'Twas The Night...

"Twas the night before Christmas..."
I've been saving that picture above, for today. :-) Isn't it the sweetest thing? :-)

And I have loved this painting above, for ages. I think the title is something like 'Arriving At The Inn.' I love snow scenes. And this one combines the snow of Winter, with the beauty of the moon in the night sky, and.... The warmth and welcoming of the golden/reddish light shining out through the windows. You can almost feel the relief of the travelers, as the stage pulls up in front of the Inn, and they know that warmth, food and rest await within.

Isn't that what we all seek, on our journeys? The warmth waiting us, when we complete our various journeys in life? And isn't this what 'home' signifies for mankind? A place of respite. Since I don't long for or wait for an eternal home, I love the places of respite, I find now in my life. I love and value them more dearly perhaps, than someone who is waiting for another home in another life. I like my way. I am fully satisfied with my way. I'm human, and my way fits my humanity, and I can't fathom needing any other way.

So, may you find whatever respite you seek today...
In whatever setting works for you.

And may you sleep safe in your beds tonight...

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night."

December 23, 2007

From a Susan Branch book

"Oh Winter, King of Intimate Delights"

Fire-side enjoyments, home-born happiness,
And all the comforts that the lowly roof
Of undisturb'd retirement, and the hours
Of long uninterrupted ev'ning, know."
~~William Cowper~~


Mary's Mother's Snowballs

{Also from a Susan Branch book}

2 sticks butter, softened
3/4 c. sugar
2 c. sifted flour
1 c. finely chopped walnuts
8 oz. Chocolate Kisses
powdered sugar for dusting

Cream butter and sugar well, until smooth. Add flour, then walnuts. Gather dough into disk-shape and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate at least 1/2 hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove foil from Kisses and insert one inside a ball of dough 1" in diameter. Make sure each Kiss is completely covered by dough. Bake on ungreased baking sheet for about 12 minutes, until just cooked through. Sift powered sugar over, while still warm.

Art by Karen Rowland

December 23, 2:51 a.m. EST
The Full Cold Moon

Happy Full Cold Moon or Full Long Nights Moon!

Did you know why the midwinter full Moon seems overhead in the sky? It takes a high trajectory across the sky {proper name for this, I guess -smile-} because it is opposite to the low Sun.

Blogger apologized!

MB told me that blogger apologized for the Header flap. Nice! Thank you MB.
So I just tried.
Now, how do I get the ding-dang pic in the middle of the Header box??? ,-)
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Not now. Not going to work on it now. Maybe later...
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Hope you are not stressing yet. And hope you keep it, thus. :-)

Ermine clad...

My outside world is clad in ermine, this morning...

Did the neighbors put lights on that big tree, in their back yard?

No.
It's a reflection of my inside world.

Happy Winter Solstice! Happy Yule!
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Winter solstice! A time of transition in the annual war of light vs darkness, cold vs warmth, abundance vs shortage, life vs death! All people in our northern climes have tended to view this as the crucial time of year. A time to hold ceremonies designed to assist nature in rebounding from the path toward oblivion to one directed toward prosperity.
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Indeed, there are more known rituals associated with the winter solstice than any other time of year. Prior to the Christian era a Roman solar cult had its major festival on the winter solstice. In 46 B.C. the solstice was on December 25 in the calendar Julius Caesar established in Rome. The date became so traditional that it was retained through calendar reforms, so that Dies Natalis Invicti, the Roman date of the Invincible Sun, remained December 25, now two to four days after the solstice. Later on, Christians also accepted this as the date to celebrate the birth of Jesus, when they recall the story of a brilliant star that lit the sky to become a symbol of life over death just as light always strengthens following the passage of the solstice.
"36 Hour Bugs" are going around here. The children bring them home from school, as a *Christmas gift* to the family. Mmmm, yes. ,-) Hope no "Bugs" are pestering you and yours!!! :-)

'Victoriana' article...

'Victoriana' on-line magazine has a lovely article, which is a composite of Christmas writings. To quote the article; "...a glimpse of nineteenth century holiday traditions and celebrations seen through the writings of three of the period's most famous authors - Washington Irving, William Makepeace Thackeray and Charles Dickens."

Often at Christmas time, I have wished I had something like this, at hand. And now we all do.... By going to this 'Victoriana' link.

"Christmas with any of these three authors -- Irving, Thackeray, or Dickens -- is indeed something more than the weary buying of presents, and complaining about the weather. They all breathe the spirit of good cheer, mirth, and gaiety, the tingling of the brisk winter wind in one's blood, and in one's heart --"

Before the rush! May I.....

The rush wants to begin... So before it really does, I'd like to wish everyone a Very Happy, Peaceful, Calm Christmas, or whatever Holiday you celebrate. May no one get *frazzled* or bone-tired or any of those holiday *bug-a-booos* which try oh so hard to set in, at these times.
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Since I am still trying to not let any of those holiday *bug-a-boos* overtake me, I know I won't have time for everything, for about a week. I won't be able to visit/comment in many blogs. To spare me my usual angst ~ I simply say this now. And proceed with a light heart. :-)
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I'll probably get the *uncontrollable* urge to rattle on some, in my own blog. So be it. But that may be "about it," for 'Pretty Blog Land,' for about a week. Continued thanks to any/all who read/comment here. Hugs, hugs, hugs...

Last evening, and Candy Cane Lane...

Tasha Tudor

Last evening, we had a very nice time at the annual Rotary Christmas Dinner Party. My husband has been a member of Rotary for going on half a century so we've been to many, over the years. This was held at a long time Saratoga Spgs. area restaurant, The Wishing Well. Super attendance at a party which, though popular, doesn't always draw this many members/guests. :-) ~~~~ The table we happened to be seated at, had a very nice grouping of fun folks. Since it was held at a restaurant, there was no "band" playing {toooo loud!} in the background. Which made it even nicer. :-) Would you like to see a real 'Candy Cane Lane'? Where there is a 30 year old tradition of neighbors decorating their homes for Christmas. And there is even a village circle in the midst of their curved lane, which has a themed display with moving characters and music. Kim tells us about it in her Seattle Daily Photo blog. And has many more photos in her Mon. Dec. 10 'More Candy Cane Lane 2007' entry of her More Seattle Stuff blog. It's quite a magical display and tradition. :-)
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Please click above and go see. And I hope you'll leave a comment. We who {are brave enough :-) to } put our photos on the Net, are so encouraged by comments. Please tell her that Mari-Nanci sent you. :-)

Here we go, with another forecast for snow today. Not nearly as much as we might get this weekend, but... We still have things to do down-street. We figure that early today, is the time to do them. And meanwhile, we can get a walk in, too.Have as peaceful and stress free a day as is possible, in this Busy Holiday Season.

This and that, on Tuesday

You can click on all pics, to see them bigger

Is anyone up for a meteor watch? " What could be the best meteor display of the year will reach its peak on the night of Dec.13-14." The article even gives tips on how to survive the cold, in the Northern Hemisphere. :-)
But our forecast seems to take care on my decision, about trying to see meteors or not. Rain, or snow, or cloudy, through the period. Soooooo.... Perhaps you will have a better forecast, where you live.

Yes gentle Reader ~ Feast your eyes on that Bread above. It's from Hershey's Kitchens and you could go there and print out the recipe. But I put it here, anyway.

TOFFEE-BANANA RUM BREAD
Ingredients:

• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 3-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons rum or 2 teaspoons rum extract
• 1 egg
• 1 cup mashed ripe banana(about 3 medium)
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• 1-1/3 cups (8 oz. pkg.) HEATH BITS 'O BRICKLE Toffee Bits, divided

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 8-1/2x4-1/2x2-1/2-inch baking pans.

2. In large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add milk, oil, rum, egg and banana; stir with spoon until well blended. Stir in nuts. Spread 1-1/4 cups batter into bottom of each prepared pan. Top each batter with 1/2 cup toffee bits. Gently spread about 1 cup remaining batter into each pan. Sprinkle remaining bits over batter.

3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean. (Bread will have slight sink in center.) Remove from oven to wire rack. With knife, loosen bread from sides of pan. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans. Cool completely. 2 loaves.The Christmas Almanac is nice Holiday web site, with lots of links. One link is to a List of Christmas Specials on tv. But it doesn't contain one of our son's favorites. The Andy Williams Christmas Specials! These "say" Christmas memories to him, and he ordered the Best of Andy Williams Christmas Shows. To have *forever.* :-) And I love 'A Child's Christmas In Wales'. Which sets me to wondering, what are everyone's favorite Christmas time tv Specials and films?We got down-street and walked. In the process of walking, we got more needed items on our presents for Grands list. Yaaaa, a win-in-more-ways-than-one morning! Oh and I also got some photos taken. Still with my old camera though. I haven't sat down and read the new camera booklet, but my husband did and he said it doesn't look too difficult. First thing, install the program, which comes on a CD. But I wanted to get shopping done, first thing today. So, maybe after my nap, I'll feel perky enough to tackle the booklet. I know, it's way silly of me to not have jumped right into doing this. But I'm intimidated by instructions. And no way can I get away without reading them. So...... ,-)

They are fixed!!! And decisions...

Finally! My glasses are fixed! Let the clapping and banging of drums and joyful merrymaking begin! :-))))))

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Holiday things are moving along. Some presents are purchased. And some are even wrapped. Now to get our Christmas Tree up. It's a pretty, not-too-big artificial one, with lights all on it. So it's just a matter of getting it in and my husband setting it up. The decorations box comes down stairs and ~ then we hope to get some Grands to help with putting the ornaments on. Neither of us really enjoy this part, that much. {Remember me! She who doesn't enjoy writing/sending Christmas cards too! So remembering this, you won't be surprised.}
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But these things may not get done today, as today is the drug store employees' Christmas Party next door. First things first... Bake and make what we are bringing to the Party. Go to party. And after that, we really won't feel like beginning our tree. So.... tomorrow we may be getting sort of icky weather, and that will be a good day, for the Tree.
Did I get some presents bought and wrapped, because my use of my glasses, was curtailed? There is a question! And what now? That I have them back and things can get back to normal? What now? Will I again spend too much time on my Net Life.... and not enough, on my Real Life? Questions.... Questions....
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My wish is to fully learn to 'Read/Comment in Blogs Without Obligation'. Yes, 'Blogging Without Obligation,' in itself is not difficult for me. That addresses lack of daily entries. I like to 'rattle on,' so I very rarely have a problem with daily entries. My problem is feeling sad/bad, when I do not read all of everyone else's blogs, and comment in them. I've said this, so many times before and I know that repetition is boring!!!! -sigh-
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You know that I love and am grateful for every comment in my blogs!!!
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It's time to trust you Dear Readers, to understand. It's time to really cease this whining, and just start doing it. A Christmas present, to myself... :-)

A sweet and gentle lesson...

Dear Everyone, I'm going to make a short entry {while still waiting for you-know-what}. I'll do this by pointing you to sweet little entry elsewhere. Which was a wonderful find for me. And I think, it will be, for everyone. And what better place can I point you to, than the gentle world of "Merryville" and Mrs. Staggs. Please go to her Dec. 6th entry of 'Making the Season Bright.'
Which you will find by scrolling down when you visit here.

.Sometimes-Grumpy-me needed this entry. And I'll bet that even those who don't tend to get grumpy at times, will love it too. Please and thank you, enjoy your visit in Merryville.
.

Copied from a comment... :-)

Debra just made an entry, about being able to mostly skip Christmas. Believe me, she is in such transition this year that she has a perfect right to. Even though we should not have to have a "perfect right." But it seems, we do. If by chance, we wish to do certain cutting back. Well, I commented in her blog. And then, I thought.... I just wrote a great entry! So, I simply 'copied' my comment there, and am 'pasting' it here. :-) Below...
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Be it known! I-am-so-jealous-of-you!

Yes, jealous without the usual *jealous*... which
* * are supposed to mean that one is not reallllllllly jealous. Well, I have no trouble with saying that I AM really jealous.

How super to have a Holiday Season when you have a super amount of reasons for skipping all the Jazzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Silly that we need a so-called reasonable reason to but.. we do. -sigh- We do. We get guilted into doing too much of the Jazzzzzzzz, every year.

With me, I made some progress one year, on forcing the family to cut down some. And forcing is the correct word. And then, before I know it, they have weasled their way around and I am back to the same old Jazzzzzzz. -sigh-

This year, I threw in the white towel. I will "burn up the plastic," as needed. {within reason of course!} I will! I am. I'm not even whining about it, either! Amazzzzzzzzzing! ,-)

But ~ I still have done some *secret* cutting back. Heh,heh, heh... And no one has complained. I'm not attempting to put a pretty bow or decoration on every thing {in our living area}, everything which "sits still" long enough for me to put bows/decorations on it!

Which means I have not allowed myself to look at all my saved Christmas books and magazines, yet. I have dipped into some. But I am steeling myself first, to not get sucked into my usual..."I-want-to try to make my house look like an issue of Victoria!"

How silly of me to have let myself get this way, in the past? How silly of me to have set myself up, to sigh over how I can't. Sillllllllllly.

So, although I am still jealous of your ability this year ~ I now realize that I have gotten-my-way in some things. :-)))) And we all love to realize a fact like that! :-)

Mmmmm, why don't I simply copy this comment and make an entry in my own blog??? And I may just do that! Please and thank you.

Mari-Nanci
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No I'm not a total Mrs. Scrooge. I do enjoy many parts of celebrating the whole Holiday Season. But I do so desire to change some aspects. Because I feel that to do so, would make my Holiday Season, so much more peaceful, joyful, calm, and etc. But! I know! To cut back on presents, other than to Grandchildren of course, would really spoil it for my husband and children. So I've chosen to quietly compromise. As I point out in the above copied and pasted comment.

Hope I don't sound too Mrs. Scrooge-like. I really am not Mrs. Scrooge. I just have evolved a desire for a different Happy Holiday Season, than the rest of my family still needs/wants. :-)

"Santa" already came...!!! :-)

I'm grinning from ear to ear!!!

"Santa" already came...!!!

Now, "Mrs. Claus" has to learn how to use it!!!

^_^

What if...?

What if they 'gave' a hustle-bustle-stressful-expensive-tiring Christmas?

And nobody came.

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