Well hello friends….happy Monday and welcome to December!! Hard to believe, but we have turned another calendar page!! And, almost as hard to believe (or at least for me) is my “blog news”! I am planning to blog (almost) everyday until Christmas. Not exactly 25 days of Christmas…but four weeks, Monday through Friday, of Christmas themed and/or inspired blogs. For me…that is a lot of posts. But I am rather excited about it. And I am getting just a tad ahead of myself.
First, I have to ask (all my American readers), how was Thanksgiving? I know there are already plenty of “recaps” posted but I have not been on the computer since Thursday. I look forward to reading blogs today and getting caught up. It was a chilly one here. The day before Thanksgiving was almost like spring. It was just beautiful. My hubby has been under the weather but we were able to spend some time on the patio that day. Even the piles of leaves were looking so pretty (and not aggravating)! I think the temperatures were in the mid-70s!!
But by Thanksgiving morning, it was chilly! We started the morning with a continental breakfast…and the fireplace on! We also worked a Christmas puzzle. We are not exactly puzzle people but my family humored me and we worked together on this one that I found at our local consignment store. It was missing one piece. Of course it was. But we did not really care!
Dinner was at a beautiful inn in West Virginia…and it was delicious! That was some of the best dressing I have had in a long time! I never make dressing but I would if I could make it like that. Do people make/eat dressing at other meals other than holidays?? Like on a random Monday evening dinner??
And remember our discussion about pies a few Fridays back? What is the best pie and which pie(s) should I make? Let me quickly recap. For our Thanksgiving church fellowship, I made one of the Impossible Pies. The ones made with Bisquick that create their own crusts. I did the coconut one. It was okay. A bit underwhelming, if I’m honest. I also made a good old fashioned chocolate pie. In a graham cracker crust. A tried and true classic that does not fail. And it was a hit (again) last week! My family loves that pie. So did many at church! There was a request here at home for apple pie cookies. I searched for recipes and found one that sounded promising. They were very similar to a snickerdoodle which is indented right out of the oven and then filled with an apple pie filling. My family liked them. I shared some with the neighbors and they enjoyed them. They were not my favorite, however. Not sure I would make them again. Just sayin. Either way, I’m pretty sure that I have had enough pie for awhile now.
There was no black Friday shopping for me. It is interesting that everyone I talk to in person/among my friends seems completely against the idea of braving the stores in search of a great deal on the day after Thanksgiving. Sometimes I wonder…is it still a thing? But, apparently, black Friday is alive and well. I did place an Amazon order on Saturday. But it was all for me – lol!!
Nevertheless…that brings me to the present. And the beginning of Christmas blogging for 2025. Do you remember several weeks back I found a coffee advent calendar. Well, that cute calendar has been sitting on the counter for weeks. (And, yes, the juxtaposition of the seasons/holidays here makes me smile!) That calendar has had me excited. Feeling anticipation like a kid again. So eager to open that first little door. I have been so looking forward to not only starting my mornings with a different, and fun, Christmas coffee…but also to sharing them with you. And, well, today is the day! I opened door one!! Drum roll……
DAY ONE – is white chocolate. White chocolate?! Oh, we are off to a good start. Happy Monday (and happy December) indeed. It was delicious. The sweet you would expect from white chocolate was not overpowering. Just right. And it smelled so yummy while it was brewing. I wish you could have joined me for a cup this morning. Nevertheless, I hope your day is off to a good start. I hope this new month ahead of us fills you with peace. With an extra sense of joy. And with a little child-like wonder! I hope you will stop by each day (well, Monday through Friday) just to say hello. And to see what new, fun flavor awaits my morning coffee cup! Thanks for being here today, friends!!
Jennifer! I’m excited that you’re posting daily! This will be fun! And what a cool thing…a coffee advent calendar? I love it!
Thanks Debbie…I’m looking forward to it!
Happy Monday to you:)
Posting five days a week? YAH!! My brain is mush this morning but did you indicate the day´s post is going to be inspired by your advent calendar? I think it´s a great idea- I just don´t know if I read that correctly or understood it correctly. I´m glad your Thanksgiving was a good one. A beautiful inn in West Virginia sounds like a good idea for Thanksgiving! We ate at a slightly less glamorous pancake place for Thanksgiving (we were going hiking after so the place was perfect for our attire) . The food and service was good so no complaints at all! Have a great Monday and I´ll look forward to reading a post from you tomorrow!!
Wouldn’t I be clever if my posts were inspired by each day of the advent calendar? Not exactly. But I am excited about extra posts this month!! Pancake House for Thanksgiving..and then hiking. I love it!! Happy December friend!
I’m looking forward to your daily posting. Sounds like you had a great Thanksgiving. I love making chocolate pie with graham cracker crust and it’s the only pie my children eat. Oh, and I am a big lover of puzzles. I also have no interest in Black Friday shopping, although I think because of how stores extend the sales and also with online shopping it’s not so bad anymore. My kids went out on Friday morning and said the stores were not crowded at all. I spend that Friday at home decorating for Christmas.
Chocolate pie is a winner!! And good for you staying home and making good use of your Friday after Thanksgiving!! Glad you stopped by this morning!!:)
Happy December, Jennifer! It is mind boggling that we are welcoming month 12 in 2025. This year has simply flown by. I look forward to reading about your daily door opening of your Advent calendar. How fun! No Black Friday shopping here unless you count going to Yoder’s Market to pick up 2 pies (apple and cherry). Happy Monday to you!
That sounds like my kind of “Black Friday” shopping!!:)
Okay…I have to ask this because I am a West Virginian…what inn in West Virginia did you eat at? If it was anywhere close to me, I’d be so sad to think I missed the chance to get to meet you and grab a quick hug.
I’m glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving…and I hope your hubby is feeling all better now.
We had lunch at the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown!!
Looking forward to your posts, my friend! Happy December!
Well thank you, friend! Happy December to you:)
I look forward to hearing what is behind each little Advent door; White chocolate sounds good for day 1. I’m not a coffee drinker anymore but If it was a hot chocolate calendar, I would be there !