Thursday, November 3, 2016

A Little Holiday Thinking

 In this photo you can see that Timothy isn't a full grown cat yet.  He's so sweet.  In our earlier busy-family years we had dogs and cats.  When you have many pets it's harder to appreciate how adorable they are, isn't it?  Yes,  I am having fun spoiling this striped wonder.  
 All the lovely trick or treaters enjoyed dressing up.  James went to his other granny's house and participated in a parade (with cotton candy!)  Kelli brought her three pumpkins over and proceeded to carve all three before dinner.  
It was fun!  The weather was mild and the girls' endurance for door belling was moderate so nobody came home with too much sugar. 
I'm a bit obsessed with my current knitting project.  It's like painting with lots of  colors and hence -  VERY FUN! 

 This one isn't a yarn destroyer, so that's good! 
 We had a sleepover last week.  FUN!

 Ooops!  More wool color!
 It doesn't LOOK like cold weather is coming, does it?  I forget that when it DOES come I'll begin dreaming of spring.  Silly. 
 I was riding the exercise bike the other day and Timothy was confused.  He hopped up on the treadmill to investigate.  

The nasturtiums that planted themselves are in full gorgeousness.  Most of the stalks and stems in other locations around the garden are gone, but the round-leafed friend keeps coming.  

On November 1st I had a case of "that holiday feeling".  I thought about baking and decorating, music and good cheer.  I guess I was ready to move on from Halloween.  November 2nd wasn't quite the same.  I knit and knit and didn't feel the urge at all to begin the holiday journey.  Funny.  I do know that it's important to strike while the iron is hot.  When the inspiration comes I know it's good to act on it, so if Plum Cake and I go to Sam's Club today, we are going to buy the funny Whoville tree I saw there last time we shopped there.  Another thing I plan to do this year is to sew a Santa curtain.  My friend Reve gave me some darling Santa fabric a few years back.  
And Advent.  I'm going to start thinking creatively about what our Advent season will look like.  
I love Thanksgiving, too.  This year we'll have two families in the morning for brunch (it's Samantha's birthday, too) but we'll not do the big feast.  Bill doesn't like turkey so after ten + years of busy feast preparation, I might join Bill and grill a steak instead.  It's okay!  My mom and dad went golfing and ate hotdogs one year and enjoyed themselves! 

I want to quietly celebrate my Savior in a personal way.  I might light candles in my office as I study Romans.  I will listen to joyful Christmas music when we walk at the mall.  I might go out shopping in pursuit of bells.  Do you love bells?  My friend MK at Through a Glass Darkly and Red Robin Farm knows how to play the bell choir bells.  Lovely.
I shall offer hot chocolate to grand visitors, too. I found some chocolate almond milk that tastes creamy and good.
I might get a nut bowl.  Isn't nut cracking and nut eating VERY traditional?  I think so.  I won't make a fruit cake (tried one year and it was pretty awful) but banana and pumpkin bread will suffice.
I might go to the mall during the day when it isn't crowded and have a coffee, maybe seek out the earthy and innocent expressions of this holy time of year, not the expensive shiny stuff.  I wonder what I'll find.  
Greens and candles.  That's what my mom loves best in the whole decorating game.  Candy canes and cinnamon.  Oranges and gingerbread.  I guess this November day holds holiday verve! 
Thank you for coming by.  I wish I could offer you a mug of hot chocolate and a cookie.

30 comments:

Summer said...

So much goodness♥

Jennifer Hays said...

I was just telling my kids the other day that I really like to celebrate one holiday at a time, while keeping the next one in mind and starting to plan and look forward enough to be just a little excited, but not racing through one holiday to get to the next one. Does that make sense? I think the conversation started because we have a radio station that starts playing Christmas music 24-7 on the day after Halloween, all the way to Christmas Day. They wanted to listen to it but I had to say no, we're going to give it a little more time and look forward to Thanksgiving first! :)

Beca said...

I usually procrastinate bringing out the tubs and tubs full of Christmas decorations. When my kids were younger they would look forward to putting out the tree and trimmings but now that they are older they don't make a fuss about it and neither do I. A couple of years ago we went without putting up the tree and that was nice too. A little simplicity was a nice change. A mug of hot chocolate and a cookie sounds really good. :)
xx Beca

happyone said...

Love all the colorful yarn.
Your ideas for the holidays sound wonderful.

Anonymous said...

We pulled out our old nut bowl from Dear's mother's stash. We will for sure fill it with nuts to crack. Maybe I'll get it on the counter Thanksgiving week and keep it loaded till New Years. Looks like you all had some sweet Halloween enjoyment. Glad you are enjoying your new kitty. We've had gloomy skies but now the sun is shining nicely so I better get out there and do the last of the leaf clean up!!

Elizabethd said...

It's all too soon! Our department stores re full of decorations, Christmas 'music' and other things. I like to wait a bit.

Kezzie said...

I'd love the cup of hot chocolate you are offering. It is 18.23 at night and I'm suddenly aware that all I've eaten since I woke up was 1 bread muffin and a half bowl of beef stock with about 3pieces of beef on it and my stomach is rumbling like anything! Timothy is such a joy. Yes, now I don't have cats, I appreciate them so much. When I was younger, we owned numerous cats amd other marsupials!

Cat Lover said...

What a lovely post. You even got me thinking about the holidays. I remember my parent's always had a bowl of nuts on the coffee table at Christmas time. I have gone for a more simpler Christmas look these last few years. Appreciate what you have!

Deb said...

I've been thinking of Christmas, too, now that our Thanksgiving is over. I won't put anything up, though, until December. I wonder what shenanigans Mr. Timothy will get into this Christmas? Best to tie down the tree. :) Love your knitting photos. Whatever it is it sure is colourful. Deb

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Great post and yes, I wish I could have a cup of hot chocolate right now, sounds good.

Your kitty is so cute and he looks like he is a lot of fun.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Mary

GretchenJoanna said...

I feel that you did offer me cocoa and cookies. And the festive and loving spirit that goes with them. Thank you, Pom Pom! It makes me happy to be in on your Christmas Thinking.

Julie said...

Hello Pom Pom .. I Love your posts ... thank you for the thought of hot chocolate & a cookie. It is still decidedly chilly here. I am still in winter clothes. Timothy is adorable .. I know I say this everytime but he IS. He will probably always be a lap sitter as my Pippi still is. I too am thinking deeply about the festive season. I think you should cook a steak & enjoy it if thats what you fancy. Have a lovely weekend dear friend x x x

Gumbo Lily said...

I always love seeing all of your "everyday" things and the littles that come and go from Granny's house. Your varicolored knitting looks fun. Watercolor knitting is a great description! And that Timothy!

I'm planning my Advent time too. I bought all my kids and me an Advent devotional book called The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp. I like her thoughts and I'm excited to give the "gift of Advent" to my kids and their families. I hope they enjoy it. I'm looking forward to it myself. Lighting candles for me too. And I've discovered the "flameless candles" which will be nice for this woman who sometimes forgets about her candles. ~grin~ They will be a nice addition to my Advent Light. I hope you share your ideas with us.

You made me laugh when I read about the "Thanksgiving Feast" and deciding to go with having a good steak with Bill. Tom doesn't like turkey either so we always fix something besides the turkey. He'd love a Thanksgiving Steak or Prime Rib!

God bless you, dear friend. ~Jody

TexWisGirl said...

adorable girls. :) love your sweet baby boy.

Happy@Home said...

It is looking very colorful at your place, Pom Pom.
I like the thought you are putting into the Christmas season. It will be here before we know it.

Granny Marigold said...

I think many of us are moving towards a simpler celebration for Christmas. I'm thankful our Canadian Thanksgiving is in October. It does give us a space before we start thinking of Christmas.
Timothy is adorable but I'm also wondering what he'll make of the decorated tree or should I say what he'll DO to it. We used to have a hinged section of picket fence that we put around our tree to keep toddlers away from temptation. Maybe it would work for curious kittens too. Take care, dear PomPom

Elderberry-Rob said...

interesting thoughts and plans, I think many of us are moving away from the so called traditional Christmas. We don't buy presents at all and have had some fabulous beach holidays over the last few years (instead of a Summer break). With 50 days to go before Christmas our shops are stuffed with tinsel and tacky junk, families feel under so much pressure to buy 'stuff' and I am so glad we feel removed from it all :D I DO like a bit of green and candles, calm atmosphere, time to meditate and contemplate though. This year our tree is going in the garden with outdoor lights (less clutter, maximum viewing potential!)

Mary Lou said...

My nasturiums are blooming like crazy. In Minnesota in November!

Farm Girl said...

I always love your posts because they make me think deeply about what is important and what is not. I love that your parents went golfing and had hot dogs. In fact that makes me chuckle.
I wish I had your ideas for making things feel homey and nice.
I hope you have a lovely day.

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

I feel like I've had a delightful conversation with you, as you have shared about the tidbits of your life, but I declare, that sweet Timothy tickles my heart every time, he is just so cute! I loved your nasturtiums growing and flowering, how joyful! Always a joy to visit with you :)

sweetbriardreams said...

Well, now that our Guy Fawkes night is coming to a close, the next holiday is Christmas so as much as I don't want to start too early, there really isn't any excuse now. Especially as the Christmas adverts are now in full swing. Have a wonderful weekend x

Kit said...

I love all your goings on. So much life and love. I too have been thinking about the holidays. We are keeping it very simple and easy. I can feel my creative juices flowing. :) Have a great weekend. Kit

Kim said...

Wish oh wish I could sit with you, with perhaps Timothy on my lap and enjoy a mug of hot chocolate and a cookie, pondering about all things, life. Love all that colourful wooliness.

ann said...

Oh, I do like the colorful knitting. Kitty is just so cute. I've forgotten, is he visiting or a keeper? I'd say he is a keeper. I am not yet in the holiday mood; I wonder if it has something to do with our weather? The girls are all going to their inlays this year, so we may be on our own and that is okay with me. Hot dogs or grilled steak both sound appealing. We don't need all that rich food anymore anyway. On a side note, the little dollhouse shop near you is closing in March. Makes me very sad, so I will certainly be making a trip down perhaps before Christmas, certainly after. We should get together. Enjoy your week.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Karen, Timothy is adorable! There's nothing I like better than lounging about on a brisk day with a kitty in my lap! I hope you won't give up on fruitcake just yet -- next Thursday I'm posting my own recipe that my mother and I developed together decades ago.

Lisa Richards said...

I like the idea of a Whoville tree and all of the earthy and simple things that bring out holiday feelings.
I love the bright colors in your knitting project! What will it be?
I ran into my neighbor lady in the hallway today and she was telling me how she made sweaters for her family members. I guess I know where to go for knitting help!
May you deeply enjoy this Christmas season and your new traditions...steak! :)

Marcie said...

Good morning, friend. I hope your November is going beautifully! I have read this post a few times. Can't remember if I commented and too lazy to check! lol. But, wanted to say I LOVE your sweater of many colors and your holiday musings. Love and good cheer to you and yours!

Attic Clutter said...

Hi Pom..:)
love that sweet Timothy
and the beautiful rug he sits on..
have a wonderful week..
hugs,Patty

M.K. said...

Chocolate almond milk! That sounds wonderful. I like your ideas about celebrating the season with more natural decor and quiet observances - candles and reading. Love your yarn enthusiasm. It's gonna be lovely!

Heather LeFebvre said...

I love all your holiday ideas!!! Also think it is great you are skipping the big Thanksgiving feast (but still getting in celebration with brunch!!!). I'm sure Michael and I will do the same one day.....

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