sometimes simpler is better...

I started the holiday season with grand plans and a long To Do list, much of which was changed or just didn't happen.

The week before Christmas, I was feeling really off and ended up with a migraine that kept me in bed for about 30 hours...pretty intense.  Needless to say, that put a major crimp in the plans and caused me to rethink my To Do list.  Maybe sometimes things like that happen to make us focus on what's really important, vital and necessary.

It ended up being a pretty simple Christmas.  Christmas Eve dinner wasn't as fancy as some but there was was plenty of food and no one left hungry.  The deep cleaning...well, let's just say it was pretty shallow...more like whiffing over some obvious areas. :)  But, it really didn't much matter.  The family was either too classy to say something or they knew I would give them a dust rag and tell them to help themselves.

I collected things from around the house to build the table decorations...a hurricane candle holder filled with simple silver and white glass balls, silver, mercury glass and pewter candleholders with white tapers donated by Ashley from her collection...white textured tableclothes layered on top of each other and simple white dishes.   It ended up looking so pretty...and definitely was simple to put together.

We don't typically go to the Christmas Eve service at church when we are entertaining at our home but this year, we ended up changing the dinner hour so that we could go.  I'm so glad we did...it was such an inspiring and awesome service...and standing room only.  So worth going and being reminded of the reason for the celebrations.

We definitely had a great Christmas Eve with family...a smaller and much quieter group than last year since the Idaho clan couldn't come this year.  Hmmm, I wonder if it's my side of the family that's the rowdy bunch? 

Vern's parents drove out again this year...they are really amazing with their stamina and determination.  Vern's Dad was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and he is currently undergoing chemo...nothing would dissuade him from driving out...after all, he had a perfectly good new vehicle sitting in his garage!  If it would take them a couple of hours to get here, that's one thing but this was a 4 day drive from Pennsylvania to Arizona!  We certainly appreciate them making the effort to come out to spend Christmas with the rest of us.

Christmas Day was really laid back and quiet...Vern, Ash and I opened our gifts early in the morning and we really savored the experience.  I got some of the coolest stuff-great clothes and jewelry, the huge Parisian clock pictured above (which I've been wanting for quite a while) and the Flemish doll form pictured here.  I've wanted one of these doll forms for a long time but the reading I've done about acquiring an antique one is that they are getting harder to find and therefore are quite pricey.  You know, a reproduction of the antique is quite fine with me.  She's pretty tall...around 30"...and I love her sweet expression.  You know what else?  She looks like she could be related to the primitive angel Vern got me last year.

It was fun being surprised and seeing Vern's and Ashley's reactions to surprises they received.

My day was spent in sweats...totally laid back...totally comfortable...simple and just what I needed.

I thought back to the long list and the grand plans and decided that, for this year, simpler did turn out to be better.  We'll leave those grander celebrations for another year.

I wanted to say thanks to so many of you who took time out of your busy schedules to leave a comment, to email your family Christmas photos and to hand make and send the fabulous cards.  I appreciate your caring and giving spirit...thanks.

Whether it was grand or simple, I hope that you enjoyed your Christmas!

Comments

[Jill]

So sorry to hear of your migraine. But... your simple Christmas Eve celebration sounds absolutely wonderous. Being with loved ones is what counts and it sounds like your home was filled with love. Merry Christmas!

[Cathy]

Loved your table and your "simple" Christmas! Yes, simple is better!! Glad you were able to relax in sweats - heaven!! Happy 2008, Cathy

[fran heupel]

Hi Carol,
Love your blog and am so glad you had a wonderful relaxing Christmas with your family.
We did the same this year. Very simple and low key.

Wishing you a very relaxing rest of your week and a blessed New Year!

Fran

[cricket]

I'm glad you had a nice and quiet Christmas! Your doll is fabulous, she is a real beauty! Sorry to hear you were suffering with a migraine, I get them too, I feel your pain!

Best wishes for a Happy New Year!!

smiles,

[Jeanette]

How unfortunate that you had a migraine just before Christmas but perhaps it was your body telling you that rest was what you needed. Our Christmas was laid back too.

Looking forward to 2008 and reconnecting with you again. :)

[Amy Johnson]

Merry Christmas Carol. Glad to hear that your plans turned out to be good! Things for us were busy but great. The kids had a good time. Miss you! Enjoy new years :)

[Irene]

Wow, I'm so jealous of the christmas-presents you got this year and last year. I love those santos and the angel from last year is just as wonderful.

[Carole]

Sorry you had a migraine that sent you to bed. Hope you felt better by Christmas - your simple celebration sounds lovely.