I have not been caroling at Christmas for decades.  I love to sing carols, and have not been where I could join a group that planned to go caroling. I was moaning about this situation last year to a friend at exercise, and she remembered what I had said.

Jackie wondered why we couldn’t invite members of our  exercise class to join us.  Of the roughly 45 members of class, ten of us will go caroling Wednesday, right after class.  We’re going to visit class members who have had a difficult year, and are unable to be at class.  We’ve lucked out, and should be able to complete our rounds before the first snow of the season moves in.

One of the women suggested that we might take boxes of homemade cookies to share.  Even class members who will not be singing will be donating cookies, so we should have a lovely collection of cookies to share.

Do you have a favorite carol?  I love so many of them it’s difficult to choose one, but “Angels We Have Heard on High,” or “What Child Is This?”  are at the top of the list.  Invite me to join you caroling, and I’ll be happy to sing whatever you like, as long as it’s not “Gramma Got Run Over By a Reindeer!”

Merry Christmas, one and all!

Or not….as the case may be.  As you know, we are planning to put our house on the market.  We were supposed to have it ready this past year, but a number of things interrupted our plans, including a new knee for Dear Husband.

When I thought the house would be on the market last summer, I boxed up all the winter clothes, the fall decorations and the Christmas decorations.  Boxes and boxes of things are stacked in the basement.  All that storage makes it a little more difficult to get to what I need.

I’d like to decorate the house so that every room looks gracious and festive, but it seems more prudent to follow the “less is more” philosophy this year.  I put up swags at the carriage lights, and a wreath at the front door.  I have wreaths up on both sides of the fireplace. I put a wreath covered with silk berries at the back door, and my Mother’s cute country “Welcome” wreath on the door to the studio.

I finally decided to use our  six-foot fake Sitka spruce tree as our Christmas tree this year.  My-Sister-The-Nurse and My-Niece-The-Artist put new lights on the tree for me and redecorated it last July, so it looks really lovely. I just need to put out the tree skirt.

I plan to bring things up for the mantle.  I have a man-made garland that is made of little red seeds that will compliment the wreath.  I’ll anchor it with candles in hurricanes, to be lit Christmas Eve.  And, I think I may decorate the chandelier in the dining room.

With a few poinsettias, and flower arrangements, we should be good to go.  I like the idea of a simpler look, that allows us to enjoy the holiday.  I’ll make a few cookies this week, and wrap gifts on Sunday, and we (I hope) will be good to go!  Merry Christmas, everyone!