So… technically it was not our first Christmas in Lakeland, as I have memories of several Christmases here when I was younger, but it was the first Christmas we had since we moved here, so I think it counts.
Our ceilings here, unfortunately, are simply not tall enough. Our huge tree from the last house would only have worked if we had put the top part on the roof outside, and since Mom is not that adventurous, it was not even an option. We were able to use my tree from Pennsylvania (that we used in the dining room in 2019, and on the outside porch in 2017), but it was just not right.
But when life hands you lemons…
There were lots of things going on last year that caused me to feel not-so-Christmas-spirited, but I refused to give up hope, so one day I went outside (in the cold, without shoes on) and decided to do some decorating. (It turned out quite nicely, if I do say so myself.)
The inside took forever. As I said, the tree just was never quite right.
A lot of the frustration was the wobbily Christmas tree stand, which made me think the tree was falling over every time I touched it to put on ornaments, and our tree topper (Frosty’s top hat) made the tree look squatty. But all in all, it doesn’t look too bad.
Lit up it all looks even better.
I am obsessed with ornament-stuffed Christmas trees, and love to see layered looks from every direction, including the bottom (I spend a lot of time lying under the tree reading or watching Christmas movies, with the tree lights on, and it’s just so special to look up and see it from that direction as well).
A regular Christmas wonderland.
Even my office got it’s annual spooky-Halloween lift. (Complete with photo-bomb from the ever adorable Mia in her much-loved Halloween bowl bed.)
Our Christmas Eve tradition has always been Christmas pajamas, and this year I did the shopping and surprised mom with some comfy ones…
The socks completely make the outfit, don’t you think? Hahaha. (I’m in red, and Mom is in blue.)
Don’t forget the hot chocolate, that we drank while watching the Christmas episodes of some of our favorite British mysteries. And from our new Christmas mugs.
Christmas morning is also another of my favorites during the holidays, but not because of the gifts. Mom always makes the BEST holiday breakfasts. This year was Mary Berry’s scones with genuine clotted cream and strawberry jam.
And tea, from one of my Christmas gifts – two different kinds of tea pots, and lots of new hot tea to try.
Our very un-traditional Christmas dinner was pinwheels (a different recipe from what we usually do, but still delicious) and lemony-garlic shrimp.
It may be late – not really, considering I still have 2nd Christmas gifts to send out – but I hope y’all had a wonderful holiday, despite 2020 and COVID-19. It really wasn’t half bad after all, was it?
Beautiful Screamer 