This year I decided to spend holidays here in Oregon while the boys are young. I don't have room for a Christmas tree indoors (especially with a crawler/climber ... and a dog with a waggly tail) but I will put one up outside in front of the dining room window. Then just a million do dads all around the condo.
Unfortunately, when we were downsizing in a crazy hurry, we accidentally took the boxes of Christmas treasures I had weaned down to keep ... to Goodwill. Ornaments from every country we had traveled. Ornaments we gave each other every year for 28 years. Sad, sad, sad. I do still have a few things from my Mom and Dad. And what the heck! We will just start collecting all over again! (hinting for an invite to Michigan blogger country ... in the spring or summer though!)
Today a neighbor invited me to a Christmas Bazaar and oh my gosh I'm in the mood. The Canby fairgrounds organized amazing vignettes with lots of room to simply gaze and dream. It was well attended but not overly crowded. Lots of homemade items (my favorite) and prices were very affordable.
You've probably heard about the new fad that replaces the "Behavior Chart" my Mom used during December. Elf on a shelf. Parents move an elf (who is often mischievous) and he/she keeps an eye on the children. Braeden really "gets" it this year. He named his elf Dora (last year ... watched some Dora the Explorer, I think). I figure Gramma needs an elf to help her remind him to mind his p's and q's ...
Meet David!
Are you going back to Maui after the holidays? That would be nice especially if you're going to sell the place soon.
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas bazaars are in full force around here. I may go to three on Saturday if the weather isn't too bad. I can't believe how fast the holidays are approaching!
Yes, my current plan is over to Maui Dec 31 ... return in May!
DeleteI'm taking myself to another one tomorrow morning. This year I can really enjoy the magic of Christmas with the little men.
I never quite got the Elf on a Shelf concept, but you explained it real well. Do the kids ever take the Elf and stuff him somewhere he can't see them? I probably would have been the child that did that, so I'm wondering.
ReplyDeleteAh ha ha ha, Judy! I think she hides him at night, after they go to bed. Stay tuned ....
DeleteI like your Elf on a Shelf. I've heard of him, but I've never gotten one for the grandkids. They don't live locally and don't get here until a couple of days before Christmas, but it's a cute idea and your grands will remember it.
ReplyDeleteThe story about your ornaments is a heartbreaker. Once my husband took my brand new garden shoes to Goodwill with a bunch of other things. Every year, when spring rolls around and he puts his garden shoes on that the kids gave him, I try to suppress the memory.
Yeh, I cry over that special box a lot. But it's just things. I've got the memories ...
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