Words and pictures from the author of And the Crows Took Their Eyes as well as the Elizabeth Goodweather Appalachian Mysteries . . .
Friday, December 11, 2009
Making a Start
Getting ready for Christmas involves a lot of deconstruction: taking down paintings and objets that I consider part of the fall decor, stripping the throw pillows of their autumn leaf fabric covers, moving house plants upstairs to make room for the tree, taking down the somber hued quilts that have been on display since September . . .
And then there's the unpacking of the Christmas odds and ends that all have to be put in their traditional places -- starting with the gaudy red and green and white quilt made by my great-grandmother.
John will get the tree today and it'll get put up and the lights draped around it. But it won't be decorated till Sunday when friends and family assemble to string popcorn and cranberries and eat chili and cornbread. (I made the chili yesterday.)
The packages for out of town mailing are ready -- so I'm off to the P.O. There's greenery to cut and a door swag to arrange and more presents to wrap and maybe I need some poinsettias . . .
hi vicky, i think i never laughed so much about a comment! you're so creative, thanks! while you americans use 1.4 GB per hour - as the german press revealed yesterday - that's all we get for two weeks for a considerable sum of money here in rural ireland, and every GB extra would cost us 17 euros, sob sob...
I'm right in the middle of packing/unpacking, too. It sort of looks like Christmas and Autumn blew up in my house. Couple more days and I should have it all sorted out...hopefully.
You convey the excitement and expectation of the festive season wonderfully. Christmas as it should be, with the accent on family and friends. That quilt, made by your great grandmother, is charming.
Vicki...I think the quilt is beautiful not gaudy at all! I'm pretty much through with decorating and have to start candy making and baking for our party next weekend! I know you all will have a great one this weekend!! :)
I'll start the same things here today, but it's definitely not as intense as yours. Smaller scale decorating and no out-of-town packages to mail. The days are passing by so quickly I can't believe it ... Christmas will soon be here!
Eliane, We are lucky to have high-speed internet in our rural county. Of course, we only have it because we are in line-of-sight of the transmitter. Neighbors on the other side of the mountain are stuck with dial-up or some more expensive solution, like satellite.
"Christmas and Autumn blew up" -- a perfect description of my living room, Victoria!
Thanks, Martin! Yep, lots of family and friends and tradition.
You got a head start on everyone, Carol! I'll bet thing smell wonderful at your house with all that baking!
Time's flying, that's for sure, Pat. The weather this morning feels right Christmassy too.
Karen, Of course you know that the description of Elizabeth's Christmas in IN A DARK SEASON is pretty much taken from our family's Christmas. Warm and fuzzies to you all!
My god, you are a woman of many talents, you cook, decor,clean,garden, repair,give classes, etc... what time left do you have to write??? Muchos cariños,Vicki María Cecilia
Oooh now you've made me all Christmassy! I love to see what other people are doing to their homes for Christmas. That quilt you are showing is pretty. I am amazed at how you'all take the decorations down for one event, store them and then put others up. It seems to go on all the while. I suppose it helps if you have the space to store everything. I can't wait to see your finished results. Mine will have to wait until I get to Knoxville next Sunday! unless of course, Larry has been busy already!!?? Blessings, Star
Vicki..........your rich description of the rhythm of the seasons was a calming breath....the strong connection of house/home/talents with everyone contributing...thanks for easing MY home into the holiday rhythm!
Susan- Calming is not the word that come to MY mind as I look at the mess around me but I have faith that by this evening things will be in some sort of order.
15 comments:
hi vicky, i think i never laughed so much about a comment! you're so creative, thanks! while you americans use 1.4 GB per hour - as the german press revealed yesterday - that's all we get for two weeks for a considerable sum of money here in rural ireland, and every GB extra would cost us 17 euros, sob sob...
I'm right in the middle of packing/unpacking, too. It sort of looks like Christmas and Autumn blew up in my house. Couple more days and I should have it all sorted out...hopefully.
That red and green quilt is so beautiful!
Vicki
You convey the excitement and expectation of the festive season wonderfully. Christmas as it should be, with the accent on family and friends. That quilt, made by your great grandmother, is charming.
Vicki...I think the quilt is beautiful not gaudy at all! I'm pretty much through with decorating and have to start candy making and baking for our party next weekend! I know you all will have a great one this weekend!! :)
I'll start the same things here today, but it's definitely not as intense as yours. Smaller scale decorating and no out-of-town packages to mail. The days are passing by so quickly I can't believe it ... Christmas will soon be here!
You are far ahead of me in decorating! The quilt is lovely and I'm getting a lovely warm and fuzzy feeling thinking about your traditions.
Eliane, We are lucky to have high-speed internet in our rural county. Of course, we only have it because we are in line-of-sight of the transmitter. Neighbors on the other side of the mountain are stuck with dial-up or some more expensive solution, like satellite.
"Christmas and Autumn blew up" -- a perfect description of my living room, Victoria!
Thanks, Martin! Yep, lots of family and friends and tradition.
You got a head start on everyone, Carol! I'll bet thing smell wonderful at your house with all that baking!
Time's flying, that's for sure, Pat. The weather this morning feels right Christmassy too.
Karen, Of course you know that the description of Elizabeth's Christmas in IN A DARK SEASON is pretty much taken from our family's Christmas. Warm and fuzzies to you all!
It sounds like a lovely and lively weekend at your house, Vicki and I can smell the chili!
The quilt if gorgeous!!!!!!
My god, you are a woman of many talents, you cook, decor,clean,garden, repair,give classes, etc... what time left do you have to write???
Muchos cariños,Vicki
María Cecilia
Pretty quilt!
How busy you seem!
Beautiful quilt!
Things aren't always this hectic. I'm looking forward to a very quiet January so I can finish up the current book.
Oooh now you've made me all Christmassy! I love to see what other people are doing to their homes for Christmas. That quilt you are showing is pretty. I am amazed at how you'all take the decorations down for one event, store them and then put others up. It seems to go on all the while. I suppose it helps if you have the space to store everything. I can't wait to see your finished results. Mine will have to wait until I get to Knoxville next Sunday! unless of course, Larry has been busy already!!??
Blessings, Star
Vicki..........your rich description of the rhythm of the seasons was a calming breath....the strong connection of house/home/talents with everyone contributing...thanks for easing MY home into the holiday rhythm!
Star - Safe journey to Knoxville#
Susan- Calming is not the word that come to MY mind as I look at the mess around me but I have faith that by this evening things will be in some sort of order.
Post a Comment