For years, I have bought flannel-backed, vinyl tablecloths with the changing of the seasons. I won't pay a lot for these, and many times, I get them for a buck at the end of each season and use them the next year. So, I'm fashionably late and very fancy, in a sense, ha ha.
Frankly, I tend to look for tacky ones, the ones that make me feel like it's a bit of a throwback to the 1970s, particularly when it comes to spring and summer. I do love a cheap, white vinyl tablecloth splattered with bright yellow lemons for summer. You can almost smell the 1970s when you look at it.
I digress. It's December 7th, so this unveiling is the Christmas vinyl (not the Bing Crosby-type vinyl, although I do have some of that). Ta-da! The pictures are crooked, I'm no photographer, but you get the idea. On December 26th, this vinyl will go away and be replaced by a navy vinyl covered in white snowflakes for winter. The vinyl pictured below has 20 days to live up to they hype of the holiday.
This year's Christmas card, pictured below, is an Ollies' bargain, very sweet and actually has the word "Christmas" inside. I won't pay more than a dollar or two for a box of cards, and this was a big box for less than $2. I don't actually mail out cards. These will be used for family and friends nearby and for workmates.
I used to mail out cards, but I'm sorry to say, that tradition ended long ago. While it does make life easier to not bother, it also removes an element of the season that used to be a real thing with many people before technology kept everyone connected on a much tighter rope. Remember long-distance calling plans? Now it's just easier to do the all-inclusive plan for cell phones because you know you're going to use a ton of data and make tons of non-local calls. In the end, the trade-off is good, though, particularly if you love your family and want to talk to them often.
We finally got the outside Christmas decorations put up in the back part of our property this past weekend. Just a few pictures below to help me remember what we did next year in case I want to repeat. Obviously, I'm not great at taking a picture that isn't crooked, but this is just for the sake of chronicling, so that's okay! With the number of lights, we are straight-up lit!
Smokehouse door, garage, front of smokehouse, the tree in front of the smokehouse that my dad made us, 150 feet of red and white checked bunting through the apple trees, two pictures of Georgie just because, peppermint stick ice cream just because, and the side of the smokehouse, which still needs a little something extra, not sure. We also put a wreath with a bright red bow on the gate of the fenced-in area.. I just forgot to take a picture.
The front porch needs done, as well, but I think that this year, I'm going to do it in winter decorations instead. I have several wreaths left that we did not use in the back area of the property. I think I'm going to do some bows for the leftover wreaths in winter blues and whites to match our navy porch ceiling so that I don't have to take those down until March 1st. It's just easier.
Geriatric kitty Georgie wanted to say hello. Hi, baby girl.
This has been breakfast more than once. Darn you, Publix, and your addictive peppermint stick ice cream. Please, stop making it. Those of us with zero self control are dying out here. I've switched over to their rum raisin ice cream this week. Just as addictive. Sometimes, I sit and think about ice cream.
I'll be spending my lunch hour seeking winter ribbon for those front-porch wreaths. Wish me luck, my concern is that I'll only be able to find Easter or spring ribbon, ha ha. I mean, let's face it, consumerism doesn't often let us enjoy the current moment. We have to rush on to the next one.😒
On a final note, today is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. On this day in 1941, the United States' World War II destiny was born with the killing of 2,403 Americans on the attack at Pearl Harbor. Sometimes, no matter how peaceful we want to be, there are days that we just have to stand up and fight for what is right and to seek justice and to protect freedom.
In 1941, one of those days came along, and the history of the United States was forever changed. Enjoy the gift of freedom as much as possible. That gift comes with the dearest of prices, paid for by people we have never met. I pray for blessings on their future generations, that they may know and continue to know freedom and love and peace. Love to you on this 7th day in December. I'll be checking in with Santa soon to see who all is on the naughty list!
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