Just because I wanted to.
I call this “Eggcups on Parade.” I’ve taken the same kind of picture of the eggcups that are lined up on the mantel upstairs in the studio.
They’re sort of jaunty, aren’t they?
It’s a very low-key weekend here. No Christmas decorations yet and I am perfectly comfortable with that. Because of the ankle, I haven’t even ventured out on the porch to hang the lights, but I’ll do that soon, because I love seeing the lights at night and we tend to keep them up and lit long after Christmas.
On the coffee table and at the ready: my morning Peet’s French Roast, the card that Cathy included when she sent that wonderful pottery, a reference book on Roseville Pottery, the book I am going to start – Susan Hill’s The Various Haunts of Men – as soon as I finish the one I’m reading on the Kindle, and my reading glasses.
This is the book I’m reading on the Kindle – it’s an eGalley of a book that will be coming out here in the States in January. It’s already a bestseller in Europe. I’ll review it soon, but I can say that it’s an absolutely charming read, all about the power of books in a small town in Iowa.
I have to work on a scarf order today, as well. And it looks like we’re in for some rain.
Low-key and pressure-free are just fine with me. Just as I felt a few years back when Don was working away from home on Christmas and I decorated with only the small white tree and a wreath or two, I’m experiencing that same ‘liberated’ feeling. There can be too much pressure to create a certain level of holiday celebration. We see that on television, in the stores, and certainly here in blogland. But for many, the holidays are hard to get through for any number of reasons.
Obviously, it’s hard for me this year. So I’m giving myself permission to just be this year. To quietly celebrate with Don and Scout, and to feel no pressure to do what is ‘expected’ at Christmas.
What a lovely, calming feeling it is.
Happy Sunday.
Today marks 25 years since my mom past. I found it hard also to do Christmas. As time went on, I know she would have wanted me to pick up the pieces and move on. You will know when it feels right. Well yesterday was a special day. My husband and I adopted a rescue/shelter dog and she is just perfect! Maggie just fits right in and made herself at home. She doesn’t pay any attention to the parrots, which I was concerned about. Hope you, Don and Scout have a wonderful day!!
Hugs
Congratulations on adopting Maggie! What a wonderful addition to your family? Is she a mixed breed, Nancy?
Thanks so much. Yes she was listed as a 6 year old terrier mix. She is black with white on her chest and white socks with black spots and weighs 32 lbs. She was at the Washington Animal Rescue League for a month and before that she was at Greater Birmingham Human Society and they had named her Little Lucy. I know this was meant to be because I am from Birmingham Alabama and our Doxie we lost last year was named Lucy. Is that something or what? Just goes to show things happen for a reason!
Have a great day and enjoy this great weather we are having, can’t beat it
Hugs
Absolutely meant to be. I’m so glad you found each other!
Claudia, I think even though your ankle is hurt…you seem relaxed. It’s good for you to rest..you have not had an easy year. You know the first Christmas after my brother, Miles and his wife Brenda were killed in a wreck…that was the first year I never had a tree, since I was grown. I did very little decorating.. I can’t even explain why. I know that would not have been what my brother wanted…but I just want to be quiet and think. Sending hugs to you, Don and Scout. Blessingss, xoxo,Susie
That’s exactly it, Susie. I want to be quiet and think. You put it beautifully. And I must add how sorry I am to hear you lost your brother and sister-in-law so tragically. That must have been absolutely heartbreaking. Hugs to you, my friend.xo
Me too. I’m done with all the b.s.
S
xo
I am absolutely sure that the best way for each of us to celebrate is the way that feels right.
Absolutely.
xo
Sounds like the perfect Christmas to me. I will have to look at that book, our library has it so I will put it on reserve. Enjoy your restful day.
I’ll write more about it later, Cindy, but it’s a lovely read.
Low-key sounds like a very good idea about now. I’m normally very enthused about Christmas, but I’m tired this year. Perhaps the bad weather has something to do with it. I fell asleep on the sofa last evening while watching an old Hitchcock movie after putting in yet another unscheduled full Saturday at work. At least my employer recognizes all the extra work that my immediate co-worker and I have done for him this year and gave us a paid week off at Christmas. A week of sleeping in and time for a second cup of coffee in the morning – bliss!
You deserve that, Barbara. You work awfully hard at your job and a paid week off must sound heavenly! xo
When my hubby and I suggested a low-key Christmas to our grown sons…they were fully on board. It just seems right for our family for so many reasons. I remember one year…b.c. (before children), we decorated a large plant with just a few ornaments…that felt right at the time. Lights can wait…rest your ankle! ;)
Exactly. What is right might change from year to year and if there aren’t little children involved, I think we can listen to our hearts and do what feels right.
On Christmas Day in 1999 my Dad passed. That Christmas, in early January as I packed everything away, I was so very sad. The next Christmas as I opened those boxes and bins again, I felt the sadness with which I had packed every item away come towards me again. Grief is not ever easy or predictable. Each time a loved one passes, I liken it to an onion, in that it builds and adds layers. We grieve the person who just passed, but those that went before get added in because they are all part of that chain of our life…each person a link. And our own mortality seems to become more of a part of the picture.
You are right. It is a good time to reflect. Time to slow down and think. Those lights you will put up so you can see through your windows are just what you know you need right now. Whatever else you do or don’t add ~ inside or outside ~ will happen if it is meant to be. And next year you may do more or even less…but it will be what you and Don need, not influenced by anyone else. Our grief is just that ~ ours alone.
Claudia, Christmas in Connecticut is on Turner Classic Movies in just a few minutes……
Oh goodie! I’ll turn it on!
Thank you, Chris. Perfectly expressed. Our grief is ours alone. xo
I’m wondering if you’ll be pulled into the world Susan Hill has created the way I have been. Her books are fairly — often very — dark, but I await each new one eagerly.
Christmas decorations: I was disheartened to read a blogger’s remarks the other day. She was so tired of decorating her house, wanted to just pull it all down. Her readers chimed in with similar thoughts, counting down to the 26th when they can reclaim their houses. Why do they do it? Why turn something joyful into a burden? Why live up to others’ expectations? And why, oh why, start turning your house into a branch of Hobby Lobby meets Pottery Barn the day after Halloween? We were once stunned to see a tree, tinsel still clinging to its branches, out on the curb on Christmas afternoon! All sorts of scenarios for that one come to mind, some sinister, some just sad, but maybe it was a blogging Instagrammer clearing the decks for the Valentine’s Day hall decking. You’re exactly where you should be on this one.
Susan Hill – I bet I will be pulled into that world. I’ve had this book on hand for a while and am just now getting to it.
Christmas decorations: It is absolutely insane to me that decorating the house way before it’s necessary in order to publish a home tour on one’s blog takes all the joy out of the process. In most of those cases, the blogger starts to take the tree down on Christmas Day or the day after. Really? What was the holiday truly about?
Well, not about tidings of comfort and joy and peace and good will toward all.
Exactly!
I don’t think that we should ever feel we have to do “what is expected” but I am especially glad that you are doing what you want this year! We have gone for the less is more approach this year, which is more than a lot of people would do, but it is less for us and you know what, I am OK with it! I am sure and surely hope that you will be too. xx p.s. glad your ankle is improving, enjoy your trip to Ikea, they will probably have some great Christmas food if you want to indulge! xx
Don wants those Swedish Meatballs, Amy. That’s all he can talk about!
Christmas expectations have gotten way out of hand in many cases. Whether it is Christmas or not, if I visit your home I am not there to see what you have but to spend time with you and yours.
Our tree is up but I cut way back on everything else including many outdoor decorations. Lights in the windows will do just fine this year. There is so much to be said for less is more and not exhausting yourself to the point where you can’t enjoy family and friends.
Happy to hear the ankle is improving! Enjoy your Sunday!
Exactly!
My ankle is getting better all the time. By the end of the day it’s a bit sore, but during the day, it’s not bad at all!
Yes, yes, yes, I so understand the sentiment of your lovely written post. Joyfully, I find myself living in the moment with good memories of past holidays. For some beautiful reason I am experiencing the memories with a brain that is filtering out the past unpleasantries. What a blessing it is and a first for me. Why clutter my mind with such unnecessary distractions when all the riches (not possessions) surround me just where and as I am! May your steps through the holidays be filled with peace and love.
Lovely thoughts, Mary, truly lovely. Thank you.
I was getting into the decorating spirit until I received the bad news from Penn State Hershey Hospital about a problem with my (and many others) open heart surgery…I don’t know if you have heard about it on TV news…Since then I have been worried and not in much of a celebrating mood…I will put up my little 4 foot white tree soon hoping it my cheer me up a bit…and for my cats to enjoy…my pretty little girl Molly has always seemed to enjoy it…last year she liked curling up and sleeping under it…such a sweet picture in my mind…You enjoy yours however you like it Claudia…
No, I haven’t heard about it, Nancy. What was the bad news? (If you don’t want to talk about it here, you can email me.) I’m keeping you in my prayers.
Quiet and calming is not all bad!
Have a great week.
Judy
Not at all, Judy!
Claudia,
I understand exactly what you are saying. This year has been a difficult one and I am grieving as well. Each one of us has to go through this period in our own way. I am trying to relax and not get sucked into doing decorating that my heart tells me that I can’t handle right now. A few lights and a small table tree is all I really need. Quiet time to think and gather strength to move forward.
I wish you, Don and Scout a peaceful Christmas .
Lyn
And I wish the same for you, Lyn.
You definitely don’t want to sacrifice your ankle in order to put up Christmas decorations. If you get your ankle irritated then you’ll be feeling bad and that is worse than no/little decorations. I vote to baby yourself.
Thank you, Barbara! I will baby myself and when it’s time, I might stand back and direct Don in the whole thing!
I love my Christmas decorations but some years I do more and some years less. Just depends on my mood and how much energy I have. I am especially fond of the Christmas trees I put up. Lights and ornaments just make me happy. You are calm and enjoying the days as best you can and that is all you can do. I have fallen into the blog trap of over decorating and too early and on and on…but no longer. My life is busy and I’m happy with the little bit I do and I do it for me and my family. I still can’t wait until the IKEA trip and your new desk!!
Hugs,
Linda
Me either! We have to paint the room, too. I’m anxious to get started, Linda.
I don’t decorate until the first week of December and my decor was minimal this year. Just not in the mood to put out all the decor this year. The older I get, the more minimal I become in my decorating, too. I realize I just don’t need all this stuff. Things need to be take care of and stored. I’m trying to clear out, not accumulate. I loved the Christmas decor when the boys were little…to me, that’s the fun and magic of Christmas – when children are involved. But ever since Phil passed away and now that Tim lives in his own place, it’s just not the same. I do take down my decor on the 26th though, simply because to me, Christmas is over. I’ve always been that way. The only thing I like up all winter is some kind of lights. I love the warmth and glow they add to the dark, cold winter days. So I might keep up a strand of white lights somewhere.
I love the lights, too, Melanie. I think that’s why we keep the outdoor lights up.
Good for you, Claudia…mistress of your own fate. We also have low key decorations this year. I hope your ankle feels better soon so you can string the lights for you, Don and Scout to enjoy.
It’s rainy today, but I think I’ll try and put them up tomorrow. Or maybe today!