Home | Charis Buckland

Hello there! We’re in the advent season and we are counting the days until Christmas. We are collecting treasure in an advent activity, ending with hot chocolate.

Raegan gets reading practice explaining the advent treasure hunt clues.

The tree is up, I have wrapped lights around the prickly fir branches, and plan to decorate it with ornaments this Friday night. How do you celebrate in the month of December?

The Nutcracker, sadly is over, but we still have birthdays and Christmas parties ahead. We are taking a nice long Christmas break from school. Only the older kids have a few assignments to wrap up. 

The days still seem busy. Preschool Play Day at church was a blast!

Laundry didn’t seem like it piled up over the weekend, but with washing and putting on fresh sheets, the mountain has grown in the laundry room. We are sweeping, mopping, and decorating for Jenna’s birthday tomorrow. I need to run to the grocery store for a few items.

With all that happens, no matter what season of life you are in, we can always use a calm home as a resting place. I can assure you that at any moment, my house is full in the best of ways, but still loud at times, and sometimes even chaotic. The dreary winter days make for lots of rowdy people here! 

A cluttered counter, overflowing mailbox, or an exploding pantry will add cortisol, the stress hormone. It literally causes stress. Yuck! Kids or no kids, everyone can appreciate a calm, peaceful place to rest. A place to look forward to going after a long work day or just a trip to the grocery. Creating a peaceful place doesn’t even mean spending money or an overhaul, just some simple ways to create light and peace. Let’s appeal to all of the senses God gave us!

SIGHT

Pick up the clutter… from the counters, sort the mail, and straighten up the pantry. Our pantry is the size of a tiny closet, so I am always moving and arranging in there to keep it from falling out. Jenna and I just cleaned out the coffee table. We threw away broken games, taped up box lids, and wiped out the bottom. She didn’t really want to, but was actually really proud in the end. 

Choose soft warm lights instead of harsh ones. Christmas time is the perfect time for that. Putting on fresh festive pajamas and enjoying the living room under the lamplight is a great way to relax. 

Add some twinkle. If you notice in the cozy Christmas movies, there is some sparkle of light in almost every shot. Put some candles in the windows, lay some light strands across the mantle or a window. I love the lighted garland across our kitchen cabinets because it adds some cozy all day long. 

Ella Kate likes sitting by the tree to sew on ribbons to her ballet shoes.

SMELL

Add some nature. God is so good to give us trees and flowers that also help us relax. He’s so wise that way! Pick up some loose sprigs of tree twigs or place some flowers in a vase. I love these flowers a sweet friend brought to us at The Nutcracker, so we are happy to have it decorating the kitchen. 

Use a simmer pot on the stove with orange peels and cinnamon or use a wall plug for scent. I have one wall plug-in upstairs in the hall and one plug-in downstairs in the front hall. Both right now have apple cinnamon. It’s too much to keep up with more than that and they can get a little pricey. The kids also love to use our homemade “mint spray” to spray on soft surfaces with peppermint essential oil. 

I always have a candle going on the stove, especially at night or during the morning when school is happening. Currently, it is pumpkin pecan waffles. It feels super home-y to me to see the flickering light. 

TOUCH

For warmth and softness, throw down an old rug you haven’t used in a while. Place some blankets on the couch for the evenings. Somehow Squishmallows end up all over the couches, but that works too because they’re really soft and make excellent pillows!

SOUND

One of my favorite memories of Christmas time as a child is listening to Christmas music all day long. Andy Williams in the van, The Muppets Christmas in the record player, and Manheim Steamroller in the (new) CD player. We have one google downstairs in the kitchen and one upstairs in the hallway. I love playing traditional Christmas radio like Bing Crosby, for us all to wake up to. It’s also comforting to crawl into bed listening as well. 

TASTE

Enjoy some sweet treats. We will have plenty of cake over the next four days! Hot green tea is amazing for the skin so it’s always a favorite of mine on a chilly day. 

For evening times, remember to dim lights, put away the phones, and put on comfy clothes. Not only is it good for children to feel the secure routine of bedtime, it helps all of us calm down and prepare for rest.

In the mornings, open the curtains to see the natural light immediately to help wake up and prepare for the day. Open a window if possible. It smells fresh and is cleansing to open a window and freshen up a room every now and then, especially in the winter when the house gets shut up and it’s more difficult to get in the fresh air that cleanses our minds and bodies.

One of my favorite board books I have read for years to children includes the verse Psalm 4:8

I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, Lord, make me live in safety.

Praying for you to experience peace and calm this week, whether you live with furry friends, a roomie, a husband, or a group of children. Enjoy your week and we will meet again soon!

Love,
Charis 

Pic(k) of the week: Laundry room status after show weekend. In progress.