Saturday ended up being about prepping for the storm. I had the thought that we should check our gutters and right after that I saw our neighbor doing just that. Confirmation from the universe. So we hauled out the ladder and Don cleaned the gutters on the porch and on the roof over the kitchen while I started to scrub greenish stuff off our aluminum siding. I’m going to do more of that later this week when the temp goes up into the 50s. All in all, that took a couple of hours (we’re glad we did it!) and we decided to decorate the tree yesterday.
The storm was quite a doozy, and there was wind, but not quite what had been predicted. Either that, or I slept through the worst of it. It rained the heaviest overnight and I suppose we got 2 – 3 inches in the end. It was already wet around here and now it’s positively sopping. As I write this, it’s tapering off and should be out of here in an hour. I looked on the weather map and the rain had turned to wet snow almost everywhere in the Hudson Valley except for a very narrow south to north strip that stayed rainy. That’s where we live. We stored the bins in the shed in the early afternoon on Sunday, it didn’t freeze, and we’re safe.
This tree is simply lovely. There are more branches than usual and I wish I had a few more ornaments. But then again, we don’t load the branches with several ornaments per branch like others do. We’re pretty spare, wanting to highlight the deep green of the tree. All in all, we’re quite pleased with it this year.
it sure lifts our spirits!
The skirt consists of three panels of vintage barkcloth. Two are from old curtain panels. I love barkcloth, as you know, so I tend to buy a panel if it’s in good shape. I have a tree skirt that I made when Don and I first moved in together and it’s sweet and very Christmas-y, but I prefer the non-traditional look of the barkcloth these days.
Everything has been done for the holiday ahead, save what we’ll prepare for breakfast and dinner on Christmas day. Now, we can sit back and relax.
I have to alter the newest ornament sweaters and I’ll do that over the next few days. And I’m going to start a puzzle.
My husband wrote a poem for me. It’s called “Where the Dimple Resides.” He kisses me on that dimple every morning when he brings me my mug of coffee. Bless his heart, I was so touched by the poem. My mom would love it. She loved that dimple so much that she prepped me on how to pose for my school pictures with the dimple facing the camera.
No, I won’t share the poem. It’s just for me.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
sounds good, especially the poem!!! and the tree is lovely.
glad you’re safe and the work is done, too.
happy, safe (if wet) monday.
kathy
Thank you, Kathy.
Stay safe.
I loved the idea of Don’s poem… very sweet! Your tree looks very festive… definitely love the barkcloth skirt. I’ve always been drawn to that fabric, too.
One of my favorite things to collect.
Stay safe, Barrie.
Somethings should always be “for your eyes only.” Words of love fit into that category, precious words from the heart to hold dear..
Take Care,
Kaye
Thank you, Kaye.
Stay safe.
Gosh, I’ve always thought Don was a real romantic and your post today proves it. You are one lucky woman, Claudia.
Your tree is perfectly shaped and just beautiful.
He is.
Thank you, Kay.
Stay safe.
Awwwww……
Sorry, didn’t realize there was possibly a double meaning. I meant “how cute is that” rather than being disappointed not reading the poem. You’re correct, Claudia, it’s totally for you, NFPC. (Is that a thing?…not for public consumption?)
I think it might be a thing!
xoxo
Thanks,Wendy.
Stay safe.
Your tree looks pretty! We will decorate ours tonight. Christmas is coming so fast!
Thank you, Ellen.
Stay safe.
Your tree is beautiful, Claudia and your Don is a real charmer. Hold on to him. Enjoy the anticipation leading up to Christmas. I’m making shortbread cookies today. Our tree is still outside but hopefully it will be put up this week. We do it late because we like to enjoy it after Christmas, too. Can’t wait to see your girls in their Christmas sweaters and parkas. Hugs, Elaine
We almost always have our trees last through the new year and sometimes well beyond. Just depends on the tree and when it was cut down. We put our tree up later last year and it lasted less than two weeks. One year we put it up on December 1st and it lasted until the end of the first week of January.
Just depends on when it was cut and unless you cut it down yourself, you never really know that.
Wish we did!
Stay safe, Elaine.
Your tree looks exquisite
We are not celebrating Christmas this year – and I doubt I will ever do so again – it was Tonys favourite time of year – and I cannot stand that he is not here
Siobhan
I’m sorry to hear that, Siobhan.
Stay safe.
I’m so glad the storm wasn’t worse and you got things taken care of before it hit hard. Your tree is simply beautiful. I love the shiny ornaments and it sparkles with the lights. Four star lovely!
That Don! Now that’s a romantic! I love it.
He is definitely a romantic guy!
Stay safe, Jeanie.
You have the most beautiful tree ever! I love the bark cloth idea.
Thank you, Judy.
Stay safe.
How sweet of Don. It’s lovely how you two care for each other. The tree is so pretty. No tree here this year. I’ll just enjoy the one at my daughter’s and share Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the family. I’m exhausted and then of top of all the grief and things to do with Mom’s passing, I get Covid. I’ve been in bed for the last 3 days. Today is the first day I feel like myself again. I will be glad to say goodbye to 2023.
Oh no! You’ve had to cope with too much this year, Linda. Take care of yourself and don’t do anything but enjoy the holidays with your family.
Stay safe (and well).