December 10, 2010
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The Evolution of My Fireplace Mantel
“The Evolution of My Fireplace Mantel” ? ? ?
Yes, indeed!
I’ve spent entirely too much time dwelling on the mantel over the den’s fireplace. I don’t believe I’ve ever wasted so much time “fiddling” with fluff, here and there, and never being satisfied.
For reasons, unknown to me, I haven’t been happy with what I created, which had become more of a “creature” than a “creation” on the fireplace mantel.
As I said in an earlier blog, I’ve simplified, this year, and put up plain wreaths instead of garlands and lights in every doorway. I didn’t use lights on the fireplace mantel, and maybe that’s what I’m missing.
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I’ve had one of “those” weeks and I’m so glad it’s the weekend. There’s another wonderment. “The weekend” is no different (for me) than Monday through Friday, except for church.
Why, oh why, do I find myself thankfully whispering, “It’s the weekend! Yaaaaaay!!!”????? Isn’t that dumb?!!!!
I had my bone IV on Thursday and we grocery shopped afterwards. The rest of my time was spent here at the house. I put out one fire after another. It was all very wearing and today was no different.
At least the fireplace’s mantel is finished. I MADE myself walk away from it.
I’m sure if this was my last week on earth, I wouldn’t want to be found squandering my time on a fireplace mantel.
Surely there are more important things to do with one’s time!!!
We have one more week of school before we quit for several weeks. It’s presented a host of problems this week, mainly the introduction of impossible language skills (i.e. punctuation) and the introduction of algebra (in *3rd* grade? c’mon A Beka!).
I’m sure I am no more sick of teaching than the girls are of learning. I’m also sure it’s a tight race on exactly *who* can’t wait for a winter break – them, or me!
(This is NOT a 2nd one, I moved it from the fireplace to the carpet)Today, Jesse had a leaf removal job and took Sushi (our Blue Heeler, dog) with him. She had a blast and he enjoyed taking his dog to work! He came home, but wasn’t ready to come inside. So, he climbed up on the roof to see if there is lint caught in the top of dryer vent (couldn’t find any), and told me he almost fell off the roof, backwards.
I’m so glad he didn’t.
Not this week, anyway! (rolling my eyes)
The school books are put away for the week, except I “will” attempt to tutor Rissy in algebra, tomorrow. That will take place in between my baking cookies and spending some quality time with myself and a good book (NOT a textbook).
Yesterday, we bought all kinds of yummy ingredients for baking. I found a cookie recipe with fruitcake fruit in it. Also, I may attempt to make butter mints (the flat, pastel mints that melt in your mouth). They look easy enough. AND, we sure can’t forget about reading Christmas poems and stories from old “Ideals” magazines. I have issues that were published in the 1950s and 1960s.
Before saying “goodnight,” I wanted to bring up a subject my friend Shanda shared on her blog site. The making of pomanders. Pomanders date WAAAAY back (even before my time!!!). Shanda said she and her daughter recently made some using apples and cloves and coated them with other powdered spices.
Her story reminded me that my own mom and I made them when I was in junior high (waaay back in 1964 – 1966). After my mother died and I went through her things, I snagged the three pomanders we made one Christmas (oranges stuck with cloves). I remember sitting for hours one week poking cloves into oranges, until I felt like my thumb tip was a bloody pulp. It was weeks before the feeling came back into my thumb!!! But, well worth the time.
Tonight when I took them from the shelf where they sit year round, I found they still carried the clove aroma. I doubt that I’ll ever attack making them with oranges again, but I might use Shanda’s inspiration and give my girls apples and a bowl of cloves. Who knows? I might be building memories!!!
Starting tonight, I’m changing my attitude. I’m going to try harder to create some warm fuzzy memories for my children.
And, quite possibly, they won’t remember the Christmas of 2010 as the Christmas I made them learn impossible punctuation and beginning algebra!!!!!!
Or worse yet, “The year Mom was busy decorating the fireplace mantel (for the umpteenth time) and didn’t even notice us!”
Yikes! Tomorrow, I had better pull out my “Ideals” magazines and whip up some cookie batter!!!
Be blessed ~
Comments (10)
You know what I like about the pomanders? You make them and then you don’t feel frustration keeping them forever—you’re supposed to “keep them forever”…and now you can look at them and remember the memories of you and your mom. I love that. Thanks for sharing the pictures and yes I hope you slow down.
Cool! I’m so glad your mom kept them.
Now Cherylyn, remember that part of the neatness of you is that you are a woman who puts a great deal of effort into making your house a home. I don’t think you’re wasting time trying to fix your mantel to suit yourself. Just sayin’
love your fireplace, he,he! sometimes we women are just like that. We simplified ALOT this year, and I keep feeling the nudge to go ahead and put some more stuff out, but then I stop myself! It’s hard to do different I guess!
I found myself thinking how glad I was it was the weekend. My week and weekend are no different either except for the fact that my sweet William is home!!!!
@oldfatgramma -
I can’t use, “my husband is home on the weekends,” because he is home almost every day in the winter! I’m just plain “odd,” I think! LOL!
A cheery fireplace it is too. Hope you will have a restful and happy weekend!
The mantle looks beautiful! And in counting stockings, either the family has grown or you do the same as we do and the animals get one as well. I found myself buying presents for the hamster (purely Rich’s idea)<–insert wicked chuckle since he doesn’t know I’m blaming it on him. As far as the weekend goes, I think it is ingrained in our brains to be happy that the week is over, even if the weekend brings nothing different for us
Still pondering on our discussion, no new ideas yet, but will let you know if I ever have one 
) I love you! Now I must get back to baking with the kids.
Cherylyn…step away from the mantel! It looks beautiful, simple and elegant.
Everyday has it’s own feel and Saturday and Sunday’s even if busy and you do much of the same things somehow “feels” different. So I don’t think that’s wierd at all.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend….those goodies you’re going to make sound yum!
The stockings are for our 5 household members, Stephanie, JanaLyn, and ONE combined for the pets. I sent one to Nikki one year, but I don’t think she cared for it. Hand lotion, deoderant, gloves, socks . . . When the next Christmas came around, I sent her the empty stocking she used as a child and, I think, one with her dog’s name. Now, we just fill for the “locals” around here!
I like the fireplace mantel, especially with the stockings hanging there. I wish we had a place to hang stockings, but now that it is just me and my hubby, we really don’t need them. Yesterday I had an Open House for friends and neighbors in our little apartment. I think we had about 40 people here! Usually, with an Open House, people come for a bit and then leave, but yesterday, everyone who came STAYED! AND STAYED! It was really special, though. I think some real bridges were made with neighbors, and we enjoyed it all so much. Now I just have to do the cleaning up, and my back is screaming! (I know you know about screaming backs!LOL!) I’m glad you are getting a break from teaching. I think it must be harder for you because you never really get a break from your students!