Tag Archives: Christmas

Bits and Bobs

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I enjoyed reading Richard Osman’s “The Last Devil to Die”, an entertaining murder mystery involving the Thursday Murder Club. I think part of the enjoyment comes because the four friends are all seniors, living in a retirement home and made it their hobby to help the police solve murders. One of the characters mention writing her bits and bobs in her daily journal and those three words grabbed my attention. I had always thought it was bibs and bobs as one of the tenants that had rented the upstairs of the family duplex, had a bit of a lisp, especially when she forgot to wear her upper plates. Now, decades later, I have the corrected version which makes more sense.

Being awake at 2:33 am is no fun. Instead of drifting off again into a nice, restful sleep, my mind was hop-scotching in various directions–none of it earth-shattering or needing life-and-death decisions. Bringing a home-baked apple pie or a lemon meringue to a pot-luck was not exactly serious enough to result in insomnia. And neither was car-pooling because our driver was a certified teacher for educating her students to the rules of the road. I had already dismantled the newborn hat that didn’t fit the grapefruit and started another version. The grapefruit was supposed to be the size of the newborn’s head. My last thought was throwing together blueberry muffins now to bake later or baking them now and we would have fresh-baked but colder by the time we were ready for breakfast. Also, if I did get up to do all this, I would be really wide-wake. And it was on that thought that I must have finally fell asleep.

Browsing through my favorite shop, Gardenworks, made me realize Christmas was exactly four days away as I write this. The artistic staff had been busy with their Holiday creations and there were plenty of inspirations for photos and gifts. Gnomes and Christmas birds were a part of it. Perhaps that was why my thoughts were scattered and filled with bits and bobs–Christmas was already around the next corner and I was just not ready. . .yet.

Lots of Holiday reds. . .that helped make a festive mood. Note I said festive and not chaotic which was what I was kind of feeling. . .

Gnomes and Owls–that helps. . .I really love owls and gnomes are another favorite. . .

A real orange tree makes it a Holiday scene. . .I’m feeling a bit of that festive mood now and less chaotic over what needs to be done. . . .

Pinecones and evergreen boughs. . really great scent and the sight evokes Christmas scenes of the past. . .

They’re not silver bells but silver balls and cones, on a bed of evergreen boughs makes it another Christmas scene.

Christmas Eastern Teaberries add to the mood. Thank you Gardenworks for getting me back into the Holiday spirit. Just browsing through your wonderful and friendly store makes it inspiring. . .

I think the sound of Christmas really hit when I attended a Pre-schooler’s concert. The carols sung by the 4 year olds was especially memorable, when one of the little boys proudly announced that it was his baby brother who was asleep in the large wicker basket as the enthusiastic voices sang ‘Away in the Manger.’

The smell of butter cookies, gingerbreads and mince tarts, baking in the oven, makes Christmas even closer–practically on my doorstep! It’s nice to know that the sight of Christmas-y reds and greens on displays– plus the sugar and spice scents that dominate the Holiday scene does make it a holly, jolly, ho-ho-ho, candy-cane moment.

Now the big day is finally here.

Thank you to all my Readers who read my bits and bobs and joined me on all my walks. I would like to wish all of you the Merriest of the Holiday Season. May 2026 make many happy memories to savor and enjoy; bring unexpected moments to be fondly remembered. But most of all, have old friends by your side joined by new friends met along the way.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR

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It’s that time of the year again. ..already.

Whatever happened to the rest of the year? Do you find that time zipped past so fast that the growth rate of your grandchildren are your only clues that this happened?

I was asked the other day–by a lady who is so organized that she had already set up her two fully decorated real trees and had done her massive amount of baking—“Are you ready for Christmas?”. Thank goodness, my friend had a sense of humor and had answered the question that her tree would be decorated Christmas eve by her family coming from out-of-town. As for me and my family of collectable gnomes, I asked, “Does putting a sprig of holly on Simon’s hat count?” Simon is my woodland gnome.

Norbert, Simon and Homer look ready to burst into song, especially “Rocking’ Around the Christmas Tree” (that’s not up yet). . . .

At least, one saving grace this Christmas is the lack of postal lineups and the cards sent to family and friends. But the downside of that is the time saved on this task did not spread to other tasks. I found that I liked writing personal notes on my cards to family and friends who are far away. AND if you ever received a card with just a signature, it means you’re off their list next year because they can’t remember who you are and why you rate a card. But that’s okay–I already eliminated them from my list as I couldn’t remember who and why either.

I love the Christmas lights. It’s really pretty driving home when it’s dark seeing The Village and boulevards all lit up. The workmen had been busy weeks before, stringing up lights in impossibly high places while other busy elves placed lights around all the store-fronts and doorways of the Village businesses. The lampposts at the beginning and at the end of the Village route, were also wrapped in lights .. The candy cane lights were actually three canes, each holding a lighted ornament. . .

Shop windows and indoor displays are always a favorite of mine. It’s amazing to see the creativity of the merchants’ front windows. I like to see the bits and pieces as well as the whole picture. . . .

Anthony at Gardenworks never disappoints. He is phenomenal in his annual Christmas displays. And all his other artistic and creative displays throughout the year.

My favorite Christmas camels in Nicholas Randall’s window.

This was part of a planter display shared by two clothing stores.

I loved the sight of this Holiday spirit with the holly in the basket, a “topper” with a red band and a bicycle—parked outside a Village merchant. . . .

I don’t know about you but the more Christmases I go through, I learned this one truth. Don’t panic and just go with the flow. It only took me a few decades to figure that out. When I’m organized, a number of things can go wrong like the year the power went off as the turkey was cooking. That’s when you know Murphy’s law is about to fall on your head. Now I bake for our visitors and I put up a few Holiday decorations.

Another beautiful tree decorated by Anthony from Gardenworks. . . .

Hubby and I are ready–at least as ready as can be. Meanwhile I get to wish all of my Readers, a very Joyous Holiday Season. May your homes be blessed with the laughter and love of Family and Friends. May all your dreams and wishes come true in 2025.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY HANNUKAH! and a HAPPY, HEALTHY 2025!

And oh yes, may you always have a bowl of dark chocolate cherries in brandy by your side.

My Christmas Wish For You

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Despite the wars, unrest and turmoil abroad and within, I wish I had the power to demand Peace. 

A tiny tree, bare of leaves, but made beautiful in the Spirit of the Season.

I want to give the gift of Hope and to show that Joy does exist, even in the simplest of things.

This was a bare corner of a large building and some one there, who is very creative, made a “statement” using the empty planters, pots and plants who were comin g to a “resting” stage. . .

The gem and stone store showed its Holiday spirits by using gems as the window display. . . .

My favorite store, Gardenworks, never disappoints in seasonal displays.

So many enjoyable, unexpected, simple moments– and there for anyone to appreciate. I count my blessings every day that I have these moments. BUT I wish I could command that wars stop so others can hear and savor peace–not bombs and destruction

     “It’s Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.“  W.T.Ellis 

    “Christmas works like glue. It keeps us all sticking together.”–Rosie Thomas

    ”Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.”—Charles M. Schulz

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES AND TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER. MAY THE LOVE AND JOY OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON TAKE YOUR FOOTSTEPS TO FABULOUS ADVENTURES AND FUN TIMES IN 2024! 

CHRISTMAS IS. . . . .

humour, thoughts and observations

“Christmas isn’t a season, it’s a feeling.” Edna Ferber

“Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.” Dr. Seuss

Christmas is a gathering of family and friends; the comfort and warmth of home and hearth; the sharing of the joy and pleasures of the Holiday Season. It is the sound of excited children and laughter; the special smells of pine trees, roasting turkeys, the spicy scent of mince tarts and gingerbread; colorful holly and chrysanthemums including boisterous renditions of familiar carols are all part of the Holiday scene.

It is a kaleidoscope of Christmases past and new Christmas memories of ones yet to come.

Thank you for following my blog. I have been fortunate meeting new friends who have discovered me as well as the encouragement of old friends whose humorous and observant comments are always welcome.

One of my Christmas cards said exactly what I feel: “May this Christmas warm your heart with Hope and light your World with Love.”

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE. MAY 2023 BE A YEAR OF HAPPINESS, GOOD HEALTH AND YOUR YEAR TO SHINE AND PROSPER. . . .

Go Away, Christmas Blues

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Now that we’re getting closer to the “Big Day,” I seem to be losing some of my momentum. Two weeks ago, I was out there, enthusiastically elbowing my way through the crowds and picking out a few things for the family. A week ago, I was doing my baking–the mince tarts, the fruit loaves, the shortbreads,–but somehow, between then and now, I’ve lost the oomph that’s needed to carry me through to New Year’s.

I think it’s very important when you start getting into the Christmas Spirit. I use to pop on the music, haul out my already decorated teeny-tiny tree and start my baking—usually mince tarts because the smell of the spices really gets you going. This year, all it got me was the thought that maybe, I started a tad too early because the mince tarts are gone,  only a few shortbreads are left, and we’re already nibbling the fruit loaves. The thought of what’s left to do on the pre-Christmas list is too depressing to think about. So, to cure myself of this blue funk, I did the next best thing to winning the lottery—I borrowed my best friend’s 4-year old twins.

First, we checked out Christmas Village, a miniature village set up behind a huge downtown corner window. It showed Santa’s Workshop with little elves scurrying hither and thither, trying to complete their toy orders to fill Santa’s sleigh.  There was a miniature train winding around and through the Village, its engine huffing and puffing up the steep hill and finally to the Station. The more the girls and I stared, more details became apparent—the horse-drawn buggy with the coachman nodding to everyone he passed; the elderly lady who had dropped her bag of oranges and the little boys who helped to pick them up; the children skating on the pond; the little dog running with the red ball in his mouth; the baker-man passing out cookies from his tray; the tiny houses with lights winking and blinking inside; sporadic puffs of smoke from a few chimneys and much, much more. The twins were fascinated and so was I.

Our next stop was “Tiny Chapters,” a children’s bookstore where we were  just in time for Story Hour.  After that, cocoa and cookies at “Maisie’s,”  then the Children”s Choir and toy-store in Market Square. The joyous sounds of children singing was the perfect ending to a fun day.  The kids and I had a great time. I got re-energized and my best friend enjoyed an unexpected “free” afternoon sans twins.  AND, I’ve got my oomph back so I’m good ’til after New Year’s. . . .