Welcoming The Season

Happy December! It's Friday, almost dark, and I wanted to stop in and say hi before the weekend catches up to me. I hope you are greeting the new season with joy!

As fun as it can be to spend an entire month (or more) gearing up for the big occasion, we know life doesn't stand still for holidays. Christmastime is often a mixed blessing, or even quite difficult for people some years. But it is beginning with excitement for me so far, and I am very grateful.

The shots I took today remind me so much of the few old photos from my childhood taken at Christmas years ago when photography was not the highly developed process that it is now. But then there is always something to remind me of the old days this time of year!

Decorating usually unfolds very gradually for me as we ease into the season. I am never ready for a blogging home tour this early, but thank goodness there are plenty of those to visit!  I am often more focused on my favorite rituals and traditions. And I never get to even half of those! 

I did get around to planting an Amaryllis bulb in a sort of timely fashion though, and just today got some paper whites into a pot.

I know they are not supposed to be crowded too much, but the glass vase I selected only has so much room! Wish me luck!

I picked it because of the tall sides to support the stems, and it is fitted with a wonderful wicker basket. It gives me warm thoughts of the friend who gifted it to me every time I use it. (Ribbons and moss are on their way for a nice display.)

I just found this wonderful pot at Home Depot too, and want to add a little rosemary tree to the gathering.

They come in a couple of different sizes.

It's also time for my favorite Christmas books and movies. We had this old Holly Hobby edition when my kids were small, and it got lost somewhere along the way. A few years ago I ordered another from Amazon. I did the same with an old Lionel Barrymore record of "A Christmas Carol" that my family shared when I was a girl. (Or maybe it was from E-bay!)

The pages are full of nostalgic drawings.

The old-fashioned world it evokes has never left my heart, and so I try to invite as much of that feeling as I can into every Christmas celebration.

Even the smallest tree always seems to fill this room!

We recently went to see the new Dickens movie "The Man Who Invented Christmas." It was a wonderful launch to the season! I had to dig out my collection of various editions of that beloved story, 

including the one I have with the original illustrations. The movie covers the events leading to how Dickens came to write his inspiring story. Just one of so many films to enjoy during December!

Just trying to keep everything homey, simple. . . ,

. . . and relaxed, like Yo Yo the family cat!

So many good times to come! 

I hope there's a wonderful weekend ahead for you!

Jacqueline

Join me at

French Country Cottage~Feathered Nest Friday

Little Farmstead~Sundays At Home

Between Naps on the Porch~Metamorphosis Monday