Monday, December 23, 2019

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


























16 comments:

  1. Oh dear Karen ~ what a lovely treat to see your sweet home all decked out in its Christmas finery. I love it all.

    Sorry for the recent losses and pray that God's peace will comfort these families at this time.

    Thank you for the lovely Christmas blessing. May you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and a great 2020 ~ FlowerLady

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  2. Your home looks just beautiful all decorated for Christmas, sounds like you have been keeping very busy with grandkids, how lucky they have you to watch them. Your trip looks just fantastic, I imagine so many memories were made by you all.
    So sorry to hear of the losses you have had lately.
    Wishing you and your family a very Blessed Christmas!

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  3. i have missed you karen, everything about you is "homemade" and cozy!! the place looks great, every single corner. what a great idea to have a "kids" tree...my boys use to just get the bottom of the tree!!

    i hope you enjoyed the special time away...your baking looks so good!!!

    losses in life make us appreciate what we have so much more!!!

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  4. Hi Karen, thanks so much for the blog visit and your well wishes for the holidays. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year. Hugs, Julie

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  5. Happy Christmas Karen, lovely to hear your news. Your grandchildren are coming on a treat, how the time flies by! I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time together. We've had so much rain over here too. At least we are heading for the Spring now and all those little bulbs that brighten our days. x

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  6. Karen, it's always a joy to see your cozy home, especially around the holidays when there's baking going on. Your cakes look Yummy. Homemade goodies are always the best. The sunrise over Mt. Rainier is beautiful. Your cabbage plant outside looks like a painting, it's so lovely. I like your simple mountain décor with the log cabin and deer and trees. The "kids tree" must be magical to your grandson. I noticed the big bowl of oranges on your kitchen table and smiled, as oranges are a must in all the stockings every year. : ) I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your dear friends. It must be hard on you at this time of year. The picture of your grandson looking in the window at the train village is a treasure. And Oh, the gardens with those Purple lights!

    Merry Christmas Karen! Thank you for the Irish blessing, and also for your friendship through the years. It looks like all is well in your world, and your mountain cottage exudes so much goodness every time I visit. : )

    ~Sheri

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  7. Such a wonderful post, the photograph of your Grandson looking through the window is so beautiful …
    Enjoy Christmas … my good wishes to you and your family.

    All the best Jan

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  8. It was so nice to visit you and your home, Karen! Your grandson is just adorable and the picture of him gazing out the window is priceless. I’ll bet your kitchen was as busy as mine. Don’t we love baking and candy making?
    I’m sorry for the loss of your friend’s son and the other friend’s husband. I’m sure Christmas was especially hard for them and their families.
    I do hope your Christmas was Merry and I’m sending wishes for a Happy 2020.

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  9. Your home is filled with all the love and all the joy that is Christmas. I think we all express that in our decorations but some just resonate so much more! This one resonates with me. Beautiful home, scenery and of course your decor and darling grand. I hope your Christmas was merry and bright.

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  10. Merry Christmas, Karen. Love all your pictures. You can tell you love your family and home. Wanted to tell you I tried to reply to your comment using the same email addy I have always used for you and it came back as undeliverable. Just thought I would let you know- xo Diana

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  11. Karen,
    Your hone is so warm and cozy!! So inviting and charming!! Lucky you being treated to such a wonderful weekend at such a spectacular place!! So sorry to her about your terrible losses...Seems like so many have experienced things like that this year...I truly can not wait for this year to be over with...I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  12. Your house looks lovely decorated for Christmas! I can see you and your family had a wonderful Christmas time! The food you made looks delicious!! Now I imagine you're preparing for New Year's!
    Hugs!

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  13. Merry Christmas, Karen. I have enjoyed your decorations and your little grandson looking out the window. What an adorable photo. Everything looks so pretty and it must have been truly beautiful at Buchart's Gardens at Christmastime. I have been there once in the summer and that was beautiful too, but Christmas must be so special. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and have a Happy New Year..xxoJudy

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  14. Hi Karen, your home is so beautifully decorated, so warm and inviting. I'm so sorry to hear about the two losses in your life. How sad for their families. Your photos from British Columbia are beautiful.
    Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year!

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  15. Your home always looks so warm and welcoming, Karen, I love the way you decorate it. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and wish you the very best for the coming year.
    Amalia
    xo

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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