Tuesday, November 17, 2020

PLAYING HOUSE - FOR REAL...

 







When I was a little girl,
 I loved playing house and
 I was good at it! 
 No matter what the situation, 
I was always the mother.  
The one who cooked and cleaned 
and did the shopping. 
 Certain weeds and flowers
 that grew in my mother's garden
 were stand-ins for groceries 
and my bike was the car 
I drove to the market.






My dad had built
 my siblings and me
 a two room play house
 and this was where 
I spent my days.
 
 Long ago memories 
that have settled down 
into places almost forgotten
 but still very much a part
 of who I am today.





Blogging is like 
giving myself a do-over. 
 Playing house was always fun
 and now, 
because of content and sharing,
 I am giving myself a present
 from the past. 
 Now, making house work fun 
 is about the ideas,
 the implementing of those ideas 
and the photography and the story.  
To me,
 seeing the final details
 is as fulfilling as 
I would imagine 
an author feels 
when finishing 
the writing 
of a book.




Because of the pandemic,
 this year
 the holidays will be quite different. 
 Families will not be 
spending time together around 
the Thanksgiving table 
or the Christmas tree. 
 Our hearts will be sad, 
and our hands won't be held,
 but our spirits will be strong still.
 
 We can hope and pray
 beyond reason 
that this will not be so,
 but most likely 
it will be the way it is. 

 There are great hopes 
starting to come forth 
but, unfortunately, 
not in time for
 this year's celebrations.




Just because extended families
 can't be together, 
that doesn't mean that
those who can 
won't have a
 beautiful and memorable time. 
 I feel so fortunate and blessed 
to be with my friend and partner
 of over 60 years
 and to know that my kids 
are all safe and well.

 I have put myself 
in my playing house mode
and set up a pretty table 
that the two of us will sit at.
  It starts with a lantern,
 that was gifted to me
 from our sweet daughter, 
 along with fall gathering 
of autumn colors 
that look perfect 
by candle light...




...and place settings that include
 china and cutlery
 thrifted long ago, 
chargers from The Dollar Tree,
 place mats, napkins and napkin rings 
from Pier One, 
salad plates and stemware
 from Home Goods...





...our after dinner tea 
is courtesy of 
Home Goods.




We will sit down to dinner 
with thoughts of loved ones
 and even though 
it won't be a
 traditional time...




...it will be my version 
of playing house for real 
and even though 
it could be better,
 it still is a time 
that we are 
thankful for.




Stay smart
Stay Well

Folks are dying out there
 and that is the 
very real fact 
of our lives now. 
 There is no hope
 that we will have the help 
we need as a country 
until next year,
 vaccine or otherwise, 
so it is up to us 
to take charge 
and do something
 for all our
 fellow human beings.


 

 As you sit around 
your dining table 
this Thanksgiving, 
 please include, in your prayers, 
the ones
 that aren't so lucky 
this year 
and their families 
who are missing them,  
and remember to  
Please,
Wear your Masks!

We are on the verge 
of another total shut down.
  
Those who won't or don't
 wear the mask and self distance,
  are part of the problem - not the solution!




Here is another 
little sneak peek 
of Christmas.
 No,
 I haven't gotten
 my new knickers in a twist 
and become a minimalist, 
there will be
 more added - you can be sure.



...Judy...






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33 comments:

  1. A great post and pictures. Yes so sad that my family will not be having Thanksgiving. Fingers crossed we can have Christmas. Janice

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    1. Thanks so much, Janice. It is so sad but this is the only way we are going to slow it down until vaccines are available. Sure hope that is by Christmas time..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  2. You and I are a lot alike. When we went to a little country school and it was my turn to "pick" what we did at recess and lunch, I would 'build a house by having rooms laid out with rows of stones lined up and I, too, was always the mother. I think that is one reason I have adapted to camping. I can play house without all the work. I do glamping-not camping. lol. xo Diana
    ps. Happy Holidays to you and your hubby- we are alone this year, too.

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    1. Thanks so much, Diana. My bedroom was always for playing house. Fresh flowers on every available surface. My brother (yes!) and sister and myself shared the same bedroom so they weren't too happy about that. I love glamping too. No paper plates or cups or plastic utensils for me and fresh flowers always there too..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  3. just so we know what we're missing (besides you and dad of course!) what's on the menu?? ;)

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    1. Thanks so much, Tami. Who are you? Oh yeah, your my daughter. I haven't seen you for so long I forgot!! Dinner will be scrumptious, sorry you will miss it, but I imagine that you are having pretty much the same thing. Like mother, like daughter! Miss you my sweet girl..Stay well..xxoxoxoxMom

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  4. What a lovely post.
    Lovely words and photographs.

    Thanksgiving/Christmas is going to be so different this year.
    Here in England, UK we are in lockdown until December 2nd, when another decision will be made.
    For the moment contact with family is made via the internet.

    Take care, stay safe and well.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thanks so much, Jan. Sounds like, though hard, you are doing the right thing. I think things will have to be mandated for people to believe that this is all real. It is hard to imagine the lack of caring on some people's parts..Stay well and enjoy the holidays..xxoJudy

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  5. I love your posts, they are heartfelt, honest, well thought out, beautiful, uplifting and hopeful, you can't ask for more! Thank you for the smiles this afternoon, its wonderful to visit your cozy home on the fabulous wet afternoon!

    Ps, I am wild over your Boston ivy ❤

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    1. Thanks so much, you always say the nicest things, whether they are deserved or not, but I am glad that you enjoy them. I love putting smiles on faces, although some of what I write doesn't make everyone smile! The rain is happily invited for awhile longer. I learn something new every day, I always called the stuff on the fence grape ivy. I have heard of Boston ivy but didn't know that was what I had. Anyway I love it throughout all the seasons but especially in autumn..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  6. Beautiful, heartfelt post, Judy - love your pretty fall table, your sweet memories, and your encouraging words. Your home looks lovely - a true reflection of your dear heart. Sending hugs xo K

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    1. Thanks so much, Karen. You know just the right words and they are always so appreciated..I hope you will have a wonderful Thanksgiving..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  7. Lovely post Judy. Playing house was quite the thing when I was a young girl. Your photos are lovely Judy. I adore the table and the teapot. may your Thanksgiving be filled with love and blessings. xo

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    1. Thanks so much, Linda. Some times "playing house" may seem like hard work, but I like to try to accomplish it when I can. A pretty table can't begin to make up for missing the ones around it, but it does help. It is all about doing the best we can now, so that we will all be able to celebrate when this is over..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  8. Let's also pray for all the babies being aborted every day too

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    1. Thanks for contributing, Kim. Without a doubt those babies need to be prayed for. But, if you don't want to have an abortion, you can choose not to. All those who have lost their lives because of people not doing their part to protect others, and that includes the murderer in the White House, don't have a choice.

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  9. Judy,
    I loved this post!! Both your words and your stunning pictures...You hit the nail on the head for me....I have been having a great time this year despite everything that has been going on in this world...And to many people, I was living in a dream world...Now I can honestly say that yes, i have been...I too have been playing house, like you!! Since I retired, I now have the time to do what I want to do in my house...decorate, craft and even cook!!And it has been a joy for me to be able to do so without having to worry about going to work...This is the first time in my adult life that I have had this...So yes, I have also been playing house and having a wonderful time doing so and I am thoroughly enjoying Christmas decorating which I have been doing full steam ahead...I am quite aware of what is going on in the world and with many of the TV shows that I watch now coming back and showing what a Co Vid works looks like......It is even more upsetting to me...I cried during the first 2 episodes of the Good Doctor because they pretty much accurately depicts what went on and is now going on again , in hospitals...Hospitals that I worked my entire life in...I am grateful to be retired but my heart aches for all that I know who are still working in those hospitals...
    But I guess playing house is my escape from the reality of the world right now....
    I love your tablescape and the picture of it and your Dining Room is simply stunning!!!!
    Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and your home....
    Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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    1. Thanks so much, Debbie. I know I probably do watch to much news but I find it helpful to understand what is going on. I'm sure you heard some nurses saying that even some of their patients that are in the final stages of life with this disease are still denying that there is such a thing as Covid-19. That is so sad and probably goes along way with why there are people not even trying to protect their neighbors. Common sense should prevail but it doesn't always when the gullible are being fed all the lies. Playing house is fun, but it can be hard work at times. I don't do it for just photo ops, I really like to live this way, but it isn't always easy and I know you must feel the same at times, as you go above and beyond for all things beautiful. I have done a few little things to start getting into Christmas and, this morning, hubby started bringing out the boxes from storage, so watch out!! Thanks always for your kind words and now it is time to be thankful for all that we still can do. Yes, I agree, retirement is the best..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  10. Hi Judy,
    Love this post. I am so happy you have set a beautiful table for you and your sweet Captain for Thanksgiving. It will be sad that you will not be with your kids this year but I know it will feel so much better for all of you that you do not get each other sick. I pray everyday that the non mask wearing people will come to their senses and wear the masks not only to protect us but to protect themselves. It will be a hard lesson to learn if they do not wear them and get really sick or worse die. They need to listen to the science and see what is going on with these numbers and start to wear those masks. Thanks for sharing your pretty dining room with us. I cannot believe it is going to be Thanksgiving next week. Time is going quickly. xoxo Kris

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    1. Thanks so much, Kris. Yes, it is sad that families can't be together this year, but hopefully it will make it better for next year and all the years to come. It would have been so easy for me to fix any meal and eat in front of the TV, like most other days, but this is my gift to the Captain as he has given me so many, so I thought at least I could fix a pretty table. I certainly agree with every thing you say. I hope it doesn't all go south for many of these people that don't take it all seriously, but the writing is on the wall and that is something will not change until the vaccines are ready and available..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  11. You do so well at playing house Judy! It all looks lovely... almost makes me want to set a pretty table! I don't do it much any more. Was going to go to my son's for Thanksgiving, about 5 hours away, but I probably shouldn't.. would be safer to stay home I'm sure. We don't have that fancy stuff like Zoom or FaceTime, etc. so can't do miles apart thing that many people I"m sure will be doing! I hope the two of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm sure it will be. The phone and hearing out loved ones voices is the next best thing to being there. Hugs... Marilyn

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    1. Thanks so much, Marilyn. It is a great escape for me but starting to set up for Christmas, so we will dine among the boxes! I think it is wise that you decide to stay home. A sad fact but we have got to get this terrible time behind us and that seems to be the only way until the vaccines. We don't have that fancy technology either, so we will just use the old fashioned land line..Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and stay well..xxoJudy

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  12. Dearest Judy ~ what a beautiful post in pictures and words. I am truly blessed and inspired by your post this morning. ~ I will be alone this year, although Jesus will be right here with me, so not truly alone. I've bought a small turkey breast and will fix it in the crockpot and am looking forward to it and the other goodies to go along with it. ~ I plan to go to the grocery store this morning wearing my mask of course. ~ The temps have cooled down here in s.e. FL, high in the 70's, so NICE! ~ Have a lovely Thanksgiving with your dear husband ~ Love, hugs and prayers, FlowerLady

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    1. Thanks so much, Lorraine. I am so glad you enjoyed the post. I really do enjoy writing it. Sounds like you will be in good company this Thanksgiving and I have a sneaking suspicion that your dinner will be wonderful. I bet you are as good a cook as you are a gardener. Take care my friend and stay well. I will be thinking about you..xxoJudy

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  13. Our blogs are playhouses, too! I love that we gather together online, even if we can't gather in person. Our holiday will be just us two, and that's OK. I'm going to set a very nice table and I'll need to be creative because I'm not going out for flowers! We all have a responsibility to ourselves, those we care about and our communities to both not take chances and to stay well so we can enjoy many Thanksgivings together.

    The photos here are simply beautiful -- so warm and inviting. And your words ring so true, so honest. I wish you a gorgeous and very happy Thanksgiving -- and many more.

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    1. Thanks so much, Jeanie. I do love playing house but I am starting Christmas and for a very small while, until I get the boxes out and see what I have, it is not as much fun as it will soon be. I'm with you about enjoying Thanksgivings in the future so we must sit tight and know that there are better days to come. I hope you and Rick have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Pretty soon help will be on the way and then we can throw our our turkey carcass along with all the other trash!!!!..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  14. Such great photos! And, your new header collage is fantastic. I too will be having a very different Thanksgiving...just me, Miss Twiggley and Zoom.
    I am sure that the holidays next year will be much better but meanwhile we must do all we can to protect ourselves and others.

    Happy Thanksgiving my friend.

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    1. Thanks so much, Adrienne. Making those headers is so much fun but how many can you have? haha..Next year will be so much better all the way round and we do have to be protective of each other. We don't have Zoom. My sweet son-in-law who is very technically minded is trying to talk us into it, but I can barely handle the plain telephone! But we will be using it alot this year. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, my friend. I always enjoy talking to you..Stay well..xxoJudy

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  15. Nice post and pictures. Our Thanksgiving was spent at home and our daughter came up to be with us. Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only times that we get together with David's brother and sister with their families so while I'm grateful we're not sick and Pamela has been spared from being exposed at the hospital it was kind of sad. Hope you had a cozy thanksgiving. Stay safe and healthy. Hugs

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    1. Thanks so much, Carla. Glad you had a good Thanksgiving. It is sad when we can't get together with loved ones, but I am trying to keep my focus on the vaccine that will be coming soon and then it will be a much better time in our lives. In the meantime..Stay well my friend..xxoJudy

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy