Long winter nights

Sometimes, the short winter days and long, chilly nights can be depressing. But, with a little thought, I think some of the sadness can be prevented.

I like to meditate on my blessings, and I have plenty of them. I also like to make sure there are enough lights turned on to drive away the darkness that comes way too early in the day.

Another thing I do is find indoor projects to busy myself with. For instance, I found some pretty curtains on the clearance shelf the other day. Only $7 each for a 40" by 84" panel. I got those and two $1 curtain rods. For $15, I dressed up my dining area! I used one of the curtains over the back door, which is 15 pane glass, to help block some of the cold air.

I also found a panel to match my living room curtains and put it over the front door - again to help block drafts. I looked online for curtains and while I know that at this time of the year, order fulfillment is a lot more rapid, I still like bringing home things from my shopping excursions and being able to use them right away,

On my days off, I like to bake quick breads using winter veggies such as sweet potatoes and acorn squash. I also bake up extras of these veggies for the freezer so I'll have them on hand for quick meals. Baking warms up my kitchen and sends delicious aromas wafting through the house. This brightens my spirit even if I don't immediately consume the item. (Although you just can't beat a freshly baked sweet potato hot out of the oven and slathered with butter and brown sugar!)

I have a bread machine, so making wonderful home made bread and rolls is just plain easy. The smell of yeast bread baking is a great comfort aroma. I don't even buy commercially made bread anymore. I can have what I want anytime. I just store extra loaves and rolls in the freezer for later.

There's something very comforting about engaging in these home-body activities.

Technorati Tags: winter

Christmas decorating

I've done a bit more Christmas decorating. I'm finding that if I take it in "smaller bites" I'm ok with it.

I've got Christmas candles and potpourri out. Last night, I cut a couple of cedar branches and tied them up with some dried artemesia and yarrow to create a winter spray that I hung outside the front door. (I put wreaths, etc. on the wall next to the door so they don't get knocked down.) I purchased a pretty, glittery bow at a local discount store and tied it onto the spray.

I text messaged Son to see if he can find a Christmas rosemary plant for me. That will be my Christmas tree this year, then I'll plant it in the herb garden when the season is past.

Since I don't have small children to buy for anymore, other than grands, I don't need a big tree to place gifts under. Mom gave me some ornament gifts, so I'll use those in other places in the living/dining room area where they'll be highlighted.

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First Christmas card!

I just went to the mailbox while I was out walking my dog. I found the first Christmas card for this year waiting for me. It was from my tax service! LOL It was a very nice "Peace on Earth" card and I appreciate them sending it. Yes, I realize they are sending these out as a reminder that tax season is approaching, but there was no kind of bid for business in the card. Just good wishes for blessings.

They are nice, hometown folks who are available all year long if I have questions or need a copy of something from previous tax returns. I've used this local service for about 10 years.

When Danny drove a truck over the road, we really needed help getting the best write-offs and these people know what they're doing. They stay educated in tax law (which changes by volumes from year to year, it seems) and they lend a more personal touch to filing taxes. They know us by name when we walk in, so I've stayed with them.

This card is a reminder that I really need to get some cards in the mail, too. I'm sure that if they have time to send cards out to their clients, I have time as well.

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Thanksgiving and stuff

Since my vehicle isn't repaired YET, my niece came to pick me up to go to Mom's for Thanksgiving dinner. We arrived pretty early, with Niece's friend, since she picked me up at 6:30 a.m. Yeah, the best under eye creams on the planet don't make me look good at that hour of the day. I try to avoid mirrors early in the morning. It's pretty scary.

Anyway, I had prepared cornbread dressing and whole wheat rolls to take with me. Other family members brought their foods and desserts. While the main courses were being finished, we all visited and had a good time.

I always enjoy these family gatherings. Too many times through the rest of the year, we all put off visiting. Work, family, other things get in the way, it seems. So this is the time to catch up, admire the growth of babies who've entered our lives, and learn the accomplishments of every member.

As usual, not all the family was able to be in attendance, but there was still a sizable crowd, bumping into one another as we passed through doorways and scooping up babies if they headed toward the stairs. Like some noisy village having a festival, we were entertained and did some entertaining in the simplest of ways.

At the end of the day, we gave hugs all around and wished each other well, declaring our familial love for one another. It's real love from large hearts.

Funny: When niece arrived at my house, 30 minutes earlier than she'd said, I was getting dressed. She called my cell phone, saying she was right outside. I told her I'd unlock the door and she could just come on in. She called in a few moments saying she was knocking. Well, no one was knocking at my door. I peeked outside. She was at the house next door! I called her back and told her to come to the next house. I'm glad no one there answered!

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Christmas spirit?

Last year I didn't even decorate for Christmas. My time was limited and I just didn't see the point in it anyway. So, this morning I thought I'd get out a few Christmas items and put them around the house. Well, it didn't work out so well.

It's not that I don't have some Christmas stuff. I do. I just don't have the joy in decorating that I used to have. Christmas now has a dark pall cast on it that I just can't seem to lift. As the day draws closer, I find myself sadder.

This used to be my favorite holiday. But, when Danny got sick (so much so that there wasn't even a disability appeal, he got benefits immediately) then passed away, Christmas changed for me forever. Now, I'll just be glad when it's over.

I think I'll just put all the stuff back in the boxes.

Maybe this is why I play music so loudly. To drown everything else out.

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Thank you lunch

Monday, Son and I went to eat lunch at a new Chinese restaurant in our little Town. That place is certainly a big hit with the local folks. Town isn't very large, but this restaurant gives everyone some dimension in their eating-out-experience - something besides fast food. There is an excellent Mexican restaurant in Town, too, which we visit on occasion.

The food was very good and the service was prompt and friendly. None of the wait staff needed acne treatment - in other words, they were all adults and knew how to treat customers! The cost for two lunches is very reasonable, too. $15.50, tax included. It's a buffet restaurant so you can eat all you care to.

During the Black Friday sales (which Son encouraged me to attend with him) I was able to purchase a 32" HDTV for a reasonable price. Son kicked in part of the money as an early Christmas gift for me. Sunday, he came out and installed the TV for me, so I bought his lunch Monday to thank him for doing that.

I gave him my old HDTV so that when he gets his own apartment he'll have something decent to watch. It's small - 18.5 inch - but works great. It's less than two years old, so he should get years of service out of it.

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