NOT ALONE for Christmas

We are almost into the new year, 2024. I hope that everyone here is doing well. I will not post much here until November 2024 when we go into another Christmas season.
Take good care of your selves

Sometimes life gets crazy. I just finished a business project.
2 hours ago, I was driving to an appointment. I haven't driven since breaking my wrist on Oct 23. My car died just as i was entering an intersection. 3 men pushed my car to the side of the street. I am very thankful for their assistance. Hubby came around and the car would not restart. We may have flooded the car so left it and will return shortly to try again.
I hope everyone here is doing well! Please share - what is going on in your life? Venting can help or maybe someone will make a helpful suggestion.

Well hubby decided it would be good to share an online service however when he opened the program his Christmas present was still open on the site. Oh well- no surprise for him on Christmas morning!

Simple and aromatic!

Christmas decoration idea : Oranges with Cloves Here's an idea for a Christmas decoration that will perfume your home: oranges decorated with cloves! Not only do they...

Unique Ideas for Christmastime.

5 things I've been doing all year to make the holidays more affordable Despite feeling the season's crunch, one thing for sure to avoid is overspending and digging a debt hole. These five things can help you budget for seasonal shopping, and it helps stave off a holiday debt hangover.

Here are a couple of ideas for you to try this year if you have the supplies needed:
1) Potpourri or room freshener - Fill a small pot halfway with water, add some or all of the following and heat until it almost boils, then reduce the heat to a simmer so the steam fills the room: whole cloves, cinnamon (whole or ground), 1 or 2 star of anise, citrus peel, tea if you have some smelly stuff you don't want to drink, other aromatic herbs and spices. Start with a smaller amount and add if you want more aroma. I have to restrict the amount of the anise because I find it overwhelms the other scents.
2) Make pomanders: take 1 or more pieces of citrus fruit, poke small holes with a bamboo skewer or fine knife. Fill the holes with whole cloves. Make lines and swirls around the fruit. Put the fruit on a central table where the delightful aroma will fill the room.

from the site below: These oranges decorated with cloves are also called pomanders or pommes d'ambre in French. This is a traditional Christmas decoration dating back to the Middle Ages. The scent of oranges and cloves were used to ward off evil spirits and to stay healthy. Today, this tradition has been somewhat lost.

Christmas decoration idea : Oranges with Cloves - La Cuisine de Géraldine Here's an idea for a Christmas decoration that will perfume your home: oranges decorated with cloves! Not only do they...

As we launch into another Christmas season, it is time to consider how YOU feel about this time of year.
What are your memories?
How are you approaching this Christmas?
Grab paper and a pen and make some notes about Christmas Past, Present and Future.
My mom hated Christmas time - as a mom of 5 it meant more work. She didn't know how to make life easier and more enjoyable for her Self. As the youngest member, I felt her grief.
These days, if we don't get what we want, I think that most of us do what we can to improve the situation.
However, the first step is awareness.

Grab paper and a pen and make some notes about Christmas Past, Present and Future. Please share here if you want to.

Fantastic meeting- every member attended.

Goldstream Toastmasers send warm Christmas greetings to all. May everyone stay healthy and safe during the holiday season.

How are you celebrating this holiday season? Is it a celebration or just finding a way to fill in the hours? Can you make it special?
I use this time of the year to reflect on the past year and set my intentions for the coming year. What went well and why or how? What could have been better?
What do I want to do in 2022 and how am i going to accomplish my intentions?
Plus DL and I are starting to plan our garden. We have to prepare a seed order and find some manure to feed the gardens.
Post and tell us what you are doing with your time.
I hope that you will join me on Friday Dec 24/21 at 4pm PST for my rendition of "How the Grinch stole Christmas."😜 🤪

6 months and 11 days to another Christmas! Is it too early to start planning? We don't have to be 'alone' at Christmas, or anytime, unless we want to be.
It is possible to be alone without feeling lonely. If you want to have people in your life, look for opportunities.
I have my adult Toastmasters group and run a youth Toastmasters/Gavel club for ages 8 to 17.
Some volunteer positions require a regular commitment and other opportunities are for the short term. I did a single day once. For Meals on Wheels, I washed dishes, then prepared 100 salads, and helped to serve dinner. I met wonderful people and had fun.🌹🌹
I encourage you to find ways to enjoy your life. Please share here. What brought you to this site?
I receive notices occasionally that people are visiting this site. What are YOU looking for?🌹🌹

I received a request for the dip and salad dressing that I used:
The dip is a thick creamy dressing that I buy, called Feta Dill.
The Kale/Carrot salad is tossed with a Thai Ginger dressing. It can be purchased. I make it with olive oil, rice wine vinegar, a bit of toasted sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, black pepper, pinch of sugar.
If you missed the video, this platter has crackers, orange segments, moroccan sun dried olives, sliced cooked sausage, halved mini honey garlic sausage, kale salad, broccoli, celery, radishes, carrots and sliced pickles.
There are so many foods which can be used. Remember to separate the colours for contrast and combine foods which go together like crackers and a spread like hummus. 🌹

How are you- really. Are you alone this year? What are you doing to make this Christmas special?
Please share you pictures and stories.

On Wednesday Dec 23 I will be live to present how to put together a platter which is called antipasto, charcuterie or 'something to munch on'. If you want to make your own at the same time, you will need: a platter or big plate, sliced meats and cheeses, crackers, pickles/olives, little bowls and anything else you have which may work.

WEEK 3: Why do I do this???? Do you ask yourself this question? What is the answer?
Visit NOT ALONE for Christmas and share your thoughts.

I started to put up the decorations and did the tree because of this offering of NOT ALONE. Then I figured out that I enjoy having the tree and decorations.
Please share your thoughts and what you are doing this week.
For Week 3, I suggest that you look at your selection of music, food and what you are doing with your time. A link to Spotify was shared previously. Also, Insight Meditation https://insighttimer.com/ offers music and talks about dealing with stress, emotions etc. They offer a lot on the free side. The cost of $78 per year gives access to some courses.

Take good care of your Self. Listen to your little voice - assess how you are doing and what you could be doing differently to support your Self.

Reposting from the Group.

How are you doing?
What are you doing and listening too? Please share!!!!!

Week 1: TIDY & DECORATE: Last week I cleared my coffee table and I hung some Chinese paper streamers which have been in a closet for years.
This week I am decorating our tree. We decided to save some money and use the artificial tree - see the photos.
FOOD: Christmas dinner will be much simpler this year too. I have a Turkey breast vacuum sealed in the freezer. We will stuff it and make a gravy. I like using a package peppercorn gravy. I buy very little processed food but I really enjoy this gravy. Hubby has requested mashed potatoes, gravy and peas.
For dessert we will make an apple pie and mince meat tarts. I have tart shells, home made pastry and pie filling in the freezer.

YOU: Please share your efforts. Thanks to Pat for sharing! 🌹

WEEK 2: GREETINGS EVERYONE!
Week #1 was for decorating. I did a bit but then found a mouse was running around my house so have been doing some extra tidying and cleaning. A picture of my efforts are forthcoming.
This coming week is for planning your Holiday Season: food, more decorations, music, entertainment, people to contact(yes it is time to send that email or call or drop off a gift).
Next week will be for enjoying your efforts so make your plan and execute the plan. Breaking the plan into 10 minute stints will help to make the process less daunting.
Please post your pictures and share some stories.

NOT ALONE for Christmas updated their info in the about section.

Welcome to all the new members!
Please share the ways that you are making this holiday season Special.
Or, tell us ways that this is a difficult time.
2020 has been very different for almost everyone in the world.
The Christmas season is an interesting time of the year. There are happy memories and very sad memories. There can be piles of frustration. It is up to each one of us to learn and grow from our experiences. In the meantime, we need to cope with what is happening today.
Perseverance and resilience will see us through. Remember, YOU are NOT ALONE! 🌹

I invite you to share your reflections, pictures and stories.

UPDATE: I have tidied my living room. Next is decorating. The dining room will be tough because there is little space to put the stuff, particularly the seeds for the gardening.
Tell us what you are working on.