Ready For Christmas? Not Me by Tara Randel



No, I am not ready for Christmas. I still haven’t taken my autumn decorations down. But soon...I keep promising myself. I have to blame it on a trip my husband and I took a few weeks ago.

We were scheduled to speak in Alabama the weekend before Thanksgiving. Since we’re empty nesters now, I came up with a great idea. “Why don't we leave a few days early and go to the mountains in north Georgia?”

We have lots of great memories there. For many years my husband and two daughters spent Thanksgiving week in a cabin either in Helen or the Dahlonega area. We loved to hike in the woods, wander around the quaint, small towns as they prepared for Christmas, or maybe go horseback riding. Well, to be honest, after a horseback riding disaster, my husband and youngest would get on the horses. My oldest and me, not so much.

It’s been a few years, so I’d been dreaming about hiking again. This trip came at an opportune time, since the temperature would be chilly, the leaves would have changed and we’d have a few days reminiscing about past adventures in the mountains.

The day we arrived it rained like crazy, but the next morning I found a trail we’d never hiked before. Early in the morning we headed up the trail to DeSoto Falls. Here are some pictures of the falls and surrounding areas.


Because of the heavy rains the day before, the water was wild.



But this has to be my favorite pic. This was posted on the park bulletin board at the beginning of the trail.



Just so you know, no humans or bears crossed paths in the woods.

Here's a pics of Dahlonega decorated for Christmas.



So I have to say, this last picture is the closest I’ve come to decorating. Between deadlines and everyday stuff, I have to pencil in some time to get started. Here’s hoping you and your family enjoy the blessings of the holiday season. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of ten novels. She is currently working on new stories for Harlequin Heartwarming, as well as a new mystery series. Her next Heartwarming, part of The Business of Weddings series, will be released in June 2016. Visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at Tara Randel Books  

Comments

  1. Thanks for this post, Tara. Now I don't feel so bad that we've just started!

    Best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful holiday season.

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  2. What a beautiful place to visit, Tara. Your photo are gorgeous!
    Since my autumn decorations were up since September 1st, I was ready to decorate for Christmas the first weekend in November. Now...to write my Christmas cards. :)
    Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  3. Sounds like a great time! I haven't done anything yet, but bronchitis and a deadline (which I met this morning--yay, me!) have been my enemies.

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  4. Such lovely pictures mixed with wonderful memoires. I need to replace the fall flowers on my door with the holiday bouquet stored in my closet and buy a decoration for our courtyard’s “Charlie Brown tree”. That at least is my start for the busiest month of the year.

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  5. Yay on the deadline...boo on bronchitis! Feel better so you can enjoy the holiday.

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  6. Okay, I definitely want to go there. I'm not a fan of hiking, but I am a fan of waterfalls :)

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  7. Keep an eye out for a movie on the INSP channel called Christmas in the Smokies - part of it was filmed this summer in Dahlonega. It was odd seeing a big section of the square decorated while you had to blast your ac.... I live in Hiawassee and work in Dahlonega. :-)

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    Replies
    1. Katy, I've been to Hiawassee several times! Friends had a cabin there. It is beautiful!

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  8. I definitely haven't started on my Christmas shopping and I host Christmas for the family.

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  9. Tara, what a fun getaway! Love the photos. I am not ready for Christmas - not even close. But then again, I never really am. Is it okay to admit that Christmas stresses me out a little?

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    1. It's okay to admit. You certainly aren't alone. Take a deep breath and enjoy!

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  10. Thanks for the virtual vacation. I haven't started my decorating either!

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  11. Beautiful photos, Tara. What a lovely setting. I think it's great that you and your husband got to wander that area together . There's still three weeks until Christmas. You have time. My scarecrow is still on the porch, but I'm working on it. Thanks for a lovely start to the day.

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    1. My pleasure. I'm pleased to announce that I took the autumn decorations down...but that's as far as I've gotten!

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  12. I love that area, Tara. Isn't Helen where it's Christmas year round? I gasped when I saw Muriel's post--3 weeks til Christmas????

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    1. Helen resembles a Bavarian town. Not sure if they do Christmas year round, but they do have Octoberfest for at least two months. LOL

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  13. I was just looking into visiting Helen Georgia. I've wanted to go for some time now. Nice pictures!! This will probably sound strange to most folks, but I haven't observed Christmas or any other secular holiday for nearly 18 years now for various reasons. While I do respect others who choose to celebrate, I've been perfectly happy void of these celebrations, preferring instead to make my own memories at more opportune times, or better yet to be surprised at various random times throughout the year. Nevertheless, I hope everyone will be safe and happy and not overspend this holiday season. ( :

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  14. You would enjoy Helen and the surrounding areas. Lots to do and see. If you like to hike in the woods, there are a lot of different falls to see. The National Forest is beautiful.

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  15. What stunning pictures and an amazing hike!! Thank you so much for sharing them, Tara :-) After seeing this, I'm even more convinced you would really love a trip to the Adirondacks- and to visit me- hint hint 💗

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    1. Any place I can hike in the mountains, I'm there!

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  16. Beautiful photos, especially the falls. Why should you worry about decorating when you've been spending time with so much beauty? Have a Merry Christmas anyway.

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  17. Tara,
    I put up some outside decorations today, and got my fake tree down from the garage. So I'm thinking of getting ready for Christmas. Thanks for the interesting blog.

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  18. You are welcome. Sounds like you took the first step to getting ready.

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