BeautyRevealed | The Blog of Melissa J. Dillon

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand

and for a talk beside the fire. It is the time for home.”

- Edith Sitwell

It just wouldn’t be Christmas without spending it at Mom and Dad’s cabin in the woods. This year was perfect and magical as the snow fell for 3 days straight, creating such a cozy atmosphere. We actually aren’t celebrating Christmas with gifts and traditions until Jamie and Angela come this coming New Year’s weekend, so we made Christmas week special and relaxing with delicious food, games and Christmas movies at Jodie’s cabin. We watched “It’s a Wonderful Life” on his big flatscreen… my favorite Christmas movie. It is so nice to extend the holidays by celebrating two weekends in a row. We’re so excited to have the whole family together in a few days. Our New Year’s celebration will be at Jodie’s, and then we’ll have our Christmas celebration on Friday night.

I love Mom’s decorating on her front porch. It is so welcoming and festive.

The snow coated the trees and made a magical scene for us on Christmas Day.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! I’ll post more pictures after our family Christmas this weekend. Blessings in the coming New Year!

“Heap on more wood! The wind is chill:

but let it whistle as it will, We’ll keep our Christmas merry still!”

- Sir Walter Scott

Looks like we’ll be snowed in this Christmas… which is just perfect in my estimation. Mark and I are packing our bags and heading to the cabin in Sugarwoods for Christmas. I hope we’re snowed in for a week (highly unlikely, but a girl can dream!)

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas, one and all!

I’m still holed up at home: recuperating, sleeping, watching Christmas movies, reading, snuggling with hubby & kitties, and catching up on some blogs that I simply adore.

There are so many creative and inspiring women out there in bloggyland… I often wonder how some have come to be so wise, or so creative, or so productive in life. And though I can’t spend hours in front of the computer or being so crafty or ingenious, there are so many things I glean from these women and their blogs. Whether it be about homemaking, marriage, motherhood, decorating, crafts, or relationship with God, my life is so much richer thanks to so many beautiful women.

So in this season of giving, I thought I would pass along a few of my favorite blogs for you to enjoy! I know that not everyone has the same tastes and styles (I love that we all so different!), but maybe at least a couple of these women will bless you as well. Just click on the photos to visit each site. Enjoy!

Well, I hope you love these women as much as I do… there is so much to glean! Have a Merry Christmas one and all!

Melissa

“Silent Night, Holy Night; all is calm, all is bright.”

I hope everyone is enjoying a bit of coziness in your homes this Christmas season. I have to admit, I kind of hit a wall after being so busy for so many months. This week my body told me it was imperative to slow down, or else. I have been getting headaches and dizzy spells, and the fatigue has been overwhelming. So, doing what is best for myself and this sweet little baby inside of me, I said, “Heck with this To-Do List” and I curled up under my down comforter for 5 days. And I’m still there. It seems my body can’t get enough sleep, so I know I’m fighting something off. So with lots of water and juice, some chicken noodle soup and rest ~ along with some Christmas music, a “warm fireplace”, and some twinkle lights ~  I’m starting to feel like myself again. I enjoy being home at Christmas time.

I’m getting close to entering my eighth month of pregnancy. Every little kick and movement is so precious to me. I’ve been taking these last few days of “down time” to just bond with her: talking, singing (she gets excited when we sing to her!), rubbing my belly, and praying over her. I want her to know that she is so loved. I’ve also been catching up in my pregnancy books which I hadn’t had time to read in a while.

With all of my Christmas cards finally in the mail and my on-line shopping done, I’m taking a little “me” time to enjoy the Christmas season quietly and reflectively. And it suits me just fine. Sometimes my focus can be on getting things done instead of on the truly important things in life: His humble birth, family, health and peace. So what if I don’t have freshly baked cookies this year?… it gives me more time to curl up next to my hubby and enjoy a good Christmas movie. So what if I didn’t ever get around to putting the garland up on the banister?… It just doesn’t matter in the large scheme of things. My goal this year is “all is calm, all is bright”, and to enjoy as many Silent Nights as I can.

“Silver Bells, Silver Bells… It’s Christmas time in the city.”

- Bing Crosby

Last year’s Christmas in the City was so much fun that we decided to make it an annual tradition. This year we decided to take the Light Rail from the Mall of America so we could have the full city experience.

We went to downtown Minneapolis and headed to the Macy’s building to see the Christmas display on the Eight floor.

This years theme was “A Day in the Life of an Elf”. We can’t wait until next year when our little Muffin can see what’s going on! We’ll have a ten month old next Christmas… wow!!!

It was so much fun to experience Santaland… it was so well done.

Next we stopped downstairs for some much needed Starbucks. Then we headed to Barnes and Noble for a bit (we are a book family!) while we waited for our reservations at “The Local” Pub. Great food and a fun atmosphere.

We left the restaurant just in time to see Santa’s float come by in the Holidazzle Parade. Sorry about the blurriness… my picture taking skills are really not that great at night. I’m definitely not the photographer in the family!

Then we headed back to the Mall of America via the Light Rail…

…where we caught the late showing of Disney’s “A Christmas Carol”. I must say that I highly recommend this movie… especially if you can watch it in 3D! Such a fun time and soooo Christmasy! (Although I thought maybe a few parts might have been a bit scary for children. I recommend it for a little older children).

On Sunday we headed back to the Mall of America for some Christmas shopping as well. It was a full weekend, and we came home exhausted, sore, and very, very happy. So many wonderful memories were made this year. Jamie’s already planning next year’s “Christmas in the City” adventure… we can’t wait!

Oh, and Angela, you must share your recipe for Tortellini Soup… it was spectacular!!

“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.”

-W. T. Ellis

It’s my favorite time of the year. This week we’ve even had some snow to get us into the Christmas spirit. Mark put up the tree, and it smells wonderful. Bing Crosby is crooning in the background. The pine candles are glowing. The twinkle lights are mesmerizing. The house is a m.e.s.s… Christmas decorations and garland everywhere! More to come…