Cool then warm. Cool then warm. This is the weather pattern we have experienced so far this December. Some days, I am holed up inside, wearing a sweater and dreaming of spring. Other times, I hear the chorus of frogs nearby and the air is downright muggy. It has been strange to say the least.

I’ve been doing my best to live simply and to bask in the goodness of God this month. Sometimes December is a difficult month for me. Since we stopped celebrating Christmas some time ago, I haven’t always known what to do with myself. Sometimes I have felt a bit frustrated. At the same time, I remember the “hustle and bustle” so very well. I’m very glad that I no longer feel the rush associated with the holiday season anymore. This year, I feel very much at peace with the decision, and happy to spend the month focused on Him, and His goodness.

Related: Finding Simple Blessings

I want to appreciate all of the sights and sounds of this time of year. Whether it be the crunch of leaves underneath my feet or the twinkling lights strung along our end table. We have so many blessings to be thankful for.

I’ve been trying to really soak in my little ones. I feel like they are growing too quickly, and I want to remember every last bit of this time I have with them.

I’ve been finding time to make meaningful and encouraging items with my sewing machine. There is just something about making things with our own two hands, isn’t there? It makes me feel connected to my home, and purposeful.

I’ve been baking and cooking. I’m looking for new recipes, and trying them out. This quiet time of not quite fall and almost winter has allowed me some extra time in the kitchen. I try to enjoy the quiet moments of mixing new tastes and textures together.

We’ve been homeschooling, with the goal of taking the last week of the year off. I really think that we will make it! Taking time off in September while we had Covid really threw my schedule off. Finally, I believe we are nearing where we should be. Ah, I’m so thankful for this!

All the while, I’ve been trying to concentrate on all of the blessings the Lord has been so good to give me. Having a contented heart is one of the keys to living simply. To not always want more. I sometimes fall into this, and it brings nothing but frustration and a hardened heart. I try to remember that everything that has been given to me is a gift, and I have abundantly more than I could ever need. May I always praise Him for the blessings He has given me.

Related: Simple June Blessings

How has your December been so far? I hope it has been full of love and peace. The next two weeks for us should be especially calm, since we have absolutely no outside obligations. What?? I can hardly believe it. We plan to stay close to home, and simply enjoy it. I also hope to start looking at seed catalogs and possible ideas for a “fancy” flock of chickens to add to to our small homestead next spring. How much fun!

I hope your day is blessed!

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.” Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”

John 8:12‭-‬18 NKJV

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today. Would you like to look for something special for the little ones in your life? Please stop by my Etsy shop or online store.