A Day Book . . .

 

FOR TODAY, December 24th, 2024

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW ...

Not right now but yesterday, this was the view. It is still dark here at the moment but getting lighter as the sun wakes up.  Yesterday was so beautiful with a bright blue sky, and fluffy clouds, and all that freshly fallen snow on the ground. I believe I have gotten my wish for a White Christmas, finally after 25 years.  It is supposed to start snowing again shortly and there is a snow fall warning in effect for the remainder of the day on into the night.  Sorry about that folks, but when I have a wish come true, it comes true with a bang!  Stay safe out there people!

 

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I AM THINKING ...

I bought these little glass pine cone ornaments for my Christmas tree this year.  They have graced my tree beautifully and I have really enjoyed them. Surprisingly the cats have left them alone, which is good. While they might look like dead things on the forest floor, pinecones are highly symbolic. And as a carrier of seeds, they represent many positive concepts. My favorite one is this:  

Regeneration and Resurrection: Pinecones are symbols of regeneration, as they contribute to the existence of pine trees by protecting, nurturing, and caring for their seeds. The pinecone’s ability to release seeds and give rise to new pine trees is seen as a representation of growth, renewal, and the cycle of life. The shedding of seeds can symbolize the release of old patterns and the embrace of new beginnings.

You can read all about Pine Cones and their symbolism here. 

 

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I AM ALSO THINKING ...

I am going to have a great day today. I have presents to wrap and I want to vacuum and wash the floors. I want to change my bed so I have fresh sheets for Christmas and do a load of laundry. I have some mince pies to bake and maybe some feather squares.  I am just going to put on some Christmas music and lose myself in activity as I watch the snow falling. It will be great.

IN THE KITCHEN ...

Cranberry Eggnog Muffins.  One last festive offering for this year. This is a small batch recipe making only 7 to 8 delicious muffins. They are on the small to medium size and are loaded with tart berries and topped with a pecan streusel. Ho Ho Ho

ON MY "TO COOK" LIST ...

These Custard Buns are definitely something I want to try to bake in the new year! I love custard buns.  From a blog called Woman Scribbles. They look delicious.

 

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LOOKING FORWARD TO ...

The festivities of the next few days.  These are no longer the Christmas's of my youth and mother years, but they are still good Christmas's.  They are not busy like they once were, but they are still very good. I have more time now to focus my thoughts on the true meaning of the holidays and ponder them deeply. I have more time to be "present." Oh, I did enjoy those years very much, but I am also enjoying these older, quieter years.  Just in a different way.

I am looking forward to going to Cindy's tomorrow morning for gift giving, and then to pick up Eileen and Tim after lunch and spend some time with them before we go back to Cindy's for dinner, and then on Boxing Day spending the day with Eileen and Tim as well. We will eat some good food and play some games. It will be fun just spending some special time together. I want to make it as special for them as I can. Perhaps build them some sweet memories to hold in years to come.

 

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SOMETHING NICE ...

The blessings of Christmas. Faith. Family. Friends.  LOVE.  Christmas Love. Once all the scurrying about stops, there is time for love.  Love for the message of Christmas which is the greatest love story and gift of all.  Love for family and time spent enjoying each other's company. Love shared with friends both near and far. No cards this year, but I still can send love. 

SOMETHING ELSE THAT'S NICE ...

I love the little stained-glass birds that hang in my front window. They are one of my treasures. I like the way that they glow and let in light no matter the day, be it dull and snowy or warm and sunny. They brighten my life. 

THINGS I KNOW TO BE TRUE ...

It is all these things and more.  It is really . . .  what you make of it.  I was always trying to tell that to Todd. He hated Christmas for some reason. He was a real bah humbug. He could think of a million reasons why we shouldn't enjoy Christmas. The Commercialization of it, the fact that Jesus wasn't really born this time of year, etc. I could go on ad nauseum.  I always told him that Christmas was what you made of it, not what the world tells you it is.   Christmas is a time of hope.

I AM CREATING ...

I hope to create more of these in the year to come. To be able to spend more time making Match Box dolls. I don't have the materials that I used to have to make them, but that doesn't mean that I can't create something new.

Maybe knit some bunnies  . . . 

Maybe use some of my fabric stash to make something pretty for my table. 

Perhaps crochet a new blanket. From Posie Gets Cosie.

 

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Paper stars and snowflakes  . . . 

OH MY GOODNESS ,,,

There was some kind of meeting of pigeons on the wires near my house yesterday afternoon. I just had to record the minutes with my phone camera.  I wonder what they were talking about.

 

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OH HOW I WISH ...

For a world filled with peace, love and gratitude.  A world where nobody had to live in fear or hunger.   A world where everyone had a roof over their heads and food in their bellies.  Where being kind to others was the uppermost thought in everyone's minds. 

I AM READING ...

A FINE ROMANCE by Susan Branch

I love this book. It embodies everything that I fell in love with when I was living in the U.K.  I have read through it many times, and I will probably read through it many more times. It's just a lovely book, delightful from cover to cover. A feast for the heart.

THINGS I LOVE ...

Yes please  . . . 

 

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Birds  . . . 

 

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Winter sunsets  . . . 

 

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This  . . . 

 

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White bed linens . . . 

SOMETHING TO WATCH ...

When Harry Met Sally    

I have always loved this movie.

 

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS

A THOUGHT TO CARRY WITH YOU ...

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

 *.˛Each morning we are born again.

What we do today matters most.

~Buddah  ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

And that is my daybook for this week!  Thanks always for being here!

  ⋱ ⋮ ⋰
⋯ ◯ ⋯ Take time to enjoy the small *´¯`.¸¸.☆
  ⋰ ⋮ ⋱ blessings in life.*´¯`.¸¸.☆ 



✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿✿¸.•*¨`*•..✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•. ╬♥═╬╬═♥=╬╬═♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥═╬♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥╬

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Have a beautiful day!  Don't forget!  

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And I do too!