Tuesdays With Tracy Finding Joy
I’m Kelly’s mom, Tracy and I’m happy you’re here to join me for my monthly Tuesdays with Tracy. This was an early morning view out the living room window this week. It is usually dark so I always turn on the Christmas tree lights.
Finding Joy
Is this time of year hectic for you? Sometimes we get caught up in expectations, some from outside influences and some we place on ourselves.
In our home we celebrate Christmas and we have created many traditions throughout the years. I have thoroughly enjoyed them. But, as I’ve gotten older I have learned that holding onto those things too tightly can bring stress. How do I react when things don’t happen the way I think they should?
This is what I have learned. Life seems to be a series of “letting go’s”. Through the years, whether we want to or not, we let go of loved ones, friends, homes, health, jobs, and our own plans for life. So, I can allow bitterness and complaining to set in or I can trust God and find joy in the little moments of each day. When I choose the latter, I encounter the gift of peace.
Finding Joy in Friendship
In our entryway on the sideboard is a crèche set that was a gift from a dear friend who owned a shop that I worked in for nearly ten years. She knew I loved the olive wood set from Jerusalem and lovingly gifted it to me one Christmas. It was such a joy working for her, and her friendship still brings me joy.
In the hallway I have an old pew that I found at an outdoor vintage market. My daughters and I, along with friends, would get up early and drive to Denver for this summer market. We found some fun treasures and it was always fun trying to figure out how to get everything home. Those times always brought me joy.
Finding Joy in The Lamb
I love this lamb. I saw it in Homegoods one day and just had to bring him home. He normally hangs in the guest room but I’ve been studying Revelation this year in Bible Study Fellowship and this lamb takes my thoughts to the Lamb of God, the Lamb on the throne in heaven. He brings me joy.
Finding Joy in Cream Tea
I hosted my BSF group for lunch, and cream tea. Cream tea is simply scones with clotted cream and jam. Yum! Our time together brought me joy. This was on the table and I’m still enjoying the flowers.
On the kitchen table I placed part of another crèche set under a cloche. This set was one that Kelly and her sister Lindsey played with as children. There were two lambs but one was chewed up by one of our puppies. We still have the chewed up lamb, it brings joyful memories.
Also in the kitchen I have some plants. I’m not great with indoor plants. Have you tried the Amaryllis bulbs dipped in wax? Last year I found them at Costco and decided to try them. Boy am I glad I did, they bloomed well into January. This year I found them at Trader Joe’s.
I’ll call this next plant a Christmas miracle, ha! It was a gift two years ago and it is still alive! It’s actually called a Christmas Cactus plant because it blooms joyfully at this time of year, and shockingly, mine actually has.
Finding Joy in Baking for Others
Larry has been busy in the kitchen this past week. Last year he started making small rum cakes to give as gifts. The tradition continues! I found the recipe in a magazine a few years ago and tore it out and saved it. Do you have magazine pages with photos or recipes? It brings him joy to gift them to friends & family.
You can find the printable gift tag in Kelly’s Free Printable Library here.
Finding Joy in Volunteering
The only new item, other than gift wrap, that I purchased this year was a small kantha quilt that is layered on our round side table. Something that gives me joy is to serve as a volunteer for U COUNT Campaign. If you want to support victims of human trafficking check out www.ucountcampaign.org
Finding Joy in Ornaments
Some of the ornaments on our tree hold great memories and bring us great joy. Some of the angels were my mother’s. Some of the ornaments are from our travels and some were gifts.
And yes, We did put our tree in an antique European goat cart.
This Lladro collection which is sitting on our kitchen island was my mother’s. I added the Joy to the World ribbon because, well… it adds joy.
Currently on my mantel is a drummer boy and two lambs. My sweet mother-in-law had a small collection of items and Larry and I were so pleased to receive these after she went home to heaven. She was a wonderful woman who brought joy to all of us who knew her and we miss her deeply.
Finding Joy in Color
Have you noticed all the red in our home? I love to pull out all the red accents during the holidays because, well… you know JOY! What colors do you like to use?
Simple moments bring me joy. Tonight we were so blessed to watch Kelly’s daughter, Crosby, my granddaughter, dance to a beautiful song. Light of the World – Lauren Daigle I was bursting with joy!
I hope you will seek and find simple moments of joy during the holidays.
I would love to hear about your Holiday colors or favorite ornaments or keepsakes that you love to use every year. Please comment below, that would bring me even more joy!
