Gifts and Gratitude

The Christmas season has been beautiful...

...with soft snowfalls and lots of close family time.

Our gifts this year include the gift of time...

...time to share memories and loving words.

This year my husband's Dad is celebrating his last Christmas.

We are grateful that, this snowy December, we are able to share happy memories, corny jokes, bittersweet tears

 and lots of warm hugs.

We are still learning from this father and grandfather...

patience, endurance, what it means to be generous and loving.

We are learning the importance of living in the moment...

...to appreciate every day.

We are blessed...

...to love and be loved.

At times, our hearts are filled with sadness

knowing that soon we will no longer

 have this special man in our lives...

But, we also know how blessed we are to have had him with us

 so healthy and active and independent for all these many years.

And for that, we are very thankful.

This Christmas is a little different.
 It is simpler in some respects but filled with a heightened
awareness of the love that we share... 

and the many blessings of family.

Life on this earth is a beautiful gift.

This Christmas we are giving 

 the gifts of time, attention and compassion.

 Our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude...

...as we humbly receive God's gift of Christmas.

Wishing each of you joy and peace.

Autumn Snow

We woke up this morning to five inches of snow.

Pretty.

Fortunately we still have our power...

...and nice warm heat.

But, I really wasn't ready for snow yet!

Especially right after the hurricane.

Many golden leaves are still clinging to trees

 and we haven't even celebrated our Thanksgiving yet!

However...after the events of this last week and a half

I'm learning to take things in stride

 and am grateful for things often taken for granted.

The snow has really made me think ahead to Christmas.

Pulling out coppery ornaments...

...sort of in-between....autumn and December.

Hope you are all having a good week.

And for those of you without power yet...

...like my sister Mary Beth in Westchester...

...hang in there! 

Sending warm wishes and hugs.

:)

What am I grateful for today?

Heat, light, hot food, hot showers

Buried!

The snow started falling...


























The branches of the old dogwood trees are bent to the ground...







Will we ever get out?
...making some more hot chocolate for Santa Baby...
:)

Last Chance to Enter 52 FLEA's First Year Anniversary Give-Back!

I wanted to share this special gift that sweet girlfriend Paula gave me last week...



Do you see this set of three white vellum covered books on Paula's mantle?
... photo courtesy of Carole...



Well, now they are mine! Or at least three others, similarly covered are mine!
We girls have been admiring stacks of these beautifully covered books at one of our favorite stores...Taken For Granite...
The last time Paula visited...they were on sale...
...she scored big!
...and of course, being Paula....she shared with Evi and me!
I just love them!




It was such a beautiful weekend...the sun shone both days...all day long.
I'm a different person when the sun shines!



We had a lovely evening ...



... and I hope you did too!



Here is my Lisa Leonard original....the captured heart necklace....



I am so pleased with this piece...it is meaningful...
...yet casual and fun...just like my Dan and Kate!

Don't forget Monday at 6 pm EST is the deadline for entering
52 FLEA's first anniversary Give-Back!

You've got to be in it to win it! Wouldn't a $50 gift certificate to Lisa's online shop be wonderful?
...and don't forget....also included in this Give-Back is a copy of the new Jeanne D'Arc Living Magazine and that ever so special edition of Somerset Life!

Good Luck my friends!
Good night!
:)