Deck the Halls and Sing the Carols

Guess what?

I have a couple of days off from the day job, so I can get some things done at the house.


Early this morning I turned on some holiday music and lit some candles. After I made some hot mint tea, I opened up the big bright red and green plastic containers that have the holiday decorations in them, and I decorated the tree. Most of those ornaments are handmade, the ones my daughter made when she was a child I sent to her last year, for her own tree decorations.

It made me smile and feel much more holiday-spirited. Then I talked to my daughter on the phone and told her I had put her favorite ornaments on the tree, and it made me think of her.


We had a few holiday routines when she was young. Every year I'd get a new holiday patterned rubber stamp and a roll of white or brown paper, and she decorated all the wrapping paper with stamps, crayons and her beautiful little-girl artwork.

We would spend a couple of days in the kitchen to make lots of different kinds of candies and cookies, and she decorated brown or white paper lunch bags. Then some of each kind of goodie would go into the bags, for her teachers at school.

I wonder if she remembers that?

So I got the tree lit and decorated, and next will be holiday cards. I need to get those made and sent out. I want to make some that double as a holiday ornament.


My daughter and I have had this holiday sled for a long time, each year we'd put fun things inside for the ride. This year I put lots of bears and reindeer, all dressed up in cheery fashions for the season. With a nutcracker and lion looking on from the side.


Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,
In the lane, snow is glistening,
A beautiful sight, I'm happy tonight,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

Off I go to get some things done!