It’s time to finish all the food shopping and start all the cooking for Christmas Eve so I’ll be a little busy. I want to take this moment to wish you a very Merry Christmas with this throwback to Christmas 2020. Have a safe and healthy holiday!
My First Awesome Trip to a Longwood Christmas
I’ve been to Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania a number of times, but I never got to go to the gardens at night to see all the Christmas lights. I finally got to go see the lights this past Monday and it was absolutely amazing! It turns out that the theme this year was fire and ice and it was demonstrated through the use of reds and golds versus whites and blues. One of the most fascinating things we saw was how the staff had lit an immense tree all in green. It was located quite a distance away and was highly visibly across a meadow. We wondered why it was the only thing lit up until we got into another section and realized that the tree was visible in the backdrop of another collection of lights! It looked like it was a part of the collection even though it was quite a distance away.
If you get a chance, I highly recommend you make a night of it and go visit the gardens to see the lights. We did the entire walk around the grounds and through the conservatory in about two hours or so.
Happy First Day of December
Wishing you all a Happy First Day of December. Also wishing those who celebrate a very Happy Hanukkah. I don’t know about you, but I’ve started decorating for Christmas. I just want to get into that holiday spirit early and keep it going for as long as I can. I’m sharing some photos of that decorating with you and would love to see your decorations if you’ve already started!
#WisdomWednesday – The more things change…
The more they stay the same? It’s already been a different Thanksgiving and now it’s going to be a very different Christmas. Unlike Christmas’s of the past, we won’t have all our family with us in person, but I know they will be with us in spirit. We’re in a smaller home so the massive Christmas village I normally put together has been pared down and adapted to deal with our new space. So different, but the same in some ways. Today I’m sharing some photos of the new Christmas village which is now spread out across the one floor of our new place. What do you think?
#FunFriday – Christmas Decorating Ideas
I love getting the house ready for Christmas! It’s the one time of year I really go all out with garlands at various windows and along the staircase, the Christmas village, lights outside, the tree and of course, the table for Christmas Eve. I must confess the table is a two person operation as my husband has it down to a science as to where the china and crystal are stored and how to lay out enough spots for all the friends and family that are attending. Once he gets the basic layout done, I come in and do the decorating.
We usually have three tables and I try to do something different on each one. The fun part is mixing in new with old family favorites, like my husband’s Lionel train set, gifts from friends who know I love Christmas, or handmade items my daughter or mother had made. Of course, everything around the house has color. No monochrome displays or just white lights. Sorry. It may be “elegant” but it’s just not for me!
Just in case you need a little Christmas decorating inspiration, here are some links to some fun sites for you to check out!
- For those with a country flair: http://bit.ly/2zXEqoN
- Tap your inner Martha Stewart: https://www.marthastewart.com/274574/christmas-decorating-ideas
- Want to try out different colors for Christmas? https://www.bhg.com/christmas/indoor-decorating/christmas-color-schemes/
- How about a little Southern, y’all? https://www.southernliving.com/food/holidays-occasions/christmas-decorating-ideas
- Or are you feeling a little wacky this year? https://yhoo.it/2zVxnwM
FYI – this photo is of one of our Christmas Eve dining room tables!
#FunFriday – A little Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas Eve Sarajevo
Happy Friday! How about some Trans-Siberian Orchestra Christmas Eve Sarajevo? I love this song and it always pumps me up for the holidays! If you can’t see the video below, you can cut and paste this link: https://youtu.be/MHioIlbnS_A
#ThrowbackThursday Goodbye Lord & Taylor
Since 1914, Lord & Taylor has had its flagship store on New York City’s Fifth Avenue. Sadly it was announced earlier this year that the current owner, Canadian company Hudson’s Bay Co., has sold the lovely landmark building to WeWork (other locations will remain open). For years the Lord & Taylor Christmas windows were the highlight of my family’s holiday outing to New York City. The demise of this location hits hard because of that and because it reminds me of another venerable retail institution which was shuttered and which was like part of my family – B. Altman’s. My dad worked at Altman’s for over twenty years and I worked there as well to pay for high school and college expenses. I actually based the store in ONE SUMMER NIGHT on Altman’s which is still so dear to my heart.
So today’s Throwback Thursday is an homage to the Lord & Taylor Christmas windows. Thank you for so many wonderful years and memories. You will be missed.
FYI – Hudson’s Bay also owns Saks Fifth Avenue. Wonder if that location will be the next with a “For Sale” sign?