Friday, December 27, 2024

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
This time of year is made for reading. So says Nigel Slater, British author of the book The Christmas Chronicles in which I'm still deliciously immersed. 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


Blogging Schedule:
I post on Fridays



14 comments:

  1. Good days ahead! Yes and yes! And I can completely relate to the quote "With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts" as I continue on my seemingly never ending list to get all things prepared for a houseful this weekend. Thank you, Brenda, and thank you Eleanor Roosevelt!!

    Your blog has been a little delight in my day. Thank you, Brenda. And I wish you many many more blog posts, as you continue one of your favourite things to do -- writing here. That's a wish for me as much as for you, because I get to read what you write. Blessings on your 2025.

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    1. I love your words, Joy, and the heart behind them. Thank you! xo

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  2. I love Anne Frank’s quote. What a wonderful thought.
    I want to get back to more fiction reading this year. The last several years I’ve spent reading news and doing research. It’s time now to return to books. I even got a fun book light this year!

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    1. Forgot to leave my name Deanna Rabe

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    2. Thanks, Deanna. And I hope your return to reading more books in the new year will give you much enjoyment.

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  3. This was a beautiful post, Brenda. I love the week between Christmas and New Years, too. Many years, I put the Christmas decorations away the day after Christmas, but this year I've let them linger. I'm looking forward to clearing and putting it away soon, but I've enjoyed this quiet week of nothing much needing doing but enjoying the quiet and twinkling lights on the tree.

    I look forward to hearing your thoughts about the book, The Secret War of Julia Child. I only recently learned that she worked for the OSS (during the US's involvement in WWII). She was an interesting lady!

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    1. I usually leave our decorations up until after the new year. I do like to let them linger. There is something about putting it all away afterwards that helps set up the space as we anticipate the new year. I will try to remember to let you know about the Julia Child novel - haven't started it yet. Happy New Year, Becki! Hope it's a beautiful year for you.

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  4. I'm finally getting to blog reading. It's been a rich and full Christmas, altogether lovely, but I confess to looking forward to some quieter days.
    Since visiting the Secret Annex where the Frank family hid during WWII, I have thought more about her. I recently found a book (in the school library) of Anne's short stories written during those months and years. They are surprisingly positive and I have several quotes I intend to share one day. She had a lot of wisdom for one so young.

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    1. Yes, she was surprisingly wise for one so young. Perhaps the good Lord knew the world needed her wisdom and placed that gift within her even though her time here was short. I didn't know that Anne had some short stories as well. What a great chance for you to see the place where the Frank family hid during the war--it adds that heart-mind connection to be there 'in the spot', as it were. Thanks, Lorrie.

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    2. Happy New Year Brenda!!!!!!! I am SO HAPPY to see your recent post!!! Like “Joy” said I am thankful to hear you say that you do still “take joy” in the writing and sharing of the many wonderful thoughts, beauty and books that you enjoy! I truly find each and every post of yours a true gift to my soul!!! I, I’m sure along with “many” have always felt that I have a kindred spirit in you!!!!! I get so much joy in the observations and “wonder” of everything around or before me. Sometimes I think perhaps my deep appreciation of life is different from many other people. Yet, I “hear it” from you and I am ALWAYS so grateful!!
      You asked me about 3 months ago if I like to write. I would love to answer that sometime , however, don’t want to bore others with my response. Shall I send you a response from my email to you??
      Meanwhile…. I was happy to learn more about the period of time in a liturgical calendar called “Christmastime.” I did grow up in a family who loved and enjoyed the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
      This ye as e, however I have had more of a yearning to quietly enjoy each day as a “continuing Christmas gift” to myself.
      Sadly, we do not have snow in this part of Ohio. I grew up with snow covered Christmases in Upstate New York. Still, I am savoring these days; starting each day with almost 2 hours of reading and journaling. My “Holy Tree” ( as I call it) will stay up through January with its white lights and “holy” ornaments and I will read , read, read.
      For everyone, here is a book that I just “happened upon “ and am enjoying:
      Every Day Spirit ( a daybook of Wisdom, Joy and Peace) by Mary Davis.
      I also love “The Circle of Life ( The Heart’s Journey Through the Seasons) by Joyce Rupp and Macrina Wiedecker.
      . I love everything that Joyce Rupp has written.
      I think I have been away too long!😂 I will try to post shorter responses!!!! Going to look for “The Christmas Chronicles!” Can’t wait!!
      Love, Peace, joy and good health to you Brenda!!!!!!
      Thank you!!!!! ~ Ann from Ohio!!💗🙏🥳

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  5. I love to hear you as you talk about books! Like Deanna, I, too, have determined to read more books this year. My life is busy right now, but I know it will be worth the effort of finding the time, even if it is in bits and pieces.

    Blessings in the New Year to you, friend!

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  6. Brenda just catching up on your final post of 2024...I also love those in between days of Christmas and New Year. It gives one time to reflect on the past year and make plans and dream dreams for the coming New Year. Hope your New Year brings you great joy. Hugs!

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To My Beautiful Readers,

Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. ~ Franz Peter Schubert

Thank you so much for leaving your 'footprint' here in my comment box. I do appreciate you taking a moment to share your thoughts today.

Brenda xo