Christmas is a Bridge

"I once said that Christmas is a bridge. We need bridges as the river of time flows past. Today's Christmas should mean creating happy hours for tomorrow and reliving those of yesterday. This year I find myself remembering a Christmas long ago, when Connie was two and her father sat at the piano, holding her on his lap and showing her how to play "Silent Night" with one finger. I remember Jill, who shared Stillmeadow with me for so many years, bright and dark, and her two children, Barbara and David, who tiptoed down one midnight to check for Santa and almost discovered two busy parents instead. Luckily, Star, our first cocker, heard what she thought were burglars on the stairs and raised the alarm.

I think, too, of Hal Borland, who loved this season most of all. Christmas to him meant walking down a snowy road in starlight with Barbara, his wife, and speaking quietly about the birth of Jesus. A carpenter and his wife traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem. There was no room at the Inn. So the baby was born in the stable and laid to rest in a manger.

Princes and kings and warlords were spreading their power over the lands. What happened to them? Who remembers their deed? A few historians are knowledgeable about the Roman Empire. But by and large the rulers made no impact. The carpenter's son born in a manger came to speak in simple words to multitudes who listened. He talked about love and justice and the brotherhood of man. And today all over the world, his message sounds as clearly as it did in the hills of Judea. When we light the candles in honor of his birth, our listening hearts fill with hope for peace and love and justice to come.

Sometimes the holiday season is so busy and exciting that the deeper meaning of Christ's birthday is lost. It is good then to walk in the star-filled night, as Hal and Barbara used to do, and touch the real significance of this birthday."

~ Gladys Taber, from 'Still Cove Journal' (1981)

A Gardener's Gift Basket

"May you have the gladness of Christmas
Which is hope;
The spirit of Christmas
Which is peace;
The heart of Christmas
Which is love."

~ Ada V. Hendricks

Many stores and nurseries are getting ready for the fall season, so this is a good time to find some items on sale to fill a basket for your favorite gardener.

Use a basket with a handle that can be used to carry supplies out to the garden, or a pretty basket for carrying cut flowers later on. The list of items to include is almost endless...

~ gloves
~ small tools
~ clippers
~ florist's wire
~ a kneeling pad
~ garden magazines or books
~ a subscription to a gardening magazine
~ the new farmers almanac
~ a hummingbird feeder
~ bulbs
~ seed packets
~ a gardening journal with colored pencils
~ a disposable camera
~ cute decorative items or plant "signs" or stepping stone kits
~ small pots or bud vases
~ a recipe or stocking up cookbook for the vegetable or herb gardener
~ a graph paper notebook for garden design
~ a coupon or gift card to a favorite nursery
~ yard thermometer
~ a floral water bottle or cup for the thirsty gardener
~ a spray bottle for spritzing plants
~ floral notecards, bookmarks, or bookplates
~ a flower drying kit
~ a book on flower arrangements or wreath-making

Wrap the basket with a large piece of floral or garden-themed fabric or some burlap, and tie with twine that can be used in the garden.

Thoughts of Christmas Planning

"Christmas makes the rest of the year worthwhile."

~ Charles Schultz

Oh my! I've been terrible about keeping up here, haven't I? I've spent much time this summer thinking of Christmas gifts. I've bought lots of gifts already while on vacations, and I've been working on some craft items, as well. This weekend I pulled out my Christmas notebook so I could work on lists, and thought I'd share this page of notes with you for some ideas to work on while summer is still here. Here's what I have written down on the front page (and I apologize for not sending this earlier in the summer!):

Summer is the season when many of us have a lighter schedule. This is a good time to begin making all those Christmas lists, if you haven't already started! I always like using a spiral notebook, but whatever works best for you is fine. Here are ideas for lists you should begin making:

~ What you wish to accomplish this Christmas. Make sure to list your priorities and then organize your thoughts and ideas. Once you have these written down, discuss them with your family members ~ their priorities might be a little different, and now would be a good time to compromise and avoid hurt feelings close to the holidays. Include all the activities you and your family wish to participate in.

~ Write your Christmas card list ~ check addresses now... I know I often receive change of address notices from friends that never seem to make it into my address book and then at Christmas time I'm rushing around, trying to remember where I put those little slips of paper. (You're probably all more organized, but just in case, this is something easy to do now.)

~ Prepare your gift list if you haven't already done so!! Write down ideas for each person on the list, even if it's only something simple like a theme. A good idea is to make a separate page for each person, and write down their likes ~ and dislikes, favorite colors, themes they use for decorating, sports, hobbies, etc.

~ Make a crafts list if you plan to make decorations, gifts, or any other special items for the holidays.

~ Make a list of decorations you already own, those that need to be replaced, and a "wish list" for this season. If you want to use a special theme, make a list of all items you'll need to include.

~ An entertaining list will help you organize those holiday parties and family get-togethers. Write down people you wish to invite, the theme of the party, and any recipes you want to prepare. If you have some new dishes in mind, try them out during the summer and fall so you'll be familiar with their preparation.

~ Write down all the baked goods and candy you want to make. Don't forget some patterns and ideas for a gingerbread house. If you want to use baked goods ~ or mixes ~ as gifts, plan ahead and think of the containers you'll need.

~ Plan the clothing you'll need for the holiday season so you have time to take advantage of sales at your favorite department store, or the fabric store, or even making repairs to old favorites. Remember to check the children's clothing, too!

~ Fabric and crafts stores are already full of holiday items and often have good sales or coupons to be used. If you plan ahead, you can buy gradually and save money.

~ Keep a master shopping list by type of store, so when you see something on sale you can take advantage of it. And, make a calendar for November and December in your notebook and be sure to write down any activities that come up, so you don't find yourself stressed, and out of time.