Every year there is a tipping point when I know in my heart of hearts that Christmas is truly here. Over the years the tipping point has been different each year. I am certain I am not alone in this perception. What is it for you? A Christmas carol sung in church one bright wintry morning? The first snowfall? Finding the perfect tree? Baking cookies? The knowledge that a loved one will be coming home for Christmas? The scent of pine, vanilla, or eucalyptus wafting through your home? A gingerbread-man brought to you by a neighbor? I watch with anticipation, and wait, and it always comes. This year what I’m noticing is that it was not one moment, but an accumulation of moments that I think culminated around one particular thing: the wreathe.
The seeds of the wreathe being my Christmas symbol were actually sown on my birthday last March with a gift certificate from Smith and Hawken, which I knew immediately I would use for a wreathe, and waited until the holidays to utilize. With the simple addition of the perfect bow, that Thanksgiving wreathe morphed this month into the loveliness now greeting guests who come to the front door. Don’t you just love it? I do!
Once this was in place I found myself drawn to the wreathes in my Christmas collections, though still I was not fully connecting the Wreathe Dots. Next I playfully placed a wreathe I have used at the front door in past in Antonia’s room (she’s coming!), to warmly greet her upon her entrance.
Yesterday I unexpectedly found a fresh wreathe at the Saturday farmer’s market which is now hung in the main bathroom, filling the room with the clearing scent of eucalyptus! Lovely!
I have among the older Christmas decorations a red jingle bell wreathe bearing a small gold angel. This found a home simply hung on the door handle of Antonia’s bedroom, a cheery reminder of the season and of past Christmases.
Other Christmas beauties found their way into my home. The amaryllis purchased at Nicole’s Tierra, with which you are now familiar. You will recall this is where the Scarf show took place.
And a box in the shed revealed this small tree made of small pine cones, of which I am fond, and always decorate with a small string of round white lights.
Things were falling into place. Yet I began to labor over a centerpiece for the dining room table when I realized that a lamp I had installed over the center of the table–lending a warm light over Christmas dinner, I thought–also came with the limitation and challenge of needing a rather flat centerpiece! Hmmmm. What to do? I remembered that last Christmas my dearest friend Conny had found a wreathe one would expect to hang on a door that she simply put flat upon her long beautiful dining room table. I was surprised, but it worked! Given that I had already put three layers of tablecloths on the table, I needed a slightly different solution. When I bought the Christmas tree, I purchased a wreathe, determined to come up with a creative solution. Here’s what Stage One of that process looked like from the outside.
Now here is a sneak peek at how I accomplished Stage One: went to Ross where I have this belief system that I Can Find Anything I Need (and invariably do) and immediately found a very large glass plate, with upturned edges. Then, if you look very carefully, you will see teeny snippets of dishtoweling that I cut up and tucked at the very edges of the plate, which is conveniently soaking up the water in the bottom of the plate, keeping my wreathe moist through the holidays! Bravo! (So pleased with myself!)
But, oh, that center was crying out for something! My Flower Mandala Self kicked in and I saw one thing and one thing only. Can you guess? I bet you can. It’s Christmas, afterall. Yes. Red roses. Lucky me, I found some that were not classic, but more rugosa-type and here was the splendid result!
I personally cannot think of a better tribute to Christmastime, my dear readers.
But what was this thing about wreathes, afterall? Even the faux-fur ringed hat I chose to bring out this Christmas has a circle about it. I turned to one of my best resources (more about that in an upcoming post) and found the perfect passage, which I will now share with all of you.
…Everything an Indian does is in a circle,
and that is because the Power of the World
always works in circles,
and everything tries to be round.
…The sky is round,
and…the earth is round like a ball,
and so are all the stars.
The wind, in its greatest power, whirls.
Birds make their nests in circles,
for theirs is the same religion as ours.
The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle.
The moon does the same and both are round.
Even the seasons form a circle
in their changing,
and always come back again to where they were.
The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood,
and so it in everything where power moves.–Black Elk in Black Elk Speaks
Merry Christmas to each and every one of you. May your Christmas be blessed with dear family and friends, a light heart, a happy spirit and much love.
Christmas blessings,
Kathryn xoxo
Posted on December 21st, 2008 by Kathryn
Filed under: People at Life
Kathryn, Everything looks lovely. Merry Christmas
Deb.
Good evening, Deb! Thank you! Warm holiday wishes to you and your family! Kathryn xoox
You have done much to show the spirit of the season all year long. May your generosity and joy be an inspiration to everyone in the year to come.
Welcome, Anita! Thank you so much for that acknowledgment and blessing. That is incredibly kind of you. Perhaps in response to the current climate (not talking about the weather here) I have found myself thinking over and over again, “Sharing and expectancy are the beginning of increase.” I honestly don’t recall where I read that, but at times it has become my mantra, and one worth considering in this wintry season. Thanks for the late night visit! And Merry Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family! Hugs! Kathryn xoxo
Beautiful!!! I cannot wait to see it, and *YOU* in person!!!
Happy Holidays to all of your Wonderful Readers!
Love you,
Antonia
xoxox
Hi, Antonia! Yay!! See you tomorrow, Baby Girl! Can’t wait to see you, either! 🙂 Loved your new post at http://www.hittingsend.com, btw! Love, Mom xoxoox
Beautiful wreaths and decorations, Kathryn. Circles…yes. And love, friendship are like never-ending circles…what you give comes back to you. Many blessings are coming your way, I’m sure. Merry Christmas, dear one.
Good evening, Nancy. 🙂 I love that image you’ve just illuminated–that friendships and love are also never ending circles–rippling out to reach everything, everywhere. Thank you for the Christmas well wishes!
I’m thinking of you and yours up there. 🙂 Love, Kathryn xoxo
Hi!
Only want to stop by and say….
Merry Christmas!
Linda
Hello Kathryn, what an adorable post with so many lovely decorations. I wish you and you family a joyfull and Merry Christmas./ LOL Tyra
Good morning, LindaLunda! Thank you for the merry greeting! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Kathryn xoxo
Hello, Tyra! Lovely to hear from you today! I must stop by. I know your home is festive and beautiful at this time of year. Thank you for the Christmas greeting! Kathryn xoxo
Hi Kathryn, I hope you and your daughter have the most blessed Christmas. Wreaths are among my favorite things in this wonder filled season. Thanks for sharing yours.~~Dee
I bet your home is just bursting with Christmas, how lovely are all of those wreaths! I do garland…over the windows, doors, on the staircase, even above my kitchen cabinets. We know its Christmas here when mama has put a garland on anything that isn’t moving, lol!
Thanks for sharing all you wonderful wreaths with us. Kim
Thank you, Dee, for your warm blessing for me and Antonia, and for sharing those yummy recipes with all of us today! Kathryn xoxo
Good morning, Inadvertent Farmer! I have not made a garland in years. Maybe next year I can take some hints from you! Thanks! Kathryn xoxo
Everything looks so warm and cheery!
That is a beautiful thought from Black Elk.
Christmas wishes to you and Antonia! Have a wonderful holiday!
🙂
Philip
Oh, hi, Philip! Warm holiday wishes to you and yours! Thank you! Kathryn xoxo
Racquel at perennialgardener.com says:
Beautiful wreaths Kathryn! I really love the new one with the Eucalyptis & red berries. Very pretty and fragrance is a nice bonus!
Thanks, Racquel. I am SO enjoying them all! They truly are the focus of this particular Christmas! Thanks for stopping by! Merry Christmas! Kathryn xoxo
Now, don’t you look stunning in that spiffy hat, dear Kathryn! The season surrounds you in beauty and Black Elk speaks to me (part of my heritage). I believe in the circle of life, love, and friendship … Happy Holidays, dear friend.
Hi, dear Joey! It snowed here and I just had to get out that hat! Have a marvelous Christmas, Joey!
Big hug! Kathryn xox
Pomona Belvedere said (and WP refused to let the comment go through; sorry):
This sounds very silly but i’d never equated wreaths with the sacred circle before (even though I live in a circular house!). Now I will. I also like the moistened-towel trick for keeping the wreath-on-a-plate going. And I will take and pass on that excellent saying, “Sharing and expectancy are the beginning of increase.” A good way of putting it, and a good thing to be broadcasting amid all the fear and gloom. Someone once said to me, “Don’t take statistics personally”–maybe I’ll find a way to put the two together.
Love the quote, Pomona. Thanks for the visit! Merry Christmas! Kathryn xxooxo
Merry Christmas! Wesolych Swiat, Kathryn!
Thanks, Ewa! For you it is already Christmas Eve! Enjoy! Merry Christmas! Hugs! Kathryn xoxo
How beautiful your house is and how welcoming. Merry Christmas.
Welcome, Commonweeder Pat! Thank you for your kind greeting and for the Christmas visit! Blessings on your home. Kathryn xoxo
Your Christmas decorations are simply beautiful. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Kathryn!
Hi, Pam! Thank you so much! Merry Christmas! Blessings on your new home and new garden! May you have Christmas roses! 🙂 Kathryn xoxo
The wreaths in your home are beautiful. And as you began and completed a wreath-like circle with your scarf initiative, I’ve begun a local “Knit for Peace” (the name comes from a book listing many worthy causes) initiative of my own, scheduled to continue through these Winter months. It’s the ripple-effect! 🙂
Good morning, Shady Gardener! How wonderful to hear! Did you happen to read my daughter’s post on the ripple effect? Just wondering…Here is the link: http://www.hittingsend.com/?cat=1477
Keep me posted on your project and best of luck! Kathryn xoxo
And now you have explained to me why I prefer, adore, round things. With such beautiful style, you have explained it, giving me a warm smile. Thank you, Kathryn.
Hugs,
CurtissAnn
Happy New Year, CurtissAnn! Kathryn xoxo