There is still no snow and it's mild. My neighbours' lawns are green. It is the 14th of December. I went out this morning in my winter coat, my snuggy boots (Sketchers!), my fingerless gloves and my fantabulous Betsey Johnson scarf...and as I walked into Starbucks for my decaf grande Americano, I felt...over dressed. Is it any wonder it is taking some doing for me to feel the Christmas season is here?
We did get a tree...normally we would purchase a Scotch Pine and while that has never been my favourite tree, the others in this house seem to like it. Last year I wanted to get a Balsam Fir but I was out voted. When we went to our usual spot to purchase our tree this weekend...no Scotch Pines left, so yes, we have a beautiful Balsam Fir which still needs to be decorated. Interestingly...I'm beginning to think I'm allergic to Christmas trees...
In order to create the mood of Christmas cheer, I'm traveling back in time ... thinking about the joy and excitement I felt at this time of year when I was a child...this was the first song I learned all the words to sing in the Sunday School pagent at age 4 (where I proceeded to twist my velvet jumper hem as I sang and the more I sang, the higher the skirt rose...exhibitionism in the Church basement...)
and this was the first song I learned all the words to in the school choir at age 6
♥
On Thursday last week I met Beth for coffee at Second Cup and while we talked and laughed and sipped cups of coffee, I put my rocks in a bag and asked her to choose one...
and this is what she chose...
powerful words and they seemed to have some significance for Beth...although I'm wondering how helpful it will be for the parking ticket she received while we were entertaining ourselves (a ticket I did not get and we were parked in the same lot..)
and these delicious shortbread cookies were a gift to me from Beth...these are exactly like the ones my mother made when I was a child and each bite I took transported me to very happy memories. My youngest son liked them as well..he finished off the plateful! Thanks to Beth who has shared this recipe with me. I know what I will be doing later today!
19 comments:
Snow does make the holidays jollier, doesn't it? We always like to have Frasier firs...but last year we had enough of the mess and so we broke down and bought an artificial. Outside of the lack of pine fresh smell and the absent watering can, no one can tell it isn't real. (And that is why I have a pine scentport from Bath & Body works...wonder where I packed that?) We have a frosty white blanket here in WI...brrr....I like the snow...until about January 1 and then it could be done. But that is not the case. Makes me linger a little longer in my memories of Spring, Summer and Fall.
Thanks for sharing!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
I am still thinking we were separated at birth. Another thing we have in common....I ADORE Betsey Johnson!
Today the Commander will be making cookies so I am going to be fat as a mole by the time Santa arrives!
Off for more coffee!
Love you!
LuLu~*xoxo
I can just see little Sherry with her voice and skirt getting higher & higher – the delightful Christmas (mince) tart!
I may have walked my talk a bit too much these past few days – those rocks contain something pretty darn powerful…
As for that shortbread recipe – let me know how long they took to cook (a rhyme!) in the oven – 5? 10? 15 minutes??? Changes every year…
Shall I send you some snow and cold, dear Sherry Lee? It will be minus 10° here tonight, easterly winds to make things worse (somehow, the cold always comes from the east in the winter...) and I couldn't get into my car today, because the door was frozen stuck. Can't you tell I love winter?
Good for you for getting a real tree!
The Celtic version is so beautiful! We mostly use artificial trees here in the desert. Many years ago when I did get a live tree, I could only have it up for one week and lived in fear of it bursting into flames at any given moment. I do miss the scent of them tho.
**blows merry kisses** Deb
Some morning you're going to wake up and that snow will have arrived. Strange to think you're to the middle of December and the grass is still visible! Enjoy your tree, maybe everyone will be converted. Great song choices, memories for so many of us (although I don't remember doing any exhibitionism!!!).
Oh, I get such a thrill when I see one of my rocks on a blog and especially on yours since I know they are out their doing good work ! ;)
Glad you are finding your way through to a Christmas fit for a special chick like you !
Sending big love !
I was out to the post office and got soaked is morning. Not very Christmas-sy but at least we're not dealing with what they have in Muskoka! I'm glad you got the tree of your choice this year. We have a small artificial one and I've got the Balsam Fir scent from Bath and Bodyworks all through the house.
OOOhhh, I can just smell those shortbreads you'll be making. Shortbread cookies are so rich and such a treat this time of year. Enjoy
i simply adore the words on the stones.
how are you?
xo
Oh you had me at fingerless gloves!! :)
I was overdressed today too. You just never know in this country.
Starbucks, mmmm. xoxo
We have snow buit it is raining and I doubt the snow will still be here in the morning. We just got our tree today. Those cookies look like they would be good with my coffee:>)
Ahhh, you mentioned all my favorite things in one post (i.e. Starbucks, Christmas trees, & cookies). Those shortbread cookies look delicious. Hope your holidays are going well!
No kidding...that was also the very first song I learned when I was 3 years old. My twin and I had to sing it in church together. We were so itty bitty...I don't know where the courage came from.
Those cookies look delicious. I'm trying to decide what cookies and candy to make this year and those look like they are worth asking for the recipe!
LOVE the Celtic Woman version of Away in the Manger. Thanks for sharing it, Sherry♥lee.
I enjoyed your story of twisting your skirt up while singing as a little girl.
We're in our first month of summer and it's very hot and humid. A little snow would certainly cool things down ~ :)
Beth is having a string of bad money luck, isn't she? Things must start looking up for her. Love the smell of a real tree in the house. I'm not so up to snuff on what kinds of trees there are, when I was growing up we had one we took out of a box so it is just a delight for me to have a real one.
oh how wonderful to spend time with someone you care about and share your hearts... that feels more like Christmas to me than anything...
as i grow older i really really wish for snow at Christmas... with every year i seem to have less and less motivation for all the stuff of Christmas... decorations, trees, etc... it's so sunny and warm outside... all i can think of is sunshine things... i have never experienced a snowy Christmas and have always dreamed of what it would be like to wake up to a beautiful blanket of snow on Christmas morning...
Seeing that picture of those cookies is making me hungry....lol!
Your memory of the Christmas pageant is so cute. Luv it!
hugs,
Charlie
Thanks for sharing the rocks ... I sure think that is a wonderful idea ... to leave them for others to find.
Well, if you love snow for Christmas, you really should be here. DC is getting hit with an early White Christmas! I just wish it meant that I would get to stay home, but I think that will just be wishful thinking!
Hoping your holiday is happy!
Betty
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