Xmas and Away

This was Christmas:

This last picture is why I used LITTLE trees placed high.

Both cats thought our Christmas tree was their cat tree. And one was eating the branch tips.

(Obviously, this smallest tree had to put up high, too.)

Christmas morning was lovely & fun. Santa had no problem snipping through the zip-ties on the fireplace curtains (since if Santa can come down the chimney, curious cats could go up,) and then re-securing them.

But, two weeks after Epiphany, it all looks tired and ready to sleep.

I'm only about halfway done; still need to stow the trees and the kids' ornaments. Taking down Christmas always makes me a bit sad. But it needs to be done.

Otherwise, how on Earth could I look forward to this coming Christmas! New shiny things!!!

"In the Bleak Midwinter"

Clear and bitter cold was today. 'Tho no wind, and with bright sun, the temperature was frozen.

Still, the Magi traveled, as we, and adored Him upon the Feast of the Epiphany, of God revealed.

They came, summoned by signs, to worship the new King of the Jews-- He we know as God-made-flesh.

They gave gifts of great price to a baby so lowly.

We have not He Himself walking among us; we have no gifts to ever equal in cost His to us.

We, instead, are asked to see Him in each other, and to give everyday.

I gave gifts to my family and saw their joy, as they found themselves known and loved, as God knows and loves each of us.

I gave time and talent and voice to my community to help bring parts of the Mass to life, as Jesus lived to bring life to each of us.

I offered friendship, encouragement, smiles to others, as the Holy Spirit lifts and inspires each of us.

I was just being myself, being (I hope) my better self. I pray that is, for today, enough.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"In the bleak midwinter"
        by Christina Rossetti

In the bleak midwinter, the frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

Gifted

Being as today is January 7th, Christmas is (almost officially) over.

For me, it's not over-over until after tomorrow; in a rare occurrence, the USCCB Sunday-shift of the Feast of the Epiphany is occurring AFTER the date of the feast. Woo! Party on Casper! Party on Melchior! Party on Balthazar!

While the Three Kings didn't visit me (forgot to stock up on camel hay,) I'd like to share three of my favorite gifts from Christmas Day.

THIS WATCH!  My mom gave this to me. She's been having a grand ol' time ordering fine and costume jewelry from the Internet; I received quite a few whimsical Betsy Johnson pendants for Christmas, but this bargain-find watch is my favorite. I've been looking all season for a bright Christmas watch. And now, YES! I have worn it almost every day since Christmas. (Yes, did go "Squeeeee!!" when I opened the box.)

THIS CHARM!  My friend Tara knows I LOOOOVE The Velveteen Rabbit. This is only the latest in her "real little bunny" gifts to me. Oh, yes, much more squeeing! And the box looks like a book, too! So these are officially the smallest books in my collection.

THIS FAMILY!  I spent a very blessed day with Carl and the kids. We were also visited by his mom, Hazel, and his niece Zoe.  Later, we were joined by my own mom, Pat, and my brother, Bill, as well as the kids' dad, Scott. Yes, Christmas is about family, however God brings us together.

Sno' There

And snow there.

And there.

All over there, too.

But none here in Huntspatch.

Not that I'm complaining. It's looked rather nasty in all those "theres." Meanwhile, I've had a snug little day with my three kings: my husband Carl and our two kittens.

Epiphany

Maybe it's time to stop the after-Christmas sale shopping when you bring home this 75%-off special from Walmart:

Packing It Away

I am   FINALLY   packing away my Christmas stuff.

I thought it would have made me sad, but it mostly hasn't.

I've enjoyed looking at each of my treasures-- this year's new ones, previous years' discoveries.

I have great satisfaction in reorganizing some of my storage boxes.  And in deciding that other boxes have achieved "just right."

Looking at my kids' ornaments-- the ones they've made and the ones with their photos-- has made me a bit wistful.  They seem to grow up SO fast.

Ok, maybe I'm also wishing that I'd hung more ornaments or used more holiday serving-pieces or made more cookies & candy (or tried my hand at fruitcake.)

Maybe.

But, as I mentioned in my last post, I'm already looking ahead.  Today, I renewed my Keepsake Ornaments Club membership (and ordered replacement Crown Reward cards.)  I'm "following" Keepsake Ornaments on Facebook.  I've seen that there will be an Artists' Signing at one on my franchise's stores just before my birthday--- can you say "day-trip" ??!?

My church's rummage sale is coming up, and I always find goodies.

My craft room is (once again) shaping up, so I can tackle some projects that have been patiently waiting.

So, bring on birthdays, Valentine's Day, Easter & such!

I shall celebrate!

May the Circle

Yesterday I actually took down Christmas decorations.

Note: I typed "took down."  I merely moved them to a staging area.
Nothing has been put away yet.

So, what to my wondering eyes did appear in my mailbox yesterday?

SQUEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!


MY KOC RENEWAL PACKET!!!!!!!


SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!


So, there is #2 in the Mini-ornament series "A World Within" I began last year.  There's a mini hummingbird, (and I know people who adore hummingbirds.)  And the little house is too, too sweet!

Ooooo!!!! And another Mini series!!!! Penguins!!!!!!

For my renewal, I'm choosing the "Christmas Window 2016" because I have a little ballerina who will be tickled pink with the "Dance Shop!"

I'm also choosing "Inside Story;" it complements the KOC membership ornament I got last year.  They say that this one is the "1st of 3."  Two more this year?  One each the next two years?  We'll see!

The "For Keeps" issue previewed many other KOC "exclusive" ornaments.

Maybe I will, maybe I won't.

But I know I'm getting Christmas 2016 off to a charming start!

SQUEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

Three Kings Day

The Three Kings arrived at our house very, very late.  Like, right-before-the-sun-came-up late.  I think I saw them riding out as I went to wake up the kids.  (Walks off, whistling....)

They brought each kid a pair of wind-up Christmas toys, a North-Pole-themed book, a lapel pin (eagle for MLB and Snowman Angel for DLG,) and large box of Lemonheads candy.  No, you may not eat candy for breakfast before school.  Please, don't run the toys on the breakfast table. You've read your books already? And each other's?

After school, DLG told me that a schoolmate didn't get a visit from the Three Kings.  Hmmm....  well, I said, I think the Three Kings visit you and MLB because they used to visit Carl & his sisters & brother.  When I was growing up, the Three Kings didn't visit your Uncle Bill and me, I said.

Their lives are so, so filled.  I hope that they always have the magic and dreams and joy.  Kids can never have too many people who love them.

While Everyone Else Is Cleaning Up

I have many, many friends who have a compulsion to have Christmas put away before News Year's Day.

I put it off as long as possible.

I love the glow of my Christmas tree lights.  I love the tenderness of my creche.  I love the personality of my decorations.  I love the visual reminders to be kind.

While others have solid reasons for putting away in a timely manner, I shall put forth my reasons for waiting as long as possible.

I do not like to take down Christmas before January 6th, the traditional Three Kings Day.  With my play going into tech week not long after, I'll be too busy & preoccupied to do my efficient effort of packing away.

Christmas will stay up through the end of January.

Any longer than that, and I'll have to dust more.

Pin It

I accumulate Christmas pins.  And earrings.  I would say collect, but I don't hunt them down on the internet or shop in stores.  I mostly find them in the thrift stores.  I've fallen in love with their charms.

My first pin was a gift from my mom when I was in 4th grade.  A Hallmark pin of the happy little snowman holding a wreath and his little redbird friend.  I was impressed that my mom trusted me a piece of jewelry I was allowed to wear to school.  (My mom is a worry-wort.)  In high school, I got a few more as gifts-- teddy bears, enamel bells, and some Christmas earrings.  In college, my own Babchu bequeathed me her vintage Christmas tree pins, many she bought second-hand, too.

I finally realized that I needed a storage system.  The red box worked for many years holding everything; it swings open with four trays (that once held treats.)  Those boxes from the Santa Shoppe?  They have allowed me to easily see all of my earrings and tree pins.

My kids have taught me that life is too fun to wear boring socks.  I have a tin of Christmas socks.  Next year I plan to tote the purse my mom passed on to me.

Y'all, when I "deck," I "deck."

(Well, not all-out.  I'm rather picky with my sweaters......)

Two Turtle Doves

If you count, today is the "Second Day of Christmas."

"Two Turtle Doves" you know.

So, Hallmark started a new "12 Day of Christmas" ornament series five years ago.  Carl's and my first Christmas was the second year of the series, and I just HAD to get the ornament for him.

He loved it!

(Even after I wrapped it in at least seven layers of papered boxes.  Which I did just to "grinch" him; he was proud of his impatience with waiting to open presents.)

We keep it out year-round, as I've mentioned before.

Our next year, we got lucky.  Hallmark re-issued "Day 1" and "Day 2" as a two ornament set for those late to the carol.  So I purchased the set and "Day 3."  We're caught up and I have a separate ornament just for Christmas.

I enjoy giving my family at least one ornament every year, and they enjoy getting them.  For Carl, it's the "12 Days of Christmas."  For MLB, it's the "Season's Treatings."  For DLG, it's "Making Memories."  I've been collecting, for myself, the "Commemorative Glass Ball" and the "North Pole Helpers."  I use great restraint to keep my additional purchases to less than ten more ornaments.

But this post is about two sweet little birds with sheet-music wings.

Christmas Eve Eve

So, I offered up "50 Days of Christmas."

So, where are the other 15 days?

What happened to the last 2 weeks???

Um, life, kids and hormones?

Yeah.

(But I have the goods, they're just not committed.)

Winter Solstice

Here upon our shortest day of the year, and the longest night, let me amuse you with a few more year-round Christmas touches.

Joy!  This is important to me.  As a picked-on kid, my life lacked joy, except when I was walking in the woods or riding my bike.  I didn't know it was joy that I lacked.  I just knew I was unhappy.  As a teenager, I kinda "found" who I was, found groups of friends I could be myself with.  And, every now and then, I found myself surprised by a happy, bubbly feeling in the very core of my self.  I wondered what it was.  I wondered if a shoe or two were about to drop and stomp that feeling away.  Nope.  To say I found joy would be incorrect.  I'd found a place in me where I could relax, be free and let joy find me.

My "favorite" JOY,
made in college
from repurposed ornaments

A smallish, but increasing flock of penguins have settled here.  I would say Opus, from a colligate crush, was my first, but he's Opus, man, not just a bird.  Penelope is actually my first, acquired after she bit me, Miss Preen, in "The Man Who Came to Dinner."  I also acquired several penguin Christmas ornaments that year as cast gifts.  Still not penguin-mania, but the stage is set.

We don't know why MLB loves penguins so.  Maybe its because they are an adorable blend of science & cartoon. Maybe it's because, as he was practicing walking, the toddler-sized Penelope was a great target.  But when DLG was in 4yo-Pre-K, she personally chose and bought her brother a penguin, at the same time he was buying himself one at his school's Candy Cane Lane shop.  He fell in love, and Pengu has been a constant companion since. The one he bought was named Anonymous, and they have been joined by Sparkle the baby Gentoo and little penguin themed things.  His sister has a couple of penguins as well, Waddles and Little Penelope.  Yes, I might have to rename our home "The Rookery."

Cats and Christmas go together.

The music box my beloved Babchu let me play with. Artfully hidden so my kids don't play with it.  (I'm surprised it survived me!)

Vintage Shiny-Brite ornaments.  They remind me of my childhood-- both of my grandmothers had these, my parents still used their "our first christmas tree" ones.  Their gentle patinas are comforting.

Finally, our "Two Turtle Doves." My first gift to Carlos.  It's us. Love-come-down is the reason for the season.  I'm glad Carl and I can shine that love to each other.

Trimming Out the Tree

Would you believe this Christmas nut did not get her tree decorated until today?

Yeah, I guess I haven't been THAT busy.  But the kids have been, and I wanted them to help.

Just like my mom did for my brother & I, I divided the ornaments evenly between them.  Same number, same types.  Limited squabbling.

As MLB gets older and taller, he does better and better with distribution.

DLG, bless her, still clumps.

When finished, Carl topped the tree with the angel.  Which he didn't understand, since he could have done it earlier this week without risk of toppling over a tree full ornaments or accidentally brushing a few off.  It's tradition, duh.  (Though some traditions might need re-examining and changing.)

Another tradition is Mom not being able to stand it and rearranging ornaments after the kids leave with their dad for Ft. Payne.

Come on.  You do it, too.

And Done!

Kinda' thrilled, here.  I'd gotten ALL of my Christmas shopping done by December 5th.  Except for the Wilton "Cookie Tree" kit to go with MLB's ornament this year.

Wouldn't you know it, that THIS is the year they discontinue it.  Which is why I haven't found it in the stores, oh these long months.

If Wal-mart can't help Santa's helper, then Amazon Prime will!

Package arrived, and presents wrapped!

Elf, Yeah!

We do a few elves around here.

Yeah, I know, everyone-who-is-anyone is SO on the Elf-on-da-Shelf sleigh.

We were elf before it was cool.

You see... every Thanksgiving, my parents would pack us up for Birmingham.  When we visited my dad's mom, Grandmama, there was a felt elf in each of the family rooms.  They were there to keep an eye on us kids.  My dad, his brothers & sister grew up with them.  The elves would magically arrive with Santa when he drove his sleigh in the Christmas parade.  And then, they would pack up and leave with him on Christmas Eve when Santa visited.  They would give their final report then and there to Santa, who would or wouldn't gift you... just depending.  During the year, the elves reported to the Head-Elf Bellsnickle.  

We had elves at my house as a kid, but they had an agreement with my mom.  They spent the year in a box with the other ornaments, then stayed on just the tree.  That's ok.  My brother was plenty loud, and we loved to hang out by the tree in December.

When I went out on my own, I had no elves.  No one wanted elves.  They wanted bows.  And glitter.  And feathers and ribbons.  I eventually did adopt a few elves to live with me and oversee my home during the holidays.  Boy! were those elves ever joyful when MLB, then DLG arrived!

My kids, they got it.  And every year they get so excited to find the elves. This year, one is perching in the tree.  Another, you may have noticed, is perched with the cards in our kitchen/breakfast area.  One each staked out a vantage spot in each child's room.  (And then each child decided the elves would be happier sitting in their trees.)

Yes, my kids TOUCHED and MOVED the elves!

This whole, don't touch them, but they make mischief and move themselves crud?  What's with that?  Marketing and competitive parenting.  Why, oh why, would elves do things that would only get kids in trouble with Santa?  And do those things sneakily at night after visiting Santa????  Makes absolutely NO sense.  The marketers obviously confused elves with their flighty cousins the pixies.

Carl handily explained to the kids that the elves are quantum-locked. That's why no one ever SEES them move.  And since they have a mission to complete, there's none of this "dancing around the house" stuff.  As for the jolly-old-elf himself, Santa?  Well, likewise, he is a master of such things as dimensional transcendentality, which is why Santa seems to be everywhere, and why he can deliver a world's worth of toys in only one "night" (24 hours as flying with demarkation.)  Yes, it is conceivable that Santa is a Time Lord, too.

Yep, that's our stories.  And we're sticking to them.

Another Countdown

We began the Advent Wreath on Sunday.  On Tuesday, December 1, we'll start the countdown that all kids and kids-at-heart can relate to.

This days-to-Christmas hanging was made by my mom when I was DLG's age, about six.  She also made a tree skirt from felt.  Every now and then, when I'm looking for something in her crafting stuff, I run across the patterns she'd pulled from "Good Housekeeping" or "Ladies' Home Journal."

I haven't seen that tree skirt in years (miss it,) but when my mom was "down-sizing" her Christmas stuff (mostly getting rid of the tatty things I grew up with,) she found this and offered it to me.  I am a sentimental fool. The original bells were half-inch brass, tinted either blue, red, green or gold.  They seemed to glow.  But now they are faded and fewer than two dozen.  The small glass candy jar we'd deposit them in is long gone to some garage sale.

But I have accumulated exactly twenty-four 1" silver bells over the many holidays. A small candy tin will catch the bells now.  A bit of Modge-Podge to stiffen the yarn tips, and we're ready for another December!

Shop Small Saturday

I did not go out to shop on Black Friday.  It's just not my thing.

But I do like the "Shop Small Saturday" idea.  I bought a Collector's Draw Ticket from the Huntsville Art League, and I went to a few thrift stores.

(Yes, I went to Walmart, but it was a heavy duty utility shelf, faucet covers and AAA batteries, come on.)

(And I consider Krispy Kreme a boutique restaurant.)

I went to a few thrift stores.  At St. Vincent de Paul Thrift store, and bought 15 items of kids clothes and a Christmas sweater for me.  I visited the two Saving Way Thrift Stores in the north part of Huntsville, and I bought some crafty sorts of things.  And a book.

I admit. I don't recall ever having READ Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol," but I found it lovely and the illustrations charming.

But I still don't think I have enough Christmas books.

A Glass to the Season

I finally received my mom's china cabinet.  (Because she finally got her bigger one.)  This year, I can show off my grandmother's Noritaki china and my Arby's glassware.

Going to Arby's was a treat when I was a kid.  We didn't have one in Warner Robins; the nearest was in Macon.  Roast beef sandwiches with Arby's sauce, potato cakes, Jamocha shakes... yumm!  When Arby's started offering a glass-with-beverage-purchase, my mom made sure we got a set of the Saturday Evening Post ones, and the Coca-Cola ones.

Years and years later, while I lived in Auburn, Arby's started their Holly Berries series.  I fell in love.  As my budget would permit, I would buy that year's offering.  My collecting stopped when I moved in with my parents after college.  I don't think they had Arby's in Chicago.  Not that I had anywhere to show off my glassware.  By the time I was back on my own, Arby's was on to their Winter Scene pattern.  I was not interested.

I am, luckily, a thrift-store addict.  This is the time of year they haul out their Christmas donations, and I can usually find some more pieces for no more than the dollar they originally cost.  I'm attempting to acquire at least eight of each piece:  goblet, goblet with bow, contoured tumbler, tapered tumbler, parfait glass.  These are the ones I know of.  I thought there might have been a Irish coffee cup, but I could be mistaken.  I do have ONE coffee mug, but that might have been a limited market item.

Today I washed and stowed this season's purchases: eleven goblets with bows, one tapered tumbler.  I've passed on additional parfaits and goblets; I already have about ten of each.  I'm still on the look-out for five more tapered tumblers and four more contoured.  Yes, I could buy them on-line, but where's the fun in that?  Some people hunt with guns.  I hunt with $1s.

I find these beautiful--  the bright red & green, the dainty pattern scale, the subtle gold rim.    They make me happy.  Libby Glassware, who designed and produced them for Arby's, created several other "holly" style patterns for glass and ceramic; those patterns are in the same hue families, with similar art stylings.  Maybe after I complete my Arby-ware, I'll add in some cousin serving pieces, as well.

A toast, anytime, to Christmas joy.

Let's Call this Day 1

Hello, Bloggersville!!!


Yesterday was Sunday, November 22, 2015, and the last Sunday in Liturgical Cycle B 2015. Designated "The Feast of Christ the King," we wrap up the Church year.  For most Americans, who rarely attend daily Mass, the next time they come to church, it'll be a new year (Cycle C, 2016) and the First Sunday of Advent.  The "countdown" to Christmas will begin.

I'll have to admit, I'm becoming one of those people who "really like" Christmas.

I got excited way back in April when I got my Hallmark Dreambook for this year's ornaments.

I don't know when I started becoming one of those people.  Don't know how far it will go.  I'm certain that Carlos will put a stop to me when I reach his limits.  (We still de-decorate sometime between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday.)  But as I go there, I know I'll have plenty of good company.  (His mom feels the same way about Christmas.)

Maybe I've always been this way.  Maybe, as a middle-aged mom, I'm comfortable being me.  Or maybe I'm appreciating the wonder & joy of the season like I did when I was a kid.

Whenever, whatever, wherever, whyever and how,
I LIKE IT!


(Oooo, DLG just brought in the mail.  More stuff from Hallmark!  "Festive Snowflake Candy Dish"-- gotta' get it!  And the December Event circular with my bonuses!!!  "A Little Jingle" ornament!  Must get this one, too!!)



(I'm hopeless.)