This post will be primarily picture-driven. With church projects and house projects, Helen has not slowed down for a minute, and I’ve been, well, supportive. The Christmas season is busy, and blogging time is hard to come by. Activity is good, however, and we both enjoy prepping our home for the holiday season and preparing to entertain friends and family.
Before I delve into a few preparations, I need to keep one promise from last week’s Easin’ Along. In that post, I mentioned that we attended one event that I would detail in this week’s post. I saved it because it is a great way to transition from Thanksgiving week to the sights and sounds of the Christmas season.
Our youngest granddaughter, Cason, has been a member of the Dance Conservatory of Charleston for the last two years and worked hard preparing for this year’s performance of The Nutcracker. Helen and I attended a special performance for school children at Charleston’s Galliard Center on the Monday following Thanksgiving. The performance was outstanding, and without a doubt, Cason was the best of the Ribbon Candy ballerinas. She is on the far right of the picture below, taken with an iPhone without a flash…the best I could get away with. Another photo shows the young ballerina on her way to the performance.
Cason participated in a second performance that afternoon, so Helen and I took her sister, Bennett, to lunch at the Amen Street Fish and Raw Bar, our favorite Charleston restaurant. I ordered fresh Oysters on the Half Shell and an Oyster Shooter on the side. Bennett showed me what she thought about that delicacy.
Soon after that, it was time to return to Knoxville and dive into the active days ahead. As we waved goodbye to the Edisto Marsh and drove away from our campsite, we captured another sign of the season left by the campground host (picture at top). We think Elves and Flamingos make a great combination.
Our children will not be coming to Knoxville for Christmas, which is why we make the most of Edisto week during Thanksgiving and will go to California for three months in mid-January to spend time camping close to our California kids. Nevertheless, we will host both my family and Helen’s family on two separate days around Christmas day and host our friends for our annual meatloaf party next week. That means we must get in gear and get the decorations up.
The outside decorations are in place. Our artificial tree (three pieces and pre-lit) is up but not decorated. Helen has the snow village in place but is still tweaking. I love our snow village now that it includes an RV Park. By now, it is evident that decorating is still a work in progress, but we’ll get there. I always bring out my old Lava Lamp and place it on the desk in my Man Cave. I like the red glow visible to those passing by in front of the house. The picture isn’t great, but you get the idea.
Our little community of Rocky hill has conducted a Christmas Parade for the last six years, and it gets better each year. We didn’t attend this year but could see the lights and hear the marching bands from our home…another example of the sights and sounds of the season.
We did have Christmas cards printed and plan to address them early next week. You will have yours soon, but if it gets lost in the heavy Christmas mail, I have included a copy below.
That’s about it for this week. It’s time to get back into the swing of things as there is still a lot left undone. Helen and I leave everyone with sincere best wishes for a great start to a wonderful Christmas season, overflowing with love, happiness, and great joy.
P.S. I want to recommend two recent posts by fellow bloggers. Donna (Retirement Reflections) posted a fun checklist for readers, asking about your Christmas traditions. The responses from her readers are a fun read.
Suzanne (Picture Retirement) gave us a very lovely illustration of the way she and her husband, Malcolm, decorate, celebrate, and entertain in their new home.
I think you will enjoy both. We’re Easin’ Along.
That’s a lovely Christmas card, Joe. It reflects perfectly your and Helen’s love of family and fun. I must admit that I’m a bit envious of the RV park in your Christmas village – it’s so sweet! Wishing you, Helen and your family all the blessings of the Christmas season!
Hi, Mary,
We have a lot of fun with the mini-RV Park and find a new trailer or two every year on our road trips. Soon, we may have to separate it out–love the thought! All our best to you and Alan for a Merry, Merry one this year!
Hi Joe, your Christmas preparations and plans sound wonderful. Almost there! I’m thinking that the meatloaf party is a big hit with your friends.
Your granddaughters seem full of joy and maybe a little mischief as all girls are at that age. So nice that you enjoy these special times with them.
Helen’s snowy village reminds me of my MIL’s and makes me wish I had tried harder to figure out how to display more pieces. Oh well, maybe next year.
Thanks so much for the mention. That was very kind of you. We do love Christmas.
P.S. a ‘supportive’ husband is the very best husband. Besides, who would lift down those heavy boxes and pick up the slack when we get overwhelmed? Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas.
Good morning, Suzanne,
Our meatloaf party is a blast and I make a mean meatloaf. Would love to have you and Malcolm join us sometime! Our granddaughters are a hoot…so much fun to be around, but it doesn’t happen often enough. Snow villages are always a work in progress which makes it fun. You’ll get there. Nevertheless, the pictures of your newly decorated were just too much for words, and I know you worked hard to make it happen (Malcolm too). Speaking of which, I have two more trips to the attic today. Just trying to remain supportive. Enjoy your Christmas! Joe
Hi Joe
I love seeing what you and Helen are up to! Warmest Christmas wishes to you both from our little nest in FL…BTW did I tell you we traded our TT for a 36ft Class A? More adventures to come, after she has a little work done at the RV doctor! I read Suzanne’s post also – great holiday post, I agree. Now off to read Donna’s! Merry Christmas to all!
Hi, Nancy–it’s been a while, and great to hear from you and get the news about the new Class A. Helen and I traded in less than a year after our first purchase, but it takes a while to learn what works best for you in RV’s. We’re in love with our fifth-wheel but it took a while to figure that out. Hope you and Dan are doing well. Again, thanks for checking in, and please stay in touch! Joe
You are smack dab in the middle of Christmas festivities, Joe! How wonderful to watch your grandaughter’s performance! Wow! I love all your decorations and busy-ness as the season gets going over the next few days! That is a beautiful Christmas card! Thanks for the digital view! We may try to be in California while you guys are there–maybe if I get organized we can meet up. Our winter road trip is sidelined for several reasons, so a trip in spring is in order! Enjoy the Christmas hub-bub and just breathe 😉
Merry Christmas, Terri,
Busy-ness is good this time of the year and I handle it so much better now that I am retired (I would get a little grumpy during my working years). We would love to meet up in the spring! I will email you some details of our trip and see if we can work something out. We’ll be in San Diego and near LA for about three months. Have a great week and take a few breaths yourself! Joe
Hi, Joe – What a great post. It felt like we were chatting together catching up. You have a wonderful writing style.
Congratulations to Cason on her performance. I also loved the photo of you and Bennet. The RV in your Christmas Village brought a smile to my face as well.
Thank you for the shoutout. It is greatly appreciated.
Wishing you and Helen a very happy holiday and a terrific year ahead!
Good morning, Donna,
I admire your blog immensely and the creative ways you find to engage your readers. I felt you deserved a shoutout. The nicest compliment you can pay to Easin’ Along is that it comes across as a chat session. That has always been my objective, and I thank you.
We loved our time in Charleston, and the ballet was well done. Cason worked so hard for her performance, but I’m not confident that ballet is her thing. She wants to concentrate more on soccer, so we’ll see.
Have a fantastic run-up to Christmas. I look forward to reading more about the fun things you and Richard get into, so please keep it coming! All the best…Joe
Joe, how fun and festive! I agree, your Christmas village is even better with the RV park, lol.
Your granddaughters are beautiful, and I love seeing how much you enjoy being together. Merry Christmas to you and Helen!
Good morning, Laurel,
We finally put the finishing touches on the tree. It’s time to start cooking now, but that’s the fun part for us. I love my RV Village and all of the miniature cars that I’ve picked up in flea markets finally found a useful purpose. All our best to you and Eric. Please stay in touch. Joe