`No More Relaxing!

Sunday, December 20, 2009



Who am I kidding? The relaxation has to stop!!! I finally got my Christmas tree up yesterday. The house is a mess....I've been reading books, walking and having a great time. Only half of my Christmas cards have been mailed out. I'm in trouble here!!! Are you doing any better?

One of you should have written to me and said..."Alma, have you read the story about the grasshopper who played the fiddle while the ants prepared for the cold weather? The moral of the story may have meaning for you."

Last night I made more cookies....more than anyone really wants to eat....and now I'm faced with some real work that needs to be done before the holidays. So today....my suggestion is run around like crazy and get caught up. Enough of the relaxing stuff!!! I'm in panic mode now. You will have to get all of your ideas from Barb today.

Barb's idea
: If you are a bit behind in decorating like me, think of quick and easy ideas to bring the holiday sparkle to your home. If your Christmas tree isn't up gently throw some Christmas balls and twinkle lights into a clear crystal vase. A china bowl will look great with some fresh fruit and boxwood or evergreen branches.

After listening to Barb's calm voice on the phone I did think of one idea: Go to Goodwill and get some clear vases in an assortment of sizes. Fill them with candy. The variety of colors and flavors is guaranteed to bring a spark of delight from the "children" in your family. (mine are in their 20's now...but they still love the exuberance of this visual treat) Set the filled vases on the table next to your candles. Or you could even fill the vases with 2" of rice and place candles inside of them for a calorie free holiday decoration.

Winners of the contest!

#160 Plume de Chat ...you have won a deer mold
#376 Mama Spark ...you have won a deer mold
#82 Andrea....you have won a Santa mold
#403 Frances Seng....you have won a Santa mold

Please send your address to alma@blackbird-designs.com

Congratulations ladies.

Hope you all get lots done today. (In a stress free way, of course!)

Your neurotic friend,

Alma

52 comments

  1. Oh, Alma, I've met my Christmas sister! I'm sitting here, and still have no tree up! I asked DS (also adult) yesterday, what would you think if there was no big tree - just little trees and other decorations? He said, If that's what you want to do. Ah-ha!

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  2. Don't freak out! I've adopted the theory that every Christmas is different now. Some years there are more decorations brought out than others - and that's OK.

    You might need to shift gears, but don't give up relaxing...and enjoying...and reflecting. It's important, and no one is measuring!

    Merry Christmas!

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  3. Lol, you guys relax from no stitching and no patchwork, and I just bought one of your books to start stitching

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  4. Oh my goodness!!! You are cracking me up with this post!!! Thanks so much for the giggles!

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  5. It always creeps up on us, doesn't it? I don't know how it happens! I even ordered something with 2 day delivery, a last minute present for hubby, and I swore I wasn't going to do that sort of thing this year! I was running around cleaning house today in preparation for my daughter's arrival home from college -- don't ask me when it happened that I actually clean for my daughter coming home, but it's happened! lol! And it's only her sophomore year! Still baking to do, the grocery shopping for Christmas dinner, etc etc. So yes, I'll be running too! Try to enjoy while you're running. :D

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  6. Thank you so much, I can't believe I won the Santa mold!! Yippee!!

    I like how you've been relaxing and enjoying the process...your blog posts have helped me to slow down a little! So you won't get any scolding or advise from me on changing one thing! Life is too short to hurry it up!

    Thank you again for your wonderful blog and for the prize!

    Merry Christmas!

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  7. We're putting our tree up today. I think there's a lot of that going around this year. I like whole coffee beans in the clear container with the candles - and I don't even drink coffee!

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  8. I think I'm a few steps ahead of you as I put up lots of my decorations earlier than usual because I wanted to photograph them for my blog.
    I've also spend a lot of time in the last few days scrubbing my house and baking.
    Merry Christmas

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  9. What is this about more cookies than anyone needs? Surely not!

    I like putting ornaments all over the house in bowls and such...I think there may be more wandering about than on the tree!

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  10. Deep breaths and more deep breaths have been keeping me calm! I could easily use one more week.

    Congrats to the winners - they are beautiful molds! Enjoy!

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  11. Thank you SO much, Alma. You made my weekend!

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  12. Alma, you've just made me feel a whole lot better. I know what you mean exactly. I just spent some time today clearing up and decorating a bit. We decided no tree (yes you can survive with no tree!) again - long story there.

    Anyway, someone has already been saying to me "Don't panic!", so I am passing that onto you too.

    I like the idea with the baubles and the candies.

    ps - at least you've been baking!

    Merry Christmas!

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  13. Oh, Alma! It's the magic of Christmas! Thanks a lot!
    Have a Merry Christmas!

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  14. i am sure i would be right by you with no tree if my sweet daughter had not come to visit and lend a big helping hand to decorating. i always wonder where are the men when it comes to this? i know my hubby and son would say oh well if you don't want to you don't have to. i love my daughter for many many reasons and now it is for all the beautiful decorations i am enjoying early!

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  15. The lucky winners I hope you do wonderful things and post them for us all to see.
    Alma it was my great pleaser to talk to you, about that pattern, I only wish I had more hours to stitch everything in the Joyoux Noel book.
    Simply beautiful patterns.
    Last year we bought a tall skinny tree, its much easier to decorate and much quicker.
    Stay safe.
    Happy Holidays
    Congratulations ladies the molds are beautiful.
    Catherine

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  16. that fable is called
    "La Cigale et la Fourmi" in french by Jean de la Fontaine
    France's answer to Aesop
    All children now the beginning
    "Ayant chanté tout l'été" etc etc

    Gigi in Belgium

    Alma I too donate to homes for mentally retarded children I also have a son like you do

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  17. I also had great fun with vases....pictures in my blog
    http://five-minutes-of-fame.blogspot.com/
    I was not going to buy any more vases but had some rusty color baubles that I purchased on special last year...so went to the $2+ shop and got a round one....then was super bad and got another nice shaped medium one ...and even worse...more baubles.
    But I love the huge tall one that I use for wedding flowers.

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