Between the Holidays

"What a wonderful thought it is that some of the

best days of our lives haven't even happened yet."

ANNE FRANK

For me, the quieter days between Christmas and New Year's are a treasured time of year. The hubbub and excitement of getting ready for Christmas and then celebrating with loved ones is suddenly over. The peacefulness settles—the contrast is exquisite. This morning as I write, the snow falls gently over the neighbourhood, and in my heart, I am content.

In response to Anne Frank's words above, I'm thinking that for that dear girl her best days never came to be. She died in the second world war. There is a poignancy in the words that I have never stopped to consider before. At the same time, as long as we still have today, we choose to live in hope that some of our best days are yet still ahead of us. It keeps us moving forward. So yes, Anne, it is a wonderful thought.

Cozy winter reading

I'm still immersed in The Christmas Chronicles by British author Nigel Slater. It's a fat book of the author's musings, recipes, and traditions that opens early in November and meanders along through the holiday season through the deep winter to the very beginning of February. It's a lovely book to curl up with on a cold winter afternoon. And it will probably inspire you to slip off into your kitchen to stir up a dish of something lovely as a treat, or for lunch or supper.

A few books from Santa 

As per usual, Santa was most generous in the book department. I will mention only three today: Nature Tales for Winter Tales is an anthology of excerpts of various authors, which takes readers from late autumn through the cold midwinter and towards the promise of spring. It promises to be a cozy winter read. And the novel by Diana R Chambers The Secret War of Julia Child is a fiction tale based on some real life events when the master chef of French cooking 'found herself serving in the secrets trade in World War II Asia'. I never knew this about Julia, did you? Now Anthony Horowitz's latest mystery Close to Death is turning out to be another page turner—I started it last night and I'm about three quarters through. His books are ever surprising at how he makes those tales unfold. And you never really know until the end whodunit. Delightful.

Words I find comforting

"Only when the clamor of the outside world is silenced

will you be able to hear the deeper vibration. Listen carefully."

SARAH BAN BREATHNACH

"With the new day comes new

strength and new thoughts."

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

"Lord, grant me peace (and grace) above all else

no matter the circumstances I may face this year."

UNKNOWN

"Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

NEHEMIAH 8:10

"His mercies are new every morning."

LAMENTATIONS 3:23

I must say thank you

Before I close this last post of the year, I must take a moment to say a big, heartfelt thank you to you, my beautiful friends, who have followed and commented on my blog over the past year, over the past years. Your friendship has been a real boon in my life. And I am most eager, and grateful, for your continued company as we travel this new year together. Blogging here at It's A Beautiful Life where I write about life in my corner of the world is truly one of my favourite things to do—and you help make it that way. Thank you!

Happy New Year

As we open the door to 2025, I'm reminding myself—and you if you need it—to keep watching for those glimpses of heaven in unexpected places, to remember that beyond the pain, life continues to impart moments to soothe and heal our souls. Thank God for those moments. As the new year with its uncertainties and unknowns begins, I remind myself of those embracing words by C.S. Lewis, "Take courage, dear hearts". Take courage.

❦

"Here's to good days ahead."

That's my heart wish for you in 2025!

Heart hugs,

Brenda

Photo credit:

(Top) Image by Erika Wittlieb from Pixabay

A Page From My Christmas Archives: A Thrill of Hope

"Music is the divine way to tell

beautiful, poetic things to the heart."

PABLO CASALS, Spanish Cellist/Composer

There seems to be such heaviness in the world some days. News that can fill our hearts with trembling. In my own little world, things are good, we're content, yet still the larger picture of sorrow and hardship often drifts into my own space - I feel the pain of the world in my heart. As I thought about what I could share this week here on my blog, I found something I wrote four Decembers ago, back in 2020. Four years later I find the words I wrote then still speak hope and peace to my own heart. It repeats the sounding joy.

And so I offer it here today... with the fervent wish that you, too, will find your own thrill of hope in the midst of whatever you, or someone you care about, might be facing these days.

A Thrill of Hope
- written December 14, 2020

The music of Christmas carols and holiday songs have always been a favourite part of Christmas for me. There are so many favourites I could talk about—I have probably loved them all in turn. But let me take you back in time and share just one carol that touched me as a girl. It still sings in my heart to this day.

I wasn't very old, maybe seven or eight, when I first heard the lovely carol O Holy Night and loved it immediately. I remember feeling something sweet swell up on the inside of me in response to the beautiful voice soaring on the top of that enthralling melody...."A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices...". It wasn't the words that stopped me in my tracks as a youngster; it was the music that made a place for those words to live in my memory forever. As I grew up the words took on meaning, especially when hard things made my heart weary.

There are seasons when we almost fall beneath the weight of the world's woes, the sorrows and suffering of people near and far, our own personal burdens. This has not been an easy year for anyone. There comes a fresh reminder every time I hear the song—perhaps a reminder for each of us—that God is with us in the midst of these hard times and places. I never have to carry these burdens by myself. If I ask, Jesus, where are you in all this, there comes the thrill of hope as He gently reminds me a name that was given to him according to ancient texts: Emmanuel, which means 'God with us'.

Not that many days from now we have a party to celebrate, albeit in smaller than usual fashion this year. In the fairy tale, Santa Claus comes to visit once a year and returns to the North Pole, but in another story Emmanuel once came and He stayed. God With Us. He lived physically on this planet for a while—now He dwells in the hearts of humans. In those words I feel a thrill of hope. I hope you will feel it too.

❦

Wishing you joy-filled anticipation as we count down these

last few days. A Merry Christmas to you!

Heart hugs,

Brenda

PS. On Tuesday, Dec 24th, I will be guest posting on

the InScribe blog - a short seasonal piece titled A Xylophonic Vibration.

If you are interested, I'd love for you to stop by then.

Photo credits:

(Top)Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

My Winter Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

Gathering A Few Seasonal Books

"As winter approaches, be sure to prepare

by always having between 3 - 168 new books

on hand at any given time."

AS SEEN ON INSTAGRAM

The Christmas mood has settled upon the household and we're beginning to feel quite festive. Christmas books sit on the shelf and wait their turn at creating quiet and cozy moments on these long, dark winter evenings. Volumes are stacked near to hand with fervent hopes that we may get through the pile before the holidays are all over. For me, once the holidays are over, the mood for really Christmas-y stories is also over. Seasonal wintery books still suit fine in January.

I've had fun making a seasonal book list and checking it twice—of titles that I've read so far and what I hope to read in the next couple of weeks. It also includes titles I'm dipping into that don't need cover to cover reading to enjoy. Snippets can also provide sweet entertainment or reprieve. So I hope you'll find a title or two or three that you realize you want to read and get them squirreled away in your own Christmas reading pile.

A mix of old and new stories I've read, and enjoyed, so far this wintry season

A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, Illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman (classic children's story - the author beautifully and humorously captures the world through the eyes of a young lad; I love the illustrations by Trina Hyman)
An Irish Country Yuletide by Patrick Taylor (a favourite Christmas novella)
Christmas at Thrush Green by Miss Read (a gentle read)
Once Upon A Wardrobe by Patti Callahan (Christmas novel) - a fairly new forever favourite
Rumpole at Christmas by John Mortimer (short stories with the Old Bailey barrister)
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Christmas mystery)
The Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson (two women take a journey before Christmas, spreading holiday joy as they go - a nice read, predictable ending)
The Country Child by Alison Uttley (Children's, not all Christmas but there are two lovely holiday chapters)
The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann (children's, published in 1816 - I've seen the ballet numerous times but I don't ever remember reading the actual fairy tale)
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (winter & Christmas in chapters 3 - 5)
When I Love You at Christmas by David Bedford & Tamsin Ainslie (child's picture book)
Winter and Rough Weather by D.E. Stevenson (gentle novel)

A few books or tales still waiting to be read

"A Christmas Kitten" by James Herriot (from The Best of James Herriot, Favourite memories of a country vet)
A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote (memoir)
A Pussycat's Christmas by Margaret Wise Brown & Anne Mortimer (child's picture book)
A Star for Christmas by Trisha Romance (children's story and art of Trisha Romance)
An Irish Country Christmas by Patrick Taylor (a forever favourite)
Christmas with Anne and other Holiday Stories by L.M. Montgomery
Little Women by Louise May Alcott (especially the Christmas chapters at the start)
Midwinter Murder by Agatha Christie (winter-themed short story mysteries)
Shepherds Abiding by Jan Karon (novel) - forever favourite
Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good by Jan Karon (opens in autumn and leads straight to Christmas - so satisfying) - forever favourite
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Irish short story) - loved it
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie (Poirot mystery)
The Christmas Jigsaw Murders by Alexandra Benedict (mystery) - new to me
The Frost Fair by Natasha Hastings (children's story set in England at a time when the Thames River froze over) - new to me
The Further Adventures of Ebenezer Scrooge by Charlie Lovett (sequel to Dickens' classic) - new to me
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis (from Narnia series)
Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher (novel) - forever favourite

Books for dipping in and out as the mood moves - anthologies, poetry, cookbooks

Christmas! Holiday Magazine, 2017 by Brenda Leyland (the year I gathered my Christmas blog posts and created a magazine through Blurb) 
Christmas by Susan Branch (recipes, traditions)
Christmas Classics from the Modern Library (excerpts from literature, poetry, songs and carols, old Christmas recipes, and more)
Christmas Entertaining, Inspired Menus for Cooking with Family and Friends by Williams-Sonoma
Christmas at Thompson Hall and Other Christmas Stories by Anthony Trollope - new to me
Christmas in My Heart, A Timeless Treasury of Heartwarming Stories, edited by Joe Wheeler
Christmas, Penhaligon's Scented Treasury of Verse and Prose (I visited Penhaligon's fragrance shop when in England years ago - it was lovely - the book is also lovely)
Christmas, Stories & More by InScribe Christian Writers' Fellowship (I have an essay in this book)
Christmas with Hot Apple Cider, Stories from the Season of Giving and Receiving, edited by N.J. Lindquist
Christmas poems by Wendy Cope
Haphazard by starlight, A poem a day from Advent to Epiphany by Janet Morley
Last Christmas, Memories of Christmases past and hopes for future ones, curated and introduced by Greg Wise and Emma Thompson (anthology of essays)
The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater (essays, recipes) - a lovely read
The Book of Christmas by Reader's Digest Association - 1973 (includes a lovely collection of Nativity essays, The History of Christmas by Rumer Godden, classic Christmas stories by well known authors, and Christmas around the world)
Victoria Magazine - the classic December issues are lovely for browsing 
Winter by Pierre Berton (coffee table book) - found at library book sale, haven't read yet
Winter Anthology, edited by Melissa Harrison (a favourite collection of nature essays)
Winter Solstice, An Essay by Nina MacLaughlin (nature) - new to me

On my wish list, based on recommendations from others 

A Children's Literary Christmas: An Anthology by Anna James
An English Christmas by John Julius Norwich (novel)
A Literary Christmas: An Anthology by British Library
Fifty Words for Snow by Nancy Campbell (weather, folklore)
I Saw Three Ships by Elizabeth Goudge (novel)
Jane Austen's Christmas, The Festive Season in Georgian England by Maria Hubert
Letters from Father Christmas by J R R Tolkien
Nature Tales for Winter Nights edited by Nancy Campbell
The Box of Delights by John Masefield (children's)

Something else I'm really loving these days is this Vintage Victorian Christmas, Sticker, Color & Activity Book. It's a sticker book but it's put together so beautifully - with gorgeous end papers and the backside of the sticker pages are in seasonal motifs so they can be recycled for crafts and card making once the stickers are used. A little early Christmas present to myself - the girl inside is gleeful - she still loves stickers after all these years.

When I found the book at the store and took it to the check out, the young woman was greatly intrigued by it. She asked if there were others of this sort on the shelf; yes, there was a similar book, but I had taken the last copy of this one. She gave me a conspiratorial smile, she'll order a copy. We chuckled. Turns out she is a crafter; I use them for journaling and embellishing envelopes and presents.

Such gorgeous endpapers

I had just purchased the book when my sister messaged and asked if I'd mind checking round at my  bookstore because the store carries a star ornament she loved. She couldn't find it at her store. I found it, stood in the long line, and would you believe I got the same clerk. We smiled in recognition, and this time she ooh and aah'd over the star. It was delicate and pretty. I mentioned that I had taken the last two on display (slight pause) but that she could order one in. We both laughed out loud. I said, we must be kindred spirits. It was one of those lovely human moments that swirls in the mind—and heart—for days. 

Now I must dash - wishing you a beautiful week. Happy reading.

"The rooms were very still while the pages were softly

turned and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the

bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting."

LOUISA MAY ALCOTT, Little Women

❦

Heart hugs,

Brenda

Photo credits:

Top Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

Sticker book photos by Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

My Winter Blogging Schedule:

I post on Fridays

 

Winter Stroll at the Conservatory

"I look upon the pleasure which we take in a garden as one

of the most innocent delights in human life. . . . It is naturally apt

to fill the mind with calmness and tranquility."

JOSEPH ADDISON, from The Spectator, 1712

I peer out my study window and look at my snow-covered garden and, though it looks pretty with all the snow, everything lays buried, dormant. Which is why it's such a treat when it's cold and frosty outdoors to have a place nearby where a person can slip inside to enjoy a few of those garden delights that fill our minds with calmness and tranquility.

 

The Muttart Conservatory always has its Christmas display up in time for our wedding anniversary. In fact, it was at the Conservatory twenty-six years ago where, nestled amongst the pink poinsettias, we had our wedding photos taken. Which is why it ever holds a special place in our hearts. Last week, we spent a delightful afternoon ambling through the four pyramid pavilions: Tropical, Arid, Temperate, and Feature Season. I like walking through the Feature pavilion at the end of our stroll, so our minds are filled with season's delights and our cozy memories as we head back out into a cold, grey day.

Here are a few photos from our visit contrasting the floral displays with quotes of the season's winter mood. Hope you enjoy!

"It is afternoon, which in winter is evening."

RICHARD JEFFERIES

'Haunts of the Lapwing', 1883

"The year begins to close when there is neither

twelve hours of daylight nor a perceptible nightfall,

just December afternoons."

RONALD BLYTHE

'Failing Light' from Out of the Valley:

Another Year at Wormingford, 2000

"In the west the winter sky is streaked with cirrus clouds that

look as if they have been combed across the heavens by a giant hand.

A weak sun filters through as it sinks towards the horizon,

a cold cerulean blue fading to cream white as it nears the earth.

. . . a deep chill settles in the air."

JANET WILLONER

from Winter Anthology, 2016

"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

"It is just as good to come in (from outside). You stamp to shake the

snow from your boots. The flakes of snow on your coat melt instantly.

Your glasses steam up. You close the door and thank God you

remembered to put the hall light on a timer."

NIGEL SLATER

from The Christmas Chronicles

"It was a day when frost and sunshine combined

went to one's head like iced champagne."

from The Irish R.M., 1928

"Anne came dancing home in the purple

winter twilight across the snowy places."

L.M. MONTGOMERY

Anne of Green Gables

"He who marvels at the beauty of the world in summer

will find equal cause for wonder and admiration in winter. . .

In winter the stars seem to have rekindled their fires, the

moon achieves a fuller triumph, and the heavens wear

a look of a more exalted simplicity."

JOHN BURROUGHS

❦

Thanks for stopping by.

Hope you are enjoying a beautiful day,

Brenda

Photo credits:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life