It took much longer than I expected to get the house decorated this year. I really wanted to have things done by Halloween because I…like many this year…wanted the joy of twinkly lights. It’s really been a hard year and I wanted the lift that an early Christmas would bring. So, I set my sights for Thanksgiving which came and went with nothing more than piles of papers and books around the foot of my recliner.

I finally made the absolute commitment to getting things done this past weekend and by sundown yesterday, it was looking a lot like Christmas on the Ponderosa. I love going through the ornaments and remembering when they came into my life. Who made it? Where did we buy that? What year was this one? Mr. Virgo and I bought a special ornament every year we were together. I continued that tradition after he passed and bought ornaments that were meaningful to what I was going through. When Mr. FixIt came into my life, we picked up that tradition and buy an ornament every time we go on a trip. 

This year was different. First, we’ve only taken one trip…to the beach. And second, shopping was limited and the Christmas Shoppe was closed when we were at the beach. The other day, I saw a friend post a photo of my favorite ornaments made by Ne’Qwa. These are very special glass ornaments that are hand painted on the inside. Many of those Mr. Virgo and I bought were Ne’Qwa and I really wanted another one. Since we couldn’t go shopping, I bought one online. It arrived Friday…just in time to decorate.

The only diversion from my decades long decorating day tradition was…football. I always have watched “White Christmas” when we decorated the tree ever since I was a kid. I raised my own kids doing the same thing. I think this was the first year in decades where I didn’t watch my movie. But, the results are the same and our house is beautiful. I swear I am not taking them down till Covid is under control. I love the lights, especially in the dark of winter.

Now that the house is organized and decorated, I can start baking. First up…my Aunt Marge’s White Fruit Cake. Mr. FixIt has to run to town today for a couple of things, so I’m going to have him pick up some bourbon or maybe cherry brandy to soak the fruit cakes in. This is when the fun part starts!

?

“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.”

Colossians 2:16 NIV