Christmas Occasions Bin | Free Merry Banner Printable

 

I have cut back on our holiday decor for this Christmas season focusing on a few spots - our tree, shelves/mantle area, and outside. It has freed me up to feel less overwhelmed in this season. But I still wanted to put together an occasions bin with a few things we will use throughout the month. 

 

While my goal is not to add a bunch of new holiday stuff this year, I did pick up these reusable Christmas plates from Target to use with my kids. We will use it for snacks throughout the season to bring a little magic and cheer without much extra effort. I like the idea of surrounding ourselves with pretty things to use and not just look at. 

The bin wasn't complete without a little banner. So I whipped one up - to share with you all as well! You can download the banner below.

Two Ingredient Banana Egg Pancakes

Our littlest one is eating table food now (cue crying) and so we are slowly introducing new foods each week. I pulled out an old favorite recipe for these two ingredient banana egg pancakes to make and they were a hit.

My big kids like this breakfast dish as well but once they are big enough to pour their own cereal, I forget to add this one into the rotation! I am glad to bring it back, and my kids are too! Find the recipe below.

This is seriously two ingredients and so easy! Banana and egg - that's it!

Banana Egg Pancakes

2 eggs

1 banana

Mash banana (I use a potato masher on a cutting board) and mix with eggs until blended. Heat up on a greased skillet like you would regular pancakes. Then serve!

Sometimes these get a little messy in the pan. I find that making on lower heat keeps from burning and smaller spoonfuls make for easier flipping.

*I usually double this when making for two kids - a toddler and infant.

 

Letting Go And Moving On: Lessons In Downsizing

I spent all of last week doing a giant purge before we got the Christmas decorations out. I got rid of two relatively large pieces of furniture and was forced to downsize it’s contents. It was stressful and overwhelming but also the freedom I’ve been looking for.

After living here now for almost two years, I finally built up the confidence to accept that if I wanted our home to feel more comfortable, I had to downsize our possessions even more. It’s a work in progress. I’m a work in progress. But I’m grateful for a season to choose less.

Our Virginia home was so beautiful and our biggest home that we have lived in. We often miss how comfortable it was. But that season of living there was hard on our souls (and I admit part of my way of coping was having the financial means to fill it with pretty things). While we miss that wonderful home, it has been moving here that we have found peace and reconciliation in our marriage and family dynamic. We are still constantly learning and growing but it has been in this cozy house that brought us to a fresh start.

It was time to accept this home for what it is and create a space that I loved. I’m happy to say I love every wall and corner now. And it all finally came from letting go of some stuff.

It was the peacefulness I needed to refocus my heart and spirit for the upcoming holiday season. As well as the days to come living in our cottage in the woods. I am doing my best to move forward with gratitude and slowness and it’s a good place to be.

Said goodbye to one of my last big pieces of furniture that was thrifted and refinished back when we lived in California. It's bitter sweet but I'm glad to see it get a second life in a new home.