This December, as I watched blog post after blog post about roll through my reader, I saw more holiday perfection (decor, gift wrapping, parties, etc) than I could bear to look at. Frankly – and please don’t hate me for this – I had to stop reading them, because I was only getting more discouraged with how far behind I was with holiday preparations.
Running my shop, my blog, and working 9-5 (or longer) has done a number on me this holiday season. I could barely keep up with all of those things. As of this week I pretty much gave up trying to enjoy the holiday and was just counting down to my 4 day weekend at home for New Years’ Eve. One thing after another seemed to go wrong – don’t even get me started on the deer I ran over. That was the last straw.
However, by Friday evening I’d arrived safe and sound at my parents’ house despite my unhappy car. Things came together, and the dogs and I settled in front of the fireplace. The borrowed abode wasn’t really decorated, and because I think it’s important to let the world know that not all bloggers have perfectly decorated homes before Christmas, I had wanted to give you all the 2011 Borrowed Abode Pre-Christmas Tornado Tour. But my laptop battery died before I could post it, and I decided to just not worry about it.
But in case you’re curious, here’s one shot that would’ve made the cut: The kitchen.
But now I’m back home, and the house has been cleaned up. I had a wonderful, albeit busy, Christmas with all of my families. Ever seen the movie Four Christmases? Then you get the idea 🙂
Next on the agenda? Completing a few key tasks for the house by the end of New Years’ weekend.
I’ve finished designing a graduated bookshelf that will fit exactly against the stairwell wall in the basement rec room:
And we’ve designed a sofa table that will also be built (hopefully) by the end of the weekend. Additionally, I’m trying to take care of a couple of the little tasks on our master to-do list.
I’m not sure if I’ll be back here before the new year – so if not, have a happy and safe New Year’s Eve, and I’ll see you in 2012!
6 Comments
I’m not offended. My home is no catalog . . . I like to decorate for Christmas, but I don’t do dramatic tablescapes, and I don’t have a mantle to drip with all kinds of decor. I put up the things that make me smile and that mean something to my family. That means there is kind of a cozy hodgepodge of “nice” decor and kid’s drawings and Christmas themed school projects. My tree is filled with ornaments collected over time and has no cohesive “theme” (which basically means it looks the same every year). It will never get me on the Nate Berkus show (is it bad of me that I never even heard of that dude before I saw every blogger and their brother getting called up to appear on his show?), but we like it. 😉
My favorite bloggers are the ones that keep it real. That’s why you’re one of my favorites. If I wanted to see perfection I’d crack open a Martha magazine.
I’m with you! I posted today, but I really just needed a break and you know what? I don’t think we’re the only bloggers taking it easy this week. One of the reasons I love your blog is because you’re real. It’s not always perfection and that makes me feel like a normal person. Besides, we’re just saving up our energy for our January meet and greet when we can have a cocktail and kick back. 🙂 Happy holidays Jane and Ryan!
love the bookshelf !!!
Merry Christmas!! I put almost no decor up this year. It just was not in the cards. The bookshelf looks awesome 🙂
I felt the same way this Christmas! Everything felt very rushed and thrown together. I did decorate, but I kept things really simple. I think it’s amazing what you have accomplished this year! That stands out far more than a bunch of silly decorations ever could. Way to go, Jane! =)