Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas past......and future


Time is running away.....................fast forward to Christmas.
Are you ready?  Don't fib if you're not, it's OK........who truly is.  For many it's those last minute things, the rush of the season, the excitement of knowing there's not much time left, that makes Christmas so wonderful. 


For me, Christmas preparations are changing.  The heady days of bustling through packed malls and department stores for hours on end are no longer enjoyable.  The nighttime secret wrapping, the mechanics of putting together and hiding of kids' toys are just a memory...............all fun when one is young and more able, now something we see young neighbor families do instead!


As for the kitchen chores at holiday time......................now I understand why there are gourmet shops!  No, I don't order hams and turkeys to be delivered sizzling at the door (we don't eat meat).  I don't stay home baking the weeks before Christmas when instead I can be savoring the delights of a city dressed for the holidays - this year Washington, last year New York. 

Next year, who knows where I'll be.  Prague called this year but didn't happen, perhaps for the best seeing as how the airports are mostly shut down and weather horrendous across Europe.  I long to spend one more Christmas at home in England........snowed in at an elegant country estate, in a little farmhouse (heated please!) on wild Dartmoor near my Devon home, or ensconced in a quite posh London hotel, close to Harrods would be perfect! 

All images from Anthropologie's beautiful windows in their Georgetown, Washington, D.C. store this past weekend.


18 comments:

  1. Mary, you have a wonderful Christmas!! Also have a very Happy New Year!!

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  2. Those displays are unbelievable. They have some very talented designers working for them. Glad you're having a good time in DC and have a Merry Christmas.

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  3. Almost like being there ... I lived in DC for two years in the late 60's ... I'm able to return once a year for a foundation board meeting ... I love the city.

    Merry Christmas.

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  4. Mary, you certainly would be snowed in in Devon at the moment!
    Have a lovely Christmas!

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  5. You are so right things change. I am watching all those young folks doing that now and am enjoying my way of doing things. Making gifts, etc. So happy you are traveling and enjoying that. It sounds wonderful to me. Blessings of this Holy Season.
    QMM

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  6. Have a wonderful Christmas in Washington, how about France next year?
    Maggie

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  7. The Anthropologie displays are spectacular!

    Hope you are having a wonderful time in Washington, D.C. for Christmas!

    XO,
    Jane

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  8. I'm sorry if I got it wrong...D.C. or state?

    XO,
    Jane

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  9. I wish you a very Merry Christmas wherever you spend it, Mary. May some of the elements of all possibilities imbue your cosy at-home Christmas!

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  10. Oh how I have enjoyed your post. Christmas is exactly how you described it. Love your photos. Thank you for a wonderful blog to enjoy. Happy Holly Jolly Joy to you...

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  11. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas! I hope you get a Christmas back home in England in your future.
    We don't eat meat either - I think our Christmas this year will be low-key. That's just fine!
    xo
    Claudia

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  12. Love Anthropologie windows. No I don't need to rush around much anymore, but do bake a little. Though I don't bake as much as I use to. I bake for pure pleasure. There is still wrapping to do tomorrow and concert on Friday and a party tonight, but all with great JOY. Merry Christmas~

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  13. Merry Christmas! Praying for you to spend another Christmas at home!! Carla

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  14. Mary, love seeing the Anthropologie windows. Their stylist is amazing. I love to visit the shops here just for their amazing displays.
    Your sweet card arrived. Thank you for thinking of me. I didn't get one card off this year. Some years are like that for me.
    We are enjoying a quiet day with a cozy fire. Hope you are warm and comfy enjoying a quiet day. Merry Christmas, dear friend. ~ Sarah
    PS
    My sister loved the ornaments. She phoned me with cheers of delight when she opened the package. ;-)

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  15. Oh yes, a hotel there on Brompton road would be ideal. south Ken or Kensington during xmas would be great! then again, Devon would be gorgeous. :)

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  16. Glad you had such a wonderful time. My dream would be to have a Christmas in Germany, but I would dearly miss my grandparents especially my grandfather. He made everything lovely.
    Take Care,
    Ulrike

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  17. I will need to read through your latter posts at xmas each year to see if you ever did that as I don't recall. I'd take a London hotel room in Knightbridge or Kensington any day for xmas!

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  18. oops, for got to hit "notify me"...

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