Let The Countdown Begin!

[Rani Zemirah]

I've been listening to a bit of holiday music the last week, or so.  I'm glad we've gotten a bit of snowy winter weather around here, but it might be nice if I was able to get out to the shed and get the Solstice/Yule/Christmas decorations into the house before the season is over!  Maybe tomorrow... 

Is everyone already stressed by all the holiday traffic, and the constant barrage of commercials trying to convince you that you need at least one of everything... or are you all enjoying the lead-up to the season, with a bit of (spiked) eggnog, wassail, treats and good cheer all around?    We are definitely trying to do the latter around here!  We've got a Dirty Santa party to attend this coming Sat. evening, and I will be making my maple pecan tarts to take (with pecans from the trees in the backyard), as well as a couple of handmade gifts for the exchange, also.  That same day, in the early afternoon, we have a Dicken's Victorian Christmas Walk we'll be attending, in costume, in the nearby historical town of Guthrie, OK.  The Old Town area will have strolling carolers, a Victorian Santa, carriage rides, tours of historic houses and buildings, Victorian vignettes in the antique shop windows, and High Tea at Blessings Victorian Tea Room. 

It promises to be an extremely busy day!  I'm glad we'll have the next day to rest, afterward! 

[Breandan]

Honestly, other than the gladiatorial spectacles that comprise holiday shopping, this is the one part of the year where hope and civility seem to be more prominent. People notch back on the jackwagon throttle a great deal, and as a whole the coming together of friends and family to enjoy each other's company is a pleasant and comforting thing for me. The fact that temperatures finally drop into the range I consider habitable is just a side bonus 

[Sir Martin]

The past few years, my family and friends have scaled back on holiday shopping at the megaplexes.  I'll buy some items from TRF vendors for Christmas presents.  This reduces the need to enter the realm of mall madness, resulting in a lower-stress holiday season.

[KiltedPrivateer]

Habitable?  It was 36 degrees below 70 this morning.  Figuratively Freezing!  It's time to consider a move to Panama (o:

[Rani Zemirah]

The past few years, my family and friends have scaled back on holiday shopping at the megaplexes.  I'll buy some items from TRF vendors for Christmas presents.  This reduces the need to enter the realm of mall madness, resulting in a lower-stress holiday season.

I have begun making almost all of the gifts I give, partially because it's less expensive than buying a bunch of things that will likely not last much beyond the end of the year (because very little is made to last, these days)... but mainly because I enjoy making something that I know will not only stand the test of time, but will also be appreciated by the receiver.  I enjoy creating a piece of artwork with someone particular in mind, and incorporating the things I know about them into the materials I use.  It makes me smile to see someone look at something I've made especially for them, and realize that each detail is personal to them i some way... and that a great deal of thought and positive energy went into the design and construction.  For me, that's the very best part of this season... the giving... because it gives me a chance to show the people I care about just how much they mean to me, and that I am thinking of them, and paying attention.   



Oh... and it keeps me out of the malls, also!  lol 

[Hector_]

It is 303 days, 21 hours, 26 minutes til opening cannon!!!!

[JimsDana]

OPEN, OPEN, OPEN!

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

Habitable?  It was 36 degrees below 70 this morning.  Figuratively Freezing!  It's time to consider a move to Panama (o:

He DID grow up in Alaska... 

[KiltedPrivateer]

It is 303 days, 21 hours, 26 minutes til opening cannon!!!!

Sherwood is a lot closer (o:

[Jack Daw at Work]

...especially with binoculars.

[Breandan]

I've got my Sherwood itch going nuts. I would be there every bloody weekend with a Friend of Faire pass if it weren't so far to drive with an acute case of Toddleritus

[Hector_]

It is 303 days, 21 hours, 26 minutes til opening cannon!!!!

Sherwood is a lot closer (o:

We are already planning on going the second week of Feb, taking advantage of the early bird discounts. 

Breandan, Don't fret too much, they get used to it.  Both of mine did! (and I'm talking about 350 mile trips.  So trips to S.A. and Austin are a breeze for them.)  Think of it this way, My best friends live on the other side of Houston, 45 minute drive depending on traffic.  Sherwood is about 2 hours? So almost to their place and back?  Not too bad.

[Breandan]

they have hit the Terrible Twos and the Why stage at the same time, just going to the store has become a new fresh hell of its own 

[Rani Zemirah]

Try doing it as a single parent... on the bus.  With groceries.   

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]