Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

 After Thanksgiving the autumnal decorations come down and get put away. Then Tom helps me take down the pottery collection and some of his pop up book collection and stow them away to clear the shelves. By Friday evening things are looking pretty bare in the family room. 

But by Saturday, with all of the shelves and surfaces cleaned and dusted, Santas begin to appear. By Sunday evening, they are all in their places.

It was fun to take my time as I unpacked them and remember each one as I found a place for them. Some always go in the same place, like on the mantel. Some go where the shelves are tall enough to fit them. A few too tall for shelves go on the hearth.

We did have to take time out on Saturday to pick up Jill and the grands from the airport as they arrived on their flight from Denver, where they spent Thanksgiving in Colorado with the other grands and in-laws and cousins. We had time at their house to share stories and do a bit of secret gift planning. 

As you can see, by Sunday evening we were relaxing and enjoying the Lady Gaga, Tony Bennet special. What a wonder Tony is. Then we watched The Great Christmas Light Fight, always fun to see. 

I had one more tub of Santas to go on Sunday morning but I finally slept well enough to actually sleep in. Then I had to take time out from decorating to do my PT and make fruit cake.

Once the cakes were thoroughly cooled, I wrapped them in brandy soaked cheese cloth, sealed them in plastic bags, and they are now curing in the pantry.

Pressing on Sunday afternoon, I got the dining room prepped for decorating. That's next. 

Today we'll clean the rest of the house and do the laundry. It's Monday and those are Monday jobs. Then back to decorating. I might also do a little on line shopping. 

So, yes, the Santa Collection is out of the attic and on display. We'll once again decorate to the extreme. Even if few other people see it now, Tom and I will, and in these dark days of December, we need joy and light.