This weekend, I noticed that it was Feb 25^th which means that in ten short months Christmas will be here again!  I celebrated by listening to Christmas music (more than usual).   This is the time when I begin to feel overwhelmed… wondering if I have all my planning done, but the truth is that I haven’t even finished packing away all the ornaments and other fragile décor.   All throughout January I was purchasing those nifty storage containers (in red and green of course) that were 75% off at Lowe’s.   Then I would print storage labels, reorganize my basement (this time adding craft tables around the entire basement so that I don’t have to freak out of we get any flooding), and then stack all the boxes strategically.

I got some really great storage labels this year; Martha Stewart recently released a line of office supplies which are available at Staples… they are very nice for office, storage and scrapbook labeling.  I also bought some vertical files and these pocket folders that you can mount on a wall or on the side of your craft table, very nice for magazine clippings or swatches.  I appreciate good organizing materials.  You should know that Martha Stewart also carries a line of  home/office furniture at Home Decorators which comes in fashionable colors with great pricing.    Most of you know that I LOVE the Christmas Decorations created by Martha Stewart.  I make a special note to go to Home Depot when they open their Christmas corner so that I can inspect the goodies.  I especially love her garlands,wreaths and potted trees that I have displayed on my front porch.  Martha Stewart’s products are very sturdy and classy.

As I am putting away my fragile and newly purchased Christmas items, this is also the time when I move all the Halloween décor to the front of the basement because when August hit I start doing fall decorations and I don’t want anything in my way, nor do I want to move a hundred boxes to get what I need.

As we come to the end of February I can feel spring in the air.  Where I live in New Jersey it has been in the 50’s (and some days in the 60’s) so it is unseasonably “warm”, yet I am afraid to start spring cleaning and changing the drapes because I still feel that Mother Nature may hit us with a storm when we least expect it.  Last fall we got a snow blizzard just before Halloween… yes, snow in October!!

I did add something new this month – I joined Pinterest!  This is definitely new for me but I do have several boards up and would love for you to follow me there.   It may seem a little intimidating at first, but after you set up your boards and add your photos, people will start to follow and re-pin your work, before you know it you’ll be hooked.   As you know, I am also on Tumblr.   I think I may prefer Pinterest, since you can categories your images there.  Lots of fun!!

I am happy that February is ending this week because it means that the “dead of winter” is over and we can start looking at cleaning and preparing for a new season… a new Christmas season.  Unfortunately, it also means I should take down my winter tree and start putting up some spring flower arrangements.   Still, I will begin my Christmas shopping; there are certain gifts that I know I will have to get and the size won’t change, so I may as well get those out of the way.  I also received an email from Radio City reminding me that their online gift shop is open and their show items are a great gift.  Click here to see what they have; I do love their ornaments.   Each month I will be doing a little more because with good planning and organization I won’t be surprised or overwhelmed when fall arrives.   Please share your planning thoughts and if you have any special projects for any of the holidays I would love to see ….

WOW!  302 days ‘til Christmas!

Stay Merry!

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