My Christmas Home This Year
They say the holidays will get easier. I can’t really attest to that just yet. I miss my mom more now that it’s Christmas again. But I can say that this year felt a little more peaceful. I was comfortable talking to her while putting special ornaments on the tree and listening to her tell me she WAS here when I would wish she could see all of my decorations, which she loved. I made a big effort to deck the halls this year in hopes to encourage my spirit. Derick and I went and got a real tree from Wiggins, with the help of Ani Rose of course, which introduced a fresh new element and got me excited to decorate. Last year December was only days after my Momma’s memorial and it was just too painful to power through decorating. I managed to put up my tree but struggled through every special ornament I hung. I decided a tree was enough. This year I spent a weekend putting up the tree, not complete without my Mamaw’s angel on top and each special ornament, and taking deep breaths along the way. Most of my favorites come from our annual family trips to Guthrie, OK when my family would visit for the Victorian Christmas there. That place was a nit with the Cowans. We would wander through the streets of carolers and lights and tour the historic post office and pharmacy packed with people sipping wassail (yep, take that cider). My mom would spend and hour in the knitting shop and I would pick our yarn for my scarf wish list(s!). One of my prized memories is this glass Marilyn ornament [pictured] covered in pearl paint and glitter from an antique shop. Our mission was to find the PERFECT ornament each trip. Mission. Accomplished. It will always be a favorite.
The rest of the weekend I spent watching Elf on an endless loop (my own tradition, can’t decorate without it) and filling the house with simple touches that did indeed lift my spirits a little. It’s really hard to deny a twinkle light from doing so. Ani “helped” as usual and made sure I got her good side while shooting. I’m so happy that little furball chose us last January and I know this Christmas wouldn’t have near as many smiles without her. Some things I followed routine such as wrapping the chandelier with sugared pine garland but I did toss some new things in this year too. I’ve always wanted to start a collection of glass trees and Derick indulged me with the set I displayed on my dining table this year! The man knows how mercury glass can turn things around for me. I also moved the tree at the suggestion of my dear friend, Nyky who lost her mother earlier this year. It was a breath of fresh air (thanks, girl!) to change things up a bit. The tree needed some pruning upon nestling it in its home for the month, so I decided to share the love to other rooms in my home with the clippings. A little on each vanity, on the nightstand, and then I really didn’t need to do anything else! Nothing like the combo of natural greenery and glass. I just love the mix of textures and how pure it feels.
I didn’t change the home for my nutcrackers. I just love these guys! My newest is modeling the textile of the season - faux fur. I also always wanted a Christmas village but decided to make my own a few years ago with all of my collected home, church, and souvenir ornaments. By grouping them, from Our First Home to Capital Hill, it’s the Christmas village of my memories and I think I love it even more than a store bought version. I hung some new holiday tea towels this year. One amazing rose gold number, a sweet hostess gift from Amy in our Sunday School group, and the other a boutique find from our trip to Little Rock this fall. I chose the Christmas message I needed to read everyday to feature on the chalkboard backsplash of my buffet. Other new additions this year were these pine cone pillow covers which remind me of the magnificent pine tree my mother is buried under and the “Joy” sequin pillow in honor of Derick’s grandmother Joy Colwell who also went to Home to Heaven this fall. To some these symbols might seem morbid but to me it’s a way to honor their memories here at Christmas, no matter how fresh or healing those wounds may be.
Cheers to Hallmark movies and twinkle lights. To hugging tight those who are with you today and puppy kisses to wake you up in the morning. To the thrill of hope and the sound of Christmas carols. To the messages of advent and God’s only son. Amen and Merry Christmas, friends xoxo
