out with old, in with new

I have new plates and bowls!  I have wanted square dishes for a long time and thanks to Christmas gift cards I made the purchase today. 

As we ring in the year 2020.... I realize that we've been using our old plates for 20 years!  They were the place settings that I registered for when Thayer and I were married.   

These plates have seen my babies grow into men.... one has flown the nest... and one will follow shortly.    I've decided that I'm starting fresh for the new decade: for the new chapter in our lives.

Not only did I get new plates and bowls.... but I downsized!  I am so excited about this!

Throughout my minimalist journey I have discoverd that I rarely, if EVER, use all TWELVE of my place settings.   Truth be told... If I have a large group over for dinner.... we use paper products.  Anyone with me?

Recently, I also decided that I wanted to intentionally start using my great aunt's china instead of hoarding it away.

I have devised a perfect plan:

Today I purchased FOUR of each: dinner plates, salad plates, bowls. 

These will be our every day dishes.   Crisp, clean, white and square :)  

If I have more than four guests we will use the china.  

(I have 8 place settings)

And if we have more than 8 guests.... paper plates per usual.

sha-zam!

I love the little changes that I'm making in our environment.    

How about you?  What changes will you make in the new year?

so I can remember....

Hightlights from 2019:


-Both boys to WinterBlast at Camp Orchard Hill, Pennsylvania.
-Greg and Jill spent a weekend in Staunton, VA
-Jill hosted a Galentine party for her close friends, presented "love letters"
-We adopted Maleficent from the Humane Society on February 9th.  (aka Mally, Mal, Malory, Maddy, Madelyn)
-Valentine's dinner at Moore's Country Store.
-Girl's weekend to Richmond. (drag brunch and cinebistro)
-Seasonal sleepovers with the neices and nephew
-UVA wins National Championship in basketball
-Daniel has season pass to Wintergreen, injures his rotator cuff and wrist.  skateboards often.
-Lucas attends Midway Baptist Church youth weekend "Dnow, Relentless"
-Family and friend birthday celebrations. 
-Daniel works at Upper Crust Pizza
-Boys: Youth lock-in
-Jill goes to the beach for spring break with Jamie and Tanner
-Taylor starts job as a reporter for WSET.
-Greg and Jill to Arizona for the Axon conference (april 29-May 2).... visit with Thad and family.
-Daniel to Hyperfest in May and to VIR event in October
-Lucas competes in Ninja competiton in NC
-Daniel graduates from Brookville High School On May 31st.
-Greg attends concerts:  Tesla, Stryper, Skid Row, Iron Maiden
-Lucas attends LU-Sodexo Internship
-Pool parties:  extended family comes to swim.  Sunday afternoons with Colemans, youth group cookout
-Jill: monthly ladies' nights
-Jill: SNL (sunday night ladies) here.  Friendsgiving at Lisa's, Christmas party at Kelly's
-Lucas to Paris and Switzerland July 4-15
-Daniel was sick with low blood count on July 7th.  (missed greg's bday party)
-Daniel to Mexico with youth group July 11-20
-Summer lifegroup meetings in family homes.  It rained on our pool party day. 
-new couches
-Lucas gets official license,  first car 2000 Honda Civic hatchback.  (lemon)
-2nd wedding anniversary trip to Williamsburg, VA (Busch Gardens, ghost tour, ride on the ferry)
-Lucas starts work at Upper Crust Pizza after having very few hours at Dominos
-Daniel and Luke Martin purchase the van to fix up.  (still sits in driveway in december)
-Daniel starts working full time at Subaru August 14
-Grandma Gowell fell and broke her femur.... in hospital for almost a month battling complications of blood condition: ITP
-Jill starts lead teacher position, 2s class,Heritage United Methodist preschool.  (13th year of employment)
-Greg attends UVA football games
-Jill- Girl's annual trip to Virgiinia Beach, September
-Boys attend movie nights at Kartch's house
-Lucas' 17th birthday, Daniel's 19th birthday
-Jill attends ladies events at Rustburg UM Church with Kelly Gladden:  Game nights, icecream social, Friendsgiving, cookie exchange
-Boys attend Man Camp with Grace Church at the Torrence farm
-19th annual pumpkin party
-Greg to Gettysburg, PA for leadership training
-Greg and Jill: getaway to Richmond overnight (Cinebistro) and back to C-ville for basketball game
-Hosting Lifegroup Christmas party
-Jill and Jamie go to the theatre:  Best Christmas Pagaent Ever
-Greg and Jill go to the theatre: It's a Wonderful Life Radio Show
-Jill: "Jesus Book Club" dinner and discussions.
- Daniel moved out in November.  Staying with his friend Travis.  Looking to rent a larger house in the new year.
-Taylor brings boyfriend, Logan, to meet the family
-December 30: Greg employed by Lynchburg Police Department for 23 years

preparing for Christmas

Christmas.  It's coming soon.  

I think we're ready.... but our preparations haven't taken the normal course this year.   Wait for it.

  

Early in the season, I made the proclamation that we would keep things super simple this year.  

Simple decor:

Greg and Lucas put up the Christmas tree.    I bypassed the inflatables again this year, just because.  And I had majorly downsized my Christmas decor last year.... so decorating was a breeze.

Simple gifting:

Our household agreed to purchase simple gifts for each other.  A few of us created Wish Lists on Amazon.   Earlier this week, packages started arriving and we realized that they are all addressed to ME..... since we all order through my Amazon Prime account.  (It hadn't occurred to any of us to change the addressee name on the orders.  haha)  So..... no one can open the packages for fear that we will ruin our Christmas surprises. 

My idea: Wrap all of the packages, no name tags.  On Christmas morning.... we'll pass them out and have an epic unboxing party.  Every gift will have a surprise inside.  lol

Simple fails:

Yesterday, early morning.... THIS happened.  

I think I blame the cat.  (May I remind everyone that Greg wanted the cat. )
Ornaments shattered, stand broken with no hope of repair.     We decided to clean up the wreckage and call it a day.    We'll shop for a replacement when things are on clearance.

Simple solutions:

Behold!   Our Amazon packages are wrapped with care and displayed under our Christmas lamp.

I'm certain this will be an unforgettable Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!   I hope that everyone has a blessed time making new memories this season.