Classic Amy Joanne

Christmas still happened, whether we were prepared for it or not. And with a series of events in our own lives ~ from sickness, to jury duty, to Church responsibilities, to burning a candle at both ends on the biz…..I’ve learned to appreciate rest while the whole world was still rushing.

For the first time in 10 years with the biz and the holiday season ~ it felt good to put down the hustle and bustle and accept the rest….and still resting for just a bit longer.

~*~

Here is a glimpse at our scaled-back Christmas Celebration 2023, in Classic Amy Joanne style.

Decorating our home with Holiday Touches ~ a little vintage, a little handmade, and few collected hand-me-down pieces ~ as always.

Even using santa mugs as scoops for our flour and sugar containers….it’s the little things that make the everyday special.

Our tree was decorated in salt dough gingers (recipe here) and dried orange slices ~ brown velvet and gingham ribbon.

…a little simpler, a little sweeter.

And even creating a sweet gingerbread home using the gingerbread salt dough recipe, gingerbread house cookie cutters (found here), white hot glue (found here) and puffy white paint (found here).

How sweet is this?

Our family gifts were hand-made (hand poured), baked, iced, painted and coordinated ~ a Classic Amy speciality.

The baked painted cookies (read about painted cookies here) were coordinated with a painting design (read here), a printed bag, the candle labels and even the scent.

A homespun, handmade and heartfelt gift for sure!

Great as a ‘Cottage Classic Giftable‘ or a very special ‘Door Knob Gift’ too!

We didn’t get to painting each and every ornament, but we did put a sweet smile on each and every snowman cookie face.

Christmas was extra special this year, heartfelt without the hoopla.

God has a way of letting us know when it is time to rest, he will see to it.

There is always a time for work and for play, and yes, rest too. I like to think I am ‘in the waiting’ ~ waiting with excitement to see what is next, especially in the biz. The journey has been wonderful so far!

We are (and my biz) are a work in progress ~ Recently learning a few things along the way thru books, podcasts, Youtube, Scripture, Prayer, and building relationships…sometimes it is about letting go of a few things instead of adding-on. I am excited about what might be next to serve God, serve Others, and to fulfill a dream or two. Sometimes it takes stepping back to move forward. Sometimes it’s coming back better, not bigger.

And yes, sometimes it is all ‘in the waiting’.

Dreams ahead, see you soon.

~*~