...a lot like Christmas downtown!
I am noticing that all around, decorating seems early again this year! I don't know if it's from the COVID shock or just what, but lights are going up, garden flags with Christmas motifs are flying, some wreaths are on doors and gates, and some trees are up!
I am spotting the trees in coffee houses, cafes, and gift shops. I have not seen one in a home window yet. And I'm seeing Santa here and there, too! I love what they call "blowmolds," like the ones above and below. I remember a lot of them from my youth.
Aw, our town is so poor that Santa can have only two deer. Luckily Santa seems a bit undersized so it won't be too hard for them to pull him. Remember in the poem "The Night Before Christmas," when Santa is described as "a right jolly old elf?" He used to be kind of small. The poem also says,
Now what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.
Now he's big and rather rotund. Inflation, I guess. And two of those big-sized deer must be equal in deer-power to the original eight.
I am happy my cattycorner neighbor has a big light-up turkey in the front yard! We must give Thanksgiving its due! Of course, a lot of folks mingle Thanksgiving with Christmas, and I do love a jumble of holidays.
The dogs have a special perch right in the front window, so they can reign over the street. They do not like the big glowing turkey at all. Bark-bark-bark. Bark-bark-bark.
Driving downtown, I stopped and asked this artist if I could take his photo while he worked. And assured him that "no" was perfectly acceptable. But he was happy to oblige. We have some really good artists in town. Some of the students at the university are really talented, too. I love when the businesses paint pretty scenes on their windows at holiday times.
He also has a little baby polar bear cub looking out of the window next to this one! It's going to be really cute when finished. Did you know that polar bears have transparent fur? And that their skin is black?
Have you seen any Christmas trees or blowmolds up around your area?
Kind regards,
Holly, The Olde Dame
My aunt informed me yesterday that she has her tree up just not decorated. She was tired of the dark nights and needed the twinkle.
ReplyDeleteCathy
I don't blame her. The light of Christmas surely helps dispell all kinds of darkness!
DeleteIt's amazing to watch an artist work. So much talent in this world. How are you doing after your shot now? Are you all healed and feeling good? I had mine last week and I sure felt 'rough' for a few days. I went back and looked at your post to read about your symptoms. I just felt lethargic though...and complained a lot! hahaha! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteIn someone as energetic as you are, lethargy is a serious side effect! I am glad you are better. I am finally better, too! Pshew!
DeleteI've only seen "Christmas" in stores so far. But,to be honest, I've not paid too much attention.
ReplyDeleteSanta's gone from elf to giant over the centuries of cookies & hot chocolate!!
Oh gosh that's right, he doesn't practice portion control! Can't leave a cookie uneaten or a cup of cocoa untasted!
Deleteyes, christmas is springing all around us, many of the homes are decorated outside which are the ones who usually do it the weekend after thanksgiving. I think last year was such a bust everyone is anxious to brighten our pandemic flattened world. some of the stores have halloween sales, thanksgivng and Christmas all at one time.
ReplyDeleteI think you are very right and I love the way you described what happened: "pandemic-flattened world" indeed.
DeleteHere in Wales they are selling potted Christmas trees at B&M Bargains in Brecon, and an antiques shop we went into today had a full blown Christmas in two rooms upstairs. All the usual buy treats early for Christmas in the supermarkets too.
ReplyDeleteWales is taking no chances with the supply-chain problems! Best to get everything ASAP!
DeleteWhat a delightful Santa and reindeer your town has. Yes, I remember the poem, The Night Before Christmas. It's a classic for sure. The tree downtown is dazzling. There is a BIG tree here along the side of the main road, and it lit the way home for me when I first moved here. Nothing fancy, just colored lights and pretty. It's funny cause I was going to do a post about it, and then I saw your BIG tree in town. What a talented artist that is with his polar bear artwork. That would be wonderful to see your neighbor's light up turkey every day from your house.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy this holiday season, Holly. It's the best time of year!
~Sheri
I would LOVE to see a post with the tree that helped you feel "at home" your first year in the mountains! God Bless that tree and those who put it up!
DeleteI have NO idea what a blow mold is, but I like that jolly old elf on the stand/roof(?). I haven't seen any decorations in homes, just at Sam's, the only place I've shopped this year. I don't even have my Thanksgiving decoration out yet. I need to do that, I guess.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun start to a mural. Seems a very talented young man.
A blow mold, or blowmold, is a hard plastic item that is formed by "blowing" plastic into a metal mold. They usually have lights in them and were really popular from the 1960s-1980's. Then I think those fabric decorations with a fan in them kind of diminished the market for the blowmolds, but they are having a huge resurgence right now.
DeleteMore and more I think people are looking for light and joy in this rather bleak world. Christmas gives them both, even those who don't celebrate the real reason for the season. I have spotted 2 trees in private homes and one wreath on a door. I keep watching as we drive around doing errands.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I put away my Autumn decorations ( except for the one on the front door). SLOWLY I will take out some Christmas/Winter things.
I think you are right, Granny M. "We need a little Christmas now!" as the song says. Light to chase away dark! Wow, 2 trees in private homes. You are ahead of me. I may go drive around tonight and catch the late Mass and see if I can spot any here.
DeleteI love Christmas decorations. Every year before Christmas I used to take my children and any others who wanted to go and we would cruise around just looking at lights. Then I was able to continue with my grandchildren. Who says kids aren't good for anything?
ReplyDeleteIt's so fun to see all the different decorations!
DeleteI've certainly thought about Christmas, but have not seen decorations yet - but then again, I don't get out much (haha). I like Thanksgiving also so have been admiring the autumn colors etc.
ReplyDeletePS Polar Bear fur is also hallow so it floats :-)
Hollow fur! Wow! I guess that's one way they stay warm in their icy lands.
DeleteOhhhh!!! I LOVE those blowmold reindeer to pieces!! They remind me of the ones in the movie "Prancer." Yes....I avoid shopping and stores like the plague, but I am not able to avoid it/them...and I have not been able to avoid the Christmas decorations either. Don't get me wrong...I love(d) Christmas and the beautiful decorations...but I have a simple rule: Never before Thanksgiving. Here in the cold, cold, Land of Nod (smart) people put their outdoor decorations before the cold weather turns frigid and the snow is too deep. But, the majority do not actually turn them on until the "proper" time. Too funny about the pups barking at the turkey...Snowdog does too...but they are real...very real LOL. ~Robin~
ReplyDeleteYes, those wild turkeys you have at your place - what a boon for the doggies of Nod! I love them, too. I tell ya, the people of the cold areas, my (warm wool knitted) cap is doffed to them. They are able to navigate that cold and snow without losing their minds. I am so scared of snow and cold. In my short stint in Ohio, I saw them put up the lights early, but just as you say, they did not turn them on (other than to check the bulbs) until T'giving was past. Clever people!
DeleteShhh don't tell but I have my 9 ft one up in my back room, but only lights on it thus far. I do not light it yet. I do have my garlands up in my doorway to the kitchen and do light those each evening now though. Blow molds are quite expensive now. We snatch them up when we can to sell in our antique store, but are getting harder to find. That artist is just amazing! Love that the stores add this to their windows. Janice
ReplyDeleteIn this last move, I lost my blowmolds. I could have just cried and ya know, I think I DID cry. I love the old vintage molds. I had the little deer on the candles, a Santa, and a double-sided snowman and baby snowman. And you are so right -- impossible to replace unless you have ready money and lots of it! I love the idea of the lighted garlands above your doors. Sounds so cozy and pretty! Of course, your decorating talent is UNREAL!
DeleteI haven't noticed much in the way of Christmas decor in the area yet. (Northern Minnesota) We are having a little snow this morning, but it's mushy. I'll probably wait until after Thanksgiving, but I do enjoy seeing what others are doing. I only recently discovered the word "blowmolds" from watching so many thrift store shoppers on YouTube, lol. I've seen them around all my life, I just didn't know what they were called. Enjoy the season!
ReplyDeleteI used to have a little island in the Boundary Waters, on Rainy Lake. Well, I didn't, husband did. And you know how that goes...bye bye island...you are very hardy to wait until after T'giving because BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE up there! SNOW already, aiyiyi1
DeleteRemember when nothing Christmas was available until after Thanksgiving? Now it is before Halloween.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a problem with people putting up decorations while the weather is still good, but around the corner they had their lights on the other night. I do hope they were just testing them. These people who are decorated before Thanksgiving will take it all down December 26. To me, Christmas does not end the day after.
I have noticed that too, that the super early folks seem to yank it all down and I guess they are decorated for Valentine's at that point! It's a whole season, people! ha ha! I am putting up a string at a time in the courtyard but I don't have them on yet. I'm just so decrepit with these lousy knees that it takes me FOREVER to get it decorated.
DeleteHi, I did know that about Polar Bears. :-)
ReplyDeleteOur village has not started with Christmas decorating. But I did spy two Christmas trees up in homes this week.
Some people are jumping ahead and putting up trees, but at our house no such thoughts are going on yet. We are still delighting in the changing colors of fall.
ReplyDeleteI've not seen much Christmas yet, except in the Walmart and some other stores who are peddling their Christmas wares. But not so much in town or in neighborhoods yet. Usually by Thanksgiving, however, a lot of communities have up their Christmas decorations. I personally prefer to wait until after Thanksgiving to begin my own decorating for Christmas. I really can't handle more than one holiday at a time. I just set out my Pilgrims and turkeys today in place of the scarecrow and jack o' lantern, etc. Interesting about the Polar Bears fur...pretty amazing how God creates, isn't it? Wow! Hope you have a marvelous Thanksgiving. xoxxo
ReplyDeleteNo but we are not out and about much. -smile-
ReplyDeleteBut my post today/Nov. 16th has Winter-eee pics in it.
To hurry the Hibernation and taking it easy and being cozy 'effect,' of winter. -smile-
😊 🔥 😊