HOORAY! THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS HERE!
Can you believe it? November has arrived. And with it, all the holiday goodness! I am so excited! I will be kicking off this season with enthusiasm, it spite of the fact that instead of spending every waking moment decorating my house and baking cookies, I’ll probably be spending considerable amounts of time decluttering, packing boxes and fixing stuff so we can put a “house for sale sign” out in the yard. Yes, we are moving.
I NEED A HOLIDAY MIRACLE!
We are moving to three hours away to a new state to start a church and a new life. We are really excited about this, in spite of the fact that you all know I hate moving. And could we be picking a worse time to sell a house? The middle of winter when the economy is not exactly ripe for house selling? Not to mention we will be trying to sell a house that still has 20 years worth of projects left to do? {faints}. We need a miracle.
A NEW ADVENTURE
Moving to a new state is a big deal for us, too, after living in Portland most of our lives. And while I love my kitchen in this house because it is the only kitchen I have ever designed for myself, I am really looking forward to downsizing this big household and further simplifying our life. It will be fun to share this adventure of downsizing and starting over in a new place with all of you.
EASTER EGGS IN MY LIVING ROOM
I told some of my Twitter friends this yesterday, but this weekend I decided to do some pre-holiday/moving cleaning. I ventured down to our living room with my vacuum and dust rag. While I was cleaning, I found Christmas tree pine needles behind the chair and a plastic Easter egg still hidden behind a stack of books (and yes, I ate the jelly beans out of it)! Wow! Yes. Clearly it was time for some heavy cleaning. And for me, this is the first step to being ready for the holidays. I cannot bear to decorate anything when my house is not a least somewhat clean and tidy!
CREATE BEAUTY IN THE SEASON
So, hang on friends! Even though I am getting the moving boxes out, I will be doing my best to create a memorable holiday season for my family. We don’t always have “the perfect circumstances” in life for creating the “ideal holiday.” But I am not going to let that stop me! I’ve got lots of simple & creative ideas I’m planning on doing even though time and money are short.
In spite of the economy, in spite of all the unknowns and transitions in our life right now, in spite of whatever obstacles any of us have to overcome, we can still create beauty in the season. Things don’t have to be perfect to be memorable. Our holiday will be simple, creative & authentic!
I’m working on holiday ideas right now at my kitchen table — I’m ready to dive into the festivities! Are you ready to get going?
Let the holidays begin!
NEW FOR THE HOLIDAYS! Starting this week, I’ll have a special personally picked HOLIDAY LINKY LOVE post every Friday! So, all of you who do a fabulous holiday post during the week just might see your links featured! I will be scouring blogland each week for the best inspiration! If you think your post (or see a post) is worthy and should be mentioned, feel free to email a link to me by Thursday night, just in case I have room to use it. Please put HOLIDAY LINKY LOVE in the subject line.
BLOG NEWS:
ANNOUNCING A GREAT GIVEAWAY TOMORROW…come back Tuesday for all the details!
I am excited to be starting a new adventure in blogging! I am joining up with various sites & businesses on some exciting projects and partnerships! More info to come! Welcome to my partners this month: Homegoods, DaySpring, Urban Botanic, and The Jewel Box Home!
- Speaking of exciting partnerships, don’t forget to visit the lovely ladies of Moms Unite! I’m honored to be teamed up with them for the holidays, so thank you all for your support and encouragement!
- We are also thrilled to unveil the HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE, so please check it out!
Wow!! I am excited for you and your move. It sounds like a great adventure. I wish you all the best with the sale of your home.
And…I am looking forward to your joining our group on Home Goods!
Good Morning Melissa…
I haven’t been around much the past couple of weeks…after being attacked and injured by a crazed neighbor on the 20th of October.
However, I just saw that you’re going to be putting your house up for sale and moving to start a Church. I added you to our Prayer List on our weekly post, Come to Jesus and Pray on TUESDAYS. We will be praying for all the energy you need to de-clutter, pack and clean AND for a speedy sale.
~Blessings,
Jan
Jans inspiring blog post..Come to Jesus and Pray
Melissa~
Wow, such exciting things for you-we just recently moved and relocated to partner with some dear friends in a new church plant. It’s truly been an adventure and God has been so faithful to us-even with a job loss because of the crazy economy! (We’re in Central Oregon where things are so, so slow right now.) We’ve learned to simply obey, even when things don’t make sense.
Incidently, we listed and sold our home in the valley during the holidays-I think a beautifully decorated home shows really well!
Blessings and prayers to you for favor and success!
~Gina
Ginas inspiring blog post..Happy Dress Up
Melissa, how do you do all of this amazing blog work and find the time to pack and do all of the domestic things you do? I am so impressed ~ beyond words!! How wonderful to be able to have such a blessing to start a new church and to move from one wonderful city to another. You will love it there. We have some distant relatives in Seattle and Everett and my SIL lives near Spokane. Washington state is as breathtaking as Oregon. At least you will be used to all of the rain.
Blessings to you and yours! I’d come help you pack and clean if I could!!!
xoxo
Becky
Twitter: melissalewis
says:
Oh wow! Big news!!!! This is so exciting. Starting a church… wow, lots of work, but can be fun. I can’t wait to hear more updates on this:)
You’re MOVING? I am so loopless.
Remember to pack the grape jelly.
Melissa,
I wish you and your family many blessings in your new venture. Sounds exciting to me! I also love the Holiday Linky Love for Fridays idea.
Hugs,
Cathie
Catherines inspiring blog post..Kreativ Blogger Award and a New Little Painting
Wow! Good luck on everything! I will pray for you and your family every time I visit your blog – so lots of prayers going up for you – ha!
I’m also doing some heavy cleaning today. I’m currently working in the hall closet and needed a quick break. I’m excited about all the items I’ve found to donate already!
Excited about the Holiday Linky Love, too!
Southern Fried Gals inspiring blog post..Out of the Mouths of Babes
…oh what an adventure ahead of you!! is there any place we can go to learn about the church and your participation in its start…and what a perfect…yes perfect …time to do this…Christmas….when a new world and Hope came to us! sending you out with love and blessings as you go forth….it will be wonderful…i cannot wait to see what He will do with you and for you…now THIS is authentic living….
Thanks everyone!
Laney, I tried to email you back but the address didn’t work. We will definitely have some sort of blog for the church .. but we don’t yet! I might also start a more personal blog that I can update from time to time and maybe link to from here for anyone who is interested. I’ll give it some thought and let you all know! Keep asking though, I get busy and put things off, but it is nice to know you are interested! It really means a lot!
Happy day!