Candlelight Christmas

Hello, friends!

Why, yes, I am still alive. Thankyouverymuch for asking because, at this time last week, I wasn't so certain about my survival prospects for the new year. You know it's not a good thing when you go to the doctor for one illness and catch another while you're there. Nope, not good at all. 

Needless to say, I was DOWN FOR THE COUNT from the Tuesday before Christmas until the Sunday after the holiday. It was rough but forced me to slow down, not care so much about a "perfect holiday" and I was able to focus on what really mattered. I'm sure that's a whole other post in itself, though, so I'll save further reflection about last year and this until all of the medication wears off. Quite frankly, that could be another week or so...

Back tracking a bit (it seems we do that a lot at this here blog, doesn't it?), I had the privilege of hosting a table at our women's Candlelight Christmas this year. It was so much fun and I cannot wait to do it again next year. In a nutshell, you invite seven friends to sit at a table that you decorate however you want, serve dessert, and enjoy some girl talk and fellowship while remembering the real reason for the season.

In a word: delightful.

I'm sure it comes as no surprise to those who know me well that I had about 72 different design options/color combinations throughout this planning process but eventually landed here...

It will also come as no surprise that my mom (aka garnish extraordinaire) was in charge of plating the chosen dessert selection. She rocks, y'all!

There were so many absolutely beautiful tables that I walked around and snapped a picture of every single one of them. Oh, yes, I most certainly did. They're phenomenal, aren't they?

There were also sauce options for our cheesecake because, really, anything would taste good with strawberry puree, caramel or chocolate on top. :-)

Also, I bought all kinds of things with which to make a centerpiece but ended up deconstructing my Christmas tree because what was on it just worked better. And, no, I still have not gotten all of the fake snow out of that vase. I'm absolutely open to suggestions, though!

More pretty tables...

Here are my beautiful friends and my rockin' mama. Love all of them so much. Why? Because these girls will laugh with you and show up in a heartbeat if needed. We feel very blessed to have friends that love Jesus and genuinely care about what's going in or lives. The feeling is absolutely mutual and, having done life a vastly different way for many years, I can promise you fellowshipping with the Lord's people is where it's at - bar none.

The weekend this soiree was held, my girl was nursing a case of pharyngitis (infected throat tissue, basically) and that's actually what had to begin with but then got a sinus component thrown in for free. Aren't I lucky? Thankfully she recovered much faster than I did (apparently youth DOES make a difference) and was able to fully enjoy her Christmas break that's still ongoing for another week.

Praying all of you had a very special Christmas and will be blessed abundantly in the New Year.

You crown the year with Your good blessings, and You leave abundance in Your wake. 

Psalm 65:11 (NET)