Tuesday, January 10, 2023

LOOKING FORWARD...

 







Believe it or not, 

we still haven't had our Christmas celebration with the kids.

  Our first go-round was scheduled a week before actual Christmas 

but due to illness we postponed it until two weeks after Christmas. 

 As you have probably heard, 

Northern California had some

 pretty nasty storms 

and the kids were actually put under a voluntary evacuation in their areas.

  We had some snow

 and lots of rain and high winds, 

although we didn't lose our power.

  All and all there were some

 pretty bad spots 

between where they were 

and where we are, 

so we decided 
better safe than sorry.
 
 We are now expecting 
more bad weather 
during the coming week.





We will plan again for a date that is right for the kids and their work schedules. 

 We can't help but think

 that this is the first time in over 60 years 

that we haven't spent time 

together at Christmas.


In the meantime, 

I won't take all of the Christmas decorations down for now. 

 I know that at the time up until Christmas, 

I have always been so happy to bring out all the decorations 

and always comment that I wish it could be Christmas all year long. 

 But as the new year enfolds,

 I do get antsy to put away the stuff and give everything a fresh start. 

 I will take my time packing up

 and for sure

 I will leave the trees with

 their pretty twinkle lights 

in place for as long as needed.





At this point, 

I have cleaned up the parlor mantel

 although I have left the garland, 

minus all the Christmas,

 now set up for a long winter 

with white winter berries and snowballs.

 It certainly looks like winter 

outside the Cottage 

so might as well add a little to the inside.





I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas

 and are in the process of

 enjoying the new year so far.

  I expect we will all have

 some unsettled weather 

throughout the rest of winter,

 but here is to being

 safe, healthy and warm inside.





...xxoJudy...


"Winter, a lingering season,
is a time to gather golden moments,
embark upon a sentimental journey,
and enjoy idle hours."

John Boswell





Sharing today with:

Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda



25 comments:

  1. Judy, I hope your children don't have flood damage. It is stressful to worry about your home and belongings after evacuating. I know safety if the first thing on our minds, as it should be, but that doesn't negate the stress of leaving everything behind. They are in my prayers. I hope you are high and dry and not in any danger. All the best for 2023.

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    1. Thanks so much, Sarah. Their house is actually above where the water came, the problem was that they might not be able to get out. They have a few animals and generator, so they stocked up on food and knew they would be OK. There were many roads and highways damaged between them and us so that was why we decided not to get together. We are fine so far although many trees are down in areas around us and lots of rain..Happy New Year..xxoJudy

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  2. Hi Judy. I think we are all having weird weather. We finally got some sunshine the last two days. We had gone 2 weeks with no sunshine just dark and gloomy cold days. These next few months are the hardest for me. The sunshine was a welcome sight. Have a good week. Hope you get together soon with the kids. Hugs. Kris

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Kris. I am with you. Winter is the hardest time to go through for me..Happy New Year..xxoJudy

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  3. Hi Judy. I have been watching the weather out there on the news each evening and it looks quite scary! Our daughter in San Diego did not make it home this year for the first time ever either. She spent Christmas Eve in an emergency vet clinic with her oldest dog. Thankfully, he came through okay but we have changed her ticket for later this year. I hope you are able to see your kids very soon. Prayers!

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    1. Thanks so much, Denise. It was something that had to be but it is sad to have to go through it, always keeping in mind those that are less fortunate..Hope your daughter's dog is doing well. They are our babies too and need to be taken care of..Happy New Year..xxoJudy

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  4. I was wondering if those storms were affecting you. Love your Winter mantle. I also like to decorate for Winter. Stay safe, Janice

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    1. Thanks so much, Janice. We have had a lot amount of rain and some snow, but haven't been affected badly by the last storms. It is raining again now so that could change..I can't wait to start putting some more"winter" in place..Happy New Year..xxoJudy

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  5. Oh Judy, how frustrating. We had to pivot during the holidays also, but ended up celebrating with friends. Between the weather and the germs it hasn't been easy to get together. I do hope that you are able to see the family soon and in the meantime, I hope you enjoy all those twinkles. We just took them down and I miss them already. Stay warm and dry! xo

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    1. Thanks so much, Kim. We haven't set another date yet but I have hopes! Still wet and windy but nothing too bad around here. The kids aren't affected by flooding in Soquel (that is actually where they live but I always refer to Santa Cruz because more know of that) their house is on higher ground but the waters have risen on the opposite side of the road from them..Staying warm so far. Hope you are the same..Happy New Year..xxoJudy

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  6. Here in Holland we have also terrible weather this evening and tomorrow…I hope you see your family soon….love from me and Leaf 🍀❤️🐾🍀

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much dear Ria and sweet Leaf. I guess we can't avoid the weather not matter where we are. We don't have new plans yet but we will soon. Hope you stay warm and dry..Happy New Year..xxoJudy

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  7. Judy, it's a good excuse to leave up all the Christmas decorations! I didn't realize the storms were that close to you, thought they were further south. Sorry you still haven't had your Christmas together and hope it comes soon. You can always put some things away, leave up the trees and their lights, and then when they do come, just add a few red things back to the mantel, etc.! I still have my few decorations out as I am still enjoying them and feel no need to put out anything else at this time. We've had windy, cold and actually RAIN here which is kind of unusual. This time of year is usually just snow. I love your new header with the "winter cottage"!! Stay warm and hope your power stays on! xoxo Marilyn

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    1. Thanks so much, Marilyn. We are still waiting but the weather has been kinder the last couple of days. Actually sunshine today but cold! Stay warm and comfortable..Happy New Year..xxoJudy

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  8. Oh Judy, I am so sorry to hear of the distressful time you and your children have had this Christmas! This holiday season was certainly a struggle for so many people! I have been hearing about all the problems in California with the rain, and flooding. it seems that rain comes in waves of feast or famine. I know California has been in drought conditions. It's awful to have loss of property but still thankful for the rain. I pray that you and your children stay safe and dry and with power! Hopefully the awful storms will end soon, and you can get together and enjoy Christmas together! Blessings and hugs :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Marilyn. We haven't gotten together yet but we will eventually. Just so everyone is safe is the important thing. We are having a nice day today, actually sunny, but another biggie is coming. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying a Happy New Year..xxoJudy

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  9. I understand the frustration of delayed celebrations like that. Last year I don't think we did Christmas till February. Actually, that later came to be a tradition in my young adult years when the cousin families were too large to travel to Michigan and dad not well enough to go to Cleveland for a long stay. So we'd get a room at a Toledo restaurant for the afternoon and meet up there, usually in February. It was a nice break in the winter action and we made the best of it, but it wasn't the same. I'm glad you left up your trees. I'm slowly getting my Christmas down -- I have to take down the big tree today and dreading it. Love that tree!

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    1. Thanks so much, Jeanie. We are still waiting. The weather seems to be the big culprit now. Nice one day not the next. Don't know what to expect! I will leave the trees up, maybe put their decorations away and just use lights in dining room and kitchen. I will leave the parlor tree all together. I know what you mean, I love my main tree too, I think it is the prettiest one we have had in awhile but I am anxious to take it apart because I want to see if it was as ugly as it was in the beginning. I am so sorry I didn't take a photo of it then. It looks more real than any others we have had too..Happy New Year..xxoJudy

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  11. Judy, these rain storms are something else. I feel for so many who are affected by the rains. We did lose power for 20 hours, however we now have a generator. I am sorry your Christmas didn't go as well. Bad weather does affect us all. Moving forward is what we do. Stay warm and dry. xoxo

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    1. Thanks so much, Linda. It was nice to see the sun for a couple of days but back to the same now and more. We still haven't had our Christmas yet. Jake's birthday was Dec. 4 and we were going to combine the two, now it looks like we might be celebrating his wedding in July at the same time!!..Happy New Years..xxoJudy

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  12. Hello Judy.
    I do hope that your kids ride out these storms and flooding safely. It's been a wacky weather winter everywhere, it seems.
    Your home is always decorated so beautifully and is always so inviting, and I do hope that you're able to celebrate with your family soon.
    Stay safe, and sending you Happy 2023.. the best year it can be :)

    {{hugs}} ~ K.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Kerin. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying the new year. We still haven't made connections for Christmas with kids yet, but working on it. Jake's wedding will be in July, maybe we will make it then!!..Take care, my friend..xxoJudy

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  13. Judy,
    Playing catch up again!! I love the changes you made to the cottage for Winter...You have had more Winter than we have here in NEPA...NO SNOW all Winter so far!! And the warmest February on record right now! I am sure we will be paying for it in March and April as Mother Nature always corrects herself...Hope you are well!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy