Atmosphere of Christmas

 ‘Visions of sugar-plums are dancing in my head…’ as I re-live Christmases of my childhood.   The memories helped to shape the season within my home as I raised three children, and now enjoy Christmas with fourteen grandchildren.  As I revisit my childhood Christmas memories I realize the thoughts are not about gifts I received.  The atmosphere that was created within our home by my parents forms my effort and planning for each Christmas.

The celebration of the birth of Christ was the highlight of all holidays for us.  My Dad was a house-to-house milkman and had to go to work between four and five in the morning each day.  And, of course, he had to work on Christmas unless the holiday happened to fall on a Sunday.  It was important to him to see us wake up, see the fully decorated tree, and enjoy the presents.  So my folks would wake us that early in the morning (believe it or not, children are usually waking their parents) so we could share the experience.  Mom would bake, cook and make her famous fudge, until she could drop.  They both made every effort to make Christmas very special.  I could go on and on….

The gifts are so temporary and fleeting.  Straining the budget for ‘just one more gift’, won’t make a difference in the atmosphere that lingers.  The gifts did not motivate me to create a positive, loving environment for our Christmases.  Remembering my Dad’s whistling rendition of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” and the plates full of thumbprint cookies and nut rolls, carry me back to my vision of sugar-plums dancing….



I'm in the center, celebrating with my two sisters



Decorating with Jars

I really enjoy decorating with Mason, Bell or Kerr jars, whichever is on hand.  I wash the jars with water and vinegar and don’t put them in my dishwasher.  This method gives a glistening shine to the glass.  I use them year after year for all kinds of decorating.  Gold jingle bells make a nice addition.  One time I used red colored sand on the bottom third of each jar and placed a tea light candle on the sand.  I placed one on each side of my porch steps so arriving Christmas guests would be greeted to our celebration with a welcoming glow.  This year I’ve placed gold decorative bead strands in each jar to seat my tea light candles of welcome.

My jars with available buttons sit on my sewing box.  They provide a colorful view until a button is needed for a garment.  I stuffed scrap pieces of material with pillow stuffing on a circle piece of card stock and hot glued them to the lid.  The stuffing provides a nest for my straight pins.  My mind is always working at creating a new, temporary or permanent decoration for another season. What fun!

Veteran's Day November 11, 2011

My dad, 'Mickey', John

Within your home and family are veterans of various wars.  Let us honor them by thinking, remembering and honoring each man and woman this week.  How can we each thank them for their sacrifice and service?  I will proudly fly my flag this week.  I am thankful that I have fourteen grandchildren.  In the past I have gathered some of the little, preschool of the group together to teach the Pledge of Allegiance and have taken some to the annual Memorial Day services at the local cemetery.  While serving on the local school board for ten years as Director, I have emphasized the need for flag etiquette to be taught to publicly schooled students.

 

My grandmother's war banner, Dad and his Brothers, Bill and Glenn

 

My husband's Viet Nam items

 I am exceedingly grateful to have been born in this republic, the United States of America.  And I am also humbly grateful to all of the military who have sacrificed throughout the history of our nation to defend and protect each of us.


My husband, Joseph, in Viet Nam



Our son, Timothy, US Army





Become Strengthened at Home

Healing from everyday pressures can be found in our home, our haven, our harbor.  Rest and relaxation build strength and motivation for our tomorrows.  Each person has his/her personal and unique tendencies toward activities that promote a calming atmosphere within.  In our home I am blessed to have a husband who also is soothed and inspired by music.

Sometimes we are in two different areas of our home listening to music or playing our musical instruments.  Other times we enjoy playing the piano and saxophone together, shuffling through favorites of several decades of wonderful songs.

We can set the tone of an afternoon or evening with children and teens by coming up with a creative activity for the family.  They will undoubtedly have ideas to offer for the time set aside.  And it will surely be filled with giggles.  What is more healing than an evening of laughter!  Of course those special one on one strengthening conversations or activities with one child are priceless.

Naturally the caution for all of us is the demand and busyness on our lives that keep us from revitalizing rest.  But then busyness and demand are two of the very reasons we need our harbor.  

November My Thanksgivings

Thirty days in our month of thanks, one offer of thanks for each day

I am thankful for…

1.     my husband

2.    new beginnings each day

3.    shared recipes

4.    inspiring blogs

5.    voices of Grandchildren

6.    candlelight

7.    an afternoon viewing of “It’s A Wonderful Life”

8.    pumpkin bread

9.    a Mother who fully embraces life

10.   the stately walk of a sandhill crane

11.   good health

12.   the songs of Irving Berlin

13.   the warmth of my Mother-in-law’s handmade quilt

14.   long distance conversations

15.   freedom

16.   reacquainting with cousins

17.   crockpots on a busy day

18.   my last Thanksgiving spent with my Dad in 1989

19.   tea times leading to richer friendships

20.   loyal Aunts

21.   prayers of others

22.   old and new relationships

23.   smiles in spite of pain

24.   slow dancing

25.   autumn leaves

26.   fresh insight

27.   growing old together

28.   hope

29.   positive words

30.   tomorrow……  


Cornucopia:  David Gooding

Help For Home

Practical pointers have helped me to manage a more efficient home.   I purchased Making A Home by Better Homes and Gardens several years ago.  We accumulate know-how by trial and error over time but the aid of someone else’s information saves me time and energy. 

For instance this concisely written book offers me a quick guide to everything from cleaning routines to entertaining.  The Home Environment chapter includes tips on how to choose a house pet, pest control, and indoor air and water quality.  Nursery safety pointers include furniture and window treatment wisdom.

This kind of resource is always at my fingertips to scan while listening to relaxing music or sitting over a cup of tea at mid-morning break.  I don’t always like to research online because I can end up on rabbit trails, searching each specific point I run across.  And I think it is healthy to not always be clicking away at my laptop when family is home.  Sitting on my sofa with a book in the evening, with my husband in the same room says to him, “I enjoy spending time with you, Honey.”

Your Number One Treasure Is....

If you are like me you cherish your possessions that have been handed down from members of your family tree. To me each one is as special as the other.  One of the dearest treasures I enjoy is the war banner my father’s mother, Mollie, had displayed in her window when three of her sons were serving in the military during World War II.  My father, John, enlisted in 1940 and two uncles, Glenn and Bill enlisted in 1942.  When I look at this banner with its three stars carefully placed, I try to imagine the emotions my grandmother must have dealt with while waiting and praying for their safe return.  All three did return, each with his own private memories.

My tri-photo picture frame holds a picture of toddler Mollie, on the left, and she can be found in the picture on the far right with her mother, Rachel.  The photo in the center is my maternal grandmother, Bessie.

I made a shadow box with the banner, photos of each man in uniform, and a card that was sent by dad and his brothers from overseas.  They sometimes signed their cards, “The Three Musketeers”.  I couldn’t rank my family heirlooms in importance but I certainly value my grandmother’s effort to preserve this moment in history.  What is one of your top treasures from the past?