On the road to Jungle Bells...

  Ignore the haint in the mirror...focus instead on the Gifting Stag...lol    The Gifting Stag is a Celtic tradition . He comes to inspire moderation and balance  in our hearts. This is necessary this time of year, as it is so easy to go to extremes as the days get darker and we find ourselves seeking ways to keep ourselves on an even keel, emotionally and mentally.

 We have , of course, adapted the gifting stag to a reindeer, pulling  the sleigh full of gifts for our Santa Claus, but I like the idea of the stag better. Representing a spirit of good sense, and showing us the middle path. Something I'm pretty sure we could all use this crazy time of year.

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  The boy came and helped me move boxes of decorations in the house. I'm unpacking and sorting  and finding things I didn't know I had. I don't want most of it.  For some reason I have a white tree with colored lights on it, about 5 ft tall. I'm sure someone was throwing it away, and scavenger that I am, said--here, I'll take it ! I took it out of the box, thinking maybe I could put it outside, as I don't really have the room nor the desire to have it in my house. But I don't know if it can survive outside...Almost all the lights work and it is kinda pretty...but a white tree? I don't think so...lol  I have my tabletop sized green tree out with the big Santa next to it.  I have scattered some wreaths around and have some garlands up. And , of course, my Gifting Stag...in his place of honor at the front door.  lol

 My house looks like a yard sale right now and that is making me crazy. I'm stopping for a bit to eat, that's why I'm here now. I keep going back and forth about what I should be doing. There's laundry in mid-process. I found enough garland to finish the front porch rail and need to take out the old dead clematis to put it the rest of the way around the railing. It's cold and damp today, rained all night. I need to vacuum. I need to....slow down. I really need to slow down and just do one thing at a time.  First, decide what's staying in here and then move the boxes out.  And go from there.

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  I've also started a list for the party. Things I need to do (and a timeline for that), and things I need to buy (apple cider) .  Plan the menu.  I think we've invited about 40 people so far. And can expect about half of that probably.  Maybe.  Depending on the weather.  It'll be like an open house, sort of, with folks coming and going. I've instructed them to each being a green or recycled gift for an exchange.  I am going to have fun doing all this. I already am. If I can get enough things done ahead of time, it won't be a problem the day of.

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  Tomorrow or Monday, I'm going to make a centerpiece of evergreen boughs, 3 champagne glasses, ribbon,  taper candles and holly berries.  I think I have all the stuff to do it with and look forward to the challenge of being artistic.  I'll be sure to take a picture and show you when it's done. I also want to make a Yule log.  I'm thinking that if it isn't raining the day of the party, I'm going to set up our little fire pit in the front yard and have a fire going outside, then we can burn the Yule log. Traditionally this is all wrong, of course, but we don't have a fireplace and it will be what it will be.  :)


 Okay...guess I've stalled about as long as I can.  I made a big pot of chili last night, so I don't really have to cook supper...maybe a chili and cheese omelet, with potatoes.  Something simple for a Saturday night supper, unless the Irishman comes home insisting on taking me out for supper, since we stayed home last night.  He's out and about today, so I have no idea really.  But that's not anything I have to worry about right now.  For now, I'm going to get back in there and make a decision about this gaudy tree, lol. And just go from there. I need to turn on some music too...

   And not Christmas music, either.

  Happy Saturday, ya'all...


Namaste.