Still going strong! Though I’ve noticed it’s beginning to dry out. The putz ‘village’ has been put away, as have all the little Vintage by Crystal figurines. But the tree is staying – at least for a few days. Which brings me to our weather forecast – we may be getting a lot of snow Saturday night into Sunday. If that’s the case, I’ll probably remove and store all the ornaments and lights and have Don take the tree up into the woods on Saturday. If we get a lot of snow, then Monday will be all about digging out, which would then take us to Tuesday, and that would be pushing it.
As I said to Don yesterday, we desperately wanted snow for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Now? We’re not so crazy about the idea! And as I look ahead on the calendar, it looks like I might be dealing with snow when I have to drive to Rochester. Right now, it looks fairly benign. We’ll see…
We’ve been very committed to our daily walks, so I’m giving us a big old pat on our backs. Yesterday, we were both busy with chores and figured we’d skip it, but later in the day Don decided to go and I joined him. I’m glad I did.
The office/studio was in a bit of chaos yesterday as I decided to tackle the closet. I needed to organize a few things and the closet was full of doll boxes. It was getting ridiculous. When I buy a doll, I tend to want to keep the box (they’re a specific size) in case I eventually want to sell it. And collector dolls, like the Gene Marshall dolls, are worth more when you sell them with the original packaging.
But since the Gene Marshall dolls are inexpensive and I think my little collection is complete, I’m not going to hang on to those boxes. And I don’t need 20 Blythe boxes. So I pulled out lots of them and flattened them for recycling, which involved lots of trips up and down the stairs and then outside to the porch, where we keep the recycling. And I threw out a lot of other stuff, as well. Every inch of space in the closet is being used, but it’s much more organized. I used one of the doll boxes for the Christmas trees that were on the Blythe shelves (I even labeled the box!) And I did the same for the dollhouse trees and Christmas accessories. And the putz houses. Here’s hoping I don’t have dig them out again next year because I inadvertently moved them. Then I vacuumed every inch of the office and our bedroom.
After that, I sent an Etsy order off in the mail and returned a book to the library – the Michael Connelly, which was excellent. I’ve just barely started Wolf Hall and will read more of it today.
We had a nice New Year’s Day. We ate our black-eyed peas. My husband was raised by a dad who was from Oklahoma and a mom who was from Texas, so he takes that very seriously. I think it’s a lovely (and healthy) tradition. Black-eyed peas are very good for you. And we watched the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which was absolutely fabulous!
Don has to get a shot in his eye today, which always looms over the entire day, bless his heart.
Okay.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
sounds like a nice way to start the new year, balancing some productivity with some rest/relaxation. :)
your tree looks beautiful. nice of you and don to share your Christmas tree when it needs to go.
prayers for safe travels, don’s shots. hope you don’t get snow when you have to go out for work, groceries, etc.
quiet morning here … needed a bit more sleep so didn’t set an alarm and woke up at 9:00! now it’s time i get productive.
happy wednesday. and thursday. always.
stay safe.
kathy
ps … thanks to you, my sister and i are going to read “war and peace” this year! books (ordered last weekend) should arrive in a couple days. we are both looking forward to it. :)
Hurrah! So glad you and your sister are going to read it. A chapter a day is so doable. It’s a magnificent novel.
Stay safe, Kathy.
You’re on a roll! I love tackling a closet. No one else ever sees it but it feels so good to have it organized. I’ve dreaded going back into what Cam calls The Scary Room. First, the basement. Or should I do a half hour each? Every time I move things (or package them differently) and don’t need them for a year or so, I forget what I did with them. I should make a list and just hang it on my bulletin board. Or send myself an email and make an email file for it.
They’re muttering about snow here, too. I’d be happy to give it a pass. Your tree is looking so pretty. I feel like I can’t undecorate anything until the mold people come and either clear the basement to put all my stuff back (and purge) or do their thing so I can start to put it all back. Not that I mind living with the trees and lights for a longer time but some could easily go. Not happening yet…. sigh.
Keep cozy, my friend!
I don’t know the answer. Sometimes I do a little bit each day, at others – as you know – I go at it obsessively until I’m exhausted.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Claudia, sounds like you’re starting the year in the right direction…. walking, cleaning, organizing, eating healthy…good for you! I’m trying to do the same. Good luck with your drive to Rochester.
The drive to Rochester isn’t until the 16th, Barrie.
Stay safe.
Safe travels to Rochester, Claudia. Let’s hope the weather holds. Your tree srill looks lovely. What a nice feeling to get some sorting out done. It feels so good. Don’s shot in his eye sounds very painful. Hope it’s not. Stay safe, stay well. Hugs, Elaine
Not traveling to Rochester for another week and a half. This upcoming storm and the snow predicted for my travels to Rochester are two entirely different events.
Stay safe, Elaine.
Sounds like you got a burst of energy! I have been doing the same thing trying to organize stuff. Snow would be good but not if you have to drive in it. I have been meaning to tell you this for awhile. I am so impressed by how much reading you do!! I am lucky if I read a book in a month. I just never seem to have the time. There is always something to do in the house, yard and taking care of Gracie. I am going to try and read more this year. And your puzzles!! Another thing I have no patience for.
Stay warm!
Thanks so much, Deb!
Stay safe.
When you’re in the mood to organize it sure feels good. I’ve been working upstairs purging wardrobe items and in the basement boxing stuff for Goodwill. Today was awfully gloomy, the kind of gloom where you have to turn lights on to see. And there went my urge to do anything. The older I get, the more my mood and motivation in winter goes out the window.
Supposed to see some sun tomorrow so hoping for the best.
Take care,
Kay
I know! I am the same way.
Stay safe, Kay.
I thank you for the calming and pretty picture of your tree…..I have yet to take mine down. I turn the lights on it every morning when I make my coffee and will miss it when I eventually get it together and remove each ornament and put it away with a little note in the box about the Christmas 2023. Right now I am procrastinating……but my intention is to get to the gym and get on the treadmill before the place fills up. I then go to Trader Joes…..and then to the library where I have some books to return and some new ones to lug home. Then …..maybe……start the ritual. Yesterday…..I could tell that the weather is shifting…..my sinuses nd are killing me. Hope the snow falls quickly and melts quickly. As I type this….I glanced out my window and my rabbit friend is munching on the vestiges of my garden. Time to get going. Have a wonderful day Claudia .
Brace yourself for the storm, Maria. We’re to get somewhere between 6 -10 inches. Yikes!
Stay safe.
I love the look of the Christmas tree lights that are reflected in your picture frames. It high lights your beautiful tree.
Take Care,
Kaye
Park City, UT
Mom used to say on dreary or rainy days (rainy days were seldom here iin desert land), it’s a great day to clean out a closet. Sadly, I haven’t cleaned out a closet since she died. I am catching up on your blog today. I have to say that I just love Ella! Maybe because we have the same sort of hair – mine just grows outward whereas others’ hair grows down. My friend told me to blow dry my hair, so I did that especially for an important meeting. Wow, you should have seen it – poof.
Your house is so adorable and all the photos make it look so artsy. Happy New Year and hope your year is special. You make us feel special.
– Irene
Ella is a cutie, that’s for sure!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Irene.
Stay safe.
Thank you so much Kaye!
Those lights are keeping me happy right now.
Stay safe.
January is chaotic as I clean and purge. But also creative as I discover lots of little craft ideas I’ve put aside and am thrilled to work on during the post-holiday slump of dark-and-dreary.
Our tree is still up and those lights just brighten my life each evening! But I’ve started taking down Santas and reindeer. Someday soon, the house may not be totally red-and-green.
We have the possibility of snow this weekend. Maybe. I remain skeptical. We will not soon have another record-breaking year like 2023. That said, I would love some snow that involves more than two minutes of drifting flakes!
Happy New Year as we turn over a new page and begin a fresh start. Stalwart friends like you and your like-minded readers are one of the reliable and reassuring pieces of life I’ll be looking forward to and enjoying!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Roxie.
Stay safe.