Thursday, December 18, 2008

The Spirit of the Season






I love Christmas. I love the decorations and the tree buying. Cards from family and friends in our mailbox. I love the music and Frosty the Snowman. I love mangers with sheep and the Shepard and the babe in straw. I love candy canes and gingerbread and twinkly lights everywhere. I love Dear Santa letters and watching The Miracle on 34th Street. And when people you don't know smile and wish you "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas". And I love most of all the traditions that are repeated year after year. That's what I love most of all. It's what binds us to one another, makes us feel one of a tribe. A feeling of belonging.



It's finally beginning to feel like Christmas ,it took me awhile this year, I've been wishy washy at best but with 2 small children living here, they just don't understand that kind of thinking. The questions started coming, "when are we getting our tree?" "when will the lights go up?" "when can we see Santa?" " will it snow?"

I found my Christmas mojo and we have accomplished all four of the above requests! We found our tree at the nursery a stones throw from our house and it was the last one. Have you ever been to a tree lot and walked up to find one tree? The guy there was so nice, when we pulled up and looked around and saw this one gorgeous tree, he waved to it apologetically and said "It's the last one". We almost ran to it. My husband picked it up and practically threw it in the truck. We laughed about it later, it's not like there was anybody else there to get to it first or that we'd have to flip a coin for the LAST tree. So, we congratulated ourselves on our tree find and headed home to start Christmasifing our house. I was feeling pretty wretched since my flu/cold relapsed so much worse this next round. When will I ever learn to not go back at it too much too soon? so, Hannah spent the day with me decorating the tree, (husband mysteriously disappeared) hanging the lights, putting up the stockings... all the while putting up with my Christmas music and forcing hot cocoa on her, at 17 going on 18 she is not as fond of the tradition part as I am. Maybe on her own she'll do things differently. Probably.

So, tree up, lights twinkling, Santa sighting, done, done, done! and then, the thing that happens every great once in awhile happened this week...it snowed! all across the top of the mountains right behind us. I went for a walk on the beach to get a better view ( i forgot my camera) and what a sight it was. Standing in the sand and looking at snow, it always makes me shake my head. Amazing! And thankful (again) that things work out like they do. How things come together, one way or another, they always do. I worry alot about my granbabies and their parents, things are hard for everyone. And I am trying to be the stability they need. But at least for now we have snow... and the last Christmas tree in Carpinteria.

xxx lori

27 comments:

  1. Hi Lori, what a great Christmassy feeling, well done for getting the Last Tree (and a gorgeous one, at that!). Love the photo-decorations on the tree, what a great idea! Sand underfoot, and snow up above on the mountain. Quite breathtaking.. enjoy every minute :-) x

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  2. Sounds a perfect combination sand sea and snow!
    The tree obviously was waiting for you!
    It's dusk here right now and the lights on the tree behind me are just lovely.
    So I'm going to move chairs and go drink my coffe and stare at it for a while, and feel warm and cherished by my newly found blog friends, and the old ones as well of course.
    Thank you for your friendship I so value it.
    xx

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  3. It's hard for me to feel the Christmas spirit too soon. A couple of weeks ago a friend mentioned she was doing her "last minute" shopping. Last minute? Wouldn't that be Wednesday?

    Merry Christmas!!

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  4. I`m sure even though Hannah will be "grown-up" tomorrow she stll enjoys every moment of that childhood feeling of Christmas that you are spreading! And see, she even drinks her hot chocolate! With all these preparations, it will be a most wonderful Christmas for you all this year. Probably BECAUSE it is difficult (but isn`t there ALWAYS something??)when you think of all your children leaving - growing - having to take decisions...and you still weak. But till next week everything will be fine with you, and you will be able to sing carols out loud again!! Love from old Germany

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  5. Thanks Karen, yes, we felt lucky,it is a beautiful tree,didn't even need the decorations!~But they are all sentimental passed down or saved from year to year. The photos started when my first was in kindergarten and the teacher glued a pic on an ornament the kids made,and now i've got a collection! ..it is SO very beautiful here right now, and cold!!xx

    That sounds completly lovely, I would love to join you Fire Byrd! that is one of my favorite things to turn down the lights in the room and just enjoy the tree, christmas magic...I am thankful to call you a friend as well.xx

    Reya, you would think. But alot of people enjoy it that way I guess.I like to make some gifts and they take time so i start early.xx

    Dear Geli,
    The best part of christmas for me is always the children. The wonder and awe, of it all. I am lucky I guess I have sweet childhood memories and i suppose its natural to want to create that for my own children and grandchildren. Yes, we will sing and I'll count my blessings at the same time. Love to you, sweet Germany.

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  6. Standing in the sand looking at snow - yep, it's always amazing when one can do that. Happens here too, but not often.
    So glad you've found your Christmas mojo - the tree looks gorgeous. We've got ours up but I still can't find the spirit! I really do think Christmas is so much about children.
    Hope you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas, Lori xxx

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  7. Ah, thanks, that was just what I needed to read. Isn't it perfect that you didn't have your camera? Those moments are always magical. It forces you to just soak it in.
    Have a beautiful one! And don't worry! Worry generates grey smog. Just bless and be blessed!

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  8. Thanks Nicky, I didn't know it snowed there! Amazing! It must be a beautiful sight to see. Sometimes the feeling comes in the smallest thing, hearing achristmas carol or receiving a call or letter from an old friend...however it comes to you my friend I wish you a Very Merry Christmas!!

    Tam, oh you are SO SO right. Being married to a professional photographer means we are hardly ever without a camera, sometimes though, you just need to leave it behind. I know I do. I will remember your good advice about not worrying.Thanks.
    Have a VERY Merry Christmas!
    xx

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  9. A sense of belonging will bind us in ways that brings meaning to sharing.

    Few things will enthuse the heart as much as an impending festivity, for in the anticipation of its coming we will have lived many a life fully.

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  10. Dear Anil P, amen, beautifully said.Thank you.
    xx

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  11. Hi Lori Ann, thanks for stopping by my blog. I see you are in the proper mood for Christmas with snowy mountains in the background. What could be more perfect? I hope the last tree on the lot turned out to be a very good tree and that the decorating turned out well. And I hope you get over your cold soon, so that you'll be able to enjoy all the good smells of Christmas as well.

    xxx, Irene

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  12. Dear Irene, and thank you too! you are right about the cold, I still haven't been able to smell the tree, and that's my favorite part!
    xx

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  13. Lovely. The Christmas mood is really starting to settle in here in Colorado too!

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  14. Sounds lovely. Just talking about Christmas sends a tingle down my spine. I love it so much.

    Well done on getting the last tree. Obviously there just for you.

    CJ xx

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  15. Thanks Maria Rose,I remember how gorgeous Colorado is, I love the mountains!

    Dear C.J., it is such a special time isn't it? I love traditions and making new memories.
    Our tree(which I still can't smell,my cold!) is
    beautiful!

    Merry Christmas my friends!
    xx Lori

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  16. Hi! I just commented after you over at http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2008/12/on-solstice.html?cid=143394632#comment-143394632 and was amused to see I was commenting after another Lori Ann! Loving your blog - looks like you have a beautiful Christmas coming your way.

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  17. Skipping through the blogosphere to wish you a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the festive season! xxx

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  18. Thats a lovely tree. Merry Christmas, Lori.

    Theres an award for you at mine xx

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  19. Lori Ann :), thanks so much, is it called name sisters? hehe,i'm off to check out yours now!

    What a nice surprise!Merry belated Christmas greetings to you too Nicky!

    WOW Suzy! thanks so much! Merry Christmas to you and your family too! I'll be right over!

    xxx Lori

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  20. Hey there, Lori ann! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I found the snow widget on a fellow blogger's site. Here's the link to get it:
    http://www.bloggerbuster.com/2008/12/simple-snow-effect-widget-for-blogger.html

    Just follow the instructions and add it as a widget to your page.

    Your blog is lovely!

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  21. thanks Country Girl! now if i can only figure it out!
    xx Lori

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  22. Hope Christmas was wonderful Lori and that you're feeling better now. Looking forward to reading about New Year's celebrations! Blogthatmamax

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  23. You say its your beach, well its my beach too... [no no thats a different song.]

    Just kidding wonderful photos, and your family are wonderful caretakers of a beautiful spot. Cheers from Canada.

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  24. Bem, não sei se vc ler português, mas as fotos são lindas.
    Eu moro no Brasil.

    "Iam brazilian"!

    kissss....

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  25. hello adyrus, thank you saying my pictures are beautiful! ;)
    x lori

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  26. Yes Lori!!!

    your pictures are beautiful!


    My blog is: http://adyrus-cacadordesites.blogspot.com/

    kiss...

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xoxo lori