Feliz Navidad

About a month ago The Mr. and I were invited to a Spanish Christmas party.  Not "Spanish" as in from the country of Spain, but "Spanish" as in every one of the attendees spoke the language.  Everyone except The Mr. and I, even though we really, really want to.  But I digress.......

The party was great -- good food, fun entertainment, festive decorations and some awesome Latino dance moves!!  All those swivelling hips really put The Mr. and I to shame.  We were an embarrassment to "blancos" everywhere.  Digressing again......

Anyway, what I really wanted to talk about were the gorgeous poinsettia centrepieces.  Did you know that the poinsettia plant is native to Mexico.  So, considering about half the people in attendance were from Mexico, it was a very appropriate  centrepiece for the evening. 

At the end of the party a few lucky people were sent home with a poinsettia.  I also received one.  

I knew I shouldn't have accepted it -- I can never seem to keep a plant alive.  But I wasn't sure what the Spanish phrase was for "Please give it to someone else -- I'm sure I'll kill it."  For some reason I didn't feel right about trying out my Spanish when the word "KILL" was involved.  Anyway, I graciously accepted the lovely plant and brought it home to suffer a slow and miserable death.  

As predicted, it only took a couple of days until the leaves started turning black and falling off.   A month later, and this is what the poor shrivelled thing looks like:

         

          Too much water?

          Not enough water?

          Not enough sunlight?

I've heard that playing music often helps a plant to grow.  I wonder what kind of music is best for a Mexican Christmas plant.  Christmas carols perhaps?  Or maybe a some lively Mariachi music?  I'll give it some thought and be prepared for next year.

Feliz ano nuevo!

Dixie

        

Ode to January

Aaaah, January.  How I love you.  Of all the months in the year, you're the sensible one.

Just the mere mention of your name seems to encourage order, wisdom and improved behaviour.  I look forward to your arrival for a fresh start.

          -- I look back over the past year and realize how blessed I am.

          -- I set goals to do a little better this year than last.

          -- I decide to eat more healthy foods.  A trip to the grocery store
             has me stocking up on cauliflower, acorn squash and quinoa.

          -- I make a plan to get more exercise.  (Apparently everyone else
             does too, because I can't get my usual parking spot at the gym.
             Luckily this will take care of itself when your fickle sister,
             February, comes along.)

          -- I realize it's time to put away the Christmas decorations,
             give my house a thorough dusting, and get back to a routine.

          -- I decide that this will be the year to finally get organized.  (A
              trip to the store tells me that I'm not alone.  Everywhere I look
              shopping carts filled with Rubbermaid totes are making their
              way to the checkout counter.)

And while I'm at the store, I realize that apparently not everyone has been affected by your sensible nature.

Really????   Easter candy already!  Have some sense.

Dixie

New Year's Resolutions

Here we go again -- the first day of another new year.  

When we welcomed in the new year at midnight last night, The Mr. turned to me and said, "Did you ever think you'd see the year 2017?"  I suppose as a couple of kids who grew up in the 1960's and 1970's, anything with a "2" at the beginning seemed like a loooooong way off to us.  Almost science fictiony.

The beginning of a new year is an interesting time for me.  As I think about a fresh start and setting resolutions, my attitude seems to vacillate between this:

And this:

or this:

Today I read this quote:

So this year I only have one new resolution:

I think that's something we all could commit to.

Dixie