And so the holiday season is officially wrapped up, boxed up and put away for another year.
I miss it already.
This year, more than any year before, I was filled with true happiness over the holidays. I set my intention to get into the season, and that's exactly what I did. Yes, there was some of the most heartbreaking news I think any of us have heard with what happened in Newton last month, but I emerged from December so thankful for this life of mine.
I know this is a direct result of therapy, this idea that I can really connect to life and be present and well, just simple be.
Yesterday I got back into the work groove. Always lots of deadlines on tap and it was good to be busy. It meant I missed my late sleeping teens a bit less. I love having them home. I love knowing the house is full of bodies, even if those bodies are in fact sleeping for many hours of the day, as teens are wont to do.
We hosted a rockin' New Year's Eve party, a tradition going on about five years now, complete with karaoke and plenty of fine champagne (okay, plenty of cheap champagne.) And when I say rockin', that translates to "I went to bed at 4 a.m." Holy mother of pearl. Good times, indeed.
Alas, the holidays are over. I said to Dan on Sunday: I miss our tree.
He looked at me, shrugged, and said, "You can go visit it in the backyard."
Good point.
Happy new year, indeed!
Chris H says
Many blessings to you for a wonderful 2013!!!
Elizabeth A says
What cracks me up about the photo is that the tree stand is still on the tree!
Joan says
So totally relate Cathy! Happy New Year!!
Megan (Best of Fates) says
Dan is hilarious. And what a wild party – I’m in awe!
MarieD says
Happy New Year Cathy ! My New Year Celebration ended on January 1st when my siblings left the house to go to their own places…So I had plenty of time to digest it before going back to work !
Have a great day !
Pam Abbott says
I miss mine too. Especially early in the morning when I would get up and was greeted by the tree in all its glowing splendor. each year it somehow serves as a reminder of all the good in the world; Peace, Joy, Love. It reminds us to slow down, enjoy the season and reflect upon the year.
Hur Dan is a funny guy. I love the picture of the tree.
Pam Abbott says
Your Dan…
Judi D says
Hey did you take a picture of my tree – mine looks excatly like yours stand included lol
Maureen Mathis says
Your tree looks so sad…. 🙁
Kellie McCarrel says
We had the same felt ornaments! My mom remade them for me last year when she couldn’t find them. Love seeing yours, such good holiday memories!!
cathy says
Kellie, those are from when I was a kid! My mom let me take them when I moved out for good back in 1990. : )
Kelli says
In my childhood, my dad was a logger. We always had live trees. And every year I would be so sad for the tree. We invited it into our home, shared our most loved holiday with it, and then tossed it out. As soon as I was old enough to get my own tree, I got an artificial one. It’s been 23 years, things have changed and artificial isn’t cool. But I just can’t do it.
cathy says
I was raised with an artificial tree and always loved it so much. Loved the musty smell of it when my parents would take it out and put it together. When I met Dan, that was the first time I ever had a real tree. I guess I do love the going out with the family and finding it and bringing it home part a lot. : )
Margy Eastman says
I miss my tree, too. I was tempted to just hang some white lights on the curtain rod, but decided I just have to let it go. And Dan is hilarious.
ana roat says
The real question is just how long it will lay out there in the snow before it’s truly put out of its misery? Ha,ha,ha…too funny!
Happy New Year Zielske household!
D says
We used to buy live potted trees & bring them to my FIL’s place in the mountains when we visited in late JAN. So our joke would be to see what was left of the tree because the deer would eat it to a stubble, glad to not go digging in snow. When my FIL died four years ago, one of the last photos I took of the property before it was sold was of where the trees were planted over time – none of them made it but we made some deer happy, which made him happy, so all was good.
Patti Q says
I made the same felt ones when I was younger and first dating my husband, around 1982. I still put them up faithfully each Christmas and many other handmade ones from over the years. I wonder if my kids will ask for them sometime! Happy New Year!
Patti 🙂
Patti Q says
Do either of you know if there still is a pattern available for these cute ornaments?
Patti 🙂
cathy says
I was just wondering that myself! SO cute!
dawn says
Cathy, you are so awesome and funny and sweet!! I’m so happy that you had a great year and loved the holidays this past year. Looking forward to seeing what you do this year, YOU ARE ON A ROLL SO IT CAN ONLY GET BETTER!!
I miss my tree too, just took it down on Saturday. Every year I keep a little somethign out though and put it somewhere to see everyday just to have that hint of Christmas. By April I’m ok and over it and pack it away.
LOVE LOVE THE PICTURE AND YOUR DAN IS TOO FUNNY, GREAT PL MATERIAL THIS WILL BE!
Maureen says
That is one dispirited tree. You could always stand it up and decorate it for the birds…the live birds, not the ones in the Z-hold. Just sayin’. 🙂
ChrisyC says
Ha, love it.
Happy New Year Cathy.
You’re one step ahead of me – l haven’t even taken down our tree yet. This weekend, l promise………
Alicia says
I, too, have not taken our tree down. It was the best tree ever and I am not ready to let that go. This week, I promise. Is not like I didn’t take about 100 pictures of it.
Kristy says
http://www.bhg.com/christmas/crafts/make-christmas-ornaments-with-felt/#page=1
This site has some fun patterns from Better Homes and Gardens… I’m sure there are plenty online…
Barb in AK says
Don’t you love the look of melting snow in JANUARY!!??! 😀
Happy New Year!
P.S. come on down and help me put my stuff away! 😉
Jesa says
Our tree was taken down but wish I could recycle it somehow. Sadly this year the tree remained bear all season long! I just had a baby so decorating for the holidays was not top priority. My son’s small tree, however, was fully decorated as a child’s tree should be.
Happy New Year Cathy!!
Dar says
I miss our tree, too!! I told my husband I made a big mistake and took it down too early (last Sunday) and our sons agreed. Next year, it stays till at least Russian Christmas.
I could go visit ours in the yard, too. It still has most all its needles and looks lovely, albeit sideways, in the snow. Happy New Year to you and your family, and to your readers, as well!
Dawn says
That totally made me laugh out loud. I love your blog — from the “taking the crap out of scrapbooking” to the latest funny family comment.
We kicked our “faux” tree to the curb this year. So far, I don’t miss it a bit!
Rebecca Hoot says
Literally laughed out loud. Happiness to my day!
Melanie A. says
My husband and I both always miss our tree for days after we take it down. There is just something so peaceful about it with its branches full of lights and ornaments. I can still sit for hours and just look at a tree or falling snow, well if I had hours to do that anyway LOL.
McAmy says
Our tree is also still in our backyard, sans stand. :O) I’m amazed that mine still looks so full after all the needles it shed in my living room.
Tara says
After hearing you have Karaoke on NYE I really want it for us for next year. I love our NYE parties the most of anything we do. Yours sounds perfect.
cathy says
You are really on a roll with comments. I love it. I wont lie.
Asad Waheed says
What cracks me up about the photo is that the tree stand is still on the tree!
http://www.wayneelsey.com/