even if they aren't physically in my life now, I still keep a small place in my heart for them because they made a difference and helped me to be who I am today.  It's always such a sweet thing to hold on to good memories and to cherish them for what they were worth.  

Along with remembering all the people who are in my thoughts, these BLESSINGS help me stay in the present moment.   

Image from Pinterest

Christmas Wishes to all

These days it's so easy with technology.  

This went out via email, sms, whatsapp, and now here.

Just a simple but meaningful wish to all of you!

Love is in the air

Image from Instagram

I still remember the first Christmas I celebrated with Stephen. I also still remember the first married Christmas together. It's the day after we tied the knot.  I'm sentimental like that. 

This Christmas, the children will celebrate their first married Christmas together.  I hope they will rediscover the beauty and magic of love that they have found in each other.  I pray that the true spirit of Christmas touches them in a very special way.

We're so excited that they will be here.  We've so many plans to live, love and laugh.  That's my mantra these days.  Life is sweet!

Image from WWW

Love Magnificent

So so very blessed to belong to a church that teaches about how wonderful our God is and that His magnificent love is for us.

We are ready for the first service at 8.30 am.  I can't remember when I had this kind of excitement for a church service.  

There has never been a Sunday service that hasn't left me awestruck and better informed about the Grace of God.  

We've been swept up by the Grace Revolution.  We just bought the book but I haven't started reading it yet.  I can't wait to start but I'm a stickler for finishing the ones I'm on before I begin a third book. Yup, I have two ongoing books at any one time.  I'm weird like that.

I can't wait for morning!!!!!  We can't wait for morning!!!!!

What do they do?

Image from Instagram

It's never easy to deal with the absence of those we once loved and continue to love.  However if they aren't with us, then surely we should remember that they are where we all long to be eventually.

Image from WWW

Christmas Cards

Image from Pinterest

Have you received any real Christmas card this year?  I only sent one this time.  It's to someone who doesn't have email or whatsapp. So the next best thing is by snail mail.

And just because we're so used to instant delivery and also an almost instant reply, my mind is wondering where the card is and if it will arrive safely to the destination.

I'll have to wait and see if the recipient gets it.  *taps fingers on table*

Note: The recipient acknowledged receipt yesterday.  The power of an SMS.  

Christmas: Pretty as can be

Image from Instagram

Scrolled through instagram and saw this.  It caught my eye because it has a lovely white picket fence and the trees frame the house so beautifully.

There's just enough to show it's Christmas and though this is a day shot, it's still ever so lovely.  

I imagine the owners to be utterly delightful people and the real beauty is in their hearts. 

How often have we seen houses with all the lights and exaggerated decorations that don't even depict the true spirit of Christmas.  Yet people have bought into the idea that this season is all about showing off.  

Simplicity and understated beauty speak loudest.  

Image from WWW

Countdown to Christmas Begins

Image from Pinterest

It's such an exciting time of the year. While it may be ten full days to Christmas, we're counting down to when the children will be here and that is on the 22nd night!!!  So it's about seven days before they set off from Kuala Lumpur for Singapore.  I believe they will drive down so we will have the car here during that time.  Oh, to be chauffeur-driven again....  

What's Christmas without children like???  I don't know.  Whether they are with us or not, Christmas is always fun when they are a part of our lives. 

It's just double the happiness if they are here.

Christmas cookies

Image from Pinterest

I think the last time I made cookies I was a little girl.  Actually it was more of watching my mom making them and me just hanging around to watch.  If my memory serves me, we made pineapple jam tarts, peanut biscuits, cherry biscuits which we very quickly finished because there were four children at home then.

Anyway, I did make a handful of cookies tonight.  It didn't turn out as well as I expected but it also didn't turn out as bad as I anticipated.  The taste is super delicious but I need to tweek it a bit to get it perfectly baked.  I'm going to have another go at it and experiment with a different recipe this time. 

After all, it keeps me occupied and we have the holiday season to finish everything!!!  With a cup of hot coffee and good conversation, we'll enjoy the Christmas love and Christmas cookies.

The reason for the season

Image from Twitter

While I'm busy during this season with retail therapy and all things commercial, I'm always mindful that the true spirit is found in knowing that Jesus is the reason for this celebration.

I'm done with whatever I want to do at home unless I buy something that catches my eye but that is unlikely because that money can be put to better use.  

Today I will just consolidate all the recipes and choose the easiest cookies to make.  Some friends have shared their family secrets and other generous people have put it up on Pinterest so I am really quite spoilt for choice.  

I'm feeling mightily blessed for the life I lead.  Sometimes I forget to give glory to the One above.  But right now, some nice Christian songs are playing and I am slowly getting charged up to seize the moments of happiness.

Happy Sunday everyone!   S M I L E !   Jesus loves you, too.