After Thanksgiving and heading for Christmas

So Thanksgiving weekend is over.  Now it is time to pull out all the Christmas decorations, cards, wrapping paper and most of all Christmas music!  I wait all year to listen to my collection of Christmas CDs.  I love them.  I admit I get withdrawels in July and sneak a listen to Bing and Nat King Cole.  I just cannot resist Manheimm Steam Roller.  I believe I have all of their Christmas albums.  I have two of some of them.  My friends and family keep me supplied with the newest every year and I am so grateful.  Having listened to my Grandmother, I keep the duplicates in case the first one wears out, or our country is invaded and we cannot get new copies any more.  I am prepared to have music for the rest of my life while I trim the tree.
Speaking of the tree, I now have an artificial tree.  Yes, I like a real tree better also.  I always had a real one also until the year I could not afford one.  A dear friend loaned us a small fake tree and it was the first time I did not have bronchitis leading into pnuemonia right after Christmas in years.  I have had a lovely faximily of a tree since and have discovered that I enjoy breathing easily even more than "real" Christmas trees.  They don't seem to bother me in other folk's homes, they just don't want to live with me.  I have had the same experience with a couple of roomates.  Lovely when they lived elsewhere.
I think the tree will go up tomorrow.  Then it will begin to feel like Christmas.

The First Blog

Everything must start somewhere and so my blogging adventure begins right here.  It is Thanksgiving weekend and much thought and conversation has been spent on what we are grateful for.  My list is leangthy.  I am thankful for such a long list!
 I have most of my Christmas shopping done, mostly on line.  I find I like shopping on line.  No blisters on my feet or elbows in my ribs.  I can keep that peaceful spirit of giving in my heart instead of turning into a big grouch full of frustration.  You tend forget that Christmas is a celebration of the greatest gift of all when you spend your time in the hustle and bustle of commercialism.  I am trying this year to try to focus on the holiday season more peacefully.  To remember that it is about love and joy, caring for each other.  Let go of the idea of a perfectly decorated house, the most delicious fresh baked cookies, or if I have mailed a card to everyone.  Yes, I will most likely still send cards, put up a tree, and wrap up a few gifts.  Just no stress over doing it just so.  Who have I been competing with all these years anyway? 
Some of my gifts are hand made and I will post more about that later.  I do need to get to work on them however.  Part of my plan for this blog is to post photos and plans for the ideas I come up with for things I make.  I also plan to post favorite recipes, there will be favorite quotes at the top, and who knows what else.  Like the best bowl of soup..........