Fifteen. With Childlike Wonder

"A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision, that true instinct for what is beautiful, is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood." ~ Rachel Carson

Christmas brings out the child in me. And the older I get, the more I love to dust off those old pictures and earliest memories -- when my world was still so fresh to me and I felt the wonder of new experiences. Christmas, with all its secrets and delightful longings, surely ranked number one right next to our birthdays as our two favourite days in all the year.

These old memories makes me feel alive and sparkly. Oh my, to be so excited about Christmas that I thought my very skin would burst off my bones -- for how could I possibly wait how many more sleeps, Mommy?

And, perhaps that's why I was captivated by the sweet vintage Christmas card of the little girl rolling out cookie dough (L). For suddenly this bit of artwork reminds me of the long-ago photo of my own little sister (R) in which, if we pay attention, we catch glimpses of a little one's delight and wonder of feeling the texture of dough between her fingers perhaps for the very first time. Not to mention learning to grasp the heavy glass rolling pin and figuring out how to maneuver it across the sticky lump to make it flat.

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"The world is full of magic things,

patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper."

~ William Butler Yeats

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In our wildly up-side-down world, our own clear-eyed vision for what is beautiful and wonderful is easily dimmed. Maybe that's one of those little gifts the Christ Child gives us as we celebrate -- that chance to rekindle the joy. Well then, what are we waiting for? It's time to take out the mixing bowl, the flour and eggs, the rolling pin and star shaped cookie cutters, and let the wonder wander in again.

Gather the kids and grandkids or nephews and nieces around us ... and if we don't have any handy, then mix and roll and shape as if we've never done it before ... remembering something of our own childhood. Discovering. Focusing. Letting the stars shine from our eyes again at mastering the skill to sprinkle our cookies with green and red sparkles.

And, perchance, you don't have such nice memories to rely on, then start making some new beautiful ones so they'll be there for your new tomorrows.

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"It's the little memories that will last a lifetime."

~ as seen on Pinterest, author unknown
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Last Christmas I did three posts sharing the thoughts that came from taking a closer look at that sweet picture of my little sister (below intently watching her older sister working her own bit of dough. I just read them again and felt the poignancy all over again. If you are interested, you will find them by clicking on the links below.

 Baking With Little Sis, Part One

More Memories From The Kitchen, Part Two

Postscript on Baking Cookies With Little Sis, Part Three

Here's wishing you beauty and wonder today,

Hugs,

Brenda

xox

Fourteen. A Real Live Dolly For Christmas

My little sister and I loved playing with our dolls when we were girls. We knew how to feed them, burp them, and change them. We knew how to comb their hair -- we once used our play scissors to cut it too -- we were not good at it.

Source: bing.com/vintage images

So you can imagine how thrilled we were when a real live dolly came home with Mom from the hospital one wintery day. Just days before Christmas. I was six and my little sister was three. L'il Sis reminds me we were staying at Grandma's and we saw Mommy coming to the door holding this big bundle of blankets in her arms.

This new dolly could blink; she could cry and she wet her pants too -- who could ask for anything more! Before long, she could sit and pose with us just like our dolls (I'm the one in the mosaic with the silly hat on). We loved being big sisters to our little sister. She was as cute as we were and such a sweetie pie too -- she still is even though she's all grown up now with adult kids of her own.

  
Today it's her birthday and we're celebrating Janet's life with BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES! She was a pretty special gift to our family that Christmas long ago, and we are very grateful for her presence in our lives today. Happy Birthday, dear Janny!

Source

Wishing everyone a beautiful day, whether it's a birthday or an unbirthday,

Brenda

xox

Thirteen. Simply Sunday

Source: Pinterest

In Your presence is fullness of joy.

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

from Psalm 16

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O Come, God of our joy.
Your presence is the best gift.
I long for You.

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With a gentle kiss atop thy head, dear beautiful friends,

Brenda

♥ ♥ ♥


Source: Lily Berry Graphic

Twelth Day. Heart of Love

"Whoever has a heart full of love

has something to give."

Pope John XXIII

A good reminder this Christmas season.

The best gifts don't always come from a store.

A gesture given from the tender stirrings of the heart
can touch a life and make it better.

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 Smile
Give up your spot in the line up
Look someone in the eye
Hum a merry tune wherever you are
Empty your change purse into a child's hands
Write a note that will mean something to its recipient
Give a hug
Share a funny moment
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 Purse strings need not dictate the offering
But Joyful Love shall set the pace

Wishing you a glimpses of heaven in unexpected places,

Hugs,

Brenda

♥ ♥ ♥

Eleven. Be Festive In Your Appearance

Day 11. Let's Gussy Up A Little

 Source: Pinterest

When I first spotted this glorious vintage graphic on Pinterest, I was smitten. I've never dressed up so exotically in real life, but in my imagination, oh my, I'm right there dressed to the nines. Maybe that's what I most enjoy about Downton Abbey -- all those stunning outfits Lady Mary and the others wear. And believe me, I am wearing those outfits; we envision ourselves not in the outfits of Anna, however charming she looks to Mr. Bates.

It's just as Susan Branch says,
"Reality is something you rise above."

Now, just to be clear on one point, in real life all that glorious fur would be faux.

By the way, if you haven't seen Susan's latest post, you are missing out on some fun -- it's very festive and jolly and cheerful. And has a lovely tip that I just have to pass along to you on my Advent Count Down today. It seems a perfect bit of advice for these greyish, darkish days as we go about getting ready for the giving season...

When you go out shopping, try to be a decoration,
wear something red, put on a cute hat, a sprig of holly ...
and be an elf. ~ Susan Branch

I know I appreciate seeing shoppers out doing errands outfitted in some sprightly fashion. It adds charm and beauty and fun, even if it's a simple sprig of holly tucked into a button hole or a whimsical sparkly snowman brooch pinned to a coat collar.

On a wind up note, if you haven't seen it yet, you might be interested in my other Advent Countdown series Restoring the Joy of Christmas. You can find it on my blog here or as a downloadable free PDF book here. I've been getting feedback that people are enjoying it -- which of course makes me heart happy.

Here's wishing you a joyful, beautiful day,

Hugs,

Brenda

xox