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| Bedroom - Kitchen - Living Room |
It hit me this morning that a whole month has gone by since Christmas, and as I had no special plans for the day, and the Great Outdoors was not looking very inviting (just grey and cold), I decided that it might be a good day to say thanks and goodbye (for this season) to the electric candle holders and stars in my windows; and put my regular window lamps back up instead. This has always been a job that takes some time - and now at age 70, it seems to have expanded to fill "a whole day". (How on earth back in a distant past I ever managed a full time job + a fairly active social life besides all the to-do's at home has long seemed a mystery!)
I'm keeping some red textiles (table runners etc) for a while longer (as it's still very much winter here); and ended up moving the big poinsettia from the living room window to the kitchen to match the red ribbons around the curtains, and kind of make up for the "loss" of the red wooden candle holder. In the living room I'm also keeping some battery candles, as it still gets dark early and the evenings are long.
I asked Google for some quotes about "old age and time":
"Age is strictly a case of mind over matter.
If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."
— Mark Twain
If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."
— Mark Twain
"It's important to have a twinkle in your wrinkle."
— Unknown
— Unknown
"You are only young once, but you can stay immature indefinitely."
— Unknown
— Unknown
"To me, old age is always 15 years older than I am."
— Francis Bacon
— Francis Bacon
Loved these quotes! My orchid and violet salute yours, isn't it amazing that they grow just fine but so far from each other! No poinsettia this year here though. I too did the final toss of Christmas/Solstice decorations...a live branch from my son's family's Christmas tree, which has sat in damp paper towels in a mug on the counter since Thanksgiving actually. Whoohoo, who knew!
ReplyDeleteBarbara, the first of four flowers on my orchid opened up for 2nd advent, and since Christmas all four have been giving me joy. Amazed that they last so long!
DeleteI love the old age quotes. I can't believe you are 70 already!! I always think of you as much younger, maybe because we kind of freeze our blog friends in time? I love your little lamp in the top left corner; I just ordered a similar one. Does it run on batteries?
ReplyDeleteGinny, I have some difficulties grasping it myself (being 70), so I have to keep reminding myself! ;) None of my window lamps run on batteries, they all have cords. And all of them were bought quite a few years ago.
DeleteI have recently found your blog and have enjoyed hearing about your similar but different traditions in Sweden - I am in the UK
ReplyDeleteWhen my late husband was alive Christmas was a big deal . He adored it . Started his planning every September . He died in March 2023 aged 63
I just don’t want to celebrate anymore
We are fortunate that we had two children ( grown and flown and in their thirties ), but I am living alone for the first time and finding it really hard . Reading blogs is a way to try and explore the world following bereavement
Siobhan
Hi Siobhan and thanks for commenting and introducing yourself. Sorry you lost your husband so young. I was never married so can only imagine; but I do know from my own experience that both blogging + reading the blogs of others can indeed be helpful in times of change, ill health and loss of loved ones.
DeleteA quiet, thoughtful winter day. One where time feels slower, memory richer, and small rituals of light and warmth carry their own kind of celebration.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a way with words, Ro!! 🤗
DeleteThose quotes made me chuckle.
ReplyDeleteThey made me smile too, Addy.
DeleteOf course I am very much with Mark Twain on this :-)
ReplyDeleteYour flat looks cosy and inviting no matter the season, with our without Christmas decoration. As you know, I usually take everything Christmassy down on the 6th of January, but a candle holder with snowflakes on it and a few other items that are less Christmas and more winter are still around - matching the winter weather we're having right now.
Thanks Meike. The more time one spends at home, the more it probably matters to us that it does feel welcoming - even if we may all have our own opinion of what that involves. And when it comes to seasonal decorations, and how long they stay up, no doubt both tradition and the climate where we live play their part!
DeleteIt's important to have colour in the dark days - it cheers the heart.
ReplyDeleteI love the quotes and agree with each one, but particularly like the one by Francis Bacon.
Janice, I wonder how old he was when he said it - I didn't extend my research that far! ;)
Deletewait until you jump over the 80 line, woo boy, even slower then. good idea to leave the red, it makes the room lively when outdoors is to cold to walk about. I put all mine away exceptt the tree, took the ornaments off the tree and left just the tree with lights, same reason, I like early am to see the sparkles when I do my excercises
ReplyDeleteSandra, that makes sense as well.
DeleteThose quotes are so relatable. I'm the oldest person at work now which I don't really enjoy.
ReplyDelete