Flowers and Fairies in the Foyer

In the spirit similar to tokonoma, I set the tone for my home with a display in our foyer. These displays always contain some plants and fairies. All displayed objects have some significance to us.

The foyer arrangement has been updated with holiday flowers and gifts. I am excited to share two, tiny, artistic arrangements given to me by my sister-in-law and nieces. They purchased these from a fellow-crafter at one of their shows.

They know I love fairies, moss, mushrooms and bunnies. It seems these pieces were custom-made for me. The mushrooms light up in different colors. I hope my sis passes along my appreciation to the artist.

The delicate red spots of this Amaryllis, Elvas, remind me of some of my favorites from past years. Hippeastrum coloration is especially interesting when viewed under a microscope. If you want to see that and my collection, type amaryllis into the search bar.

There must always be a poinsettia at Christmas. I do keep these for years. My favorite was mowed down when my daughter, Rose, fell down the carport steps this summer. She was more worried about the plants than her body. Both of us falling off steps was the catalyst for the new railings from Crown Fence in former posts.

I find that a foyer display serves as a cheery greeting for our guests and distracts from the dirty floors. I would much rather arrange flowers than sweep. Wouldn’t you?

We are in the down days between Christmas and New Years. I may stay in my pajamas reading my newly gifted books. Those will be the subject of my next post. I am also reading about writing and publishing in preparation for my next book. This reading has been boring. I won’t share those books.

My next book is about paternalism and its long-term effects on the women in three generations of my family. You will know about that in time. I feel like a time-traveler!

FLOWER

Who Will be the Glue?

The question everybody asks right after “Are you ready for Christmas? is “What are you doing over the holidays?” This question had an automatic response until recently.
Now that Daddy is gone and Mama’s in a home, the answer is more complicated. There is no grandmother’s house to travel to.


Our children are grown, our cousins are scattered. Our aunts and uncles are not so spry and energetic anymore. Who will be the glue?


I am going to nominate my sister. She has a house all to herself. Nobody makes messes or gobbles up her food as fast as she makes it. Her house is already decorated. She is nicer than I am anyway and everybody knows where she lives.


Somebody has to be the family glue! She talks to everybody on the phone. This makes her the family favorite, so I think she is the most logical choice for our holiday hostess.

Everybody meet at her house around 10:30 Christmas morning. Bring your favorite dish and a gag gift. You out-of-state folks may need to pack sleeping bags. All pets welcome.

Don’t mention this to her though. I want it to be a SURPRISE!

FLOW

I Need Sandra!

Do not feel hurt because I need Sandra.


It is just that she is the one

that I told my secrets to

and now I need her and she is not here.


I talk to her photo, but it doesn’t talk back.


I need to tell her something
but she is not here to hear it
even though I need her.


She left me here and I miss her.


I want her to talk to me calmly

like she used to do before

she left here to go there, 

which is where?         

I need a sign of what to do.


Can she send a feather or pearl,


so I will know

which way to go

and what to do

and which to choose?


I need Sandra,

but she left.

FLOWER

It is hard to get through the holidays when someone is missing. There will be empty chairs. You must pause to remember those that are gone. It is important to save that space in your life and in your heart.

Use That China

I have sorted through all my parents’ treasures.

I have tried to save only things that are useful

or have precious memories attached to them.

I have washed or polished everything in that house.

The one thing that made me nervous was the fine china.

It is delicate looking with understated elegance, just like my mother.

It demands respect and careful handling…

My sister and I selected similar colors for our fine china, bone white with silver rims. We envisioned large family dinners using all three sets. My sister and I chose matching silver and crystal for these big events. They never happened. I have used my china three times in thirty eight years.

Ours patterns have lovely circles of colors and flowers.

Mama’s fine china did not get listed in the auction.

It was set out for the pickers sale. Someone could have bought it for a dollar. No one did.

My guess is they too were intimidated by its delicate beauty.

So this china has had over six decades of protection and isolation.

We gave the entire set to a friend. She was thrilled and thought it was lovely.

I hope she will enjoy using it often.

It needs to be useful. It needs to make memories.

Use that china!

WALL FLOWER

Dance while there’s music!

Holding Up Home

The holidays are about family and food. Many folks are lucky enough to travel back home.

My childhood home is just the same except Daddy is gone and Mama is in an assisted living facility.

My husband’s family farm is in the process of being cleaned out. Both his parents are gone.

So, where is home now?

My children are under the roof of the house my husband and I built ourselves. This is their home.

We will spend Thanksgiving at the farm and tomorrow with Mama and my sister at the facility.

So, where is home now?

I never questioned where home was before. Home was wherever my parents and sister were.

Home was daddy’s garden, the swing, the living room with the piano, daddy’s chair by the window.

That place is still there, but empty and quiet. It is full of old things and fond memories, not people.

Home is warm and noisy and busy.

We are the home now. We are holding up home. We are the foundation, whether solid or cracked.

We must hold up home for our children. We must be the home.

I never felt this weight before. Holding everyone together, preserving the family.

Today as I make Mama’s sweet potato casserole and Nana’s stuffing, I will appreciate all the holidays behind me

and realize that I am holding up home like a bridge between the past and the future.

Home for the holidays.

I am home. I am the home.

Happy Thanksgiving

FLOWER

Fairies Celebrate Labor Day

The fairies wanted to have their own little cook out on Labor Day weekend.

I put Ruth in charge of the grilling.

They have fixed quite a feast. I am not sure humans should eat this.

I hope Ruth’s pancreas can handle it.

Oh good. She seems to be sticking with wine and cupcakes.

The fairies sure know how to have fun!

Happy Labor Day Folks and Fairies

Flower

A Fairy Fourth

American freedom is a thing to celebrate.

The fairies realized that a party was in order and planned a parade.

There were prizes awarded for the best decorated entries.

Carie the Tooth Fairy won for her bike decor.

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Several floats were constructed.

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Tink enjoyed riding on one of these.

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Queen Mona decorated her carriage.

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A patriotic tear drop trailer joined in.

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Even the onlookers were in costume.

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Wingrid stayed awake for the festivities.

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Ruth lead the proceedings, of course.

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My favorite entries were the little kids in wagons.

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Happy Fourth of July!

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Thanks to my friend Barbara S. for the parade idea.

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Happy Birthday to my favorite little boy, Rudy A.

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Happy Birthday America.

Flower

 

Fairy Egg Hunt with a Hitch

The fairies begged us to have an egg hunt over Easter weekend.

Ruth and I hid the eggs.

Tinker Bell brought cupcakes.

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The Tooth Fairy brought Sundaes. I think she has a sweet tooth.

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Rosebud insisted we serve tea.

Those Playmobil fairies wear their skirts too short for my taste. Baby don’t bend over!

The Queen was dressed in her best vinery. Looks like she’s been eating a chocolate bunny.

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Poison Ivy is way too competitive. She brought a very large basket.

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I loved Wingrid’s hat. It was just her color. (literally)

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I did wish that Ruth had not kept pointing out where we hid the eggs.

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A chipmunk showed up.

He spent most of his time finding the food. No surprise there.

When the finders are also fliers, the sky is the limit as far as hiding places go.

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I am not sure what happened?

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Our egg hunt turned into a chick rescue.

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I should have known not to use those magic eggs!

Happy Easter Peeps

Flower