Saturday, December 31, 2016

Ring Out The Old, Ring In The New

So another year swiftly comes to a close.
I would be telling a fib if I were to say this past year has been a good 'un.
After falling and breaking my ankle early in February, I have spent the entire year, trying to get back on my feet, literally.
I'm hoping 2017 will look upon me more favorably, and because I'm not taking any chances, I have the black-eyed peas cooking in the crock-pot as I type.



 
I truly wish each and every one of you, a New Year filled with much love, peace, good health and happiness.
Your friendships have encouraged, enlightened, and made me laugh my frock off throughout this past year.
Here's to a 2017 filled with the same !
Many Blessings.
x
  

                                                       
A Happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.

~Edgar Guest
 

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Bringing Home The Tree

A lovely little surprise Christmas gift, courtesy of our local Cracker Barrel restaurant.
Tucked away neatly inside our order, a salt and pepper old fashioned  'Woody'......Bringing Home The Tree.
We felt like the Griswolds.
*grin*
 

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Peace On Earth, Goodwill Toward Men

And so This is Christmas.....

I've so enjoyed our visits back and forth throughout the year, all the sweet comments written, and well-wishes when a word of encouragement was needed.
We truly wish each and every one of you, friends and family, near and far, all the blessings of a Joyous and Merry Christmas.
 
May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;
The spirit of Christmas which is peace;
The heart of Christmas which is love."
 
~Ada V. Hendicks

 
 


 
When Christmas bells are swinging above the fields of snow,
We hear sweet voices ringing from lands of long ago,
And etched on vacant places
Are half-forgotten faces
Of friends we used to cherish,
And loves we used to know.

 
~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

 
 

Friday, December 23, 2016

Done And Dusted.



I made the mistake of venturing amongst the market crowds today.
At least people were in a festive mood, many decked out in their Christmas red sweaters and twinkling necklaces hung around their necks.
I'm finally finished with my shopping, and couldn't wait to return home, indulge in a shortbread biscuit or two and a nice pot of tea.
Hope everyone has a little relaxing time, before the big day.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Christmas Is Coming



Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat
Please put a penny in the old man's hat
If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do
If you haven't got a ha'penny, then God bless you!


~ Tradition English nursery rhyme


 
 


We're having a blast of Arctic weather blow through in the next few days.
It's a rare occasion when the temperatures drop into the single digits.
Brrr.


 
 
 
 
Hope you are staying warm and cozy in your little corner of the world.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Woolly Socks And Flip-Flops

Winter has settled in, bare landscapes now prevail.
We've been spoiled up until this point, with warmer than usual days, many not requiring the wearing  of a jacket.
Last night temperatures cooled and fell into the twenties, no more flip-flops, now the winter boots and woolly socks appear.
The birds have taken to their nests, leaving me with just one sweet little friend.
Such are the days of winter.
 
 
 
 

Monday, December 12, 2016

A Christmas Spirit-Lifter

When the weather turns chilly, and I'm looking for something to stir my Christmas spirit, I make a batch of Spiced Tea.

The combination of oranges, cinnamon and cloves are a delight to the senses, perfect for sipping fireside late evening, and watching the Christmas tree twinkling in the dark..
 
 


Spiced Tea Mix
 
    2 cups Sugar
2 cups of orange Tang
3/4 cup instant tea
1 envelope Kool-Aid Lemonade
1 tsp. cinnamon
1-1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1-1/2 tsp. ground ginger

Combine sugar, tea, tang, lemonade mix, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in a medium mixing bowl; stir well.
Pour into a 1-pint wide-mouth jar with tight-fitting lid.

Use 2-3 teaspoons in a cup of  boiling water.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

They're Off...


 
 
Not a minute too soon, with forecasts of Winter weather moving in over the next few days, I took a trip to the post office early this morning and posted off the Christmas cards.
Mostly to relatives and friends in England, and other parts of the U.S.A.
It seems each year, there are fewer and fewer to make out, as my address list continues to shrink.
I think it is still an important part of the overall Christmas goodwill, and look forward to catching up on people's comings and goings throughout the year.
Don't you agree ?


Thursday, December 1, 2016

Autumn's Waning

The days are seemingly flying by.
Can you believe that we are already into the month of December ?
The month, where for the most of us ladies, find ourselves running around in circles, chasing our tails. 
The month of decorating, planning,  list-making, and shopping......ooh, the endless shopping.
The weather is mild for December, in just four short months, Spring will return........unbelievable..