December - A Few of My FavoriteThings

Here it is almost Christmas.  

Maybe my being in a walking boot and brace for 8 weeks prepared me for a more relaxed holiday season.  I have been mindful and realistic with HOW I wanted to spend my time, HOW I wanted to decorate and HOW much I wanted to bake and create.  The younger me, tried to do "it all" - truthfully, I did...ahaha, but, somehow in all that busyness, the feeling of the season often times escaped me.  Not that I didn't enjoy it all, I did.  It is just that I didn't "need" to do all that.  

So, what have I done differently this year?  

Created experiences for those I love.  

My daughters and grands came over for a gingerbread house and cookie day.  We decided to make this a tradition on the first Friday of December.  I made the kits and assembled them so that we had time to do the "fun" part together.  

My grands, Ezra and Lauren.

I hosted a Christmas Craft night with my 4H kids.  I supplied all the materials.  I also made kits of projects that they could take home and complete, this is my gift to them.  The first project, the sweater ornament, materials were supplied by Cheri.

I love these! I made 12 for my own tree.

You can see the kits, I put in baggies.  

A tree for me (wink, wink) I do have a lot of Annalee dolls.  This past summer, I was lucky to find so many from a flea market in Minnesota and my mother in law had a collection that we divided before here estate sale and I now have hers.  She was the one who got me hooked on these little felt cuties.  So my whole tree and pretty much only decorations this year are them.  I did do a Nativity area with my mother in laws old set.  

Finally hung the closet doors.  

We are breaking with the traditional Christmas meal and replacing it with a Christmas brunch.  I asked what they wanted to eat and smoked fish won (I will have some ham for Jon).  So today, Al and I went to Green Bay to Bearcat Fish House.  We also stopped at Woodmans (HUGE grocery store) - we instantly regretted it as it was a 3 ring circus.  However, I needed stuff to make my candies with tomorrow.  We stopped at a St. Vinny and I found this, I love it.  

Tomorrow I will make some candies that I have wanted to make for a couple of Christmases.  Monday I will bake cookies - I like them to be fresh.  We will have a get together with Al's sister and brother and families after Christmas.  First Christmas without grandma.  

On Sunday, I will be reading The Tale of the Three Trees for our church presentation.  This year, they asked everyone to participate if they wanted.  I bought this book for my grands last year and it's a tear jerker.  I hope I can read it without crying.  If not, that is o.k. too.  

Have you planned anything special for yourself or others this Christmas?  

Blessing from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

I Guess I Was Wrong

 Well, honestly, since August, 2024 has been teaching me some tough life lessons.  In my last post, I mentioned I "rolled" my ankle - nope I fractured my leg in 2 spots.  One on each side of my ankle.  So....I was wrong...I did need to see a doctor.  When she showed me the x-rays she said "you must have a high tolerance for pain" - I've been told that many times in my life.

So, I am still wearing that until Monday....I hope.  The doctor said I may need a pin or 2....I hope not.  I have had to REST, you all know I can't REST.  However, I made myself cancel lots of things so I could stay off of it.  

I wasn't up to all of my decorating for fall and Thanksgiving this year, but I did do this little cupboard scape with what I had on the main level of the house.

My bittersweet are loaded this year.  I can see them from my kitchen window.  Al went out and cut me a few branches.  

My friend's nephew, Sammy, made this chicken for me.  I love it!!!  Sammy, is non verbal, but he speaks volumes thru his art.  When I see him, he is like an old school gentleman who kisses the top of my hand.  He is pretty special!  

We studied Egypt this week.  

Al built this nesting box for our chickens.  Our old metal ones were falling apart.  I bought them at a farm auction 30 years ago.  We plan to do a bit of remodeling of this coop in the spring.  Al has taken an interest in the chickens and will be doing the chores for me now.

I am also trying to find a good home for my 2 rabbits.  With this recent fall, upcoming icy path to barn, I just don't think I can take care of them.  I also, have already been feeling guilty with not spending time with them.  I have mixed feelings about it, especially the part of my not being strong enough to do the chores.  I didn't know I would be this gimpy this fast. 

Oh ok, that is where I am at physically and emotionally....but I am still thankful for what I am able to do.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.