I love the Christmas holidays to the point of absurdity. I am ready to go already, thinking about presents I will make and give; planning who I will see, what and how many cookies I will bake, who I will give them to. This year I've planted cuttings from my Jade plant and that makes eight little present pots to give away. I also have my godmother's recipe for walnut orange loaves and I'll bake a few because I figure that's a good present too.
I know the holidays are rough for many people. I don't know how it is that I've been spared that. I think for most of us the memories from our childhoods form our feelings about the holidays as adults. I must be lucky, because my Mother created a good memory for me. I had an overflow Christmas stocking, and toys and other presents under my father's too-squatty tree. My family of four sat at the dining room table only twice a year, and Christmas was one of those times. Several of my cousins and my bossy aunt Sophie and mousy but dangerous Uncle Mike (children: beware) would come with hot homemade butter rolls and fresh loaves of bread. My Mother's gravy and mashed potatoes were nothing short of orgasmic.
I've begun my favorite rituals. Every year now I make our holiday cards from photos I've taken. I will take my time writing out cards and if I have time I'll doodle on the envelopes. This year's card has been decided: it's one of the following finalists:
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| the window of WA in Provincetown |
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| a store window but I don't remember where |
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| our dining room table last year, complete with my grandparent's wedding day |
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| a winter view from Jessica's house |
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| Our Provincetown bedroom, compliments of the night light turtle |
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| barb and rudi's vermont barn |
Anything of interest that you'll be doing?
And, how are you feeling about the soon-to-be holiday season?
love
kj
Nananananana. I caaaannnnn't hear you.
ReplyDeleteI refuse to even think about Christmas until Santa has completed the parade down Broadway, the Cowboys have hopefully won, and all the turkey and pie is safely put away.
it's an affliction i must have, 8 :^)
DeleteOkay, it is now officially the season. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and it sets my intentions for a grateful winter calm. I am allergic to malls and crowds and commercialism and so I become a home body (even more than usual). I bake cookies and make wrapping paper and home made gifts. My partner, on the other hand, loves the Christmas frenzy. There is no part of our home that goes un-decorated. She gets up at midnight to shop on Black Friday and buys and buys and buys. And she doesn't stop until after New Year's. She was orphaned at a very young age and I suspect her need for an over the top Christmas is somehow linked to that so I don't say a word.
DeleteOtherwise, I miss my mother terribly but have wonderful memories of her special touches at Christmas that tide me over.
Lastly, I know you have already chosen your cards but with the need for calming this time of year, I favor the window and the barn. All are lovely.
Wishing you peace and joy.
Strangely, most of our holiday rituals have fallen into disregard. Neither of our children share our "faith and life" values, so they don't celebrate the holidays as we have done in the past. Not sure what we will do this year, except I'll be at worship on Christmas Eve.
ReplyDeleteBesides, I've been a bit "bah, humbug" about our thoroughly-consumerized, North-American Christmas, so that may not help much.
Blessings and Bear hugs for your Advent and Christmas.
rob, i'm surprised to hear that about your children. no thanksgiving? i hope you and your wife have whatever version of holidays you'd like. that's how i'm doing it for myself--whatever i want to do and no more.
Deletelove
kj
Let's see Christmas morn will come and i will unlock the gates and back the warmed up car out of the driveway so the old lady can go to work. The dog and I will cozy up and stay warm, the kids will call, I will keep the calls brief because the phone is a landline and the government has taken the right to privacy away from us who still have a landline.
ReplyDeleteThen the wife will return from work, we'll have grilled sandwiches and watch some TV until that gets boring. Then we'll turn out the lights and be thankful it's not New Years when almost every fool with a gun celebrates like it's a Middle East wedding.
Merry Christmas.
mark, to hell with the government when it comes to talking with your kids. what the heck could anyone say subversive on a family chat, anyway?
Deleteyou know i wish you everything good xoxoxo
love
kj
Kj, I pick the Vermont Farm pic :-). Christmas has been hard since my mom passed away. Last year I was sick and did not even decorate. This year is rough because just as the season starts I need to buy a car and have very little saved, so every spare penny goes towards a car. Some would say make the gifts, but I have too little time and even making gifts like baking costs money I don't have. I am hoping I can at least afford cards, but that is even up in the air. No money for a trip home to see family either. I guess I could be depressed, but though I wish things were different, I am happy and will be spending time with friends which I have an abundance of at least :-). And I will be decorating. xoxo
ReplyDeletehi annie, i picked the candles and my grandparents :^)
Deletei am so sorry to hear that cash is so tight. i know it's such a tough time of year. i hope you and your friends enjoy each other and the many blessings you so positively appreciate. i will decorate a bit too.
love
kj
At first we have to have our Sint Nicolaas feest on December 5. That is a children's feast only in the Netherlands and a bit in Flanders, I believe. Christmas is - compared with your part of the world- quiet over here. We have a tree, we have decorations and we have TWO days off and most people enjoy the company of family and friends. I prepare extra nice food and we make a long walk with Bella, listen to music and see some old movies. We don't give presents, because we have all we want. ;-)
ReplyDeletehello wieneke! this all sounds wonderful. as you know, the consumerism here in the usa is crazy, but i have found how to ignore it or use it to suit my own style of enjoying. i love making and giving gifts and cards. i love cooking and catching up with people i care about. that's enough for me.
Deletexoxo
I like the first photo best. As for Christmas, I like all the stuff leading up to Christmas but don't really like Christmas. It always seems like such a buildup to a day that is usually so ordinary. I'm glad you like it though. Take care.
ReplyDeletei know what you mean, deb. poof--it seems like the day is over in a flash. my remedy for that is that i don't focus on just one day. i try to enjoy the season itself.
Deletetake care yourself xo
love
kj
No idea.
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas and yet I also feel melancholy around the holidays. I'm thankful my kids will be celebrating with me this year.
cs, i often feel melancholy too. i think it's about love and loss, old or new. things will change for me this year: jess et al will not be coming to our house, a tradition for her entire life. instead we will go to her house and there will be her inlays there as well. but i'm determined to enjoy a new way. same with gifts: i'm reducing what i buy and spend and i feel okay about it.
Deletei'm so glad you'll have your kids. i take it there is an ex- sharing…..
love
kj
I may have made peace with Christmas. I enjoyed it as a child, as a single parent I despised it. I spent a lot of years not liking it and then I realized I don't need to feel pressured, and it's not my business if other people feel pressured by the commercial aspect. Some enjoy it and some don't-either way it's ok. Each year I just decide what I want to make of it for now-because things change. This year I'm just going to coast!
ReplyDeletedk, yes yes yes. you are a wise woman.
Deletelove
kj