I know I said I was taking a few days off from posting, but I wanted to hop on real quick before I start my day to say merry Christmas and share our family Christmas card. I wish I could send one to every one of you.
The girls and I had so much fun last night at the Nutcracker. I forgot how much I love the music and the dance, and I think it was even more special after being unable to attend events like that for so long.
We had a decent view of the orchestra too, so in addition to the ballet, R enjoyed watching the mallets and aux instruments since that’s what she plays in the band.
I really wanted a picture of all three of us to commemorate the occasion, but I didn’t want to take the time as we were on our way to dinner to bother a stranger on the street. Plus, the girls barely tolerated me snapping one of the two of them, so I was trying to make it quick. At least I got this one, though!
It’s a shame you can’t see their outfits. They really complemented each other too, as R was wearing black and forest green, and C was in a red dress. I should have taken a picture at home before we left, but we were running late, so this is the best I’ve got.
Afterwards, we went across the street to Estia for dinner, and everything was delicious. I highly recommend it if you’re ever in the Philadelphia theater district. Of course, they were all decorated for the holidays, which made it even more fun.
Today is C’s birthday, and of course Christmas Eve. It has been our tradition for quite a few years to go out for sushi, but she requested The Melting Pot this year, so I got reservations there for dinner tonight. I swear, after this week of eating, you’re going to have to roll me into January.
We will have a quiet Christmas celebration here tomorrow, and then a get together with some extended family members on Sunday. I’m praying everyone stays well, but only time will tell. We’re just taking it day by day and hoping for the best.
I have to do some grocery shopping and gift wrapping today, but otherwise, I think I’m pretty set. C is going to make her cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and Paul has a turkey brining for Christmas dinner, so I just need to make some sides.
And then I took someone’s advice from the comments on last week’s Coffee Talk, and we’re just doing snacks and apps and finger foods for the family gathering on Sunday instead of another big meal. I threw it out to my sisters-in-law, and we all agreed that’s the way to go.
So yeah! It’s hard to believe another year is coming to an end. I do want to acknowledge how tough this year has been for many. Some are lonely, some are grieving, some are sick, and some are struggling with other issues they may or may not splash all over their social media accounts. Just because it may look all sunshine and roses doesn’t mean it’s always the case behind the scenes.
All that to say, whatever situation you’re in, I pray you find some peace and joy in this season of celebration. And for those of you who are working… whether you’re in the healthcare field, law enforcement, the service industry, or whatever it may be, thank you for your sacrifice. We need you more than ever right now.
I’m so grateful for this community, so thank you for being a part of it. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and your family and wishes for a blessed and Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas! Take some time off and make memories!
Merry Christmas! Thank you so much for the effort and love you put into this blog and community. It has been a bright spot for me during these trying times.
Merry Christmas to you and your family Jo Lynne. I wish you a blessed New Year and as you said a healthy one for everyone I also am so Thankful for all this out in our communities serving us and keeping us safe and for our hospital workers They are doing a tremendous service for us all. God willing we all will survive this troubled times and prepare ourselves for what He has planned ahead for our country. MERRY Christmas.
Jo-Lynne,
Thank you for sharing so much! You are a bright spot in the lives of so many, myself included.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Merry Christmas Jo-Lynne! I was thinking to myself last night that soon you’ll be showing us spring fashion’s newest style trends. I enjoyed your Nordy sale coverage so much this year, you helped me make good choices I love!
We are ready for Christmas….seafood tonight and rack of lamb on Christmas. Dog walks, festive music, ginger molasses cookies and pumpkin pie.
I’m not sure what the future holds…but I know Who holds my future. God’s blessings to you and your family.
I so love this comment, “I’m not sure what the future holds, but I do know who holds my future”.
My divorce is now final after 39 years of marriage, so this has been an unusual holiday season to say the least. But I do hold on to my family, my close friends, and the knowledge that God has a plan; I just can’t see it yet…Merry Christmas to all the JLS “tribe”.
Oh my. I am so sorry to hear that. I pray your family and friends are a comfort.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Jo-Lynne! It’s fun to see your family Christmas card and how much the kids have changed. So glad you enjoyed the Nutcracker with the girls. My younger daughter danced for many years in Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker so it’s become a family tradition for us to attend (we haven’t been for a few years, though).
Happy Birthday to Caroline, too!
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Enjoy your time off and time with family and friends! Your JLS Tribe appreciates you! 😊
Merry Christmas to you and your family! We have a Christmas Eve baby too! Our son turns 21 today! As much as some people complain about Christmas birthdays we’ve always tried to make it special and it’s always a fun day. Happy birthday to Caroline!
Merry Christmas to you. Thanks for all the wonderful work you do to keep us up to date & looking fabulous. You’re the best!!
Enjoy your family. I’m so glad you’re doing ginger foods & apps for Sunday. I know I’m already ready to stop eating. Lol.
Bless you.
Merry Christmas to you and yours! Thank you for all of the hard work, it’s appreciated!
Jealous of your cold weather, we will have a Merry Christmas in the 80’s 🙂
You should definitely come to Montreal, Monica, and try our cold. It’s 9° today and feels like -2° with the wind. I even went out early this morning for my 5-mile run 🥶🌥
Have a merry Christmas 🎄
Merry, merry Christmas!
We did finger foods last night for our Christmas Eve Eve celebration and it works well, tonight is Chinese food take home and tomorrow we have a brunch between opening our stockings and gifts! Then Turkey dinner early evening! Thank you for all the style and information you provide all year long to keep us looking good!!
Merry Christmas to you and your family 🎄🎁
Merry Christmas to you and your family! A Happy and HEALTHY New Year to us all:)
Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family! Thank you for bringing joy and a fabulous fashion sense to all of us! You have taught me so much about fashion and always with thoroughness, humor, and class! Always know how much your hard work is appreciated! Enjoy your time off!
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful family Christmas card and pictures with us. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and blessed New Year!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
I just can’t decide who is more beautiful or handsome in your precious family Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I love your posts since you really reach to the calmer more peaceful side of fashion!
My husband and I are are home alone because we’ve been inflicted with nasty Covid even though we’ve had our vaccines. We are feeling better and will still cook a small ham with chocolate cream pie. Our family has made other delightful plans and we will all get together for New Years Day. We are blessed and loved!
Judy, My husband and I had the same thing…….covid hit us, so we are alone too for Christmas, but will be with our kids and grands New Years weekend. I’m excited to see everyone, its been over a month now.
Beautiful card!! Have a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year’s. Enjoy your time with family and friends! Praying we all make it through this season in good health! 🎄🙏🏻
Merry Christmas! We will roll into 2022 together! Blessings. . . .
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Caroline and Becca are such pretty young ladies. It sounds like the three of you had a great night and that the rest of the week and weekend will be enjoyable. I am very thankful to be a part of this special community of ladies!
It is me who am so grateful for your presence in my life via your blog. Your little daily cuckoos add cheerfulness to my days. You’ve become a big influence in my life, and it’s not just about outfits and style influence. Your joy of living is contagious. Merci beaucoup!
May God keep you healthy with your wonderful family.
Merry Christmas and big kisses & hugs from Montreal!
Love your post today. My grandson had to have appendectomy yesterday. 3 days before ski trip in CO. 😩 But it went well. Not ruptured. Last year I had covid. Such is life. We deal with it and move on.
Merry Christmas Jo-Lynne, to you and yours!
Merry Christmas, JoLynne!
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Thank you for sharing the photos. So glad you got to go to Florida and to the Nutcracker Ballet! It gives me a lot of pleasure being part of the JLS community of kind-hearted women! Thank you for all you do! I am grateful and blessed with so much and so many things; I count you as one of those blessings! Merry Christmas to your readers too!
MERRY CHRISTMAS JO-LYNNE TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. THE DARIENZZOs 🎄
Merry Christmas!! Thank you for sharing your Beautiful family and part of your life with us!!
God bless you and your family 👪 ❤️
Cindy Levana
Merry Christmas to my cyber friend! 🎄❤️ Thank you for your non-stop dedication to this blog space and for always “keeping it real” and authentic. I love all the fashion finds and lifestyle ideas I’ve gotten from you over the years. Enjoy the Christmas weekend with your family. I can’t believe it’s already here! 🧑🎄
Merry Christmas to you and your family!! I look forward to reading your blog every morning and so appreciate your fashion advice and glimpses into your life. May this be a wonderful holiday season for you!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
happy birthday Caroline! Today is my Birthday too!! The big 5-0 for me! Merry Christmas to all!
Merry Christmas Jo Lynne!
Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2022.
Awwwwww!!!!!!! Merry Christmas to you too!!!!! Love your family Christmas card and the nice post this morning. Appreciate you.
Merry Christmas! Have been enjoying your posts for some time now. Our Christmas will look different this year as my husband was in the hospital with Covid. We are praising God he was able to come home yesterday. We will spend a quiet Christmas, which is just fine. Hoping we can get together with our kids over New Year’s . If not, God is still good! Enjoy your time with family!
Thinking of you Kim and so glad your husband is doing okay and out of the hospital.
Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas Shane Family!!! Love, The Fontaine Family.
Jo-Lynne – Beautiful family, beautiful photos, and such a beautiful, heartfelt message! Even though I don’t post much, I look forward to and read your blog every day! So grateful for all you do to keep us up to date and encouraged! So glad you are making such sweet memories with your family! Have a very blessed Christmas and much joy and peace in the coming year!
Merry Christmas to you and your family. We enjoyed The Nutcracker ballet in Philadelphia a few years ago with all of my children. Then we walked to a French cafe a couple blocks away and had a very nice dinner. A beautiful experience and a memory I cherish.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Thank you for all you do! Your work is important and I love reading every post. Hope you all have the best Christmas yet!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! I really appreciate your posts and insights !
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Beautiful family Christmas card! Thanks for sharing it. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas, and to Caroline, a happy birthday!
Merry Christmas too you and your family!🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Thank you for your hard work, honesty, gift of words & writing. You are my favorite blogger. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you, your husband, your children , your parents and all of your extended family members!!🎄💜🎁💜😊💜
Thank you for your kind words in this post.
Thank you for everything you do so we all look gorgeous,fabulous, beautiful and fantastic (like you!!)throughout the year!!!❤️😀💜😊
Merry Christmas! I hope you had a great time with your family. And yes, I feel like needing to be rolled into January, too. We are actually planning to make cabbage soup today because we all just can’t take it anymore, haha!