Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Bittersweet Autumn

I've been reading about how everyone was so ready for summer to end and autumn to begin. Autumn signifies cooler temperatures, beautiful foliage, apple pie, Halloween, and many other wonderful things. I truly enjoy the fall season but oh how I wish it was a bit longer! It comes and goes so quickly - already you can see some of the mums wilting in the above photo and it isn't even technically autumn until Saturday! Living in the northeast, I've had four seasons since day one. I am blessed to have a lovely home in a lovely part of the country - I just can do without winter. Scratch that, I can do without winter after January 1. White Christmases can certainly be magical but after New Year's all the snow, ice, and freezing temps can go buh-bye!

As we enter this wonderful autumn season, I'm already starting to feel the stress of the Christmas season. Growing up, my mother always disliked Christmas time. I could never understand - Christmas was my favorite! How I wanted that magical feeling to stay with me all year! How in the world could anyone dislike it? How in the world could anyone not be filled with Christmas joy! Now that I am a married woman, I understand my mother's point of view. I still truly love Christmas and I get the warm fuzzies as we approach but I also get the heebie jeebies as I think about all of the Christmas shopping and how it falls on me to shop for both my family and my husband's family (wait, how did he survive all those bachelor years?!). How there is stress to make the yard look aglow in light, the tree to be trimmed just so, the house to be decorated with warmth and light and cheer. I feel added pressure because my front yard won our local garden club's holiday house award last year! That was such a highlight until I realized I need to keep this up year to year!

Wait, I'm getting way ahead of myself! Being the event planner that I am, I'm already devising ways to knockout this holiday stress once and for all. I've already begun to create the Christmas list of gifts I want to buy for everyone, I'm also going to get the Christmas photo done early this year and have the cards printed well in advance, I'm not going to stress about having the perfect house, and just go with what my heart tells me. I'm bound and determined to bring back that wonderful childhood feeling and banish the dread from such a magical time of year! I must point out that I don't yet have little ones (other then my cutie dog) - imagine what a basket case I'll be once they come into the picture! Okay Karla, relax, enjoy life. Sometimes I have to remind myself that these are not real problems or areas of concern. I don't live in Iraq or Darfur. I am healthy, my family is healthy. Life is good. Bring on the snow.


16 comments:

Natasha Burns said...

I'd love to see a white Christmas! We have hot sweaty Christmases here! I have a solution for you Karla. After Christmas, just come on down to Australia and enjoy our Summer!!!

Susie Q said...

I do know how you feel Karla, so much is expected at Christmas and I so like just a simple and sweet day. I guess that is one of the reasons I love Thanksgiving. : )

I am hoping for a White Christmas this year...not much last one. : (
Grace would LOVE that!

I am still trying to play catch up after being ill and watching my nephew...but I have been thinking about you!

Hugs,
sue

Pinkie Denise said...

I know it hard not to get caught up in all the busy-ness. I like to try and enjoy the season it is my favorite one. When Christmas is over I don't ever want it to end my kids tease me that I will leave Christmas decoration up till Easter. I haven't though. Maybe just through January

darla said...

Oh, I love Christmas, too. But I agree, it can be a very stressful time of year. For me, just picking out the perfect gift for someone is stressful! And like you said, everything around the house has to be just so-so. Until about 7 years ago, Christmas dinner was always held at my parents house, but it's been at my house now. And that is added stress! Now I know why Mom wanted to pass the torch, so to speak. My worst time comes the days following Christmas Day... to me, its like a let down and becomes very depressing. I don't know why really.
In all of my life(49yrs), we've only had snow one time on Christmas Day... and that was in 2004. It was beautiful. It made for a wonderful holiday.
darla
http://westwoodranch.blogspot.com

Sophie Honeysuckle said...

I know just what you mean, Christmas shopping and organising can be very stressful!!! But once that's all out of the way, I love it! Winter is my favourite season, but over here although it gets very cold, we don't get too much snow!
I LOVE the scarecrow by the way! xx

love of yellow roses said...

When we lived in Missouri we had white Christmas's, however now that we are in north Carolina we can have 65 degree weather. I don't mind some snow, I just do not like to be snowed in. I am with you on getting a head start on all the Christmas planning. I would love to just sit back and enjoy the holiday and not worry about running around looking for the perfect gifts.

Anonymous said...

Love Christmas but boy can it be hard work. Enjoying that scarecrow.

Anonymous said...

You are on the right track getting things done ahead and relieving some pressure now! I love the Hello Kitty party hat BTW! She is a favorite!!

Mom2fur said...

Christmas can be stressful because we expect so much of ourselves. But you won't be a basket case when the kiddies come along, I promise. Seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child is just as wonderful as you've heard. Take it from me, as a mom of 4, I know!

Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...

You're right. Autumn is way too short. And I too am already dreading the holiday season.

Cape Cod Washashore said...

I know how you feel! Once I married I became the designated shopper for both sides of the family.

The holidays are a time to ENJOY! =)

Mom2fur said...

Hi, again! We have a few costumes for Shadow, and some nice hoodies and a raincoat my friend Jude from Maine sent him. I made him a Santa outfit last Christmas, too.
Right now, he's wearing a collar for the first time. I don't think he likes it as much as he likes clothes, LOL!

Sweet Remembrance said...

A white Christmas sounds nice...
but it's not to had here in Southern CA!
But I am happy it's cooling down...
Priscilla

Erin Earls said...

Oh I know that feeling about Christmas. My parents worked for the Post Office, so you can imagine how that went. I love Christmas Day, but the time leading up to it is just not so fun. So here is to enjoying Autumn while it lasts.
Love Erin~

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

I'm getting thrown into Christmas early this year (for work) and have started to bah-humbug it all. I need to step back and enjoy fall and not stress out, you're right.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I'd love to see photos of your front yard from last Christmas! I'm sure it was beautiful!

I'm with you...regarding Christmas, be organized and start early! Then, just do what I can and simply enjoy!

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