All is merry and bright at the rabbit patch. There is a Christmas tree by the farmhouse window -and at long last-full of shining lights. Today, I hope to wrap presents and add the ornaments I have collected from places like Miss Alethias’ Christmas shop in Bath. Each year, for a long time, I buy five ornaments, representing my children. Today, the humble tree will proudly bear witness to that habit. I will hang the snowflakes and remember that Jenny loved them best, when she was five. The five little birds, are there because my grandmother loved birds- and on and on I will go, til the last ones are hung.
The kitchen table will not have room for even a sandwich today. It will be littered with scissors, tape and ribbons, instead. I expect “Moon Shine”, previously known as “the wild kitten”, will be in the midst of the scrap paper. Rest assured, he will only see the tree through the old french door, if I can help it. Moon Shine is curious and playful and apt to reap havoc. I am sure that the red glass ornaments, Kyle picked out would erase all of our efforts to make him a civilized cat.
I find that people either love to wrap gifts or detest it immensely-of course I love it. I take great pains to find just the right paper and ribbons. This year, I am only using red and white in various forms. Bags are a last resort, no matter how pretty they are. There is something magical about the minute it takes to unwrap a present. Whatever paper is left-and I buy accordingly- will be used to wrap Brants’ presents as he has the habit of coming in Christmas Eve with a satchel of unwrapped presents, in a state of panic. I smile, because my Brant is home-and I just happen to have the kitchen table cleared .
While, I am wrapping presents, I will have an old Christmas movie on. I strongly prefer the old black and white movies. The themes are so much more tender. Today, it will be “Little Women” and maybe “It Happened on 5th Avenue”, if time allows. I will drink coffee out of a fancy piece of Christmas China. It is “Winter Greetings” by Lenox and so very expensive. I bought this piece on clearance and will look for another piece this year-in January. When there is a sufficient amount of presents wrapped, I will call Christian to place them under the tree. He is an artist in every sense and will place them in a pleasing order. It will be a lovely sight when all is said and done.
Before the baking day and before the pine boughs are brought in, there is today- when the tree is decorated and stories are told- and when ribbons are tied on pretty boxes full of Christmas secrets. At the rabbit patch today, truly, all is merry and bright.
I smiled about your Brant. I have my Luke who is the same way. Perhaps, once he has a wife he will come with his presents wrapped. I will miss that panic, I think, when he comes rushing in the door with boxes and bags and asks where he can wrap them so no one sees.
Love the idea of purchasing new ornaments every year to represent the kids. I may have to start that tradition!
What a blessing you must be to your family with your instinct for happiness, beauty, and comfort. I know you are a blessing to me. I feel cozy and positive when I read your pieces.
What a beautiful time at the rabbitpatch. I love your traditions of decorating your tree. Would love to share a cup of coffee with you, it always tastes better in fine china!
A beautiful post about Christmas preparations. Making me feel very festive!
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Wishing you a lovely time with your loved ones. 🐱😊
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thank you and the very same to you! What an exciting time for you! I hope your book is doing well and under many trees this year,
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Thank you. 😊
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I smiled about your Brant. I have my Luke who is the same way. Perhaps, once he has a wife he will come with his presents wrapped. I will miss that panic, I think, when he comes rushing in the door with boxes and bags and asks where he can wrap them so no one sees.
Love the idea of purchasing new ornaments every year to represent the kids. I may have to start that tradition!
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I have a feeling that even our kids are alike! thank you so muvh xoxox
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smiling :).
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What a blessing you must be to your family with your instinct for happiness, beauty, and comfort. I know you are a blessing to me. I feel cozy and positive when I read your pieces.
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and your words, bless me. thank you sincerely- I so treasure this comment and all of yours. They are very dear to me.
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Beautiful!
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I feel all festive reading this! (But not festive enough to wrap presents, I hate that job!)
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I would imagine you wrap like a pro! thank you!
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Like a professional boxer still wearing gloves 😂
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What a beautiful time at the rabbitpatch. I love your traditions of decorating your tree. Would love to share a cup of coffee with you, it always tastes better in fine china!
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you are right about china! Wouldn’t it be fun to have coffee! thank you my sweet prairie friend!
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I love that you buy ornaments to represent each of your children! Ornaments that mean something are the best ones, I think.
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It is fun to decorate and tell the stories! thank you!
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Saturday was tree-trimming.
The movie was “Christmas In Connecticut”.
Season’s greetings!
Paz
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