In The Spirit of The Season

It's time for Vee's Notecard Party.
Let's celebrate Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all of YOU well and much joy!

My World: Zoo Lights

The Holiday season is off to a good start at the Houston Zoo.

I thought the lights were lovely last year,
but this year, they knocked my socks off.
This is just a sampling.

Thank you to the hosts of Mosaic Monday and My World.

Wishing you all well and much joy!

Ho Ho Ho

Merry Merry

A Cup of Joy!

I'm a little late with a tea post.

Photo taking is a bit on the iffy side when it is so dark and dreary outside.

So, I decided to light up the Christmas tree and have tea under the tree.

This is Royal Albert's Christmas Tree cup and saucer.

The little red teapot is by Kensington.

The tea is a lovely tisane by Stash called Christmas Eve.

It is especially nice in the evening before bedtime.

I'm joining some tea parties today:

Tea Time Tuesday

Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Wishing all of you well, much joy and a wonderful cup of tea!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Bodhi Day

Where ever Buddhism has traveled, 

it has picked up customs and bits of culture from each country.

Bodhi Day - the day Gautama achieved enlightenment is celebrated on December 8.

I've done a little incorporating of holidays -- compassion bringing them together.

The Christmas tree is all set up to celebrate Yule, Christmas and other Holy Days.

On December 8 the lights will represent enlightenment.

Multicolored lights representing the many paths that may be taken to enlightenment.
Under the tree, a Buddha as he sat under the Bodhi tree.

I plan on spending the day quietly.
Some meditation.
Curling up with the kitties to stay warm.
A cup of tea -- or two.
A candle glowing.
A wish for peace for all.

Potpourri

I like oatmeal and I save it for cold mornings.

It is an oatmeal day!

*

Christmas is just around the corner. 

Time to share a reproduction vintage postcard.
The artist on the original card was Margaret Evans Price
 and it was published around 1922.

"I'd like to share with you the joys of Christmas day,

so I send this little card on its

Merry Christmas way."

Thank you to the lovely Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.

**

We girls (Cassie and Mina and moi) got an early Christmas present

and you might say that Teddy got one too.

It was time for Teddy's six month ultrasound on his heart.

He has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and is on medication.

He passed with flying colors yesterday.

His wonderful vet said there was very little if any change.

The medication is working.

Yippee! 

***

I haven't decided if I'm finished decorating. 

While I'm deciding, 

Cassie burrows under the tree skirt and moves the non-breakable ornaments

on the bottom of the tree onto the floor.

"Just helping, Mummy!"

****

The Rice University Owl football team is playing for the conference championship

tomorrow. I'm going. I'll probably freeze my fanny and other parts of my anatomy off,

but this doesn't happen often and I want to be there to see these scholar-athletes

get the job done. The football program here has the third highest graduation rate

for college football programs in the country.

Go OWLS.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Potpourri

It's Friday and time for some this and that.

I was up early this morning and the washer, dryer and clothes folder (me) have been busy.
Yesterday I thought I'd get up early and hit Half-Price Books at 7am. That idea didn't last long. I decided it was too cold to walk and I wanted to walk up to my village. Although a chance at a $100 gift card in one of the bags they were giving away was very tempting.

How was your day yesterday? Did you celebrate Thanksgiving? Cook a lot of food? 
The kitties and I shared a quiet day. We put up another Christmas tree. There are two downstairs (think too many Christmas ornaments????). They aren't decorated, but they are up. Mina and I shared some smoked turkey -- she begged so prettily (underfoot) all day -- the little imp. I had *stuffing* (yep, southern ya'll) for breakfast this morning. 

In and around Houston it's been freezing the past few mornings. The birds have been getting a little bit extra at the morning buffet. The squirrels have been getting in on the buffet action too.




Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Sweet Memories

When I was growing up

we always went to Granny's for Christmas.

She had a bright, shiny tree with bubble lights.

Around the base of the tree was a little village -- all plastic.

Bottle brush trees.

I thought it was a wonderland.

The candy canes.

Hot chocolate in a Santa mug.

I still love candy canes, hot chocolate and Santa mugs.

Every year I go looking for new mugs -- the cheaper the better to get the look!

The mugs can't be microwaved, but they can be filled with candy canes and placed around the house.
Hot chocolate tastes really good in a holiday mug, too.
I've already tried Stash's Christmas Eve herbal tea -- especially nice as a bedtime treat. 

The owl mug is new this year.

I'm thinking of making postcards.

You can help.

Which one do you like best?

I'm joining some lovely tea parties today:

Tea Time Tuesday

Teacup Tuesday

Friends Sharing Tea

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Wishing all of you well, much joy and a lovely cup of tea!

A Christmas Wish

From My House To Yours

Happy Yule!

Yule

The Winter Solstice celebrates the rebirth of the sun.

The cultural winter holidays that share this Solstice time

focus on the return of light and the birth of something precious and holy.

We are offered a time to connect with each other.

Feast

Make Merry

The earth rests, dreams.

We smell wood smoke, spices like cinnamon, clove, cranberries, tangerines and oranges.

Green that never dies celebrated with balsam, pine, spruce, holly.

It is a festival of light.

The Sun -- Son will return. 

Light those candles.

Get out the strings of electric lights.

Make the winter season a season of light.

Thank you to Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday each week.

This postcard is from the Victorian Design Christmas Postcard Book 

published by Darling and Company, Seattle.

Wishing YOU well, much joy and a Happy Yule!

Good Morning!

If a telemarketer calls,

give the telephone to your 

3 year - old

and

tell her it's

Santa.

In The Spirit of The Season

It's time for Vee's December Note Card Party.

In the spirit of the season,

here are my four notecards.

You've seen them all recently.

Wishing YOU Well and much Joy.

Winter Greetings!

By now, you know I love birds.

I started collecting the Winter Greetings china pattern by Lenox years ago.

I find a piece here and there and I'm happy when I do!

This year I found 3 mugs with the beautiful cardinal on the front and back.

Santa seems quite happy with his cardinal friend.

I've been drinking a lot of Winter Spice an herbal blend by Twinings.

It is a comforting blend with camomile, cinnamon, cardamom and clove. 

My neighbor and I have a holiday tradition.

We venture out to our favorite nursery to see their holiday decorations.

Always pretty and always too expensive -- but full of great ideas.

I fell in love with this little cabin.

I could imagine curling up under quilts and afghans, in front of fire,

smelling the Christmas tree in the corner, a cat or three curled up next to me,

a book in my hand and a cup of tea near by.

What a story one can make up by looking at a decoration! 

Several weeks later,

look what I found! 

(T.J. Maxx)

A cabin in the snow.

I think I'm going to add more snow, but I'm a happy camper.

It looks lovely under the tree and in this story,

I can hear Santa coming down the chimney!

Perhaps he'll share a cup of tea with me.

Thank you to our tea party hosts:

Tea Time Tuesday

A Return To Loveliness
Friends Sharing Tea
Teacup Tuesday

Tuesday Cup'a Tea

Tea Talk

Share Your Cup Thursday

Wishing YOU Well and much Joy!

This and That

Here's a little James Taylor for you to enjoy while you read!

Music

*

How do you feel about Christmas cards?

I love them!

I like hand addressing the envelope,

writing a short message on the inside of the card.

I put a short Christmas letter together for those I don't see often during the year.

Emails are nice, but I miss the personal touch.

I love receiving Christmas cards.

I get excited about figuring out the postman's timings! 

What gorgeous card, what beautiful message will I find in my post today?

It's like receiving a smile in the mail.

The simplest things in life are often the most magical.

What joy that simple Christmas card can bring!

**

Speaking of beautiful cards.

Here is a reproduction of a vintage postcard.

Looks like they are off for a day of fun.

Delivering packages, decorating a tree, walking in the snow

and all with a furry friend.

Thank you to Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday each week.

***

I love snowmen.

I love Christmas cactus.

They look happy together!

****

I found a crochet group that meets twice a month

at my favorite breakfast spot in my Village.

They are a fun group of ladies and they sure know their hooks!

The last two meetings, I've been taking my Santa mug rug/coaster/hot pads.

Finally, they are finished.

I made a whole bunch of them using my stash yarn.

Jingle, Jingle and Ho-Ho-Ho!

*****

A  couple of holiday links for you today:

The first one is from a dear friend, Karen Harvey Cox.

Karen has made an advent calendar for all of us with her beautiful art.

Welcome to The Gift of an Advent Calendar here.

Poppytalk again this week for winter scenes in Mason jars.

I love the VW bug with the tree on top!

Your holiday photos are probably already taken, 

but here are a few suggestions from the Focusing On Life Group

on taking holiday pictures.

*****

Wishing YOU well, much joy and a fun filled weekend.

******

Okay kitties. We still have some more decorating to do. 

Everyone hop to it!

Leave the Christmas Cactus alone, please!

Nap time is later!

Good Morning!

Wordless Christmas!

Walk With Me

Walk with me around the block.

The neighbors have been busy!

Fun!

Thank you to Mary for hosting Mosaic Monday. 

Wishing YOU well, much joy and exciting walks around your neighborhood!

This and That

It's another This and That Friday!

*

First, another reproduction of a vintage postcard.
The illustrator was A. L. Bowley.
Adorable children and I'd love to have the elephant!

Loving Christmas Greetings to you!

(Thank you to the lovely Beth for hosting Postcard Friendship Friday.)

**

I'm sharing a post with you today from Tiny Buddha.

Paula Grieco  is the author.

It got my attention and perhaps it will get yours!

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” ~E.E Cummings

So, in this present moment, how about you? Are you growing up to be who you truly are?

Here are easy suggestions for building the being you habit. Pick one or more if you like.

1. Express your uniqueness daily.

Create a daily practice of doing or saying something that expresses you without regard to its popularity or commonality. It can be as simple as a wardrobe choice or saying no to a social engagement that will leave you feeling drained.

2. Make time for brief moments of solitude.  

Even just a few minutes during the day can help you connect to yourself rather than being caught up in outside forces.

3. Re-connect to a childhood passion. 

Think about what you loved to do as a kid as it can be a clue to your truest expressions. Anything you want to try today?

4. Write down three things that you truly value.

Take one small action every day to express your values.

5. Go easy on the pressure.  

There’s a difference between compromising your true self and having multiple passions. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to make the right choice when it comes to your calling. Sometimes you just have to pick something and take action.

6. Create relationships based on being you. 

Some people are more naturally inclined to care what others think. If you are one of those people, you also likely have a great propensity to be empathetic. Build upon that strength and reach out to others to get the support you need.

7. Find your mantra. 

Sometimes we end up compromising who we are because it is hard to say no. Write down on a small card your response to requests for your time or an opinion you are not prepared to give. Doesn’t have to be eloquent—“Huh, I’ll have to think about that” works.

8. Support someone else in self-expression. 

When you see someone standing out rather than fitting in, be a voice of encouragement and support.

9. Create art.  

Buy a small journal or notebook just for self-expression. It will be one of the best purchases you will ever make. Spend even one minute a day writing or drawing a picture. No directions required.

10. Remind yourself how important this is.  

Hang up a sign with the quote at the beginning of this post or another that reminds you the importance of being you.

I do enjoy being ME! 

***

A few fun links for you.

The first is from Poppytalk (one of my favorite blogs from Canada). 

Find free chalkboard style printable gift tags here.

We all know Mennonite Girls Can Cook. Apparently their Guys can, too.

Take a look at this breakfast bake for two here.

It is no secret that I love cats.

Lines and Colors is a blog about art -- all forms of art.

In Women and Cats, Charley Parker shares a Flickr site full of art featuring women and cats.

Over at Sidewalk Shoes, Pamela Geer shares a knit-a-long--

a Christmas stocking.

I won't get a chance to knit-a-long this year, but maybe in January (!!!) I can start! 

Have fun!

****

The temperatures have been in the 80s this week.

The air conditioner decides to run every now and then.

The weather folks say it is going to get cold next week.

I'll believe it when I feel it!

With a little help, I got a lot done in Musashi's Garden.
As much as I love my purple trumpet vines, they get carried away
and I'm getting too old to keep them under control.
So, "we" took them off the fence leaving them on the trellis.
They look pretty bare and sort of sad,
but I'll water and they'll come back.

Speaking of water,
we have moved into moderate drought again.
So sad.

What a surprise!
The first of the seed catalogs arrived today!
Let the garden planning begin.


*****

Wishing YOU well and much joy this holiday season. 

Good Morning!

At My House

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like

Christmas!

 

How's it going at your house?!!

 

Zoo Lights

Holiday celebrations in Houston just got a little wilder
with the start of a new tradition at the Houston zoo.
Lions, Tigers and Lights -- OH MY!!

Lights depicting many of the zoos animals are located near their habitats.

Thousands of twinkling lights, lighted animal sculptures, holiday projections, carolers,

Christmas music throughout the zoo.

You can work up an appetite strolling through the zoo.

There's hot chocolate, funnel cakes, cinnamon rolls, gingerbread men,

pizza, sandwiches -- all those good holiday treats that make your mouth water!

I plan on going back several more times.

It was just too much fun!

Thank you to our hosts:

Seasonal Sunday

Mosaic Monday

Our World

Wishing YOU well and much joy during this holiday season!