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.

heart / home

L - Nikon / T -Nikon

May you heart be wreathed in happiness, your home be wreathed in smiles.

I am so thankful for the friendships I have made here in the internet world. These relationships are meaningful for me and I want to wish each and every one of you a very blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

Leslye

hanging on / coming soon

click image to see better detail
I thought it was interesting how theses leaves, barely hanging on, looked like cocoons. It's actually this time of year that some insects start forming their cocoons and stay in them all winter long. I guess we all sort of do that - cozying up for the winter. / a friend came over yesterday - he and I made these chocolate peppermint muffins. i'll share them with my best friend who is coming home from college tomorrow. i can't wait to see her. i've got to get some tea from teavana before she gets here.

best friend / best friends

"Love Thursday" post prompted by Shutter Sisters. I decided I would post photos of friends on our blog tonight and as I was searching for my photo, I got an email from the very friend I was thinking of. And she had some bad news. Instead of being in Jamaica celebrating her son's wedding, she was taking him in for emergency surgery. He's going to be fine though. We have been friends for about 14 years. She's moved around quite a bit but is finally back in Atlanta. I'm so glad to have her close again. Our favorite thing to do together is spend a couple hours in a bookstore browsing the craft books, drinking coffee and talking about our children. This is one friend who needed a hug today. / best friends for 3 years. a brunette, a redhead and a blonde. 3 distinct personalities mix and make one great friendship. i can't wait until we're all together again. i guess thanksgiving is not that far away.