Epiphany has several meanings. It can mean this day, January 6, when tradition says that the Wise Men found the Christ Child. It can also mean a revelation or the light turning on. I love talking about epiphany and have done so many times before: 2017, 2014, and 2011. (My favorite might be the 2011 one.)
In the days leading up to Christmas 2019, I sat in my chair reminding myself that it would all be over soon. And it was. For some of us this is welcome and for others (including me ツ), it always comes as a disappointment. It was a wonderful Christmas. I hope that yours was as well, though I have already read of challenges over the holidays for some dear blogging friends.
My daughter came last Saturday and packed up the ornaments and hauled them all back upstairs. This was a great blessing. She suggested taking down the tree, but I keep the tree up through Epiphany. Now that it has already become a winter tree, I may keep it up for the remainder of the week. I'll pick on the other child for taking it down and packing it up next weekend. He will be happy about that. Sure he will.
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| Winter Tree |
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| When it was a Christmas Tree |
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| Judy's Nativity Judy is John's sister. She is in nursing home care. I decorated her room for Christmas. She always most especially wants a Nativity, but she also had a small tree, a wreath, and a gingerbread house. When I went to visit and gather the Christmas things the day after New Year's, I found them covered with Judy's folded clothing. Apparently, the laundry lady felt it was time for Christmas to be over. 🌲🌲🌲 I have watched the 1994 version of Little Women a number of times this season. It's a wonderful movie for Christmas time. I also went with Laurel to see the 2019 version and liked it; my daughter loved it. I prefer the 1994 version. There is even an Amazon Prime Little Women series and I have been enjoying that as well. Apparently, every generation has its own Little Women focusing on the agendas of the times. There were two things that particularly annoyed me about the 2019 version, but I'll spare you. My favorite thing about the current version is the 2019 Laurie. But then what's not to like about the 1994 Laurie? I still prefer Winona Ryder as Jo and Susan Sarandon as Marmee. And I far prefer Mary Wickes as Aunt March. Beth's death scene is far better in the 1994 version. Of course, it was created out of whole cloth, but this story lends itself to changes and/or "improvements." I actually reread Little Women as I wondered how many liberties were taken. You can find that here if you'd like. I found some things that surprised me on both counts...things created by the movie directors and producers and things followed very closely by them as well. 🌲🌲🌲 It's time to move into 2020. The good news is that some things never change. There'll be no reworking of the age old truths. Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday, and forever. He'll be the same in 2020 as He was in 2019 and 1920. Very comforting thought...  |
I love your winter tree and would be keeping it up until spring. Then I would probably put birds and nests in it and make it a spring tree. Ha, ha! But I'm sure it takes up a lot of space in your room. What a shame people are not sensitive to the items in someone else's room. People in nursing homes have so little. I have not seen either of the Little Women movies, but I have read the book at least 5 times. Books are always better in my opinion. Thanks for your comments at the end. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever and I firmly believe that. What a blessing to know that He never changes and can always be counted on.
ReplyDeleteWow! I really like your idea about a spring tree! 😊
DeleteI love the idea of a winter tree...it all ends so suddenly it seems.Little Women! I so agree...love the 1994 version and of course the old original! Have a lovely week Vee.
ReplyDeleteWhich one? With Kate Hepburn or June Allyson?
DeleteThere are few houses on Seneca Street that decorate their porches year around and I marvel at the Valentines trees they put up. I love the idea of keeping up the trees year around and decorate according to season/holiday. Next time I drive by I will have to take photos, I am quite sure you would love it, Vee.
ReplyDeleteAs for Spanish, they won't allow me to place out, it is what it is. Like my husband said, "Buck up buttercup." 5 years in --I have had enough of the politics.
I love the winter tree. It looks so cozy! I have not seen either movie. I will have to check the 1994 one out on Netflix and then wait for the new one to be available on Netflix and compare.
ReplyDeleteHappy Epiphany! Such a good word! I really like the new movie, and I KNOW one of the things you didn't like - I didn't either. It came out of Marme's mouth.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your tree for this week or longer. Ours was dry, but hadn't dropped many needles surprisingly. I still have garlands and lights up to enjoy probably until the end of the month.
Yes. It did come out of her mouth. One of the changes made to the original script for the purposes of someone’s agenda. I just thought of two other things that I didn’t like about the new version. Now there are many things that I did like as well to be honest.
DeleteHappy Healthy New Year, Vee!
ReplyDeleteMy mother always loved the Epiphany as much as Christmas, and always chose a 3 Kings Christmas card to send out each year. It seemed fitting she followed the Kings to heaven eight years ago on January 6th.
We planned to see Little Women after Christmas but I got sick and we had to cancel. I'm still recovering from both sciatica and stomach virus. Not a good combination! Thank goodness for my heating pad.
I have a friend that keeps her tree up all year long and decorates it for each season. It is the focal point of her living room and she loves it!
Hi Vee~
ReplyDeleteA winter tree is such a great idea, and yours is just beautiful! My tree has been down for almost a week...yes, I am one of those ladies ;0)
I love epiphany...such a great word. I'm sorry that someone put clothes on the Nativity, and, you are an angel for helping her decorate, it's just something you need help with in a nursing facility.
I love, Little Women as well, and always watch the 1994 version at Christmastime. I would like to see the new version and have heard good things about it! Enjoy this sweet, winter tree week Vee!
Hugs and Love,
Barb
Your winter tree is gorgeous. Well, now I want to know the two things about the 2019 movie that annoyed you. Will you tell us?
ReplyDeleteI was sorry, too, that someone put clothes on your SIL's Christmas things, as if it didn't matter to the person living in that room. Maybe she was just busy trying to get things done.
Wishing you a beautiful day...
Brenda xox
I'm curious to see Little Women. Two of my friends have seen it and say I have to take my daughter and go. I love leaving the tree up, especially seeing the lights. There's something comforting about it. I'm thankful as you are we have a God who never changes. We always have HOPE. ~ Abby
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the blessings of Epiphany! I am hoping to see the new Little Women soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the Little Women movie, Vee. I hope I'm not disappointed as the book is one of my favorites. I really like the old 1949 version with June Allison as Jo March.
ReplyDeleteYour winter tree is lovely, my friend. Our's was left by the curb for Amvets. Not sure how great a gift it will be for someone when they realize the lights don't work.
Happy Epiphany, Vee! We sang beautiful carols at church yesterday related to the three wise men and the Christ Child, on Epiphany Sunday. I still have my little tree up in my bedroom. I guess I should think about taking it down sometime soon. I hope you have a wonderful 2020...xo
ReplyDeleteI've read Little Woman a few times and have my own copy.
ReplyDeleteWhen I set up the Nativity set in my house I always put the wise men far away because they weren't there yet. :)
I'm one of the ones who like when the holidays are over and things get back to normal.
BTW, the Christmas card I sent my daughter came back with Refused Return to Sender on the envelope. Sad :(
So I guess the definition of a 'winter tree' is a Christmas tree that has had the Christmas ornament removed, leaving the ornamentation that speaks of winter but not necessarily Christmas.
ReplyDeleteSounds good to me. Your tree is lovely, both with and without Christmas adorning it.
And I can't say enough how much I love all the paneling in your home!!!! It is so warm, cozy, and inviting.
I pray 2020 is a truly happy and victorious year for you.
Your winter tree is such a great way to extend the sparkle of Christmas! I just rewatched the 1994 version of Little Women on Netflix and would love to see the new version but have also heard some disappointing reviews on it. It's such a wonderful story! Happy epiphany to you dear Vee!
ReplyDeleteIt is so funny how we all differ. I can hardly wait to get my tree down and usually take it down Cmas day. Yours is just beautiful sitting there with lights and nothing more. A most blessed 2020 to you!
ReplyDeleteLove the tree with just the lights. So good for these Winter nights that turn dark so early. I always have to be reminded about Epiphany and I think the Russians celebrate Epiphany but it is in relation to John the Baptist baptizing Jesus. Or something like that. Glad you have Christmas Elves still helping you with the packing up of Christmas including your tree this coming weekend. I was exhausted after all the packing up. We are getting more snow and the temps will be dropping next week so snow might stay around instead of melting. Happy Russian Christmas to you. (Eastern Orthodox Christmas is January 7th)
ReplyDeleteWe still have the tree up and will for awhile. Love the light and sparkle ... need it too! We have the older two grandgirls coming to celebrate Christmas this Sunday, so we have a good excuse. They ordinarily come on Christmas Eve, but one was sick and they decided to wait until both could join us.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen any of the Little Women movies, but would like to get the 1994 version to watch at Christmas time.
Loved this post!
Absolutely, Vee . . . that IS a comforting thought!! Everything changes, everything, but our unchangeable Lord!!
ReplyDeleteAs I read your thoughts about Little Women, I am beginning to think I didn't pay close enough attention. I loved the book when I read it as a girl, and I have loved most movie versions. My favorite was the 1994 movie because Winona Rider is Jo, but I loved this new movie! (I am really not a careful movie/TV watcher though. I think I have a short attention span.)
It is disturbing to me that the laundry lady covered your sister-in-law's decorations.��
It seems I have commented in reverse order tonight, so I will end by saying that your winter tree is lovely and comforting. Why should we not enjoy our holiday trimmings as long as they bring us joy?
Love ... and love the Christmas tree ... I take it down on weekends - in four days.
ReplyDeleteMy husband came from arbeid/jobb and we are now drinking afternooncoffee... I baked a nice apple pie.
Happy New Year to you. Viola
That sounds cozy, Viola. 🥧 I visited your blog and it looks charming. I could not find a translate button and, when I tried to find what language you speak, I was informed that it was Haitian/Creole. I think not. Ha! Anyway, thank you for your visit and for leaving a comment.
DeleteYour winter tree is so pretty, glowing with soft light - I'd leave it up until February! Now I've not seen the 2019 version of Little Women, but we did watch the 1994 when my parents were here. I've read the book numerous times, and also Alcott's Eight Cousins and Rose in Bloom.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad the laundry was stacked on top of your SIL Christmas things. I'm sure she (SIL) is so happy to have you come and put up Christmas for her.
Epiphany is not something that was observed in my childhood home, and indeed, it's not observed in our church now. I enjoy reading about it, and think about its setting in the Church calendar. I'm so thankful the Light has come.
You are where I described Epiphany in 2014.
DeleteI watch extremely little TV or movies. I don't think I've seen either the 1994 version, and certainly not the 2019 Little Women version. I however have loved Little Women since I was a child, a beautiful leather bound book of the Little Women was gifted to me. I treasure the books far more than the movies, although I know that movies can help to bring the story alive. It's always a little sad when Christmas is over, as so much preparation and work goes into it. Praying that there will be things for you to look forward to very soon, as that helps pass the days! Praying for you always, and believing that 2020 will be a much easier and healthier year for you!!!
ReplyDeleteI hate to see the decorations, especially the lights come down when it's still so dark outside but then I bring out lots of candles. I haven't seen the new movie version of Little Women but I loved the 1994 version also. Happy New Year, Vee!
ReplyDeleteYour tree was so beautiful, I enjoyed our family tree so much this year, since it was a fresh Fir it began to dry out after being up over a month. Like you, my mother leaves her up for what she calls, "Old Christmas," She has decided to leave it up until February, and says she might just leave it up all year. I guess an almost 92 year old can do just about what they wish. ~wink~
ReplyDeleteI have watched Little Women, many times and enjoy the older versions best.
Enjoy your winter tree, and keep it up as long as you wish, after all Spring doesn't come for quite a
while. ~wink~
I think of you so often, pray for you too!
Love,
Sue
I don't know how I missed this post. I think travelling as the new year arrived has thrown me off in many ways. Your tree is still lending a cozy vibe in it's new role as a winter tree. I managed to get all the décor put away this week. Brett and I are still enjoying the tree and just tonight discussed keeping it up until Super Bowl weekend when our son will be here to assist in putting it into storage. Strangely I think I am fine with leaving it up that long. We shall see. How sweet of you to decorate Judy's room. I would have thought the laundry lady would let her or you decide when it was time to undecorate.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen the newest Little Women yet.
Your tree looks beautiful with just the lights. I'm just starting to take my decorations down but I also just started to have some lung issues so it may be delayed a little longer. I haven't read or seen any of the movies for Little Women but I do plan to see the one at the show right now. AMEN on your last paragraph!
ReplyDeleteI also liked Little Women. I think I've seen every version there is, both on TV and in the cinema. I think I've also seen every version of Anne of the Green Gables, another favorite. I can be very thorough when it matters :-)
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
It’s always such a treat to see inside your lovely haven! I had a small real Christmas tree on the front porch and will be taking it to the ranch for the goats.
ReplyDeleteI’ve not seen the more recent Little Women movies ... but I will! I’m beginning to think about going down the ranch perhaps next Sunday....
Let me try this once again. I see the previous comment I left has disappeared with the Christmas decorations.
ReplyDeleteIt’s looking lovely and cozy in your haven with your lights twinkling. I like to think of Epiphany as the ‘light turning on’. Most Christmas decor is packed away over here, but I left some lights on! I think I should take a few granddaughters to see ‘Little Women’ after hearing some great reviews. Do you know I have never watched the 1994 version? Maybe I’ll watch that too!
Here I am, late as usual :( I do love a winter tree and other wintry decor throughout the season and I must say, yours is so pretty. Is the Amazon Prime version of Little Women the one that was was on PBS? I particularly enjoyed that one and do plan to see the new 2019 version soon. I need to find that 1994 version since I've never seen it. Amen to your closing thought.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had such a good Christmas, Vee. I want to watch the 1994 version soon, and recently watched the 1940s one. We did Little Women for our December book club. It was interesting to read it again, I don't remember it being that long when I first read it when I was 11 or 12. It's always been my favorite book. I read that the new movie followed strictly the conversation in the book. I did enjoy the movie, but would prefer one that didn't jump around so much. I hope to get to doing a post on it soon. Time just flies!
ReplyDeleteHi Dotsie!
DeleteNo, it did not follow the conversation that closely. But you’ll soon learn that for yourself. I think you’ll find a lot to like in the 2019 version. My favorite remains the 1994 version, which also took a few liberties.
Vee, I'm going to head over now to your post about "liberties taken" in these productions. That's one of my pet peeves. Like Anne with an E, which totally destroyed Anne of Green Gables. I'm looking forward to seeing the Amazon Prime Little Women series (with a friend who has Amazon Prime!).
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of the Winter Tree and I will be doing that after 2020 Christmas. Let me share what happened at our home in 2018. We rescued a little kitten and made him part of our family. The first year we had him, he was okay with the Christmas tree but in 2018 he was terrified of the tree after it was decorated. He hid under our bed and would not come out of the bedroom. So, I un-decorated the tree and moved it to the front porch and redecorated it. So we had no indoor tree that year except for the little fake trees in our "village". Our neighbors loved our porch tree and in 2019 they put one out in their yard. This year our little kitty did better, though for the first time ever we bought a 5ft fake tree. I'm going to do a larger fake tree for 2020 and keep it for a winter tree. Thanks for writing that. Great inspiration!
ReplyDeleteFinally getting around to visiting my faithful blog friends. Since I home now all the time, no Women's Bible Study, no Kids Time on Wednesday nights, I find I have more time for blogging....Bible study lessons, and kids time scripts to write to hours of my time. So I'm taking advantage of the time, as I can still be right here for my dearest. I loved scrolling down through your pictures. Lovely!! Thanks for your faithful visits. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteI've recently come back to my blog and have been visiting around and came upon yours. Your home is lovely! I love the 1994 Little Women, too. A friend of mine told me when it first came out that , "Every scene is a postcard". I agree!
ReplyDeleteHello sweet Vee!!! Happy New Year angel! I just popped by to visit and as always your posts draw me in and always have a bit of humor tossed in. I think that's why I always loved visiting your blog. I'm still kickin' and trying to blog a few times a month. I need to blog more because I have always loved it so. I wish you an amazing year sweet friend and hope you are staying cozy!! Hugs and love, Dawn
ReplyDelete