Two Steps Forward, Three Back

Every year Christmas season seems to come earlier. Before Halloween decorations are down the Christmas lights are going up, and the shopping frenzy begins. 

Tis' the season to be merry with Christmas lights, music, and decorations filling the stores, crowds of people materialize from nowhere and everywhere. The hours of the day are suddenly crammed with to-do-list so full it makes my head spin. 

I wonder how I ever managed to work a full time job, raise a family and still finish the things on my list. Hats off to young mothers everywhere. Maybe it's my age, who knows, but for whatever reason, my list keeps growing. It feels as if I'm taking two steps forward and three steps back. 

All I can do is keep putting one foot in front of the other; I'll eventually accomplish what I set out to do.  For now, I intend to relax, enjoy a bit of this Christmas spirit, and my family. There's sure to be a few stories I can glean from this crew!

Black Friday

It is Black Friday and the official Christmas holiday shopping season has begun. I swear it gets earlier every year. I don't have my decorations up yet, I'm sure many of you do. I'm old fashioned, preferring to get through one holiday, before starting on the next one. At my age, hurrying time is not something I'm eager to do.

And besides, I'm still hung over from all the turkey and dressing from yesterday, which, if you're out shopping today might be a good thing.  You'll need the nourishment to withstand all the crowds and long lines. I hear it's a madhouse out there and patience can run thin when you're being elbowed and shoved by complete strangers.

Whether you choose to stay in or venture into the crazy crowds today, remember to keep things in perspective. The chances you will find the bargain you want at the price they promised is about the same as being able to step right up to the cash register with no waiting. Not gonna happen. So, relax, enjoy the company you're with, and have fun shopping. Black Friday only happens once a year, thank God! 

Channeling Martha Stewart

Holiday Dinner (Photo credit: cjmartin)

I have a love-hate relationship with magazines that promote the "perfect holiday table setting," you can add Martha Stewart and the other like minded home designers in there, too.  Don' t get me wrong, I love  to set a beautiful holiday table. It is one of my favorite things to do, but the family is growing, we're up to almost 20 people in my family now, and growing. Setting a beautiful table can be expensive!

This Thanksgiving, I  had to pull out folding tables, buy more dishes, silverware, glasses and cloth napkins. Because of the added cost, my centerpieces and decorations suffered. I couldn't do everything.

 The holidays are one occasion I get to channel the creativity of Martha Stewart, Betty Homemaker and the lessons of Mrs. Beeckman and share them with my loved ones, especially the little ones who love it and soak it up like sponges.

My family is  simple, easy going and unpretentious. Truth is,  they're, more at ease eating off paper plate buffet style than they are eating off fine china, but each major holiday I see the enjoyment on their faces as we gather around one of my  beautifully set tables. It has become a tradition. They look forward to these occasions. They prefer the cloth napkins, now, and even the youngest recognizes the difference between a salad and dinner fork and knows how to set a proper table.

So, As long as it brings a smile to their faces, I'll keep adding new dishes and folding tables. They'll be no paper plates or buffet lines at our holiday celebrations, but I might need to send a note to Martha. "We're in a recession, how about lowering the prices, or haven't you heard."

It's these  types of traditions that make memories and for which I am most grateful. I'd love to hear about your family traditions. Leave me a comment. Happy Thanksgiving!