Happy New Year

It's almost here ... New Year's Eve. We were out doing some errands early yesterday afternoon. Quite mild out around here these last few days. Still wintry, but with those pale blue skies and tepid sunshine. 'Twould be a perfect day for cross country skiing or tobogganing or a simple walk out in a woodsy park. Alas, I've done none of these recently (but it's a good idea) -- I like my cozy chair by the fireplace too much these days between Christmas and New Year's. Perhaps hot cocoa doesn't taste quite the same as when you're sipping it by a huge bonfire, wrapping frozen fingers around a hot mug, feeling the blissfulness of its warmth.

But I'm happy and content inside too. Watching my corner of the world from my study window. The northern flicker has been around a lot lately, and right now the cute downy woodpecker is pecking away at the peanut/sunflower suet ball. Chickadees, redpolls, and sparrows fill in at the other feeders.

And, I sit here at my computer looking up the rules for that old card game, Canasta. We've got some friends coming in for a little party in a while and we thought we'd all try our hand at this old game. It's been years since any of us have played. Checked out the Dummy's version for a quick review.

It's been years, too, since we've done much on New Year's Eve. The past four to five years found us long tucked in bed before the New Year's bells rang, as we usually had to work the wee morning hours of New Year's Day. Revelers weren't even tucked in bed yet while we were starting to get up for our too-early morning shift.

But, not having to thankfully do that anymore, we thought we'd be more playful this year on New Year's Eve. Not big partying but with a few good friends. A buffet full of food. And hopefully lots of good conversation, fun, and laughter too. Especially laughter. I'd like to ring in the new year with happy thoughts and feelings and let this house echo with joyful sounds of love and friendship.

Hope you're enjoying this last day of 2015. I see online that many folks are focusing on goals and dreams for the new year. I'm not in that space right now as I'm still in holiday mode. I'll probably think about that more once January is underway.

How about you? Got any thoughts for yourself as 2015 winds up and we stand on the cusp of the new year?

I was looking at my post from last New Year ... my thoughts are similar and so I'm taking the easy way out and saying "Ditto" and if you're wondering what those thoughts are, I do cordially invite you to slip over HERE and please accept my very best wishes for a beautiful New Year ahead. I'll be back in the swing after the holidays.

I'm off to anticipate my guests.

Sending you love and hugs,

Brenda

xox

Dec 25. Wishing You...

"Joy to your world"

It’s here … the day we’ve been waiting for. With all my heart I'm wishing you joy to your world with gentle kisses atop thy head. Merry Christmas and God bless us, everyone!

With love,

Brenda

xox

Christmas Eve

Photo: Unsplash.com/Hide Obara

It's late on Christmas Eve and I just opened the front door to take a peek outside. The street feels so close and cozy as house lights are still lit up all along the street. I get a sense of where the mostly full moon is shining, although the night sky, afloat with frosted glitter, is hazy and muted.

A neighbour two doors down stands out in front of his house all bundled up -- maybe he's watching for Christmas. Or letting the dog out. We wave and call out "Merry Christmas" to one another. I can see my breath. All is calm, all is still.

Even though I was feeling quite weary after a busy day, in the twinkling of a second, I feel alive and well in my soul. I can go to bed with a smile on my face and Christmas in my heart, for it just whooshed in on the frosty air.

Merry Christmas, Everyone, and to all a good night!

Sweet dreams,

Brenda

xox

Day 22-23-24. Looks and Feels Like Christmas

It hardly seems possible that 24 days have just flown by like an Olympian racing across a frozen pond. In real life, sometimes I didn't even get to open my Advent Calendar window every single day. Some days I'd ask myself, did I open my window today? Oops, I guess I didn't. But all that meant was that 'today' I had a bigger treat as I could open two or even three windows all at once.

Such is what you find here today. In the midst of holiday preparations -- family of 19 coming on Christmas Day -- the last couple of days whistled by. I didn't know how to squeeze in a little blogging time, especially if I wanted to sleep. And, as I wanted to share a picture or two and those still needed loading from my camera plus editing ... well, you get the idea.

Today, we're delighted to  offer a three-in-one bundle for Days 22, 23, and 24. I hope you enjoy.

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 (¸.·´ (¸.·´ * 

 

Day 22. Pictures of the tree

I promised a few photos of the tree. This is the first time in decades that our tree has multi-coloured lights. I have loved the warm white twinkle lights ever since they first came out a couple decades ago. I never tired of them.

So, you can imagine then, when we brought home our lovely scented tree last week, I surprised myself. For this year I wanted to do something different. I thought at first to create something more natural. I used to put fresh baby's breath and dried roses on it (that's some years ago now). I also realized I wanted to celebrate by using multi-coloured lights intertwined with some white lights. For a real tree and multi-coloured lights both remind me of those wondrous days as a little girl where excitement was palpable just days before Christmas.

Since I didn't know there would be this change of plan in my tree decorating, by the time I got to the stores at this late date most things were picked over or gone. Shelves were empty. There certainly wasn't time to hand make new things. So it was create as I went with what I found in my boxes.

And so it has ribbons and burgundy poinsettia on its top -- no stars or angels this year. It may interest you to know that these ribbons are now 17 years old -- they were our pew decorations at our wedding all those years ago. Now they are a regular part of our Christmas decorating. Often on the tree, sometimes on the mantel, sometimes on the stair railings.

We love this pretty enamel painted star below. An ornament years old now. It looks huge here but it's not, as it fits in the palm of my hand. Every year I pull it from its tiny square box and admire its delicate work before hanging it up.

And, so we love its liveliness, its warmth of colour, and its use of pretty ornaments and ribbons in a more old-fashioned style ...

...maybe even in a slightly higglety-pigglety way, reminiscent of simpler, happy times. I smile every time I look at it and draw near many times to let my fingers pick up the scent and feel its softly prickled branches.

This little tree offers us her beauty and we in turn offer her our love and thanks. She brings us much joy these dark and cozy days. 

  

Day 23. Vanilla Rolled Cookies

Making cookies here with my mom the way I remember doing it as a child. Roll-Roll-Roll. Cut-Cut-Cut. Bake till the kitchen smells of vanilla sugary sweetness. Let cool slightly before dabbing on some icing just to get to the good part -- where you decide which sprinkles to shake on. The red or green sugar crystals? The chocolate morsels? Or the teeny coloured balls? All the while attempting to do so without spilling the whole bottle on one small tree or star.

Of course, then comes the best part -- popping that first slightly-warm cookie in your mouth. Just a bit of crunch on the outside with the hintiest of hints of soft in the centre (that is, if they were rolled a wee bit thicker). Savouring each bite. And remembering how that little girl felt back then doing the very same thing. Sharing the moment with her mom again after all these years.

It's a simple recipe. So flavourful with real vanilla and almond essence added to the dough. Heavenly.

Here's the recipe for Vanilla Rolled Cookies.

It's from a Wilton recipe that came with some cookie cutters I bought once.

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp almond extract

2 3/4 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt (only used about 1/8 tsp)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with mixer until light and fluffy.

Beat in egg and extracts.

Mix flour, baking powder, and salt; add to butter mix 1 cup at a time, mixing well.

Do not chill dough.  Divide dough into 2 balls.

On floured surface - roll each ball approximately 12" wide and1/8" thick.

Dip cutter in flour. Cut dough into shapes.

Bake cookies on ungreased pan 8 - 11 minutes or until lightly brown.

Cool slightly before removing from pans.

Best to ice them while still a little warm. Decorate as you wish. Recipe can be doubled.

Approximately 2 dozen (depends on size of cookie cutters).

 

Day 24. Christmas Eve - Stars in my eyes

It was snowing most of yesterday. Softly. Quietly. Resolutely. Turning our corner of the world into a winter wonderland. Making it feel Christmas-y inside and out.

Ever since I was a child, right alongside my birthday, Christmas Eve has been my most favourite day of the year. For me, there is so much wonder and awe wrapped up in the Christ Child's birth. All the other things I love about Christmas and this time of year wouldn't be as meaningful without knowing that Jesus is real and His love is real too.

I have shared more meditative thoughts in other posts over the years. If you are interested, you will find some of them under the label Christmas Past and in my Advent PDF Restoring the Joy of Christmas (towards the end of the book).

***

Before I sign off for a few days now (I'll be back after Christmas sometime), I do want to send you my very best heart wishes for a beautiful Christmas holiday.

With a gentle kiss atop thy head!

Hugs,

Brenda

xox

Twenty One. Surprises In Our Mailbox

Source: from Pinterest

I love surprises -- nice surprises, that is to say. Especially when they show up in the mailbox unexpectedly. Or even when you are expecting something and you look every day just in case it's arrived already. December had a few of those nice surprise days and I'm pleased to share a glimpse of them with you today.

1. Card Exchange with Tracy

Early in the season, I signed up to participate in Amy @ Love Made My Home 2015 Christmas Card Swap. Everyone who joined was paired with another blogger who could be located anywhere in the world. How exciting -- what a great way to meet new bloggers from all over the place. And it's a wonderful way to keep the old-fashioned Christmas card exchange alive (I think it's a lovely tradition --  even though I also enjoy sending e-cards there is something special about getting a card in the mailbox that you can open and display on your desk or mantelpiece).

What a treat then to receive my beautiful card from Tracy @ Mad About Bags who lives across the pond in the United Kingdom. It came by "Royal Mail' you will note.

Tucked inside the card I found a little treat of three miniature Victorian-style Christmas cards. I love Victoriana and so this was a lovely surprise indeed. Thank you, Tracy! And to Amy for hosting this fun exchange.

2. Mail from Canadian Blogging Friends

Earlier this year I was invited to be a part of a card and tea exchange with some fellow Canadian blogging friends. This is a year long exchange of cards, tea, and sometimes other little treats that can fit in a small envelope, and are to be sent out for birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Canada Day, and Thanksgiving.

You can well imagine the anticipation as December arrived to find swells of  festive treasures in the mailbox. It truly feels like Christmas. It's been delightful and fun to share -- and expect -- little treats from these lovely bloggers spread throughout the year.

 3. Christmas Comes Early

The thrill of hope ... the happy heart rejoices

When yonder bell rings ... UPS is standing

Hold out your hands ... a cheery package awaits thee

Do you buy yourself Christmas presents? I must admit I do. Above are two that came in the mail a couple of weeks ago. And, on a whim the first Sunday in December, I quickly wrapped the calendar in tissue for myself, as I had a little something for Hubby (we hadn't planned ahead you see). A spur of the moment little Advent exchange that I'm hoping will fast become an annual tradition. The very act of opening a packaged wrapped in festive paper was still thrilling ... it hardly mattered if we already knew what was inside. This week it was my hubby who surprised me with a little package that arrived with coffee and toast in bed.

That dear Susan Branch surely knows how to spread Christmas Joy with all her whimsical and delightful artwork. I am so looking forward to displaying the 2016 calendar in the new year. And the little Christmas Joy book, which I found for a song as a second hand book online, well, that is a joy too! Especially as I'm going to be sharing it with a loved one this Christmas.

It's here ... the count down to Christmas begins in earnest now.  Five more sleeps. I still have some things to prepare, but it's all fun from here on in. How about you? My mom is here -- we've been eating Christmas oranges and whipped shortbread, and she's been wrapping presents for me this morning. When we get the little stack done, I'll be sure to take pictures.

Wishing you a beautiful day and a wonderful week ahead. Will share tree pics tomorrow.

Hugs,

Brenda

xox

Today I'm linking with Judy @ Mosaic Monday

Amy @ Love Made My Home