Phew! I've got to take a break. I'm going to show you my orderly new world. Right. NOT. What organized world? Man! And to think that Christmas used to go up December 15, not a day earlier, and stay up until January 2. The end. I think I've figured out why my Christmases have been extending in recent years. It's a lot of work. To do all this for a mere three weeks would mean that I probably wouldn't bother at all. True.
Why? I am growing olden and shaky-en and bent and hurt-en. (My sister declared that I was walking like a drunken sailor on December 27. She kept thinking that I was going to drop the turkey. Foolish gal. I would not have dropped the turkey. Anything, but not that!)
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and your traditions in comments on yesterday's post. It sparked a lot of conversation between John and me and it even sparked some behind-the- scenes conversations. (If I have not yet responded to your email, have no fear, I've not forgotten.)
No, no, dear, I would never tell you how to celebrate your holiday. You do what works well for you and your family. Do what is meaningful for you or, better yet, do what The Lord whispers to your heart. It is only that I have learned that a beginning, a middle, and an end feels good to me. It centers me somehow.
Last night, I did not use the Nativity at the table. I did this instead.
 |
| ~Epiphany 2014~ |
I have so loved that card this year.
This morning, John helped me get the tree down and put away. I brought down the Easter cactus and it's in the shower dripping dry.
~taking a shower~
I'm cutting that thing back; it almost doesn't fit in the shower!
~new home waiting~
Its new home before the patio doors is waiting. I figure that after more than a month in the dark, it needs some light. I'm beginning to feel that way myself.
~Nativity Lamb~
Jesus is not on the bread box. His little baby likeness is tucked into the box, but I did keep out this lamb. Easter's coming!
Stay warm out there. (The temps here have dropped steadily through the night and this morning. It's twenty degrees cooler than when we woke at 7.) Don't let that vortex get ya!
I love that you kept the little lamb out...I so love the Easter message and the hope that is to the world! I am re organizing here as well,,,just a little unmotivated and wondering what to put where. You have a wonderful day and stay warm!!
ReplyDeleteI have never understood why I can't decorate in January. I decorate like crazy for autumn, and that goes directly into Christmas...and then when that's put away, I can't remember where anything was before and I have no fresh ideas, so it just kind of sits there and I do things in fits and spurts. But it's okay. Not much will get done today either, as I am not venturing too far from my wood stove. It is COLD out there! (Even too cold for me...which doesn't happen often.)
ReplyDeleteI do love your little lamb, and he is a perfect winter decoration as he sits there reminding you (and now us) of Resurrection Day!
Love the display with the little lamb. I look for lambs to display but never find any. I cut back on my decorations this year and really missed putting out the vintage Nativity sets.
ReplyDeleteBlessing in 2014 and forever.
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures
Help me, I'm caught in the vortex!! It's 10 F. here at noon. It was 48 F last evening. I don't like it but it's winter. I do like your lamb though. It carries a lot of meaning for Christmas and Easter. And the card says it all. Blessings on your day!
ReplyDeleteYep, caught up here too, -23, yep, read that right. Suppose to get Lake Effect snow..anyways..Vee, you always make smile and hope you never tire of me saying that. Blessings
ReplyDeleteIt is a frigid 6 degrees here. I am soooo tired of the news, really fed up. Nothing is going on but the deep freeze. I went out yesterday to restock and have no plans to venture out again until Thursday or Friday. xo
ReplyDeleteI love that card, too! By the way, that sweet lamb really caught my attention. I used to raise sheep and they will always hold a special place in my heart.
ReplyDeleteMy January decorating usually includes a bowl of lemons. Especially nice in a silver or white bowl. That blast of yellow in the room feels both cheery and visual cleansing especially when all outside is white and gray. I like the lamb tucked into the landscape too.
ReplyDeleteLove it when one of your posts sparks behind the scenes discussions!
I too feel like my life is so disorganized and one of my resolutions was to get back on track. Of course, I'm still late putting up my give-away apron and haven't baked much since the grands left. It's cold here today, but in the 20s, which makes me feel guilty for all my friends who are in single digits. Keeping warm thoughts for all, XOXO
ReplyDeleteThat card has a great message. I've wondered, from time to time, where I'd be without Jesus. Glad I don't have to worry about it.
ReplyDeleteI think the Rockies are protecting us from the polar vortex. I'm not complaining. I wouldn't mind a little snow, but the cold....no thank you. Stay warm and cozy, Vee, and I hope you feel better soon.
I love little glimpses around your house. That cake plate is gorgeous and what a huge cactus! Mine looks pitiful in comparison! I've enjoyed reading about the traditions people have. We don't keep a traditional Christmas so it's interesting to read your post and the comments. I hope you are warm and safe today. The cold has reached all the way to Florida....we are in the 30s this morning! How strange!!! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThat cactus is gorgeous. We should warm up in the next few days; I'm looking forward to that and a Haircut!!!
ReplyDeleteI have passed the vortex to you Vee. It has warmed up from 8 below early this morning to 0 degrees. A warming trend is on the way. Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteOh so cold. We have been watching it on the news not experiencing it. I never know what Christmas decorating and un-decorating will look like anymore. I just go with the flow of what life throws at me. I do feel the tiredness of putting it up and taking it down and I , too, walk like a drunken sailor for at least a day after said events. I love the idea of having a lamb out. I've got to go out in the rain and take a photo of my hellebore (Lenten Rose) It's poking out of the cold earth already getting ready for Easter!
ReplyDeleteGood to see you're getting things organized. I started yesterday (my day off) and today we're having a total storm day with extremely cold temps and high winds - another day to continue organizing, or drink a few mugs of coffee, or fold some laundry, or fret about the mounding snow drifts - what to do??? The vortex is taking hold! The worst thing is watching the birds struggle today! Your Epiphany celebration symbols are so lovely Vee and remind me of how blessed I really am because of Him!
ReplyDeleteWhen I used to put up and decorate two trees, plus the house it didn't take me long to figure out that it was a lot of work for only a few weeks. I then started decorating the first of December but in my great wisdom (of olden-ness too) switched to one tabletop tree, dropped many of the Christmas specific decor and mostly decorate for winter now.
ReplyDeleteWe're sitting at 0°F right now, the kettle is on and I'm going to relax with a magazine.
Judith
Love that CARD! Perfect sentiment.
ReplyDeleteI love that you left your lamb out. I have one with our nativity set that I love. Maybe I should get him out again!
I'm changing up my shelf, copying the mantel at my friend Amy's house. It's a work in progress…It needs something to add height.
It's so cold here - at 4:44pm it is 7 degrees. I am sure it is minus something, but I don't know what it is. I only know that the wind IS blowing out there. Brrr…
We've had a quiet day, reading, schoolwork, puzzles for the wee girlie, tending to a sick boy. I've read a lot, which is delightful. I'm liking the way the year is starting out.
Deanna
I hate taking Christmas decorations down but I am always relieved when the house is back to 'normal' - whatever that is. I'm afraid with all of the snow and cold that I'm going to be getting spring fever a lot sooner than usual!
ReplyDeleteMy cactus didn't make the move this year. I was sad because it was Ken's mom's and and his sister gave it to me when she died.
ReplyDeleteIt's been mighty cold here. I've never been is weather this cold. Our HIGH today was - 1!!
Yes, it is a lot of work. As much as I love it all I am beginning to know that I'm not as young as I was when I filled all of these bins full of Christmas decor. I hope from here on it will be a matter of slowly paring things down so that the body can keep up with the job of putting it all up and then putting it all away.
ReplyDeleteBent and hurten ... I can relate. Ha!
I missed all of the discussion on your post yesterday. I will have to go back and read what all was discussed. Between trying to restore a semblance of order here to dealing with no heat, hot water or dishwasher today, I am too pooped to think straight.
One thing I do know is that your Easter cactus looks so healthy and will be so beautiful when it blooms. Hope you will share that moment with us.
The little lamb is precious! Good idea to keep it out. We got a cast iron deer about a month ago, and I kept it out on purpose. Since we have deer visit in the back yard throughout the year, it's going to stay out. Little animal likenesses are scattered here and there, so it has a lot of company. Yes, the arctic vortex has arrived here. Record 2 degrees F today. I only ventured out long enough to get the mail and take out some trash. And I hear you on the hassles of decorating for those of us growing olden. That's why we have cut back significantly in recent years. Mr. Jim will be 70 this next year. I'll be 62, though I feel older due to my aches and pains. Hope you are staying warm!
ReplyDeleteFunny, we call that a Christmas Cactus because it blooms right before Christmas. I have one at work that is really old but never fails to bloom.
ReplyDeletePretty cold here and my friend in Augusta GA had frozen pipes this morning.
There are many varieties. Check the leaves on your Christmas cactus. Does it have jagged edges? Mine are smooth and rounded...no "teeth."
Deletehttp://cactus.biology.dal.ca/paulS/christmas/christmas.html
DeleteProving I have no idea what I am talking about!
DeleteOur christmas cactus blooms in June so topsie turvey to your world.
ReplyDeleteMerle..............
I never take my nativity set down but add my wise men at Epiphany. Just a little something to remind us that they did not arrive until some time after the birth. I have read it was 2 weeks. Who knows and it doesn't matter He did arrive and is with us forever. Our upstairs furnace is acting up and our furnace man is so over worked it is pitiful. Thank goodness we have one downstairs and gas fireplace. I don't remember a cold winter for a long time such as we have now. Just hanging on for spring.
ReplyDeleteIt is a lot of work. But I did organize a bit better and purged out riffraff so I hope next year it might be easier, if that is possible. The beauty of it all and what it celebrates makes it worth it.
ReplyDeleteI am finishing up my "de-Christmasing" tomorrow. It is funny all the different traditions we all adhere to , isn't it? I have let some go in the past few years-things that I have found don't really make a difference and cause more stress than satisfaction. I do think every one has to do what works for them and makes their heart happy and soothes their soul.
ReplyDeleteWe are cold here, too. School has been cancelled once again for tomorrow but I took my grandgirls home today. I think Mom will stay home with them for the day. Stay warm, Vee...xo Diana ps. I would never drop the turkey either- I might go down but I would save the turkey!;>)
I love the 2 for 1 you get with your little lamb. Christmas and Easter. You're a smart girl Vee. I especially love the card message.
ReplyDeleteAs to dropping the turkey... never! Me either! I'd fall to the floor first. :)
Happy New Year to you and John! Didn't 2013 fly by?. We didn't even have a tree this year no decorations at all...with the move and living in the trailer its been a bit crazy!
ReplyDeleteI have missed my visits with you, sending hugs your way, Elizabeth
Thankfully no vortex here! We escaped the worst of this cold spell for a change. It's normal winter weather temperatures here now, in the high 20's to middle 30's. We were able to take the tree to be recycled today and I swept and vacuumed all the pine needles up--or at least I hope so! My granddaughter has an eagle eye and will find any I missed..lol!
ReplyDeleteYou just described me...olden, bent and hurtin'. I still haven't put our Christmas stuff away. There's been too many distractions. I have a strong feeling that we will be minus some of the Christmas decor next year. I love it when it is all done, but it's getting to be too much work.
ReplyDeleteI love the card. It would be pretty in a frame.
I think we have lived through the Vortex here and things are beginning to get better. I guess it's heading your way now. Stay safe and warm.
ReplyDeleteI loved that card. Those exact words are ones my parents often spoke. I think I should have a plaque on my wall with those words. Keep your card out and I agree you should frame it.
ReplyDeleteI agree about it being so much work that leaving it up for a short time would hardly be worth it. I have boxes all stashed in the garage waiting for the man of this place to come home and do the man thing. (Yes, I'm probably capable of climbing in and out of the attic myself, but the attic is his masterpiece. Nobody messes with the masterpiece. )
ReplyDeleteSo our place is 9/10 of the way tidy and looking pretty sparse. Sparse is good. It tweaks the imagination.
And I love that card, btw.
New Year Blessings Vee ~ and thank you for your prayers for my son and DIL. Its hard to relate to the extreme cold you're experiencing (I'm in Southern Calif) but I certainly understand the work it takes to set up and take down the tree and decorations, if I didn't host my LifeGroup for Christmas, it would be a wreath on the door. Period (**. I'm ready to move forward to all the wonderful things God has for 2014. xo Susy
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty cold here too, but we are looking forward to a warm up to about 40 degrees this weekend, break out the shorts and flip flops! Lol. Still working on putting Christmas away, a little at a time. No hurry now that the main decorations are down, I just have a few corners to deal with.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing your Easter cactus in its glory! I think we all need some light after a dark winter.
ReplyDelete