Music: Silver Bells…reminds me of shopping uptown in the 60-80s when we actually got snow and the windows were a delight with animated displays that were so intricate. The street lamps decorated , people rush g about with packages wrapped by the stores, lunch at the diner…
Christmas means peanut brittle, homemade or a box bought in the aforementioned uptown seven to munch on as we shopped.
Christmas Day spent at a great aunt’s home where everyone in the family was required to come by and eat from the huge spread she had prepared. The red velvet cake that was so carefully displayed amongst all the other desserts. I still love red velvet cake! And fruit cake I LOVE fruitcake. I’d sometimes ask for that for my bday cake (Dec 28th).
Live trees..in the early years cedar trees chopped down in the field. Later trees bought at the tree lot where the men kept a burning barrel of kindling to keep warm
Our tiny country community tree lighting across from my grandparents house and in front of our church. The window across the road featured the sining family of the community’s. The poorest, skinniest Santa (a man from the community) walked down the road bringing Christmas to Thorngrove.
Christmas parades! I’ve been in far too many as a majorette back in the day. In fact, holding with my tradition with my friend, I will be going to the parade Sunday. Another first to do without him!
My Christmas wish list:
This horrible sad, lonely lost feeling to leave following the loss of my best friend and be replaced with the beautiful
memories I have.
This horrible year to be over that actually started last Nov with my mother’s accidents which resulted in our having to part ways.
Hope for the conditions of those around me that suffered loss and devastation from the floods of Hurricane Helene. It has turned bitter cold here and some are living in tents at the present time as they fear leaving and losing via looting the few things they have left.
Prayers for the world in general following the disaster of an election we have just come thru. I’m fearful for our future here and abroad at the hands of this monster and his minions.
And these are my Christmas wishes …not stuff just peace and calmness. The past 5 years caring for my friend had taken a larger toll on me than I knew until now it’s suddenly over…I’m a mess…
Oh and you know my truest desire is to be able to paint loose and free!
My husband and I will be spending the holidays at the lake in the houseboat where we will see no one. We will be putting up a tiny tree with a few other decorations and spend our time in peace. Hopefully the weather will moderate and we can get out for a short boat ride. Of course, the dog will demand a paddle board ride but that’s ok we do that year round.
Wishing you and yours a peaceful yet joyous Christmas season!
Dear Sherry, even if you are not able to create loose and free, you paint a beautiful picture of your Christmas memories with your words. I wish I had the words to comfort you and to make everything in the world okay. Failing that, know that I’m thinking of you and sending much love. March along with the parade, if only in spirit, eat red velvet cake and say a prayer for your loved ones. I hope your time at the lake gives you space and some peace. Carolyn x
That was lovely, Carolyn. My favourite Christmas carol is In the Bleak Midwinter. It wasn't that long ago that I found out Christina Rossetti wrote the words.
My Christmas favs:
Music: Silver Bells…reminds me of shopping uptown in the 60-80s when we actually got snow and the windows were a delight with animated displays that were so intricate. The street lamps decorated , people rush g about with packages wrapped by the stores, lunch at the diner…
Christmas means peanut brittle, homemade or a box bought in the aforementioned uptown seven to munch on as we shopped.
Christmas Day spent at a great aunt’s home where everyone in the family was required to come by and eat from the huge spread she had prepared. The red velvet cake that was so carefully displayed amongst all the other desserts. I still love red velvet cake! And fruit cake I LOVE fruitcake. I’d sometimes ask for that for my bday cake (Dec 28th).
Live trees..in the early years cedar trees chopped down in the field. Later trees bought at the tree lot where the men kept a burning barrel of kindling to keep warm
Our tiny country community tree lighting across from my grandparents house and in front of our church. The window across the road featured the sining family of the community’s. The poorest, skinniest Santa (a man from the community) walked down the road bringing Christmas to Thorngrove.
Christmas parades! I’ve been in far too many as a majorette back in the day. In fact, holding with my tradition with my friend, I will be going to the parade Sunday. Another first to do without him!
My Christmas wish list:
This horrible sad, lonely lost feeling to leave following the loss of my best friend and be replaced with the beautiful
memories I have.
This horrible year to be over that actually started last Nov with my mother’s accidents which resulted in our having to part ways.
Hope for the conditions of those around me that suffered loss and devastation from the floods of Hurricane Helene. It has turned bitter cold here and some are living in tents at the present time as they fear leaving and losing via looting the few things they have left.
Prayers for the world in general following the disaster of an election we have just come thru. I’m fearful for our future here and abroad at the hands of this monster and his minions.
And these are my Christmas wishes …not stuff just peace and calmness. The past 5 years caring for my friend had taken a larger toll on me than I knew until now it’s suddenly over…I’m a mess…
Oh and you know my truest desire is to be able to paint loose and free!
My husband and I will be spending the holidays at the lake in the houseboat where we will see no one. We will be putting up a tiny tree with a few other decorations and spend our time in peace. Hopefully the weather will moderate and we can get out for a short boat ride. Of course, the dog will demand a paddle board ride but that’s ok we do that year round.
Wishing you and yours a peaceful yet joyous Christmas season!
Sherry
Dear Sherry, even if you are not able to create loose and free, you paint a beautiful picture of your Christmas memories with your words. I wish I had the words to comfort you and to make everything in the world okay. Failing that, know that I’m thinking of you and sending much love. March along with the parade, if only in spirit, eat red velvet cake and say a prayer for your loved ones. I hope your time at the lake gives you space and some peace. Carolyn x
Thank you for the kind words and please overlook my various typos and autocorrected missive above!
Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Year’s!
That was lovely, Carolyn. My favourite Christmas carol is In the Bleak Midwinter. It wasn't that long ago that I found out Christina Rossetti wrote the words.
It’s a lovely Carol isn’t it Gillian and, as I said, whenever I hear it, I’m taken back to my school days. Have a great weekend 😊