- Last Christmas
Did you hear the giant exhalation of breath? If you did and wondered where it came from, it was from me. You see, last Wednesday I panicked. Suddenly realizing that Christmas was only days away and very little had been accomplished by me for the yearly event, I had to push myself into overdrive.
- Last year’s snow covered driveway.
And we had a family Christmas party on Saturday, so I had to get busy. I took off from work on Thursday and shopped for a solid twelve hours – 8:30 tto 8:30. But it was mostly done, so the effort was worth it, except that my living room and dining room were covered with unwrapped packages, boxes, tissue paper, ribbon and bags. But I had to cook my covered dish – fried chicken of course – on Saturday morning and wrap up the gifts for that party, so the rest stayed in their temporary places on sofas and table tops.
- Our snow covered house last Christmas
The party was great – reconnecting with loved ones who are rarely seen these days. And afterwards, it was time to move on and help my mother finish her shopping – and wrapping. Plus, we are the official ‘grave decorators’. Some of you know what I mean by this. We are the ones who lay the wreaths on the stones of our deceased loved ones – two sets of grandparents and my father. Sad, but sadder still if left undone.
- Paula, Ellie and me in front of the Christmas trees at the Marriott in NY
We have even treated ourselves to Christmas travel in years past. But we’re all too busy this year to even think about such a trip.
- Merry Christmas
Yesterday I prepared a gift for you, my readers, and one some of you have asked for but I have been tardy in providing. It is a blogroll with links to your sites from mine. If you are a faithful reader or know that I am one of your followers, but fail to see your link here, give me a few more days. By Christmas Eve the list should be complete.
Writingfeemail's Blog 
Beautiful photos of your house and driveway in the snow! Glad you were able to get everything accomplished. I’m tired – just reading about all you’ve done in the past few days!
Merry Christmas to you; I’m so glad we’ve become acquainted here in blog-land!
Thank you. I’m relaxing finally. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Congratulations on finding those cards! What a shame if you had discovered them after this month. I’m intrigued. Those must be special cards bought at a Christmas shop in SD.
I should have photographed them. They were neat with cut-outs dangling and raised letters. I’m such a sucker for anything in a Christmas shop.
MC back at ya! I STILL have some shopping left and I haven’t wrapped a darn thing.
Ooh – not much time left. But I’m sure you’ll get it done. How do you do anything among the beautiful decorations in NY? I’d just walk around town every day and enjoy the scenery.
Renee the photo of your house is beautiful. I am thinking that the view from your home to outside world, would must be equally beautiful. Everything is covered with snow, you are having the perfect conditions for celebration.
By the way how could you place my gift on your sofa that to be unwrapped, please keep it carefully. 🙂
Merry Christmas to my dearest friend !! 🙂
Thank you Arindam. Merry Christmas to you as well. You’re on my blogroll now. Sorry it took so long, but better late than never.
Have a glorious holiday!
Thanks – you as well.
I am jealous. what a beautiful house and it looks so peaceful.
It is peaceful NOW – not over the past few days. LOL
Oh gosh…after all that in such a short time I bet it feels real good to sit back, enjoy and be “present” in Christmas!
All wonderful pictures…kinda partial to those snow ones;) LOVE your gorgeous tree.
Merry Christmas to you and yours too!
~d.
Thanks Dianna. Merry Christmas to you as well.
Beautiful home and lovely photos of the snow. It looks very inviting! Hope you have a wonderful holiday. I still have to tackle the crowds and get a few gifts, but hopefully I will finish today.
We can share a virtual toast when you finish! Merry Christmas Annie.
Your pictures are so festive and beautiful. Thanks for a delightful glimpse at your holiday. Merry Christmas to you too.
Thank you Bella. I hope you have a lovely Christmas as well.
Lady, I admire your dedication for cranking out the perfect holiday and party, complete with cards and presents! I’m afraid that much snow on any given year would have dissuaded me from doing anything other than drink hot cocoa and snuggle by the fire! I shall live vicariously through you this holiday season! 🙂
Bella, I shall do my share of snuggling now that the leg work is done. It does seem like it’s the women who shoulder the largest majority of the holiday responsibilities. And then there’s the cooking. Shouldn’t have mentioned that. Better rest while I can. Merry Christmas.
Just mailed the last of my Christmas cards. Counting on USPS from now on. 🙂
They’re in safe hands! You’re probably covered up in Christmas parties with all of the clubs you belong to. Merry Christmas Lee.
Your tree looks gorgeous. Plus, you are gorgeous. Hey, you got ‘er done and that’s what matters. I’ve done my “Christmas” thing too, and didn’t even start till last Sunday. Thank God for the internet.
Thank you for those wonderful compliments. It feels good to be done doesn’t it? I hope your Christmas is wonderful Linda.
Your house looked so Christmassy in the snow. We have snow here in France at the moment,but think it will be gones b Christmas day.
Have a great Christmas and New Year.
You have also reminded me I need to update my blog roll 🙂
I’m still adding to the blogroll. I guess they’re works in progress. I’d love to be in France during a snowstorm. I’ve been there when decorations were up but not during an actual blanket of white. I bet it’s gorgeous! Merry Christmas PIP.
Merry Christmas! I am so happy for you and all you have accomplished this past week. Enjoy the peace.
Thank you. It does feel peaceful at the moment. Merry Christmas to you as well.
I feel inadequate in my efforts compared to yours! But I do enjoy your pictures and think you’re pretty with it to get all of this done so fast! Have a fabulous Christmas!!
Thanks Valerie! You’re ‘pretty with it’ too! And Happy New Year.
I loved seeing your pictures! Very pretty! We have no snow at all here (very rare for this time of year) so it really put me more in the Christmas spirit. For some reason, things have whizzed by so fast this year I am still not ready! A few more things to finish tomorrow..then hopefully I am DONE.
I hope you have a Merry Christmas!
Time does seem to have hit the jet burner for volatile speed dead ahead. Each month tends to whiz by faster than the last one. I hope your Christmas was joyous and your New Year filled with happiness.
What a gorgeous tree! This was a sweet post. The picture of the snow-covered drive is amazing. I hope this year brings all that you’d wish for. Merry Christmas to you, as well. I have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy your posts. That is gift enough!
What a nice comment. It is good to look back and reminisce about Christmasses past while deep into the one in the present. Happy New Year to you.
your house looks so warm and inviting … just like you! Merry Everything to you & yours.
MJ
Thank you MJ. Back at ya!
Lovely pictures! Love the snow.Merry Christmas to you and your family…
Thanks you and Happy New Year to you as well.
I would love to see a snowfall at Christmas like that. I can’t imagine the panic that would ensue if you hadn’t already been prepared for Christmas. Your home covered in snow is lovely and looks like a greeting card. I’m glad this year, that you all are able to visit and celebrate without being snowed under.
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year! 🙂
Thank you so much and Happy New Year to you and yours.
I rarely envy anyone anything. Not even a mansion like yours. But boy oh boy oh boy: Your snow. I love snow. I grew up with snow. Which is presumably why I ended up living at the South Coast of England where you may take safe bets that there won’t be any (or max one mushy day a year – say, in Feb).
As an aside: Why is the colour of envy green?
White, yours,
U
Now that Christmas is over, it’s fun to float around and see how everyone is relaxing. I’m with the rest of your subscribers, your place looks like heaven. I’d curl up with a book, a blanket, and a toasty fire in the hearth until New Years. After all you did in December, you deserve the rest. Have a Happy New year. See you on the other side of 2012.
Love your story of Christmas. The pictures are postcard quality. Thank you for sharing your Christmas story. What did you get from Santa?
Thanks for visiting Frank and I’m glad you like the Christmas photos. My Sony camera does a pretty good job, but usually I only have the old cell phone camera handy. I hoped to get a new one from Santa, but guess I misbehaved.