Happy New Year

New Beginnings

So with fresh eyes and a loving appreciative heart
I move forward to begin a New Year with
a spirit of renewal reflection and new beginnings!
May your New Year be filled with
good health.. much love..
happiness and inspiration!

"WHAT LIES BEFORE US AND WHAT LIES BEYOND US IS TINY
COMPARED TO WHAT LIES WITHIN US "

PHOTO: HER NAME IS MIA A KITTEN I CARED FOR WHILE HER OWNER WAS ON VACATION. I FOLLOWED HER AROUND WITH
A 35mm. lens CAMERA WITH BLACK/WHITE FILM LOOKING AT THE WORLD THROUGH HER EYES.

The Right Note

"A painter paints pictures
on canvas..
Musicians paint their pictures
on silence."

Feathered Friends

They sit on the ponds grey stone..
a pair of gentle doves..
a symbol of harmony peace and love!

Even in the darkest Winter there's beauty to be found!
The garden is alive with the
soft sweet murmurings
of 12 cooing doves!
"GENEROSITY BRINGS JOY..HONESTY BRINGS PEACE."

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Happiness Sings

Happiness sings like a bird flying free
It dances like waves in the silver blue sea
Happiness laughs like a child having fun
It looks like a bud that unfurls in the sun
Happiness leaps like a merry March hare
It sparkles like snow in the clear Winter air
Happiness soars like a rainbow of light
It shines like a star in the black velvet night
Happiness warms like a smile full of love.
And blesses the world like a gift from above.

Margaret Ingall

Wishing you the special happiness
that only Christmas brings!

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

The angel's gifts were
tidings of comfort joy and peace.
The reassurance that there is nothing to fear
so rejoice!

"There are two ways of spreading light..
to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."
Edith Wharton

Peppermint Twist

Customary candy-canes

give a peppermint twist to
make my home merry and
keep spirits extra bright!

*YES THAT IS WILLIAM SONOMA PEPPERMINT BARK!
layers of semisweet & white chocolate
topped with peppermint bits!
DO ENLARGE AND TAKE A CLOSER LOOK
IT TASTES AS GOOD AS YOU CAN IMAGINE!
May all your spirits be merry and bright
during this Christmas season!

Pink Greetings

A fuchia pink wreath creates
Holiday brilliance!

Bringing shimmer to Christmas decorating
with a lustrous pink glow!
*When I attended the Victorian tea in the log cabin
in previous post there were 17 different
decorated trees !
This particular pink theme caught my eye!
Stand up and be counted all
who love PINK!

"WHY DO WE LOVE CERTAIN HOUSES AND WHY DO THEY SEEM TO LOVE US?
IT IS THE WARMTH OF OUR INDIVIDUAL HEARTS REFLECTED
IN OUR SURROUNDINGS."
T.H.RobsJohn Gibbings

Home for Christmas

A log cabin decorated with traditional touches
give me a reason to stop and stare

Windows are decorated with a wreath and red bow
each windowbox filled with nature's bounty of
pine cedar and berry branches

An inspirational idea
that decorates the door!

A cottage home spreading holiday cheer with lush
exterior embellishments...
let it snow.. let it snow..let it snow

A Green Christmas

Dressing up for a green Christmas

*Hopefully the problems will be resolved with Blogger
and we can all continue posting comments.
I continue viewing your blogs even though
I am not able to make comments.
*Photo taken while on a country drive.

Catch the Spirit

A wonderful spirit of giving and sharing
has been extended my way...
a match box ornament

handcrafted designs filled with holiday magic
by Carol of Boxwood Cottage

"Garten" gardening magazine a feast for my eyes
even though print in German
look what I see!
You know how much I love black cats!
Carol I cannot thank you enough for your generosity!

Anita of My Country Cottage Garden
warmed my heart by sending a
heart shaped sachet filled with her homegrown lavender!
A home and garden magazine with fabulous ideas
and to inspire my creativity
her favorite craft paper!

Anita I am filled with heart felt gratitude
by your warm sharing spirit!

This week I have shared with you the warm generous caring
spirit that exists within this blog community of
kindred spirits.
Catch the spirit!


If someone makes you joyful then go ahead and share it
And if it brings an extra smile I'm sure that you can spare it
When there's a disappointment don't worry never mind it
There's so much beauty in the world
Just look around and find it.
*Iris Hesselden

Gift of Friendship

There is a generous giving spirit within
the blog community

This symbol of friendship
brings me great joy!
*This is the back view

This unique gift arrived from
a creative spirit
wrapped within a lavender scented box
and a pink shawl to keep us warm!

This gift surprised and delights me!
*enlarge t o see intricate embellishment of beads and glass leaves

Dogfaerie you bring alive your creativity in doll characters
such as Taloola!
I am truly grateful in receiving this
gift of friendship!

"EVERY YEAR WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES I REALIZE ANEW
THE BIGGEST GIFT LIFE CAN GIVE IS KNOWING FOLK
LIKE YOU.
MAY THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS THAT FOREVER ENDURES
LEAVE ITS RICH BLESSINGS IN THE HEARTS OF
YOU AND YOURS."

Holiday Birthday

The past is where we met
fell in love married..
I love our past

The present is where we live as
partners and best friends..
I love our present

and the future..
well I love our future
because we'll be in it together.
Happy Birthday
my hockey player.. my husband..my Love

MY GREATEST BLESSINGS DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
IS TO SHARE WITH MY SOUL MATE
HIS 60th BIRTHDAY TODAY!

"HEALTH IS THE GREATEST GIFT..CONTENTMENT THE GREATEST WEALTH..
FAITHFULNESS THE BEST RELATIONSHIP."

Fresh Holiday Greenery

fresh greenery and pinecones everywhere

Adding red berries for bright festive color

It's beginning to look and smell like
Christmas!

A natural touch from the front door through the house
are fresh evergreen branches filling the air
with a scent of pine!
I've decided to keep it simple with nature's seasonal
favorites by adding
pine cones and berries.
Votive holders and candles are
liberally sprinkled about the rooms for
a simple holiday statement.

Keep it "simple"
and spend your time enjoying
the blessings of family and friends.

Celebrating with Tea

An invitation to sit and visit
with a pot of tea
and a comforting array of sweets and biscuits

I recently attended a Victorian Chritsmas tea
Evergreen garlands grace every window
and floral displays of fresh roses and
evergreen branches everywhere.
Rich gold and red velvet ribbons
lit by candle light
bathed the alluring setting in a
warm golden glow!
*ENLARGE PHOTO TO SEE THE ALLURE OF THIS FLORAL DISPLAY


"There is a subtle charm in the taste of tea
which makes it irresistible.
It has not the arrogance of wine
the self-consciousness of coffee
nor the simpering innocence
of cocoa!"

Holiday Magic

Setting the stage for festivity with
illuminating candles and snow

Sparkling crystal and red
create holiday magic!

"A person's soul may be compared to a transparent
ball which is lit from the inside
with its own light.
This flame is not only the source of all light
and truth, but it illuminates everything
around you.
In this state the soul is free and happy."

Holiday Spirit

Getting into the holiday spirit by
adding natural elements and
a bit of sparkle..

Pinecones of course with
a flickering flame
add the finishing touch!

"Home is the heart of life... Home is where we feel
at ease where we belong
where we can create surroundings that reflect
our tastes and pleasures...
Making a home is a form of creativity
open to everyone."
Terence Conran

The Art of Napping

Curl up and get comfortable..

Instantly you will be burrowing under
a light blanket of sleep.

" A culture of overachievers we make things happen..
and happen fast.
While rushing along though the days seem to
get shorter and shorter.
If only time would hold still just a bit..
to let us savor life's simplest moments."