So... I'm Jewish. And I was married into a non-jewish family for 18 years. For the first 6 years or so, I just didn't *get* Christmas. I didn't understand Christmas spirit, I didn't understand what the presents were supposed to be about-- because there's a secret code there- they're all supposed to encapsulate the program 'Christmas spirit' in some way or another, something I just didn't have the operating system to run. It's like it was a Mac program and I was a PC. They aren't just presents, and you can't just say 'just tell me what you want and I'll get it for you and be done' because that's not Christmas-spirit-y.
It took me years, but I finally got it, and started to really love Christmas.
And I could have saved YEARS of trying to understand by just reading this post, had you written it 20 years ago :).
Anyway. Post-divorce I've gone back to not decorating, but I keep trying to think of something small that I can do that's festive, without having a big tree on my own (which feels a bit depressing)! Maybe some cedar fronds around the mantlepiece or something.
I am off to buy mine today and am very excited!!!! Love, love, love Christmas trees, and as we all know, the thought of where it will go, is fundamental in any house purchase :)
The interior glow of this painting! <happy sigh> and The Old Vic’s A Christmas Carol is my annual tradition/treat. I take myself off to a matinee the week before Christmas and basically weep through Act II - it’s so very beautifully done.
Merry tree day to all who celebrate. I don’t get the tree out quite so early, but I mark the start of advent in book form, with The Box of Delights and The Dark Is Rising.
IT’S A GOAT! A house goat - we should all have one! (Seriously, I once thought it would be a good idea. It would keep the garden down and be a useful source of delicious chèvre - win-win.)
Thank you for sharing the beautiful painting, just the thing to start December on this dark wintry morning. We just came back from feeding our sheep in lashing rain and wind, just what was needed after the incredibly long ,hot Greek summer. A good idea to read A Christmas Carol again after many years!
I wish you a wonderful festive December, don't even want to think about January, but I'm sure you'll have things and ideas to cheer us up !
Have you heard the BBC dramatisation of The Dark Is Rising? Still available on the BBC Sounds app. I thought it was so good I had to listen to all 12 episodes twice. But still read the book again, of course.
He (sure it’s a he) does look like a goat! Charming painting that made me smile. I have to confess I have not read A Christmas Carol- will seek out a copy. Happy Tree Day - enjoy the festooning.
I love love love decorating for Christmas - when I got the boxes of decs out yesterday, I spotted a white-ish bauble and immediately thought of the snowy orbs in Darling 🤣
I think dog - but Tree Day? Is this a Thing? My good pal who lives in Berlin tells me you are not allowed to get a tree till 21st Dec and it has to be down by 8th Jan! Crikey….,
He’s most definitely a dog! With a wiry coat with silky hairs underneath and soft ears and toffee eyes, and a feathered tail, and he patters backwards and forwards, claws tapping on the wooden parquet, every time she moves away to pick up scissors or ribbon or a little glass bauble freighted with memories. He is her self-appointed shadow and guardian. Dash it, I want him!
Oh it’s gorgeous. The warmth and softness is so comforting. I even like the goat ☺️
So... I'm Jewish. And I was married into a non-jewish family for 18 years. For the first 6 years or so, I just didn't *get* Christmas. I didn't understand Christmas spirit, I didn't understand what the presents were supposed to be about-- because there's a secret code there- they're all supposed to encapsulate the program 'Christmas spirit' in some way or another, something I just didn't have the operating system to run. It's like it was a Mac program and I was a PC. They aren't just presents, and you can't just say 'just tell me what you want and I'll get it for you and be done' because that's not Christmas-spirit-y.
It took me years, but I finally got it, and started to really love Christmas.
And I could have saved YEARS of trying to understand by just reading this post, had you written it 20 years ago :).
Anyway. Post-divorce I've gone back to not decorating, but I keep trying to think of something small that I can do that's festive, without having a big tree on my own (which feels a bit depressing)! Maybe some cedar fronds around the mantlepiece or something.
I am off to buy mine today and am very excited!!!! Love, love, love Christmas trees, and as we all know, the thought of where it will go, is fundamental in any house purchase :)
Happy December everybody x
And to you!
Tangle free lights are a gift from heaven.
This painting just captures the glowiness of Christmas if you know what I mean.
Yes, completely.
The interior glow of this painting! <happy sigh> and The Old Vic’s A Christmas Carol is my annual tradition/treat. I take myself off to a matinee the week before Christmas and basically weep through Act II - it’s so very beautifully done.
That is SUCH a nice tradition. John Simms this year - really good reviews. I want to go too.
Merry tree day to all who celebrate. I don’t get the tree out quite so early, but I mark the start of advent in book form, with The Box of Delights and The Dark Is Rising.
Book form works too!
Definitely goaty. I hope the tree survives the nibbling.
A gorgeous painting… again, the warmth and the quality of the light. I must brave the loft so that we can create our own.
I mean, it could be a rocking horse, but the ears are wrong. Goats LOVE dead Christmas trees, it's their favourite thing to eat.
IT’S A GOAT! A house goat - we should all have one! (Seriously, I once thought it would be a good idea. It would keep the garden down and be a useful source of delicious chèvre - win-win.)
Lovely ☺️. I’m very curious about the elephant on the table.
Me too.
Thank you for sharing the beautiful painting, just the thing to start December on this dark wintry morning. We just came back from feeding our sheep in lashing rain and wind, just what was needed after the incredibly long ,hot Greek summer. A good idea to read A Christmas Carol again after many years!
I wish you a wonderful festive December, don't even want to think about January, but I'm sure you'll have things and ideas to cheer us up !
Thank you so much, and same to you!
It’s a lovely painting it definitely incorporates that at home in the warmth while the rain patters in the window vibe.
I always re-read a Christmas Carol and The Dark is Rising in December. We have tickets to the Old Vic production very excited to see it.
I really want to go to it, apparently John Simms is fantastic. Totally re warmth/pattering.
Have you heard the BBC dramatisation of The Dark Is Rising? Still available on the BBC Sounds app. I thought it was so good I had to listen to all 12 episodes twice. But still read the book again, of course.
No, had no idea they'd done it - will absolutely listen, thank you.
Yes I listened to it two years ago it was excellent bi didn’t realise to was still available! I’ll definitely listen again this year. Thank you ☺️
Tree Day - I love it. I think it should be declared a Bank Holiday. 🎄
It really should.
Properly got the Christmas feelings now!
AND the amaryllises are rising!
I know! Like Topsy…
He (sure it’s a he) does look like a goat! Charming painting that made me smile. I have to confess I have not read A Christmas Carol- will seek out a copy. Happy Tree Day - enjoy the festooning.
It's really worth seeking out - it will put you in the best mood. He really does look like a goat.
I love love love decorating for Christmas - when I got the boxes of decs out yesterday, I spotted a white-ish bauble and immediately thought of the snowy orbs in Darling 🤣
Hahahaha!
I think dog - but Tree Day? Is this a Thing? My good pal who lives in Berlin tells me you are not allowed to get a tree till 21st Dec and it has to be down by 8th Jan! Crikey….,
It is in my house!
Blimey, how very ‘efficient’
He’s most definitely a dog! With a wiry coat with silky hairs underneath and soft ears and toffee eyes, and a feathered tail, and he patters backwards and forwards, claws tapping on the wooden parquet, every time she moves away to pick up scissors or ribbon or a little glass bauble freighted with memories. He is her self-appointed shadow and guardian. Dash it, I want him!
I love the sound of him... but I still have my doubts.