Friday, December 18, 2020

'Twas the week before Christmas...

...and all through the house, not a creature was stirring...


Because it's 2020 and we're all home by our lonesomes spending too much time on the couch. 

That's okay though. To quote another favorite Christmas rhyme, '....it comes without ribbons, it comes without tags, it comes without packages, boxes, or your whole entire extended family in the house...'  

Something like that anyway. 

Time is so strange this year. What isn't I guess, but I can't believe we celebrate Christmas just one week from today. The month of May felt like it lasted 347 days but wasn't it just September yesterday? 

So are you ready? I'm mostly ready. Tracking package deliveries online like a mad woman, but kudos to the US mail, UPS, Fed Ex, Amazon, and anyone else managing the overload of boxes, bags, and envelopes happening currently. We're getting deliveries at six in the morning and nine o'clock at night too. 

My house is decorated, but my dining room table isn't quite set and I'm hoping to get to that this weekend. I've been wrapping presents in there, but whoohoo! I think all my gifts are finally wrapped with the exception of one or two still set to arrive. 

Do you still send Christmas cards? I love them, both the giving and receiving, and checking the mailbox every day in December makes me happy. I told hubs I know we're getting older because we've received a lot more traditional cards this year as opposed to photo cards. 

Maybe the stupid you know what has something to do with that. Travel, family vacations, and gatherings of any sort were at a minimum, hence not as many photo ops. I really hope people don't stop sending cards altogether. Yes they're pricey and a bit of work to put together, but they are such a day brightener for the receiver. 

In other Christmas-y news, I might need one of those 'workplace incident' signs for my kitchen...'it's been 12 hours since a Christmas cookie was eaten ...'  I'm not the only one am I? 

Hubs and I have watched most of our favorite Christmas movies and did you know Home Alone is 30 years old? 30! I think it holds up remarkably well in terms of humor and the sweetness of that last little scene with the neighbor still tugs at my heart.  

Speaking of neighbors, we have brand new neighbors next door who we've bonded with over the fallen tree. They spend a lot of time in Florida and somehow in the course of conversation hubs mentioned how much we love stone crabs. 

Fast forward to yesterday when we opened our front door to this-

An enormous box of fresh stone crab packed on ice straight from Joe's Stone Crab in Miami. Merry Christmas from the new neighbors...

Shouldn't we be the ones sending them something? Rest assured we picked every last one of these crab claws clean and they were delicious. 

Unexpected thoughtfulness is such an absolute treat and the world needs more of it. 


Christmas is coming and that's good news. The very best news in fact. It may be minus a few of the usual bells and whistles we all look forward to, but the baby in the manger never needed that anyway. 

Wishing you all a holly jolly hope-filled weekend! 

12 comments:

  1. I so look forward to reading your posts, Joyce! You write so well and express life in a way that we/I can relate to. You home looks festive, the crabs look delicious, and I love that you have a mantle full of stockings!! Happy 4th Sunday of Advent, and Merry Christmas is coming! xo

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  2. Your card was lovely and I soooo appreciated receiving it. I’ll get back with it next Cmas. I seem to skip every other year in recent years. Your decorations are lovely. Love the wreaths on the cabinet door. Blessings abundant this Cmas season!

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  3. I so enjoyed reading this. I do miss blogging! Yes, Christmas will be different this year, but praise God it comes all the same. Lovely decorations! Merry Christmas to you and your family! 🎄🥰

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  4. Aw, what sweet neighbors! I too love getting Christmas cards and every time I think I might not make/send nearly as many I do think I just can't cut anyone off my list since it really isn't THAT expensive and it really is an easy way to brighten someone's holiday season.

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  5. Beautiful home, beautiful post, beautiful lady (and hubby)! Merry Christmas 🎄

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  6. Your decorations are lovely!
    I may be tracking a package here or there, too.
    Merry Christmas week!

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  7. I didn't do a photo card this year...thought about not doing cards but changed my mind although I am not sending out as many as I normally do. You have the best neighbors! I love all of your stockings and the sign over the fireplace. Your home looks very festive and all set for Christmas.

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  8. Your kitchen looks so lovely decorated with those wreaths. I do enjoy getting Christmas cards with any news people can muster. Such a highlight of the season. I'm guessing your internet cable was repaired and things are back to normal. I guess I missed the tree incident. What a nice surprise from your neighbors!

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  9. It looks so christmassy in your house ! Your neighbors are adorable ! I have no Christmas feelings this year. We are allowed to have ONE guest ! Crazy most people are in couple, should I leave my DIL on the stairs ? Anyway they live in Amsterdam and for the moment it is very complicated to travel. So we "celebrate" alone !

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  10. Your home is beautiful...loving all the Christmas!!!

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  11. Your Christmas decor is very pretty and that was very nice of the neighbors.

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