Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays my friends!
Today I'm wrapping gifts and waiting for the snow to begin.
My wrapping paper, from that seems-long-ago visit to Home Goods is red and white polka dots, candy canes, and toy trucks.
Wine for friends.
I'm drying orange slices sprinkled with cinnamon today. More to keep the house warm with the oven going than because I want or need this year's popular craft of dried oranges. The house smells nice.
Mo is snoring happily in his bed, hoping I won't make him go out and get his feeties frozen.
No snow so far...a hawk is lazily soaring over the dunes, looking for lunch with no success.
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Since it is such a quiet celebration this year I have time to notice and muse about odd happenings this Covid Christmas of 2020. For instance....
*This week at the store there were no pecans for my snowball cookies. And no cauliflower.
* People aren't sending Christmas cards even though many people are home more this year and should have the time and the desire to reach out. But no. On the other hand, outdoor lights are popular and everyone has a string or two.
*Wreaths are on many doors---but often people are deciding not to ''bother'' with a tree. I'm making do with my little tree
and dreaming of someday again having a BIG Tree again.
*My town is showing outdoor drive in movies all month! Three shows a week, "stay in your car" at an oceanfront park with soccer and cricket fields. Bbbrrr! But I would love to go, how fun. Bring popcorn and a thermos of slightly spiked hot chocolate, blankets and even Mo could come.
*Off topic, the TRUMP flag is still up! Three days after the Electoral College vote. The man was smugly sitting under that flag, with no regard for democracy or our Constitution. And yet, Mo and I later saw another TRUMP flag. We need a local ordinance: NO political signs or flags. Please.
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My gift to me is the Pilgrim Landing 400 years ago commemorative fabrics, found on a Black Friday sale. [Judie Rothermel for Marcus Brothers] Not sure what one might make with it, only many-pointed compass rose designs come to mind.
Or maybe just to cherish, important memories and heritage meaning for me---right or wrong, history happened. The fabrics are softly colored with an anachronistic 1830-1850 look about them. There'sm a delightful toile with the Mayflower . plus a map print, lots of ditsies.
Later...as the snow has begun to fall and the wind shakes the old roof tiles and windows of our cozy cottage, I'll leave you with this letter I saw online, a superintendent closed the area schools [W VA] ahead of this storm. I think is is so beautiful, what a kind and thoughtful person this educator must be. And I send similar wishes to you all in this time fear and craziness, in the plague year.
A letter from Dr. Bondy Shay Gibson below:
''Dear Jefferson County Schools Community,
For generations, families have greeted the first snow day of the year with joy. It is a time of renewed wonder at all the beautiful things that each season holds. A reminder of how fleeting a childhood can be. An opportunity to make some memories with your family that you hold on to for life.
For all of these reasons and many more, Jefferson County Schools will be completely closed for tomorrow, Dec. 16, in honor of the 1st snow day of the year. Closed for students closed for virtual. closed for staff. It has been a year of seemingly endless loss and the stress of trying to make up for that loss. For just a moment, we can all let go of the worry of making up for the many things we missed by making sure this is one thing our kids won’t lose this year.
So please, enjoy a day of sledding and hot chocolate and cozy fires. Take pictures of your kids in snow hats they will outgrow by next year and read books that you have wanted to lose yourself in, but haven’t had the time. We will return to the serious and urgent business of growing up on Thursday, but for tomorrow---go build a snowman.''
Sincerely,
Bondy Shay Gibson, Ed.D.
Superintendent
love
lizzy
gone to the beach....
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Have a Very Merry Christmas and keep well and warm.
ReplyDeleteAll the Best for the coming year.
How long do you give the sliced orange in the oven? I’ve seen quite a lot of it this year and it looks great.
Cozy warm images. I hope your storm doesn't cause trouble. Lovely idea to dry orange slices.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sane, positive and lovely gesture from the Superintendent.
ReplyDeleteLike Dorothy, may I ask how long and at what temp the orange slices are in the oven please?
A compass would be ideal in the exciting Judy Rothermel collection.
You and little Mo keep safe and warm.
Loving Mo's little "Bobble collar"--can't blame him for wanting to stay in--our wind is still howling here and "snow ", as they say, "..is snowing..".
ReplyDeleteThose JR fabrics look lovely...nice gift...
Stay safe and warm; it's definitely a hot chocolate day...hugs from under my lap quilt
Julierose
Bondy Shay Gibson was blessed with not only education but wisdom and compassion, a rare thing these days it seems. Did you get much snow? My daughter lives near Binghamton and they got 30 inches! We have maybe 9 or 10 inches.
ReplyDeleteYou are ahead of me, I haven't even hauled my wrapping paper out yet. Although that is on my list for this weekend. I haven't put up a tree for several years now as we go to one of the kids' houses and I don't want to mess with it. There are lots of outdoor lights in our neighborhood (not in my yard though, as I'm not physically able this year). Not because of Covid but other annoying effects of getting older!
ReplyDeleteI do miss baking Christmas cookies! I haven't been to the store enough to notice missing pecans though.
The oranges look (and I can imagine the smell!) really nice! I've noticed some people on Pinterest are making pomanders with oranges and whole cloves; one had designs of the cloves and white glass-head pins, it was pretty. It's kind of nice to see 'old' traditions brought back!
Did you get lots of snow? We got a sprinkling on Tuesday, a thin layer of very fine dry snow like powdered sugar. It got COLD though - I think the high was 24! Too cold for me this year, makes my bones hurt!
Poor Mo, I don't blame him for not wanting to go walking in the snow, especially if the wind is blowing too! Will he wear his booties?
The fabric collection looks pretty. I can't picture it made into anything, but will look forward to seeing what you do with it! Maybe something will strike your fancy and be perfect for it!
The school superintendent had a great idea, and his letter was lovely. Good sentiment and philosophy for this year - enjoy your time. Unfortunately, next year may be hectic to make up for this slow year!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! Stay safe and warm!
Love, love the first photo. It sets a whole mood. Such fun wrapping in red and white theme. Ahhh, and the twine is so fun, too :)
ReplyDeleteI bet you had the coziest house on the block yesterday. Hope today is brighter and not so cold.
Sooo many Christmas lights around here this year. Remember the 'under the sea' house from last year? This year the theme is 'A Partridge In a Pear Tree' Everytime I walk by I start singing the song, but can't remember beyond eight or nine. I'll get there ;)
I agree with you. I'm much more motivated to send cards this year. Yours is in the mail :)
You and Mo keep cozy and enjoy the time together. Oh, I read that snow day letter online last night. Perfect!
And, I remember when you had that glorious tree! Soooo cute and festive, it still brings a smile :)
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that people aren't sending cards much this year too. I've decided it's because there's not much to say as everyone has gone through the same "yoga pants" year as everyone else. I loved the letter about closing school. It just felt right. Hope you get to go watch a movie.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks great!I'm hoping for some snow on Tuesday. Doing some baking today. But mainly watching football...lol Kit
ReplyDeleteI love that letter! I hope people took it to heart.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I noticed short was Tpaper after that last surge.
Our weather has turned very cold and I'd think an outdoor movie would need the car running with the heater on! Brrrr is right.
Merry Christmas,