Sitting here waiting for the first real snow possibility this year. I have always loved the winter weather and can't wait to see some snow.
Here are some photos from the second year we were here. I am hoping that climate change has not stopped this from ever being the winter weather I truly love.
front drive
back deck and turkeys
back deck and woods after the snowstorm is over
I have never been one to write resolutions for the new year. I do however make a list of work I wish to accomplish. The holidays are over and it's time to be creative again.
If I don't post for a few days you know i am working on something new. I will post when I can.
Oh gosh a little snow is beginning to fall. I'll keep wishing. If not for myself but for those persons who depend on this weather for their incomes. i.e. snow removal!
Wondering what Santa does after the big day? First he catches up on his sleep. then he just chills. Listening to music,enjoying the fire and sipping a cool refreshment.
He doesn't need much more.
Hope you are relaxing too! New Year's Eve is fast approaching.
Christmas Eve - This is the night we wait in anticipation for the joy of Christmas. Heading to church, visiting with close friends and family, sitting quietly and enjoying the evening this is a night for remembering those who are no longer with us, those who are separated by distance, and those we have lost touch with. This is a night for quiet reflection of our past year and designing the hopes and dreams for the year to come.
Children are waiting anxiously for the jolly old man to do his magic. Even at my age I still believe there is some kind of magic that happens on this night. Just wait and it will find you.
The cards tonight will show Santa as he journeys around the world.
Santa wakes to begin his night
Mrs. Claus says goodbye with a kiss
Santa begins his journey
The big sleigh works well for traveling to bigger cities.
The small sleigh and some welcome friends helps in those remote places.
Sometimes he has to come in though the front door, chimneys aren't always available you know.
It helps if you have friend that can help you get there but stalling the time.
Well the apples are peeled. The dough is rolled. The pies are assembled and placed safely in the freezer for baking later. I am still decorating cookies but will be done soon. Tomorrow I will make the sauerkraut soup. Some small things will need to be done. But the time is getting closer.
However, the goal here today has been to take care of the big items. The Sauerbraten is still marinating. It will be done on the 26 when we celebrate all together (a call to the Germans will be taking place, I am sure). So everyone can be together.
Here is today's card. The elves were the infamous six at their most productive. Cleaning and preparing for the final countdown. It was fun to add the names to the final list when I created this card. Today we need to add Aubree, Jackson, Aarik, Aaliya and Aeva to that list. it's their turn to enjoy the excitement of Christmas.
This was a fun one to put together, A clock with seconds, minutes, hours, days, and months. Who knew that was how they kept time at the North Pole Village?
Well as we get nearer to the approaching Holiday there are still all those little things to do. Today it was going out to pick up a few small items needed for the next few days. Christmas Eve will be a quiet event with our sister-in-law. A stop over at few houses for quick holiday wishes and some small noshing.
I decorated the short bread today so that is ready. I will wrap a few more gifts tomorrow. I did bake a few dozen gingerbread cookies today so decorating those will also be tomorrow's to do list..
The pie crusts are being made in the kitchen as I write today's blog. We will be finishing them in the next fee days as well.
This is the card I did the year today's birthday boy was in Germany. You will notice the direction post shows his school's location. The elves are hurrying on their way. Finishing up the small deliveries and catch ups everyone seems to be doing.
As I shopped for just a few last minute items today I could sense from the carts others had that they were doing the same. My trip to Aldi's resulted in truffles, chocolate bars and mini battery operated lights. Always my downfall. These had Santas that lit up and colored lights for the small table tree.
Today's song should begin the slow down to the final countdown for the last minutes.
There are many traditions for Christmas celebration from around the world. Some of them are so ingrained in our behavior that we see them as things we must do, not things we do for meaning.
Around our home there are many little traditions that seem like fun. Starting with St. Nicholas Eve and placing your shoes out to catch a glimpse of the holiday to come. The Spekulatius cookies that appear at this time.
The elves watching and recording the good and bad behaviors.
Going out to search for the perfect tree, which seems to take longer than it should. Returning home to something warm as the tree acclimates to the house. Its scent filling the room with fresh outdoor clarity.
Pulling out the lights to string on the tree. Followed by the ornaments so carefully placed and cherished, as they all seem to have some special meaning or memory.
Baking cookies until you have way more that you actually need or should eat. But the tradition is to bake and cover them in sweetness. You justify the over baking by saying"We can give them as gifts.Who doesn't like cookies?". Problem solved, you bake a few dozen more.
For me the tradition of my card starts around Halloween when I begin to try to imagine what I can use for a theme. I always hope to have it firmed up so the card can be completed by Thanksgiving give or take a week. Then playing around with the final copy photography until I think I have one I like ready to be sent to the printer. We can do this all digitally now. In earlier years I had to take the original in and hope it printed as I had envision it. Usually it did. That also explains why they were black and white copies. I and family members would hand color each card. Around 2004 I switched from 8x10 inch drawings to the 16x22 size I do now.
The tradition became established that certain elements were a requirement.There was always the pets, the kids, the elves, the stars and Santa with his mouse. As my three grew and had their own I began to add the newbies. Usually something that was happening in our family became a source for ideas. Many of the backgrounds were interiors and exteriors of the homes where we lived.
I added the border idea in 1992 in a simple form, discarded it for a few years and then brought it back. Once it was back it began to grow into an important detail of the theme of each card.
I've always started with a pencil under drawing and then inked it in. I have tried various color media but stay very steady with color pencil. I do like to use water color on some themes. I will never do a computerized media version again, too many grumbling recipients!
I am thinking that as time progresses those easy traditions and their simplicity seem to morph into even more complex traditions. However more involved these traditions become they still contain a constant reminder to us of the past we have enjoyed and the hope we have for the future.
This year's card came about because of instead of shopping stores for gifts we ordered on line. I realized how important those persons who provide services to us are.
It reminded me that when I was teaching the people I worked with and valued the most were the custodial staff, the kitchen staff, and the office workers. The boxes kept piling up. The packages kept arriving and I thought to myself "How does this work at the North Pole?" So here is my conception for this year's card.
I do hope you enjoy it!
Stay safe, be kind, tolerate differences,
and above all share your love with everyone you know
MERRY CHRISTMAS HAPPY HOLIDAYS
'Frohe Weihnachten'
Look for the small miracles and you find Joy, Love, and Peace daily.
Today's musical selections ------- some miracles and dreams
The Miracles
the Dream
the Spirit of Christmas
Thanks to the Miracle, George Michael, and Ray Charles and thoise persons who made these possible.
