BeautyRevealed | The Blog of Melissa J. Dillon

“Our life us frittered away by detail… simplify, simplify.”

- Henry David Thoreau

Have you ever felt that life is spinning out of control… that life is “happening to you” or passing you by before you can get a chance to regroup? I’ve had these times all too often over the last year, and as I sit and ponder the whole of 2009, I realize that this is the area in which I would most like to change. I realize that busy seasons come to everyone… but when it becomes season after season of busyness, it begins to feel like life is passing by in a quick blur without so much as a chance to enjoy it. Jim Elliot said,“Wherever you are, be all there.” But I cannot “be all there” if I am spreading myself too thin.

So this is why I am thrilled to embark on this new year ~ 2010. This is a fresh start to live deliberately and on purpose. S.l.o.w.i.n.g things down and enjoying and absorbing the experiences in which I choose. I want to live in the moment. I want to live a simple life… basking in the sweet glow of small, simple moments. I must cut out the extra things in order to embrace fully those things which are most important: Daily quiet times with the Lord, loving my husband better, cherishing my newborn baby girl, disciplining my homekeeping, exercise, and healthy eating, and developing rituals. I am determined now, more than ever, to learn how to balance my needs in all the areas of Spirit, Soul, and Body. I don’t want to look back in many years and have regrets of not quieting myself enough to enjoy and engage in the simple and most important aspects of my life.

I know that many people don’t do New Year’s Resolutions anymore, but I still love the tradition of reevaluating our lives at this time of year and seeing what needs to change and improve. It’s a time for a fresh start. So my word for this year ~ for 2010 ~ is SIMPLIFY. And it excites me tremendously!

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” - Hans Hoffman

So my question for you is… what is your New Year’s resolution? I would love to hear what is on your list for a fresh start in 2010.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

“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!

“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…

“Where liberty dwells, there is my country.”

- Benjamin Franklin

“There aren’t enough days in the weekend.”

- Rod Schmidt

We celebrated Mom’s Birthday this weekend as well as Mother’s Day, so that Jamie and Angela could be with us for both. They traveled up from The Cities on Friday night and we had such a nice weekend with them (although, it always goes by so quickly). On Saturday we all helped mom with a few projects for her birthday present… 7 pairs of hands can get a lot done in a few hours! Then we went out for dinner at our favorite Mexican Restaurant. We played Dictionary late into the evening… I forgot how much I like that game!

On Sunday we all went to Jodie’s house for a Mother’s Day/Birthday celebration. Jodie grilled his famous Lemon Chicken, mom made potato salad and baked beans, Jamie and Angela prepared the salad, and I brought the cake. Team work! It was a delicious meal, and we sat out on Jodie’s deck and enjoyed the warm sunshine. 

The Grill Master at work! 

Jamie and Angela  (sorry guys, the sun was bright looking up at the camera!)

Wedding bells are coming quickly for these two… August 8th will be here before we know it! Seeing the love between these two is such a joy! The Lord is so good.

After our yummy lunch, we moved inside to play some wii before everyone had to head for home. It was a lovely weekend. Happy Mother’s Day and Belated B-day, Mom! 

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us; still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” - Washington Irving