Tuesday, December 31, 2013

A New Year Irish Blessing


As we prepare to ring in another New Year...


I raise my glass and propose an old Irish Blessing...

*******

May you have the hindsight to know where you've been

The foresight to know where you're going

And the insight to know when you're going too far. 

*********


I need this tattoo'd around my ankle. :)




Happy New Year, Dear Friends! 

xoxo

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Good Tidings



I hope you all had a magical and lovely Christmas,
 filled with all good things life has to offer. 

Thank you for your Dear, Sweet Christmas Wishes. 

I cherish every one.


The day after Christmas is a time for reflection, 

A time to savor the memories while they are still fresh in our minds. 


We have celebrated the blessings of the season, 

as we make new memories with one another,

 and remember those we are separated from through time and space;
 but no less in attendance within our hearts. 


As I tidy up the morning after, I hear the love and laughter  
echoing through the house, loudly through the silence. 


With each dish I wash, little bits of conversations come to mind - 
A precious childhood story, a funny anecdote, or the catching up of everyday modern life. 


As I find little mementos of our family celebration, 
I can't help but feel a little bittersweet that it is all over.


It all goes by so fast, doesn't it? 


It was a whirlwind.
 It all swirled around me as I flitted from one task to another, doing what I do best, 
taking care of my family and enjoying each moment. 

(My Gingerbread House shelf is looking a bit bare today -
after sending them all off with loved ones! :)


And then it was over and I didn't get one photo. 

But that is perfectly fine, 

Because every precious moment was spent just enjoying each and every one. 

(Don't worry, the phone devices were flashing all day!
 For some truly cringe-worthy photography! :) 


And now, the day after, I am feeling a little melancholy. 

But there were small 'After Christmas' surprises to keep me going today. 

A sweet cactus bloom.....

Gorgeous sunshine on a still December day....


And the sweet, intoxicating scent of the paperwhites that just started blooming! 


Happy in their indoor garden, which makes me happy. 


After Christmas we take time to remember those who held us in their thoughts,
 through sweet tokens of kindness. 


Taking time to write and send a card, is a treasured thoughtfulness worthy of display. 



Each one a thoughtful reflection of its sender, 


And miniature works of art! 


I always keep my Christmas cards in little bundles according to year, 

and now I am so glad because they include cards from loved ones now gone. 


I know this is a time-honored tradition done by many other sentimental people before me,

and this vintage card survived as testament!  


Found in an assorted bag of paper ephemera at an antique shop, 

it is nearly 100 years old! 


With a sweet sentiment written all those long years ago. 


Can you believe postage was only 1 cent? 


Precious cards from family stand on my vanity to remind me of their love. 


Two gold earrings a sweet token of a very special love. 


So, as this year's Christmas is still lingering in our hearts, 


And daily life goes back to normal, 


I take the time to count my many blessings, 

and wish many, many blessings to you in return. 

xoxo

Not truth, but faith it is that keeps the world alive. 

- Edna St. Vincent Millay -


Monday, December 23, 2013

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!



Oh, You better watch out, 

You better not cry,




You better not pout, 

I'm telling you why -




Santa Claus is coming to town! 

He knows if you've been sleeping,

He knows if you're awake,




He knows if you've been good or bad,

So be good for goodness sake! 




Santa Claus is coming,


My hand-sewn Santa from a pattern out of Better Homes and Gardens in the 1980's

Santa Claus is coming, 

Santa Claus is coming to town! 




Thank you all so very much for your sweet Christmas wishes! 

They mean so much <3 
xoxo

We had a little dusting of snow on Friday morning...




I was holding out hope for a White Christmas! 




 But it wasn't meant to be! 

It melted by evening. 




I did enjoy it while it lasted. 




Even the angels looked happy! 




But it was very cold! 

(Can you see Champ in the background?)




So I headed inside to make some last minute treats. 




Ice Cream Snowballs,
and
Cranberry Creams! 




For the Cranberry Creams you need:

1 pt vanilla ice cream
1 pkg (3 oz) cranberry-flavor gelatin
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup (8 oz) jellied cranberry sauce

Green and Red Gumdrops for garnishing, if desired

Prep time: 20 min. 

Chill time: 4 hours


1. Have eight 1/2 - cup molds ready. Remove ice cream from freezer to soften about 15 min. 

2. Put gelatin in a medium bowl. Stir in boiling water with a whisk until dissolved. Whisk in cranberry sauce until well blended. Stir in vanilla ice cream until no white streaks remain. Ladle into molds. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or until firm. 

3. To unmold: Dip molds in warm (not hot) water. Invert onto serving plates and, holding mold and plate, shake down sharply to release mold. Repeat, if necessary. 
Garnish, if desired, with gumdrop 'holly'. Flatten green gumdrops with fingers and snip curved holly leaves with scissors. 

Sprinkle Cranberry Creams with red cookie sprinkles if desired. 



This is a good way to use up that leftover cranberry sauce-

And use those jello molds you've been collecting! 




To make the Ice Cream Snowballs - 

Simply roll small scoops of vanilla ice cream in sweetened flaked coconut. 

Arrange on foil-lined baking sheet and place in freezer until firm. 

Store frozen ice cream balls in an airtight container in freezer for up to 2 weeks. 




So easy, yet so festive! 




I want to wish all of my Dear Friends and your Families

A Very Merry and Blessed Christmas! 




And to all - A Good Night! 

xoxo
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