I put the baby for a nap this morning and I headed outside, armed with lights, a ladder, a rake and an extension cord.I was determined to get the lights on the evergreen in front of the living room window. It was a task I attempted two weeks ago, and was defeated. Today, it was me against the lights, and one of us was being hung from the tree.
I won.
Then I hung green bows across the hedges and moved on indoors to decorate our living space.
I found all the boxes labeled 'X-Mas' from the storage room, and got that little twinge of excitement, same as every year about this time. There are always things in the boxes that I hadn't thought about since the year before, things that make me smile, things that bring back long-forgotten memories.
I carefully thought out the attack. I would open one box at a time, plan a home for each and every ornament, and fill a box with tree decorations to tuck away for a few more weeks until I bring home a Christmas tree, and giggle with glee the whole time.
I even put on some Christmas music to get me in the mood.
I have to be honest, it wasn't nearly as joyful as I'd anticipated. It was more of a letdown actually. I discovered that, since we lived in an apartment for the last 3 years, we really didn't have enough decorations to make an impact on our new house. I put everything out, but it still seems bare.
I guess I just hoped for more, that's all.
Oh well.
Everything is out. The only thing I didn't do, was put lights up in the windows yet. I was hoping to replace all of our lights with new LED lights, but it will be rather expensive. I have our old mini lights, but only enough to do the tree. I don't know, maybe the windows will stay naked this year.
Another two weeks and I'll get the tree. I've never brought home a tree by myself before. Hubby was always here to saw the end of, and level it in the stand, and tie it snug so it doesn't tip over on a cat or a baby. Since Hubby won't be home until midday on December 21st, I guess it's my first year doing it alone.
I had a twinge of jealousy today when I saw a couple decorating outside together today. I missed my husband. I'm sure he's not missing the decorating stuff this year, he isn't a fan of Christmas at all. Not me, it's my favorite time of year. Always has been.
Big Son will be 11 years old on the 1st. I can hardly believe it! We've rented the rink for his party. He'll invite all the kids from his class to come skating and then we'll have supper and cake and presents upstairs. He's looking forward to it. I have to get the invitations done so he can deliver them at school on Monday. The printer is out of ink, so it looks like I'll be handwriting them all on store-bought cards. Twenty-five, yeah, that should be a hand cramp!
Once the party is over with, I'll start my baking. I should be able to freeze a lot. Time to dust off the old-faithful Christmas cookbooks, although it's usually the same things every year. Peppermint patties, Pecan Meringues, Short-breads, Peanut Butter Fudge, sometimes Gingerbread, and Rice Krispies with the holiday colors. This year I got a new book from my sister with the cutest recipe for sugar cookies that you turn into kids with mitts and hats and earmuffs. And Spice Mice. I can't wait to try those. I also have a recipe for a Gingerbread Wreath that I'll make too.
Every year, for the past, I don't know, I've always participated in a Christmas Cookie Swap. Everyone bakes a dozen cookies or squares of their choice for every other person. Say there are ten other people, you bake 10 dozen of the same cookies and give them out, and in return, you get 10 dozen different cookies back. I'm going to miss that this year. It just means more baking for me, that's all.
Maybe I'll just have to swap recipes this year instead, since I have nobody to swap cookies with.
Thanks for checking in.
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