Jewel Tone Ornaments, at Crate and Barrel

I didn’t want to put up my tree quite this early, scared it would die or turn brown before Christmas. But my teenagers are coming home this weekend to celebrate Christmas two weeks early. We’ll open gifts on Sunday night, so I have to be ready!

A few nights ago, I went to Molbak’s, a famous nursery near me in Woodinville, Washington. I’d never been there at night before during the holidays. It was so gorgeous, it was quite overwhelming and I almost cried. I wandered happily for close to an hour. The poinsettia room alone stretches on for hundreds of yards. Rows and rows of hydrangeas in unusual colors (burgundy and hot pink) tempted me. More decorated Christmas trees than I could count filled the inside of the shop with colorful, sparkling eye candy.

Somehow I managed to control myself, only buying two tiny potted trees, a sprig of mistletoe to hang in my kitchen doorway, and a boxed set of engraved holiday cards from Crane. I’ve already sent one of them out, though it was almost a shame to despoil its beauty with my horrid handwriting.

QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:

• Need to clean and sanitize pet bowls and pet bedding? Freshen water?
• Wrap a couple presents tonight if you need to, and write out as many holiday cards as you can.
• Are you taking care of yourself? Can you carve out 20 minutes for a hot bath, reading a magazine, going for a chilly walk by yourself, or playing a stupid childish Facebook game by yourself for 15 minutes?

TODAY’S PROJECT: Christmas Tree Decorating

Glitter Stripe Ball Ornaments, at Crate and Barrel

Last year was a sad year for our family, so I put up two Christmas trees to make our house extra festive – one upstairs by the window, and one downstairs in the family room. This year we haven’t had any relatives die lately and we’re in a much better mood, so it’s back to just one tree for my household. I do have two tiny evergreen trees in pots on my dining table though!

Tonight I’ll play one of my favorite holiday movies, “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” in the room I’m working in. I’ll have a fire going, plus popcorn and hot chocolate to sustain me. Well, maybe popcorn isn’t a good idea – I’d get butter all over the ornaments!

There are five boxes of ornaments to paw through, selecting only my very favorites for this year’s smaller tree. The ornaments I don’t hang will go back into storage in my garage. I’ve been doing a pretty good job of not buying any more new ornaments the last couple years – we have more than enough! I bet my new puppies will break a couple this year though.

After my Christmas tree gets put up, I’ll spend some time sweeping needles off my wood floor, mopping it, and then vacuuming the carpet near the tree. I’ll also have to sweep needles off my front porch.

I don’t have any homebaked cookies to nibble on after I’m done, but I can enjoy the last couple caramels in my box of Trader Joe’s Sea Salt Caramels.

LOVELY BLOGS: Octoberfarm

This blogger doesn’t seem to have an “About Me” page, so I’m assuming she’s female, and I wish I knew a bit more about her. I had a delightful time looking through her blog tonight, enjoying her stunning Christmas tree, drooling over her cranberry Kringles recipe, and coveting her Advent house. Come see what other treasures you can find here to savor.

http://octoberfarm.blogspot.com/

LOVELY TRAVEL: The Enchanted Christmas House

I love this concept! While over here in America many businesses spring up to create haunted house attractions during October, over in London someone has created a fabulous Christmas-themed attraction for children. After paying the entrance fee, you bring your children in to wander and explore The Gingerbread Kitchen (where they can decorate gingerbread), visit Santa’s Grotto, peek into the Elves Workshop, talk to Santa, get their faces painted, and eat some treats. It sounds so fun!! Have you seen anything like this lately in the US? I’d love to hear about it in the comments section.

http://www.enchantedhouse.net/

LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:

Christmas Decorating at the Lake (My Sweet Savannah)

Left Your Pet at Home? More Hotels Offer Them (Time)