UNDECORATING

 The Twelve Days of Christmas are officially over on January the sixth. This is the traditional official time to put the holiday away. According to Irish custom, everything should be back to normal by that day. If it is all packed away by Epiphany, that brings good luck. I am all about the customs that promise luck.

I've been undecorating for the past several days. I saved the tree for today. I know a lot of people do it earlier, but I think it looks a little forlorn,  now that it is ready to be put downstairs in the storage area with all the boxes. Some want everything gone by December 26th. Since our celebrations are usually later, I don't think I could ever handle that. And to me, it just feels like much too soon. I really enjoy the decorations. I also enjoy the undecorating. I like packing every thing away in small boxes and big totes. I wrap a lot of the ornaments in tissue for safekeeping, and because it feels like a surprise when it's time to unwrap them. I enjoy that I have such a variety of ornaments, ranging from handmade for my first tree over fifty years ago, to ornaments from friends, and from places we've traveled, and ones that John and I have collected. This was our sixth Christmas together. Our decorated tree contains a lifetime story.

One thing left to do on January 6th is to put all the small nativity sets away. The Epiphany is the day to celebrate the arrival of the Three Kings. They are also called the Magi or Three Wise Men. It just doesn't seem right to put them away any earlier.

Another Irish custom that I've discovered is Nollaig Na mBan. This means "Little Christmas" or "Women's Christmas". Since January 6 is the end of all the Christmas cooking and decorating and undecorating, it's time for the women to finally take the day off. Organize a women's party or just a cup of tea and a visit with a friend.

Ending the Year

 

"The old year is worn and tired.

Time now to kiss it goodbye.

Take with you its wisdom-the authority

and the power of all you have learned.

Remember the past year with love,

but let go of its despair.

Live the year that lies ahead

with fresh energy and hope.

Be strong, have courage.

It is time for something new.

(An antique postcard)

I can't help it. The end of a year always makes me feel a little bit melancholy. 2024 was a good year. I have had some that were not, but not for a while. Every day I am grateful that I was able to start my second story with John. We both know that we were lucky to find true love, not once, but twice. And the simple things are the most important.

We had a good Christmas. It was another year that had a late start. We celebrated with John's family on the 27th and with mine on the 28th. There are just too many of us to do it all together! We did manage to get some pictures, but they are all on someone else's cameras.

For a happy New Year, open your door at midnight to let the old year out and the new year in. This is another of those customs that originated in Ireland.

In some countries it is believed that one should eat 12 grapes as the clock strikes twelve o'clock. 

Sometimes I am not awake or I'm busy writing in my journal, so I miss midnight completely. Tonight the two of us will be eating pizza and watching British tv. It has been awhile since we've been to a New Year's Eve party.

As the year comes to an end, I want to thank those of you who read my December daily posts, and especially the friends who liked or commented. It was a challenge I made to myself to see if I was able to write everyday. I usually think I need to "be inspired" to be able to write, and now I know that I can write even if there is nothing in my head but sugarplums when I sit down to the computer. I know I won't blog every day, but I am hoping I can keep posting on a much more regular basis. I am so very grateful for your encouragement.

In times gone by, the men went calling on the ladies on New Year's Day. The visits were short and expressed good wishes for the coming year. 

             HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO US ALL!

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 25

 A CHRISTMAS WISH: 

AND TO ALL MANKIND, PEACE AND GOODWILL

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 24

A Christmas Wish: 

This day and tomorrow and always

As all through your lifetime you go

May your stockings be filled with good fortune

With never a hole in the toe.

                              Anonymous

Hurry and hang your stocking if you haven't done it yet. Santa will probably leave an orange and maybe some chocolate coins. At one time he left "clear toys" which were bright candies I read about in a book by Tasha Tudor. I think there was only one place they could be ordered from, so Santa really had to be on top of things to get them in time for Christmas. Stockings when I was younger and then when my children were small were filled with good treats and toys. I firmly believe that stockings are not for the practical. When I first got married many years ago, my new husband did not understand the stocking concept. He had gotten them while growing up but I'm pretty sure they were filled with socks and underwear. John, my newest husband never hung stockings when he was a child. I was astounded. No stocking! It's the best part of Christmas. For a few years, I gave my three young sisters money and had them shop for my stocking stuffers. As they all got older we filled stockings for each other. They were little things, some pretty, some funny, and some very funny. One year a sister managed to fill water guns, and when we opened them, we had a squirt gun fight. Another year I bought everyone bright red whistle lips. We also got notebooks, and pens, makeup, jewelry, and all sorts of surprises. It was so much fun, but eventually they all moved away, and we discontinued it.

Lucky for me, my girls were old enough by that time to be initiated into the Stocking Stuffers Secret Society. We manage to get together at our family celebrations to open our stuffers. It's still my most fun and favorite tradition.

I used to hang stockings for everyone as we kept adding to the family. At one time we had eleven stockings hanging and a Santa bag for the eight grandchildren. Once we started to lose some of our dear ones, I didn't have the heart to hang stockings at Christmas. If I started again we would have seventeen adults and thirteen grandchildren. So I guess that is one tradition I won't bring back. The stuffers with my girls will keep on going forever!

My fireplace stocking is a little bit small, so until I get a new one, I use this one. Good thing I've been very good this year.

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 23

 A Christmas Wish:

When you hang a bunting or a banner you will have instant festivity. It always works.

The first time I noticed bunting was probably the brightly colored rows of pennant flags advertising used car lots and political events. (!!!) This was when I was a child. Bunting is often used to signify a celebration and is finally becoming more popular in the United States. Now you'll see it at birthday parties, weddings, holidays, and especially Christmas. It has been popular in Europe since the seventeenth century. It is often referred to as pennants, garlands, or banners. Actually banners are usually one larger flag rather than a row of individual ones.

They are much more prevalent in Britain. I was in England during Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee in 2012. Different buntings were everywhere, inside and out. It was like a big party, every where that I looked.

I have been making buntings and putting them inside my house for several years. The holiday ones are always favorites, but I will hang them just about anywhere.

I made over 100 fabric yo-yo's for this bunting. These are also called suffolk puffs, which is a much prettier name. I keep this one up most of the year.

An unknown quilter made many of these pieces years ago, yet never finished them into a quilt. I folded them in half, and they were the perfect size for this. I added a few wooden beads and sometimes a bit of lace. I have made several of these.

Twenty five of these triangles form pockets that can be an advent calendar. The flaps are held closed by little pins with the numbers on them.

Buntings can be made from all sorts of fabrics, ribbons, tulle, lace, and pictures. They are only limited by imagination and weight.

(Apologies for state of the pictures. My phone and laptop are still not speaking)

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 22

A  Christmas Wish

 Technology. It's the way of the future. 

Well, it has finally hit me. Christmas is just too soon! I want that week back that we didn't get because of a late Thanksgiving this year. I've actually been feeling a little bit on top of things lately. I've been pretty proud of myself that I have managed to write every day. I am not usually a person who makes challenges to herself. I know I can break them while feeling very little guilt. But this one (writing something every day until Christmas) has been going pretty well. Until today. Writing has been the easy part of this endeavor. There is a lot I've found to say about Christmas. The snag has been the pictures. Finding and uploading takes me a lot longer than putting the words together. Today the phone and computer are fighting. I think they are serious and want to end their relationship. I can't upload my photos. No matter how many times I try. My memory is low. I cleared my cache. I don't even know what those things mean. 

Today's post is postponed until tomorrow. Today I did some shopping. I usually follow a basic rule of never shopping on a Sunday. It sounds like a religious thing, but it's not. I just really don't like the wait and the crowds. I don't think I have ever, ever, ever shopped on the last Sunday before Christmas. And hopefully, never again. I will be out again tomorrow though. What is wrong with me this year?

I also wrapped. Well, a few things. I need more wrapping paper, too. And where are my gift tags?

No sugarplums for me tonight. I will be dreaming about electronic devices. The nightmare before Christmas.

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 21

 A CHRISTMAS WISH

May the good things we remember become our cherished traditions.

Sometimes holiday traditions happen by accident. Suddenly a person will realize that their family has always done things a certain way, and that they always will. Other times they are a cherished memory and you can't imagine celebrating any other way. There are many family customs, but there are also traditions that come from one's heritage. In the United States, we are such a blend that we borrow from other countries and make them our own.

A Candle In the Window: 

Placing a candle in the window is a tradition that goes back centuries and is thought to have Irish origins. I've always heard it was a symbol of the star of Bethlehem, and was to welcome travelers and the Baby Jesus.  I've also learned it's to bring absent family members home.

Feast of the Seven Fishes

This is an Italian American tradition. It includes having seven kinds of fish for dinner on Christmas Eve. I know a few families who are sure to do it. Theories of how it started say that homesick immigrants were the first to make it popular. Some say it represents the seven hills of Rome, or the seven sacraments, or the days of the week. Some families will have 12 kinds of fish to represent the Twelve Apostles. Seven is probably enough, but I do like fish.

The Book Flood

In Iceland there is a tradition of reading books on Christmas Eve. Newly published books are listed in a catalog called the Journal of Books which is distributed to all households and signifies the beginning of the Christmas season. This is called Jolabokaflod and translates as flood of books. Books are exchanged on Christmas Eve and are the most popular gift. Staying up, reading new books, and drinking hot chocolate sounds like a delightful way to spend the 24th.

Christmas Crackers

These little packages were first made in England in 1847 by a candy maker as a holder for the Christmas sweets he sold in his store. They quickly became very popular, and were copied by other businesses. As party favors they were later filled, with a small toy, a paper hat, a silly joke, and made a popping sound when pulled to open. They are still continued a proper part of Christmas. Who doesn't like to wear a paper hat?

Family Celebrations

There are many more family traditions. I think everybody has at least one. New Christmas pajamas or even matching Christmas pj's for everyone, including the pets, is a big one for some families. And be sure to get a family picture. Sometimes these photos end up being the Christmas card. My family must be the worst for remembering to take pictures. We hardly have any where everyone is smiling and posing prettily. There are lots of candids though showing the backs of people's heads.

Once we went to a movie on Christmas day. I was surprised at how many people do that.

Driving around to look at the holiday lights is fun. There are always big light displays, but if you don't want to pay and wait in long lines, then you are sure to find some beautiful homes and some neighborhood houses all done up like the Griswalds.

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 20

 A CHRISTMAS WISH

May your Christmas kitchen smell of happy memories and love.

Easy Christmas Toffee

Ingredients:

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

one cup chocolate chips

one sleeve saltine crackers

nuts or sprinkles for topping

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with foil. Make sure to use a sheet with edges. Line up crackers on foil.

Melt butter and sugar in small saucepan. Cook over low to medium heat until boiling. Stir occasionally. Let boil for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir when you feel like it.

Pour mixture onto saltines and spread quickly. Bake for a few minutes until mixture is bubbly. This is usually 4 to 5 minutes. Don't overbake.

Remove from oven. Put chocolate chips on top. Let set a couple of minutes. Spread with a spatula and add chopped nuts or Christmas sprinkles to top.

Refrigerate to chill for about 2 hours. Cut into squares or break into pieces.

This lasts two weeks in fridge (haha). It can be frozen.

My Optional Story

I have a good friend who cooks and bakes a lot.  She says " Don't give me a story when I want a recipe." She doesn't care if your grandma made it or if it was always your favorite, or if it makes you happy when you remember it. Just the facts, ma'am. (Remember Sargent Friday on Dragnet)

Well, I'm not much of a cook, so I like the stories. I first found this in the back of a paperback mystery I read. You know how they all seem to have recipes in them anymore. I can't remember the name, but I liked it. When I was a more disciplined person, I would make this as a treat and keep it in the freezer. During one of my many moves I donated the book and lost my recipe. Luckily, I saw it on the Internet. But, it had so many variations! My advice. Keep it simple. Don't have your oven too hot. Don't cook it too long. And don't put too many toppings on it. Enjoy! Oh yeah, sorry to my friend for the story. I can't help it.

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 19

 A Christmas Wish

            "Christmas won't be Christmas without presents."                  "Little Women"  

Louisa May Alcott began her famous 1861 novel with this line. The four sisters are complaining because Christmas will be so different than the way they are used to celebrating. After a bit they start to count their blessings and decide to use the money they have and buy gifts for their mother, Marmee. On Christmas Day, they also give their holiday breakfast to a poor family. And everyone is happy for the moment.  

Of course, we all know it is better to give than to receive. Helping someone else is meant to make the giver feel good. And what better time than the holidays to be able to give. 

But, I cannot tell a lie. Especially at this time of year when we are all trying to be good. Most of us do like gifts. What we like the most may just be that someone has taken the time to think of us, and to bring us something that will surprise and delight both the giver and the receiver. 

I have made a lot of handmade gifts through the years. I think it is best to give something to someone who really knows and appreciates the time and effort that goes into crafted gifts. I have heard stories when the gift was thrown away with the wrapping paper, because it wasn't recognized as a special handmade token.

Without even thinking about it, can you name both the best and the worst gift you ever got?  My worst gift was probably clothes that were too small or way too big. Both made me wonder what the giver was thinking about my size. Also feet pajamas. My best gift was plane tickets to visit my dad when he was seriously ill. And anything my kids made for me.

One year my mother-in-law gave everyone in the family $20.00 and told them to buy themselves something they wanted, and then to wrap it and bring it to Christmas. Then we would each open our gift and tell her why we chose it. It was actually really fun to hear every one's choices. She really enjoyed it. So did we. And she didn't have to worry about shopping and wrapping and getting us things we didn't like and that didn't fit.

A gift that is really appreciated is a coupon for a service. Who doesn't appreciate free babysitting or an hour or two of house cleaning. Make these yourself and they can be just as personalized as you want.

When my oldest daughter was in college, she bought everybody a gift from the Dollar Store. This was way before it was a popular place to shop. Her choices were hilarious to unwrap and she didn't spend a lot of money she didn't have. At that time, the family bought gifts for everyone. Later, we started to draw names instead of buying for every person in the extended family.

We've never had extravagant Christmas gifts in our family (except for those plane tickets). In fact, now we are doing white elephant or thrifted gifts that can be stolen away in a very entertaining game.

It might not seem like Christmas to some without a truckload of presents, but a simple, cosier holiday can ensure a good time for all.

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 18

 A Christmas Wish: "The Children were nestled all snug in their beds While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads." Have a sugarplum or two today.

 

Though Christmas is a week away

I'm running out of things to say

I love your comments, and I'm grateful

That readers here aren't mean and hateful

I've got a few words left to share

It thrills me just to see you care

I'm still shopping, cleaning, wrapping

But today, I'm busy napping.

 

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 17

 A Christmas Wish:

Make new friends but keep the old. Some are silver and others are gold.

Today a group of dear friends and I met at the beautiful Hotel Pattee in Perry, Iowa for a Christmas lunch. We are a group who have been meeting since the late 1970's. Several of us went to school together, or our children went to preschool together. Our numbers have changed over the years, but our core is strong. We started getting together so we could have a minute to ourselves and work on crafts and have grown up conversations. We called our group "Craft Night" and looked forward to it once a month. That's a lot of months we have met. Now we are "Crafternoon's", because we meet in the daytime. We seldom work on crafts anymore, but we all still like to create and catch up. We have been through so many life experiences since we were all young mothers. We are starting to be great-grandmothers now. And still sharing our life stories. We have learned to stay away from politics and religion, because we do not all believe the same. We have overcome sickness, death, divorce, job loss, and just about everything else that life throws at us. We have also shared many happy times together.

And we give each other presents! Today after our lunch we went to Gerry's beautiful house for coffee, dessert, and gifts. Sometimes they are handmade. Some are kitchen made. Zucchini bread and Italian wandas cookies were included and appreciated today, along with several kinds of teas and coffees, and holiday decorations. I used these ten inch bottle brush trees and added a little vintage glamour. All are a little bit different, but were a lot of fun to make. I'm really not as handy with a glue gun as I used to be, but the will is still there.

There are so many different kinds of friendships. Sometimes we bond because of common interests, or of belonging to the same church or school. The parent's of our children's friends become our friends. I met a lot of friends when our children were in grade school together. In fact, I married one of them many years later.  I've made friends that moved away, and we didn't keep in touch, and I do regret that. I often wish I could renew friendships with people I used to know. I guess it is true that some people aren't meant to be in our lives forever, but are there for a purpose. There is a quote, attributed to many, that says:  "Friends come into our life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime."

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 16

 A Christmas Wish:

Are you frizzle frazzelled?  Time to take a little break

Maybe you have everything done and you are all ready for the holidays. Lucky you! But, if you still feel that everything is overwhelming, then here is some help to get away from it all. 

It's time to take a little time for yourself, and do something that relaxes you and makes you feel refreshed, even if it is just for a few minutes.

Take a tea break. I watch a lot of British tv. Tea is the cure for just about everything. If you have a special cup or teapot that just adds to the magic.

Have a mini spa moment. We used to put used wet teabags on our eyes. Or under them. Don't forget to let them cool. The tannin in the tea was supposed to make our eyes feel less tired. Also the caffeine! There are lots of products you can purchase now, but the principle is the same. Adhesive eye patches are placed under the eyes for several minutes or even overnight. Most of them also contain caffeine. This helps with puffy tired eyes. 

Taking a little time for journaling or reading also helps. This is like a little vacation get-a-way.

Listen to some non-Christmas music for a little while. Sometimes we've had enough jingle.

Take a walk. Look at nature. Watch the birds.

Work on a puzzle. It's good for your brain. And it's easy to start and stop. I am always afraid that I will get to the end and a piece will be missing. This year I am trying to conquer that fear. 

Or take a short nap. When she was very young my daughter used to say, "I'm just going to take a little rest." And then she would fall asleep, no matter where she was. She still likes naps.

As for me, I'm off to drink a cup of tea.

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN DAY 15

 A CHRISTMAS WISH:

All you need is love and gingerbread cookies. And tea. You always need tea.

Back in the late 1980's I did some work as a freelance designer for Better Homes and Gardens magazines. They filmed at my house a few times, mostly as background of our house, yard, and my little workshop. I was never a featured article, but I thought I was pretty special and on my way to fame and fortune. Then the editor I worked with moved to another career, and that was the last I heard of them. The pictures appeared in their books and magazines for at least ten years afterwards. They often re-used photos.

This picture was part of a photo shoot in my house using several different trees. This was in my front room.  I made the ginger bread cookies for them. They were big! Some almost as big as the cookie sheet, so I could only bake two or three at a time. They gave me the recipe and ingredients, and paid $50.00. I thought it was a a really great deal just for baking cookies. What did I know about business? They paid $200.00 a day for filming, and of course paid for any designs they bought. I wish I had kept more of the photos, but I guess I didn't.

The gingerbread recipe was very easy to work with. Since it was such big pieces, I suppose it would work for gingerbread houses. I don't ever expect to make a gingerbread house, even for the vast sum of fifty dollars!

"Better Homes" Ginger Bread

1 cup dark corn syrup

3 cups sugar

8 oz butter

2T baking soda

3 T ginger 

2 T cloves

2 T cinnamon

1 cup heavy cream

1 egg 

9 cups flour

Melt syrup with sugar and butter. Stir and heat. When mixture just starts to boil remove from heat and pour into large bowl. Stir in baking soda and spices. Stir in egg and cream. Add flour one to two cups at a time. Work til smooth. Chill overnight.  Roll out. Cut around cardboard shapes .  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake on greased cookie sheet, for five or six minutes until dough has stopped puffing. Let cool several minutes, and then remove to flat surface.