Japanese Maples Fall Color
'Skeeter's Broom' is the most colorful maple in our garden. I have just returned from a 2-week trip to Japan. This was my first ever trip outside the United States. It was an amazing experience and one I will never forget. Japan was wonderful - they really have their act together and I think the U.S. could learn a few things from them. There was one disappointment on the trip - the fall color had barely begun there and was really just beginning as we left. That is okay because the gardens were still spectacular, and I got a nice shot of fall color when I got back. 'Ryusen' I missed a few things - our ginkgo had just turned a glorious color the day before I left, and the leaves were gone by the time I got back. 'Sango-Kaku' I came home to many leaves on the ground but still a lot on the trees. 'Osakazuki', a beautiful red maple always changed color very late and therefore doesn't usually last long. When I left there was no color but a few remaini
Hi Phillip, sometimes it is just time to move on. Hope you can find good homes for the decorations. We used to go all out too, but have really scaled back once the kids grew up and we moved to this much smaller house. There are different stages to life, and for us, it is time to simplify. :-)
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I remember that post. That was an all display for the holidays, as grand as I've ever seen. But when it is time, it is time. Perhaps what doesn't sell could be donated to a charity that might like to brighten its space up for the holidays?
ReplyDeleteGosh Phillip, I guess we are coming of that age. I have stopped that over decorating. A few years ago I decided to just not decorate as much. I haven't had the heart to get rid of most of it. It is easy to ignore since it is in the attic. I had a chuckle when I saw how that truck is loaded. I bet we could do the same thing. It sure makes Christmas a little less hectic. The maid will appreciate not having to dust so much too.
ReplyDeleteI love holiday decorating (am way into 50s/60s vintage), and I agree your inside is Crazy Christmas (tm). However, as far as the outside goes... where are the colored lights and lit figurines?! (No, seriously.) BTW, I'm all about simplifying and have always lived a frugal life... but for my, Xmas is the exception! :)
ReplyDeleteMy partner's mother goes CRAZY for Christmas. She has about 14 Santas doing everything from just standing there to riding a bicycle. The largest one is about 1.5m tall!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger, my parents would always decorate the house. It was a lot of fun, but it starts to get taxing. It's a lot of money and time for something that is only visible for about a month each year.
The thing about Christmas that I always wanted to downsize most is the big credit card bill that comes in Jan. We pretty much have, now that we just buy presents for the kids in the family.
ReplyDeleteNow I've got to check out your Christmas posts. :)
OK, I feel better now: it's not only me who wrote today about chickens in WINTER, it's also you who wrote about Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThe December after I first met David, the whole house looked like someone threw up hand-made, hand me down crafty Christmas plus all the plastic Santas and complete with the sleigh on the roof. Never been much of a fan, but last year, he just decided out of the blue, "Not this year." He finally did put up a tree and that was it. I still don't know why, other than he said he just wasn't into it all that much. Sure makes January a whole lot more fun! Cute picture of you looking like a race horse who just won.
ReplyDeleteI love to get rid of stuff, so I can completely sympathize with Michael's feeling. My mom used to go all out at every holiday, and as a kid I absolutely loved it. I haven't been the same kind of decorator for my kids, I'm sad to say. I just don't like the clutter. But I do enjoy seeing other people's all-out displays. I'll miss your Xmas posts.
ReplyDeleteHi Phillip~~ Human nature being what it is, you'll get rid of everything and about, say December 1st, the decorating bug will bite and Michael will be lamenting his beloved treasures and make a beeline for the nearest Target [or the like]. He'll have a red pickup full of Christmas cheer and proceed to decorate every room before, say the third of December. You watch. [LOL]
ReplyDeletePhillip, in many ways I have done the same thing, and not just with Christmas decorating. I know in my case it is just that I am interested in doing new and different things and some old activities just aren't as important to me anymore as I have grown and changed, so I have cut back or cut things out. I think as we get older, our priorities just change because we change.
ReplyDeleteJan
Always Growing
Phillip, It really is a lot of work to keep up the super decorations! I suspect that even your downsized decorated Christmas decorations are still lovely and charming! gail
ReplyDeleteOh I'm envious! I've wanted to stop decorating for years now because I'm the one who does everything, and it's just so tiring. Our kids are both in college, and I almost didn't get a tree last year (husband is the one who wants one). But as soon as I brought it into the house, our old dog (now dead) settled himself underneath it contentedly, and I was glad I did. I'd forgotten how much HE loved the tree. We still have a 6-yr-old yellow lab but also added a pup to our household in March, and he eats everything. 2009 may be a tree-less Christmas, finally.
ReplyDeleteHi Phillip, don't be too hasty, a couple years from now you may want them all back;) Or you could have fun shopping for new stuff.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
I think it would be great to celebrate once every three years or so... sometimes it just seems too commercial. Maybe all natural decorations from our gardens each year but all the rest... simple is best. Red apples, candles, white amaryllis etc. ... and bringing in the forest of course... no storage needed for these. I sure understand wanting to simplify! We all have so much STUFF! and take down is time consuming.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the picture my mind said "oh boy, a parade".
ReplyDeleteI know people who still decorate like you did and it does take weeks to get it done. Their efforts all culminate in two great parties before Christmas, one for their friends and family with children, and another just for adults where everyone can act like a kid in lieu of actually having one.
Working in retail has ruined any effort on my part to decorate beyond just putting a tree up. The inside manager at the garden center where I work always wants to have the store ready for Christmas by mid-October. Usually by Thanksgiving I am already over it.
It's so early to think about Christmas.
ReplyDeleteMind you, with that lot in the truck, well it would take months.
We don't decorate too much these days either. Some of the towns around here put on some really nice decs. Sarlat, a beautiful town near here has strings of pure white lights strewn across the medieval streets. It looks really something.
I put out two wreaths, one for the front and one for the side door (the one everyone uses), and that's it. I love getting rid of stuff so I would be in heaven at getting rid of a truckload like you two did! It takes courage so good for you!
ReplyDeleteYou're too young to "be next ", phillip. Christmas is such a magical season and I remember our christmases in my youth in Alabama where all we had was holly and pine boughs gathered from the forest . All our gifts were handmade. It reminds me of Truman Capote's ' Christmas Memories ' in which his aunt would gather pecans and make a pie that she sent to the President of the United States. The President always sent a thank you note.
ReplyDeleteKeeping it simple and meaningful is, I think,key to the spirit of the season.l
Christmas decorating is a lot of work. I always love putting it up, it's the cleaning all back up that isn't very fun. I'm sure your home will still look great for the holidays, which don't really feel all that far off right now, yikes!
ReplyDeleteran across your blog today, interesting, HAAAAA, i so like it best when someone else does the Christmas Deco also, have to admit i have one Odd ball deco I havn't taken down since it went up a couple years ago.
ReplyDeleteseeya,
L
the best is yet to come!
I wish I lived close enough to take some of them off your hands as they look very elaborate. I've got this big old house now but the decorations of a little house. No money to spend on decorations when I'm buying plants all the time.
ReplyDeleteI do wish the crazy kids in my neighborhood would quit mating my Christmas deer. I go out about twice during the season and unmate them. comical really.
You two are funny and a joy to read about.
LORD! Christmas will NEVER be the same! Miss you!
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