A Happy Miscellany

Party Favors for the New Year

 

How beautiful a day can be
When kindness touches it!
~ George Elliston

 

 

In the Meadow of Moonflowers

Silently, one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven,
Blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels.

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Merry Christmas!

We wish you a merry Christmas!

We wish you a merry Christmas!

We wish you a merry Christmas,

and

A happy New Year!

 

 All good wishes to you and to yours, Dear Readers

.....'til next time in Merryville!

 

 O Winter! ruler of the inverted year, . . . I crown thee king of intimate delights, Fireside enjoyments, home-born happiness, And all the comforts that the lowly roof Of undisturb'd Retirement, and the hours Of long uninterrupted evening, know.

 ~ William Cowper

I'm one of those folks who loves winter.  I love playing in the snow, and walking in the rain, or simply,  sitting by the windows with a cup of coffee or tea warming my hands, while I gaze out at the beauty that is bared to the bones.  I marvel at the wonderland created when there has been the occasional snowfall overnight.  Winter's palette is a calm one.  There is something peaceful about the muted colors and the muted sounds of winter that bring a greater sense of awareness to my days.  I love the silence of those new fallen snow mornings, and I relish the the drama that comes dancing and whistling in with the winter wind.   Well, mostly.  Some winter days are a bit like a too noisy guest who likes to party.  We love for them to visit, now and then, but  we also breathe a sigh of relief for the quiet we find, once they leave.

 

Winter can worry us some too, I know.  It is a time to also think especially, of our fellow man, and to lend a hand, when we can.  Not all of us are as fortunate in a warm hearth to keep us warm and fed, but all of us do the best we can, in the moment, I know that.  Sometimes, it may seem that some folks don't try.  I've heard that said, but I'm one who thinks there are always reasons why.  We might not always understand, but we shouldn't judge, I believe that.  Ours is not to reason why, but to do the best that we can.

Winter is a season of reflection, and it is also a time to slow down a bit, at least here in the northern climes. Is there any season that welcomes more, a good book, or a lap full of the latest bit of handwork that we're working on?  For those of us more fortunate, it is the season for watching good movies, playing board games, and for jigsaw puzzles.  I love soup, and hot drinks, sweaters and flannel nightgowns, and pretty socks.....oh, and quilts!  Warm bubble baths.  Little children's rosy cheeks, and snowmen.....and so much more.  For those of us who are fortunate, it is a time of fellowship, and I am grateful for you, my family and friends.

 Winter is the homeliest time of the year, I think,

and  a wonderful time of year to

enjoy many of life's simplest pleasures. 

One of my favorite treats in winter as many of you know, is to buy myself a single hyacinth, knowing it will never smell as sweet, as it does on a cold winter's day.  Such a thing, it can bring clarity to the thought of less, being more.  When the common, becomes rare, we tend to see it more.  It's an interesting thing, that.  If you can, treat yourself. It's ok to be nice to yourself too.  Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of that.  Set a fragrant flower next to your favorite chair, or upon your bedside table, or light a pretty candle. 

 

 

Pour a cup of tea into your prettiest teacup, and cuddle up with that favorite quilt.  Take a little time away from your holiday preparations today.  30 minutes, maybe?  Rest for a bit.  Think about all that you have.  Be grateful......

then, please, give back as best you can.  Sometimes in the midst of all that comes with the rushing about during this festive season, we lose our way a bit.  Take a little time to really think about things.  Maybe, it'll put things into perspective, and perhaps bring meaning to the holiday that you celebrate.

 ....'til next time in Merryville.

 

Click on the image, and it will enlarge for easier reading.

My First Snowflake

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
Just like the ones I used to know,
Where the tree tops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow...

~Irving Berlin