This has been a very busy work week plus 3 physical therapy sessions that left me sleeping in my chair last night by 9pm! I had a lovely sleep and I have plans to put up my Christmas tree and do a little shopping today. All of the snow we had from last week has melted and it is supposed to rain all day but that’s ok because I am not quite ready for snowy winter days. Its easier to drive on rainy roads vs the snow packed ones.

@vholloway12345

I have been saving this 3 wick candle for years . 10? 20? The company where I bought it is out of business plus it was a birthday gift maybe thats why I kept it pristine. I decided that this special candle is going to be burned this December during the dark days of winter. Why save things for “one day?” I am going to enjoy it. I took the original wrapper off and placed it in a Christmas candle stand. #useitup #candle

♬ Solas X Interstellar – Gabriel Albuquerqüe

One of the best things I did this week was to light the candle I had been saving for “one day” See my TikTok video above. I have had it probably at least 15 years. The company went out of business, and I had the thought I could never get another one. It was an expensive gift and I loved looking at it in the wrapper. On the super dark winter days, I enjoy candlelight. So, I lit it, and I will continue to light it. It gives off such a great glow. I believe the company was purchased by Party light and you can buy similar candles there now called glolite candles. I am not saving things for one day anymore. I am using them and enjoying them!!

I also decided to write my own advent calendar in my journal. Each day I am writing down words that I am meditating on each day that will bring light focus for my day vs the opposite of that word which are things I want to get rid of as I count down to Christmas and Solstice! Here is my list so far:

1. Peace
2. Gratitude
3. Hygge
4. Create more space in home and life
5. Celebrate daily miracles
6. Be Mindful
7. Generosity
8. Love for myself so I can love others
9. Care for myself so I can care for others

It’s different but has been making the countdown more meaningful for me!!

I did finish my Sew Scrappy Spools quilt! I need to press it and all but here it is before I put the white borders on:

I am so glad that I picked a lighter spool color. The quilt shop is doing this as a class next year and I saw their pretty quilt but they picked darker spools. I like mine better because you do see the sampler blocks better! I hope to get all my quilt tops done in 2024 and I plan to use them too!!

The door decorating contest at work is in full swing. I will get a video next week of all the doors so you can see how intense this competition is. I am very happy with how my door turned out using the upcycled grocery store bags!

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A post shared by Vicki Holloway (@vickilholloway)

I am working hard at getting off my phone after work. I have been knitting my Elementary wrap and stitching my Merry Christmas Wishes cross stitch. I am having to scale back the borders and lettering in the original pattern because I cut the fabric small and because I wasn’t sold on the border any way. I am working on the gold cake stand the tree sits on.

I am looking forward to the weekend! I hope you have a fantastic one, too!!

Vicki