Happy December 1st! I was a day ahead of myself and thought that yesterday was day 1 of the advent calendar, excitedly popping open the first day of my lovely new Beth Krommes Winter’s Night pop-up advent calendar and introducing Keaton to the wonders of the waxy chocolate advent calendar. I only realized it wasn’t in fact the official start of Christmas month after I sent my students an email saying “Happy December 1st! Blah blah blah…” and then one of them wrote back, “Um, it’s still November 30th on my calendar!” Whoops. Even now it’s barely the 1st, just past midnight, but I can’t help myself. Oh well – it just shows how much the Christmas spirit is already powerfully thrumming through my veins!
So far I’ve watched the Vicar of Dibley Christmas Lunch Incident epsiode (will save the other Christmas episodes for a later date), have put up all the decorations except for the tree (that’s tomorrow), consumed almost an entire box of chocolate-covered maraschino cherries (my weakness, what can I say), broken out the Frangelico for the coffee, plus the eggnog and the Roger Whittaker Christmas album. You know it’s Christmas when the Rog comes out. It’s all I can do to keep from watching Christmas Vacation – I’m going to wait to watch it this year with my best friend, who’s never seen it. Man, I can’t wait to introduce her to the Griswold magic.
I also hauled out my Christmas crafts that I meant to do last year but was so crazy-busy I had no time to do them:
…the ornaments kit I bought last year from Posie Gets Cozy….
…stocking pieces for Keaton (lovely vintage flannelette!)
…which I managed to finish and turn into an actual stocking during one of Keats’s naps this past weekend, and is now hanging on the mantle above our “fireplace” next to the vinyl stocking I made for Josh about 10 years ago (I think he needs an updated one – I’m thinking tweed), and my childhood stocking that my mum made me (as you can see, her crafting skills are slightly more advanced than mine).
I also got out all my Christmas magazines, and Keats and I had some fun making pomader oranges. Since taking this photo several days ago, they have rotted. Luckily I have more cloves. You see, I think I’m making up for the lack of energy I had last year to have my usual holiday spirit (the new job was absolutely insane last year and I was a complete zombie) by doubling it this year.
So bring on the Vancouver Christmas Market, the holiday baking and the carols. There’s no stopping me now! I’m a dyed-in-the-wool, bona fide Christmas Geek.
I need to rub against your clovey-cheeriness and get some of the spirit! You inspire me, as always. xoxoxox
What beautiful photos and amazing crafts. And, I LOVE the Roger Whittaker Christmas album. Darcy the Dragon always makes me smile and his Hallelujah song is one of my favourites.