A ruth on the door

For a complete Christmas, I have some "must haves." OK, not really, but I sort of notice if they're missing.

Handel's Messiah
Some version of A Christmas Carol
Snoball cookies
Mulling spices
A nativity set
A tree in the corner, a wreath on the door. (Little Gabby called it a "ruth." "Can we put the ruth on the door?")
Candles of some sort--most options work


I like the extras--the Christmas cards, the neighbor gifts, the constant holly-jolly music, people in snowman- motif sweaters, UPS trucks, lights on houses, fireplaces blazing, the Herdmans, Christmas food on Christmas dishes, children singing "picture a stable in Judea...," poinsettias-- everyone trying to come up with something they think befits the occasion.

So what makes Christmas Christmasy for anyone else?

Love, Mom

Book Club

Christmas dinner party here tomorrow night with the Book Club ladies and their husbands. We're planning on crown roast of pork. For the book feature, everyone is bringing a children's Christmas book.

Let It Snow

Snow fell on all the little trees on our hillside.


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Velveteen Rabbit

Dorothy Thompson gave me this.

Is this true?

It's Christmastime so I'm feeling nostalgic and waxing philosophical. A friend of ours claims the generations each have their guiding creed:
The grandparents asked, "Are we doing what's right?"
The parents asked, "Are we getting ahead?"
The new generation asks, "Are we having fun?"

O Tannenbaum

Here's our tree--or trees. Our fake tree was too narrow so we added a little sidekick to keep it company. I really like the gold angel hair. It's best with a bright overhead light in order to show it off well--so Roger put one in.



















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Party Hearty

Well, the party's over. We had close to 50 people coming and going. Served soups with lovely rolls and a beautiful veggie tray. Several people brought cookies/desserts. Roger in his red sweater offered wassail (Williams-Sonoma cider thanks to Jordan and Paul) as people arrived. Today I'm tired. I mean, really tired. This post is the closest I'm coming to work. Love, Mom

1940's Ho Ho Ho

Christmas, 1946 and 1949.

A code in by head

I'm sick. Your average cold would be on its way out by now, but not this one. I'm drinking hot citrus, taking pills, using Kleenex by the box, and waiting. I don't mind being sick now and then because it gives me permission to sit around and read and watch TV, but we have a big Christmas party at our house on Thursday and I really, really need to deck the halls.