26 12, 2016

Goodbye Christmas 2016 – 8 Tips for Packing Decorations Away

By judythemorgan|2016-12-23T08:28:36-06:00December 26th, 2016|Holidays, Make Me Think Monday|0 Comments

Yesterday we celebrated Christmas. Are you removing the Christmas decorations today? Or, do you wait until Epiphany or Twelfth Night?

Either way, the tree must be unadorned. The things we carefully placed to put us in the holiday spirit must be stored until next year.

Exhaustion has swallowed the enthusiasm we experienced setting up and the task of taking down decorations can be depressing. Still, the job must be done and being systematic with undecorating can make the decorating task go faster next year.

Try these eight tips to ensure everything you take down this year is in good condition and ready to be displayed next year.

Start by deciding whether you’ll use the Swiss cheese method or devote an entire day to the task. Me, I prefer the Swiss cheese method. I gather things into one spot before I begin loading my plastic containers.

Dismantle holiday displays and pack them up according to specific areas of the home.

Store decorations in plastic containers marked with the location for the decorations.

Launder fabric items before you put away. Always make sure the items are completely dry before packing them up. Oversized zip-top bags or vacuum bags work perfectly for storage. Or place folded items in one plastic container.

Bows made from wire-edged ribbon should be gently loaded into plastic containers. Wads of tissue paper stuffed in the loops will help keep their shape while in storage. Even if they get a bit smashed, they can easily be refreshed for next year.

Wrap fragile ornaments in tissue paper or bubble wrap from holiday deliveries and gifts if you did not save the original packaging for storage. Plastic ornament boxes with dividers are a great investment. It makes undecorating the tree go quickly and delicate ornaments are well protected.

Light strings, either indoor or outdoor, should be wound and stored in individual zip-lock bags to prevent tangles.

Outdoor displays should be covered in large, heavy-duty contractor bags that can be used more than once.

Can you add any tips you have for undecorating? If so, share in the comments.

25 12, 2016

The Christmas Scale

By judythemorgan|2016-12-24T08:28:40-06:00December 25th, 2016|Holidays|0 Comments

This is my all-time, very-favorite Christmas video. I can totally relate to the young narrator and rejoice with him in understanding what his Momma meant.

If you have a piano around round your house, give the C scale a try. Play the C scale starting on middle C playing up to the next C. Then play the scale again starting on the 8th note. As you play the scale back down, pause on the 1st note, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th. That’s the good news today.

Merry Christmas!

14 12, 2016

Making Holiday Memories

By judythemorgan|2016-11-27T15:57:41-06:00December 14th, 2016|Holidays, Wednesday Words of Wisdom|0 Comments

This picture was snapped many years ago after the gift unwrapping. The grands are sharing their gifts with the others.

We never hurried to clear the chaos of twenty family members tearing into their gifts. The room was often covered in wrapping paper and ribbon and you had to tread carefully.

Once everyone had their gifts open then they’d huddle to examine the treasures each had received. Such fond memories of the young ones excited about their gifts.

Do you rush to clear the clutter after gift unwrapping? If you do, why not linger and enjoy the moment.

I’m so glad we didn’t rush AND that we snapped such great photos. Be sure to capture the memories.

12 12, 2016

Christmas Trees – the custom and traditions

By judythemorgan|2016-11-30T08:48:45-06:00December 12th, 2016|Holidays, Make Me Think Monday|0 Comments

A small tabletop tree with candles stands as a tribute to our German grandfather’s ancestry. A hand sewnSt. Nicholas doll stands beside the tree.

The tradition of putting up and decorating a Christmas tree began in Germany in the 16th century.

Legend has it that Protestant reformer Martin Luther, who was awed by the brilliance of twinkling stars amidst evergreens on a nighttime walk, wired candles to Christmas tree branches to recapture the scene.

The idea of a decorated Christmas tree was slow to gain popularity in Puritan America. Puritans held to a strict sacred observation of Christmas. In fact, in 1659, hanging decorations brought fines for breaking the law against observance of December 25 (other than a church service).

The Puritan legacy diminished with the influx of German and Irish immigrants and Christmas trees became the focal point of those who celebrate Christmas in America.

Thinking about Christmas trees from childhood is sure to stir a bit of nostalgia.

I can remember piling into the family station wagon and driving into the Texas hill country to cut the perfect tree. We’d sing Christmas carols and eat a picnic lunch. Fun times.

I’d stare for hours at the icicles reflecting in the multi-colored bulbs then beg to be in charge of cutting off the lights before bedtime so I could stay up late. I might add that those icicles had to hang single strand over single branches. Daddy was always watching to be sure.

Once I married and we had our own tree, I’d planned to throw the icicles haphazardly on the tree. Somehow, it didn’t look right. Or maybe it was Daddy’s voice echoing in my head.

Christmas trees continue to play an important role in our holiday decorating.

In Houston, we placed multiple trees around our Victorian home. Most were artificial and each tree had its own theme.

For years we’ve collected White House and Texas Capitol ornaments. Those collections hang on gold-branched display trees every year.

With the Rio Grande National Forest as our backyard, we can secure a permit, take a short hike, and have a fresh cut tree whenever we’re ready to decorate.

I do miss all the little helpers I had in years past. Putting gumdrops on the gumdrop tree by myself (a tradition from my Irish grandmother) isn’t the same.

This year our new four-legged baby, Finnegan MacCool will be helping, which may or may not be a good thing.

Here’s Finn helping me make a Christmas stocking for the newest family member-our granddaughter’s new husband.

Should be fun time decorating the Christmas tree this year with an Old English sheepdog puppy. At five months everything is a chew toy.

How’s the decorating going at your place? Is a Christmas tree part of your holiday tradition?

5 12, 2016

Let the Christmas Traditions and Customs Begin

By judythemorgan|2025-11-19T14:53:30-06:00December 5th, 2016|Holidays, Make Me Think Monday|0 Comments

Santa Claus waves to spectators along Central Park West during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Santa is officially tucked in place at Macy’s New York. You did watch the Macy parade on Thanksgiving, didn’t you?

Macy’s parade always signals Christmas preparations and traditions can officially begin for me.

I absolutely love Christmas customs and traditions. This month I’ll be sharing about my favorites starting with the Advent wreath.

If you attend a traditional liturgical church, you probably lit the second candle of an Advent Wreath yesterday because Advent this year began on Sunday, November 27.

Not familiar with the tradition of Advent? Here’s my cliff note version:

Advent comes from adventus meaning “coming” or “visit” and includes the four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent also serves as the beginning of the liturgical year for churches.

Observance of advent began sometime after the 4th century. In the Middle Ages, the church extended the celebration to include the coming of Christ through his birth in Bethlehem, his future coming at the end of time, and his presence among us through the promised Holy Spirit.

Modern-day Advent services center on a garland wreath of evergreen branches representing eternity and symbolizing the coming of the light of Christ into the world.

The wreath contains three purple (or blue) candles, one pink candle, and one white candle. Each successive Sunday of Advent one of the candles is lit. The order and exact wording used as the candles come to light varies among churches.

Traditionally, the Prophecy Candle is first. The second Sunday candle is the Bethlehem candle. Third Sunday candle is the pink Shepherd candle. Fourth Sunday is the last purple candle called the Angel Candle. The White Candle (or Christ Candle) is lit on Christmas Eve.

Other variations light the candles to represent Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy.

Read more about the symbolism of the advent wreath, candles, and colors here.

If your church does not formally recognize a season of Advent, constructing an Advent wreath for your home can be part of family holiday traditions.

Here’s a link to an Advent wreath-coloring page for children. You’ll also find fun holiday activities to occupy little hands there.

Observing Advent is a great way to keep Christ the focus, teach the true meaning of Christmas, and diminish the commercialism of Christmas.

Is an advent wreath part of your Christmas season?

25 11, 2016

Turkey Game

By judythemorgan|2016-11-21T07:45:23-06:00November 25th, 2016|Holidays, Miller Farm Friday, Thanksgiving|0 Comments

A blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

One of my greatest treasures is the collection of music books from my Aunt Keta. She was a music teacher and she worked for a music publishing company so she had many, many books. She actually gave a kindergarten music book to me on my first birthday.

I use it regularly in my classroom. One of the songs is called The Turkeys Run Away. We sing it every November and play the game.

This year when I explained how to play the game, I found myself saying “I will be the farmer and I will chase the turkeys.”

For a brief moment, I thought about the last time I chased a turkey. It had not ended so well – I fractured my ankle. I pushed that thought to the back of my mind and began to sing.

I am happy to report no teachers were harmed in the playing of this game.

24 11, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving

By judythemorgan|2016-11-05T22:10:17-05:00November 24th, 2016|Holidays|1 Comment

Today we think about all the things we are thankful for. Chicken Wrangler Sara and I are so grateful for our readers.

As you gather with your family and friends today, we offer this Irish blessing for you and yours.

11 11, 2016

Veterans Day and Gratitude

By judythemorgan|2016-11-09T15:20:36-06:00November 11th, 2016|Holidays|2 Comments

Today we celebrate Veterans Day. Do you know why?

This short video from the History Channel explains the origins.

According to Cynthia Ozick, “We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”

Don’t let that happen today!

Say “thank you” to a friend, relative, or co-worker who is a U.S. military veteran or active member of the military then pause a moment to remember the brave men and women who sacrificed their all to make America the greatest nation on Earth.

11 07, 2016

What items work to regift and what doesn’t?

By judythemorgan|2016-07-02T14:11:55-05:00July 11th, 2016|Holidays, Make Me Think Monday|2 Comments

Christmas is officially six months away. It’s time to start thinking about gift giving. For me, that means checking my gift box supply for things to regift.

What’s in my gift box? Items I’ve received over the year(s) that really didn’t work for me. Things that might suit someone else that I can regift.

In case you’re not familiar with the term, regifting is the act of receiving a gift, and then after some time, wrapping it up and giving it to someone else.

It’s a way of recycling what you don’t want or can’t use.

The trick to regifting lies in knowing what’s acceptable to re-gift, what’s a definite no-no, and the cardinal rule of regifting:

Only regift NEW items not used items unless they classify as antiques.

Here are ten items considered acceptable to regift.

Candles – Designed to be used up and thrown away, are very easy to regift when unused and plastic remains.
Soaps, Lotions, and Bathroom Items -Soaps, hand creams, lotions, bubble baths are all fine to regift. Only if the items haven’t expired and haven’t been opened.
Games, Toys, and Puzzles -Perfectly okay to regift if intact. Do make a note of who gave what to whom, though. Last thing you’d want to do is give a game/toy/puzzle back to someone who gave it to you.
Some Clothing -Don’t risk a friendship or argument if you travel in the same circle of friends and the fact you never wear the gift will be obvious. Also, be sure all tags remain intact.
Wine and Spirits – Wine only gets better with age. Hard liquor does too. So if it’s sealed, you’re good to give.

Gift Cards – Make sure the balance never expires, or is still intact because some devious people out there operate gift card frauds.
Gift Baskets -As long as you haven’t removed half the contents, destroyed the packaging, or kept the basket so long the items have expired.
Fragrances -Perfumes, aftershaves, and eau de toilettes are all fair game for regifting provided they remain sealed in the original box.
Kitchen Items -Toasters. Blenders. Frying pans. Coffee makers. All very regiftable if in original packaging. Be careful not to offend anyone who might come to your home and cannot see what they gave you. Awkward situation you want to avoid.
Novelties and Gag Gifts -Perfect for those white elephant exchanges that abound in December or age-related parties. The fun of some white elephant exchanges is the same gifts appear year after year and become a running joke.

Now these four things should NEVER be regifted:

Personalized items even if you share initials
Anything with an inscription
Opened CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Rays
Anything universally awful unless used as a gag gift

What about you? Are you a regifter? What things do you pass along?

4 07, 2016

Celebrating Independence

By judythemorgan|2016-06-30T11:12:48-05:00July 4th, 2016|Holidays|0 Comments

I hope everyone is busy enjoying a celebration of our nation’s birthday.

Technically, independence was declared on July 2 and the Declaration of Independence wasn’t signed until July 19.

But who cares? Today is the day we traditionally celebrate our freedom.

What a country – baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet.

Now that I have that peppy jingle embedded in your head enjoy your day whatever way you celebrate. At the same time, let’s keep Ronald Reagan’s words in mind.

Happy 4th to all!

And an extra special thank you to all the brave men and women who help maintain our freedom everyday.