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Category: The Daytime of Life | Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 3:49 am

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Right after Thanksgiving there is so much to do to prepare for Christmas, but it is still my favorite time of the year. I greet the dawn of late November,
and hit the ground running.

First on my list is to select arrangements for my parents' and little sister's graves. I try to do this as early as I can because it is very important to me,and if my time gets eaten up . . . I would rather put off something else . . .
I had to return to the store to select more flowers as I did not have quite enough. While I was there I tried to find some inexpensive baskets to paint.
I have decided to try something that I have never done before. I plan to make some Christmas baskets for my loved ones . . . and put a personal touch to
them. I ordered a basket from a well known company, and thought I would come out better just making my own. I found that baskets cannot be made for what you can buy them . . . costwise, but my baskets could be customized to suit each family . . . my brother who gardens found a Farmer's Almanac along with his goodies . . . (Here are a couple . . . I made eight different ones.)

my cousin who helps her husband roof houses found an ample bottle of shea butter with her treats . . . and I had so much fun tucking little surprises in them. And the quality and variety of the puny store bought one could not compare to the ones that I took time to make. So there is a trade-off here.
[Gwenyth Olivia- - my grandniece waving,

"Bye Auntie Nee-Nee!"
I visited each family, and delivered the baskets.
It took more time, but they were genuinely pleased, and I had a ball making Russian tea, baking cookies, shopping for discounts on things like Belgium chocolate, Swedish cookies, Scottish Shortbread (I found this at Dollar General!), French milled soap, etc. . . . We can only dream of going somewhere out of the country, and to get something that is made elsewhere is a luxury with us . . . except China maybe . . .lol! Next year I will make a mental reminder to shop all during the year for nonperishables, as not to make such a deep dent in my purse at one time.

I brought my grand-nieces and grand-nephews little gifts, and also took my aunt around to visit her great grandchildren too. I volunteered to assist with the decorating for our Christmas luncheon at work. I stood on a concrete floor for five hours making eight centerpieces, and my feet swelled up so bad that I could not attend the party. (I am still wearing tennis shoes and dearfoam boots most of the time.) At this point I am starting to feel that I may have over extended myself. (At this point . . . my tree is up, and the lights are on it . . . but it is NOT decorated.) I am also getting my Christmas cards out later than I usually do. I have done my shopping and wrapping, but that is it. Well, it is time to decorate . . .
After all . . . it is Christmas eve . . . I am told that in the days of old that is when people did their decorating. . . (I try to justify the reason this has not been accomplished.)

The grands enjoyed the gag gifts that I placed in their stockings better than anything . . . except maybe candy.


Well, with all the hoopla crammed into 4 tiny little weeks, we just had our family get together with brothers and their families on Saturday. It was fun, and good to see everyone. I got broiled tilapia (as I have gained 10 more pounds since Thanksgiving!) Here is my newest grand-niece, Alle Kate, at the restaurant:

And now here it is, mid January, and my decorations are still up. I had a little visitor at my kitchen window telling me that I need to take down the decorations and get with the program!

It startled me, as my camilia "bush" does not usually bloom until February . . . (Could we be getting an early spring??? These girls could be confused with the warmer weather that we had at the beginning of last week . . .) Look how full of buds!!!

Anyhow, here on January 14th, 2008 . . . I am wishing each and everyone of you a blessed New Year!

Love,
Carmen Denise
(AKA SongofJoy)









This blog entry has been viewed 536 times

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Droopy wrote on Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:51 am:

Whew! Your recounter made me breathless. That's a race well done. Lovely flowers and decorations. The basket idea is a good one, and makes it so much easier to find something for those who have everything. We normally decorate on the 23d. Tradition, you know.

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SongofJoy57 wrote on Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:41 am:

Oh wonderful, Droopy . . . now I don't feel so bad.

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eileen wrote on Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:21 pm:

Hiya Carmen - so lovely to actually 'see' you. Boy you've certainly been a busy lady haven't you? Your baskets are a really lovely idea - neither wonder they were appreciated. I must try to do something like that next year so thanks for the idea.

Thanks also for sharing your celebrations with us all and I really enjoyed seeing all your photographs. Love the 'googly' eyes your grandson is wearing!!! It was good of you to take the time to tell us all about you and your family.

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Netty wrote on Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:38 pm:

You sure have been busy SongofJoy! Time to stop and have a breather.
Happy New Year!

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