The Little Things No. 44

The last Friday of every month I like to reflect on the past four weeks and appreciate the little things. I truly believe that gratitude is one of our greatest gifts and helps us find happiness in the every day.

Dear friends,

It is New Year’s Eve and as I am writing this I am actually sick at home. No glittery New Year’s Eve celebrations for us this year, however, we have so much to be grateful for. We were so lucky that we had plenty of leftovers in our freezer and food in our fridge from the holidays when we unexpectedly got stuck here at home this week. As I’m writing this I am sitting by our Christmas tree all lit up and drinking a glass of Emergen-C. I’m planning to stay up tonight to watch the ball drop.

This month’s Little Things post is actually for November-December as November’s post landed on Thanksgiving and I spent the day with my family instead.

Before Thanksgiving my friend Courtney and I went on our annual Courtney Christmas Celebration where we go Christmas shopping together. This year we went to Evergreen Walk in South Windsor and I believe it was our most successful holiday shopping trip yet.

When I got home I started making cards for Thanksgiving. I wanted to send handwritten notes to our close family and friends telling them how much I appreciate them. It felt really nice to do this year and I think I want to do it again next year.

I’m always so thankful for my family. This is just a few of my cousins. We didn’t get an entire group photos this year as family gatherings have been very limited with the pandemic. I’m hoping for more family gatherings in 2022.

A quiet Thanksgiving day with my dad and his girlfriend Laura. It was the most perfect cozy day.

Laura’s dog Scout. I love this sweet dog.

A simple gathering at home to celebrate my mom’s 55th birthday.

Drying oranges for holiday garlands.

We found ourselves very mysteriously joining a caroling group with our local neighbors. It was a really sweet time. I had never been caroling before so it was quite the experience.

The town tree lighting. We are so thankful to belong to such a sweet community. Living in Litchfield is like living in a Hallmark movie, especially this time of year.

Eggnog from the local Arethusa farm is incredible. I look forward to it every year.

Picking out our Christmas tree.

Christmas stockings are one of my favorite traditions for the holidays.

Every ornament on our tree has a story. I bought this one while studying abroad in England. It was one of my first ornaments.

Our sweet Madeleine loves to play.

Once again I was in charge of decorating the office Christmas tree. This old tree is at least 35 years old and has seen better days. With extra lights, ribbons, and some cranberry bunches to fill in the bald spots it looks quite nice.

These lovely simple wooden cranberry garlands from World Market.

Sleeping next to this cuddly kitty.

Litchfield in the snow; the first real snow if the season.

I had the chance to get creative again. Matthew called me one morning on his way to work and insisted that I get out into the snow and take some photos. I was all bundled up and editing photos so I wasn’t in the mood to go out, but he told me it would be worth it. “Wear something that will pop like red.” He had the right idea! By he next day the rain was back and the snow was gone.

Goats we saw one afternoon on a walk.

Madeleine enjoying a cozy sun spot.

A 12 days of Christmas advent calendar. I’ve enjoyed putting together the tiny puzzles every day. Michael Storring’s illustrations make the loveliest puzzles.

A little day drive to Stockbridge, MA.

French onion soup.

A drive through Milton.

The Bethlehem CT post office has the sweetest wooden Christmas stamp tradition for your holiday cards.

Had a lovely visit with my friend Sarah!

Made some lobster bisque for Christmas Eve.

Sarah and I tried to make gingerbread cookies. It was a lot of fun, but they came out terrible! Completely melted into blobs.

French toast casserole the morning of Christmas Eve with some Arethusa eggnog.

Local Thorncrest Farm.

A Christmas Eve morning walk through Topsmead in the snow. We unexpectedly had the loveliest White Christmas snow.

And just like that Christmas Eve was here. I set up our table in front of the Christmas tree.

This was the first year I’ve had the complete Johnson Brothers Night Before Christmas china set (1883 reproduction). I’ve been collecting the pieces for years.

These old brass candlesticks belonged to my dad. He had them since we were kids and now he gave them to me to use for wintertime.

I made my first ever beef Wellington for Christmas Eve and it actually came out great.

I also surprised my dad with his favorite dessert; sticky toffee pudding. Another thing I had never made before, but it came out amazing. I’m definitely going to make it again.