I'm trying to motivate DH to get the Christmas decorations down from the attic!

It's taking that first step, for me. I don't know when I became such a Christmas-procrastinator! probably some time since there aren't any more children in the house.

But I got the Christmas boxes out the other day and started decorating around the house. It's so much fun! Now that I'm started, I might even make something new and decorative. I'm thinking of making some cookie cutter decorations. I used to do it with the kids, it's so much fun and the next thing ya know, your creative mind is back to when you were a kid too.

OK major achievement of the day is: I got our Christmas cards written. Now to consider a second mortgage to pay for stamps.....

Well, around here things are getting finished up as far as orders go; just like 2 pairs of fingerless mittens and one scarf being done with that stuff. Then starts my own gift making not sure I'll get to everyone on my list but I've got backup gifts stashed just in case.

Decorating so far is just the wreat up that my friend made for me. The rest is still in maybe I'll get time to do it stage.

I guess it's because I don't have children or many guests that keeps me from making a serious effort to decorate the house. I do like the change of decorations though so maybe I'll get to it yet.

We have decided to do minimal decorating, and no tree. A wreath on the door and some lighted ornaments in the yard. A few things inside. Now to get DH away from the TV...

Wreath on the door and lights in the windows are about it so far.....

nothing has happened here....

Sat. was our annual Women's Brunch. It was an amazing day, filled with blessings.
There are about 30 round tables, each seating 8 women. Each table is hosted by an individual that decorates her table in her own unique style. It was such an inspiring site to walk in and see all the tables decorated with such skill and creativity. What a site it was. It is a must to come early so you can walk around the room looking at all the beautifully decorated tables. And don't forget all the laughing, smiling, hugging and visiting.

The day is completely devoted to the women, with the men serving as waiters, chefs and cleaning crew.

Inspiring music was provided by a group of talented women singing and playing guitar, electric violin, keyboard, drums and harmonica. I wish all of you could have been there to share in the fun. It sure gets us all motivated to celebrate Christmas.

I still feel the glow from yesterday.

It snowed a good dump here so one would think that would get me going with the tree and lights.
I did get a lovely traditional red poinsettia. But,---- I had entered a seed swap,-- and the seeds came so I have been researching pepper and tomato varieties. It will be months before I can do anything with the seeds. This week the NARGS seed list comes out so I better get this house
ready for Xmas before I look! Next weekend I am baking with the grandkids while their parents get away for a weekend.

This year, I hosted an annual Christmas potluck lunch and auction of our "Something Purple" group. (We used to be "Red hat", but balked at paying a bunch of money to Red Hat head office for "benefits" that, as Canadians, we wouldn't qualify for). Anyway, we get together in early December (last Friday) for a potluck lunch and then we auction some of our junk off to each other. This year we raised a bit over $300 that will be directed to Ovarian Cancer Research. And, as a result, the entire house has been tidied and decorated.

The rest of the prep has been musical. As a violist, I played in the orchestra for "Come Sing Messiah" on Dec. 2 - an annual community event at which about 700 people bring their own scores and come to be the "choir". The 250 or so spots in the balcony are reserved for audience and the church was packed. Good soloists, the organist and the small orchestra are hired and the whole event is one to remember. That was followed by Vivaldi's "Gloria" with a local community choir on Dec. 9 and a rehearsal on Dec. 7. Also, in the end, another Vivaldi's "Gloria" on the 10th with a different choir - this time, filling in for a friend who had a bicycle accident.

This week the focus will be the church handbell choir I direct which plays on the 16th, 18th, and 20th. For the 16th, it's a luncheon and a smaller group because those who work aren't able to be there. Also means separate repertoire and 3 extra rehearsals this week.

Somewhere in between all of this, I'll get together a Christmas letter (mostly sent electronically these days), tackle all the charitable donation requests I got this year and stuffed into a container (to avoid multiple donations to those who send multiple letters), and do the invitations for the large Epiphany open house we have in early January. (The house is tidy though).

Ann

Lynn, Your Women's Brunch sounds lovely. I love the idea of each table having their own original centerpieces. Yesterday was my Birthday, that is usually when we get our tree up. We did get it up and the lights and garland on. The Grandchildren were here yesterday and we didn't really decorate the tree but I handed out some ornaments that they couldn't break and they had a great time hanging them. I have really just started getting gifts together. I am not much of a Cookie Baker but one of my daughters bakes cookies each year that she gives as gifts. She use to do it with a group of friends but over the years each friend has dropped out for different reasons. So this year I will be her assistant.

Holly. I can almost see and hear you with your grandchildren. What a memory making time for them, decorating with grandma. And a belated Happy Birthday to you.
And more memories made while baking with your daughter.

No grandkids here. No visitors. Ergo, no decorations (except the outdoor string). But I did bake from the end of November to Dec 12. I made up 4 baskets with 12 different cookies, four bar type, divinity and chocolate fudge, two sweet breads, and a cardamom wreath bread. More work in the assembling, wrapping, labeling, etc. My daughter came over and helped with that. Then our traditional trek to the neighbors across the cul de sac for "cookie day". They bake the million dollar choc chip recipe. Then each year have added sugar cookies, fudge. We bring pizza, she sets out munchies. I just watch and DH helps with the baking. There are four couples, two of us having no children (or none at home). It's nice as this is the only special thing we do at Christmas.

I got invited last Saturday to a Christmas cookie exchange. I am not into baking stuff, so I brought store bought cookies but from the Philippines. Earlier that day, I was busy trying to vacuum off and mulching the tons of leaves taking over my sideyard, hoping to find time to put up the Christmas lights there..alas, got too tired, and had to head off to the cookie exchange.

Decorations indoors are up and about, and I am also closely watching my first attempt on forcing bulbs indoors...so far my Amaryllis noid is showing pretty well. Initially I thought it was an Amaryllis Minerva (that's what the box said!) but now it is in bloom, it is not..nevertheless a lovely beauty!

Yesterday, we headed out to Japantown in San Francisco for some more shopping...such a lovely day it was!

So for today, I am hoping to start wrapping, packing, shipping off gifts and Christmas cards!

My Amaryllis noid


Nativity Scene silhouette at our window


Christmas trees I found decorated around Japantown mall





The yummy Christmas cookie exchange...

How fun is that.

Love the Christmas tree with the Origami ornaments.

Hi Lynn, I also went to a similar women's group event in Livermore, CA, last Dec 4, got invited in by my neighbor who is a member of that church. It was a wonderfulevent, with the menfolk serving the ladies and the wonderfully decorated tablescapes around the floor. They had an inspirational guest speaker that night, Ms. Patsy Clairmont and a wonderful spiritual song artist Stefanie Kelly.

Here are some of the amazing tablescapes I saw that night, there were about 89 tables fully decked:

This first photo (table 41) is my neighbor's design, such a very artistic lady!

I love the cupcake tower on table no. 2!
Update here is that the minimal decorating has been done, with a new piece that I picked up at Marshalls this morning.... picture to follow.

Tarev, wonderful photos. Isn't it amazing, the system the men use to keep each tables dishes going to the correct table? I just find the entire event interesting.

I was so upset with myself for forgetting my camera. Our speaker was Janet Snow. What an inspiration she was to all of us attending. She gave us much to think about as women.

I almost left my camera too! At the last minute I remembered to lug it around! Sure glad I did, this was my first time to attend a dinner event with such lovely displays

Here are some more photos: