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| Aren't these copper and brass popcorn poppers of my cousin's one of the most "hygge" things you could imagine? Prettier than bags in the microwave! |
It seems as though January is a whirlwind. We are one third of the way through and I'm still taking down Christmas.
This, of course, isn't a surprise. I will be taking down Christmas right up till Equinox and even then the angel tree in the guest room stays up. The winter trees will be up till close to then too.
But Christmas must go.
This depresses me intensely. But that said, I have a big tree in the living room. February will bring a Cork Poppers dinner to my house, book club, and a visit from my friend Suzanne. I need the real estate.
Rick and his trio performed twice at the Absolute Gallery (one of Lansing's best). The first time, a Friday evening, it was definitely brisk! But the music warmed it all so nicely.
I have to admit, it was fun to wander about and know I had a lovely place to come back to. I think more than a few passers-by noticed them in the window and came in to warm up with Kathy's hot mulled cider and chili!
Saturday I gathered with some friends to celebrate Cork Popper Cheryl's birthday. It was another nippy day and it was a good diversion from the computer. And taking down the tree.
But the lion's share of my time has been working on a major scanning project. I have so many photos to scan and of course whenever I look for one, I find ten more. I have told the friends of my youth to be afraid. Be very afraid.
So, going back to Old Town to shop around and enjoy their Sunday performance was a nice break in the action! Although it was so darned cold! Ice was floating down the Grand River! It was no wonder I was eager to get home for pasta and a double dose of Sherlock!
I've been practicing my Hygge by cozying up at night, reading a terrific biography of Stephen Sondheim.
But then it's back to the scanning. Because taking down the big tree depresses me. I know. I said that before. It bears repeating. (I should mention that everything else that's coming down is down. I think. I'll probably find something in July and then try to pawn it off as Dickens advised, keeping Christmas in the heart (and home) all year long!
And the snowmen will take the place of Santas. Once I find them in that mess of a basement.)
I will start with the ornaments on the back today. Yes, I will. And when I unbalance the tree so much it falls over, I won't feel so bad about seeing it go.
Delighted to be linking this week to Share Your Cup, where you will find loads of wonderful links and tons of inspiration!
40 comments:
Second try hope this comment sticks:
Lovely to hear the trio playing so sweetly Jeanie!
Some years ago I made the decision I could no longer deal with the taking down of Christmas as it was just too much for me.
So each year as I joyously decorate I keep in mind the taking down and that is working better for me.
Fun to see all of your decos even in a pile they are lovely.
I like the idea of ornies in a pretty bowl even.
Christmas has always been a favorite holiday ever since I was a little girl.
I can see your Love of the season too!!
oxo
I have so much enjoyed the beautiful music, really dreamy. Sometimes we have to say goodbye to things we love, but when we do we can start to get excited about seeing them again soon. Have a great day,with lots of Gemütlichkeit, hugs, Valerie
I was wondering where you stored all those decorations. For some reason, I was thinking attic. Your pile of ornaments makes a pretty photo. Hope you get your decorations down before your Cork Poppers arrive. :) I wish I lived near you. I'd beg for an invitation to join that group. It looks like you all have a great time.
It's hard not to feel meloncoly this time of year with the grey days. It's worse for me this year after the election and with the inauguration coming up in a few days. Had to give myself a 'talking to' this morning and take a look around for some things that made me smile.
I love that trio..:)
One of my DSILs plays guitar and his daughter and he sing together beautifully..always a highlight for me.
We took the big tree down yesterday..and again..the thought of having a smaller one resonated w/ us..
It takes a few hours..first I take down and pack all the memories..then Jacques unwinds the lights..(it was pre-lit..hahaha)
and then the 4 sections come down..plus it loses needles now..everywhere..
so maybe we will get a smaller one..soon..(sobbing).
.
I am on an organization kick..since then..
(you don't even want to hear:)..it involves new see-through bins etc..
Needless to say ..bags were at the door for a collection today..even framed crewel work..my girls will never be enamoured w/ crewel..
all for a good cause..
Jacques is making his prosciuto..we are busy..but ..not exciting:)
and I have nothing to post about either except great Marie cookies for Littles..next week I guess:)
Those copper pots..are amazing:)
I want to paint since a lot is done now..
Looks like you have a lot going on!:)
PS All typos are my keyboard's fault.
That was very pleasant listening to the trio. :)Your posts are always so full of fun that I can't imagine you having nothing to post about so I don't think it refers to you. lol I knew during the decorating of Christmas that it would take you a longer time than most to un-decorate. (is that a word?)Anyway, your post is once again full of beauty and positivity. I love visiting here and I love your cousin's corn poppers, btw. "Hi Lizzie"
What lovely music! I would have liked to stop by and sip some hot chocolate and listen to more. Taking down Christmas depresses me too. We didn't have a lot up in the house this year, but we had a full display outside, and we left up part of it until Jan. 6. Why do we take down the Christmas lights so soon after Christmas, as we move into dark January and NEED those lights more than ever?
And please tell Lizzie how very pretty she looks!
We must be close to the same age! Our school pics look very similar! heehee! Hope you get it all put away...think how great you will feel! Sweet hugs, Diane
I hate taking down the holiday things too but once I get started, I am good with it.Actually I find the tree very sad but by New Years I am ready to put my Santa collection away. Except- I still have one tree up. (the real one is down but my skinny artificial one will be up until later this month.) I call it my winter forest tree and all the ornaments are not Christmas but woodland things. I leave it up awhile because I like the light and the feel of the outside. Love seeing all your fun winter activities and your old photos! Hugs-Erika
You are a Christmas person for sure. What beautiful ornaments.
I like the 'keeping Christmas in your heart'. Don't be sad, 2017's Christmas is just around the corner:)
Rick's group looks like all sorts of fun.
Jeanie, I couldn't get the sound to work, so I'll have to try again tomorrow to hear the trio. I love music in a small setting like that. AND I love those popcorn poppers! I think you've got this Hygge thing down.
I think those popcorn poppers are wonderful! I am truly amazed at all of your decorations! Your cork poppers group sounds like a fun bunch and a great excuse to get out of the house and get together. -Jenn
You had me at copper! I collect copper, but have never seen old copper corn poppers. These are amazing.
Unlike you, I was SO ready for Christmas to be over, and the day after, it was all down and mostly boxed up and ready for storage. About all that was left were the memories and the photos on my camera.
Don't worry, Jeanie. Christmas 2017 will be here before you know it.
Greetings Jeanie,
This was a special treat for me this morning. Catching up with you, your style of writing and of course the music.
Throughout the years I have learned that I will go into a post-Christmas funk of sorts. The anticipation of the season and the intense preparations always leave me feeling rather sad and blue in the month of January.
I am learning (a little late-but better late than never) to surround myself with simple joys, flowers, music and good food.
I enjoyed this post immensely.
I am so looking forward to meeting you soon!
Jemma
Loved the music, very nice that you included the video. Taking down Christmas was easier this year; I think that it's because there's a lot less room here in Florida, so there was much less to take down.
It's always more fun putting the decorations up than taking them down, isn't it? Still, if 2017 goes as fast as 2016 did, you'll be able to put them all up again soon enough.
Just listened to the trailer. Beautiful!
Oh I do also hate taking down Christmas! I haven't yet (tho I only had my mantle done for the housesitter while we were gone for the holidays. But I can't bring myself to do it yet. Plus home sick since returning!) Thank you so much for your visit. I've been housebound since returning with both illness and snow and ice... so it should have gotten done. Maybe this weekend. I'll put it off as long as possible. Maybe just a few more pictures. You've inspired me! Wishing you a beautiful January. Spring will be here soon! Hugs!
Oh Jeanie - I love this post and I read it enjoying the music...perfect. I too love the Dickens' quote: “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!”
Your ornament tree is so beautiful - certainly will help brighten these cold, dreary January days. :)
What a fun eclectic post! I feel the same way at times, nothing to post but somehow when I delve into my inner self something is always there. I really enjoyed the photo of the copper and brass popcorn poppers. Your cousins collection is beautiful! The trio looks like such enjoyment for Rick and you as well. I'm finished, Christmas is put away and I do feel so good with the all the pretty clutter put away but it is sad to say goodby for another year. I would love to have a basement to keep it in, probably good I don't. Now I think twice about bringing home any after Christmas sale bargains, I have to know where I'll store it!
Enjoy all your pretties Jeannie...............
The trio is lovely and captures how I feel right now! All the Christmas is down with only a few snowmen to enjoy. Everything is topsy turvey as I purge, organize and clean. Give me another month or so and maybe I'll be all done! HA!! Hugs!
I still have all of my Christmas decorations up. I don't decorate anywhere near as much as you do, so I don't really have an excuse. I'm hoping to get everything put away this weekend.
Isn't it fun looking at old pictures? At least you've given your friends a warning.
My great aunt loved Christmas so much she ended up keeping the decorations up all year. She decided as she got older that it wasn't worth the sadness of taking them down! She was such a cheerful lady and got pleasure from her decorations for years.
Good luck surviving taking down the tree. The music break definitely helps the spirits. Glad you could get out and about to celebrate a friends birthday and listen to music. Winter will soon be over, let's tell ourselves that often and then go light a candle and continue reading with something in hand to sip.
I always appreciate the tree for drying out so - it helps with the motivation to take it all down. And the birds will be needing it out back so that helps, too:)
How can it all be so magical when it goes up and so uninspired when it comes down. Seasons, I guess.
I love the after-Christmas feel once the amaryllis come into bloom.
They help sing the rooms bright:)
Happy January-ing to you, friend,
Jenifer
It IS HARD to take it all down..all the pretty things and happy things and mementos of Christmases past...it's sad but also happy in that we have ushered in a new year with new things yet to happen. I'm with Diane---mercy!--our school portraits look so much alike. And I picked our you in that photo up there IMMEDIATELY! ---your pretty smile gives you away!
Love your Copper Pic. I can never imagine you having nothing to blog. Every time it's colourful and delicious or, looking at Rick's trio, I can imagine, musical too. Yes, 'wholesome' is the word for your posts. BTW, there's a must-see movie. If it ever comes to your city, don't miss it: "LION", with Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman. Riveting and very moving real-life story.
Have you got everything put away now?
I'm still working on it....
My dear dear Jeanie, hello! I am a bit late...finals are next week and I've had to prepare for them!
January is almost over. It's brutally windy here, beautiful snow, even a sunny day here and there. But I can feel spring coming. It's coming and the sun will warm us again. But we need time to "put Christmas away" and I think it's at that moment that we can stop and slow down to gather the memories we've made because once spring calls us outside, we will be running around chasing sunbeams. Take time, ponder, gather, rejoice.
Aren't those brass popcorn poppers delightful? Haven't seen those in awhile. Rick's Cinelli trio sounds wonderful, and they're playing a cheerful song. I'm glad you're keeping your snowmen up for awhile. I love snowmen, and think they can stay up during these cold winter days of January. It's so nice that you still post even when you don't have much to talk about. I like that about you, Jeanie. :)
It's been raining here for there days!
~Sheri
I hope it won't depress you too much taking down Christmas. I'm done with it and I'm relieved that it is packed away. Finally there is space again! Only the lights on the house are still up because it has rained way too much to get up on the roof to take them down. And I like them, so I'm fine with them.
Hooray for the music - that must be really nice. The chili and hot mulled cider aren't bad either. Good luck with all the scanning - that's a tedious job.
BTW I'm reading The Little Paris Bookshop right now and realized that it is translated from the German - I actually had put this on my German books wish list and wasn't aware because the English translation of the title is completely different. The book is called "Das Lavendelzimmer" in German which translates to "the lavender room". So far it's nice, but I haven't read that much yet.
Hi, Jeanie! I can't believe we're almost 3 weeks in to this new year... how did that happen?! Fun to see Rick and his pals performing. I do like how you keep a little Christmas cheer around longer at your home. We've left some lights up a little longer this year ourselves--and loving the extra cozy glow. BIG hygge... and we'll keep it coming! ;) Happy Days ((HUGS))
I wish I could listen to Rick's trio live! What a treat to listen to live music! There is a chocolate shop in Asheville, NC that tends to have live music on the weekends and it made the place extra appealing.
We took Christmas stuff down on New Years Day. It not nearly as fun as putting it up, that's for sure. It was nice to get some space back as the living room was a bit cramped with our tree up, but I miss the glow of the tree!!
It's cold here today so I am sure it's cold where you are. So stay warm and enjoy some hygge this weekend - I know I will!!
Taking down the tree is rather depressing. The house always seems a little plain and empty after. Although the perfect rainy day activity. You look so young in the reading photo. My big ritual is to give the house a good scrub down this month. It is way overdue. Rick's gigs look like a fun time. Have a great weekend.
Love all the pictures. Really enjoy the "taking down of Christmas" images. I also like to keep a little Christmas up all year.
You're much more ambitious than I am in the holiday decorating arena. I dread taking down and cleaning up Christmas decorations so much that I keep what I put out to a minimum.
Scanning old photos sounds like a fun project! Looking at old pictures is one of my favorite pastimes. How nice it will be for you to have digital copies of your old pictures.
Stay warm! Spring will be here before we know it.
Taking down the tree used to be major bummer, but I have come to realize that there comes a time when it just doesn't feel like Christmas any more, and then looking at it depresses me even more. I like to head straight from Christmas decorating to spring decorating. I do not acknowledge winter in the hopes if I ignore it, it will go away. SO far it always works ;)
I am so far behind on visiting you and others . . .
But, my last Christmas things found their way up to the attic today!
Happy to have my things tucked away.
Enjoyed the listening and the pictures . . .
and another peek into your life.
I would have wandered in to here them play as well. I noticed today that I still have ornaments hanging on my basement light. They need to come down tomorrow! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
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