Lights, Dalmatians, Christmas!

I admit since my children are grown and on their own, some Christmas traditions from when my boys were young have gone by the wayside, but there are still a couple things we do without fail. We bake everyone’s favorite holiday treat. We watch Jingle All the Way and The Muppets’ Christmas Carol. My favorite is decorating outside. The lights always brighten my mood, lift my spirit, and remind me no matter how dark the night becomes, God’s light is always there.

 

And the decorations bring with them a cascade of wonderful memories every year when I put them out. I remember bundling my boys up when they were little, putting them in strollers, for the family, including our first dog, Shadow to look at neighborhood lights. I fondly recall the boys helping when they were old enough, and my oldest begging to put the lights on the roof long before he was old enough to! I still see my youngest picking out our first lawn decoration, the Dalmatian puppy sitting in the Christmas package. Who’d have thought he’d pick out something so perfect considering how important dogs, and fostering them, became to us.

 

Since that first puppy, our display has grown. The first addition was the two pups fighting over the lights. I recall thinking how expensive it was but wanting it desperately because it so represented my oldest two sons. I hear my boys saying we had Dalmatians that represented them, and we needed the mom and dad. My hubby and I had fun making Pongo and Perdita the old-school way with an overhead projector and tracing the image onto huge white paper. The other Dalmatian items I found at estate sales.

 

 

Whatever your traditions, may the wonder of the season light your life today and for the new year to come.

Happy Holidays!

Julie

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24 thoughts on “Lights, Dalmatians, Christmas!”

    • Rita, we went light on the traditions this year, but I still managed to bake a little. I especially enjoyed decorating the yard this year. It really put me in the holiday spirit. Blessings to you.

  1. I love your house and the way it is decorated, and the Dalmatians are awesome. We don’t decorate that much anymore and I kind of miss it. Have a wonderful New Year.

  2. How nice that those decorations meant so much to everyone in the family. Children do not often take ownership or interest in what we are doing. More often than not they are interested in what we are doing at the moment, but only at a participatory level. It must have been fun looking for more to add to the collections over the years. Even though they are grown, seeing those decorations will bring back many good memories.
    I hope you enjoy the remainder of the holiday season and have a wonderful 2022.

    • Patricia, it was especially wonderful this year reminiscing as I put out the decorations. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Take care and may you have a blessed 2022.

  3. Loved reading your post today Julie. We are digging our way out of a 16 inch snow storm today. Happy new year and thank you for all your loving support during the past year.

    • Thanks, Alicia! It’s been fun adding to the collection for the last almost 20 years! They’ve stayed in pretty good shape. All I’ve had to do is paint them every so often. Wishes you a blessed holiday, too.

  4. Julie, I’m late to the party but just wanted to say how darling those Dalmation decorations are! PERFECT! And what lovely memories of your boys, too. I tried to put out lawn decorations many years ago–a snowman–he was plastic, but he blew over again and again. I put a rock inside of him and it didn’t work, so I finally gave up. :((((( These decorations of yours are just wonderful! Merry Christmas and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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