warm / cuddle

L - Nikon / T - iphone sp

The Christmas tree is blocking her favorite afternoon sun spot. / my cuddle buddy. bunny has recently decided she has to be right up next to me in order to sleep.

adorn / ornament

L - Nikon / T - iphone

I've had this tree topper for many years. It's not your typical angel, but I love her - I see her as a caregiver to nature and animals. Do you put a star or angel on the top of your tree - or something completely unique? / 60 individual petals - 12 flowers - finished ornament (photo put together with picstitch app). the process was therapeutic as a break from studying for finals and i love the results.

rested / ready

L - iphone / L - iphone

A nap before the party and then making fancy. I feel more myself wearing boots and jeans, but I guess every once it's nice to be elegant. The annual company Christmas party is about the only time I pull out the jewels and show a little skin. Now I'm ready to be wined and dined and maybe even be twirled around a bit.
I hope your holiday festivities are fun this year.

share / savor

L - Nikon / T - iphone

I'm enjoying my first cup of Russian Tea of the season a little late this year. I usually make up a batch at Thanksgiving and a second batch to share. Do you have a special treat you like to share at Christmas time? i made sweet potato biscuits just because they sounded good. they were.

glisten / sparkle

L - iphone / L - iphone

"...
And the dream is still alive
From that first December morning
And it always will survive
As long as we can see
That the dreams we find in life
Are the dreams we tend to seek
And Christmas has its promises to keep
..."

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Promises to Keep

Trans-Siberian Orchestra was a thrill of music, story, lights and sound! The nearly three hour show was mesmerizing . The story was enchanting, the light show and pyrotechnics were over the top. A finale like I've never seen anywhere. See them if you get a chance - I don't think you will be disappointed.

garland / lights

L - Nikon / T- iphone

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~Norman Vincent Peale
i love decorating for the holidays, but decided against bringing my two bucket-loads of christmas cheer back with me after thanksgiving. i'm sort of regretting my scrooge-y decision. i had thought i wouldn't have long enough to enjoy them for all the effort it would take. but now seeing as i will be here til the 23rd because of work i'm sad i don't have them. i did pick up a string of $5 lights at the craft store when i was picking up DIY-christmas gift supplies. i love the way they make my room look and i'm a little bit less humbug now!

take time /put your feet up

L - Nikon / T - iphone

I guess we both had that kind of weekend. Busy, busy, busy but took time to put our feet up, enjoy some Christmas music and the lights we'd hung. Hope you're taking time to savor some moments of Christmas joy.

precious memories / warm heart

top photo of me and my girl friends taken by my brother / L - Nikon

My fiance (sounds so strange to me) and I went to see Trans-Siberain Orchestra perform on their Winter Tour. It was truly amazing.
From the powerful sound of this group to the simple, precious sound of friends of 60 years singing "Blessed Be the Tie that Binds" - it has been a wonderful start to the holidays.

My parents had a Christmas party today with a group of friends (about 8 couples) they have known for about 60 years. My brother and I helped out. But we were the ones blessed. This group of friends took care of us when we were babies, our families camped together when we were children - even after moving to different parts of the city they've joined hands in prayer every year at Christmas time throughout the years. The group, sadly, is getting smaller as husbands and wives have passed on. Now their children, my friends, bring the widowed parent to the party and this year I got to see a few of the girls. It was such a great time of fellowship and good food and lots of laughing.
Later, as I relaxed at home, enjoying some of the hor'derves I had missed and a hot cup of coffee I thought back and smiled inside at how funny they were - poking fun at their age, or at the stories that they retold but also smiled to think of this bond so strong - it truly warmed my heart.

This song that we all sang was the perfect ending to a perfect time together.

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

Before our Father's throne
We pour our ardent pray'rs;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims, are one,
Our comforts and our cares.

We share our mutual woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.

wrapped up / in a box

L - Nikon / L - iphone

How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon? - Dr. Seuss