Twixmas?

A blog-reading friend sent me the link to another blogger  who recently had a most interesting post regarding Twixmas. The term was new to me, but once I read the post I understood fully why my friend had forwarded it to me. After that last post regarding the self-imposed "grace period" granted between Christmas and New Year's, I learned that, according to this afore-mentioned blogger, what I was observing was actually called Twixmas!  

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What is Twixmas?
Twixmas is the term used to describe the days between Christmas and New Year (27th-30th December), when – work and family commitments depending – you can take some much needed down time. For many of us, it's time when we can fully relax and spend our days doing nothing.

Why is it called Twixmas?

Twixmas originates from the old English word 'betwixt' which simply means 'between'.

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Who knew?

My Twixmas was actually extended a bit longer than the strictly defined time period above, I suppose I have taken liberties! It's been a most relaxing and fulfilling week. Along with finishing that "It's A Wrap" table runner I've also binge-watched three seasons of the Holiday Baking Championship (up until this week I hadn't ever watched even one episode), now I'm hooked. Tomorrow this will all come to an end as we step into the New Year. I've been struggling to choose an appropriate guiding word for 2022, one that will follow the past three:  2019's Focus, 2020's Vision, and 2021's Mindful. 

I've finally selected what I hope is the perfect inspirational word for myself.

Stay tuned~ see you next year!

🥳

Life is Good!

It's A Wrap!

And just like that, it would seem, another Christmas has come and gone... or has it? We're still in the Christmas season and these days following Christmas Day can be just as much of a gift as the day itself! In my "rush, rush, hurry, hurry" frame of mind during those days leading up to the 25th I had to back-burner a few things that I had really wanted, and fully intended, to get done before the big day. I was disappointed in myself instead of granting some self-permission to recognize the fact that I had totally over-planned. Christmas came anyway; it didn't matter that I hadn't completed the table runner, baked all of the cookies, or finished the book that I had planned to get read so that I could start on new ones. Yes, Christmas came and went and it was just as wonderful! Mr. G and I decided to grant ourselves a "grace week"; here we are today, smack-dab in the middle of it. Our grace week has consisted of a total reprieve from schedules and deadlines. It's amazing what can occur when breathing space is freely granted. 

Reading time becomes unhurried and meaningful.

The cookies baked from that long-chilling dough taste all the sweeter. 

That deconstructed table runner became a whole...

...which is now quilted, trimmed and, maybe, could even get binding attached today, we'll see. 

If not, it will wait. What gift can you give to yourself this Christmas? It's not too late; no, not at all.

Merry Christmas!

Life is Good!

December Discoveries

'tis the season! It's been a busy few weeks around here; ones full of happy days, and lots of busy times and delightful  holiday related discoveries. I'll start with this struggling Christmas cactus. This plant belonged to my mother-in-law. It wasn't in the best shape when I brought it here to live after cleaning out her home over four years ago. I haven't done a thing to it, except for weekly waterings. It needs to be repotted and given some life-boosting nutrients, for sure. And yet, here it comes, once again reminding me that it will bloom, albeit sparsely... despite the neglect. This was a lovely discovery and a dear reminder of a precious member of our family, one who lives on in our hearts always, but especially at Christmastime.

This was a sweet discovery; the best of two things: peppermint and chocolate. If you missed these this season, look for them next year. From what I understand they're only available at Target and they sell out fast! You're welcome. 

I don't burn many scented candles in the house anymore; something that I used to do a LOT, but now have switched, almost exclusively, to essential oil diffusers. With the exception of this candle. It's a new scent, "Merry Berry", from the Holiday Countdown Collection. I have burned this in the kitchen every day during December, it's a delicious discovery that imparts a rich, berry-filled aroma throughout the house reminiscent of baking a mixed berry pie. It's all the more special between the Christmas quilt-patterned plate and shade that was a long-ago gift from my mother. 

A most surprising discovery, at least for me, this Christmas is the undeniable fact that as much as things change, they really do stay the same.  I was cross-stitching ornaments for the tree all those decades ago and here I am today, finishing up a new batch, all over again, this year. I never expected to pick up cross stitch once more, I'd left those fabrics and charts behind and moved on, or so I thought! Thanks to Quiltkeemosabe, and her encouragement, I was directed toward new fabrics, techniques (stitching over two on even weave linen) and patterns. The styles and finishing techniques may have changed but my enthusiasm for the pastime hasn't waned a bit, much to my astonishment and delight. 

A glorious discovery this year is this pure white Christmas rose. I found it, at of all places, at Trader Joe's. I absolutely love Hellebores, and have a few varieties of Lenten roses, which thrive in my perennial garden. I look forward to transplanting this outside there after the blooms fade. A dear friend had alerted me, many years ago, to this variety but I had forgotten all about it until I saw these for sale outside the grocery store, on the sidewalk, last week. 

In closing, one more; this- a truly unexpected discovery! When visiting my parents this fall I picked up this photograph off the floor where it was peeking out from the skirt around the bottom of the sofa. I had never seen it before and my mother had no idea how it had landed there. This is me, Christmas 1956, I was three years old. The photograph was taken at the Community Store in my hometown. (My eyes went directly to that thread cabinet over Santa's right shoulder! 😉) This vignette is quintessentially New England with the Hood Dairy box stationed on the floor- I immediately recognized that as one that would have contained Hoodsie cups, those delicious vanilla and chocolate combined ice cream cups eaten from a flat, wooden spoon attached to the bottom on the package. 

I wish you all the happiest of Christmases, one teeming with discoveries both great and small, ones that are lovely, sweet, delicious, surprising, glorious and unexpected; and, above all, I wish you peace!

Life is Good!

Around the House

I started decorating around the house, earlier this month, by hanging the "Stitch Pink Christmas" (my version made up in traditional Christmas fabrics) quilt out on the porch. I finished the quilting on this one in January, it's the first time it's been hung! I love it! From there on it was full speed ahead with the decorations, inside and out. 

I got the Christmas dishes placed in the kitchen cabinet, although this task wasn't without incident. 

You know how it goes- you get on a roll and think "as long as I'm doing this, why don't I take all the dishes down and clean and dust the shelves..."  😞 This beloved platter (all the more so now because I can't find a replacement, even at Replacements Ltd!) didn't make it. Sadly, I've learned what the limit is on those shelf pins. Let's just say we've replaced the shelf pins with all metal ones, the plastic ones have their limits. I was super lucky that the loss here wasn't any worse.

The tree's up and decorated in the family room.

A few Christmas gifts have been finished and wrapped.

Mr. G. and I took a little ride out to one of our favorite greenhouses, this one specializes in Poinsettias . We love to walk through the racks and see all the new varieties, this one with the rounded leaves was gorgeous!

However, change comes slowly to us; we brought a traditional one home with us. Little did we know, until we got there, that this small town was about to have their annual Christmas parade! By the time we made our Poinsettia selection, paid for it and got back in the car, the streets were lined with hundreds of spectators. My idea of stopping for lunch on the way home was thwarted, we were lucky to get out when we did without being part of the parade!

It's beginning to look a lot... well, you know. Not one cookie has been baked yet, though.

Today could be the day. 

 Life is Good!

Moving into Advent

It's been almost a month since I posted anything here. I've received a few inquiries regarding my health and an email asking if I was experiencing a fun vacation somewhere. Nope; I can't claim either as an excuse for my absence from this blog, I'm healthy and present, simply busy- it's all good! In fact, I've thought about posting for weeks; but, by the time I got around to sitting down to do that, the moment has passed and whatever I had intended to post about already seemed like old news. So, here I am, catching up (as this news is old) by launching into Advent and the realization of a Chrismon tree in the sanctuary of our new (to us) church! Having a Chrismon tree became a dream shortly after we moved into our very own church building back in April of this year. Beginning in May, several members, plus myself, traveled to Rufty's in Salisbury, NC to learn all that we could about making Chrismons. I was bitten by the Chrismon-making bug and, along with a like-minded friend, made several more return trips for classes and supplies. I couldn't seem to stop, I was committed to obsessed by the process. If I couldn't figure one out I would work it and rework it until I was satisfied (even reasonably so) with the result. There are "levels" of proficiency attached to each kit; and yet, I forged ahead fearlessly. It would have benefitted my peace of mind to pay more attention to the levels; but, hey, the brain wants what the eyes see!  As our total number of completed Chrismons grew collectively, we crossed our fingers and hoped that we'd have enough to somewhat cover the branches of a small tree. As sort of a last-minute "push" to make more, a multi-generational workshop was held here, around the dining room table, in November; the group made simple Latin Crosses. 

It was a very successful day!

One thing that we knew we wanted to do was make Resurrection Butterfly Chrismons in loving memory of those church members who've entered the Church Triumphant over the years. 

On the first Sunday of Advent the long-imagined Chrismon tree appeared in the sanctuary at Grace Lutheran Church, dedicated in loving memory to those who rest eternally with our Lord and Savior. Each one is memorialized with their own Resurrection Butterfly, placed in the branches in their name.

Thanks be to God!

 The final Chrismon that I made this year is the one pictured up at the top, on the left, it's the "Advent Cross in Circle"; completed shortly before the tree was erected in the sanctuary at the end of last month. It may be the final one this year, but it's not my last by any stretch of the imagination; there's still so many beautiful Christian symbols to discover and create! I eagerly look forward to what's up for next year.

Life is Good!