Almost Here!

My sister and I visit Santa in 1953
I'm on Santa's lap

Just a few days and Christmas will be here.  It’s about time to make a last minute Christmas focus list.  On what do I want to offer my emotions, strength and time?  So, here is my list:

remember the real “Reason for the Season”

finish chores as early in the day as possible, to free my time for loved ones

enjoy and chat with each adult and child I visit or meet through happenstance

approach each visit or event with abundant patience

take pictures, lots of pictures

laugh and smile every chance I get

sing Christmas carols and songs with my grandchildren

make memories, memories, memories

Homemade Christmas Napkin Rings

Fun, giggles and chatting were the result of a special afternoon with my granddaughter, Sydney, several years ago.  We made handmade Christmas bell napkin rings.  Actually we began using them on our Thanksgiving napkins, so that they could be enjoyed throughout the season.

I don’t even remember where I found this idea, but it is simple and inexpensive.  I purchased a bag of bells and red pipe cleaners.  I had some left-over colored beads from another craft adventure, so we added some to a few of the rings.  We simply threaded the bells on the pipe cleaner, bent to form a circle, then carefully tucked the wire ends of the cleaner into the soft furry material on each.  Not only are our Christmas napkin rings cute, they ring out tones of Christmas joy as we place each one on the napkin.     

Day to Day Little Things

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  I’ve wrapped and mailed Christmas gifts destined for grandchildren several states away.  Christmas teapots are situated throughout my home.  As I sit at the piano I’m playing old Christmas favorites. “Here comes Suzy Snowflake, dressed in her snow white gown…., what fun!

Years ago I stressed over the shopping, baking, and planning.  Those days are gone; for the most part, I try to enjoy the little things about preparing for Christmas.  All the little things building up to another memory-making holiday are a chance to smile.  Whether I over-bake my thumbprint cookies or not, doesn’t matter in the least.    Forgotten details haven’t ruined a family Christmas yet.  Wrong-sized clothing gifts are exchangeable.  Who cares that my home-made gift has stitches straying from the intended seam!

 What matters to me is the giggle of a precious little one.  And, that special glance my husband, Joe, sends my way while opening his gift.  Especially treasured is hearing my Mom laugh when she’s tickled by something said by a grandchild or great-grandchild.   In addition, I permit myself to linger over mental, heart-warming memories of childhood Christmases with my two sisters and brother.  Even that famous Christmas my sister expected an engagement ring and got a powder/soap set.  Now we laugh with her, then we cried with her.  Yes, for me, it is all about the little things that add up to a future, heart-warming memory.

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.