You have to admit that most of us will be glad to see the back of 2020. Even now that it's only weeks away, there's still trepidation. What will the next few weeks hold?
Life goes on - in its strange pandemic way. We have each found a new routine (and a new hairstyle - I now have a 5 inch white ponytail - DH may have one too if I stop cutting his hair) that in the past year has become our new normal. And even though for the most part (at least for many that I know) we haven't been hit personally with the virus, we now know many that have. This IMO was bound to happen as the number of positive cases escalate.
The only family members who have contacted Covid so far have been a step-grandson in Kentucky and a sister-in-law in Texas. Others we have heard about are 3 friends in Colorado. Only the SIL (83) was hospitalized, but is now home and doing well.
We remain sheltering at home, etc. and will continue to do so... (with or without the vaccine).
But going on to Christmas 2020....
I started my Christmas baking today:
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| rum cakes |
We've decorated the house here and there (not a lot):
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| front room |
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| Santa visits Finky mouse on China cabinet |
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| Santa sharing Thanksgiving Table |
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| Santa visits cheeky chickens who can't be fired due to studio closure |
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| Elf and Christmas Angel |
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| 2020 downsized tree (with New Orleans Mardi Gras beads and apparently no Mardi Gras parades this year due to Covid) |
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| ...and sadly no cats lying by the fireplace first time in our 52 years of marriage |
Anyway, that's enough sharing for today. Started this Friday and it's now Monday. I have finished 2 batches of whiskey balls and 2 batches of frosted Christmas tea cakes over the weekend.
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| Cute, huh? |
Hugs (virtual),
I also saw that t-shirt and really like it, too. I'm not sure whether I'd wear it, though. I sure like that first picture of the two of you masked up. And yes, it's sad that there are no cats by the fire this year. It's been a brutal year in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteWe 'masked up' for the 2020 Thanksgiving pic... as a remembrance (would be hard to forget). And having lost all 3 cats this year (Julie actually in Dec. 2019 and the other 2 further into 2020... it should have been an omen. We miss them terribly.
DeleteI love the big fat cat on the table and I want one of those T shirts, lol
ReplyDeleteSad that you have no cats now but when our lot go it will be our last, just hoping that we can keep going to see them all out as I don't want to leave them in limbo without us, they would not settle anywhere else and they are all getting old.
Briony
x
The big fat cat on the table was one of the first ceramic pieces I ever made. It also weighs a ton and keeps the tablecloths on the table when the cats would run across it. These were probably (unless something changes our minds) our last cats - all were old (Tux and Julie were 15 and Ghost was 13 but had kidney problems all her life). Most of our cats over the years have lived to 19-23, so losing these 3 this past year was unexpected.
DeleteLooking festive and I am sure smelling festive with those rum cakes. I adore that tee shirt.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patti. Christmas baking does liven things up a bit. We mail out goodies to the kids, and a few friends and family.
DeleteYour baking looks and sounds scrumptious. I bet you're sending most of it off as Christmas presents.
ReplyDeleteHard to believe that Christmas is so close. Not much decorating going on around here, some wreaths out on the garage, porch and potting shed, and a little greenery here and there inside.
It will certainly be good to have 2020 in the rearview mirror, but who knows what awaits us in 2021. Dangerous curves or a smooth as silk and straight as an arrow roadway?
Take care and have a happy Christmas.
Yes, most of the baking is sent off or delivered to family, friends, neighbors. But we do snatch some for ourselves from time to time (especially the grandson!). See that pic in the sidebar "making cookies" and see that airplane cookie on the pan. I'm still making him airplane cookies at 22...
DeleteYour tree is lovely, and my favorite Santa is the one with the chickens. He looks a bit like he's trying to herd them and not having much luck. :)
ReplyDeleteI've added a pony tail to my repertoire as well - first time in 20 plus years!
Take care and stay well!
Herding chickens is probably as successful as herding cats... but there are 'ways'.
DeleteAs for the ponytail, it's coming back into style this year. When I went to the dentist, everyone in the office (dentist, receptionist, tech, etc.) had a ponytail.
I love all of your decorations Rian, it certainly has been a surreal year, hopefully next year will be better. We can only hope.
ReplyDeleteYour baking sounds scrumptious, and only the two of you to enjoy 😁
Wishing you both a very Merry Christmas.
Hugs,
Jo
Well, our grandson (22) lives with us... and he does help consume the goodies, but most are sent out to family, friends, and neighbors. Here's hoping we all have a good safe healthy Christmas and an even better New Year!
DeleteI really like that shirt, too. But I'm resisting. May I take the rum cake picture?
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays.
I resisted too... but it is cute. Had to share it. As for the rum cake pic, of course you may take it. Your pretty blue towels are in it.
DeleteI am starting to wonder how long the back of my hair will get before this is all over. I do fine cutting my bangs, most times, but I can't cut the back of my hair unless I want a real disaster. I am looking for some sort of pins to pin it up that won't give me a headache, and then I will wear it up on my head. Ponytails have always given me a mild headache.
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoyed seeing your Christmas decorations and I love your flock of chickens.I have collected chicken figurines for man years.
Susie, I wore a ponytail most of my life until I started 'ageing' and cut my hair short. So this ponytail feels normal to me (whether or not it looks good is another story). And I have always had 'bangs' but now it's growing out all one length. We shall see how this goes... good luck with yours!
DeleteYour decorations are very pretty. You have such a beautiful home. I love the picture of you and your husband.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Henny. Our home is comfortable, definitely not 'showy' - as there is too much kid stuff, books, sewing, pottery, and quilt making material around. But it is clean... just well lived in... and a bit eclectic.
DeleteRian, these are lovely pictures! You have a nice home. I'm sorry for not seeing these sooner, I was looking at your other blogs which hadn't been updated for awhile and didn't know this one was still kicking! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dug. Glad the trash room dilemma got fixed at your place. Hope you are enjoying the holidays... even though they may be a bit 'different' these days... not seeing the kids or grandkids, mailing gifts, sending e-cards instead of regular Xmas cards, etc. Still there's Christmas baking and Christmas music to keep the spirit alive!
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