Holiday Blessings

Hello, Dear Friends, I hope that you are finding precious time 

in this busy season to enjoy the beauty all around us. 

Sunrise over Mt. Rainier

Here in the north, the days are woefully short, and any 

glimmer of sunlight is celebrated through prisms of raindrops. 

Although we are in the northwest corner of the United States, 

our weather is moderated by the south pacific. 

That gives us plenty of rain at times, especially most recently. 

The creek that crosses our country road has flooded 

at the base of the foothills, forming a large lake

where normally there are fields. 

So far, the road is passable with sandbags and pumps, 

but I wish it would stop raining. 

We've been adding some twinkle to the gloom with 

Christmas trees and garlands. 

I kept this tree simple with pinecone garlands and birds. 

We hung yards and yards of garland on the front porch, 

 the deck railings and even the little playhouse.

It all looks so pretty at night reflected in the windows. 

My simple home in the mountains

reflects the surroundings. 

My log cabin collection comes out this time of year. 

I grew up in a log cabin by a lake. 

Everything is child friendly this year. 

My 3 year old grandson comes home with me 

two days a week, after I care for him and his

 2 year old twin brothers

in the mornings. 

I helped him decorate 'the kid's tree' and 

we put it up on a little table by the glass 

door in the kitchen alcove. 

The candy garland is vintage from his own Mother's 

childhood (my daughter). The pony lights 

were a gift from my dear sis-in-law and are

also vintage. 

A cozy napping corner. 

The 'Santa' is actually a garden gnome.

The first time my grandson saw it in the fairy garden, 

he exclaimed, "Santa!"

xoxo

My kitchen has been very busy this time of year. 

Candy making and cake baking

 fill the kitchen with delicious aromas. 

I love spending time in the kitchen 

 and try to make it as bright and cheerful as I can 

during these dark winter days. 

Things are not always so cheerful in life, though,

and we have had some sad losses in the last 

 two weeks. Our very good friends lost their son, 

who leaves behind a wife and two young children,

and another dear friend just lost her husband, 

not long after they both retired. 

I think about the special moments

 that stand out in time.

A young groom at his wedding. 

A retirement party filled with sweet memories. 

 It's why we celebrate these milestones in life. 

We never know how many we will be blessed to share. 

My son and his wife treated us to a long weekend in Victoria, B.C. 

with our little grandson 2 weeks ago. 

Here he is looking in the window of a model train village 

at Butchart Gardens. He was quite taken with the scene. 

We stayed at the Empress hotel. 

This was the view from our room. 

Jogging Santa's seen from our window - looks like one left his pants behind!

The beautiful tree in the lobby. 

 Butchart Gardens was like a fairy tale. 

As we celebrate another Christmas season, Dear Friends,

I offer you a sweet Irish Blessing.

Merry Christmas! 

xoxo