Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

This is not one of my photographs.

It is the cover of Dharma Crafts Holiday 2013 catalog.

I thought it was lovely.

More importantly it says what I want to say to you.

Wishing you joy and peace during this Christmas season and the happiest New Year.

I'll see you next year. 

Be well.

All Through The House

"Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house,
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."
~Clement Clarke Moore

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind.
To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy,
is to have the real spirit of Christmas."
~ Calvin Coolidge

"Christmas is the day that holds all time together."
~Alexander Smith

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold,
everything is softer and more beautiful."
~Norman Vincent Peale

Wishing YOU a Cozy Christmas
and a New Year
that's warm and bright.

I'm joining the lovely Judith for Mosaic Monday.

Christmas Magic

From the kitchen table

Christmas Magic

Are we too grownup to feel a thrill
As we light the Christmas tree?
Are we immune to cookies,
Christmas cards and Christmas glee?

Are we too adult to "Ooh" and "Aah"
At the Christmas candle's glow?
Are we blasé about our gifts;
Do we shun the mistletoe?

Are we too mature for carols,
For merry or for jolly?
Do the decorations leave us cold,
The ornaments and holly?

Fat chance! We'll never grow too old
To love the Christmas magic.
A year without a Christmas
Would be boring, even tragic.

So bring it on! The candy canes,
The feasting and good cheer;
O Christmas, lovely Christmas,
You're the highlight of the year!

By Joanna Fuchs

Beary Christmas!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Christmas Present

This is my fourth Christmas without Mr. Dragon.

The first two, I put up three trees, decorated inside and out.

I made pots of chile and had folks over.

In other words, I kept myself very busy.

Last year I put up two trees, decorated inside and out and made chile.

This year I put up one tree -- the smallest.

(My back and joints prefer one tree -- the smallest!)

I decorated outside and am still playing inside.

I always have a amaryllis.
This one is from Trader Joe's -- a good deal and pretty, too.

Santa is at the front door with his own tree waving at the neighbors as they go by.

This year I pulled some boxes filled with old decorations out of the back of the closet .
Fun and full of surprises and memories.

The little snowman has been on a Christmas tree since I was a very tiny child.
Scrooge reminds of the years we lived on Galveston Island.
Dickens on The Strand is held every year on the Island .. fun!

The Santa is from a set that was made by Sears many, many, many years ago celebrating different cultures and celebrations of Christmas.
"In Holland children believe that St. Nicholas rides on a beautiful white horse to deliver present on his feast day."
Gelukkig Kerstfeest

The church is a model of the Old San Ysidro Church in New Mexico.
A reminder of my 23 years in New Mexico.
New Mexico is also where I met and married Mr. Dragon.


That's a brief look at Christmas Present.

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

A big thank you to the lovely Judith for hosting Mosaic Monday.

Merry Merry and Ho Ho Ho!

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.