Seasons greetings! 🎄This year’s Christmas Day (yesterday) felt quite different from previous years’ knowing that we couldn’t physically meet up with family and/or friends but I actually still really enjoyed it. I didn’t think I’d feel festive but with carols blaring through the house, lights twinkling everywhere and the kids buzzing with excitement on Christmas morning, I woke up feeling very festive too. The four of us spent the day eating, watching Christmas TV and generally lazing about. The new restrictions mean that our plans to spend Boxing Day with my parents are now on hold indefinitely but there’s a family Christmas Zoom hangout planned instead.
December started with England coming out of its second lockdown (it finished on the 2nd) and it’s ending with us blindsided by new Tier 4 restrictions that were imposed a week ago. Tier 4 is essentially another lockdown as the new orders are to ‘stay home’. I had to dig deep to write this post when I first started drafting it a week ago, as I didn’t feel particularly ‘in the mood’ but once I got started, I realised that as always I have cause to be grateful to God despite the way this month has turned out.
Something Loved
I’ve loved that despite tighter restrictions and new ‘stay-at-home’ orders in my part of England, in-person church has been allowed to stay open. If ever there was a time where I felt the need to be within the gathering of fellow believers, now is the time. Another thing that I’ve loved is YOU! This time last year, starting a blog wasn’t even in my plans but since I started in August, it has been amazing and you all show up and read my words and leave comments! I’m blown away every time. I’ve also had the honour of being featured and published on several sites including (incourage) and Iridescent – it never ceases to amaze me that people want to share my words with their readers. The blogging community rocks and I’m grateful for each one of you. Your blog posts have encouraged me countless of times and your comments on my posts have a way of building me up. ❤️
Something Read
I discovered ‘Advent Treasure’ by Liz Carter on Kindle and I really enjoyed reading and reflecting on each day’s short devotional on hope as we journey through Advent. I love her poetic style of writing and how she brings bible stories and their characters to life. After reading her other book ‘Treasures in Dark Places’ (I wrote about that here), I knew I had to get this book as well. She’s fast becoming my favourite author. I discovered that she also has another book – ‘A Tale of Beauty from Ashes’, a bible study based on the live action film ‘Beauty and the Beast’. As a lover of all things Disney and romance, the synopsis already has me very intrigued and it’s next on my list.
Something Treasured
We were blessed by this beautiful rainbow on one of our walks… 
…a double rainbow! A reminder of God’s promise that cheered me up
I don’t think my ‘something treasured’ has changed over the last few months and I suspect it will continue to be the same thing until this season of COVID ends. Reflecting on the past month, I’m grateful for life and time with family. The children are now on Christmas holiday and everyday for the past week and a half, after I finish work (or sometimes during my lunch break), we go for a walk through the local country park or sometimes just around our neighbourhood looking at all the Christmas displays. I treasure these moments. I’m married to a medical doctor who regularly works long hours at the hospital (even more so now with the increased pressure on the health system) – more than ever before this year, I treasure the gift of been able to have him at home during this Christmas weekend.
Something Ahead
The new school term starts in January and I’m sure I’m not alone in fervently hoping that schools are allowed to reopen. But what I’m really looking forward to in January is our planned kitchen renovation. We live in an old Victorian house (eighty-plus years old) which we love to bits but the kitchen is small, outdated and not fit for purpose for a growing family of four. We’ve used it like that for 5 years but we’ve finally decided to get something done about it. The kitchen will still be small as we are not extending it but it’s amazing all the different ways that kitchen companies have to maximise small space. I’m looking forward to have a kitchen with lots of worktop space and a tall fridge (right now we only have one of those under the counter fridges and a separate deep freezer). As of right now, I’m not even sure if the renovations can still go ahead under the new Tier 4 restrictions but I’m determined to hold on to my excitement – whenever the renovations happen, it’s gonna be great 😃
This post may also be linked up at these places.
It's Share Four Somethings Saturday with @heathergerwing! Join us here. #blog #linkup #sharefoursomethings Share on X
Hi From another new UK blogger, it is so good to hear that you enjoyed your Christmas celebration with your family and that in our writing we can encourage each other! Blessings for 2021 and look forward to reading more from your blog 🙂
One of the things that surprised me the most when I first began blogging (3 years ago) was the wonderful, generous, welcoming blogging community. I am glad to read that you found the same thing. Good luck with your kitchen renovations. We did that when my kids were living at home. One of the best things about the renovation (other than the finished product, of course) was eating a bunch of take out when the kitchen was out of commission. Any excuse not to cook! 🙂
I agree, the blogging community is fantastic, and I have loved getting to know you a bit this year, Wemi! I’m glad you enjoyed Christmas even though it was different this year. Your renovation plans sound exciting – hope they are able to go ahead soon. As of today most of Scotland is under tier 4 lockdown (I’m not sure if that’s different from your tier 4 but it feels like almost a full lockdown!) so I’m joining you in the uncertainty over plans for 2021 and when they will be able to go ahead.
Oh wow! A double rainbow? Amazing. We have also been allowed to continue in-person worship with our church and it does feel even more special these days. Stay healthy!
Thanks Beth! Happy New Year!!
I’m excited for your future kitchen renovations. I look forward to seeing the before and after pics when it happens!
Thanks Megan! Happy New Year!
Kitchen renovations – woo! Sounds like something to really look forward to:) And I do hope that schools can reopen for you, that your husband stays healthy and strong and that you are able to continue going to church…what a blessing! I have so enjoyed reading your posts – and glad you started your blog! God bless in the year to come!!
Thank you Jennifer! I’ve enjoyed connecting with you over on your blog too 🙂 Happy New Year!!
Welcome to blogging! It’s good to get to know you here … and my you are brave to launch into kitchen renovations at a time like this! How wonderful to have something to look forward to creating and completing.
Blessings in the new year. I look forward to connecting with you …
Thanks Linda. Even though I’m not looking forward to the disruption, it has been great to look forward to a revamped kitchen 🙂
I love beautiful rainbows. It’s always fun to be out and about when there’s a bright rainbow, and watch all the people stop what they’re doing and focus on it. God still draws our attention when he displays his glory!
So glad to have you link-up to Share Four Somethings! And yes, I am very very thankful to be able to attend in-person church!
Wemi, I’m so glad our blogging paths crossed last year … your writing is always an encouragement to me! And good luck with the kitchen renovation. We were in the middle of one about this time last year, and while it was a lot of work, it was totally worth it! Hugs, friend!
Thanks Lois! We are near the end of it now – woop! Hugs back 🙂 x