Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Corners of My Home: It's A WRAP!! That's Christmas!






We're down to the "Christmas rush"...those last few days, when we're squeezing in everything extra along with the everyday routines and chores and responsibilities.


We wonder how it will all ever get done. 


Somehow it does.  And we sleep a little in between all those lists.






We may have to re prioritize our time and eliminate some things we really thought we should do, but now cannot do.






This, too, for moms, is one of "those Christmas things"... we recognize that niggling panicked feeling.  


SO much to do, SO little time!








But sometimes, we're so intent on the goal that we miss the scenery on the way by.







Like the excited face of a child...looking at the lights on the tree or dreaming of a toy they want.  We remember back to our own childhood how thrilling it was when the lights came on and that meant Christmas was coming soon.  What a feeling!  May it always be so for our children and theirs.






But when we're no longer children, and we are the ones making Christmas happen in our homes...it may take a little more to get the feeling we remember.









It might mean that we must take notice of the Christmas tree lights reflecting on the window--the way the frost is curling just so around the window to frame it...and we remember that is Christmas, too.






We see the wrapping paper, ribbon, and scraps of paper thrown willy nilly, and remember that, too, is Christmas. 






We see the Salvation Army kettle and hear the kind attendant ringing that bell, and that, too is one of the sounds of Christmas that we have heard for our whole lives--if we just stop to notice...






We walk through the grocery store, and notice that the customers are talking just a little more animatedly and have a more excited sound in their voices, and that, too is part of this wonderful season.












The heavenly scent of those tangerines you walked by, the mixed nuts ready to scoop up and take home, all remind you of the scents of your Christmas stocking when you were knee-high to a grasshopper ...






Greetings between friends and acquaintances are just a little more warm, a little more sincere this time of year than any other.  That is Christmas!







It's all combined to make a warm, wonderful, light time of celebration.







And as long as we have our family, we're fine.  That's all we need.







And somehow, on the day we celebrate, we feel it all come together.  And it's all just fine--no matter what may be left undone.






The greeting cards in the mailbox, peppermint, the eggnog, the ham, the sugar cookies, the cute ornaments and decorations your kids made through the years; it all just gently urges us to get us to that ...






Wonderful feeling of CHRISTMAS.



Merry Christmas to you and yours.
See you on the other side of New Year's!

XOXO
Joni

6 comments:

Unknown said...

G'day Joni ~ It has been a while since I was over. I apologize.

What lovely thoughts & shares today. Your home is beautiful ... ready for the birthday celebration again this year for Him.

Love all your wonderful quotes ... all the right 'color'. Chuckle!

Have a blessed & joyful Christmas ~
TTFN ~
Marydon

Anonymous said...

Hi Joni. Just wanted to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2012.
Also, thank you for allowing me to be apart of your life thru your blog..i enjoy each and every visit.
Much love, Annxx

Jena Williams, Not So Shabby Interiors said...

Joni,

Your house looks so beautiful and I just love your Christmas style! Thanks for sharing, hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!

Blessing!

Sabrina said...

Love all the vintage pieces and it looks like a place you can kick up your feet for awhile and snuggle.

FHCS said...

Hello there friend!
You are so very right...it always comes together in the end no matter what is left undone, somehow just the way it was supposed to be. I'm happy you put that reminder out there-- to slow down and enjoy it all, it can be so easy when there is so much we think we must get done! I LOVE the corners of your home pictures, your Christmas decor is so warm, festive and cozy. I really enjoyed the story you left for me about your daughter coming home for Christmas...it was so sweet and touching, I can't imagine what a delight it was for your heart that Christmas! We will have to have a FB chat or two over the winter break, when life slows down a bit! Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family, I wish you all the happiness and joys of the season!
XO, Dee

Kathie Truitt said...

I love your definition of Christmas. You could have been describing Northern Virginia - the ONLY time of year people become a bit nicer to one another. I love the ornament with your house painted on it. Did you paint it?

I am hoping that in 2012 we finally get to meet in person.