23.11.07

random holiday rumblings

Ever since I learned about it, I've known that Thanksgiving is an American holiday. But it never really clicked with me until I moved overseas. Our first Thanksgiving here, Priya asked me what exactly Thanksgiving was about. I began telling her how some people sailed to America on a big boat. She cut me off and asked, "Noah's boat?" Last week, Jaya asked me to explain in detail, which was a great opportunity to share with her. The day of Thanksgiving, I saw Doctor, our neighbor, and he asked me about the holiday, too. I thought I did a good job explaining it, but I guess with his worldview, a few minutes' explanation just wasn't enough:

Doctor: So you will go to an office to give thanks?
Me: Not today, no. We will give thanks in our home, because we believe we can speak to the boss anywhere.
Doctor: Oh yes, we too believe the boss is in everything.

Hm, not exactly what I said. I've come a ways from confusing Noah and the Pilgrims, but it seems I still have kinks to work out.

Okay, so we know it's officially Christmas season now! Husband and I decorated last night. We have some pretty pathetic Christmas decorations, that not only border on, but go right on through to Tackyland. But I put them up anyway, because to me, it's better than nothing. And next year, when I have access to good Christmas decorations again, I have full intentions of rectifying the situation.

But for now, we'll make do with our super skinny and leaning tree. And we have no real tree topper. I saw we had some leftover ribbon, so I made a lame attempt at topping the tree with some bows. Then husband saw a certain ornament that my mom gave us, and we just knew this would be topping our tree. Please, please tell me, those of you from other states, that you too have state-pride ornaments on your trees? Otherwise, I'm just as obnoxious as I try not to be.

In my pregnant clumsiness, I dropped our nativity scene a few weeks ago, and several of the ceramic pieces broke. Fortunately, the three main characters stayed in tact, as well as a sheep. But a shepherd and a cow broke. Considering where I live, I found that kind of humorous. Anyway I didn't have a place to put our nativity scene, so I finally settled on our 'Africa table.' Didn't you know that giraffes and Masai warriors were also at that stable long ago?

9 comments:

SouthAsiaRocks said...

Well I hate to tell ya... but I think Texas state pride tops all the other states... (but I think South Carolina is trying to catch up)... I don't have any Florida or Louisiana ornaments...

I like that your nativity scene has a giraffe in place of the cow and a Masai warrior in place of the shepherd... perfect... they're pretty tall though... :) haha! Awesome! :)

Shannon said...

Haha! I had no idea giraffes and Masai warriors were at the stable the first Christmas! :) It's quite lovely though.

We have not yet set up our Christmas decorations because we still have Thanksgiving guests, but I am looking forward to putting out my decorations, although there's not much. I don't have any state ornaments either. Haha!

I heard about this great idea called the Jesse Tree and it uses different objects to help tell stories from the Old Book. Sounds like a lot of fun and a great way to share. There are some sites that have the ornaments you can print out and decorate or you could just make your own (just google "Jesse Tree"). I think I might try it.

By the way, I posted a reply to your questions on my blog. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Deanna said...

Great ramblings...we don't have a Georgia state ornament, but if they made such things I would surely put it on my tree!

Anonymous said...

Just face it. We Texans are all obnoxious. We can't help it if the other 49 haven't caught on to state Christmas tree ornaments. I mean, how great is that? ;)

Nicole Wilson Conley said...

i should have asked before i did it... but it can be easily removed.

is it alright that i have your blog linked on mine?

~nicole (roslyn's cousin)

Unknown said...

You Texan's ARE obnoxious! You and your Blue bell ice cream (oops sorry for the reminder!) The closest thing to a state decoration I have is a magnolia ornament ( I guess it's not a GA ornament, it just reminds me of home).

Unknown said...

Me again - I see your YCC Sparkling cinnamon candle to to your warrior coming to see the baby - that's my favorite!! Do your friends like the cinnamon scent?

Andrew and Liz said...

Noah's boat?...I love it!!!

And as for Texas pride...
"The stars at night are big and bright..." :)

Andrew and Liz said...

Noah's boat?...I love it!!!

And as for Texas pride...
"The stars at night are big and bright..." :)