Never Too Old: Christmas Stockings

Too old for a stocking? Never.

Apples, Oranges, Candy, and Nuts…(www.pittypatter-pitterpatter.blogspot.com). Not so much the nuts, but the other items were staples in my stocking- with a gi-normous candy cane!

What’s this “stocking stuffer” propaganda encouraging me to fill a stocking with $50 cologne, keys to a Land Rover, and an IPhone 5?

Mother and Daddy would bring us our stockings, first thing! No getting out of bed on Christmas Morning! That’s the rule. Stockings started the festivities and provided a hint of jubilation to follow.  

I did the same for my sons, but they’re men now, and that’s rather creepy. Besides that, they roll their eyes. But, no Scrooge here, they’ll have a stocking on Christmas morning.

This year, the stockings will be hanging, but on the tree, not above the fireplace. Apples and Candy and always Batteries, because they are “not included.”

Problem is, as the recipients have grown, the stockings have not. They are the same ones as always, matching mine from the 1950’s. They tell me that Green goes well with Red on Christmas. How Boring. Stockings should be a creative delight!

My Christmas wish for you: Go forth and stuff stockings-Forever!

Merry Christmas to All and to all, a Good Night!

The Occupying Army Has Moved Out and I Miss Them

      For a wonderful Christmas week, we have had the pleasure of being occupied by our family.  They visited with robust joy; they ate with celebratory vigor; they gifted with generous spirit, and were recipients with grace, charm, and grateful hearts. 

        What an absolute pleasure to watch 18 mo. Aubrey explore the hallway to her bedroom with toddler speed. Soon we’d recognize that where there was quiet, immediate investigation was required! She was more into ripping paper, pulling colored tissue from gift bags, and trying to grab her mama’s cell phone!  Zach was a very polite teenage guest, laughing along with everyone when we gave him a coupon for $10 off a Barbie Doll as a “gotcha gift!” Renee’ and Cheryl’s families’ conversations are lively and I’m glad they are “on my side.” I would not want these two plotting against me!
             When Marvin’s family drove away to their homes, we filled up the gas tank the next morning and drove over to Hwy 22 off I-40 at Lexington, TN, meeting Maureen and Richard to bring him in for Christmas.  At the same time, David and Colby were headed to us from Memphis. By 6PM, we were all gathered for Christmas Eve supper and a rousing game of Mexican Dominoes!  Marvin always wins, regardless of what position at the table he occupies.  He also keeps score.  Hmmmmm.
            Christmas Day was a delight! We did not awake at dawn-thirty but we were glad we had lots of batteries!  David acted as Santa for the Day.  Wow!  What a celebration of Joyful Giving. The gifts I was expecting to arrive had been delivered USPS at the n-th hour on Christmas Eve, so I was relieved. Everybody was so excited about their Christmas gifts.  It was quite simply:  Awesome! Christmas Night we watched the approaching snow storm as we began work on a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle, set out on the dining room table.

Richard got the DriveOut Tag for his truck and motored on to Memphis by 2PM with the highways being deemed “in good shape” after our 10” Blizzard in Clay County.  Memphis only had a dusting – 1” so his drive there to spend time with David and meet up again with Maureen was just fine.
         
We missed Maureen being with us, since she was with her family in Nashville.  Marvin’s son and family have a moved to Houston, TX, in a new job with a wonderful opportunity. 
                          Other than that, this Christmas ranks toward the TOP for being occupied by family, an experience I will always treasure.

 

December: Join in the Celebration!

Christmas Festivities –The 12 days of Christmas in Rector, AR- 2012!
     On the FIRST DAY, someone will OD during the NIGHT OF CHOCOLATE, a salute to the excessive indulgence in chocolate.  Night of Chocolate is a celebratory dinner theatre event with a plethora of chocolate desserts, inspiration of the Clay County Arts Council. Even if an excessive amount of chocolate consumption and a chocolate fountain suggest otherwise, please, no partridges! 

      On the next DAYS of CHRISTMAS, I’ll avoid Doves and Hens, Geese and Swans. But, it’s GOOD LUCK to have a BIRD and a NEST in your Tree. The wreath for the front door is a creation of ribbon, netting and ornaments, featuring browns, golds, pine cones, a couple of flashy, whispy-tailed gold accent birdies, plus a splash of turquoise. About 50 lights give the design a golden glow, spectacular with the brick colors of the house.
     Soon, Ladies and Lords will dance and leap during the Rector Christmas Parade and Festival of Lights Extravaganza. Floats, bands, and beauty queens will promenade brightly down Main Street. The festive event concludes at the Community Center with a party featuring desserts, entertainment, and an opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap!

     On the Golden Days of Christmas, I’ll salute WHITE GOLD!  The formal tree occupies a corner at the den entrance.  It will feature natural fiber cotton bolls (White Gold), along with 2 Christmas Cotton decorative stems I bought at Charlene’s. I do love that tree, decorated in cream, brown, green, white, and of course, a turquoise touch.  The Traditional Family Christmas tree reminds me of stockings and mice napping, and lovely days of cookies and milk for Santa. That tree will be in the downstairs den by the fireplace where my sons would expect it.
     Pipers and Drummers will declare Deck Wars (version 2.0).  Let the fun continue. My offering was a weak second compared to my neighbor’s gargantuan red lighted bow that can be seen “for miles.” I’ll have to try harder this year.
     Finally, the Maid(s) will be cleaning!  Alas, the only Maid in my house is ME.

The theme for Christmas Weekend and Christmas Eve is “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965). Linus speaks to Charlie Brown who is “depressed,” lamenting the commercialism of Christmas.  Linus reads from Luke (KJV): “I bring you good tidings of great joy! For unto us is born this day….a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”  That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown!  Marvin’s children and grandchildren will celebrate with us on Christmas Weekend and my children will be arriving Christmas Eve! Let Us Never Forget: Christ is the Reason we Celebrate.