-
A Change of Seasons
Some live for bold transformations—grand openings, dramatic exits, big life announcements. Not me. I’m more of a “slow fade into the next thing” kind of gal. Like nature here in the Midwest, my life seems to shift in seasons—quietly, subtly, and sometimes without me even noticing until I’m standing knee-deep in snow, wondering what happened to my flip-flops.I love how our Midwest seasons change slooooowly (yes, with that many o’s). One season melts into the next. Summer doesn’t pack its bags and storm out; it lingers. The days gradually shorten, green leaves blush into the warm golds and reds of autumn, and then flutter to the ground, uncovering winter’s stark branches. In the spring, snowdrops poke through leftover patches of snow in my garden, and redwing blackbirds start shouting from the treetops that summer is just around the corner.
-
Seasons of Me
Some people live for summer. Flip-flops, fireflies, and late-night bonfires. Not me. I mean, summer has its place, usually in the outdoors… with the mosquitoes.For me, the seasons have always felt more like moods than months.
-
Seasons of the Soul
Having been raised in Wisconsin, I became attached to the change of the seasons. I enjoyed knowing that the weather in each season brought with it expectations of new and fun activities and adventures. As the bleak and monotonous winter gives way to spring, the new birth is all around us. The trees begin to bud, and the early perennials, such as crocuses and daffodils, show off their welcome blooms. -
Toys and Cardboard Boxes
Every child needs a toy. Or does he or she, and at what age?Let’s see, when I had our first child, Lisa, I felt I wanted her to have anything and everything we could to make her happy.
-
Simply Simple
vent plates or silverware from being placed. I have never understood the desire to say cut a cutting off a plant and hope to see it in ten years become a beautiful big plant. Seriously, remember, I need immediate gratification. This also shows in my garden. It is hard for me to buy little flowers, waiting for the moment when they fill in and make a beautiful basket. I need to see color NOW.
The word simplicity implies to me being in control, a downsized situation, and a time saver.
Now, this does not seem to be in my brain, vocabulary, or whatever. You see, I never seem to do things simply.
-
Creating Christmas
By my admission, I have yet to be the active do-it-yourselfer in our family. I often find myself being a copycat, and the original ideas often escape me. When my sister was newly married and living in her first apartment, she had a great time making toothpick Christmas trees. I loved the one she made and decided to try my hand at making a similar tree. -
Trash to Treasures
One of the interests of the Sidetracked Sisters is crafting. In the past we have had several home shows where we display and sell our creations. -
Projects and Promises
Over the years, my enthusiasm for holiday decorating has ebbed and flowed. Some years, I am a classic overachiever; other years, I am overextended and overwhelmed.Between 1996 and 2003, the Sidetracked Sisters held craft shows where we created and sold handmade Santas, melty snowmen, and even bare-breasted angels. I loved getting ideas from craft books and then adding my own flair. I added beads to the angels’ halos and tea-stained the linen fabric for the snowpeople. A friend made beautiful jewelry with beads, so naturally, I had to try my hand at it too. I made my own beads from Sculpey clay and added wire embellishments.
-
Glue Guns and Glitter
I’m a big fan of DIY Christmas items. As a crafter, I’m not able to let this holiday go by without creating something new. If it’s not new ornaments for my tree, then it’s presents for the kids. This all started when Sidetracked Sisters started doing at-home craft shows back in 1996! -
Surviving December
Thanksgiving is behind us. Yesterday, Craig, the kids, and I ventured out to pick our Christmas tree. Once Craig and the boys got it into the stand, I took charge of making sure it was straight from every angle. It’s just the beginning of the season, and I have high hopes. This year, December will be festive and memorable. I will buy and wrap presents before the 24th. I will not feel guilty for not buying everything for everybody. -
Letting Go of the To-Do List
The holidays are supposed to be a time filled with joy, love and celebration. But for some people, it can be a very challenging and stressful time of the year. Somewhere between endless lsit of things to do: house cleaning, picking out the tree, decorate the house (inside and out), buy gifts, wrap gifts, bake cookies, and work full-time, we are supposed to find time to enjoy the holidays. -
The Hated Holiday
I love the holidays. I enjoy the idea of everything being decorated, and everyone seems to be in a good mood. Everything looks festive and so pretty at this time of the year. I get all wrapped up in the events and activities until PROCRASTINATION sets in. I want to be able to participate in everything to do with the holidays. But I never seem to be able to do all the activities as I have procrastinated again. By not doing the necessary tasks such as decorating, shopping, purchasing presents and, of course, wrapping all my treasures in a proper timely manner, and having not realized the potential of what activities I really would have time for, I have put myself under a time crunch. -
Summertime Wannabe
When I had a young family, I remember wanting to spend with them, especially in the summer.On many occasions, Lisa heard me say as I was getting ready for work, “I wish I could stay home with you girls and enjoy this wonderful summer day.”
-
Memories of Lake Sherwood
There is a slice of my life that I haven’t written about in our weekly writings. I was married for the first time at the ripe old age of 18. My husband’s name was Clayton and he loved to explore Wisconsin. We spent weekends visiting forts and locating historical markers. Often, we invited my mom to ride along. She loved being included. -
Chicks Can Camp
It was the summer of 1997 and Lisa and I were invited to go on a “Chicks Can Camp” adventure with her husband’s sister-in-law and her sisters. No boys were allowed and we were going to camp on the banks of the St. Croix River and go canoeing. We couldn’t wait for our weekend trip! I dropped my 3-year-old off at Mom’s house, we packed up our sleeping bags, our tent, some food and our handy 2-man canoe and set off for Minnesota. -
Birthdays Come and Go
Our birthdays come and go and have some strange properties depending on where you are in this game of life. When we are young it seems like our birthdays take forever to come. Second only to the wait for Christmas is the wait for our next birthday. I would ask for something I wanted and mom would tell me to put it on my birthday list. It seemed that was the death of the want because it seemed like my next birthday was eons away. -
A Birthday Makeover
In my family, birthdays aren’t just a celebration—they’re an event. Each one is marked by a special cake and an array of thoughtfully chosen presents. The anticipation and planning begin weeks in advance, making every birthday a memorable and unique experience.Mom loves Shaum Tortes with sweetened, crushed strawberries and whipped cream. Kadon experiments with new flavors—last year, he created a matcha-strawberry cake with frosting and vanilla ice cream. My sister and husband have a love-hate relationship with their joint birthday celebrations. Luka and Grandma Blu share a birthday and enjoy an annual private dinner date.
-
Special Birthdays
Celebrating my birthday has always been important to me. When I had kids, I wanted to make their birthdays as special as I could so maybe they would enjoy them like I used to. In the beginning, I did tend to overdo! -
Take Me As I Am
I can’t imagine my life without my family. They can appreciate the good and overlook the bad in me. For example, I asked for a set of kayaks for my birthday. My daughters must have thought this a good idea as they both purchased one for my husband and one for myself. But, being who I am I felt they were too small. So, being the sweet things they are they loaded them up, not without trouble, and purchased the larger ones. Not to mention the cost was more also. They weren’t surprised as they knew me too well. -
Making Christmas Tree Memories
Mom was responsible for decorating our Christmas tree when I was a child. It was filled with C7 multi-colored lights and covered with homemade ornaments. Sparkly balls and vintage metal-like glass bulbs added to the festive look.
Craig and Luka, 2006 But I was often involved in making the ornaments. One year we strung popcorn on string. (We used several days-old, stale popcorn. Otherwise, the needle popcorn will fall apart when you try to push the needle through.) We used the same completed string for several years. It got thrown out when It finally began to fall apart. It probably should have been thrown out much sooner–it began to look like buttered popcorn over time (but it had no butter on it).
-
Christmas Tree Evolution
When I was growing up, we believed that Santa brought our Christmas tree. This meant another trip for Santa but he never seemed to mind. The tree arrived, as if by magic, several days before Christmas. I would come down the stairs to find the long-needled pine tree dripping with tinsel and decorated with colored balls and multi-colored lights. I can remember thinking it was a great surprise. My sister would go through all kinds of gyrations the night before the tree arrived to get me to go to sleep. I was pretty gullible and didn’t put it all together until many years later. -
Never the Same Tree Twice
Already thinking about how I would like to decorate for next year! I love having more than one Christmas tree in my home. I love the ambiance of the lights. We put one tree up in our living room and one in the family room. Now when I have extra time (if that ever happens) I like to put a tree up in my bedroom and two in the extra bedrooms. -
One Tree is Not Enough
I’m 8 years old and it’s Christmas time. Mom has gone to the tree farm and asked them for just the top of 2 trees. The guys look at her like she has 4 heads, but they proceed to find her 2 trees about 4’ in height. Now, it’s time for me to decorate my tree. I can do anything I want with it. Mom has given me access to all of the decorations and I can use whatever I want. As my room is yellow with red accents, we put little yellow lights on the tree which give off a soft glow at night. (Yellow lights on a tree are my favorite, but I don’t have a yellow room with a tree anymore) -
I Believe
I can’t say that I remember believing in Santa Claus as a child, but I always knew that it was just a topic you didn’t bring up or question. I was concerned that if I ever questioned his existence, he would just stop showing up. But one thing I do remember was the magical way the presents appeared under the tree. -
Memories of Santa
I don’t remember ever being taken to see Santa Claus when I was little. There was lots of talk about this jolly old sort, and I just went along with the fact that there was this wonderful old guy, with a white long beard, and a red suit. He made millions of toys and dropped off the toys you asked for on Christmas Eve Call me gullible. It was fun believing all the hoopla involved in Santa being so secretive and wonderful at the same time. I knew he flew in the sky with his reindeer leading his sleigh. -
Is Santa Real?
The tradition continues…my grandson, 13-month-old Luka Jr., sitting with Santa (December 2023). Santa is such a huge part of the festivities and celebrations of Christmas. The movies, stories, decorations…all seem to involve the jolly bearded gift giver.
Now, I don’t remember actually believing, not believing, or any “discovery” events.
I do admit that I did know that mom was the holiday gift buyer–on several occasions, I did find my Christmas gifts before December 25. But it didn’t bother me that they were supposedly from Santa.
I will also confess that I appreciated that my sister was 5 1/2 years younger than me. So I figured that I had to keep up appearances so that she would believe as long as possible. I figured that as long as at least one of us believe, the presents from Santa would continue to come.
And then, somehow, I grew up and had my own children, and the holidays continued to roll around. Shows about Santa continued to air on t.v. and traditions that I grew up with became traditions that I perpetuated.
-
Holiday Disclosure
Santa Claus was a true test of my faith in my family and friends. I was the youngest of three girls and there was a five-year span between my sister Sandy and me. I was also gullible and trusting so I believed everything my sister and my parents told me. -
A Holiday Purist
Hallothanksmas (the blending and mixing of the holidays) began in the retail community.As a teacher, the last day with students for the year was usually around June 5th. This year I noticed that our local Wally World began putting out “Back to School” banners and items out in the store on July 1.
As the 2023-2024 school year began, my daughter Aubrey was a bit of a minimalist regarding school supplies. So, not unexpectantly, I had to pick up more notebooks and folders after a couple of weeks. I was shocked to see the beginnings of Christmas displays on September 15. (The date is firm in my memory as it was soooo incredibly early.)
Why is this all so bothersome to me?
I am a holiday purist.
-
Happy Hallothanksmas
I am definitely a holiday purist and can’t stand the fact that stores start putting out Christmas decorations before Halloween. It actually aggravates me to hear Christmas music before Thanksgiving. I’m the type of person who wants to enjoy each holiday before moving on to the next event. -
A Spotlight on the Holidays
When September arrives and the leaves start to turn, the kiddos return to school and best of all the holiday season begins. I like to take my holidays one at a time. I will avoid stores that start playing Christmas music in September. Granted the retailers have to maximize sales. At the same time, we all know that Christmas is December 25 every year. Do we really need to hear “Jingle Bells” in September to know Christmas is coming? -
Less is More
I am a holiday purist to the fullest extent.I have a pet peeve. I believe each holiday should be celebrated one at a time. When one holiday has ended it is time to start the next. Now, I think leaving decorations a couple of days after the holiday is o.k., but then it is time to move forward.
-
No More White Elephant Gifts
I can truthfully say that I can’t remember ever receiving a gift that I didn’t like or appreciate. I always feel the thought behind the gift is what really counts. -
White Elephant Waste
When it comes to gift giving, I try very hard to come up with something that will mean something to the recipient. Not everyone goes through the same amount of thought that I do though. I can’t say that I’ve ever received a really horrible present except when it comes to participation in a White Elephant gift exchange. -
Thoughtless Gift
Thinking about the “worst” present I have received has been a challenge. I have been lucky to receive just what I’d been wishing for from Santa and the important people in my life. I loved my skis and boots. My emerald earrings and necklace were unexpected and perfect. I always loved receiving new flannel pjs when I was a kid and my Bonnie Braids and Revlon Bride doll were just what I wanted. -
Please, No Socks or Underwear For Me
Our family has participated in a “Secret Santa” gift exchange for the last several years. (This year, I believe there are 17 family members involved.) Each person gets one name and buys a gift (spending up to $25) for that person.
What makes it so fun and special is that no one is going to give, or get, something that is…necessary. All gifts will be tokens of thoughtfulness. I think there are 4 main rules that we follow to amplify enjoyment.
-
Food Coma
Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday. Our family takes turns in sharing the different holidays. Our daughter, Lisa, is always the hostess for Thanksgiving. This started when my son-in-law, Craig, shared that he loved to make the turkey. So, he got the job of hostessing Thanksgiving and dragged his wife, Lisa, along for the ride whether she was in agreement or not. -
Thankful for Tradition
Our family has divided holidays between Mom, Lisa, Judy, and myself. We celebrate Christmas at Mom’s house, Judy and I alternate Easter at our homes and Lisa gets Thanksgiving. Because of this, when someone asks me how I’m celebrating the holiday – I gratefully get to say “I don’t have to host or cook – I just get to enjoy the day!” -
Tables of Thanks
Thanksgiving is a very nostalgic holiday for me. I cherish the warm and special moments spent with family for as long as I can remember. The first Thanksgiving table was at Mom and Dad’s home on MacArthur Drive. The next large table I remember was in Michael’s and my home on Scott St. More recently, the big table on Rose Circle has been the setting for our holiday memories. Lisa and Craig have created a special Thanksgiving for all of us for the past twenty years. -
Rising Before Dawn
I always walk the dogs early in the morning. My favorite time is right at sunrise–whatever time that is.
Right now, it’s the beginning of November and I’m usually walking in the dark.
When Daylight Savings Time (DST) ends this weekend, I will get a little bit more of that beautiful morning light again for a while. You see, in 2023, DST was from March 12-November 5. It’s lighter, later. Now we go to Standard Time…lighter, earlier.
-
Did You Know Snow is Cold?
I’ve always assumed that when snow is mentioned, we all understand its characteristics. It’s wet, white, made up of individual flakes, and, of course, very, very cold.
-
Big Snow
Snow memories are so different than things are today. First of all, we actually had a lot of snow, not the one to two inches we have lately. Even this closes schools, businesses, you name it, for being bad weather, it is nothing like we used to have. -
The Dreaded Ice Derby
At what point do you decide that your child has to participate in an event or allow them to quit? I’ve often wondered this over the years in relation to various kids’ activities, but especially when I think about my childhood. -
The Snow Police
Kadon and Luka are excited about the snow–2009. When I first started teaching, one of the first purchases I needed was a warm winter coat and snow pants for recess duty. Kids are all running around and warm, but the adults are just standing there–watching, protecting…policing.
I think it is interesting how snow brings out the joy and excitement in children. One good snowfall and they are all rolling snowmen and trying to throw snowballs (without getting caught).
-
Decorating Hiatus
I love Christmas decorations. If I could do nothing else it would be to decorate for Christmas. I love trying to come up with different ideas for decorating from year to year.It’s at this time of the year that I would love an all-white house so that I could experiment with different colors and different themes. Now, I do believe less is more, and can’t stand big artificial plastic guys. I like pretty, sparkly, shiny, decorations placed strategically around to accent those empty spaces.
-
Christmas Adulting
One big drawback of being an adult is that I am the one responsible for the setup and clean-up of celebrations and events.
I think this is Luka’s decorated gingerbread house. As a child, I looked forward to Christmas–the music, the sugar cookies, Santa, family gatherings, and presents. But now…I’m the one who makes the cookies, invites the guests, buys the gifts, decorates…
Oh yes, the decorations.
When I was little, I loved having a Christmas tree. I loved the smell of the real thing. Our tree had all sorts of decorations and big colorful lights. Mom would put up the tree about a week before Christmas and then keep it up forever. (We have more recently witnessed the tree make it past “3 Kings Day” to see St. Patrick’s Day!)
-
Christmas Until Easter
I always struggle with when to take down my Christmas decorations. I’m not the type of person that puts everything up the day after Thanksgiving.I usually try to wait until at least December has started. I’m also strongly against taking them down on December 26th as so many people do as I’ve just got them all up and the house is looking very festive and cozy.
-
Christmas Coziness
In our family, we put up our tree about the 15th of December. It seems that most people put their trees up much earlier. Many trees go up the day after Thanksgiving. Then, I see trees at the curb the day after Christmas.
-
Holiday Traditions
Traditions…We have many holiday traditions in our family. It seems that new experiences and activities continue to be added.
-
Stranger Danger
Our holidays have always been steeped in tradition. First, Christmas stockings are always hung “by the chimney with care”. One year, when Matt was 5 years old, he called me up to his room. It was close to midnight on Christmas Eve and Matt was still awake. -
Trees from Santa
One of my favorite holiday traditions was when I was probably about ten, which would make my younger sister, Judy, about five years old. -
OCD Christmas
Christmas was always so fun for me as a child, so when I began my family, I wanted to make sure they had as much fun with it as I did. For the first 2 ½ years, when Bradley was an only child and we lived in New Berlin, we would come and stay in Beaver Dam for the holidays. Christmas Eve was always spent with the in-laws and Christmas Day was with my family. -
Once is Enough
Everyone seems to have a favorite Christmas movie that they love to watch over and over during the holiday season. I don’t. First of all, I hate to watch movies more than twice. If I were to sit through a movie that I have seen before I get really bored and just can’t continue watching it. There are a few exceptions like “Because I said so”, The Wedding Date” and a couple more. But they have also reached their expiration date to me at this time. -
White Christmas
My all-time favorite Christmas movie would have to be White Christmas. By the time the season is done, I will have watched it at least a dozen times. The music and dancing make me smile every time. -
Miracle on 34th Street
Christmas is a time for wishes and dreams, fantasy and reality. Miracle on 34th Street brings to life the world of Doris who works for Macy’s and her young daughter who has been taught that reality is black and white and the only experience that holds the truth. That means no Santa Claus, no hopes and wishes, and no room for embracing possibilities. -
It’s a Wonderful Life
“You’ve been given a great gift, George, a chance to see what the world would be like without you.”This is what the guardian angel, Clarence, says after revealing an alternative reality to George.
I love movies that give a glimpse into how our choices (or in the case of this great Christmas movie) and our very existence change the future for ourselves and others who we touch.
-
Sleepover with Grandma
As a child, our Christmas holiday was always made more special because Grandma Is would come and spend the night with us. It always felt like such a special treat to have Grandma sleepover. Each year, Lisa and I would take turns hosting Grandma in our room on our trundle bed. -
Magical First Christmas
Christmas comes just once a year. Thank goodness. Don’t get me wrong. I love the reason for the season. I just get frustrated with the stress level that comes from the unrealistic expectations I place on myself. -
The First Leon (Noel backwards)
When we lived on Cherokee Rd. we were the first house built in the area. Our house was on a curved road surrounded by fields. In December, mom would pick me and Chelle up from Grandma’s in December. We would drive around town looking at the lights and decorations. We would arrive home after dark. She would pull up the driveway and as the garage door slowly opened, it was my job to get the mail.This sounds so easy.
It wasn’t.
-
Holiday Hysteria
I have a very special holiday memory. This was a dinner concert that our church sponsored. It was held at the Green Lake Conference Center. The halls were decorated beautifully for the holidays with little twinkling lights, Christmas trees, and poinsettias. There was a guitarist who performed for the evening. He had special effects that accompanied him and our children’s church choir joined in singing the chorus for a favorite Christmas song, “Go Tell It On The Mountain”. This made it so much fun and the music was phenomenal. My youngest daughter, myself, and my youngest granddaughter, Aubrey, attended. My other granddaughter, Jessica, was one of the performers. Aubrey literally danced the night away. She was probably four at the time, loves music, and especially loves to dance. She had a ball. We have the cd of this performance and it is called her “Boom Boom” tape which is often played in full force at Christmas time or whenever the mood strikes us. This was such a fun way to start off the holidays for us. -
My Favorite Halloween Candy
Thinking back to my trick-or-treating days, I have a hard time remembering details. I’m sure we must have gone trick-or-treating, but I’m also sure it was minimal. My favorite candy bar at that time was a Hershey Bar with almonds. I do remember that getting chocolate was the exception to the rule. More common were Life Savers or other less expensive candies. I remember a couple of years when we Trick-or-Treated for UNICEF. This never really took off because the concept was a mystery to most of the households. -
The Smarties Choice
Halloween is fast approaching and a surplus of Halloween candy is appearing in all the stores. How to make a decision about what to purchase for those hungry goblins, ghosts, and scary witches is always a challenge. Well, as most of us over the years have come to realize, we all have our favorites. I happen to love candy corn. I see it on the store shelf and my mouth drools. Unfortunately, after I give in and purchase said candy corn I usually overindulge and manage to get an upset stomach. This, of course, takes the joy out of this selection of candy. -
All Things Candy
I’m a fan of anything sweet, so I think the best part of Halloween has to be the candy! From candy bars to smarties, there are not many types of candy I don’t like. -
Don’t Mess With the Original
I know that back in the day, kids would go from house to house Trick-or-Treating with a pillowcase to collect candy–not even necessarily wearing costumes. Halloween, as we know it today, began in the 1930s with children receiving homemade cookies and pieces of cake, fruit, nuts, coins, and small toys.
-
Two Wrongs Can Make a Right
Do two wrongs really make a right? When I think of my experiences with Marriage, I think they can. Sometimes, we have omens that we should pay attention to. -
Manifesting the Perfect Day
Engagement–a few months before My wedding was going to be intimate, serene, and perfect. I imagined it that way and worked thoughtfully on the details.
Few events in life have as many deep customs, subtle nuances, and crazy rituals, AND opportunities for things to go wrong–like a wedding.
My wedding day, July 7, 2000, began sunny and bright with POSSIBLE showers later in the day. We were celebrating the event at the Heidel House. It was a quaint, secluded resort on the shores of Green Lake in Wisconsin.
-
59 Years and Counting
We got married quite young. I was engaged as a senior in high school. My fiancé at the time, now my husband of 59 years, was two years older than me. We had dated on and off since I was 15. Unbelievable. They said it would never last. -
Details Worth Remembering
For so many, their wedding day is one of the most memorable events of their life. For me, with my swiss cheese brain, the complete details are a bit lacking. I do, however, remember a few details worth mentioning.
Wedding shoes
I was adamant that I would NOT go barefoot at my reception regardless of how my feet felt. None of the shoes I found were anything that I liked, so I found a simple pair of white satin heels and applied beaded appliques. I hate it when brides are wearing a beautiful gown and then proceed to either barefoot or wear stupid comfortable shoes. So – even though my feet were killing me, I kept my wedding heels on for the duration of the day. (My toes were numb for the next week in Jamaica) -
Plastic Eggs and Yummy Bunnies
Judy, Uncle Lloyd and the bunny cake Easter traditions for us are filled with plastic eggs and yummy bunnies in all different shapes and forms. Holidays in our family are always chock-full of happy memories.
-
Easter and Moldy Money
I remember Easter as being disappointing when I was young. My focus wasn’t on family or food. Jesus wasn’t the primary reason for this season. It was mostly just another opportunity for presents.
I’d get sidewalk chalk or a skateboard and a jump rope…but would be unable to play with these toys because there was always snow on the ground. Once, I got a cute little sleeveless sundress that I would freeze my ass off when I wore it to church. One year I wore a wide-brimmed white Easter hat. I’m actually not sure if I wore it or not, but it had its own drawer for years afterward–never worn again.
When I was a bit older, we would always have breakfast after Easter service at church.
The tradition of decorating hardboiled eggs began when I was a child and continues now with my children. The smell of vinegar at any time of the year brings me right back to this activity with my Grandma Is. Now we go to my mother-in-law’s house to craft our beauties. As we cover the table with newspaper and pour vinegar into coffee cups–the memories come flooding back. -
Cow Pies for Easter
Easter – So many traditions, so many memories, and the anticipation for the beginning of warm weather… -
Easter Hunting
There are lots of things to love about Easter – from the candy to the family dinner, but my favorite part has always been the Easter egg hunt. -
Fall Gardening…NOT for the Faint of Heart
As previously mentioned in this prior post, I love, love, LOVE to garden! But not all seasons are appreciated equally. You see, I have a problem with fall gardening.
I have a very large perennial garden and after all the thought and work I’ve put into it, the end is so sad. In Wisconsin, we call it “fall”.
So many people love the changing colors of the trees and bushes. But why does no one but me notice our dying gardens? Arghhhh. I look out at my backyard and see brown ferns, the leftover stems from phlox, and weeds that were previously hidden. Don’t even get me going on the holes from when my grand dogs visited.
Here are some sanity strategies that I’ve come up with (instead of just mowing everything down and planting grass seed).
-
Halloween Is Not Just For Kids! – Enjoy Yourself!
Who thinks that Halloween is strictly for kids. I have noticed that a lot of adults sure know how to enjoy themselves. I have had a couple of fun memories that still make me laugh about Halloween! -
The Magic of Christmas
When I think of Christmas, I remember all of the joy of being a child and feeling the magic of Christmas. There was the night I heard footsteps on the roof and I just knew that Santa and his reindeer were there. As I dozed off to sleep that night, I was sure I saw Rudolph’s bright red nose leading the sleigh onward and upward. -
Making Christmas Cookies
Making Christmas cookies has always been an important part of our holiday traditions. When Grandma Is was around – she would make all the cookies herself and gather the kids to decorate them (Lisa and I). -
Let the Hysteria Begin
When I was a kid, I would love to decorate for the holidays. My Mom always let me do my creative things. I would put evergreens wherever I could find a place. I would put my little sister to bed, (this was not an easy task, as she was always suspicious) then I would sneak downstairs and help decorate the tree which Santa had brought.
-
No Black Friday Please!
I love how our family does the holidays… Each of us gets a holiday to organize and coordinate – for example, Mom’s house for Christmas, my house for Easter, and Lisa’s house for Thanksgiving. We used to do Easter at Judy’s till she moved away and then I got that holiday… Now that she’s back, we’ll have to reorganize the holiday schedule somewhat.
-
Prayers Answered
Wow- This is a topic loaded with awe and wonder- I have more to be thankful about than I can ever remember…
-
Thanksgiving – The Simple Life
This is one of my favorite holidays. It is a celebration, lots of food, and, of course, getting together with family and friends, and enjoying a relaxing time together. This seems so much more relaxing than say Christmas as the hysterical shopping binges, and fighting crowds actually makes me crazy. I love the thanksgiving decorations, smells, and the feeling of celebration that I get from this holiday.
-
Always a Witch, Never a Princess
Always a witch, never a princess…
When I was little, I always wanted to be a princess for Halloween. I could picture the long flowing gown and tiara and I thought I would be soooo pretty. But, before I could get too excited, my mother would tell me, “You can’t be a princess for Halloween… Princesses aren’t scary.”
Thus began the story “Always a witch, never a princess…” So – every Halloween – I would be a witch even though it wasn’t what I wanted to be.
-
All You Really Need are Pumpkins and Scary Stories
Fall isn’t my favorite season and Halloween is far from my favorite holiday.Halloween equals crazy kids in my life–and crazy kids (as a mom or a teacher) are NOT at the top of my favorites list. However, I can look past the candy-crazed children, the high cost of cheap, plastic costumes, and insane after-school costume parties and see that there are three…and ONLY three good things about this holiday.
-
Costumes with a Parka
Most years, Halloween comes in the middle of the coldest time of the year. From the time I was little, I worked to come up with the best costume only to cover it with snow pants and a parka.
-
Witches Only Please
I think Halloween is actually more for adults than children. Every year you see more and more decorations, almost as much as Christmas. I, personally, like a few tasteful semi-scary decorations for Halloween, but the really gruesome ones I can do without. -
Not a Fan of Autumn
What are my thoughts about Autumn?
-
Leaf Piles and Pumpkin Spice Lattes
Am I the only person on the planet who doesn’t like fall? Yeah, yeah, yeah…I’ve heard all about the “colors”, cuddling, hot cocoa, the crisp air…blah, blah, blah.
-
My Time of Year
Aaaah…..at last, my time of year. The colors, the crispness, the changes, and the leaves beneath my feet. I love autumn.
-
Autumn – A Bittersweet Season
In reflecting over the seasons one would say Autumn is a wonderful time of the year. Yes, it is truly beautiful, most of the time, but I really do prefer hot summer nights, with the crickets chirping and long hours of daylight (with a few less mosquitoes that is). Autumn is a sure sign that all our hard work in our yards is now back to square one, to be started again in the spring.
