Hello, my friend. Merry Christmas to you! I hope that today you’re feeling loved, calm and joyful.
We got back from Hawaii a couple days ago, and it’s been a whirlwind of cookie baking, card writing and gift delivering so far. I still feel the aloha sprit in my heart, though, and it’s keeping me warm and cozy in this chilly Bay Area day.
How have your holidays been so far? I feel like mine flew by in the blink of an eye. Although I wanted to do so much more for everyone in my life, I’ve realized that at a certain point one just needs to accept that there’s only so many hours in the day and so much energy to go around, and you can only do the best you can. It’s truly been a season of grace on this end of the keyboard. Grace for myself, and grace for others.
Anywho, since I spent most of last week with my toes in the sand, here are some pictures that I’ve been meaning to post from my trip. Even though I’ve been to Hawaii countless times, the natural beauty around every corner still stuns me to this day.
Oh, did Santa bring you anything that you’re especially excited about? I got a book called “Girl Dinner,” which has a bunch of snack plate ideas and beautiful pictures. I’m all about snack plates for all meals of the day, LOL! I can’t wait to whip up something from it.
I hope the rest of your Christmas day is cozy and filled with so much love. Thinking of you on this beautiful day!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Merry Christmas, my friend! I’m so glad you had a great trip. Your pics are beautiful! Happiest of holidays!
Beautiful pictures. Looks like a wonderful vacation. Weather here has been cool and wet. This is my 2nd Christmas without living parents. Got nothing for Christmas, not even a card (though people had stopped sending cards a few years ago due to how expensive postage and cards were/are and because many of my relatives have died in recent years.) I guess it’s a little easier, but that’s only because I’m an introvert who is used to the feeling of being alone even when I’m not. I still have a to-do list a mile long and a lot of heavy responsibilities. To escape a little, I just watched the “Beetlejuice” sequel. It was “okay” at best. Judging from the soundtrack I’d say they made the movie mostly for people 60 years old and older. I remember hearing “McArthur Park” on the radio as a child in the late 60s/early 70s. I know some people really hate that song, or think it’s really, really odd, but the guy who wrote it is in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Merry Christmas Karen!! I know it’s a little late but I hope you’re family is doing well and you are as you say, “full of grace and peace. ” I think that that is the best thing that any of us can ask for. So good to be receiving your posts again, I just kind of lost you for some time. I’m so glad that you’re still here. There’s some things that just make you happy, you know, and reading your blog does this for me.
Beautiful pictures.
Happy new year in case I get busy and forget to write.
Take care, I hope you remember me.
Gina B.
Great pictures! You captured that amazing Hawaii vibe perfectly- I would so love to go back there someday. I loved everything about it- I can still taste the genuine Hawaiian shave ice in all the tropical flavors!
I often think grace is the best gift we can give ourselves and also extend to others, in any season! Thanks for sharing your light, humor and grace with all of us out here in the digital world. Happy New Year 🙂
A belated Merry Christmas and wishing you a very Happy New Year! It’s so funny to see snowman decorations in Hawaii! It’s still so beautiful.
Thanks, Tatiana. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season!
This cold and rainy day, your pictures were a great escape. Holiday greetings to you and all your readers.
Same to you, Eileen. I hope that everything on your end is good!