Ringing in the New

 

It is sincerely hard to believe that in one more year, we’ll be going into the Roaring 20s of the “new century.” Seems like no time at all that we were looking forward to the doom and destruction of Y2K. Thank goodness, that didn’t come to pass. But the 20s will come, no matter how hard we find it to believe.

I really didn’t think I had done much decorating until I started taking it down and putting it away--which is what I’ve been doing today. I have it all down, but certainly not all put away. I ran out of spoons and had to give it up for now. 

Andy is coming over tomorrow to have New Years dinner with me and Jesse. She’s bringing ham and mac and cheese, and I’m making blackened peas, collard greens, and cole slaw. Also cornbread and rolls. I hope I have the place straightened up by then. If not, we can just push everything out of the way for the feast.

I haven’t broken my resolve to be more organized and active in the new year. Of course, it’s still a few hours until the new year begins, so that’s not saying much. I have done some planning, made some notes, but haven’t actually done any work yet--well, except for undecorating and many loads of laundry. But that doesn’t really count toward my resolve. Baby steps.

Happy New Year, everyone. Maybe it be the best year yet.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 12/31/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

Happy New Year to you and your family!

We'll be having black-eyed peas and cornbread tomorrow, too, as all good Southerners do for luck.

wishing all a year ahead of peace, plenty, satisfying creativity, endless spoon supplies, and lots of laughs.

Big hugs!

---

On 01/01/2019, Debbie Price said ...

Happy New Year!
Oh, the 20's! I adore the 1920's, probably more than any other time in history! I have no clue why though. I think it might be the fashions. I always think of the fantastic dresses and hats, especially the hats! I wish hats were still a thing. Maybe next year,in 2020, I will revert to making my own clothes and they will bring back the fashions of the 1920's! I can dream!
Do not stress about the house being straightened up.
Have a wonderful time at dinner! It sounds so good!
Love you 💖
-----

---

I’m Starting Early

This year, I found myself sorely unprepared for the holidays. My gifts, what there were of them, were unimaginative and meager. My decorations were slap dash and haphazard. Most of my meager energy was used up cooking and cleaning. I spent a lot of time in a white-hot panic, worrying how I was going to get it all done. Not much of it did get done, I’m here to report. 2019 is going to be different. I have 261 whole days to prepare, and I’m going to get going.

First, a plan. I’m going to start by making some lists. That’s how I used to do it when I was still a productive human. I will probably post my lists, plans, and progress (assuming there is progress) here. Pieces of paper and notepads seem to get lost from me these days. 

Stay tuned. 2019 is going to be a year of getting ready for Christmas. All that last-minute crap is over.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 12/29/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

I'm with you in already starting to plan what I might make as gifts for the coming year, including next Christmas. Spring birthdays will be first, though!

Be good to you!

Hugs!

---

On 12/29/2018, Debbie Price said ...

I have already started on ornaments. I have needed to make my lists in spiral bound notebooks, that stay by my chair in the living room. I would misplace all my little notes constantly! I also am going to make a list of when to work in cleaning, cooking, etc.for the week. I also will keep reminding myself that not accomplishing everything in that time limit is okay. I am really hard on myself!

---

On 12/30/2018, Sheryl Colle said ...

I felt unprepared, too, because we had our Christmas at Thanksgiving with both kids and families, and that was just too early for me. But then we had another Christmas with our son on Christmas Eve, and I was more prepared. Didn't do much decorating - just some of my favorite things, and the kids did that at Thanksgiving. I tried not to stress out about any of it, because I was just thankful I was here - just enjoyed what I had - time with family.

---

On 01/02/2019, Barbara Groeschell said ...

Your comment about making lists when you where a "productive human" rang so true to me. I miss the feeling of accomplishment by crossing things off my list. One day rolls into another with the same jobs left undone. I hope you post your lists because I'm sure that it will keep me motivated too.


-----

---

Resolve

Mostly I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. All the regular ones like lose weight, get out more, exercise, eat right--they’re just made to be broken.

But it has slowly been dawning on me that my life has deteriorated into not doing a lot of the stuff I want to be doing--not mention stuff I need to be doing. Too much time spent on the couch nursing my “condition” of pain and fatigue.

So this year, I’m making resolves. I’m going to really work on ending “Life on the Couch.” True, I can watch good movies and read good books and snuggle with furbies. But there are quilts to be created and other stuff that requires me to get up and get moving. After all, the pain and fatigue are going to abide, no matter where I am or what I’m doing.

So here are my resolves: More time quilting, less time couching. Also doing a better job of keeping up with my blog. There you go. We’ll see how that works out.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 12/28/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

I hear you, girlfriend! Wish the bottled Resolve would help us along with the things we'd like to accomplish.

I'll join you on the resolve to do more sewing and quiltmaking. Perhaps in shorter spurts of time, but even 'a bit of a stitch' will be progress.

It's also good to sit and read, of course!

Hugs!

---

On 12/29/2018, Pat said ...

My resolves, too. I could have written this post. One of my favorite quotes is Churchill’s “Never, never, never give up!”
-----

---

From the Yellow House Gang

Susan, Jesse, Skipper, Taco, and Bella

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 12/24/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

Wishing you and your dear family a joyous Christmas together!

Holiday hugs!

---

On 12/25/2018, Debbie Price said ...

Happy Christmas!
-----

---

Cookie Baking Day

This (above) is the only spot in my kitchen that doesn’t look like an Alabama tornado has come through. See Bella in the background hiding from my cookie-baking frenzy?

For some reason known to God alone, I decided to bake cookies today. I’m making two batches of chocolate chip cookies because that’s Jesse’s favorite cookie. I’m leaving nuts out of one batch because Jesse doesn’t like nuts. But the second batch will have a generous load of pecan pieces. 

I’m to the point now where I’ll just be glad when it’s all over. I remember a time when I loved all the decorating and baking and shopping and gift wrapping, etc. That time has passed. Pain and holidays do not a happy combo make.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 12/20/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

Bless your heart and other parts! Well done on the cookie baking well ahead for Christmas Dad! This means you can sit with your feet up and relax while all who leave things to the last minute are frantic. Not you! You've decorated AND made cookies. You win!

I hope to bake tomorrow but do it so seldom it seems like a foreign idea. Is that sad, or what?

Still, the tree is up and decorated, the gifts are wrapped and are under the tree (or mailed), the Christmas cards have been mailed, and there are still several days before Christmas, so I think I'm ahead.

Enjoy the bliss of accomplishment! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
-----

---

One Santa at a Time

My hall decking is going exceedingly slowly this year. Every Santa, angel, or bough of holly that I place requires a short rest period before I can go on to the next. At this rate, I should have the halls completely decked by Valentine’s Day--maybe.

Now that I have almost everything placed, I have to do some serious cleaning. Since Anna has been on sick leave, I have not been very efficient at keeping things spiffy. Jesse keeps the upstairs (except for my sewing room) and he does a better job of it than I do down here I think. So before the family shows up for Christmas Eve supper (chicken and dumplings this year), I have to play Suzie Housekeeper and get rid of some of the dust, dirt, and animal fur. 

I’ll try to get some more photos up this week too. I took a few with my cell phone, always an iffy proposition for me. I can’t seem to get an in-focus shot to save my life. I’ll get the Nikon and shoot some after I get things cleaned up.

Happy Holidays to all.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 12/17/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

Cute Santa and Mrs. Santa, too!

We went to the mall today to go to Home Goods, Virginia Diner Shoppe, and Barnes & Noble and I was done for by the time all was accomplished. BTW, B&N has all their Christmas cards and gifts at 50% off if you need anything.

Take good care of yourself and remember that your family cares more about you and the dust bunnies. Sit and relax!

Hugs!

---

On 12/17/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

Please make that you family cares more about you THAN the dust bunnies.!

Thanks!
-----

---

Slowly But Surly

No, no. I really meant to write “surly.” That’s how I feel every time I try to stand on my feet long enough to get any decorating done. This is getting ridiculous. When all this dad-gum holly jolly is over, I’m going to launch a search for a new doctor. 

Anyway, I have accomplished a wee bit of decorating. A very wee bit. I’m certainly not ready for a photo spread in House and Garden, but here is a peek at what I've managed so far. I actually have my Christmas Tree quilt hung in the foyer too. But I want to put some kind of vignette on the old sewing machine in front of it before I take pics.

A few years back, I was very much into creating and sending fabric postcards. This is one I made for a Christmas swap I had joined. But I loved the card so much, I decided to keep it for myself.

This cross stitched piece is one of my favorite Christmas decorations. I didn’t stitch it, however. I bought it at an Oxmoor House prop sale back when I was editing great quilting and craft books for that company.

Instead of Elf on a Shelf, I’m doing Manger on a Mantel this year. This little Jim Shore nativity will move around the house for the remainder of the holiday season. It might even land on the mantel at some point.

Happy Holidays, everyone. I’m just now realizing all these photos are out of focus. Either that, or it’s time for my eye drops. Or maybe both.

 

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 12/12/2018, Debbie Price said ...

I have't done much decorating either. I can't lift and turn or bend and reach, due to this non-existent hip. So I fall at the hands of my kids, who are too busy. Sigh...

---

On 12/12/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

Love your Christmas decorations and I'm with you about having too little steam (or spoons) to get it done in one, two, or more sessions. Bummer that it is! My issue is lupus fatigue and I'm sorry for the pain others endure that limits them.

We're sort of snowed in from the 15" that fell on Sunday so I cannot get to the post office to mail packages AND our new Christmas tree came today but the ornaments are in the new barn - a snowy hike away.x 4 or 5. Sigh!

Scoot over and I'll share your bench!

Hugs!

---

On 12/13/2018, Nicole said ...

I still have the fabric post card you sent me when my sister Trish passed away. I keep it right by my desk and look at it all the time. I think your decorations are very festive. Do what you can and enjoy them. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season Susan!
-----

---

Lollyspoon Gifties Finished

I have enough lollyspoons left over from making my quilters bee gifts to make gifts for book club. I just have to get some more tags. I love these little tags that I got at Walmart. They’re made from board-book material, sturdy enough to use as ornaments.

 

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 12/01/2018, Barbara Anne said ...

I may have to brave WalMart and get some of those tags! The lolly spoons look so cute. Well done!

Hugs!

---

On 12/12/2018, Wendy said ...

Those turned out so cute - what a great idea for your bee and book club. Love it!
-----

---