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| centerpiece on lanai table |
Now that December is in full throttle, which seems so quick after a late Thanksgiving, I may be posting more often just to keep the posts from being too long. (does that even make sense?) I've taken a lot of snapshots lately, and life events are sprinkled in there, too, so keeping up is a challenge.
Christmas decorations. I've probably put out all that I'm going to (except that I'd like something for the front porch bistro table but haven't found it yet). Instead of a tour of our house decor, this year I'll include the pictures with whatever I happen to be writing about in my posts over the next few weeks. Keeping it casual and not so structured.
As for the centerpiece at the top of this post, I was looking for a plant pik for that artificial greenery that I have out all year. But after scouring Hobby Lobby the other day and not finding what I had in mind, it occurred to me that a festive bow would be nice.
The green "petal" fabric thing under the pot is a small Christmas tree skirt that I made a few years ago. I saw one like it in a picture and decided a pattern was not necessary. I no longer need it for a tree skirt, but it comes in handy for other uses, as you can see.
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| sparkle added |
Also while wandering the aisles of Hobby Lobby, I came across gold glittery stems to add to an existing arrangement by the back door of the lanai. When the sun shines on it, the sparkle looks great. Such an easy make-over (of sorts).
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| protecting bushes |
The huge snowstorm that is disabling the north and northeast has not affected us badly but our temps have taken a nighttime dive. I'm loving it for the most part, and am glad it's temporary. In the meantime, we have some bushes needing a little extra love, so Gary pulled out the coverings and clothespins (to secure the coverings). I've also pulled out an extra blanket for our bed (for us) and that's felt good.
A word here about postage. I had a rude wake-up call a few days ago when sending off packages to the kids for Christmas. I usually send cash in a card, but this year I saw something I thought they would really enjoy and I forgot about postage. It would have been better to have the place from which I ordered these items to send the packages to the kids, but I was ordering them a couple of months ago and I wanted to see the items with my own eyes before wrapping and sending them off.
Deja vu menas, "the phenomenon of feeling as though one has lived through the present situation before." Yes, that's exactly what I experienced when I had to pay for postage on those packages. How could I have forgotten?!!! All things considered cash is so much easier to give.
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| Gary's dogs |
I will hasten to add, however, that my kids are worth the extra expense (but next year their gifts may be "green" again).
It's all a part of the season, isn't it? The older we get the more we realize we should not sweat the small stuff, and it's all small stuff. Or at least, it helps to say that to myself.
Ending here on a light-hearted note, Shawna posted this on Facebook recently:
Mary, exhausted, having just gotten Jesus to sleep, is approached by a young man who thinks to himself, "What this girl needs is a drum solo." 🙄
I think Jesus' birth had a lot more inconveniences, and even irritations, than the obvious ones. No one is exempt from the trials of earthly life. But we move forward, trusting that eventually it will all make sense and even prove to have been for good purposes. We just can't see that now with our earthly understanding.
Until next time, grace, peace, and joy.
9 comments:
Your little tree skirt is very cute and I'm glad you have another use for it.
I just had my own post office issues. I sent a package out to France and filled out the customs paperwork. A week later it came back to me saying there was a problem with the paperwork. So, I took it back and the issue was that I had simply written toy on the form. They needed to know specifically what kind of toy! So I've sent it again and hopefully it won't come back!
We've been in that storm, ice, snow and very cold! It's supposed to end tomorrow morning. :)
Repurposing your tree skirt is brilliant!! It looks great. I send money, but did buy TWO rolls of stamps this week, knowing the price goes up again next month. Hopefully they will last a long time! I sent one gift out, for my two-year-old great-nephew. I texted his mom that it is on the way and if she wants to wrap it, fine. Just so he gets it for Christmas from Aunt Terri. She was fine with that! No sense paying twice for shipping. Hugs!!
Such good ideas and thoughts shared, as always. Regarding the postage issue, yikes! I know we don't always think about that when we see something we'd love to share with someone. I've always loved the idea of sending and receiving packages filled with surprises instead of of just a gift card or a check, but nowadays the gift card idea seems to be a much more reasonable alternative. Which reminds me, I need to get stamps for Christmas cards and get to work on them! I feel like I am running on a treadmill right now...doing a lot of moving but not making much progress. One day at a time. Christmas is coming, and all will be just fine regardless of whether I get it all done or not. Your plant/little tree skirt is so cute. And I like the idea of the sparkly things in the plant to add some festivity! Yes, these temps have been interesting lately! Today actually got downright warm compared to the way it has been! I actually had to change clothes back into something "cooler". Not complaining...this is just the way it is here in "winter". Take care my friend. I enjoyed your post. Hope you are both doing well!!
I love how you repurposed the tree skirt for your table and the bow to the plant is a darling addition, Barbara. I have to make the trip to the post office later today to mail off gifts. Enjoy your Friday and the weekend.
Yes, postage IS expensive these days, Barbara, and we are planning to send a care packet soon for our family in NC. However, when it's your children and grandchildren, we bend over backwards to show them how much we love them. It's all worth it! And I do love how you've decorated your home for Christmas. Blessings!
Hello! I love the things you have shared here today, my friend. So creative and festive! Have a cozy weekend!
Thanks for the smiles, Barbara (and Gary!). Wishing you a beautiful weekend, my friend.
It's fun to put out little extra sparkle for the holidays and it helps with this cold snap! Feels more festive! Enjoy your month!
I cracked up about the drum solo! Haha! Yes, postage is unbelievable now! Therefore, I've resorted to gift cards for out-of-town families. However, I'm sure the grands will love what you sent, and you are right—sometimes it's just worth it!
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