MAKING CHRISTMAS

Now that I've caught my breath from Thanksgiving, I am a busy little Christmas elf. Or trying to be. The mild weather is a distraction that keeps drawing me outside. On Tuesday, I set off to buy a Christmas tree, but the tree lot I usually go to isn't open this year. Since I was headed vaguely in the direction of Blackwater, and I had my camera with me, I went there instead.

Which, as it turns out, was a very good decision. Got lots of great shots of this guy who seemed as interested in me as I was in him. Possibly, I looked like dinner.
I was more successful on the tree front yesterday, though I did have to search a bit. I did not want a "big box" tree. I am trying to shop small and local. In the end I found the perfect tree at the liquor store, and as I needed more bourbon for the Chocolate Bourbon Pecan pies I was able to "kill two birds." It isn't decorated but at least it's here, sitting in a tub of water in the barn. I wrestled it in there by myself, getting the hose stuck under it and shooting myself full in the face in the process of getting it out. Christmas is hard.

The wreaths are up, one for each front door and the barn.

Now I'm at a standstill until someone brings the rest of the decorations down from the attic, so I've turned my attention to gift bags. We exchange gift baskets with some of the family. I try to be creative with the container/basket. I like to give something useful, and in the past I've used barn buckets because they come in festive colors, shiny metal paint cans from the hardware store because they're fun to decorate, and cloth bags which I've made myself. Feed stores are an excellent source for containers. They have all sorts of galvanized buckets and egg baskets. This year I've opted for bags. Wanted something festive but not specifically Christmas-y, so I re-purposed the living room drapes that I took down last year. They'll make great shopping totes for the rest of the year, and that's one more thing out of my attic. Here's the first one finished. I have four more ready to assemble. I kept it simple and used webbing straps.

I'll fill them with homemade goodies, a few treats from the farmer's market (honey and homemade soaps), a bottle of wine, and tidbits picked up over the last few weeks. Sometimes I pick a theme, sometimes not. 

I like to set up a card table for wrapping in our tiny library. Keeps the clutter from spreading all over the house. I always vow to have the wrapping finished early, and yet, come Christmas Eve, this is where I'll sit. Thank goodness for grown children who can pitch in and help.
How are your preparations coming? I'd like to be one of those people who gets the decorating done all in a day. Instead, mine happens in layers. Wreaths one day, lights another, indoor decorations another, and finally the tree. It will all get done. It always does. I need to be able to veer off course and take a few eagle pictures when the mood strikes, though. Otherwise I get grouchy.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. XO.

NEW YEAR'S DAY

I am actually quite excited about this brand new year, but first the boring task of un-decorating. Not really in the mood to do it today, but I know that I'll be even less so tomorrow. So, line up guys, it's back in the attic for you...

Like Charles Dickens, "I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year." For now, I'm tired of dusting around it. Happy New Year! XO

THREE MORE DAYS

I am nearly there. My halls are decked...

Yes. That's my mister's actual childhood Teddy on the top shelf, right.

A gift from my sweetie when we were 20 years old. Please don't do the math. Also, a survivor of last year's Christmas tree debacle. I don't even want to talk about it.

And yes, this is my mister's actual little baby shoe. My MIL is  a saver!

Every little nook and cranny...dressed for the Holidays.

Yesterday, I baked. Five batches of English Toffee. Two batches of date balls. A pan of walnut Blondies.

But there is still a feast to prepare for my little gang, on Christmas Eve, and baking to do for a larger family gathering on Christmas Day, so I had many errands to run today. I went to WalMart twice. I know. But, I arrived home with just enough daylight to throw the groceries in the house, grab my girl, and our cameras, and head to the river. We had to act fast to catch the sunset on this, the shortest day of the year. It was worth it. Worth it to stand at the river's edge, and let the icy wind pin my ears back, and blow the stress away.

Reasons for joy: This little pair of salt and pepper shakers that my MIL sent this week...

And...both of our children will be home for Christmas!

Hope you had a minute to stop and let the cold winter wind blow through your hair. Christmas can make you crazy! XO.

DECKING THE HALLS AND STUFF

Just two weeks until Christmas and so much yet to be done. With the string of foggy, drizzly days we've had, my inclination is to do this...

Nigel napping.

But I am trying hard to focus on reasons to be joyful and not get too stressed about things undone.
Took a little time out from decorating on Sunday to mosey down to Dorchester County with my girl and our cameras.   A perfect day to play with the low-light settings.

The grounds of  Old Trinity Church (17th century) in Church Creek.

The marsh, viewed from Slaughter Creek bridge.

I picked up my wreaths yesterday and had a lot of help decorating them. Fitz, the catboy from the farm down the street helps me with all my outdoor activities. He loves us with a dog-like devotion. I really believe that all he wants for Christmas is to be one of us. He is not a stray cat, he's just a cat who has made a choice.

With the wreaths finished, I grabbed my clippers and Fitz and I went into the woods to gather pine branches and cones. Reason to be joyful: having a little pine woods, all one's own.

Nearly finished decorating now. So many memories come out of those boxes with the Christmas decorations, don't they? This guy makes us laugh every year.

OB/GYN Santa

My brother-in-law gave me this Santa one year. He dances and plays Jingle Bell Rock. Someone, somewhere along the way, rolled his sleeves back, and because of his hand position, he has been known ever since as OB/GYN Santa. We think, he looks as if he is about to deliver a baby or a pelvic exam. Maybe it's just me. I used to be a Labor and Delivery nurse. Family Christmas lore. That's another reason to be joyful.

Hope you are finding some joy and laughter at your house. Remember it will all get done. It always does. All the really important stuff anyway. XO.