Thursday, December 2, 2010

December thoughts and tidbits of info.....

Here it is the first week in December and I haven't done much as far as getting ready for the holidays or even thinking about Christmas. There are some of you that have already decorated your homes beautifully and festive, even have presents wrapped......and here I am still trying to organize my thoughts and figure out what I'm doing. I know it will all come together, and I try to keep things simple, but it's a bit overwhelming, and probably more so this year with the economy the way it is and people still out of work, Galen among them, and people trying to do the best in the situation they are in.

Makes life more challenging, and given a challenge, I get more creative.

My December Old Farmer's Almanac calendar has a few interesting tidbits of info.


If you burn hardwood in your fireplace, save the ashes to use for fertilizer in the spring. Wood ashes spread around berries and fruit trees sweeten the fruit.

To prepare a snack for the birds, combine one part cornmeal with four to six parts of peanut butter and roll pinecones in the mixture. Hang them outside.

Full Cold Moon ~ Winter Solstice on the 21st.

And I love these two quotes:

Every mile is two in winter ~ George Herbert


"I like trees because they seem more resigned to the way they have to live than other things do." ~Willa Cather



Using the beauty of nature and what you can find in your own back yard is one of the ways I like to decorate....


evergreens, berries, pine cones and ivy. Very simple.



I hung a string of white twinkle lights in the jasmine over the front door and probably this weekend I'll head up to the attic and bring down all the Christmas boxes and get started. Then, I'll put on the holiday music and decorate the house from top to bottom!

My sister and I are getting together to bake cookies next weekend.


And this year for Christmas both of our girls will be here.


Family.

That's all I really need...and is isn't that what Christmas is all about?




12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Donna,

What a lovely post. I'll be serving lunch at the local Rescue Mission on Christmas Day from 11am-4pm, and that will be more of a blessing to me more than to the folks I'll be serving.

Hope you, Galen, Otis & Riley have a Blessed Christmas season.

Gloria, Roanoke, VA

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed this post. I have a polka dot pitcher of candy canes on my island...artistic minds think alike,lol

Sherri said...

Donna, what a very nice post this was! I agree this year will be challenging for alot of people. I think it will make people go back to some of the old ways of celebrating and making some gifts. I know my local yarn shop has been so busy this year with people knitting or crocheting gifts this year instead of buying them!

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

Yes....simple is the best route to go - we were thinking the same thing this year Donna...focus on family & time spent with each other! Enjoying your post today :) Have a great weekend!!
Karla & Karrie

Happy@Home said...

Donna,
This is a beautifully written post which perfectly captures the most important aspects of the Christmas holiday.
I'm sorry to hear that Galen is out of work. I hope and pray that our economy takes a turn for the better ~ and soon.
Your decorations from nature are lovely and so is your new blog header. I especially like the photo of one of your doggies running in the snow.

Brenda Pruitt said...

It is indeed what Christmas is all about. Don't worry. Once you do get in the mood, it will be hard to get out of!
Brenda

Zuzana said...

LOVE your new Holiday header.;) That almanac is so interesting, I love all that interesting information you keep haring.;)
And I am sure you are so looking forward to have your girls home - I agree, it is all about family.;))
xoxo

Zuzana said...

haring= sharing.;))
sorry about that.;))

The Painted Garden said...

Hi Donna,

What a beautiful post and so true - Christmas is realy about family and not about material things and decorations. I love that you decorate your garden first - your snowman bird house is adorable. Thank you for sharing wisdom from the Farmers Almanac - loved the recipe for the birds treats.

Blessings and Best Wishes to you and your family. Bentley sends a big tail wag to Otis and Riley.
Erin

Donna said...

Oh my, Donna! I didn't realise Galen was still out of work!!
I'll be praying for a Wonderful job to pop up for him Soon!!
(((HUG)))

Angie said...

I'm tangled up in my thoughts as well, Donna, and haven't quite caught up with the fact that it really is December again already. :) I haven't 'strung' out the decorations yet, and I'm feeling a bit pressured by those around me that have it decked from top to bottom. I just want the Christmas fairy to come in and decorate for me this year, and let me just play and sit by the fire with the pups and read and drink tea and watch the birds.... :D I will get it done :D of course I will .... I'm working on it..... :D

Catherine Holman said...

I'm way behind on decorating too Donna. I've only done my kitchen with touches of Christmas to get me in the mood for baking. Hopefully I will get more done today. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and blessings for you and your family!
Hugs,
Cathie