"May you treasure wisely this jeweled, gilded time
And cherish each day as an extra grace."
ANDREW GREELEY
Hello December! We've been waiting for you. On this first day of my favourite month of the year, it's full steam ahead to Christmas. My seasonal books are at the ready, cards are waiting to be written, and the decorating is slowly happening.
There's no snow around here yet. Without it, there is nothing to trigger that wintry feeling—it still feels like late autumn. Unseasonably warm, I'm still wearing a light jacket and no gloves. It's lovely getting around, but for sparking the Christmas mood, snow really is a must to make us feel the tingles and excitement. Of course chocolate peppermint tea helps too.
On a different note, I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I have been feeling unwell. November was not a great month. I'm still under doctor's care and starting to find my way out of the dizzy malaise. I think, fingers crossed and prayers whispered along with the start of a new medication, there are definite hints for better days ahead. I'm so glad. Who wants to feel unwell when Christmas is upon us. This weekend I want to put up my pencil tree with its cozy twinkle lights. Little decorations are showing up around the place; candles and fairy lights help make the evenings cozy.
It's been a busy week, so for today I'm posting three for the usual Five on Friday.
One - Books for the Season
I've already been dipping into a few of my seasonal books. I wasn't going to start my actual Christmas reads until December 1st but they were so tempting sitting there on the shelf. They are perfect, like chocolate truffles, for nibbling on while cozied up with a favourite beverage. I like anthologies and small collections for that reason.
Christmas in the Heart compiled by Joe Wheeler is a small collection of short seasonal stories sure to warm the heart. It's great for dipping in and reading whatever catches your eye.Rumpole at Christmas by John Mortimer. Seven amusing tales of how Horace and Hilda Rumpole celebrate the holiday season.An Irish Country Yuletide novella by Patrick Taylor. If you enjoy the Irish Country Doctor series, you will enjoy this new seasonal glimpse of Irish country life in Ballybuckleboo and how the good Doctor Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly, now married to Kitty, celebrates the holidays.Christmas Classics from The Modern Library, an old library sale purchase, includes excerpts from novels like Little Women and A Christmas Carol, a few short stories like The Blue Carbuncle, and poetry by well-known poets like Clement Clarke Moore. A lovely selection of songs and carols, along with the old familiar story from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, round out the book.
Star Over Bethlehem, Poems and Holiday Storiesby Agatha Christie
The Christmas Journey (novella set in mid-1800s at Christmas)
by Anne Perry
Murder Most Royal (the Queen solves another mystery)by SJ Bennett
Also lined up on the book shelf waiting their turn include these books:
A Christmas Memoryby Truman CapoteChristmas Poemsby Wendy CopeA Mind of Winter, Poems for a Snowy Seasonselected by Robert AtwanHaphazard by Starlight, A poem a day from Advent to Epiphanyby Janet MorleyWinter Solstice (an annual favourite)by Rosamunde PilcherLittle Womenby Louise May AlcottSomewhere Safe with Somebody Good (the story is a lovely run up to Christmas)by Jan Karon
Shepherds Abiding
by Jan Karon
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobeby C.S. LewisOnce Upon A Wardrobe (a novel related to C.S. Lewis's beloved classic)by Patti CallahanThe Christmas Chronicles, Notes, stories & 100 essential recipes for midwinterby Nigel SlaterChristmas from the Heart of the Home (recipes and other seasonal tips and ideas)by Susan BranchHome for Christmas (her tiny memoir)by Susan BranchChristmas Treasury (a treasure trove of children's stories and wonderful illustrations)by Jan Brett
One book I ordered for Christmas that I'm waiting to get is the illustrated poem by Robert Frost Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. Shhh, this is for my brother-in-law. As long as I've known him he has enjoyed quoting this old poem, one he memorized as a boy in school. The book, a beautiful keepsake edition, is illustrated by the award-winning P.J. Lynch and celebrates the poem's centennial. It looks gorgeous - you can take a peek HERE.
Two - Christmas Cards
One of my favourite things is writing out Christmas cards and notes at this time of year. I love to go in search for the cards I'll use each year, including the tiny tuck-ins to pop inside the envelopes. I'll be starting those this week.
Three - Christmas Tree Pillow
Nothing ever seems too bad, too hard, or too sad when
you've got a Christmas tree in the living room."
UNKNOWN
I came around the corner and there sat this cute pillow in a shop I was visiting. I knew I had to get one, no-no, I had to get two. In my mind, I knew my mom, who said she didn't want to decorate a tree this year, would love this. It's already decked out with sweet red cardinals - no assembling required.
Bonus - A Seasonal Quote
"So quiet and subtle is the beauty of December that escapes the
notice of many people their whole lives through. Colour gives
way to form: every branch distinct, in a delicate tracery against
the sky. New vistas, obscured all Summer by leafage, now open up."
FLORA THOMPSON
❦
Wishing you a merry and beautiful week ahead,
Brenda
Photo credits:
(Top)Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
(Middle - books, cards, pillow) Brenda @ It's A Beautiful Life
(Bottom) Image by Peggy Choucair from Pixabay