I haven't quite reached a peaceful holiday state of mind. I like the week between Thanksgiving and December better than December, in a way. As soon as December starts, I feel — in spite of my best efforts — like I'm being a little bit . . . chased. Chased by a calendar. I'm a cartoon character with legs spinning. I finally sit down to have some tea and a cookie. "Oh shit! I have to order the Christmas cards before they're not 40% off anymore!" Get back up. Go get stupid computer. Ugh. So many things like that. You know. Even though you try not to have too many things to do there are still a lot of things to do. . . . I resist feeling that anything is actually urgent but things feel urgent. . . .
Amelia decorated her little tree. It is so adorable. It looks like somebody stood across the room and threw lights and ornaments at it but in fact she was quite deliberate. Around the house she sings and hums a constant medley of carols, making up half the words. It's amazing how kids just . . . pick it all up, somehow. Every year there's a little more intensity to her experience. It's completely fascinating to watch her put things together in her mind. "Oh!" she exclaims, looking at her tree. "I need to go say my mushroom prayers!" A million things said like that a day, things I couldn't make up if I tried. It's like interpreting a Mad Lib. She is so engaged with everything she does, and it's done in her very own way. Five years old. Enchanting. Darling wonder. Sweetest, sweetest heart.
"Being chased." That's exactly how I feel about December. When I really want to sip tea, listen to Christmas music, read a good book, relax . . . I must decorate, buy, wrap, deliver, bake (although I DO love the baking). I try to plan out my time, but December always swallows me alive. I look forward to January and a fresh start.
I feel the same rushed feeling every December. Only so many weekends to get it all done, and it's sometimes overwhelming, even in the earliest days. I already felt behind the week between Thanksgiving and December 1st because everyone else it seemed had finished decorating, baking and wrapping. Ugh. I'm buying one of those t-shirts that say "All I want to do is drink hot cocoa and watch Hallmark Christmas movies:! That sums it up for me.
So much loveliness in these pictures -- it doesn't look like you are behind. We haven't even got a tree yet!
Hello Alicia! I enjoyed all the frosty outdoors photos.. and the trees both Andy and Mimi are carrying from the woods.. just sweet. Those two girl dolls made my heart sing.. I'm already trying to decide what color hair and eyes I want on mine.. :-) I'll have to get out my Featherweight Singer to sew those tiny clothes. It took 6 of us to decorate our tree, but it's done and I'm loving it. I got my cards out yesterday but have no gifts acquired as yet.. I'm always hopelessly last minute on those. Oh well.. part of the fun.
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*H*A*P*P*Y* * *H*O*L*I*D*A*Y*S*!*!*!*
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((hugs)), Teresa :-)
I'm hoping to get my tree today, I cn't wait. Baking and putting up the tree are two of my favorite things to do for the holidays. Your pictures are beautiful. I hope you all have a lovely holiday.
Oh yes, the constant getting up when I've just sat down, I understand that well. Somehow it all comes together in the end. Who knows how. Well done on the trees though, you've made a good start. CJ xx
Gotta love a Christmas tree you can carry in one hand!...Gotta love TRADITIONS...which you are implementing so beautifully with Amelia...may you savor this month...somehow...tea and cookies sounds like a plan to me!...Blessings...and Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!
We are very much in the same boat! That gnawing urgency. I know when I've sent my last package, it feels like Luke Skywalker in Star Wars when he uses the Force and fires that blast to destroy the Death Star. (GEEK!) Then I can go and celebrate with relief. And slide another cookie onto my teacup saucer. Thank you for sharing these scenes! I actually have a recipe on my site to share...a bit off my normal topic.
Oh man, five. That age was perfection. Now my daughters are 19 and 16 but I remember five like it was yesterday . . . a dreamy, sweet, beautiful yesterday.
Happy December to you and your sweet family.
All I want to do is cozy up on the sofa and watch one Hallmark Christmas movie after another with a cup of tea and plate of cookies, of course! It is such a busy time, so I remind myself to slow down, relax and take it all in. My daughter is eight, so it's a busy, precious time for us just like it is for you. Your living room looks so cozy with that pretty tree. Enjoy this wonderful season!
The pictures are wonderful,I've also been watching hallmark Xmas movies,had never seen them before.
I really want one of those dolls,oh Id love to be able to make them.
Your house at Christmas time is always my cozy, warm, happy place. It's like a comforting little fairytale.
xo
Exactly. "Chased by a calendar." Nice to have it put into words like that. And those dollies are coming together very nicely, I see!
oh my but you are right about december. it's both a blessing and a curse of sorts. trying to fit in all the fun activities is wearing and just like you said. like being chased. i don't want to miss a thing and yet sometimes i just want to collapse in the big chair with a nice cuppa chocolate and ...... sit. enjoy each of these sweet december days with your little one. they really do fly by.
Urgent...could not agree more! I feel as though I am "chasing my tail" and I don't even have one! Like I just will never catch up. That being said...you do such an incredible job ALWAYS (thank you also Andy and this year maybe even Meems...) but especially this time of the year and oh my goodness your sparkling house ...like a Christmas dream come true. But I would also love to have the pattern for that pink cowl behind the lovely fuzzy white mittens...if in fact that is what it is. And thank you always for sharing your life and loves with us.
Those last few words of your post...five years old. Such a magical time for a kid. (I miss those years)
To see the world through a child's eyes is to live again, once more.
Your living room aglow with the lights of the Christmas tree has hygge written all over it. So cozy, so warm, so inviting.
It's the simple pleasures the give the heart strength.
Oh I like your winter pics and that little face!
Five years old - a delightful age for Christmas traditions! Your photos always warm my heart. I have a question, maybe I missed something, but what are mushroom prayers! You've made me curious.
I hope you find many quiet moments to soak in the season in the next few weeks.
Sweet face:) Sweeter and sweeter..I may borrow those words for my fence.Love.
your photos are so beautiful.
Today I awoke in a grumpy mood, which is not like me at all. I too feel chased by the calendar. I always get a cup of coffee before reading your posts as its a special occasion when I see them in my email line up. Long story short, your words and pictures made me smile. You bring such a great perspective to everyday life. I love your photos of mittens, getting a Christmas tree, Amelia enjoying the season. Thank you for vanquishing my grumpies. It's always a pleasure with you and yours. Have a splendid day!
My granddaughter is also five. Yesterday she was singing Deck the Holes with.... then she stopped and said "holes?" and laughed. You're right, five is a wonderful age!
Oh man, I love 5! They are the funniest, most earnest little people at this age. I also love the buffalo check on the back of that quilt in the photo--I've never considered that for a backing, and it's perfect. So charming! And now I need to go say my mushroom prayers, too. ;)
Ok, so I looked again and it's not part of the quilt. But it would be really sweet together, with a patchwork quilt, wouldn't it? (Obviously I need to go drink more coffee this morning.)