This certainly sums up how I'm thinking I should begin the New Year.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Lulu !!

Sending wishes north to Canada to an amazing gal.

Lulu, you are cute, friendly, energetic, an animal lover, a nature lover, a great mom, a great daughter, photographer, artist, and writer.  I have probably forgotten something, but I'd say you are an all around whirlwind of energy who loves life.  

Your facebook posts are enjoyed by SO many.  I thank you for the joy you bring into my life through those posts.  I love reading about the magic that happens all around you.  

I hope your birthday is grand and I wish you good health, joy, and more magic in the coming year!

♥

Under the Tree

I just found Jake under the Christmas tree.  He'll do anything to get my attention.

Jake's favorite hiding place!

Jake's Christmas Gift

Jake had fun opening this gift yesterday, but his reaction was nothing like when I opened the purple blanket that he claimed.  I guess this one just isn't soft enough or big enough to get excited about.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jesus !!

Remembering my beautiful Mom.  

Christmas, 2007, Hotel Roanoke.

Warm Wishes for a Very Merry Christmas !!

♥

Chalk Fireplace

This lovely fireplace was created by Stephanie from S & W Market that is located in 16 West Marketplace in downtown Roanoke.  It is created with chalk on a giant blackboard.  What a festive touch to have right next to the Christmas tree.  I was in there the other day and couldn't help but stop and enjoy this scene for a while.  Great job, Stephanie!

Winter Solstice

WINTER, and the shortest day, begins today with the WINTER SOLSTICE.  

The sun is lowest, the night is longest, the Winter Solstice is here and so is winter!

Solstice is derived from the Latin words "sol" (sun) and "sisto" (stop).  With the approach of the Winter Solstice, the sun's highest point in the sky every day sinks lower and lower toward the southern horizon.  Today, the sun's retreat halts, after which it will appear to start moving northward.  The reverse will take place on June 21, when the day will be the longest.

The Winter Solstice is a major pagan festival, with rituals of rebirth having been celebrated for thousands of years.  Traditions that are thought of as part of Christmas ~ including Yule logs, mistletoe, and Christmas trees ~ have their roots in the pagan celebrations of Winter Solstice.

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~Credit for the above photo belongs to HD Wallpapers Arena~

Royal Blood

I bought this fluffy soft warm blanket for Terry and I to use on the couch.  Guess who claimed it immediately out of the package?  The only ROYAL blood in the house, I guess ~ Sir Jake, of course!  It now resides on Jake's chair and he doesn't mind a bit that WE shiver at night.

This VERY LARGE snowman waved at me as I exited the Interstate!

Christmas Cookie Delivery

A box filled with cookies show up on my doorstep every year right before Christmas!!  My dear friend, Susie, in Ohio, bakes them and always makes sure I have a nice supply.  The box arrived late yesterday and I couldn't wait to sample a few.  She makes the best Christmas cookies! Not only do they look nice, as you can see in the photo, but they are delicious. 

I've been feeling a little blue, missing Mom, and not really into the Christmas spirit.  Casey and Amanda will be spending Christmas with her parents this year, so it will be quiet around here.  I have always been very jovial around the Christmas Season ~  decorating, wrapping, and enjoying Christmas music. So, these cookies arrived and I suddenly felt the Christmas spirit arrive right along with them.  I visited a couple of shops today, met Mr. Magic for lunch, wrapped a couple of gifts, and I'm looking forward to putting up the Nativity tomorrow.

There must have been some magic dust in the box with the cookies!

Thank you, Susie.

♥ 

This little snowman flies to and fro in the flower bed in front of the house.  Perhaps he will bring a little snow for Christmas.  That would put the icing on the cake for me.  Being from Ohio, I am used to a White Christmas and always prayed for snowflakes to start falling right before.  There weren't too many years we had a Christmas without snow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Isabella !!

The yellow rose is a symbol of joy and friendship.  I hope this day finds some special moments of joy for you.  I hope your heart is full knowing you are loved.  I hope the kindness that you bestow on others, returns to you tenfold.  I hope that today is the beginning of a great year for you.

Happy Happy Birthday, Niece. ♥

Full Cold Moon

I took this photo of the moon about an hour ago.  It is December's full moon ~ FULL COLD MOON.  Some Native American Tribes call it the LONG NIGHTS MOON.  There is a lot of cloud cover and it is very dark out tonight.  The clouds are moving quickly and giving frequent peeks at the Full Cold Moon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Holly !!

My hopes to make a trip to Ohio before Christmas turned out to be just that ~ hopes.  Too much to do, too little time.  I know you understand that. We both have piles in the same places and little time to move them elsewhere. Just be sure to clean off my bed after the Holidays so I'll have somewhere to sleep once I do get there.

Gosh, Holly, I'm thinking it was 1986 when we met at RDW's ~ 27 years ago.  You have become a very good friend over the years.  We've shared some sorrows and some laughs.  Thank goodness, the laughter wins out ~ we seem to do a lot of that when we get together.  Laughter is good medicine.  So, that's what I wish for you today and in the coming year ~ a lot of laughter.  I hope to share some of it with you.

Sending love and hugs to you today, my friend.

Happy Happy Birthday, Holly!!

ANGEL Purchase

This painting, ANGEL, by Nancye Williams is now living in my home.  She is pensive and beautiful.

Virginia, December 1, 2013 * Photo by Audrey

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Be humble for you are made of Earth.  Be noble for you are made of Stars.

~Serbian Proverb

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Thank you for this proverb, Jane Spear.

Ice

 I took these photos Monday morning after our overnight freezing rain event.  Although it melted by noon, it sure made for some interesting photography.  Ice can be deadly, but it has beauty.

Deer Visit on this Beautiful December Morning

...and back to the woods they go.  The sun was shining into the camera so I couldn't get good shots of the deer under the willow or going back into the woods.  I always enjoy watching them.