Thursday, December 17, 2015

Getting Ready for Christmas

In all the busyness leading up to Christmas Week, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I pause and meditate on the blessings of my week-- Five Fabulous Faves which have reminded me to be thankful.  Each Friday, I am thankful for Susanne who hosts Friday Fave Five where I connect with others who choose to focus even a few minutes during their week on gratitude.

1.  This wasn't exactly my plan for decorating for Christmas.  But the handyman's schedule dictated ceiling work done, so decorate with plastic sheeting, orange buckets and blue ladders we did.  The fave is that by Thursday evening we were able to redecorate with boring red poinsettias and a simple creche set.  It's not as dramatic, but it's infinitely preferable.

2.  The other advantage to having workmen in the house the week before Christmas is that when they leave, I have to deep clean.  Probably, I'd be cleaning anyway, so it's a win-win.  Clean up after the work crew, and clean for Christmas.


3.  I enjoyed a lovely hike through a seaside town near Santa Barbara. Summerland and I go way back to the days before I was married many years ago.  During the summer we were dating and through the year and into the summer we were married, The Professor and I would walk along Summerland Beach on our days off.  But this was the first time I have ever hiked in the hills behind the town.  It was marvelous.


Bougainvillea adorning the front gardens and the rural fences.



Horse properties and lemon orchards





3.  The Professor finished giving his last final of the semester and I taught my last class before Christmas break.  Three weeks off!

4.  It is so much fun to read the adorable cards that my students write me at Christmas.  "Thank you for teaching me to write better."  I treasure each one, and truly, I have a little drawer where I keep those special notes and save them to reread.  Do you do that?

5.  Anticipation!  And now we wait.  We will check weather and flight status and traffic.  Soon, soon,  we will drive to LAX's arrivals terminal.  The New Boy and his mama will be here to celebrate Christmas with us!

16 comments:

essay-writer-club said...

That's so great that you're having some time for any preparing for Christmas holidays. Besides these seaside photos are very beautiful.

Deb J. in Utah said...

Yea for the end of the semester and Christmas break! Beautiful pictures from your hike. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Anonymous said...

Summerland looks beautiful. So glad you have time off now. Mary

Ann said...

You live in a BEAUTIFUL area!! We made a trip there five years ago and enjoyed the pier at Ventura. We drove Highway 1 part of the way to Santa Barbara. Also - I'm very glad for Christmas break also!!

Barbara H. said...

Hurray for the beginning of Christmas break! And the anticipation of loved ones coming in! Yikes, not the best time for repair work and deep cleaning, but there is nothing to do but roll with it. Hope you have a wonderful time with your family!

Karen said...

I like that you found blessings in the midst of construction! What beautiful photos -- thank you for sharing your walk by the sea. Enjoy the time with family, and Merry Christmas!

ellen b. said...

The anticipation of being together with loved ones is great. Hope all the travel goes smoothly! That is a beautiful hike! Yippee for 3 weeks off!

Gracie Saylor said...

Thanks to your post I am celebrating your favorite five with you, Willow :) May you and yours continue to know much joy! xx

Mereknits said...

Lovely reasons to be thankful.
Hugs,
Meredith

Susan said...

So glad the work on your ceiling is done and you were able to decorate - even if it is simple. Hurray for you on deep cleaning. It is always a fave of mine - after it is completed!

Thanks for sharing the photos and memories associated with this week's walk. I sure love bougainvilleas!

Hurray for family at Christmas!!!

I wish you a very merry Christmas, Willow.

Faith said...

love your photos...yay for hiking in the hills!! I love a good deep clean..that will be me at the end of January once our bamboo floor is done in the living room. For now? we are decorated and just keeping up with the vacuuming :)

Enjoy your family time.....i wish we had 3 weeks off!! the public schools around here only get Thursday until the Monday after New Year's Day off but the colleges all have 3-4 weeks off. ENJOY every moment. Merry Christmas!!

nikkipolani said...

Just the name Summerland is dreamy enough. How lovely that you have such precious memories attached to these beaches.
I feel your ambivalence about plastic sheeting versus poinsettias, but what can one do?? Glad it's completed enough for you to get back to anticipating your loved ones' arrival.

Gattina said...

What a nice walk ! Love the flower bushes ! It's always awful to clean after workers had been in the house, but it's good that you will be ready for Christmas !

snoopydogknits said...

Just love seeing those warm, inviting photos. It's dull and chilly here in the UK, so they really brightened my day! Ros

Claudia Bugh said...

Lovely list of things to be grateful for Willow! It's always a pleasure to visit and see a glimpse into your life and the beautiful scenery where you live. I'll be driving through Camarillo in a few hours and I'll think of you (although I know you are probably already traveling). Thank you for your support this past year, I appreciate it. Wishing you and your family a safe journey and a very merry Christmas!

Susanne said...

Ah yes, the renos. They need to get done when they can. But it's always good when they are all done. I love red pointsettas and I'm also loving all the new versions they are coming out with now. Pointsettas only come at Christmas time here. Enjoy the new grandchild and Merry Christmas Willow!