Saturday, August 21, 2010

Pink Holidays



About this time of year my local hobby store starts clearing the aisles to make way for Christmas ribbons and ornaments.   I used to groan, it's way too early for this sort of thing.  But now after selling holiday things year round for several years the decorations themselves have become almost season less, almost meaningless.  I'm sure a lot of you who make Santas or Easter Bunnies are working out of season.  At first it was disturbing, I didn't like painting chalkware Santas in September or unboxing bottle brush trees on a warm summer day.  These things always seemed as if they should be accompanied by Christmas music and cookies.                                                                                I live in a temperate climate, in northeastern Wisconsin.   At times I've loathed the bitterly cold days that keep you stranded indoors, the cold at times so extreme that spending any length of time outdoors borders on reckless.  I have lived in a tropical climate with year round balminess, then on to a rainy place, followed by a dry arid place.  Perhaps it's just because I was born and raised here that I like the rhythm of this northern climate best.  The definite seasons, winter being broken by days almost unbelievably beautiful as the grass begins to grow again and the trees leaf out.  We tend to associate holidays with these rhythms, a white Christmas, a pretty spring day for Easter, corn shocks and fields of pumpkins for Halloween.
As time passes I make peace with unpacking Halloween decorations in the middle of summer and Easter bunnies showing up right after Christmas.  I've found I still really associate the holiday with the changing of the seasons and not the objects, the dinners and traditions and not the  decorations.  I have found the meaning lies not in the things themselves but the meanings we give them when we invite them into our lives and give them a place in our homes.  These things we labor on out of season are just waiting for someone's family and home to give them meaning.    
Just an added note, I didn't create any of the things in these pictures,  I do show some of my chalkware Santas in another post.

16 comments:

  1. Oh these are so pretty!
    Happy Pink Saturday!!

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  2. Hi Deb, Your home must be so much fun to visit during the holidays! Perfect feature, you are so talented! Marcia

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  3. Awwwwww! Love those chalkware Santas in PINK!
    Thanks for sharing, and Happy PS!
    Monica.

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  4. Happy Pink Saturday...
    I love the pink church and how you photographed it against the sky....so real looking. And, your sweet pink chalkware Santas...

    It is hard to work out of season, but I get into the project at hand and you get used to it....by the time Christmas is over, you are ready for the next one...and on and on. The life of the crafter!
    Sweet Blessings,
    Jil

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  5. Happy Pink Saturday Debra! This is my first visit to your blog and I have really enjoyed it. I will be back! Have a great weekend, Nan

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  6. Welcome to Pink Saturday. I hate to think about Christmas being as close as it is. Your reminder for today was very nice. I enjoyed my visit to your blog and will join your other friends as a follower.

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  7. It will be here before we know it! Love those pinks! Happy Pink Saturday Debra!

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  8. I so enjoyed your PINK Post! I also love those vintage chalkware santa's! I am sure I will be coming back to visit your blog and see more!

    HPS!
    Lorena

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  9. Oh I love chalkware--I have Easter ones but not Christmas. The pink house is also gorgeous. Love your blog. Happy Pink Saturday.
    Ann

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  10. Happy Pink Saturday! Love the pink house.

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  11. I don't want to think about Christmas-o.k. Maybe pink christmas

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  12. Nice Pinks, I'm sure all your work is lovely as your tastes are as it shows in your collection. Not ready to think about the holidays just yet, but you are right, they are just around the corner! Pinky Hugs!

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  13. So nice to meet you, Deb! I'm visiting from Bev's Pink Saturday party. I also took a peek at your Etsy offerings. Very pretty. I'll be back closer to Christmas. LOL

    Have a great weekend!

    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  14. So nice to get to know you a little on Pink Saturday. I grew up in Madison, WI, so I appreciate the seasons too. Your pink pictures are just adorable. I love to keep Christmas music in my car year round and I do keep a couple of nutcrackers throughout the house, just to keep the season here a little. Have a great weekend.

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  15. Happy Belated Pink Saturday, Debbie. I hope you enjoyed being one of the featured participants.

    You have so many beautiful things. Thank you for sharing them with us. The church is so pretty.

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  16. Happy Pink Saturday, Love the Pink Santas! Hugs, Marilou

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