Hi Reader,

It's Sharon from Simply Home, back with a new edition of the Simple Things Digest.

Today's newsletter is a perfect example of how happy and hard coexist, working in tandem with one another.

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Life Things

“How did you both get to leave the house?” I asked Virgil and Cathy as I welcomed them in.

“We have a caregiver at the house right now. We’ll be here for a while.”

I learned when Virgil called to RSVP to our holiday open house that he and Cathy care for their twelve-year-old grandson who is autistic, nonverbal, and aggressive.

Every afternoon, he gets off the bus and begins a set evening routine. This responsibility keeps them confined to their home every night.

“Are we early?” Cathy asked.

“No, You’re right on time. I’m just running late,” I answered as I made my way back to the kitchen.

“You can grab a drink and visit me while I finish stuffing the mushrooms,” I told Cathy.

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​Ding, dong.

Hannah answered the door.

“Shannon!” I heard her say.

I ran to the front door and hugged my friend and his wife. Matt used to work with Shannon. He even officiated his wedding. Recently, Shannon and his family moved to College Station.

I invited them to the party on the off chance they’d be in town. I didn't know they were coming until they showed up at the door. It was the best surprise!

We ushered Shannon and Heather inside, showing them where to find the food and drinks, and introducing them to Cathy and Virgil.

I went back to stuffing mushrooms, a sense of urgency taking over my nerves as guests continued trickling in.

Why didn’t I make these ahead of time like I planned?

Sweat beaded across my cheeks and pooled across my nose as I hurriedly finished the mushrooms, finally putting them in the oven.

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John and Priscilla, who also live on our cul-de-sac, wandered between me and the oven.

As we talked, I learned Priscilla has been battling cancer for the past two years. None of the treatments have worked, so she's currently part of a drug trial.

"A lot of times I don’t feel good, so I just stay to myself. That’s why we don’t get out much.” She explained.

No wonder I haven't met them until now.

We went on to talk about where we’re from, how long we’ve lived in our homes, and what we do for work.

“I believe I smell the mushrooms. I’m just going to pull them out of the oven,” I interjected.

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John and Priscilla scooted out of the way, eventually engaging in conversation with Cathy who had recently entered the kitchen to tell me she and Virgil were getting ready to leave soon.

“You’re too busy. You’re not getting to visit,” Cathy told me.

My heart fell. This wasn't the first impression I wanted to make. The whole reason I hosted this get together was to get to know my neighbors.

“I’m sorry. I normally do a much better job of being on time so I can be present with guests. I just didn’t manage my time very well today,” I explained. (I started out on task, but somehow ended up organizing a part of the garage when I should have been cooking.)

When we bought this house three years ago, I felt a calling to bring life and light to our cul-de-sac, not knowing anything about who lives here.

Then, the first time my next door neighbor, Debbie, saw our backyard lights on, she told me she exclaimed to her husband, “Look Calvin! Lights! The lights are on!”

She went on to share that the last homeowners never used the backyard or turned on the lights in twenty five years of living here.

I took that as confirmation.

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Then, last year when our Christmas lights went up, she texted to say how much they were enjoying them.

More confirmation.

This year, she texted again to say how much she loved our Christmas lights. “They warm up the whole street. Our street is so dark,” she lamented.

Even further confirmation.

Hearing my neighbors' stories the night of the party was confirmation beyond anything I'd imagined.

It's so humbling to realize what I thought was just a holiday open house was so much more. It provided merriment and connection. It breathed life into the lives of people who needed it.

That reality far outweighs the fact that I didn’t have all the food ready when guests arrived, or that I greeted guests with obvious beads of sweat covering my face every time I answered the door.

The very next night, Matt and I went to see Derek Hough’s Dancing though Christmas show. Highly recommend!

Thankfully, we had nothing on the calendar the rest of the weekend and were able to just be.

Then, Monday morning we got a text from my sister-in-law letting us know my niece was in labor.

After nearly forty hours of labor, including a dangerously low heart rate for the baby, my niece gave birth to Ember June! She's 6 pounds, 7 ounces ,and 19 ½ inches of pure sweetness.

Last night, Matt and I celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary.

Today I rest.

Saturday is Matt's birthday.

Add all that to the holiday season, and life has been very, very full lately.

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​Home Things

I got the powder room wall textured and nail holes filled. Actually, I let a handyman do it. He only charged $35 which is well worth it. Especially since it saved me a lot of time, frustration, and cuss words.

I also have the paint, Smoky Blue by Sherwin Williams.

Right now, the paint can is sitting on the counter in the powder room. The powder room mirror is laying on the couch in the study. The hand soap is sitting on the wet bar, and the botanical prints that were hanging in the powder room are piled up on a living room chair.

One way or another, everything will be ready by Monday when I host my family Christmas.

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Quick Things

I saw this question on Facebook today.

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I couldn’t help but answer:

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Just remember, the twelve days of Christmas are December 25 through January 5. That means, whatever it is you haven’t been able to do yet, you have more time than you realize. So, give yourself permission to slow down and savor the season.

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Oh, and here’s the recipe for stuffed mushrooms. They were a hit!

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Helpful Things

Thank you for joining me today. It's my pleasure to walk alongside you in your 'simply home' journey.

Wishing you simplicity and ease,