 |
| I see you judging me. Stop it. |
Or as one four-year-old member of our family called them years ago, the Pig-rims and the Idiots. She may have been talking about the table top figurines or her immediate family, we'll never know.
This year though I broke the rules, mixed up the routine, challenged the décor gods and put up Christmas Crapola (my mothers' words not mine) two weeks ago. Not all of it of course, too shocking, but a doorway here and a window there. The flannel valence below was a thrift shirt I cut up and hot glued. My mother didn't call it 'crapola' for nothing.
 |
The Lone Door Through Which All Must Pass
|
 |
| The Door Into Our Mudroom |
 |
Inside the Looney Bin.
The Barn Picture is currently up for sale on eBay if interested
|
But since we only have one doorway into the Looney Bin, it was still an impressive start. I blame the grandbabies for this, and the aging process, and the aging process going on within the grandbabies. It all rolls back to that blog I wrote recently about time going by too fast.
I also blame the Three French Hens Holiday Market, visited recently by myself, my daughter and my two daughter-in-laws. Below are pics from that wonderful event in Morris, Illinois. I was-how shall I say -inspired. I mean after all, we have 90% of this type of inventory all over our farm, all I have to do is gather it together.
Like the sign my daughter saw that read "Yes, we know you can make it yourself, but will you?"
I decided that when the GK's come to visit each Sunday this next month, I'd like them to have a bit
more Santa/Angel/Snowman/Reindeer folly to revel in. The season is short. The babies grow up too fast. The parents will continue their eye rolling behind my back.
Besides, the dreary, gray, rainy, snowy, November weather continues and I needed some additional lighting effects and the proverbial red bow, to lift my spirits.
I find I become very bored with the whole caboodle if the decorations, and Bing Crosby songs, make their appearance too early. I leave everything until about the 20th; I don't even buy the Turkey and sprouts until the 23rd/24th.
ReplyDeleteYour restraint is admirable. I remain weak and unworthy of even my own parents who waited until Christmas eve to put up the tree and buy the gifts!
DeleteI used to put mine up Halloween night because I like to enjoy the special lights and ornaments more than just a few days, but this year I am doing a bit at a time and not working myself ragged. I love your picture you have for sale, but I can't purchase it at this time. Darn!!!!
ReplyDeleteWith our less than 700 sq foot grain bin house I am far from running myself ragged with the decorating, really took just a wee bit of time. And thanks for looking at my eBay store. If youreally like the picture keep in mind, I do take offers in my store. :)
DeleteFor the first time, I am intending to decorate early (as in, starting later today, if possible). I NEVER start this early, but I am hosting Christmas this year and I want to enjoy the lead-up, rather than be running around at the last minute. I want a truly OLD FASHIONED, merry Christmas (have my own reasons for this).
ReplyDeleteNoting the pieces of white birch in your photos - it certainly is a trendy look right now. I saw two pieces for $14!!!! Then I got thinking about where all this birch is coming from. Are people going out cutting down saplings (because these are all small in circumference) wherever they see them and then making money from this? How many birch trees are coming down for decoration? Different than trees which are planted on purpose to become Christmas trees. Or does somebody out there now have birch tree farms? Just a thought in my head. -Jenn
I have no idea what others are doing but we have a single birch tree here that grows prolifically. We trimmed it early last spring and I'll be using some of those branches inside, so no harm no foul on this homestead :)
DeleteHere in Wisconsin people have been apprehended for stealing birch branches from both public and private lands!
DeleteI've never envied the US tradition of Thanksgiving and Christmas, parked so closely together. I know there are good reasons for celebrating both, but it would be too much for this introvert, to recover from. I need recovery time. NEED!! LOL.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're able to make time to enjoy these fleeting moments, with the GK's. And your Christmas decorations look a treat! Our tradition is to put the Christmas tree up (and decorations) on the 1st of December. At least that's the plan.
It does get harried here for the reasons you mentioned. My large family used to gather on our old farm for both Thanksgiving and then a few weeks later for Christmas, then we did our own immediate family Christmas a few days after that. Nerves wore thin I will admit. Now my siblings and family combine Thanksgiving and Christmas, meet once in early December and we call it "Christgiving". We are getting smarter as we age.
DeleteLOL. Great adaptations
DeleteI like it. Just enough to make the season special, but it won't be a major feat to pack it up, put it away, and clean up after it. That's my criteria these days. We never decorated until the week before Christmas (trees are half price or better) but the past couple of years I've put up the crochet Christmas Village my stepmother made. I do it for Thanksgiving for my granddaughters, since they go to the other grandparents for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteYes, for the grandchildren. That's my main focus these days as the oldest of them is now 17! Fortunately we have three that are quite young as well, and they appreciate all that glitters and shines.
DeleteThis is such a fun post. I love your Christmas crapola! And the little ones will surely remember it. Growing up we had two Great Aunts that never married and lived together. Wow, the Christmas crapola in that house was amazing. Silver tinsel tree, rotating colored light, a huge elaborate diorama of tiny lead people frolicking on mirrored ponds and cottonballs. It was so exciting. And you know what? Now I put up a big display of those antique paperboard houses every Christmas too. I guess what I am saying is your effort does matter and also you might want to put some extra hot glue on that valance because it just might be a family heirloom some day.
ReplyDeleteOh, your response made my day! Your great aunts sound lovely and what wonderful memories they gifted you.
DeleteYeah for not starting the Christmas season until after the turkey day celebration and feasting are done. When I was (much) younger, none of the retail stores in our town decorated until after Thanksgiving, now I see things up at Halloween in some stores and Christmas in July might become a reality one day! As for holiday "crapola," my favorite places to shop are thrift stores because I decorate the outside entry of our apt and if anything happens to go missing, it won't be a great loss.
ReplyDeleteThere is a thrift store here about 45 miles from us that opens a huge Christmas Store in their basement every year. The "Christmas Crapola" there is amazing! I've picked up some great vintage ornaments there for less than $1.
DeleteHi Donna :) I think it's wonderful that you have some decorations up! That barn picture is awesome. Really awesome. Very festive! I love the first photo of the cow lol, great shot!!! Decor Gods be damned!!! :)
ReplyDeleteCows really are super photogenic. Many I time I've had my phone or camera LICKED before I can get a good shot. Curious little snot noses they are.
Delete