Christmas in Thirteen Days

Tamara is the most Christmas-ful person I know. I came home one day and our home was tastefully overflowing with wreaths and lights and stockings and the smell of pine. Here's our Christmas tree:

Which is about the happiest Christmas tree that I've ever seen.

I've never really been a holiday person, but a startling transformation took place this year. I think I absorbed Tamara's transcendent joy about the holidays. I'm now excited about Christmas.

I've resolved to browse around the web each day until Christmas and find the happiest, funniest blog posts about Christmas that I can. It's my geeky way of being festive.

So the first post I highlight belongs to my friend, Annette, in her Christmas Q & A. She says, in question #5:

5. When do you put your decorations up?
Around Thanksgiving. By "around" I mean at the earliest possible time after Halloween.

Tags: christmas
by Brett Rogers, 12/12/2007 10:57:39 PM
Permalink

See it is always a woman's touch to make the holidays nice. How often do you see men go to these lengths (unless the last name is Griswald)?

With that said my children have given me an ultimatum. Put up the tree this weekend or it is coal for me for Christmas. Words spoken just 5 minutes ago after seeing your tree on my computer.

Nothing like a snow day for the kids on my first day of vacation. I'm feeling quite "Grinch" like today. It's time to go launch some snowballs. :)

Posted by Pale Rider, 12/13/2007 10:17:52 AM

I love the word "Christmas-ful". What's the favorite ornament on that lovely tree?

Posted by Bella, 12/13/2007 10:33:52 AM

I vote no coal for you, PR. So get to it, boy! In fact, I'll bet that Bella can decorate a good tree. Have her help you :)

My favorite ornament... I have two.

The first is one that Tamara gave me last year, a blue thing about midway down on the right side. That's special to me because Tamara's presence in my life has helped me to see new wonders, be it "The King and I" or the importance of presentation or the extraordinary warmth of the holidays.

The second one is a simple word: "Believe." You can see it about 11:00 to the ornament that Tamara gave me. That wraps up so many right things about life. We believe in ourselves, each other, goodness, family and friends, miracles... and Santa. Every time I see that I smile. It's such a good message.

Posted by Brett Rogers (http://www.beatcanvas.com), 12/13/2007 10:46:07 AM

I do decorate a great tree...mine is all animals (save for a couple of sentimental favorites). And my favorite decoration is Walt the cat who likes to sit under it like it's actually a real tree.

PR, it's the frickin' weekend before Christmas! Okay, the second weekend before Christmas...I don't count the 22nd and 23rd because they may as well be Christmas at my house. Don't make me go all Cindy Lou Who on your a**! Get busy!

I may just have to start a blog, so Brett will share my tale of Christmas candymaking from last year. A caution to all: Velveeta and fudge...bad idea. :-)

Posted by Bella, 12/13/2007 11:50:46 AM

Actually, both of you need to get a your own blog... consider it your Christmas present to me :)

Posted by Brett Rogers (http://www.beatcanvas.com), 12/13/2007 12:10:15 PM

I agree with Bella, Christmasful is a great word! Thanks for the mention on your blog. I love love love the holiday! I think I like it more as an adult. It's not magical because of Santa like when I was a kid but it's magical because I seek out ways to make it so.

Tamara is Christmasful and wonderful to bring out your holiday spirit! I hope this Christmas is your best one yet!!!

Posted by Annette (dmartinigirl.blogspot.com), 12/13/2007 12:15:53 PM

After being pummeled with snowballs, I pulled out the box holding the old tree and as it fell apart I made the executive decision that it was time for a new one. So off to Lowe's we went. Since the snow is falling we'll be spending the afternoon putting it up. Although I was tempted to wait as I kind of like the idea of Bella going "Cindy Lou Who" on me! :)

With this storm dumping a foot and a bigger storm coming this weekend I think we'll be having a white Christmas!

Ummm Bella. Velveeta and fudge???????? One question, did Brett eat it? LOL!

Posted by Pale Rider, 12/13/2007 1:29:47 PM

Nope - I didn't eat the fudge, but I look like I did!

Good for you for getting a new tree - coal avoided. And you and Cindy Lou Who should woo anew a Yuletide crew to do a mood in festive bloom that grooves your brood into holler and hoot - if you choose - but make it soon!

Posted by Brett Rogers (http://www.beatcanvas.com), 12/13/2007 2:47:54 PM

Too funny! You do have a way with words. And Cindy Lou Who has a standing invitation to help decorate the tree. Just no velveeta and fudge treats. :)

One tree decorated with NO help from the dog. Collie's are very good at trying to remove ornaments from the tree.

Now to fire up the snowblower before the next storm. We are past the "It's beginning to look like Christmas" stage. After Sunday, we may not see grass until March. I love it.

Even funnier. My spam prevention question for this post is "What do you call that white stuff that falls from the sky in winter?"

Posted by Pale Rider, 12/14/2007 10:29:29 AM