Off For The Holidays

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland


Ahhhhh..... the happy hubbub is over.... we had a delightful Christmas with loved ones.  With lots of leftovers in the frig and new books waiting to be read and family to spend time with, we're offline for the week.

 New Books Found Around the Christmas Tree

In the Company of Others

Jan Karon's newest Father Tim Novel

We tried to start it last night before bed

 -- eyes were too heavy to read with any comprehension --

but today, we'll be cozying near the fireplace a while

The Blue Bedroom and Other Stories

Rosamund Pilcher 

Now I've got my own copy -- I've been borrowing my sister's till now.
My favorite short story from this book is entitled
"Home for the Day".  Although it's not a Christmas story, it's cozy and warm.


The Best Christmas Ever

with Mary Engelbreit

(a book with crafts, recipes and gift ideas
for the season -- lots of fun pictures)

Hugs from my heart to yours..............

O Holy Night

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

HUGS AND JOY to you and all in your world!

Waiting For Christmas

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

Miss Kitty instructed her staff to place

her chair cushion on the table --

That way she would be much more comfortable

as she waited for Christmas to arrive. 

Peering out on the frost-biting day, she finally...

found the best spot.

And while Missy was tending to her post,

Mom and I happily tended ours as we worked

on our last day preparations

before the arrival of Christmas Eve --

which to me is the most beautiful day of the year.

Wishing you lots of JOY.........

Fabric, Tissue Paper and Christmas Dresses

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

 Me and Little Sis

It's the time of year when we not only unwrap precious tree ornaments from crinkly tissue paper, but it's so often the time we allow the memories of Christmases past to flow back into our stream of consciousness.

Today on my group blog, InScribe, I've posted a short piece in which I remember the pretty new dresses my mom used to create for us at Christmas.  Mom recalls that she grew up getting a new outfit at Christmas and so she carried on that tradition in her own family.  And it was always a JOY to arrive at the annual Christmas Eve Concert bedecked in our newest finery.

Hope you've got lots of your own special childhood memories that are just as precious to you as any family heirloom. 

'Twas In the Moon of Wintertime...

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

The moon has been so beautiful these past few days.  I just love how it casts its soft light over the neighborhood, creating interesting shadows in our backyard.... even in the middle of the night! 

As I took this photo early the other morning, I was reminded of that old Christmas carol, The Huron Carol. Falling in love with the piece when I first learned it in Grade 5 or 6, I have never forgotten its haunting melody and beautiful words.

Here is Gabriele Lynch to sing it...................   

'Twas in the Moon of winter-time

When all the birds had flown

That Mighty Gitchi Manitou

Sent angel choirs instead

Before their light the stars grew dim

And wandering hunter heard the hymn:

'Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born

in excelsis gloria.'

JOY-fully,

Simply Sunday - Love Came Down

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

Christina Rossetti

Love came down at Christmas;
Love all lovely, love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Stars and angels gave the sign.

Joyfully,

PS.  I just came across a short video over at Sandy's
called Christmas 2.0 - The Digital Story of Nativity.

You've gotta go see this one...... it brings the Nativity
into our own modern day setting!  Sure to bring a smile
to your face.  Click here.

Delights and Surprises of the Best Kind

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

Something very special arrived in the mail yesterday from my very creative and talented friend, Katherine, at Sew Me Something Good.

Being fellow Albertans is only one thread that connects our hearts.... we met on-line shortly after I started blogging.  I kept returning to her site because I LOVED seeing what delightful thing she was creating next!  It turns out she's the crafts-woman I'd like to be (but don't really have the patience for -- I'm much better with at knitting words together than yarn).

Like my mom, Katherine is talented in many crafts.... that is to say.... she quilts and sews and knits and creates all manner of beautiful things.   I have taken to being greatly content with admiring and delighting in the beautiful projects she shares in her blog for her readers.  BTW, she also has a marvelous eye for putting colors together.

 

Sorry... back to the surprise.... here is what arrived in the mail via express-post.... 

 Wrapped in tissue and a pretty pink bow...

  With a noted tucked inside...

A cute fabric graphic sewn to a paper card

with a lovely handwritten note...

 The cutest little bag -- a change purse...

 stitched with me in mind!

 Not only did I find the little quilted bag,

but a fragrant handcrafted soap...

that is destined to dwell in the

dresser drawer with my pretties.

Katherine, you delighted me to the core with your thoughtful and gracious gift!  What a start to Christmas!  So now you can unveil your 'secret' on your blog.

That's why I LOVE blogging.... I've 'met' so many amazing people.  My life has been enriched for it... for  Katherine and each one of you who share my life in some way.

Wishing you beauty in unexpected places..............

  

Restoring the Joy

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

I just posted Day 17 on my Advent page.  I've been talking about restoring joy during this season, and today I share a few thoughts about the need to mourn our losses before joy can come. 

Sometimes we try to be so positive and 'relentlessly happy' that we don't take the time to recognize the reason for our loss of joy.  If that's been you or someone you know, you may be en-couraged by reading it.  For the link, click here!

Wishing you unexpected graces and pleasures to fill your day!

It's A Great Day To....

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

"Oh the weather outside is frightful."

Today it's stormy, blustery, snowy..... brrrr.... 

BUT, wait,  that makes it a great day to......

glitter-graphics.com

Make homemade soup --  I'm going to make Brenda's Luscious Lemon Chicken Soup recipe.

Do some present wrapping and some tree decorating.  

Have a purring kitty cat curled in your lap,

each happy for the warmth we both share.

Read a cozy read -- mystery, romance, comedy, inspirational --

whatever makes you hunker deep into your comfy chair,

content and happy.

Shovel snow off the driveway

so hubby doesn't have to when he gets home. 

Experience the nip and zap on my nose and eyelashes

and feel the tingling that comes to fingers and toes

when the warmth of the house hits them.

Keep twinkly lights on ALL day...

and to heck with energy bills.

Think up three great gifts

I can give someone for Christmas this year....

and they won't cost a penny.... zippo.... nada......

And if you're wondering how and what, then.....

Today is a great day to visit a blogger I just met,
A Femme d'Un Certain Age

and read her inspiring and joyful post

"When money is not the Object, Part I", in which

she invites other guest bloggers to share their creative ideas.

All in all, it's a great day to thrill at being alive.............

Wishing you glimpses of your own heaven in unexpected places!

 

Winter Sky

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

The sun gets 'lazier' by the day, rising later and setting earlier. 

But that's part of what I like about this time of year.  For me it creates an ambiance where we want to turn on tree lights, have a fire in the fireplace, and nestle in cozy corners with good books.

Wishing you cozy... maybe even a few lazy... moments in your day!

It Smells Like Christmas

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas,

everywhere you go...

Today I've shared a few of my favorite Christmas smells  on my  Advent: Restoring Joy Page, Day 11.  Click here or on the button at the top of my page to read it.

Wishing you the pleasure of simple joys today!

 

Thought for the Day

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

 glittergraphics.com

"Be yourself, everyone else is taken."

That's the title of a new blog I just came across today. 

What a great quote on which to end the week.

For more of this blogger's creativity, visit Beth by clicking here.

Enjoy your day!

Create Your Own Way

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

"Creativity is inventing, experimenting, taking risks,

breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun."

~ Mary Lou Cook

Joy often comes when we become so absorbed in creating something new that we forget about everything else.  Children know how to do that well. 


In fact, I'm reminded of something Brenda Ueland once said about the process of writing.  The creative act of writing should not be like a mountain top experience, but rather like a child stringing beads in kindergarten -- happy, absorbed and quietly putting one bead on after another.

Is there anything in this list that captivates your imagination to do something new today... and become as happily absorbed in it as a child?
 

~ paint ~ putter ~ puzzle ~ 

~ glue ~ sprinkle ~ bead ~

~ waltz ~ strum ~ skate ~

~ sing ~ color ~ wrap ~

~ stitch ~ compose ~ play ~

~ eat ~ sip  ~ bake ~


~ ponder ~ draw ~ design ~ 

~ craft ~ sculpt ~ write ~

~ decorate ~ read ~ dream ~ 


Today I'll be happily puttering, baking fruitcake, and sipping hot apple cider!

There's Enough Readers For Everyone

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland 

In the midst of our Christmas preparations we all know life carries on as usual.

And, that's why I wanted to share a new posting from one of my favourite author bloggers, Jody Hedlund, in which she shares a thoughful and encouraging word on dealing with the green-eyed monster.  No doubt everyone, including writers and bloggers, deals with this monster at some point in their lives.

What really CAUGHT my attention was her comment that there's enough readers for everyone. In my own musings about jealousy, wondering why it tends to show up in my own life, it seems to stem from the idea of lack and feeling left out (I believe the root is a poverty mindset). The idea being, If you get something, maybe there isn't enough for me too.

But there is enough for everyone, of everything we could ever need or desire.... including readers for our writings. If we feel God's called us to write, you don't think He already has the readers in mind who will benefit from what we share?

Maybe our job is not to worry about the readers at this point; we just need to write.  Whether it's on our blogs, in articles, teaching how-to manuals, books ....whatever.... let's not try to be the writer and the publisher at the same time.  One hat at a time. 

Of course, maybe everyone reading this already figured this out... but as for me... I am grateful for this reminder today. It's freeing!  Which has added something beautiful to my day..........

Wishing you great joy and freedom,

Christmas Meme

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

I found this Christmas meme over at Vee's.  Feel free to join... and if you do, I'd love a comment so I can come and see your list too.

1. Hot Chocolate or apple cider?  Hot Chocolate topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings!

2. Turkey or Ham?  Turkey with Mom's stuffing (lots of it).

3. Do you get a fake or real-you-cut-it-yourself Christmas tree?  It's a real fake one (ha ha).

4. Decorations on the outside of your house?  Lights on the house, a wreath on the door, red bows on trellises.

5. Snowball fights or sleddin’?  Sleddin' (although it's been a while since I've done that.  Snowball fights were a menace to glasses).

6. Do you enjoy going downtown shopping?  I used to enjoy downtown shopping -- loved the festive ambiance.  Don't often go there now.   

7. Favorite Christmas song?  That's too hard to narrow down; it depends what grabs my heart and fancy on a particular year.  Sacred: Joy to the World;  Secular: Sleigh Ride would be right up there.

8. How do you feel about Christmas movies?  I like them - love The Bishop's Wife, the old Bing Cosby ones (White Christmas, Going My Way, Bells of St. Mary), While You Were Sleeping, You've Got Mail.  I also enjoy movies that add to the ambiance, but aren't necessarily Christmas, e.g. Anne of Green Gables. 

9. When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music?  Is it every too early?  Although I tend to get in the mood more in the autumn, rarely in spring or summer.

10. Stockings before or after presents?  After presents.

11. Go to someone else’s house or they come to you?  My house. 

12. Do you read the Christmas Story? If so when?  I love the Christmas Story from Luke 2, King James Version (what I grew up on).  I love to read and ponder, like Mary, throughout December.

13. What do you do after presents and dinner?   Sit around and visit, snooze, play games, nibble.

14. What is your favorite holiday smell?  The spicy smells of cinnamon and cloves; the turkey cooking on Christmas Day

15. Ice skating or walking around the mall?  Walking,  but I enjoy watching the skaters.

16. Do you open a present or presents on Christmas Eve, or wait until Christmas day?   Our family tradition until siblings started getting married (needing to go to in-laws) was to open our presents on Christmas Eve, but now we wait until Christmas Day.

17. Favorite Christmas memory?  As a young child, sitting in the darkened living room on a quiet evening watching the tree lights while my mom made supper in the kitchen.  I felt cozy and safe.

18. Favorite part about winter?  Snow; short days and early twilights; that Christmas is in the middle of it!

19. Ever been kissed under mistletoe?  Haven't put any up lately, but I think so (unless it was in my dreams).

Isn't it fun to think about Christmas... I LOVE it!

PS.  Easy to copy and paste:

1.  Hot Chocolate or apple cider?2. Turkey or Ham?
3. Do you get a fake or real-you-cut-it-yourself Christmas tree?
4. Decorations on the outside of your house?
5. Snowball fights or sleddin’?
6. Do you enjoy going downtown shopping?
7. Favorite Christmas song?
8. How do you feel about Christmas movies?
9. When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music?
10. Stockings before or after presents?
11. Go to someone else’s house or they come to you?
12. Do you read the Christmas Story? If so when?
13. What do you do after presents and dinner?
14. What is your favorite holiday smell?
15. Ice skating or walking around the mall?
16. Do you open a present or presents on Christmas Eve, or wait until Christmas day?
17. Favorite Christmas memory?
18. Favorite Part about winter?
19. Ever been kissed under mistletoe?

Just Hear Those Sleigh Bells Jingling

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

Of all the fun things.  Ohhh, I do like the Internet.  You may recall a few days ago when I posted this Christmas-y banner on my blog page, I mentioned that it was from the photo cover of an old album (yes, an LP record) that has been in our family almost five decades.
 

Well loved and well used, you can only imagine how well scratched it was by now too! The well-scratched part probably wasn't a result of little sis and I playing it over and over, as we'd pull it up to the top of the stacking pole, put the arm in place, flick the little switch to get the turntable going.  Plop... and that album would be spinning another round of carols and festive songs.

Our favorite was probably Sleigh Ride, where we'd gallop around the living room, singing lustily along with the choir as they belted out  Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring ting, tingaling..... Giddyap, giddyap, let's go to the show, we're riding in a one-horse open sleigh....

 

So now you can understand my GREAT delight, when after a brief Google search, I found a place online where I can actually purchase a CD version of the album. What fun!
  

Alas, they didn't have any samples of the album's music available anywhere that I could find, but should you have an interest in looking further, here's the link to:

 

Christmas Chorale

Performed by the Edward Carrington Chorale

Grand Award Recipient

Hmmmm... Just hear those sleigh bells jingling....

PS.  Click here for today's Advent Thought

Simply Sunday - Music of Christmas

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

"And His name will be called Wonderful Counsellor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace..."

(from the ancient book of Isaiah)

There was a time years ago when I sang in a choir.  And the most exciting time of the year was getting ready for the annual Singing Christmas Tree, a popular event in our region that had spanned a couple of decades by the time I'd joined.

Our music director always knew how to create a pleasing, stirring combination of well-loved carols alongside modern pieces composed in honor of the Christ Child.

One such 20th century piece composed by Rodger Strader came from a Christmas musical entitled King of Love.  "It's beautiful words, music and narration combined with the glorious orchestral arrangements by Bob Krogstad have made this a timeless Christmas classic."

From that musical, I forever fell in love with the piece entitled Wonderful Name.  We'd sung it many times, yet it always touched me at the core.   From the first words, "Mary was the first to hear it, name from heaven above..." to the last note, I'd have such an anticipation. It felt like I wanted to burst with love, with joy, with exuberant praise.

I didn't think of it at the time, but people have honored this Name for centuries and there I was, having my opportunity to join my voice to theirs. You can well imagine, then, my great delight to discover the song online. 

On this second Sunday of Advent, I offer it to you as my gift, with the hope that you will also experience its beauty.  I give you Wonderful Name.

PS.  Click here for today's Advent Thought

Advent : Restoring the Joy

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

 

I am all excited about Christmas! But I do realize that sometimes it's  harder for us to get in the Christmas spirit, especially when the circumstances of life  have been pressing in from all sides.  Sometimes it's enough to 'take the joy right out of living', as my mom used to say. 

Which is why I decided to use these days leading up to Christmas to share some thoughts, tips, and ways that I've found helpful in restoring my own joy when it seems a bit thin.

You'll notice the button at the top of my blog page called Advent:  Restoring the Joy.  Stop in and visit every day, because like opening a new window on one of those advent calendars, I'll be daily adding a new thought to help you put the joy back into living this holiday season.

Three Beautiful Things

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

from Green Paper

I met three new 'kindred  spirit' bloggers who have added another touch of beauty and grace to my life. When I happened to find their sites, I got the feeling that these individuals are also glimps-ers of heaven in unexpected places.  Let me introduce you:

Claire at Three Beautiful Things blogs because every day she wants to record three things that have given her pleasure.  To be aware of that which gives you pleasure, you'd have to be paying attention to them, wouldn't you, instead of the 'ikky' ones?  I like her focus.

Stephen at Grow Mercy shares his thoughts in one posting that the way we answer our doors can be a glimpse of the way we deal with the world.  As I thought about it, I saw, that even in answering my door, I have discovered another small gesture by which  I can live my life more beautifully, more grace-filled.

Mary at Green Paper delights her readers with some of the prettiest vintage imagery and then offers some of it free for people to use in their artwork.  I had so much fun browsing through her delightful site -- a real treasure trove.

Let me invite you to visit and find out for yourself.

Wishing you a beautiful day!

December 1st.....

2010 by Brenda Colleen Leyland

The day started out... with skies all pearly gray, Miss Kitty curled in a ball beside me, and me savoring a cup of freshly brewed coffee and toasted fruit bread topped with cheddar cheese.

The banner at the top... is one of my favorite pictures of Christmas.  It's the record album cover of our family's first Christmas album (back  from the early sixties).  As a young child, I loved looking at that picture and daydreaming as I listened to the singers warble tunes and words of old carols not yet familiar.  

At Christmas, I like to... attend at least one concert where I can hear some of the beautiful carols and music of the season. Sometimes it's Handel's Messiah or Bach's Christmas Oratorio, and sometimes it's a community concert.

My favourite character in the Nativity story is... Mary. I have often marveled at her great courage to say to the angel, Gabriel, after he'd told her she would become the mother of Jesus, "Be it unto me according to your word." Such trust and, as I say, courage.

One favourite Christmas memory...  It's just days before Christmas; the air outside is frostier than an A&W Root Beer mug, and inside the welcome breath of warm air rises from the old coal furnace.

Mom is making supper in the kitchen.  Otherwise it's quiet in our little farmhouse and, for the moment, this little girl is sitting perfectly content in the peaceful ambiance of our front room.  Feeling safe and cozy, the world looks beautiful from where I sit in the very center of the couch -- gazing at the ribbons of tinsel shimmering in the glow of a single strand of round sugar-glass tree lights.

In this contemplative mood, I think about the pictures I've been studying on holiday greeting cards -- artists' renditions of little towns of Bethlehem with midnight skies and light streaming from tiny earthen windows.  I muse about the shepherds who were the first to hear angels heralding good tidings.  And, of course, I wonder about the Baby Jesus and envision him asleep in a manger where cows and sheep eat.

It turns out that all these years later, I still love to sit perfectly still in the cozy darkness of night with just those little tree lights twinkling... ponderin', dreamin', and delightin' in all the wonder of this time of year.

Let the countdown begin in earnest.... 24 sleeps to go!