I don't think @ibbhomero is going to be too strict about us having a Christmas thread on the main subforum, so, erm, have at it!
In fact, I'm so confident this will go swiftly, I'm not even going to mention the name Bruce Springsteen in my first three posts ๐
...
Oh, I just did... Anyway, only twelve days until Christmas! They should write a song about that.
On Christmas Day, I heard a lovely broadcast on the British carolling traditions - just the thing for my anglophile soul.
Corona or not, it was a nice Christmas. I've had worse!
A little late, but everything is just calming down right now here in my house and the Christmas food hangover is real! But anyway, hope everybody had a great Christmas! This year was different for us of course, because of Covid we couldn't have the family together as is usual for us. We are about 16 or 18 every year, but this year it was only us four (my parents, my brother and I). Hopefully next year it'll be "normal" again, but we're healthy and that's what matters! Hoping everybody had a great time, and here's my tree for what it's worth ๐
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Just being the four of us had the advantage that I was able to set the table just how i wanted to!
The screen door slams Santa's sack dropps Like a vision he staggers across the porch As the radio plays Bruce Springsteen singing for the lonely Hey that's me, and this year I want company only Don't bring me socks again I just can't face myself wearing them Don't you run back outside Santa, you know just what you're here for So you're sluggish and you're thinking That maybe you ain't that young anymore Show a little faith there's magic in the night You ain't a miracle but hey you're alright Oh and that's alright with me... Merry Christmas, everyone!
Have a great Christmas, you lot!
Happy Christmas to everyone. ๐๐ Iโm getting to bed early and hope you all stay cosy and safe. xx
Have a Merry Christmas and happy holidays, everyone.
Everything's so different this year, but I rode in a toy run today and played virtual Santa for the same group I did the in-person visit for last year. I've been doing some virtual readings with this group during lockdown. They've heard Never Ring a Witch's Doorbell in October and last Monday I read them my Christmas short story. It's been very rewarding. Now I'm going to wind down this Christmas with the new archive, a campfire and a hope for a better 2021. Oh, and a little whiskey. I don't generally indulge, but it's a cold evening coming on and I need some brightening up.
I hope you all get a wish answered.
Being unable to hold the usual service of lessons and carols our parish church held a 'walk through' carol service. The choir sang as members of the public walked through the church, ending up at the altar. It was lovely.
Kings are on their way....Merry Christmas everyone!
Hour and a half to the big day here now. Merry Christmas to all the banned and otherwise who have come across the border. Have a great day.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Our tree is a bit larger than usual - we had to rearrange the furniture and I have to be careful I don't trip over the dog's bed! Otherwise, I am pleased with it.
Looking good this year. Mrs D sneaked in a few new decs: mosaic crows. Dunno what they have to do with Christmas, but they are really nice tbf. Couple visible top right.
And the greatest Christmas music video of all...
Let's get some Darlene in here!
Ax is getting a Pretty Flamingo toy for Christmas. It was the obvious choice...๐
Great Story Louisa ....Sorry you had to bear the brunt of it ...as someone who couldn't take a shower without his wife for a couple of month this year also ...Hopefully Carl appreciates everything you have to do !!!!
https://youtu.be/nHROtg_P1Ts
Many years ago my brother in law was so drunk that he slowly fell into our Christmas tree - it is still one of the funniest things I have seen and an incident which is revisited every Christmas - his grandchildren particularly enjoy the story!
Awww. I feel for you. I used to have three beautiful glass ornaments that a Polish friend gave me - antique-look Santa Claus ones. A couple years ago, our tree crashed down, and all but one smashed to bits. And it wasnโt even 2020. ๐
Sorry @Louisa, I can imagine how you felt, but that story has made me laugh!
Can we see a picture of the finished tree?
๐ฒ Did Carl manage to video this?
Sorry, had to laugh but I'm glad it worked out in the end. Misery, hmm at least the kids are there to save Carl.
I hoped someone would start a Christmas thread, and as usual, Mario came to the rescue...
As this is now the official thread for shit like this ... This is what happened in our house last weekend.
I was decorating our Xmass tree, the three boys with zero interest and extremely low Christmas spirits all locked inside their rooms upstairs. I had to settle for my husband, who had suffered an injury at work previously last week and has his left leg casted buttocks to ankle. Luckily, it is nothing serious.
I bought a big natural tree as I do each year, I love the smell of it as it fills the house. I love all those needles on the floor as they clog the vacuum cleaner... As I'd put it in my car, I noticed it smelled like cat urine, decided not to take it back, but instead, I washed the tree in the garden and left it to drain outside for a day. I think this was an omen. Cat's urine is bad luck, no matter where you smell it. The neighbors must have thought I was insane when they saw me sniffing our spruce in my pajamas Sunday morning. Our dog liked me though, I think we bonded intensely during those few moments outside, circling the tree.
On Sunday afternoon I dragged it in, and Carl somehow managed to help me put it into the stand, which is a solid and strong one, and we hadn't had any problems with it so far.
With the tree standing, Carl retrieved to the sofa and started reading. I put some music on (wasn't Bruce - second bad omen) and started decorating in what seemed like the most peaceful setting. I worked slowly, ornament by ornament. I would walk away from the tree, observe it from a distance, come back, rearrange the bulbs... It took me circa 2 full hours, as I put the star on top, and arranged the lights, which I always save for last.
As I was switching on the lights (and was 3 meters away from the tree!) it leaned and started falling in what seemed like a slow-motion scene from a Chevy Chase movie. Carl couldn't jump up and catch it, I was too far away and behind it, so the tree crashed. If I'm allowed to be a bit masochistic, the sound of the crash was majestic.
Did I mention we use glass bulbs and our stand gets filled with water?
Our living room was full of tiny shiny bits and pieces of glass, and a big water spill in the middle of it. First thing I did I evacuated our dog before he would cut his paws.
The three boys came running down the stairs after they had heard the crash. The dialog sounded something like this:
S1,17 (with the WTF look in his eyes): "Mom, what happened?"
Carl (still sitting, with his newspaper in hands, indifferently): "Mom managed to crash the Xmass tree!"
Me (furious with Carl for trying to blame me, with my 'I hate you' voice): "I was 3 meters away, it obviously wasn't fixed well."
S2,15 (being a smart ass he is): "But you could have caught it if you had better reflexes."
Me (still in shock and practically crying): "Can someone get a towel, broom & dustpan, vacuum cleaner, and an empty box and help me clean this shit up?"
We started cleaning. Carl was, logically, still sitting with his leg up. He pretended to read but was observing the four of us working. I felt like he was enjoying the moment because he's confident that I'm exaggerating with my decorations each year.
It took us almost 30 minutes to clean everything up, to lift the tree, and to fix it properly. We had to remove all the broken bits still hanging there, and when we finished, the tree surprisingly looked OK, even by my standards. Less is more.
Our youngest (S3,12), the sweetheart he is, said:
"Mom, it actually looks better now!" as he tapped me on my shoulders.
S1,17: "You idiot, you haven't even seen it before, don't kiss ass!"
S2,15 (being a smart ass he is): "This is the proof everything sucks this year. We'll probably get food poisoning at Xmass dinner."
S1,17: "Imagine Dad throwing up with his leg. How would he knell down to the toilet? Ha ha ha..."
I've decided not to buy any additional ornaments. It would only mean bad luck. I feel like the tree has spoken and has taught me a lesson and I respect it for this. I want to remember this Christmas as "the year Mom crashed the Xmas tree"
Which of course, I didn't. The tree knows.
Oh ... I'm also looking for one last small gift for Carl. I'm thinking about a book... Misery.
I'll just leave this here........
Not sure where to post this, just wanted to wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas. Take care . Gen.
Not sure where to post this, just wanted to wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas. Take care . Gen.
A little early ....But i am off from work today and awaiting a big snow storm
I was there.๐
@Mario Brega we'll get to the lemon trees and related shenanigans a bit later.
Christmas truly is my favourite time of year. There's something magical about it that it's not easy to explain.
Love the cold weather, love the smell of pine (even though we have a fake tree) I love the thought of new beginings, love you all.
Is this where we post pictures of our Christmas decorations? Not that mine are up yet!
I'll start the festivities with the last time Bruce and Clarence ever shared the stage.
๐ ๐