It's been a mixed week of trying to get niggling chores done in order to
move along with Christmas preparations.
For instance, in the garden, cutting down the delightful dahlias now in their
death throes. This one still beautiful. Hoping they will return next year.
Raking the never ending falling leaves - thank goodness Bob can still
do this job - but next year we will most likely hire younger able-bodied
yard workers - it's really too much for us now!
although this year I will keep it simple.
Last thing to decorate is the dining room table - my favorite space after the mantel.
It will also be the last . . . . .after I've completed writing the Christmas cards over
the weekend. . . . . they are scattered everywhere across the smooth, gleaming
pine table, along with sheets of pretty postage stamps, address labels, lists,
pens etc.
Stopped at a garden center in town yesterday to pick up some cut greens
and was surprised at the prices this year - so much higher than I recall.
This now seems to apply to everything we are purchasing though,
especially food!
Fresh wreaths such as at the top of this photo were lovely but priced so high,
some close to $100!
I'll scrounge around in the back garden and see if I can find more
evergreens and red berries later.
We decorated outside this week, fewer strands of lights due to
my physical issues. Currently Bob does everything requiring bending
and lifting! I went to PT twice this week and am now taking a
break until I see the neurosurgeon just prior to Christmas.
Hung wreaths - our very nice faux ones - with new red and black check
ribbon bows, many candles in lanterns, and set some floodlights across
the lawn. The cottage looks pretty once dusk fades and the inky darkness
of these December nights blots the sky. The moon hangs low, a perfect
clear crescent, stars are glittering, and the nostalgic fragrance of
burning firewood creeps into the nostrils when I step outside.
Although still warm, we did light a fire on Thursday night when
granddaughter Jasmin came for supper.
The coming of Christmas is a lovely time. Just need to stop, breathe, and
take in the simple things nature provides - they are the most important.
Hoping your weekend will be filled with treasures of the holiday season.
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Dear Mary, how you describe your cottage this time of year sounds beautiful and cosy. Wreaths and such things can be very expensive here, too. Food, energy and other necessities have gone up as well; some is due to pandemic-related shortages, apparently. Good job I don‘t need all that much for just myself during the week!
ReplyDeleteO.K. and I have been walking nearly 13 km today, even under grey skies there is plenty of beauty in nature. Now it is time to retreat indoors and slowly start thinking about dinner.
Those prices make me wish I was in the business of selling Christmas greenery. As children we used to go out into the woods and collect sacks full of holly and ivy. Could have been a millionaire by my tenth birthday!
ReplyDeleteDearest Mary,
ReplyDeleteSounds like you got a LOT done already.
True about the darkness that kind of wraps around the coziness and warmth of this season.
Glad you had your granddaughter over for supper. No doubt, some of your traditions will rub off on her...
Hugs,
Mariette
I love that dahlia. I would love a winter Christmas, even after living here for 56 years a Summer Christmas doesn't seem right.
ReplyDeleteI;m sure your cottage looks very elegant. It s surprising how much greenery one can find in and around the garden, or even next door's garden!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a lovely beginning! I am so sorry about your back.
ReplyDeleteDear Mary,
ReplyDeleteThe description of your cottage is simply lovely. I can envision how cozy and welcoming it is. Little by little things get done, but it all takes time.
Greens have gone up here, too, along with everything else. There are supply chain issues, too, because of the severe flooding in mid-November near Vancouver. Then there's the container ship that lost over 150 containers to fire and overboard. A number of retailers have mentioned that they had expected items from that ship. Oh, it's all such a mess. Best to stay close to home and cozy things up! Tonight we're celebrating our eldest granddaughter's birthday. Joy!
What lovely writing and photos, describing all you've been doing...
ReplyDeleteI finished my Christmas cards last night, though I did cross a few people off my list as I felt I originally was overly-enthusiastic. When it starts to become another chore, that's my clue to scale back.
We purchased a fresh garland of pine to wrap around our porch railing from Home Depot. The price was similar to last year but we noticed some other greenery was much higher in price. I bought a boxwood wreath (my favorite!) when I first spied them at Trader Joe's. Glad I did as they were all gone the next week. The price on that had gone up from last year, too.
xoxo
I'm so sorry about your back, Mary. I hope the New Year finds you in the hands of a great doctor and feeling some serious relief. I know what it's like to have to pass on the duties to the hubby. I can pretty much do anything but I won't stand on a ladder, stool, or chair after falling having a chair slip our from under me several years ago and breaking my arm. It's all about fear!
ReplyDeleteYou both have done a super job on your home from the inside out, I'm doing minimal as well. The raking is a huge project. Our lawn service ends about the end of November. A leaf blower helps, they are actually light to hold.
Prices of greenery are so, so high now. I bought some evergreen and kept it in a bucket of water and it was dead in few days. I used sone faux garland on my mantel and stuck in some real cedar stems. I'm all about natural but it's not in our budget. Right now I have cards to fill out, gifts to wrap, and maybe a little baking. I'm feeling a little stress free this year.
Sending prayers for physical healing. You asked about Asheville. I had to call the management at the condo association with a question and the gal and I talked for quite a while. I had a bit of "home sickness", if that's possible! I'm hoping we can get one of our sons or daughters to go down in. the spring as a foursome. It would make A very happy and me not so burdened.
Happy Holidays to you and Bob!😘
Jane x
Ugh! Neurosurgeon. That's a prospect I wouldn't be relishing pre-Xmas. Poor you! Your preparations will look lovely, even scaled down this year. Bob's such a trooper taking your stage directions with, I rather expect, a festive good cheer :)
ReplyDeleteMary, your Christmas decor is exquisite. I'd love to see your entire home; everything you do is so tasteful. The pillows are lovely, and I especially like the deer with the cardinal. I would love to have fresh greenery in my home, but my budget will not allow for it. What you chose is very pretty. I'm sorry you're having physical issues. I seem to recall this has been ongoing. I don't do my own yard work anymore. Even though I am able, it's just a lot of work and worth having someone else do it. So, I encourage you and Bob to do the same. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas, my friend. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Your pine table is gorgeous! xx
ReplyDeleteHi Mary! What a lovely post and I just love that urn! Yes Christmas can be very busy so let's keep calm and enjoy every day now...
ReplyDeleteAlways so nice visiting your blog :)
Love from Titti
Your cottage sounds wonderful. I am sure it will look beautiful when it's done as you have a knack for decorating. I agree that everything seems more expensive these days. Maybe the businesses are trying to make up for their losses. I've bought a few new bits and pieces this year. I felt like I needed to spice things up a bit this Christmas.
ReplyDeleteYes, everything is expensive over here too, Mary. I do not really understand why. There are also food shortages, and supplies are very unreliable. But your blog is full of Christmas prettiness! Naturally I am attracted to the red cardinal with the deer: what a great combination. Your mantel greenery is very pretty, and I look forward to seeing what you do with it. I have not seen any holly for sale this year - it usually costs about $5 per stem. Gorgeous photo of the dying dahlia. Hope you get some relief before Christmas, it is difficult for you. xxx
ReplyDelete"The coming of Christmas is a lovely time. Just need to stop, breathe, and take in the simple things nature provides - they are the most important." I follow you there, dear Mary - a walk through the snow, a forest with pure snow, clean frosty air, the croaking of crows - beautiful.
ReplyDeleteEverybody asks what I wish for Christmas - AND, they add a little reproachful, "your birthday on 29 December too!" - and I want to answer as my parents did when they where older: "We have so much, no need".
Yet I love to get presents, and to give presents. Even if people "have it all". Pshaw!
Even the simply touches of decorating would be beautiful with your loving touch.
ReplyDeleteI love imagining your mantle and dining room table.
Thanks for the lovely card.
I LOVE you Christmas decor Mary ….. so tasteful. I have decorated the tree, mantelpieces & stairs and have a wreath on the front door …… all presents bar a few are wrapped so we are bang on schedule. Hope the physio has helped…. my consultant said it can plateau for a while ! Much love. XXXX
ReplyDeleteIT sounds and looks lovely! I love the pillows, bell wreath and all of your other great pieces.
ReplyDelete