It is now November,
but I started writing this back in October.
In my mind the Christmas season officially starts
when my head just starts hearing Christmas carols,
and this year being no different,
that usually starts in October.
As I am humming around the Cottage,
planning for the kids visit for Thanksgiving,
I am also planning how Christmas might be this year.
I have entitled this post: Christmas, Come As You Are.
The reason being is that when trying
to figure a cohesive look for each room,
things took a little turn and my mind
just went reeling in different directions.
I just couldn't seem to coordinate
one space with another,
so instead of making myself crazy I decided
that each room would have its own personality and title
but would all come together
under a specific banner of
Tidings of Comfort and Joy.
I haven't forgotten that I write this blog
even though it has been
a while since I have been around.
We have been busy and when I say busy
it only means
that no matter what we do, at this age,
it doesn't take much to be busy!
And take a long time to do very little!
One project has taken many days
and I sincerely hope that it will be done by Christmas.
I am very anxious to share.
I mainly wanted to say hi
and hope that all is well where you are.
We are in the midst of
some beautiful fall weather right now
but we did have a couple of days of rain.
It wasn't enough to keep our autumn colors down,
so they have been able
to stick around longer this year
and we are enjoying that.
We are celebrating
our Thanksgiving Day
with the kids
on the Sunday before Thanksgiving this year.
That is the day that works out
with everyone's schedules
and we are looking forward to it.
It will also be the first time we get to meet our 'newest fur great-grandbaby'.
Her name is Olive and she is Bean's little sister.
We hear she is a doll
so we are very anxious to meet her.
In the meantime,
I will be thinking about Christmas
and coming up with new ideas
but you can rest assured
that the Cottage kitchen
will pretty much remain the same
when Rugby and Robin repeat the age old question...
"EXCUSE US...please
Can you tell us how to get, how to get to
Gingerbread Street?"
Now, how could I disappoint them?
Last Tuesday has come and gone
and I still didn't get this post sent off.
The Captain's hearing aid went out
and Tuesday's are the only day
he can go to Auburn to get it fixed.
My birthday has come and gone also
but I got the most beautiful flower arrangement
from Tim and Tami
and I did get to go to Home Goods.
I was very disappointed though, I have to say.
I haven't been for a couple of years
and it seemed to me
that the quality and prices have changed.
Well, I guess nothing stays the same forever.
I didn't buy one thing.
Finally, maybe I'm getting the hint
that I have too much already.
Until next time...
...xxoJudy...
Sharing today at:
Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda
I have to laugh at your twiddling out post...pretty much my life up until I put my nose to the grind stone. Slowly coming back to something resembling barely normal...LOL. I know I think of Christmas, but nothing will be done until after thannksgiving. The kids were here over the weekend, so I puit the food to a vote (since I don't know If I can do the whole thing)...So we are having Salmon and shirmp and possibly crab...according to the vote, my precious Turkey isn't a favorite...LOL Love you rlittle Christmas paintings...I'm still fiddling with my summer ones. Hugs, Sandi
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Sandi. I am trying to put Christmas together much sooner this year than others. Just the way it turned out. But, I know I also have to put my nose to the grindstone, as well, to get it done. My son-in-law makes the most wonderful and tasty enchiladas, so we have settled on that. It will be a delicious celebration. Happy Decorating..xxoJudy
DeleteBelated birthday wishes to you. I planned each room for Christmas and when I started to decorate, nothing is ending up how I planned it thus far. Oh well. Still look nice. Janice
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Janice. I am sure it all looks wonderful. You have a great array of lovely Christmas things to use and always such good ideas..Happy Deecorating..xxoJudy
DeleteHappy Birthday Judy. I have started my decorating early this year with my daughter hosting Thanksgiving. This year all of us will be together too. That in itself with nurses and firefighters is a challenge each holiday. Glad to see you post and you are doing well. I think we all are moving slower these days. Have a great time getting ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas. With Thanksgiving being late this year, Christmas will be on its heels. Your little great grand dogs that are Bostons are so cute. Of course Rugby and Robin are adorable and looking like they are excited for Santa to be coming soon. We have a granddad Maggie that is a black and white Boston. They have big personalities. Big Hugs sweet friend. Kris
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Kris. I'm glad we are celebrating Thanksgiving early this year. In year's past we got so behind in everything but it is always good to all be together no matter what the timing. I am anxious to meet our new little one. She and Bean have the same mama but different litters. Bean is a very good girl so I think Olive will be too..Happy Decorating..xxoJudy
Deletegrand dog not granddad lol
ReplyDeleteI figured that one out!!
DeleteGood to hear from you Judy. Christmas doesn't have a theme around here either. I just bring out my favorite pieces that I've used for years and say Hello to them one more time. It takes me longer to get things accomplished for sure. We're enjoying our little granddaughter who will turn 2 a few days before Christmas and I'm wondering how to keep all my small bits of "junk" out of her sweet little hands! Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Debra. I do, mostly, bring out the same stuff each year but try to do something a little different each time. This year might be a little different though, as some rooms don't fall into the same category. Will try my hand at it anyway. What a great time you will have with the grandbaby. I will, also, have a great time with mine though the difference will be about 28 years! Still fun though and lots to look forward to..xxoJudy
DeleteBetween the England trip, my annual art sale this week and the bedbug remediation, I am in a whirl. I don't have one fall decor piece up. I think we're doing early Thanksgiving as well, and while I'd like it here, it will probably be at the kids house and maybe that's OK. Rick and I can do a quiet just-us Thanksgiving, preferably with no turkey (that might be a battle -- he likes turkey better than I find it kind of meh.) I might get the tree up early but Christmas decor (as usual) will have only one theme -- Christmas.
ReplyDeleteSending belated birthday wishes to you! May the new year be a good one.
Thanks so much, Jeanie. You have a lot on your plate right now so probably will be better to spend Thanksgiving at the kid's house. I am thankful that our kids are willing to make the drive to us for the holidays. We just don't like driving long distances any more. If we had known then what we know now we probably wouldn't have moved so far away. Sad but true. Our SIL makes wonderful enchiladas so we are having that for Thanksgiving dinner. We will contribute a salad and all the condiments and Jake and Jacenda will do dessert. I didn't do much fall decorating either this year but I always love to make Christmas special but in the end it will be only just Christmas..Happy Decorating...xxoJudy
DeleteI barely blog anymore either so it looks like the two of us decided---Now's The Time! Like you, I am busy with two pups and I am a full-time caretaker for John at this point. I have been debating setting Christmas up really early this year because John will be at Mayo Clinic for 10 days this December. Fingers crossed they can come up with a diagnosis/treatment plan. My daughter is hosting Thanksgiving so my house won't be full of people for turkey day.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving! xo Diana
Thanks so much Diana. So sorry that you and John are having to go through such a long, hard time. I hope Mayo will be able to come up with an answer for you. Do you have two pups or just baby sitting? Rugby was pretty young when he came to us and it was a little bit of a struggle as we hadn't gone through the puppy years for a long time, but things are fine now. Have a good time with your family this Thanksgiving and you are always in my thoughts..xxoJudy
DeleteI can't get over the photo of your dogs cuddling. So precious! I hope you have the best Thanksgiving. I'm excited for Christmas this year, I'm getting my daughter a puppy!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. What a lucky girl your daughter is. Have a wonderful holiday..xxoJudy
DeleteHi Judy, LOVED your post! Everything is so pretty... loved the bouquet of flowers you got for your birthday! Such pretty flowers. And Happy Belated Birthday too! And your paintings are each one just adorable. It looks like you did a tiny one on a canvas that you framed? I like it! I wanted to mention about your comment on my blog, I apologize for calling your Kris! she is usually the first one who comments, so when that comment came in, I just assumed it was her! My bad! I tried to reply from my blog to correct it, but "it" wouldn't let me! Darned blog. It always has its own way...... I'm glad you're having TG at your house.. how fun to have your family there. I'm going to my son and DIL's house which is only 16 miles away, so I'm truly blessed to be that close to them this year! I'm taking gluten free rolls, gravy and a dessert (gluten free of course!). They both actually love a gluten free cinnamon coffee cake that I make (shs.s.s.s.s.s don't tell them it's from a boxed mix!). I can't believe it's only 2 weeks away. I put up a few Fall things but not much.. and I won't do much for Christmas either. I'm alone most of the time... but will put up a new 4 ft tree I just got. I left my old one in Madras.. it went bye bye as was on it's last leg (stand) so to speak. Had used it for years and all lights were burned out and some branches were coming off. Poor thing. If I had the funds, I'd decorate my porch for Christmas, as it's nice and big and covered, and has nice railings I could put lights on, and swags, etc. but the funds just aren't there to spend on "frivolous" things like that. Vet bills (and food) take top priority! Hope you both are doing well! I'm OK.... getting acclimated to this rainy area and the town, but so far, so good. Take care and Merry Christmas early! xoxoox Marilyn
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Marilyn. You are so kind. I really didn't notice that you called me another name. I have done that a few times so know that it is easy to do. I guess that is why some don't ever acknowledge a person's name. I have always felt that if someone takes the time to comment to me, they deserve to be personalized. When I first started blogging I did that a few times and someone called me out quite na.stily but I still think everyone should be personally recognized. Glad you are spending TG with your son and that you are closer to him now. Everything is more expansive these days and you do have to pick and choose what is the most important. Food is a pretty good example and don't even start me on vet's bills!! Love my babies but, man, they are expensive to take care of. Happy Christmas days to come..xxoJudy
DeleteLove your art work - all very charming!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Bernideen. They are fun little projects and I am enjoying doing them. Are you getting ready for the holidays..xxoJudy
DeleteEverything is lovely and the flowers you received are gorgeous. How sweet your pups look Judy. Busy times. Time to start decorating for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Linda. I am waiting until the kids come up for Thanksgiving to start decorating. It will be early this year so I will get a little head start. Looking forward to it..xxoJudy
DeleteJudy,
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful post..... Every room in my house will be decorated for Christmas as usual but all has a different theme and color scheme so I threw cohesiveness out a very long time ago....Looking forward to seeing the cottage all decked out for Christmas....Glad that you will be spending Thanksgiving with family...And will be meeting the new great grand child!!! So nice!!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Thanks so much, Deb. Do you have to think a long time to get your decorating just how you like it? You must be thinking about ways all the time. Hope you are getting together with all the kids this year for the holidays. Yes, even though they are covered in fur they are the only 'babies' we have around now and we do love them..Happy Decorating to you my friend..xxoJudy
DeleteWell it looks great for now...I keep hearing of people spending oodles on leather sofas and having them peeling.... years ago a leather sofa was a lifetime purchase, and you could hand it down after that. Hugs, and your home is so ready for Fall, and I'm staring at paint swatches for our living room.. figured out it has been over 20 years since we painted...ugh. So I'll be going a neutral...but just what not sure., but will stall until after christmas. Sandi
ReplyDeleteJudy, I thought for sure I'd left a comment on this post when I read it last week! Oh well, that's what happens when you read things in the car. I won't blame it on my age (although I could! Haha!) I hope you had a lovely birthday. The flowers are gorgeous and so are your paintings. Super charming!! I thought about you yesterday as I drove by a HomeGoods and thought about the way it's changed...or maybe I've changed? I hadn't been in a long time either and I was disappointed with the merchandise. It just wasn't inspiring and I felt like it was very overpriced. Maybe I've just been shopping in thrift stores for too long now! Happy Thanksgiving my friend. xo
ReplyDelete