Grey skies are enhancing this Sunday in my part of the world in SMALLTOWN america in KansasLAND. I've been working toward catching up on facing another cold day of winter-like weather. TODAY has been very slow paced as I stayed in my flannel plaid HOUSECOAT all day long. Slow slow mo.
Day two of CHRISTMAS CHEER involved displaying the Nativity Scene with Holy music playing on the stereo. Dear Lord, Thank you for my LIFE in this HOME with my Husband in our new location in this antique house in a small town nestled in the Flint Hills.
I asked my Hubby if he would like to go back in time with me? He asked, "What do you mean?" I said slowing down and living differently....not fast paced, but slower like it was a hundred years ago. Can this be done??? Slowing down, yes.
I think we as a modern day society have advanced so far ahead in many areas in comparison to the past with our technology in this wild world including all the sophisticated industries also medical miracles available. Computerized everything and thoughts of selfishness on social media with instant gratification. Killing video games and slutty selfies with attitude. We've sped up on a fast track where I can no longer tolerate with the swift changes molesting healthy morals and good Christian people. So I must PAUSE and take a deep breath facing a turn in lifestyle that I can manifest with God's help. Selective choices.
I've admired old historical houses for years and given much thought as to how others must have lived. Wealthy or poor with uncommon middle ground. There's only so much romanticizing one can do before being completely out of touch with reality. A taste of nostalgia can be helpful. Calming. I like it and will continue to like it's warmth and welcoming feel.
Slowing down to smell the coffee as it brews, look at old houses while walking the neighborhood sidewalks, slow cooked meals, daydreaming in slow motion, taking time to read and pray.
Yesterday I did a few loads of laundry at the mat then drove around in the car watching huge snowflakes float downwards through the streaming headlights of my car. A simple pleasure.
Slowly drove through the well lit City Park with CHRISTMAS lights and huge manmade snowflakes hanging from mature trees. It is one of my favorite things to do in this small town at CHRISTMAS time. Drive through the Park at night when it is well lit is a very simple pleasure for sure. My soul goes ahh with contentment. We took another grand tour through some neighborhoods to gawk at the decorated homes. I believe I will do this quite a few times each week until after CHRISTMAS onto Epiphany, January 6th.
A Christmas tablecloth with a holly berries 'n red ribbon print was washed and dried so when I got HOME I could cover the Dining room table. My continuation for Christmas CHEER.
I removed the Autumn table runner and replaced it with a red velvet one to drape over the antique walnut chest in the Dining room that holds dining items. Rearranging the Blue Willow chop platters about the tiffany lamp is part of getting ready for more CHRISTMAS decorating. The Nativity Scene will rest on the longer buffet. Waiting for it to make its way upstairs from a basement I seldom visit.
Hubby worked on rearranging the Living room area rugs beside one another. A little bit of work getting two matching rugs butted up together in the long and narrow room. They are significantly bulky and heavy. Think I pulled a neck muscle scooting the rolled up area rug that was upstairs into a position to slide it down the stairs to the living room. Trying to be helpful. Furniture was shuffled back into place after the rugs were repositioned in our HOME place. LOVELY.
As I sit in the light blue velvet wing chair with my feet up on the ottoman, I can type on my laptop computer some posts for my blog. The room is quiet this time of day and I need quiet. Quiet.
We have been eating in our Dining room at a actual table. This sounds odd because with the room all messed up we haven't been using it as a dining room at all but as a storage unit for holding furniture as the work was being done elsewhere in the house. Back to being civilized. It is satisfying to have the Living room and the Dining room arranged in such a way that they are actual functioning rooms once again. These rooms along with the Kitchen have been messed up nearly 3 months. OUR CHRISTMAS GIFT to ourselves is this!!! PRAISE God from whom all blessings flow.
The stereo is hooked up this afternoon with CHRISTMAS Carols playing. Lovely ambience. Christmas is in the air. Peace out. Away In The Manger. A favorite. Hubby is bringing up the Nativity Scene. Finally I can gaze upon the many pieces as I place them on the buffet. Putting the Nativity scenes out is one of my favorite parts of decorating for CHRISTMAS while CHRISTMAS music is playing in the air.
I remember when we lived in Omaha with the children still in elementary school when I had the bright idea to make an evening event with the family decorating the CHRISTMAS tree while CHRISTMAS music was playing. I had thought it would be like a good home movie for the family event as we harmoniously decorated the tree all together one big HAPPY family. Awe the disaster that struck which burst my unrealistic acrylic bubble of imagination. This occurrence was painful.
The kids were not into harmoniously decorating our family CHRISTMAS TREE as one big family. There was way too much whining and moaning. I suppose I should have had a sit on the sofa moment and instruct them on how to properly behave as we decorated, but I cannot remember how this all played out. It wasn't even the perfect storm. It was a heart shrinking moment. My fantasy went sour. It faded into the archives.
I should have been more like Donna Reed's character Mary in the movie It's A Wonderful Life. Mary was such a sweet character as she longed to marry George, fix up an old haunted mansion, have babies and live her LIFE out in Bedford Falls, NY. After she married and had babies with George he has a streak of bad luck which weighs heavily on him to where he is so irritated he took his displeasure out on his children. Beautiful and loving Mary asked, "George, why must you punish the children?"
The movie has a happy ending with an uplifting message. I could watch this classic over and over.
"Buffalo gal won't you come out tonight, come out tonight, come out tonight. Buffalo gal won't you come out tonight aaannnnnd dance by the light of the moon." If you've seen this famous movie enough times you'll know what I'm talking about. Amen.
My daughter picked up the pieces and when all my Grandchildren were at her small cottage along time ago once upon a time....she had these littles decorate the Christmas tree. I sat back and watched this modern day miracle take place. What an accomplishment to behold.
~A very sweet memory to possess.~
~Sweet Memories~
There's a stack of hard cover books piled up by the french doors waiting to be gone through so I can decide which to shelf and which to ditch. This has been an ongoing chore that I have drug my feet on. The Christmas tree will be set up there in their place as the day progresses slowly into the sunset.
I came across an old cookbook and etiquette book from this pile. Am going to have to share some of the info in this book on this blog. Made me smile. Trying to place all my cookbooks on the Kitchen countertop in a grouping for convenience. Poof. Will it materialize? Slowly goes it.
Trying to muster up the energy to go take a late afternoon shower so I can wash and curl me hair. I have a Monday eye appointment in which I need to be clean and presentable for. I had better shave my legs for this. ha.
Day two Christmas Cheer progresses and all the best to you out there in blogland.
Love to all,
d
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