How do we face...?

Very warm wishes for a Happy New Year, to us all. May we all learn from the present economic situation... Perhaps learn to [really] notice the difference between our 'wants' and our 'needs.' Yeah, that sounds mighty 'bahhh humbug.' Yup, it does. But instead of seeing the 'bahh humbug' aspect of it, maybe we can try to see the 'silver lining' aspect of it. [More 'Pollyanna' stuff I know... -sigh- So... bite me! -grin-]

We're living through a recession and no magic wands or wishful thinking, will change that. So, how do we live through the inevitable? With what mind set do we choose, to live through it? [Yes, our own mind set is still under our own control.] Do we choose to whine and cry and moan? Does that do any good? Nope. That choice only makes us feel worse.

So, what's the alternative?

How about what I said above... Really note our 'wants' and our 'needs.' Put 'wants' aside for the time being, and concentrate on getting our 'needs.' And then, learn to be content with that.

OK, if you want to scream at me now, you can. >,-)

*~*~*~*~*
Click on pics, to enlarge

Pic Source is Paris When It Twinkles

"12 Days Of Christmas"

Source

Yes, it's already the 2nd day of the "12 Days of Christmas"! Time flies.

And I do celebrate this time of year. Honest I do. :-) Just not in the traditional religious holidays way. I do presents and everything. And got the one thing I wanted... An 'Alice' choker. And gave a 'Stay safe' pendant to a younger Twilight fan. Our family even had a 'Twilight' tree! With tiny white lights and lots of my usual apple themed decorations. We've done this before, but this year, it was an actual theme Christmas Tree. :-)

And now to get on to the questions... about 'Jacob' in 'New Moon.' Guess I'll make a new entry...

Thank you for comments & wishing Warm Wishes

Thank you to those, who commented here! It was very sweet of both of you. And I'll be sure to visit your blogs, in a bit. Maybe not today or tomorrow. But never fear, I will.

Yes, I too would really like to discuss 'Twilight' related things, with people who have more to say than just: "LOVE Rob's hair!" -grin- Of course I appreciate the actors. How could I not? And even have my favorite characters/actors. But there are other things to talk about. Especially with all the issues/angst/drama around 'New Moon.' -sigh-

And a very Happy Christmas Eve, Yule, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc., to all. Happy whatever you celebrate at this time of year. And if you don't celebrate any [like me], that's fine too. Please have a warm and happy time, though. I intend to. :-)

Below ~ Icicles and snow cover, as of this morning. If we get rain later, some may go. So I record them, while I can. The icicles continue to grow! Please excuse the tipped pic, but it's the only way to show their present length.Last pic, honest!!! >,-)
[And any photos can be clicked on, to enlarge]

Quite lovely...

~~~oo~~~oo~~~oo~~~oo~~~oo~~~

Giving a link to a quite lovely post, elsewhere. Very short, but wise. And her music is always a soft, soothing treat to the ear, as well.

The click-able link is here...

And I hope you enjoy "Be"...

~~~oo~~~oo~~~oo~~~oo~~~oo~~~



Making use our usual decorations on the tree, I realized that I actually have a 'Twilight' tree, this year! See all the apples? :-)


~~~oo~~~oo~~~oo~~~oo~~~oo~~~

Why do we feel entitled to Christmas Joy?

Photo Source

I was thinking, the Joyful Spirit of Christmas [or of the Holidays, which ever you prefer] is referred to all over, this time of year. Some point out how to get that warm feeling. Some wonder where that warm feeling has gone? Some blame this or that [consumerism, the economy, fractured families, life in general, etc.] for robbing us of that warm Christmas/Holiday feeling. Some point out, that we seek it, in all the wrong places and in all the wrong ways. Some tell us how to ask ourselves, what it consists of, for ourselves... And then, to seek it, by only seeking out, those ways to personal warm feelings.

But ~ WHY are we supposed to feel in ourselves, a Joyful and Warm Spirit of Christmas/Holidays, at this time of year?

Why?

How come?

Why is this time of year supposed to evoke it, in us? And if it doesn't, we feel cheated. Again.

Christians would say, that their Faith, is the reason for them. But are all Christians experiencing the perfect, warm glow of the Christmas Season, each and every year? It's sad to say maybe, but I don't think so. So if even Christians don't have a sure handle on it, why do the rest of us, yearly become determined to get this perfect, warm glow of the Christmas Season? And why are we let down, when it doesn't fully materialize?

Long, long ago, people actually semi-stopped work, to totally enjoy the "12 Days Of Christmas." Enjoy, with food not eaten the rest of the year. And with drink and hospitality and visiting and impromptu dancing and games and merry-making. In the darkest, coldest time of the year, they set aside from Dec. 25th to Jan. 5th, to enjoy goodies and leisure, not had the rest of the year. No wonder they totally loved/enjoyed this time?!?

In olden days, the year-round menu was wholesome but bland. And entertainment consisted of visiting and gathering together for eating, dancing, playing music, singing songs and game playing. But today, we enjoy every kind of food, all year long. And the same with all our forms of entertainment. So therefore, holiday eating and merriment, just don't make Christmas special anymore. -sigh-


So, why do we still feel cheated if we don't get that elusive [but promised] total glow? Could it be that we've been brainwashed by advertising? >,-) I know that I feel that the Christmas/Holiday Season has really begun, when I see the Retro Budweiser Christmas Commercial on tv...

Click here and enjoy!

The snow, and the Klidesdale horses pulling the sleigh, into the perfect snow covered small village. Yes, I admit it. That starts the Season, for me. Yes, I think those "add people" know exactly how to conjure up the warmness of the Season. But, is this knowledge used, for good purpose? >,-) Mmmmmmm.....

~~oo~~

Parisian Twinkle...

Isn't that a lovely Christmas display? It's in Paris so it *ought* to be, hu? :-)

This photo is thanks to a lovely French blog called French Essence. Do please go over and see her beautiful blog. She has "More Parisian Twinkle" today.

Photo Source

Now! The day before!

And today is the day before Thanksgiving. Preparation is done and we just have to do the baking/cooking early tomorrow.

Thanksgiving Dinner will be at our house this year, instead of next door. Because the youngest Grand is old enough now, to not have to be ready for bed in his own house, as early any more.

But they only have to go next door, to be home, after everyone is full.

All pictures can be enlarged, by clicking on them.
I post pictures at medium size,
to enable my blog to load quicker.

Photo source

A simpler Christmas...?

Since I'm always trying to 'Simplify' (which BTW doesn't mean austerity, to me), the topic of a simpler Christmas is dear to my heart. I've been on this quest to Simplifying Christmas, for a long time. Enough to have earned the nick-name of "Scrooge," in my immediate family. ,-) But slowly, they are coming around more to my way of thinking. Gifts for the children of course. But less and less exchange, among the adults. And with the world-wide economy suffering this year, it's even easier to make the case for a simpler Christmas!

Which to me, is not an all bad thing. In times past, Christmas didn't used to be so terribly elaborate. But it was very, very special. I'm enjoying 'An Irish Country Christmas' by Alice Taylor. And noticing interesting things...

Christmas was the only time of year, when toys or games came into her childhood house. Imagine that! Today, many children expect some sort of play thing, every time they go anywhere. And like so many frequent things, the 'bloom is off the rose,' so to speak. What's special about toys at Christmas, if they get this or that toy thing, every time they go anywhere?

Ms. Taylor also says that their year round diet was not fancy, in the least. It consisted of home grown/produced food... wholesome but repetitive. So the special foods of Christmas time, were all the more anticipated. All of Christmas Time was highly anticipated, even though the children had to help with much of the work themselves.

Somehow, all of that sounds as if it produced more joy... Than Christmas of today. Just a thought...

In a week, and a day...

Over the river and through the wood

To Grandfather's house we go.
The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh
Through white and drifted snow.

Over the river and through the wood
To have a first-rate play.
Hear the bells ring,
Ting-a-ling-ling!
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!

Over the river and through the wood
Now Grandmother's cap I spy!
Hurrah for fun!
Is the pudding done?
Hurray for the pumpkin pie!