~AND THAT'S HOW IT BEGINS~

My attempt to remain true to the Thanksgiving Holiday has begun to waver...each year I commit myself to enjoying THE holiday...that is...one at a time... with no infringement upon the other...but, that all flew out the window yesterday morning...you see we here in Southern Maine woke to a temperature of eighteen degrees...it was my signal to gather boughs, greens and berries...time was of the essence, the window boxes needed to be filled before the dirt froze...next... 

... to take the cold morning chill off  the old homestead... the wood stove was lit...deciding it would be rather nice  to have a pot of spices simmering...the aroma of Christmas soon filled the air...along with Andy Williams singing an old favorite... White Christmas...



and just like that...a bit of greenery made it's way to the windowsill...

...a little house emerges from storage...

along with a favorite snowman...



soon to follow...a Christmas rug...and that's how it begins...one Christmas item leading to the next...

 you're on a roll...an old stuffed cloth turkey now shares it's space with a lit... but undecorated... twig Christmas tree...