The Home Stretch!

I think we must all be in the midst of the holiday whirlwind -- at least I am here!

Photo by Judy Winter

Thank you all for nice words on my blogaversary! It's been fun "meeting" you all. I have tried to reply to everyone if your email address is included with your comment but if you are a no-reply blogger, I can't! So thank you all! (For those of you who are G+, I have tried to find you that way but since we aren't connected, not so easy! There is no link -- so I just want you to know you aren't being "ignored!")

Photo by Judy Winter

Before we get into the big day itself later this week, here's a quick recap of holiday fun!

Me and my girl. Photo by Judy Winter

My Christmas week started last Wednesday when a couple of work friends came over for some Christmas cheer. Then Thursday, my friend Judy came for an impromptu dinner (aka leftovers!).

Photo by Judy Winter.

She's a wonderful photographer and took a few photos I have to share (throughout this post!)

Photo by Judy Winter

Friday with a "crafternoon" at a friend's house. After a delicious luncheon in the most beautifully decorated and enchanting Christmas house I've ever seen, we made cute little vintage-style Christmas trees. I'm now obsessed with these little bits and hope to make a few more before the holiday!

Addictive little tiny trees!

 Meanwhile, I think of all the lovelies that Susie has accumulated over the years and am in awe!

After leaving, I had a quick errand to do before setting off to the airport in Detroit to pick up Rick and head to Kevin and Molly's house. So, off I went in plenty of time. Two hours and about eight miles later, I stopped at my friends', Mark and Jan, where they took refuge on me after a harrowing ice-ride on four wheels. It was like an ice rink out there and the traffic terrible. They even closed the expressway. (Rick ended up catching a bus back and the next morning we were off to the kids!).

Our day began with a trip to IKEA, where I picked up my new chair! Well, I paid. Greg "picked it up."

 

Then lunch, some shopping, a cup of Christmas cheer and finally our Christmas Eve dinner!

 

Our host and hostess with the mostest!

And of course the next morning, a lovely breakfast and presents!

And yes, mimosas were on the menu!

Of course there was a walk, although I was really fading by then!

 

And the dogs managed to lend their own brand of enthusiasm to the day!

Lizzie was left at home. A good thing -- she might have been confused with the little stuffed cat that was drawn and quartered by Rogan and Charlie!

It was a good time, although I have to admit that I wasn't feeling well at all for much of it and really fatigued. Lung stuff kicking in again, and a pesky knee -- I have no idea what's up with that. But we keep going. Or try to!

On Monday we enjoyed an evening with friends, sharing love and laughter and jolly merriment and cheer. Judy's husband Dick took this photo of the group -- he's the guy in back who just about made it into the shot!

Photo by Dick Winter

Then my Paris friend Jerry came into town on a bit of a whirlwind visit but time enough to swap stories, memories, presents and enjoy a fun dinner out.

Photo by Judy Winter

Wednesday brings a birthday lunch with yet another friend and the last of the shopping. And Greg will be here for dinner!

Now all that's left is the wrapping!

Photo by Judy Winter

Well, wrapping and sampling the cookies!

Just a couple days till Christmas! I hope yours is merry and bright!

Eight Years. Wow.

Eight years ago on December 20, The Marmelade Gypsy went "live." It doesn't seem possible.

Since then my world has expanded to include friends from around the world, some of whom I will never meet, others who have become "real life" friends. Wherever you fit in that scheme of things, I am grateful for your presence, your comments, your ideas, your compassion and for all the things I learn from visiting you. Thank you.

As you will be reading this, I will be celebrating Christmas. This year we are doing our family Christmas early with Kevin, Molly and Greg at Kevin and Molly's home. It's their first Christmas in their new house and we're excited because we will get a whole weekend of fun instead of the usually 24-hours as they go from one family to another and another still.

Initially it was hard for me to think of doing things differently this year. Since the kids were small we negotiated two homes easily enough (well, not always easily) and we built our own holiday traditions. Rick's grandfather's dinner on Christmas Eve (which was usually not on December 24), followed by cookie decorating.

Our morning would include our breakfast casserole and mimosa, lots of time opening presents and "Reindeer games"-- a little dice tossing with dollar store prizes for all. Then it would be goodbye to the kids and Rick and I would do Christmas all over again with the two of us, or maybe with friends.

I don't know if we'll be doing cookies or reindeer games this year. Maybe. Maybe not. But whatever we do, I know it will be fun and filled with love.

Part of life is growing and changing -- and never stopping that. It means that traditions will change.

When I was little, Christmas Eve was spent at my aunt's where we all dressed up and also celebrated cousin Nancy's birthday on that day. Christmas morning was with mom and dad, and dinner at my grandparents -- which was not a lot of fun. There was a 30 year age difference between me and the next youngest person at dinner! I don't remember (obviously) when this picture was taken (I'm the little billiard ball on my Grandmother's lap -- who by the way was only 65 or 66 when this was taken!). But this is what my Christmas Day dinners looked like for probably a good 18 years! A definite lack of peer group!

In college, the Cleveland cousins came north and we'd celebrate together with our package wrapping contest, carols at the piano, champagne at midnight. And then the moms died. We kept it up till they had families and Christmas travel just didn't play into the plans as it did before. So, for awhile, we celebrated Christmas in February, halfway between our homes.

Christmas with dad meant church on Christmas Eve and a quiet Christmas day. Eventually, I took over the cooking and we invited friends to celebrate with us in my tiny apartment. Then that changed, too.

I remember Christmas Eves with my friend Judy and her family and Christmas dinners with those of us who were on our own. And then I met Rick.

I just noticed Stimpy is wearing the same reindeer ears I just put on Lizzie! Those have been around a long, long time!

Suddenly there were kids and Santa, cookie plates and new traditions.

All those changes happened because something better happened, letting new experiences and wonderful feelings evolve.

I was talking with a friend about this the other day. She is one of several who are experiencing similar shifts. In her case, it was the death of a parent followed by the sale of the family home, the gathering place of so many traditional years. It's not just an emotional shift but a physical one.

And, I suspect as we continue to age, this will happen more often. Families will say farewell to a senior generation and the next group will step up to bat. Filling their places will be our children and then grandchildren. The circle of life.

So, this year, we are making merry our holiday traditions will shift, too. We decorated Rick's tree over the weekend -- just the two of us, with ornaments that tugged at our memories and heartstrings.

We'll celebrate with the kids a little early, with friends on Christmas day, and -- as you might expect from me -- anywhere along the way we can can. Because really, isn't life too short not to celebrate every single minute? We never know what's going to happen tomorrow or the next day. Make this one count.

But one thing never changes. Lizzie will wear a hat. Maybe only for 30 seconds and with assistance, but she will wear a hat.

And once again, thank you for being with me on this ride called "The Marmelade Gypsy." Some of you have been here since I started, others have joined in along the way. I am grateful for you all.

Home Sweet Home at Christmas

Time to deck the halls! Join me for a guided tour!

                         

Start in the hallway. The lights don't seem to work too well in the photo, but we have the wall tree and a small one on the table next to the angel with a bit of pretties dangling over the art in the entry!

Go straight and you're headed to the living room, the land of many trees.

                            

This one is mostly "woodland" -- snowflakes and birds. It's one of two that comes down last, bringing some light into the days of January and February.

                    

I'm a sucker for snowflakes, silver, white, birds and snowfolk. So of course this might be my favorite!

Or is the big tree my favorite?

                          

Every ornament has a meaning. There are the three clothespin wise men made by a colleague nearly 40 years ago when I worked at a community dental clinic. The turkey topper is a puppet made by my friend Andrw when I was doing a puppet theatre production in grad school. Turkey Lurkey has been at the top of the tree for years! Of course travels are represented (there are more than a few Eiffel towers!)

This guy is one of the oldest, from the old family tree. I love his jolly elfin face!

                       

My living room is long and skinny so there is a dining area at the far end. In the window, atop Grandma's marbletop end table is another winter tree -- this one stays up for a bit longer.

And against the wall the Solstice tree (which in this photo doesn't yet have the sun, moon and stars ornaments that now grace it!

                             

The bookcases gets the treatment, too...

...and so does the top of the china cabinet.

The family room is another small one. This room is the reason I bought the house -- the knotty pine walls remind me of the cottage up north. Meanwhile, Lizzie can enjoy her bird's eye view of the feeder from the bay window.

                            

There's a gas fireplace in this room but it is unreliable so this year I took a hint from Southern Exposure and put flame lights inside. I love the look and I think I'll leave it like that long after the holidays.

Standing on the hearth, a tall skinny tree. I call this one the "Mom" tree -- many of the ornaments were her favorites and if anything more gets added to it, it fits the theme of fairy tales and the warmth of the kitchen. About a year ago I wrote a story about the ornaments on this tree for this blog -- "The Giant Gingerman." You can see it here.

                         

Opposite the fireplace on my little dry sink is a small tree and lots of lights.

And, to the left, yet another display. These battery branches from Tuesday Morning make for a perfect arrangement -- and one easy to move if I need the space for serving.



Take a quick left and you are in the kitchen.

There's not a lot of space here, but some sparkling silver, a little tree and a few cheery bits on the shelf make it pretty festive!

                        

On the way down the hall to the bedrooms, stop in the bathroom! There's the "pink" tree with some vintage garland and bells, along with my favorite Santa. I call him Bruce because the twinkling eyes and great smile remind me of one of my favorite professors and mentors in grad school. (The pink gown? Not so much! Though it would be something to see!)

Here's a quick look at the "Dad" tree in my bedroom. Most of these ornaments reflect things he loved -- fishing, water, outside.

My big Santa sits in the window.

                        
There are more than a few wreaths and swags in the house.

And even the clock gets it's share of decoration!

There are other spots of cheer too -- a snowflake painting that blocks a view of the kitchen clutter, the guest room "Angel" tree and a wee one in my office. Right now both of those rooms are such terrible messes that there's no way I'm even venturing in there with a camera!

Of course, my favorite decoration decorates the house every day of the year. She has recently chosen my rolling cart of Christmas cards and holiday tags for her current bed (along with my new totebag!).  Always keeping an eye out for Santa Claws!