Mornin’ DeVeria. Sorry but you just haven’t been paying attention. The stores have been putting up Christmas stuff before Halloween for years now.

But somehow, I don’t think you’ll be having to fight all that many crowds. Sadly so.

Don’t worry, be happy! Christmas is fun, especially when you have kids!

Just opening gifts will be an adventure for Rashad. Babies love giftwrap!

Good Morning! I guess because I lost so much time this year, it just caught me by surprise. Oh well, time to get moving! I might do a little more online this year though…

I think so too…I really can’t wait! He is already so busy, so I can’t even imagine how he is going to react once we put a pile of bright, colorful packages in front of him and let him go for it!

Morning DeVeria and all, Christmas can be a good time for families to get together and enjoy. It is to bad it has become so commercialized. I have a goal to be done with it by Thanksgiving but ma nature is making it difficult. Snowed yesterday afternoon and evening and is supposed to start again this afternoon into tomorrow with 12 to 56 inches predicted. How they came up with 56 is beyond me.

Alot of us will be getting a lump of coal,but not to worry I hear they have such a thing as clean coal now so there wont be such a mess.

DeVeria- Wait for the sales! But probably everything will be on sale right away. Just get him some little colorful squishy things,

Rashad is blessed to have you.

Yes, unfortunately the season has become excessively commercialized. I try to remember to take time to share with my loved ones the real reason for the season.

Also, trust me…if I had to contend with snow…there would be no shopping!

LOL…well at least put a pretty bow on the coal!

Morning Eve…and I feel blessed to have him. He has been my most precious gift this year.

Im sorry my comment is so political so early in the day:Please excuse my tone.

haven’t watched fox lately. has the war on x-mas started yet?

61 and sunny in The City Beautiful

Its fine…just remember even with things being the way they are, we still must enjoy the season. Many are having a hard time this year, but I hope everyone will be thankful things are as good as they are and do not get any worse.

Speaking of squishy things,They have a new Dick Cheney doll in the stores,It comes with its own underground bunker,and death squad characters sold separately.

Variety is the spice of life.

Oh yes but it has spread well beyond Fox (although probably not Fox viewers). I’m a native Kentuckian and still follow things there and the Governor made the mistake of saying “Holiday” tree. Which started all the cries of “I want a Christmas Tree” (not all of my family and friends from back there can be called remotely liberal so I see their facebook updates sometimes)

Does it have interchangeable artificial hearts and a blond daughter/defender.

I’m coming there. I haven’t seen the sun all week.

Morning DeVeria
Not Christmasy for mt till after Thanksgiving.

Bill O’Reilly himself has a “Christmas slash Holiday Store” online.

Good Morning All,
I agree that the Christmas Rush probably won’t be as big this year. I heard earlier in the week that even Fed Ex and UPS aren’t planning on hiring extra workers.
I’ve just started buying a few things, here and there. Last weekend, the Girl Scouts were out at the markets selling their nuts and I picked up a tin of Pecan Supremes (with caramel and junk) for my son’s bus driver. And, yesterday I was at a plant nursery. I picked up a little 12″ rosemary xmas tree that was half-off. Nothing wrong with the plant, but the plastic pot was ripped. Guess who has extra emptie terra cotta ones in her yard? Waste not, want not.

Morning Ellie! I think that is when I get there. The Christmas carols start, we are done with all of the food and fellowship from Thanksgiving, and then can look forward to the next holiday. But it will be here before you know it!

I know that’s right! I’m all about the best sales or bargains. We have too much to do with too little to be wasteful.

Good Morning, Yikes….Holiday tree sounds so phony…as in why get one? Christmas has become such a cultural holiday…Truly we can argue about anything.

The Republican Party Christmas Theme Song:Im dreaming of a WHITE Chritmas just like the ones We used to know.Where wall street steals and Bernanke deals and rest of us are just shit out of luck.

yes we can…

Good morning! Today I’m going to a holiday fair in Portland to buy some of my friend Suzan’s cool ornaments she paints. I’m hoping to get the ones with the lobstahs on them! Oh yea….the tree is gonna be bee-you-tea-full this year with those babies on them!

A holiday tree hecho en China, strung with lights from Taiwan and balls from India.

Morning Bev.
Actually, I picked up the rosemary tree to give to my sissie and her man. They celebrate the Christian and the Muslem holidays together, but don’t usually do a Christmas tree. And, part of the reason for that is they live in a tiny little apartment. Also, Amir does most of the cooking and I think he will enjoy the fresh herbs. I thought I’d paint one of my terra cotta pots white and then paint various icons on it. Like peace signs! Ha.

Elizabeth Warren was on the David Brancchio (sp) last night. She is so good on what’s wrong with this picture.

WHY, only celebrate the “christmas” only ONE day yearly. My family celebrates each and every day as if it were a holiday. Give gifts whenever you feel like giving one. NOT just because some ad man sez you have to give a gift. Ever wonder why you feel so down after the lights are turned off, the tree is down and the gifts are broken? What about the folks who get help one day a year then have NOTHING the rest of the year. WE NEED it every day.
Celebrate life every day.

And a creche from Wal-mart…youbetcha

Try Chinaberry children’s books. Their catalogue was always a real treat. Chinaberry.com For great toys hearthsong.com When he’s a little older get him their pattern blocks. It’s a wonderful child & grown-up togetherness activity.

Good Morning….that sounds lovely….and I got little of our special beer yesterday ;)) What a treat.

Yes, I’m sure. I love trimming a Christmas tree, but I haven’t put one up in a couple of years. Guess I have to this year!

Thanks for the alert. I’ll try to find the video. Never miss an opportunity to hear her.

Hiya, Kay.
I’m taking my mother, who doesn’t drive any more, to the holiday boutique at church this morning. I guess they call it that because some of the stuff will be Thanksgiving themed. I don’t usually buy any gifts from this thing, but the whole event is a tradition. We see folks who come out for the boutique who don’t usually go to church. And, there’ll be homemade fudge and plenty other treats. Also, the traditional barbeque beef sammies and beans. Oh boy! Sonny’s looking forward to going too.

Yes, indeed celebrate life everyday. I think I am doing better with that since my last bout of sickness. However, I still love the season. I love the decorations, I love the day, I love everything about it…except fighting the crowds. LOL My favorite time of year!

Well, I do like to point out to some of the folks hollering that in fact the “Christmas Tree” was a pagan symbol co-opted by the early church as a means to meld Christianity with the existing religious rituals.

But since their minds are made up, they don’t like it when facts intrude on a good rant.

That is true she should be the head of the Sec and another great choice for treasury secretary would have been Eliot Spitzer baggage and all but these spineless dems we fought for are not prepared to fight for either of them.This situation with the banks will truly be the dems WATERLOO!

I needed to pick up ordinary stuff at Target last week…don’t go often. But it was already packed with Holiday shoppers…and not much in the spirit, either;))

Demi, That sounds great for you and your mom. I’m guessing she really enjoys it.

Thanks for the tip. That’s exactly the type of thing I am looking for. I haven’t done this in a while, so all suggestions are welcomed.

You sure do! I’m an Atheist and don’t subscribe to the religious part of the season but I sure do love having a tree in my house lit up with cool ornaments. Especially lobstah balls on it. LOL :-)

What I will probably do is make my list and take a weekend and do everything. I know people are already out and about and some are unhappy. Oh well, it is what it is.

Good morning Demi! I stay clear of the homemade crocheted bookmarks and oven mits, but I love my friend Suzan’s ornament creations because they’re unique. Enjoy yourself today!

See, there is another side of it for you. Whatever works…

Why cant we change from the traditional Christmas Tree to the Christmas Bush?That way we can give Bush Family lifelike figures and a separately wrapped package of needles.What do ya think?

As a low income person on a fixed income, I am really going to get into the “spirit of Christmas” by buying little or nothing, doing a lot of baking, and the only think I will buy is for my 6 year old granddaughter who I know would feel disappointed with anything I made. I am not sure what I will buy for her, but I am afraid that whatever Barbie, or game I can afford won’t be much.

To make matters worse, TWO of my children were born, one on Christmas day and the other on Christmas Eve. I will try to promise something later on, even though they are young adults now and at least do not require something fancy-dancy that I wish i could give to them. After all many times they get nothing for their birthdays anyway but it seems unfair, lol.

I have always been poor. To be honest with you, this new “frugal-ness” is nice. Now even upper income folks are deciding not to buy a lot of junk that looks glittery under the tree, but is forgotten by the next day. I will not feel bad that some made-up glorious magic Christmas is not in the cards not only for my family.

After all, I am pretty sure that the birthday of the main honored one, did not see much for his first birthday either since he was on the lam fleeing to Egypt, lol.

It is all about cooking with me, and that is where I will pour my love. it is the best I can do.

Cat In Seattle

OMG! You’ve been to my church’s boutique! Seriously, the circle ladies work on that kind of stuff all year. Gaaaaa! Their fudge is pretty delish, tho.
Also, my son, who is an Asperger’s kid, doesn’t like shopping at stores. Doesn’t like the crowds or any of that, so, I’ll go out to the bank before to go and give him some money. He does like shopping at the boutique because he knows most of the people there. :) Got to go with what works, right?

:-) Thanks for noticing. See? I’m not a foul-mouthed fem blogger all the time! LOL

I’m pretty much with you. I have one grandson. So that’s pretty much it. But I mostly gave up cooking quite awhile back. How nice you still enjoy it. For recent years I have helped serve meals at a shelter and will this year as well.

You’re welcome. Thanks for asking. I have two little ( 18 months & 2 months)grand-nephews now so it’s time to start thinking about this. Let me know if you come up with something special.

Hey Cat! I’m with you sister. Last year, I bought a photo album and filled it with childhood and family photos for my 26 year old daughter. She loved it! She cried and we sat for a long time and went through it together. I think the home baked and home made gifts are the best ones.

For both Thanxgiver and Xmas make a big batch of something nutritious for the homeless. Better yet, get involved in a group that provides meals and such for the increasing number of homeless. My only family is my tigers and my friends don’t need me to give them anything.

Torturing lobstahs now, are we? Or are they neutered under sedation? *g*

For toys, books, etc., try consignment shops/thrift stores to reduce mass production and to keep your money local. Also remember that charitable donations are down across the board. We give donations in our friends’ and family members’ names (at least the ones who won’t be offended by not getting a new tie or gadget). We also do it for the older kids. For example, one niece loves horses so we sponsor a rescue horse for her.

I just remembered the sharing of an idea here (rah cheer at PUAC) last year that was a superb idea. I forget who did it, sorry, but She had her grandaughter over and they baked cookies and stuff all afternoon together. The mother took photos of the two of them working side by side. Then, she put the photos and the recipes they used in a little book and that’s what she gave her for xmas.

Good morning all. It was a bit disturbing to see the local Target transitioning to Christmas the week before Halloween. As much as I despise it, (the timing not the holiday) a lot of folk do start shopping early so that gives the retailers an angle to start selling the goods.

You do your cooking and take time and spend with your loved ones. Christmas is not just about the shopping and the gifts, but showing love to those around you…that doesn’t have to cost a thing.

LOL

It’s going to be an interesting holiday season chez msmolly this year. My divorced son has a *very* serious lady friend who is Jewish and has three small children (8, 7 and 4). My son is an atheist like me, and has 3 “older” kids (16, 13 and 11). Although he says she doesn’t “do” Christmas at all (some Jewish folks at least have a tree, I think), she already is talking about “Christmas dinner” and has invited my family to her Channukah party. She is wonderfully low maintenance, fortunately. We’ve been planning Thanksgiving dinner via email this week — she’s hosting!

Combining holidays is going to be fun, educational, AND challenging!

The pups here are helping me…I am going to start looking around though.

Great idea…

And with the economy, they are all doing what they have to do to entice us to come in and try to move some of their stock. Sales have really been down.

You gave them life. Can’t ask or be thankful for more than that.

Hey, who doesn’t like lobstah balls!

Wow…so I see. It will all work out. There is a lot of love on board.

Exactly

What a wonderful idea, demi! A few years ago I planted some outdoor flowerpots to help my daughter, and my little granddaughter “helped” with the project. That has now become a family tradition, with her two little girls (8 and 6) “helping” and Mom taking pictures of this annual event. I love the cookbook idea — maybe I will bring it up!

Hey hatguy! How are you? Haven’t seen you around much. Hope all is well, or at least very tolerable.

Yes it’s a challenge really. As much as I don’t like how commercial the holiday season has become, the way our economy of consumption has been structured, a lot of people depend on the sales for a living.

Yes, I think it will. There will be 15 for Thanksgiving dinner (my son’s kids will be with their Mom this year) and I think her Dad and his wife and her stepsister will be there. So very blended families. I am looking forward to it a lot.

Hey demi, things are good. I started a blog and well I’m kind taking a break from things political.

Your comment brought back a vision of my mother, who could have written it. She’s been gone for 11 years, but we all miss her every day. I know by your comment that you too must be the best kind of mother and grandmother there can be.

Off to the paint store, enjoy your day folks.

How wonderful of and for you. I put your link in my favorites and will be checking in on ya.
Nice to see a positive side to life. Good for you! Proud of you, bud.

You too!

That’s a lot of cooking. I’m having to cook for about 8 this weekend and I can’t wait to get out of the kitchen!

Very nice…I like it!

My cooking cousin collected recipes from everybody and just xeroxed the recipes into a very simple cookbook. She organized them by “courses.”

To this day its a pleasure just to see my Mom and Dad’s handwriting, or my Aunts’
Not to mention having everyone’s favorite recipes at hand.

Hi, and Bye

Love your blog, MM

The gifts made with love are the best ones. You too, demi. All the rest is chaff.

Good Morning DeVeria !
Just thought I’d stop by and say hello.
Hello !

Yup and yup. When my kids were little, I would get rolls of that brown postal paper and set out paints and glitter and stickers and had the kids make wrapping paper for the xmas presents. The family really appreciated the effort and the simplicity. Plus, we could use the paper afterwards for starting fires in the fireplace.

Good morning and how are you today?

Now I love that idea! Can’t wait for Rashad to get older so he can enjoy stuff like that.

You’ve got a little time to wait, but once he gets to about two, fingerpainting with chocolate pudding!

Cold and wet here today, having our share of the Nor’ Easter !

Looks like a good day for some serious reading

Gift cards from places like Target, Walmart and Meijer. You can even buy them on line. You can never go wrong with these.

Enjoy ‘em while ya can !
Before ya know it they become……… TEENAGERS ! LOL

Even worse, they get into their 20’s and move away. :(

No Xmas here…we’re childfree (yes, you can begin eyeing me suspiciously now), just the cats and us. It IS a good time to catch up on sleep though.

Xmas is just another example of something that’s been turned into social engineering.

I love your comment, along with hers. My mother has now been gone almost 3 years….we had her for such a long time. You just confirm that we never stop missing…in some way I miss her everyday. Thanks. And my best to you.

Oh, honey. We never stop loving and so, of course, we never stop missing.
I will enjoy my time with my mother this morning, inspite of all the embroidered pot holders and bookmarks. Right?
To answer your question up above some where. Yes, mom will really enjoy the day and since I’m picking her up at the hair salon, she’ll look fabulous when she sees all of her friends.
((Bev))

Hmmm…sounds messy but delicious!

Perfect day for reading if I could get out of the kitchen.

Geez…not looking forward to that!

Nope…not happening…godmommy is not letting him go!

If it ain’t messy, it ain’t fun. Remember that. *g*

Have a great day, D. Enjoy your cooking. Enjoy everything.

can’t wait!

Bill, I am fascinated by your screen name. I have been doing rescue of chow chows for 20 years. Have FOUR of the furry critters.

Both my kids are college age. For years a part of our “season” has been having them buy gifts for the less-fortunate, whether it’s those “giving trees” that appear in malls [take an "ornament" that lists clothes or other items needed by a particular kid], books, or even toys for kids.

We also decided long ago that we’ve got entirely too much “crap” in this house [confirmed by a move to Hawaii], so other than a very few minor items, we give each other donations to “causes” in the recipient’s name: DonorsChoose, the Heifer Project, Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Washington Animal Rescue League, the foundation for schooling girls in Afghanistran started by the Three Cups of Tea guy, other good organizations.

The chow pups particularly like donating to their “friends in need.”

I’m inherently a minimalist (Depression Era grandparents and parents), so bow-wrapped gifts were always only of the utilitarian kind, or if the recipient was fortunate enough to not really need anything, the gesture was on their behalf to benefit someone with a true need, as you’ve encouraged and shared with your children. Bill’s story in brief: in late October 2007 while my husband and I were walking our two dogs, we saw a large black chow mix lying in a yard on a corner lot in our neighborhood. He watched us pass. Two days later, rounding the same corner, the same dog followed us and started whining. One of us (we can’t remember who) touched him and felt bones. Because of the mounds of loose fur accumulated on his body, we hadn’t realized at first glance his state of emaciation. Our vet estimated his age at 5 years. He weighed 29 pounds, was unneutered, and had Stage 3 heartworms. Long story, happy ending – Btcc, now 57 pounds, neutered, and heartworm-free, just got home from his morning walk with us and his canine brother and sister; he likes to pee and poop on the corner where we picked him up then and now routinely bag his “comments.” All of our animals are happy, well-adjusted rescues, but Bill (aka Teddy Bear) especially is gleeful every waking moment of every day. He is just happy to be.

Bless you.

Chows are, I think, second only to pit bulls in having an undeserved “bad” reputation. They are really warm couch potatoes, but like most canines, need tender loving care.

A little warm “scritch” from our chow house to yours.

Me and some gals here in Sacramento will be getting togehter tomorrow to share in gift making. It’s going to be like when we were all kids and had no money but wanted to give, instead of just recieve gifts. Here’s the plan: I bought a skajillion cigar boxes from a local tobacco store. $15 bucks for 4 sacks of boxes – paper and wooden. Others will bring hot glue guns, fabric and ribbon scraps,beads and old jewerly, glue, paint, glitter (macaroni and gold paint) and will fashion lovely, embellished boxes for gift giving.
Next month, we’ll all make some food-type gifts together. We’re cheap and we love each others company, and it makes for good times regardless of the employment status of the participants.