CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS-THAT WEEK BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR

 There is so much work leading up to Christmas.

With the day, the dinner, the presents all done, time to reflect on what it all means to me.

I grew up in a home with decorations, lights, Christmas stockings, big family Christmas dinner and the tree stayed up until New Year.

We always opened presents Christmas morning with the exception one year when we did it Christmas Eve because my stepdad had to work Christmas day flying people south.

When I was little, I would spend a few hours on Christmas day with my biological dad and Tante Lene.

When I became older, I spent time with them New Years day.

After marriage, Adolph and I had to divide our time between families. So Christmas lunch at his Mom's and dinner at my folks.

When my parents retired west, just one Christmas meal. But the Christmas Eve Seafood dinner became such a tradition. First Mama-my mother-in-law would do it. Eventually we did both Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner.

When our girls became busy with families on Christmas Eve, Adolph and I would have our two person celebration. We could include lobster.

Now with Adolph gone, I spend Christmas Eve divided between my two girls and families.

The gang comes to my house for Christmas Day. I set up three tables so the big boys can talk and have fun, one for the littles and the rest of us at the big table. Dessert usually has everyone at one table.

It is a blessing for me to celebrate with my family. Sonya takes great family selfies. We have some great family dinner pictures up to the last Christmas of Adolph's life.

So my treasures from Christmas are the people I shared Christmas over my life. The photos. The gifts that may still be in my procession.

Christmas lights on homes are wonderful too. I go by houses shouting love your lights.

Christmas is still one of my favourite time of year. I love summer too. So Christmas lets me get through a good portion of winter.

A book could be written on so many Christmas memories but this post is enough for now.

How about you? What reflections do you have of Christmas.?

#chirstmasreflections#rememberingChristmaspast#lovingbeingwithfamilyatChristmas#ChristmasEvefood#christmasandallitshoopla#misinglovedonesatChristmas#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

CHRISTMAS AND ALL THE TRIMMINGS

 Celebrating.

Singing.

Watching Christmas movies.

Making a Christmas meal.

The cleanup.

Then the pause between Christmas and New Year. Time to chill.

The work. The fun. The family time

How was your Christmas?

#christmas2022#celebratingatChristmas#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

WINTER STORM AFFECTING CHRISTMAS PLANS

 Sometimes we really hope the weatherman is wrong.

But the storm is blowing through the GTA as I write this post.

I salted my driveway after the rain stopped. I saw the head of the winter crew in Toronto talking about how they were going to manage this event.

So the salt goes on after the rain and the temperatures plummets. I did it.

Shovels and salt by my front door!! 

Now to do some more Christmas dinner preparation. Like setting the table. Some more cleaning. Vacuum the main floor. 

Then take a nap. Christmas prep naps are good.

How about you? How are you managing this winter storm??

#winterstorm#managingawinterstorm#stayingsafeduringastorm#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

MY VINTAGE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS- WELL JUST A COUPLE

 One of the Facebook groups to which I belong asked for vintage Christmas decorations. 

So after taking the photos and posting them there I decided to repost here.

The toilet roll angel that Tash made in Kindergarten always goes beside the big angel.

For our first Christmas tree in 1971 Adolph and I put these little ponies and drums along with lots of candy canes. We did not have a lot of money for Christmas decorations.

A Christmas plate to put Santa's cookies. 1992 was a good year.

Eatons had many themes. This pretty tree decoration was one of 3 in 1988. 

I like ornaments with the year. It helps to keep the time capsule alive.

How about you do you have some vintage decorations? What are your favourites?

#vintagechristmasdecorations#eatons#eatonshadmanythemesatchristmas#handmadebychildren'shandsarethebestdecorations#rememberingafirstchristmaswithAdolph#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

COVID MEMORIAL BLANKET PROJECT STILL NEEDS MORE SQUARES

 So a new post by the Lindsay group organizing the memorial blanket.

Almost thought it was no longer viable. 

But Heather posted on December 10, 2022 that it is a go and they are welcoming more squares.

so with wrapping finished and waiting to start a Christmas dinner, well when it is Christmas Eve and Day I can use my hands to knit another square or two.

The wool needed.

The purple square for the blanket. The crocheted square for other blankets that could be used for other agencies across the country. August 2020 in memory of Adolph.

I did do another square in the fall and sent it to the project. 

You can find information on their website.

Covid Memorial Blanket 

Information is there. The pattern. The address for the square.

Covid 19 Memorial Blanket Project

111 Cable Rd.

Fenelon Falls, Ontario

K0M 1N0

It is best to check out their site for all the details and their story.

On December 10 it was posted the 48,493 souls have been lost to Covid.

#covidmemorialblanket#knittingforthememorialblanket#squaresarestillneededfortheblanket#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#fenelonfalls

GRIEF IS LOVE WITH NO PLACE TO GO-SAW THIS LINE IN A MOVIE

 Grief is love with no place to go.

Grief over the loss of a loved one is very profound.

It lingers. Just when you think it is done, it pops its ugly head.

So poignant to say grief is love with no place to go.

#grief#love#griefislovewithnoplacetogo#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

ANOTHER CHRISTMAS MOVIE TO ADD TO THE LIST- LOVE THE COOPERS

 Love the Coopers is about several members of the family and their drama at well Christmas.

Having several story lines.

The one I love the most is between Joe- a soldier trying to get home for Christmas but snowed in and Eleanor- who has been hurt in love and settles for a married guy.

The banter between them and the evolving love story is a classic of two people finding each other.

Some funny parts and some slow parts. 

When it came out in 2015 it did not get rave reviews.

But on Prime as another film to watch at one's leisure it is good for this lady trying to find something to watch.

Remember when Love Actually came out it did not receive rave reviews either.

Try watching it. It actually is  a feel good Christmas movie.

 Unlike Die Hard no killing or guns.

Do you have a favorite Christmas movie?

#lovethecoopers#dianekeaton#johngoodman#alanarkin#jakelacy#oliviawilde#marisatomei#thecastoflovethecoopers#christmasmoviesthataregoodtowatch#romanceisintheair#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#findingmoviestokeepthesoulalive#findingromanceinfilms#romanceatchristmastime