I know we are entering only the second full week of the new year, but I already have questions.
I undecorated from the Christmas season, redecorating into the winter décor (yes, there is a difference) Saturday and Sunday of the weekend. This was one of the few years I did not add to either of my ever-growing collections of nativity sets and nutcrackers (and if you are wondering (and I know you are) yes, I have a nativity set made up of nutcrackers, or nutcrackers in the shapes of a nativity set). Still, somehow, when all was said and done, I had no room in the inn for one iteration of the Holy Family. How does that happen? (By the way, the difference is snowmen.)
In the continuing story of the faithful companion Jingle the Dog, he is doing well enough, continuing with his chemotherapy. He was still getting his normal amount of exercise, walking a couple miles a day and leaping onto any piece of furniture that afforded him a good look of the outside world. Somehow (there’s that word again), he managed to pinch a nerve in his remaining shoulder. So, the daughter is now dealing with a dog with one missing front leg and one inoperative front leg, and was told to not let him walk or jump for 5 days. Has anybody ever kept a dog from not jumping?
Last Thursday I posted about the BBC Music video of “God Only Knows,” the mind-blowing compilation of “32 artists and groups mingling their distinctive styles into a single beautiful performance.” I’ve played that video several times, clocked the link to identify the participants, and wondered how they pulled this off. How did they? Never got a good answer to that, but I did find an interesting behind the scenes video. (No, I don’t get referral fees from them.)
Oaky, my brain is happier now. I haven’t gotten any answers. But at least the questions are out there now. That’s something, isn’t it?
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The Real Reality Show Blog 
Oh, Jingle. Thanks for the update but I’m sorry to hear he’s got something new to deal with. 😔
But thank you for the morning smile about your creative nativity sets. Not surprising…and fun! 🥰
I love my Christmas collections – and my winter snowman collection. The nativities are the highlight though. At last count I had 36 but I might have snuck an extra one or two in there. Big, small, some intricate like a hard carved simple set, just the holy family in a stable carved from olive wood to a complete set with angel and wisemen and all the animals made from clothes pin dolls to a classic mid-century wood and ceramic set. Each one is my favorite.
Love that you say, “Each one is my favorite.” That’s a good collection!
Poor Jingle. I have never kept a dog from walking or jumping for five days. Sometimes I can’t even do it for 5 minutes. Hope he heals quickly!
Thank you Wynne. We all also hope he heals quickly1
Winter is a different time than Christmas. Winter is a time of spiritual rest and renewal
Christmas is a holiday with different meaning for different people
Claude
Indeed, so true!
You most certainly did get out those questions–now I can’t stop thinking about a nutcracker nativity and how you all will keep Jingles from jumping for that length of time? How do you keep a dog from being a dog? Just like you can’t keep a person from being human–we default to our humanity. I hope Jingles gets better–he sounds like such a resilient little guy. And that music video where so many different people come together to join in song of “God Only Knows”. That in and of itself is a statement.
I think Jingle has learned the luxuries of laying on the floor and having humans apply heating pads and do shoulder massages. Those and the promise of a belly rub and/or peanut butter will keep him quiet and contentedly floor bound when someone is around. When his service human is out of the house though, the security cameras give away his true behavior! We figure if it doesn’t hurt him, let him figure out his limits. Crazy dog 🐶
He’s a smart dog. And I love the diversity of your nativity collection. When did you start collecting them?
He’s almost too smart for a dog!
I’ve been collecting nativities for 40 years – maybe more. I get the Firestone sometime in my 20s but then it took a few years to really say I was a collector.
Oh my goodness! What a collection. Impressive — and varied! 🥰
Not so impressive. Just a little at a time.
🥰❤️🥰
SQUEEEEEEEEEE! I’m a snowpeople after Christmas person!!!!! I have snow cats, men, women, kids, and winter birds that inhabit my house til early March. Unfortunately, that is when it usually snows in this day and age. However, this year Easter is in March again, so gotta get out that decor before it is past.
I am not sure how many nativity groups I have, maybe 6. Usually wood or ceramic or fabric. My favorite is on the fridge-I printed the images off onto card stock, colored them, laminated each bit, and then stuck magnets on the back.
That sounds like a beautiful nativity and a wonderful project to do. Maybe I’ll do something similar between now and next Christmas.
I had t looked for enough ahead to see when Easter is. I know it is early and yes, that interferes with the snow people decor. They will give way to the eggs and flowers and other spring-centric doodads.
I tried to find the advent nativity coloring project. Apparently, there are a LOT of them out there and I can’t find the one I used. piffle
Now I really want to add one to my collection. I’ll find one.
printer, coloring pencils (crayons melt when heat is added), and laminate plastic.