Stop and smell the evergreen...

Sometimes we get so caught up in preparing and planning we forget to enjoy the holiday beauty around us. I woke up this morning thinking I had to plunge into more Christmas chores. I turned on the Christmas tree lights and for the first time this holiday season, it seems, actually looked around my house. I suddenly realized I didn't need to keep doing and doing ~ it was done, and time to sit back and enjoy the season. After all, the decorations are hung, the presents are all bought and wrapped and under the tree and I finished the grocery shopping yesterday. I am going to slow down and enjoy myself as I bake only the Christmas cookies I really love and make some other goodies over the next couple of days. There are cups of tea and pumpkin bread waiting to be devoured, holiday magazines to leaf through and a few parties to enjoy ~ you know, the good things about the holidays that sometimes we all rush through in our bid to just get done.
I snapped some photos of the Christmas beauty around my home this morning to share with you. I hope you will take some time to enjoy your holiday, too.

I am linking to Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home and Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound. Stop by for more holiday beauty.

Photos by The Art of Living Beautifully