Just bumping this up to the season.
We came from: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1380722/
Your Neck of the Woods part 14
We toured the White House last Thursday and really enjoyed the sights, and the scent was wonderful. We were erroneously told "No Cameras" , so ours remained on the bus. (Bah-Humbug)
Here's a link to the HGTV pics posted online:http://www.hgtv.com/shows/white-house-christmas-2014/christmas-at-the-white-house--2014-pictures Enjoy
Thanks Ric!!
There was a frosty fog out when I woke up, here. Yesterday's low 50s with no wind and some sun was darn nice, for December.
We were lucky to have a couple of hours of sun. Last nights weather man said we have had 23 days without a mostly sunny day. Looks like we're headed for 24. I'm starting to feel trapped.
so I am NOT crazy, it really HAS been a gloomy few weeks
I stayed home from work today because I have a horrible cold. Stomach has been upset too. I decided to confront the gloomy weather and go to the grocery store. There was hardly anything left in the pantry or the freezer and I really needed some comfort food. What a mistake - it started to pour when I had to load and unload the groceries from the car. I am soaked through - not the wisest thing to do with a cold. I'm running a steaming hot bath now and will crawl in bed and get the vaporizer going for an afternoon nap.
Oh, Terri... next time you're in that situation, stay in bed and CALL ME instead! I can deliver comfort food.
Jim is down with a bug today, so he's upstairs napping. I'm trying to catch up on cleaning, decluttering, and gift wrapping, not to mention gluing up a bunch of glass plate flower stacks sitting on the dining table! Joyanna was out most of last week, much better Friday & Saturday, then crashed Sunday with a high fever. Antibiotics did the trick for her, and she's back in school today.
I'm not pushing... would rather feel well than have the house all decked out for the holidays! We have our tree up and decorated and some other goodies around, so it looks plenty festive. We switched to a much easier artificial tree, and I don't miss the real one as much as I'd thought I would... I did hang a diffuser of balsam oil in the branches, LOL.
Quick offer... I'm putting an order in to Hazzard's Seeds tonight... Anybody want something? They have big packets, so you'd probably have extra to split with somebody or share at the swap. No shipping charge if you tell me to toss something into my cart. :-)
Slowly getting things ready for Christmas. Josh came yesterday and put up the tree. Neither Ric or I could have done it alone, or felt up to doing it. The tree is huge. I think the lights will get put on tonight or tomorrow. Then the decorating will start. We are running a bit late, too. But we will get there. Mostly all the shopping is done, a trip with oldest daughter tomorrow night should finish up that part of it.
Hoping you are feeling better after your nap, Aspenhill. And hoping you don't come down with IT, critter.
We have a little tree that I just placed in a garbage bag after last year. Left the decorations on it. It's perfect for us. Little white lights, red cardinals and a few baby socks dyed in tea with hand sewn decorations on them. And a cranberry garland draped around it.
I almost forgot about a grandy's choral concert last night. Glad I went on Facebook when I did, cuzi I saw my DIL's reminder to people. I ran out the door and had five minutes to spare. Whew!!! There were 80 second and third graders involved.
I babysat Thomas again today. He is such a cutie even when he doesn't feel that well. We'll have a few of them this weekend, cuz their daddy is flying to CA on Thursday to perform a wedding ceremony in Sacramento. He'll fly the red eye back on Saturday night.
Right about now a little tree that you can take out of a bag and set right up sounds good. LOL
We're getting close to 22 December, yay!!! This weekend, the sun came out for a few minutes now and then, but it was mostly a big pain because when it came out, I had to take off my jacket and then put it on again when it went behind a cloud.
Aspen, I hope you're getting back to normal.
Terri, hope you feel better soon!
I once visited the Christmas tree outside the White House but I've never toured the inside.
I wish we'd gotten a smaller tree that would fit in a garbage bag! I'm afraid our tree is still in the basement...
Terri, we could have made a grocery run for you today. We even have some tomato soup on hand in the pantry. The heavy rain caught us, too, when we were out. Totally yucky day.
That nap did wonders. I'm feeling much better now.
I think storing a Christmas tree completely decorated is one of the best ideas ever. Critter and I are thinking along the same lines too - I never thought I'd want an artificial tree over a real one, but these days it is the direction that I'm leaning.
Winter solstice and the shortest day of the year will soon be behind us YAY. Each day will have just a few more minutes of daylight. Shoot, spring is just around the corner... yeah right LOL.
Pat, LOL it was tomato soup for the comfort factor and ice cream for the sore throat that I was after. Wonder if I will ever get over my craving for tomato soup. Nine months and still as strong a craving for it as ever. I also got the fixings to make a pot of chicken and dumplings, but I've napped right through prep time needed for that and will have to make that tomorrow.
Ric--
I wanted to see all the pictures of the White House--but there was NOWHERE
to click on ?next"....Nada!
Tell me how to progress with watching the pictures.
Thanks. Gita
Hey people, get healthy and stay healthy, that's all I got to say to ya... getting over a cold myself.
Last year we got a Charlie Brown type tree from the woods, courtesy of the DSs. If we get snow before Xmas they want to do it again. It made a great picture, the two boys just back, cold and wet but victorious.
Well, I was up for transfer from part time to full time, but it is on hold due to budget. Just wish I hadn't already told my other PT job that I would not be back after Xmas break. Thank heavens for cute kids at the library and nice people. I better be sure and get my articles done!
Sally, maybe the full time will come through soon. Maybe your next article can be about topiary he he he.
When I was growing up, we always went to a little farm that was in the neighborhood to cut our tree. Poor farm, crazy suburbia had taken over and surrounded it. I think my love of country goes way, way back. Anyway, they had a field of white pine trees that they would let people come cut. They weren't a tree farm and the trees had never been shaped, so they were all Charlie Brown trees. We would drag ours home on a wagon. White pines aren't the best choice for holding ornaments and such either. As an adult though, it was years and years before I let Mike talk me in to getting a more suitable tree - Douglas Fir, Frazier Fir, Blue Spruce...
Whew! I 'm glad you don't think my tree is cheesy. I DO love a fresh tree though and the smell, if I smell it at all. I guess I just remember the smell.
One year when I was growing up my dad cut a big sassafras branch and we wrapped all of it in white cotton and hung red balls on it. It was different!
Woooo hoooo, We have sun today, at least so far. I may even get to clean a few beds.
Teri, I hope you feel better soon.
I have considered not having a tree, a pool, a garden, but only on the bad days. I usually love the holidays, but this year I'm a bit indifferent to the whole thing. A bit of good cheer would go good about now.
This sunshine surely will help!
Our day has still been 60% cloudy...perhaps tomorrow will be sunnier.
For Ric
Tracking
Sent two gift packages to kids in Vermont
One went to New Jersey,
The other did not.
One made four stops, the other five.
Yet both at 10:56 did arrive!
Great poem, coleup! I'm glad their gifts arrived.
Movie marathon time here
Million Dollar Arm and Jersey Boys both really good. Million Dollar Arm would be a great family choice. Jersey Boys, not so much only because the kids have never heard of those songs. But Mark and I had fun with them!
We watched something else too but it was so 'meh' that I can't recall what it was.
I watched Avatar-with all the HOW-IT-was made added.
LOVE--LOVE that movie....The producer implied that this may become
a 4 film series. Can't wait!
That is why i am still up at midnight. Hitting the sack NOW!
G.
Never did see that movie.
The other one we watched was something Moonlight, a Woody Allen movie with Colin Firth and Emma Stone. Just OK.
Sally--
You need to hunker down one night and watch it. it is awesome....
Fantasy land--the scenery is magical--and all those "people" so life-like.
It is also a subtle love story. Runs about2-1/2 hrs.
Last night--they also included the "how-it-was-mad" and how they got
all the moves right. Just rent it. G.
Next time Mark goes out of town.
Our son picks some interesting documentaries (Netflix) . There is one about Siberian men going out on the taiga for six months of winter, to trap fur animals. It's a lifestyle I thought went away in the 1800s.
Anyone sing a long with Sound of Music last night? Did you knw that the von Trappe Family moved to America and settled in Vermont! Hey, maybe some day I'll be their neighbor.
Hope your days are filled with your favorite things!
That would be a wonderful thing to be their neighbor, coleup.
We had our Christmas program last night with the kids' choir and the adult choir. Very nice. I must say, our 10 yr old grandy, Henry, kept himself together after missing a line. He teared up, but hung in there and eventually joined them in singing again. This was HUGE for him. He is on the autistic spectrum and even for him to sing a solo is a huge step. I was very touched.
Jan, that sounds wonderful! How courageous of him. :)
Coleup, I caught a couple of songs between some last-minute preparation/gift wrapping and sang along! One of my favorite movies from my childhood.
Climb Every Mountain is a favorite of mine and has summoned much 'inner gumption' over the years. Sounds like Henery is on the journey to his dreams too.
From a site called Climbing Every Mountain, a base camp for parents and caregivers of people with disabilities, a story
http://climbingeverymountain.com/
"There’s No Santa
Aaron and Tommy got off the school bus and our world changed.
Tommy walked in the front door, threw his backpack in the corner and announced “There’s no Santa Claus.” Apparently, Billy and Josh minced no words on the bus ride home. And, they were third graders who knew these things.
Aaron, my son with the label of autism, went straight to the refridge.
But what is a mother to do?
I got Aaron settled with a snack and his music and then sat next to Tommy on the couch. We both were facing the Christmas tree and feeling pretty glum when he crawled into my lap. That action alone choked me with tears. Tommy was seven years old and seldom let me hold him on my lap any more–yet another reminder my baby was growing up.
His happy world was just turned upside-down.
Like all parents, I knew this moment would come. And, I wanted to send coal to Billy and Josh for ruining the fun.
I knew this was one of those rite-of-passages, a transformational moment in his young life–but darn. It seemed just yesterday he was three and running down the steps on Christmas morning, diving into the presents from Santa–darn, darn.
For a long time, we watched the reflection of the lights on the tree ornaments and didn’t say anything.
It was a treasured moment but I was desperately trying to think of how to keep the magic. How could I patch up the hole of a Santa that no longer was real?
Sure we’ve had some close calls, i.e. St. Nick and the Batman socks. But this time, there was no going back.
Tommy finally started talking and asked some questions. He said he had suspicions because the whole Santa-goes-around-the-world-in-one-night is a little hard to believe. But, but, but.
There were the things he said: “So there’s no Easter Bunny, or Tooth Fairy…?” “Was God real?”
And the things he didn’t say: “Did all adults lie, trick kids and play games with them?” “Who could he now trust?”
I tried to put myself into his world and think of ways he might understand. My explanation that Santa was a make-believe superhero bombed. Later, I could talk about Jesus and the gifts of the Magi, but that seemed abstract for the current moment.
Changing Roles
I’m not sure what inspired me, but as Tommy sat in my arms with his chin on his chest, I suggested Santa was a tradition about giving.
“The Santa tradition” was a fun way for everyone to be an actor in a giant real life magic play. It didn’t matter your age, it was about finding someone who needed cheering up, or needed help and giving it to them.
I told him little kids didn’t understand this, but big kids like him, now got to be part of the fun by becoming a Secret Santa to others. This seemed to make sense to Tommy.
Okay, who could we surprise? Who needed some Christmas cheer?
Tommy’s grandparents had just separated after a long and unhappy marriage. Grandpa had moved into a basement apartment in a not-so-great neighborhood and told the family, “This year I’m keeping it simple and not putting up a Christmas tree.”
So that minute, Tommy started to plan a Christmas makeover for Grandpa’s apartment. Tommy decided to become a Secret Santa.
Secret Santa
For the next few days, Tommy spent every minute making decorations, planning how to sneak into Grandpa’s apartment, going shopping for supplies and a small tree….
He decided we needed cookies and put me and Aaron to work.
Age-Appropriate
Aaron was nine years old. If Tommy (two years younger) no longer believed in Santa, then it was no longer age-appropriate for Aaron to believe in Santa either. Tommy was always my measure of “normalization” for Aaron.
I know some parents who, when they are told their child has severe intellectual disabilities or Down syndrome or…console themselves, “Well, at least they will always believe in Santa Claus.”
I know parents, special needs charity groups, care providers and teachers who take adults with disabilities to sit on Santa’s lap at the mall. In groups. UGH!
I know some adults with disabilities who have flat-out refused to go saying it embarrassed them. I know others who do it just to please others. I know some adults with disabilities who just haven’t had the guidance to know better.
The RULE for age-appropriate and normalization is: “Would a person without a disability do this?” “Will this activity add or subtract to a person’s positive image in the community?”
In this case, an adult with a disability sitting on Santa’s lap in the mall makes them seem like an “eternal child” not an adult who will live and work as a contributing member to the community.
This is a difficult concept for a lot of people. But this was the right move for Aaron and our family.
Grandpa’s Surprise
On Christmas Eve Tommy, Aaron, Tom and I got the key to Grandpa’s apartment and put on our red Santa hats. In under an hour, we decorated the tree, put holiday towels in the bathroom and kitchen, added colorful plants and pillows to his living room and his favorite snacks in the fridge. Tommy posted his drawings all over the apartment with a note next to a plate of sugar cookies:
Dear Al,
I heard you were a good boy this year.
Happy Christmas.
Love,
Secret Santa
Tommy glowed as he locked Grandpa’s door. As we got into the sleigh (er, car) we giggled, reviewed our Christmas caper, sang carols and drove out of sight.
When we stopped for burgers and fries (even Secret Santas have to eat) Tommy decided to continue wearing his Santa hat. Aaron–not so much. But my babes had transformed.
There was still Santa and giving and Christmas. But they were no longer the “Babes in Toyland.”
From now on, Mom’s IEP for the holidays would have to include our new roles as Secret Santas.
Over the next years, more innocence would be lost. There would be new lessons and transformations–but that is all part of growing and learning. It is all part of the magic of being a child. Being a parent. And, all part of the Santa Tradition."
excellent story coleup, thanks for posting it.
Talking about amazing things......this kind of fits...
Listen to this 6 year old sing!
Beautiful child.
Listen to this presentation by a 6 year old Hong Kong girl:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10203438311151901&set=vb.1636358788&type=2&theater
May the Christmas "Spirit 'rise you up as well".
Merry Christmas to you all. Won't be posting for the next 3 days. off to NJ.
Gita
Beautiful Gita!
"“The Santa tradition” is a fun way for everyone to be an actor in a giant real life magic play. It doesn’t matter your age, it's about finding someone who needs cheering up, or needs help and giving it to them! (Some times in the form of a seed or a plant or a cutting!)
Thanks for being one of the best representatives of 'the Santa tradition' I know. Enjoy taking in some of the gifts out there for you this season. Never asked, Do you sing?
Awesome story, coleup!!!!!
Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!!
Counting down the hour now until I leave work for the day and the long holiday weekend. The place is deserted, and I'm just waiting on the guy I car pool with to call to let me know when he can leave. Wishing all of you the happiest of holidays and great celebrations with family and friends whatever and wherever that may be. My family celebrates Christmas Eve, so I will be going to my parent's house tonight with my brother and two sisters, their spouses, and nieces/nephews.
Lookie, Lookie what I came home with today. Courtney's mother got this but couldn't keep it as her father is allergic to the Pine that is in the arrangement. She sent it to Courtney's house, but it is highly scented and it was just too much for her. So she gave it to me. Lucky, Lucky me.
That is pretty. I don't think I would have ever thought to put lilies with Christmas greens. It does make a nice arrangement. It is funny how some people love the strong fragrance of lilies, lilacs, roses, and such and other people find it overpowering. Myself, I like it.