Fontaine

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There is this fabulous store called Fontaine here in Madison. It is at 811 E. Johnson. They are always perfectly merchandised with unusual, wondrous things. And they never look better than at Christmas. It is magical. Colors are always amazing as is their merchandise.

I am hunting for a vintage aluminum Christmas tree but hate to pay the going rate of up to $250 for one my parents bought once for $5.98. But am excited to think about decorating in our new space this year... not sure what but it will be yet, today I am in the decluttering stage. All extraneous stuff goes away before Christmas can come out.

P.S. after I wrote this I opened my Christmas MS Living magazine and saw that Martha is featuring vintage Christmas trees. Sigh. My chances of getting a vintage tree at a good price are now gone.

228 lit trees...

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Saturday after returning to town from visiting John's family in Dubuque just as it was starting to ice up we drove by these trees. 228 lit trees along University Avenue here in Madison. The photos are not the best because of the weather. It was too slippery and wet to get out.

I find it completely amazing that someone would trim ALL these trees. Each section of color blocked trees have 6 trees the same color. And University is a heavily traveled street. I think they do this every year. I cannot even imagine taking all these lights down and storing them... maybe they stay up all year....

...and to all a good night.

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Tonight we went to the Overture Center in DT Madison for their Christmas Carol Sing. We walked around the Capitol and met another couple (she's a graphic artist) at their condo. We met them when we looked at their condo. It's in the Lorraine, a great old hotel, now condos. It was a delightful concert. The one I am always looking for at Christmas. It was all the old favorite Christmas songs and you could sing along. John has a great voice. And it was in the Overture Center which is beautiful. We once saw the Phantom of the Opera there.

And then we walked back around the Capitol to home... a perfect evening.

And I remember last Christmas sitting in church singing Christmas carols, John's job had just ended. And I sat there thinking next year we will be celebrating Christmas in Madison. And we are.

Almost the Holidays...

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Getting ready to leave town for Thanksgiving... back to Rochester which is a ritual of sorts. I think we have done this the last 5 or 6 years. We will have a lovely time with good friends. John will prepare the turkey, I bring the cranberry salad. I think I am going to be a bigger fan of Thanksgiving. It is more about people and having a nice meal with friends then the over the top ness of December. It seems like there are less expectations and consequently less failures with Thanksgiving. Seems like the bar is always so high with Christmas than you just can't hit it.

We did send our Holiday letter out on Halloween this year. And while we were writing, printing, addressing and mailing 96 pieces it felt like a lot of work. Now of course it is a relief.

I suggest to all that it be a simpler year... scale back, do what feels right and let the rest go. Buy less for those who don't need anything and remember those who actually do.

When men help plan holidays....

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Me: ...and this year we are NOT going to wear our pajamas for Christmas dinner. John: oh... Matt told Jen to pack her pajamas so she has something to wear for dinner.

Me: no, no, no...

John: maybe that is our tradition, we are the people who eat Christmas dinner in our pajamas.

Me: sigh.

Last year Ryan had to leave right after our noon Christmas meal. So we were up early cooking. Just when I was heading upstairs to change into a black and red plaid taffeta top and velvet pants everyone just sat down to eat in their pjs. The group decided I could change into my top but would have to wear my pajama bottoms.

Jen Matt's girlfriend is Jewish. Who knows what she thinks about the 'dinner in your pajamas' tradition.