We're quite busy these days with all the Pre-Christmas stuff that we choose to do - gift buying, sending cards, flower ordering, and making donations. Apart from the gorgeous outdoor arrangements Mrs. F.C. created, we haven't done much decorating. Not sure yet how much we'll do either.
Gift buying is a challenge for me, so that's another thing Mrs. F.G. has to deal with, but I think she's getting to the end. My small contribution will be to pack it all up for mailing. Usually the cost of mailing exceeds the cost of the gifts!
Christmas has become very quiet for us, and we won't be giving much to each other. The last thing we need is more stuff! But Mrs. F.G. did go out and buy the biggest Poinsettia she could find the other day.
She also brought one of the fancy dolls she made a few years ago up from her sewing studio in the basement to join us for Christmas. Of course I can't get down to see all the good stuff she's working on in her sewing room, but I know she's frantically working on pillow cases for the grandchildren out west. Made out of appropriate fabric for each, they're a big hit.
Today I've been working on our donations. We have a number of charities we support, and at this time of year we get lots of requests for donations. I have chosen several we'll give to this year, and just ruthlessly delete the other emails. I'm feeling generous this year though. Since we can afford it I feel we should share more and I've done so this afternoon, including a large donation directed towards assisting the hard-hit farmers of the Sumas Prairie in Abbotsford in B.C.
Thank you for sharing your Christmas ideas and the very wonderful fanciful doll you dear wife made. Very cheering.
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Love that doll! I have to do my donations this week too.
ReplyDeleteLove your card; the doll isn't dressed for the season, she'll get chilly. We too triage the requests for donations. There are a number of charities and non-profits to which we donate and get a lot of other requests for donations, most of which are worthwhile, but can't donate worthwhile amounts to them all.
ReplyDeleteThat poinsettia looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
The poinsettia is cheerful.
ReplyDeleteAdorable and very appropriate Christmas card. I wish I had more money to give to charities I believe in. My landlord is getting pretty much all my extra money, unfortunately. And I love that doll!
ReplyDeleteI think many couples celebrate Christmas alone. We have since 2008 when Our daughter moved to Chicago.
ReplyDeleteI love your Christmas card!
ReplyDeleteThis is a busy time of year for sure. Your card is perfect!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great Christmas card!! We send fewer and fewer cards every year it seems. Very nice big Poinsettia.
ReplyDeleteWe donate to the same environmental/conservation organizations each year, carefully monitoring their activities throughout the year, and taking part in some of their events, so we don't have to worry about sorting through the countless appeals we receive. We don't send cards, we don't exchange gifts, so Christmas is pretty much the same as any other time of the year.
ReplyDeleteI donate monthly to several charities. That way I can ignore all the others. They are so demanding. You have to have it make sense for your budget.
ReplyDeleteI bought myself a present, wrapped it to myself, and hubby will be surprised! I bought something from a local artist.
We'll be alone, as well. My daughter's MIL is there for the month.
It wasn't until I saw two pairs of legs dangling from the back of that old red pick-up truck that I realized they were attached to a couple of groovy Gnomes:))
ReplyDeleteP.S. How is your daughter faring in Abbotsford?
ReplyDeleteOur kids in Vancouver have relatives whose farm is now an island. Pretty tragic.
We still send out Christmas Cards...it must be a labor of love:)
ReplyDeleteIs that your card? It's fabulous. I am not sure if we'll send out any although there may be an email of FB attempt.
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ReplyDeleteLovely poinsettia and the cards are fun! I don't send many cards as I keep in contact with many of the people who used to get a card through FB. (That's probably the only reason I stay on FB).
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your preparations.
That Christmas card is the BEST for you to send! ♥
ReplyDeletei love Mrs. FG's doll.
love that big poinsettia, love, love the doll mrs. f.g. made!! but my favorite of all is your christmas card, that's really perfect for you guys!!
ReplyDeleteuse a little dish of water, with a paper towel, run your finger along the paper towel, than on to the envelope to seal it! and please research those charities, so many do not donate one penny of what they receive to the cause!! it is well documented. i keep a list, if you need any help!!
The poinsettia is wonderful. I looked at them this afternoon but didn't want to wait on someone to cover it with plastic to protect it from the freezing temperatures. Your wife is a very creative doll maker. She is a great craftsperson or maybe I should say artist. The doll is lots of fun. I did look at the pink Christmas cactus today but I do have too many plants.
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