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!

Happy Thanksgiving!

(This is a Charles Wysocki card that I embellished with a little fall bling!)

Wishing YOU and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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!