Image taken at Mission San Luis Rey in California
After attending church services this morning where we welcomed the second Sunday of the Advent season in waiting for the birth of Jesus Christ, stopping in at Trader's Joe's (after all it is right across the street), picking up some pretty Christmas greens,along with other goodies that don the shelves of TJ's during the holidays, and now waiting for my son-in-law, bless his heart, to help me haul the Christmas decor up from the bowels of the basement I am ready for the season to begin. It was always tradition when my sweetie was home that the decorating would start immediately after Thanksgiving was over and then we would sit back and enjoy it for the entire month of December. Not so now, I was so late last year it was practically time to take it down before I even got it up. (that almost sounds like an off-color joke, but it truly wasn't meant to be....giggle). I don't know about you, but as the years march on and they truly do accelerate with each passing year, the struggle to decorate for the season seems to become more difficult. I always volunteer to have our Book Club Christmas Party at my house because it is just the incentive I need to trim the tree and place all those pretties in their special spots for the holiday season.
Well, Sam my son-in-law has come and gone and now the living room, family room, entrance hall and kitchen are brimming with boxes to be opened and Christmas treasures await. And now the decorating begins.
PS On Lifetime Cable TV tonight is an adaptation of "The Red Tent", a book that I know many of you read. It is a 2 night mini-series depicting the lives of women in the Old Testament. Good reviews from People Magazine (and you know People is always right....giggle) I am definitely watching it as so little is written about the women of the Bible, should be interesting.
"Dear whoever is reading this, you're beautiful and someone out there is crazy about you. So smile. Life is too short to be unhappy."
-- Author Unknown
Until next time.....
I saw that the author of The Red Tent is out with a new book. I have all my shopping done and shipped. We'll be away over Christmas, so there is a minimum of decorating this year. I do light the candles though.
ReplyDeleteIt's true. Each passing year it seems more of an effort to do the Christmas decorating. But we're not going to give in to it, Deanna, 'cause that's wgat old folks do and we're not going there. And like you, I do enjoy the fruits of my labor once it's done. These lovely photos have me waiting eagerly for photos of the finished decorating task.
ReplyDeleteYes, the years do seem to accelerate at a much faster pace than I recall from my youth - but then perhaps it is merely me slowing down. I find each year it is a toss of the coin of whether or not the contents of "that" box will actually be put out for display. Oddly that philosophy has left me wondering where the heck a few items are this year (missing my basket for the upstairs bath - oh well!). I hope "The Red Tent" is on demand - I can't compete with football - but would enjoy seeing this show.
ReplyDeleteOh, I do agree with all you've said here. We aren't hosting Christmas this year, so the tree is smaller (altho still real) and I made the executive decision to not put the silver ball ornaments on it. I took them out, looked at them, and back to the basement they went. No one will notice ... it's lovely to be reading your stories again, Deanna, and enjoying your beautiful photography.
ReplyDeleteChristmas is such a special time because we celebrate the time when our Saviour was born. Then it is a time to spend with family and friends. the gifts and decorations. However I always think of so many that will not be in that position and are just struggling to live and survive and are all alone at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI have my DVR set to watch the Red Tent!!
ReplyDeleteExquisite photos, Deanna, especially the one of the Virgin with the Rosary. We will go back to Italy for the Holidays, so we probably won't decorate much here, apart from the Crib.
ReplyDeleteI've been catching up with your posts and I am so glad you had a good Thanksgiving and that you are getting ready for the holidays…and yes, I like you find I have to exert more energy in getting the decorating done than in the past. Less boxes are being opened and I am being more thoughtful in using the pieces that really mean something to me rather than just filling spots. I miss you when you are away; both your words and photos.
ReplyDeleteYour home will be a lovely venue for the Christmas party.
ReplyDeleteGreat quote . . .
ReplyDeleteI made my trip to Trader Joe's this past weekend.
(and for me it wasn't right across the street!)
I like their Oatmeal Honey Bar Soap . . .
Are the boxes emptied?
I hope the music was playing in the background while you tweaked away . . .
How great that your son in law got down the decorations. Know you will make this season just beautiful! Good for you with 4 blog posts in a row!
ReplyDelete