Rainbows and Resolutions

It seems that in which ever place I am spending the seasons...at home in the warmth of summer or at our home away from home in Fl during the chilly winter months, I have a special spot I seem to pick out as a cozy place to meditate, reflect, doze, pray ...in general... a veg-out place.  Here, it is the corner of my comfy couch in the Fl room porch where I have a fountain that bubbles away, sounding like a small stream running gently over smooth rocks on its way to the river.  At home in VT it is one of two places, the big papa san chair on the porch in nice warm weather or in a big "eat ya up" chair near the double windows where I can watch the birds at the feeder.  And in the afternoon,  the floating rainbows of color cast about the room by the little crystal hummingbird hung in the window there.

As I was reading my daily devotional book this morning, the lady who wrote today's bit of encouragement,  spoke of watching how a lovely crystal only reflects the bright lights of the sun which cause it to refract these rays into all those tiny dancing rainbows.
When things look bleak and I feel down and sad, I need to let God's light in by hanging His promises in the window of my soul, so when His light shins through it will remind me that He truly is watching over me, loving me and always there to give me  hope and courage...every day.  Thanks, Alma, for your 'crystal example' today !
As it is nearly the end of 2011, should I make some New Year's Resolutions...or not?  Some of the definitions of the verb to resolve are ... to decide...to determine..and to intend.  I like the order here!  To decide is of course the first step!  To determine, now that is a pretty forceful order to one's self ! BUT to intend, now that has loop holes...it means to TRY, which is good, but allows me a bit of room for failure there (: !

I don't usually resolve too much as I feel it is more of a promise to myself which I don't like to think I might break!  So I usually just promise myself to 'intend' or to TRY !

So what shall I try to do or be better with this new year?  Maybe to be more kind or to listen better...(oh, oh, does that indicate talking less ??)  Now comes the magic work   INTEND!  Oh well, I'll form a short list of things I intend to improve upon!

Whether or not you Resolve or Intend to do anything.....I wish you all a Very Happy and Healthy New Year and remember to look for Rainbows!!

A Red Scarf and a Snowy Night

Several years ago, before we spent our whole winter in FL, I used to like to take a little walk after supper on a snowy night.  Now that I am here in the sunny south for most of the coldest part of winter, I sometimes reminisce about those times, and snow, the crispy air and bundling up to go outside.  These thoughts brought to mind an unforgettable little happening back home in the hills.

I pull on my boots...the warm ones with the fuzzy insides...  don my warm red scarf and cap and set off for a walk in the snow.  It is fresh snow, with more still falling.  The soft fluffy kind, my favorite variety...not that wet, sticky stuff that breaks tree branches and snaps power wires.  It is getting deep and I seem to be the only one in all this whole white, silent world.  The old road is like a brand new thoroughfare, all smooth and even.  I left the lamppost lit and it throws long shadows along my way until I reach the bend in the road,  It's darker here until I pass my neighbor's house and her lighted windows spread some light on my path. Then the corner and on to the Village Green, lit by a nearby street lamp and at the head of the Park, the Church, with a light in each window that sparkles in the night.

It's here in the Park on a cold park bench that I dust off a place to sit.  No cars are out tonight, all is so still. Did you ever listen, to hear a snowflake fall?  The birds are all quiet, tucked away for the night in their cozy spots in the evergreens.  All is calm, all is white, except for a red scarf and cap on this snowy white night.
Soon I begin to feel a chill and think about home and the old wood stove's warmth.  As I turn to go...there come along the road...deer...three or four of them, just sauntering along, headed my way!  I hold my breath.  I'm perfectly still.  They cross the road at the end of the Park and do a playful little prance before heading on up through the pasture and into the woods.

I'm SO glad I ventured out and sat a spell.  I'm sure they didn't see me...or did they...that spot of color, the red scarf, on a night so snowy and white.

Quiet Moments At Christmas Time

In quiet moments at Christmas time

I pause to just take in

Simple pleasures of the senses,

Sight and sound, tastes and scents,

They're everywhere!

A lighted tree,

With balls of cobalt blue,

And silver bells;

Pure white wings

On wispy little Angel things.

Tinsel all a-twinkle

Like icicles hanging from the eaves.

And tucked away

Among evergreen boughs, here and there,

Blooms of white Poinsettia serene and fair.

I love to lie among the sofa cushions

And 'watch' the Christmas tree.

Oh Yes, there is something here to see;

Tiny white lights aglow,

 Twinkle like starlight after it snows;

 The way the tinsel dances 

in the firelight's flickering glow.

I hear the sound of the old clock

On the mantle...tic-tock tic-tock,

Counting out the passing time.

Or the sound of logs in the fireplace

As they sputter and snap, crackle and sing

Of the gift of warmth they bring.

Then, there's that divine aroma

Of fresh baked Christmas bread,

The spiciness of gingerbread men

And steaming herbal tea in my favorite cup.

These moments are precious,

Gifts in themselves,

Mostly found in

Quiet moments at Christmas time.

                       

                                                                  

I hope you have found some quiet moments in your busy days this Christmas Season.  

There is a Christmas eve service here with wonderful music and a candle lighting time.  On Christmas day, we will have dinner here with all our Snowbird friends.  I am cooking a turkey and a veggie dish, honeyed carrots.  There will be lots to choose from and so many great cooks around here!  It is supposed to be  in the 80's so may go for a swim.  Better not eat too much...don't want to sink to the bottom!

I want to wish you all a most Blessed, Happy Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. 

Christmas Party for 'Our Kids'

Finally the day arrives.  The day of the party we all plan for 'our kids', the ones we adopt each year through the local daycare.  The shopping is done, the wrapping is finished, we've sent an invitation to Santa to come and be our guest too.  The presents are under the tree and the ladies have baked cookies and decorated the hall.  A couple of big quilts have been spread near the tree for the little ones and the 'Elves' are ready to help Santa.  Folks gather to watch the happy event.  And here come the kids!

I'm dashing around with my camera hoping to capture all aspects of the day.  The pictures tell the story so I'll let them 'talk' !  Except to say that it was nice to hear Santa tell those little ones the Real Christmas story !

                                  Santa with a Musical Manger tells the Real story of Christmas

                                                                     Some or our Elves

     

    The Tree and presents

                    Pure joy                                                             

       Opening gifts 

                                                                     

A Happy Girl

                                                                     

Kids sing songs for us                                                                                           

Hope you enjoyed seeing our party.  We all come away knowing how true the old saying is " It's more blessed to give than to receive".  Merry Christmas Everyone!

                                                               

Another "Christmas Past" Recollection

The decorations were all in place... the tree was trimmed and it was again time for a family favorite... The Candle Dipping Time.  This was something we did for some of the years our children were teens.  We'd invite friends and a neighbor or two and put on the Christmas carols.  The dinning room table would be all ready, with goodies for after the dipping.

The poem I wrote about the occasion probably says it all.  I am so glad the time is remembered by those who enjoyed the event with us.  It was sort of a magical time...another of those times when you could just 'feel the Love'.

I always love to hear of the wonderful little traditions my friends adopt in their own lives.  These are the makings of wonderful memories, family memories to take out of your treasure chest, dust off and savor over and over again.   Be sure you younger people make some of these memories with your families.

Candle Dipping

It's late December now.

We're busy with preparations,

Our homes to decorate

As Christmas we anticipate.

We've gathered boughs of evergreen'

Made garlands and wreaths, you know,

And hung the mistletoe.

And now it is time for candle dipping

And wassail sipping.

So we gather... friends and neighbors 

And family dear.

The wax is melting in the big black pot

On back of the old wood stove.

As sweetly, carols play, a room away.

Our wicks are all tethered,

We are ready to go !

So, round the chopping block we move

Till it's our turn to dip our wicks

Into the molten wax;

In and out, up and down, then skip along.

Round and round we go

As each completes the task.

Soon the candles take shape, begin to grow.

Smooth and round and even

They taper ever so gracefully.

What a sight to see !
All hanging there in rows of three
'Tween the tall, old chair backs
We're using as drying racks.

We won't forget these jolly times!
Our gathering together
By the fireside;
In from the frosty weather
At candle dipping time.
                                                               Dottie Ann Richardson

                                                                                                                        

Beauty to Share

                              Tiffany Chapel, on left, and above it a lovely stained glass window



Yesterday I was invited to take a day trip to Winter Park with my friend Wanda.  We left early in the morning as Winter Park is quite a jaunt from  here and we gathered up our friends Sue, Betty Lou and Sharron at their places along the way.

Our destination was the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art on Park Ave. there.  Charles Morse was born in VT.  It was his granddaughter, Jeannette Genius McKean, who founded the museum in 1942 and named it after her industrious grandfather, Charles.

The Morse houses the world's most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany 1848-1933.  Jewelry, painting, art glass, leaded glass windows and lamps and  the interior of his chapel that was at the 1893 World's Exposition in Chicago.  Also, art from Tiffany's estate on Long Island is on display. He wanted everyone to be surrounded with beauty and to enjoy fine art.
We thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the beautiful stained glass windows and the chapel was absolutely awesome!
Park Avenue and this area has brick streets and many wonderful boutiques and shops as well as many sidewalk cafes. With all the Christmas decorations and music it was truly lovely.  Strolling along on a warm, 75 degree afternoon made me wonder if this was what Paris would be like.  Especially as we chose to have lunch...a late lunch, at the Paris Cafe.  There were fountains and pools with bright colored fish, Koi, I believe, some were over a foot long, swimming around.  We were seated beneath a good sized tree and enjoyed a really good lunch.

It was a most delightful little adventure and I arrived home pleasantly weary.
 Here are some pictures from the Morse Museum's web site.  No cameras were allowed inside.

Our Local Christmas Parade

I thought I'd just say that we have a wonderful Christmas parade here in this little village.  They call it the City of Webster but it is far from what I think of as a 'City' !   Except for maybe on Monday when the really big flea market is going on.  Then it is a busy place!

All the local organizations, churches, schools, mobile home parks etc. participate in our parade.  There is a band or two, horses ( completely lit up with twinkling lights that are battery powered) and riders all aglow too.  MANY golf carts decked out in anything that looks like Christmas and winking and blinking to the rhythm of either carols of seasonal songs on board.  Our Park had a float, a good big one, with music and lights drawn by our new tractor all lit up too.  The 'elves' on board were passing out stuffed animals to the children that lined the parade route.  And of course, candy.  It is always nice to watch the parade and be warm while doing so !  All this happens at 6 PM so it is dark already and all the lights really show up.
I'll include a few pictures as I'm sure some of the participants will check out the blog today and be looking for a picture.  Can't take pictures when you are on the float now can you?  I'll include the daylight version as I don't do so well at nighttime versions of anything !

Pass on the Love, Joy and Peace of Christmas !

Getting ready to leave the Park

These guys love a parade !