Season's Greetings from the Freshtown bear.
Freshtown is our Catskills grocery store,
and it is well populated with carved bears.
Every year I do less and less holiday decorating
and enjoy it more and more.
Just imagine a single wreath on this old barn.
Deer festivities,
mantlepiece whimsy,
and a tree. Greens scattered here and there.
Outside, a tree with colored lights.
Inside, the first time I've used white lights in many years.
We are doing our family Christmas with the boys this weekend.
Christmas Eve I will find a candlelight church service,
and on Christmas proper I will be at the cat shelter in the morning,
then a movie and Chinese food.
I am almost free of tradition, and it is liberating.
Hello Jennifer, Any store with lots of carved bears is my type of grocery. I also love that old barn, and think it looks fine just the way it is. Sometimes holidays need to be intensely celebrated, and other times a lighter touch is called for. Both are good, but either way I wish you Happy Holidays.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Thank you so much, dear Jim. I love having flexibility, doing things differently every year. My best wishes to you for the holiday season and the new year.
DeleteIf you are almost free of Christmas tradition now, what did you do before? Jay and I have reached the point of no gift-giving (we have everything we need)and no decorations. I'd only done it before because he's Jewish and enjoyed a Christmas tree so much in our early years of marriage. Son Donovan has been a grinch since college. I wish you and your family a lovely holiday, Jennifer.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Karen. It does look pretty traditional, doesn't it? Will have to think on what I meant, and get back to you...
DeleteWe have many ways of celebration. Happy Christmas!
ReplyDeleteSo true, and I love it.
DeleteDear Jen,
ReplyDeleteWishing you a peaceful happy christmas together with your family.
I have so enjoyed visits to your Catskill home and surrounding.. village life at its best.
I am going to the city. Will spend christmas with my 3 boys and all our extended family..
As I grow older, i too find I have less christmas faff. It weighs one down. I stopped sending chistmass cards a long time ago.
a quick e mail with friends, and we are in touch.
Love the big bear.. wonder if there are real ones about.
xxxxxx val
Thank you for your kind words Val. Enjoy your time with your family! (There are indeed black bears in the Catskills.)
DeleteLooks like a charming country store. I think people are getting tired of Christmas due to all the hype which starts at Halloween, it's mind numbing and takes away all the meaning which is sad. I do love my tree though which we just put up last week and Frank strings lights out around the porch. This year I did pulled out the collection of nutcrackers which hadn't seen the light of day in years, crowded them all on a table, they look kind of cute. We barely do gifts though, kids only and for us, a trip or something, we have plenty. Enjoy your early Christmas Eve with the family and your quiet kitty filled real one.
ReplyDeleteI love a tree too, could never do without one! A small one is fine, as long as it has lights!
DeleteBeautiful Christmas decorations !!
ReplyDeleteJen, I wish you a Merry Christmas !!
Thank you, dear Ela. Merry Christmas to you!
DeleteI know what you mean about it being liberating - my mantelpiece remained greenery-free because we got sick and couldn't make it to the woods to collect any, and I have really enjoyed its simplicity this year.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you were sick! It's interesting how a forced change can open new doors, good ones.
ReplyDelete