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| Does he looked stressed? Nope. Nah uh. |
Those of us who lack the yippee-the-holidays-are-coming gene feel inadequate at this time of year. Shopping, baking, cooking,
hostessing, and decorating loom as tasks rather than pleasures. Next time I
reach for a paper bag to breathe into, I'm going to stop and gaze at the photo of the oh-so-mellow buck who wandered into my Hill Country backyard last weekend. Does
he look stressed? Nope. He’s at peace with the universe.
This year, the universe and my little Meyer lemon tree gave
me more than sixty of the sweet-tart fruit. Does the harvest stress me out? Au
contraire. I’m thrilled with the bounty and have an easy-peasy plan for using it:
- Share with friends and family.
- Make this creamy lemon-mustard vinaigrette.
- Bake this cake.
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| A fraction of my bounty! |
After the holidays, I have a date with a paint roller and
lots of walls. (Uh oh. Stare at picture of the buck. Breathe in. Breathe out)
In the meantime, I’m researching paint colors, an activity that leads down the
mother of all rabbit holes. (About that rabbit: is it Alabaster, White Dove, Philadelphia
Cream, or Dover White?) My research took me to many design blogs. Belatedly, I remembered I lack the good-at-crafts gene. Never mind. The design posts helped me winnow my color options and solve some home-maintenance problems.
Speaking of design blogs, the creator of Manhattan Nest poked fun at himself and other design writers.
My non-crafty self laughed at and with his post, but I LOVE the bench he made. Is
it possible good-at-crafts people are made not born? If so, could I build a
similar bench? I mean, if I tried really, really hard? (Uh oh. Stare at the picture of the buck
until the desire to jump in the car and drive to Lowe’s passes.)
While the holidays show me I'm all thumbs and two steps behind, I’m
grateful for you. Have a joyous Thanksgiving.
11 comments:
Good post, Pat! I've always loved the holidays, but since age has brought me lower expectations of myself, I love them even more.
We also have deer who regularly saunter through (and stop to socialize) in the side yard.
Hi, Liz,
I didn't know the sight of deer would relax me so until I got them. "Saunter" is right, and it's a joy to see them amble by.
Happy Thanksgiving!
The first thing I thought of when you mentioned choosing paint colors is the old movie, Mr. Blanding Builds His Dream House. I love that scene where he tries to describe the colors he wants to the painters! :)
Happy Thanksgiving, Pat!
Coleen, I've never seen Mr. Blanding Builds His Dream House, but I'm going to look for it on Netflix because the teeny differences between paint shades baffle me.
I know you'll be happy to have your children home for Thanksgiving. Enjoy!
I don't like the holidays either. T'giving is okay because the expectations are limited to turkey and pie--both of which can be ordered from La Madeleine along with sides. Christmas, however, I hate. Wish I could skip it altogether. Hide in your hill country house and pretend it isn't happening.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi, Lark,
The expectations must have planted a GPS on me because they always have my coordinates. Hiding's impossible.
Your Thanksgiving feast sounds delicious!
I have a feeling I'm going to return to this post many times to look at that buck picture! Luckily, my family's expectations have dwindled over the years, so I have to just keep reminding myself of that too, and focus on the things that are really important, and not just habits. Thanks for this reminder, and have a great Thanksgiving!
Sorry to be late Pat, but hubby just got out of the hospital and I'm playing catch up.
You have never seen Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House? We're talking Jimmy Stewart here! Goodness, it's one of his best movies. That's a holiday movie for sure.
And please make like a buck and relax about the paint girlfriend. I say this as Design was my previous profession. You are welcome to contact me if you need any help. But whatever you do, don't do white! Thank you. :)
Whoops! I meant Cary Grant. lol. I am losing it. :)
Hi, Jennette,
Three cheers for diminished expectations!
Hope your Thanksgiving was full of the things that are important to you. I like the way you think.
Karen!
I'm sorry your husband had to go to the hospital, but I'm glad he's now home.
Fear not: I'm looking at whites as a trim color. But why do you frown on white as a wall color?
I'll look for Mr. Blandings this holiday season. I'll bet he likes white walls.
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