You don’t have much time right now.
You have too much time right now.
You can’t think of what to do next, the choices being: sew the quilt on the wall together, work on the just-started appliqué project, make some biscotti because the last batch failed because you were paying attention to singing along with the Christmas music and forgot to add the rest of the flour (we are eating them anyway), or just sit and stare out the window in hopes that you can will the rainstorm you see on the horizon to come over here.
You know all too well what to do next, the choices being everything above, plus, some grocery shopping tomorrow at Costco where you are trying in vain to find a fresh, approximately 13 lb. turkey for Christmas because for some reason you feel very British this month, what with The Crown, and thinking about your heritage now that your Dad looks like he is on the precipice of the Wild Night and the New Road back to Mom. Yes, way back I hail from the British Isles and pretty much – or so I’ve been told — they have a turkey for Christmas. Unfortunately I live in America and we have turkey in November and a variety of Other Things for Christmas. I just want turkey, but will have to settle for a whole chicken to roast, come next week.
All your children are coming to spend time with you.
None of your children are coming to spend time with you.
You have no children, nor close by family, but instead will take yourself to see Boys in the Boat for a really feel-good movie to help pass the day. If this is the case, get yourself down to See’s chocolate (or your version of a good candy store) and buy a whole pound of your favorite chocolates and smuggle them into the movie theater because – oh my — we need them at just these moments to savor a bit of joy.
You are tired of sewing and just want to sit and watch The Crown. They have waaaaay more problems than you or I, and besides that, you can work on your appliqué.
But instead you write this bit of well-intentioned blatherskite because in spite of too much to do, or not enough to do, it is still Christmas.
It still good to make Merry Merry, even if you don’t feel like it, because sometimes — just sometimes — acting “as if” can then become the real. I sincerely and happily wish you all the merry-merry you can find.
Thanks for being such great readers, and writers, and friends, and friendly quilters. I appreciate you all–
P. S. Jolly Old St. Nicholas is a favorite Christmas quilt.
P. P. S. I have Evergreen, EverLife on the bed down the hall. I love waking up underneath that quilt!
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Fun seeing your quilt evolve.
And you’ve expressed well how we really don’t know what’s next, even though we’ve experienced umpteen Christmas seasons. Thanks for reminding me to savor the mystery. And Merry Christmas!
Merry merry Christmas! I am feeling the same! Just finished The indifferent Stars Above – same author as the boys in the boat. I enjoy a Christmas Day movie, going back to the time we saw Love Story on Christmas Day in a blizzard. Girding my loins for one last trip to Costco. X
You write so well, so beautifully, interesting 🤔. Love the fat Santa quilt. I hope you find your fresh turkey 🦃 and I also love the Crown 👑. Hugs to you 😻
Sometimes it’s simply enough to do nothing. Sit with a cup of tea and read fiction just for fun. Do a jigsaw puzzle just because. Listen to music and sip some wine. All those things will still be there. It will be a Merry Christmas no matter if the food is perfect or the projects are done. Welcome Him in and just be still.
Yes…
Exactly! It’s been rather crazy this year. You have my sympathy for that Costco trip. Your Santa quilt looks so cute. Sorry to read about your dad. I reckon that is contributing to some of those feelings you are experiencing. Merry Christmas.
Indeed. As my friend David Reynolds says, “Behavior wags the tail of feelings.” So Merry Christmas whether you initially feel like it or not!
Exactly. Merry bipolar Christmas, seesawing back and forth between doing and sitting staring off into the distance, my preferred way of thinking. You are cheer and bustle and deep thoughts. Love the quilts. Love you.
Dear Elizabeth, I am sorry to hear that your father is ‘failing’. What a difficult time for you. Thank you for sharing your life with us. As Anne (Springleaf Studios) implied- find the joy in the small things and don’t feel guilty about it! Merry Christmas and much love.
Merry Christmas to you too! I loved reading your post, and shared it with a friend who is visiting today! 🙂 Hugs, Helen
Ho Ho Ho
What a fun post! I love your santa and especially your Christmas Quilt – it is just fabulous.
Thanks for continuing to blog!
Merry Merry Christmas to you and yours. You have captured all the tugs and love of the season!
I wish you a Merry Merry as well! God Bless.
Challenging news about your father. I hope you find balance and serenity in other facets of life.
Ceci
The big Santa above the garage certainly made me smile, your fabulous Santa quilt certainly made me smile, thank you for those smiles! I know I have seen the Santa quilt made up before but I don’t remember the house border, was that your addition?
I am sorry to hear of your Fathers failing health but I gather that the thought he will be joining your Mom again makes the thought of this transition just a tiny bit easier.
Wishing you a peaceful and love filled holiday, so happy to share just a tiny bit of your world through your wonderful words and pictures. Many blessings on you and your family.
This is the most merry merry spirit I have felt in *years*, and many years past I didn’t even make much of an attempt. I hope you continue to do the things that bring you joy and that a bit of merry merry finds its way in.
I had to come back to talk turkey with you. Here in Australia, we grew up eating roast chicken at Christmas. We were not rich and this was a luxury. As the country and our lifestyles improved Christmas became more lavish. Now a traditional Christmas lunch consists of turkey, ham and pork, if you can afford it. Often the turkey is just the breast, but roasted and served hot with the pork, ham, lots of roast potatoes, pumpkin and maybe parsnips, green vegetables such as beans, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and cheese sauce, etc, cranberry sauce for the turkey and apple saucy for the pork. This would be considered a traditional Christmas dinner for Australians. But as we have become more multicultural cold lunch on a hot Summer’s day has become popular too. Sorry to hijack your lovely blog post!
Thanks for featuring your wonderful Santa quilt – new to me since I hadn’t discovered your blog back when you made it. I love it! 2023 was a challenging year with many ups as well as very tough downs for many of us and I don’t expect much different in 2024. Our challenge is to find joy and pleasure and peace wherever and whenever we can while cherishing each day. Thanks for your blog and I wish you and your family a lovely holiday and a good year ahead!
How entertaining to read through your holiday dithers… I can relate. A little. I’m the one not seeing children or grandchildren, having no family in, not needing to shop or cook (nor decorate for that matter). Sewing and quilting are on my mind. Life goes on. I am definitely remembering the reason for this season, though. Merry Christmas, my friend!
Many excellent insights, not the least of which is the one about smuggling See’s chocolates into the movie.