The magic of Christmas

This Christmas season has been so nice and busy that I didn't get my post done before heading to Florida to spend the holiday with my family.  An attempt to post from my iPad was a big fail (for some reason.)  As I was wrestling with it on Christmas eve, kitty Pete visited me on the couch and gave me an inquiring look, "Don't you want me in your lap?"  Of course I did and put the iPad aside and felt great peace in watching him relax, his head growing heavy as he fell asleep.  So finally, here are some favorite photos from the last two weeks:

My tree almost didn't get put up.  I do love doing it, but couldn't find the energy for a few days, so the boxed tree sat in that spot.  My Richie bear came from the now defunct Rich's department store in Atlanta.  I'll leave it up until New Year's Eve.

I have a good mix of ornaments and love each one.  The glass Santa there came from the estate sale of neighbor Susan, who passed away earlier in the fall.  I wanted something to remember her by and told her family I would write her name on the box that holds the ornament, so I'll always remember.

 This was my mom's Nativity scene, with its porcelain figures.  The terracotta angel is something I added.  It's sitting on top of my "Kneeling in Bethlehem" book by Ann Weems - a gift from a beloved friend several years ago.  The angel card was hand painted this year by another beloved friend this year - I plan to frame it.

There was a quick trip to my hometown of Milledgeville, Georgia on December 16, where I spotted this adorable mailbox for letters for Santa.

The main reason for the visit was to attend the national wreath laying ceremony being held at the veterans' cemetery where my late parents' are buried.  I got to lay one at my dad's grave in honor of his World War II military service.  They would all have one by the end of the day, but I like to do it myself when I can.

And then it was on to Florida last Sunday, where the stockings were hung by the chimney with care.  

My sister and brother-in-law have a zillion ornaments and a big tree, but opted to just put up my late mother's little tree that she had had at her assisted living apartment.  The grandchildren helped hang the ornaments and were quite proud of it.

Great niece Kloie left homemade cookies for Santa and a personalized drawing of Rudolf.  He was good to her, as he was to all of us. 

Thank you for spending this time with me.  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday.  I'll be visiting your blogs this weekend.  Happy New Year!

'Tis the season

Holiday scenes...

The first signs of the impending season were these "book trees" spotted in a shop window in Thomasville, Georgia on November 25.  I love the reflection of downtown in the window.

Three tired women met at our church in the evening in early December to decorate the Chrismon tree.  "Chrismon" is a combination of the words "Christ" and "monogram," and means "symbols of Christ." Chrismons are gold and white, representing majesty and purity.  I was not keen on spending my evening doing this, but ended up enjoying the company of two fellow church members as we chatted and worked on the tree, sharing memories.

And here's the whole thing - all done.  The tree might be listing a bit to the left.  Hmm...

My sister and I have a silly game, in which we text each other crazy things the other might receive for Christmas.  I could not get her to tell me anything she wanted, so I told her this poodle was going to look cute on her dresser.  :)  Not to worry - she's got two really good things from me under the tree.

I already shared my tree at home here, but this a closeup of some of favorite ornaments, including Dorothy's red shoe (purchased at the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington, DC), and a beloved ornament of my late parents' depicting the Atlanta Braves World Series Championship in 1995. 

This plane is the new addition to my tree - purchased at the same shop that had the ceramic poodle.  :)  I liked it and think it is a cute addition.

I hope your holidays are wonderful, my friends!  See you for a last post of 2016 next week.  This is my 1601st post - just realized.

Golden trees, festivity and off to a good home

- I still haven't put up my Christmas tree yet (due to the effects of a lingering head cold), so I'm admiring other trees.  Loved these golden trees in the antique shop window.

- When my sister was visiting from northern Virginia, we kept our eyes out for festive holiday earrings to go with her reindeer outfit.  She was to dress as a festive reindeer in a neighborhood Christmas party choir.  (I saw photos - it was awesome and she found some earrings during the trip home.)  Now I'm seeing festive earrings everywhere - this batch was dandy!

- A printing company client brought these mums in around Thanksgiving as a thank you gift.  But when they started looking a little peaked, someone sat them by the loading dock door.  I was standing there looking at them, when coworker Bobby walked by; truly the nicest man I know.  He asked if he could have them - he hated to see them thrown out.  So they went home with him and he planted them.  I love that.

Squares of sunlight, for sale and errant sparkle

- During our walk at the Greenway Park last Saturday morning, I noticed the grid pattern on the boardwalk and told friend Laura that I wanted to snap a photo.  I liked that she didn't question that at all, especially since she doesn't know I have a blog.

- And an hour later, while waiting for the library to open, I gazed at the peacefulness of this red barn and the tree with such personality in the foreground.  Click to enlarge.  This property is for sale - there is a white farmhouse to the left - out of the picture.  I hope someone nice buys it.

- Seeing an errant sparkle fallen off a Christmas decoration on the futon in my home office just now.  I enjoyed Christmas very much this year and the sparkle reminded me how much.

Laura and I set a goal to exercise three times this week, before we get together again next Saturday.  Off to do that. 

Sunday morning, bird haven, legacy and perfect afternoon

- The neighbor to the left of my sister's house on the Hiwassee river in North Carolina has this beautiful rock right in front of her back porch.  I see her grandchildren sunning themselves on it sometimes or playing gladiator.  It was so beautiful on Sunday morning - cool with a light breeze blowing.  No grandchildren around, and the neighbor was at church, so I took this glorious photo.

- This bird haven (as I think of it), is halfway between my sister's house and this neighbor.  If you click to enlarge, you'll see signs that there is a nest in it.  I often see birds flying in and out - usually blue birds.  No action this weekend though - there must be fledglings about.

- Not to be outdone in the beauty department, my sister's Daylilies, madly blooming, on the other side of her house (taken on Saturday afternoon).  Her late mother-in-law, Grace, planted them long ago.  I love how they keep coming back year after year.

- I looked up from my book one afternoon and thought how peaceful that back porch looks from my cushy vantage point inside the house.  A perfect afternoon.

Taste like spring, popping up and green day

- Fruity iced tea at Cafe Sunflower with friend Leisa on Saturday, making me feel as if spring is just around the corner.

- The little patches of spring flowers that are popping up everywhere, sometimes in the most unexpected places.  Look for evidence of that via pictures soon.

- Choosing something green to wear to work today in honor of St. Patrick's Day.  I'm not Irish, but like to participate.  A man I used to work with (transplanted from Pittsburgh, PA) said that where he comes from, one wears green only if one is Catholic.  Everyone else is supposed to wear orange.  Anyone else ever hear of that?

Silvery world, snow woman and happy V day!

- It was a silvery world when I got up yesterday morning.  A layer of snow fell during the night and made it all so beautiful.

- I cropped my friend's daughter out of the photo for her privacy, but thought you'd like her "snow woman" as much as I do.

 - And Happy Valentine's Day, friends!  This skeletal Valentine lady was spotted in a thrift shop in tiny Bowman, Georgia, where my dad grew up.  I liked this shop.  Who wouldn't like a shop that sells china and sombreros in the same area + has a startling Valentine greeter at the front door? 

I just had to post some more snow pics - it's that unusual in this area.  I've enjoyed my days at home, but will head into the office this morning.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

Home with the family, the day after and Small Business Saturday

- Pete the cat, looking around warily to make sure great nephew Monroe, a busy toddler, wasn't on the way.

- Beautiful downtown Thomasville, Georgia on "Black Friday."  I loved the subtle ornaments hung in the trees.  Click to enlarge.

- These little library boxes were in front of several businesses.  You may take a book or leave a book (or both.)  So nice.  This one was in front of Sweet Grass Dairy, who invited all to come in and "Recharge with CHEESE!" on Small Business Saturday.* We did.  :)  A lovely holiday.

* Small Business Saturday - a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities.

Kicking it off, Thanksgiving and looking forward

- I'm going to my first holiday gathering of the season tonight, so it seems appropriate to post a holiday photo this morning to kick it off.  :)  The sleigh is in front of the antique store in Lilburn, Georgia, near the park where I walk.

- My sisters and I tried to remember the words to the Over the River and through the Woods song once - a song we associate with Thanksgiving.  This is all we remembered, so we sang this first verse a couple of times and ended with "Hey!":

Over the river and through the woods

To Grandmother's house we go,

The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh

Through the white and drifted snow...

The rest of the lyrics can be found here (I just looked it up.)  Turns out a woman named Lydia Maria Child wrote this in 1844, based on memories of visiting her Grandmother's house, which still stands near the Mystic River in Medford, Massachusetts.  It has been restored by Tufts University.

- All three sisters (two of them grandmothers), who live in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, Atlanta, Georgia and the rolling "red hills" farmland of northern Florida, will be together this year for Thanksgiving.  The Florida sister called me last evening about the menu and later texted me, thanking me for "talking her off the ledge."  She is nervous about being in charge of the dinner, but I reminded her that we all like to cook, so we'll make it fun and remember that the most important thing is being together.

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Lovingly created, sunset sharing and pending visit

- A slightly fuzzy photo, but the detail on this dollhouse is just too beautiful not to share.  From the children's book seller at a holiday open house on Saturday.  The book seller made it.  He mentioned that another dollhouse he had made for a granddaughter had been sold at a yard sale, so wanted to make sure this one went to a home who would keep it.  It's beautiful and lovingly created.  And I was so touched by this story that I bought one of his old books, "Five Little Peppers and How They Grew."

- A niece always photographs and shares the glorious sunsets over the farmland around where she lives and works.  One of her friends commented on facebook, "I was admiring the beautiful sunset and thought to myself, 'I bet ALM is taking a picture of this right now.' I know you too well.  :)"

- Hearing that Santa Claus is Coming to Town on the Muzak at Macy's the weekend of 11/9 and that It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas on the Muzak at the aforementioned open house.  The music is chipping away at me and so I am beginning to be more accepting of Santa's pending visit.  :)

Hiwassee River, watching the world go by and purple

- It's almost as if it has forgotten how to not rain!  :)  It rained the whole time during the long weekend, but that's OK - the river is still gorgeous and serene, as always.

- This Carolina Wren always seemed to be watching the river go by from its perch on the deck beyond the screened porch.  See it?  Click to enlarge.

- Everything is so green after all the rain.  Love the purple flowers on the Hosta in front of the tree there.  I didn't want to leave, but it was good to get home, too. 

R & R, Grace and reflection

- Looking forward to this view for the weekend. The back porch at my sister's vacation home in the mountains of western North Carolina. There are three books already packed in the car that I cannot wait to crack open.

- The house was originally owned by her mother-in-law, a lovely woman who left her stamp all over it. Local pottery, many whimsical touches, books to read if you did not bring your own.

- Memorial Day will be a time to reflect on the past year and look ahead. I hope those of you celebrating this holiday have a wonderful one.

I was looking through old posts trying to find a favorite photo of the river, and ran across this post from May 27, 2010.  It's funny, but nothing at all has changed for this annual visit that I am leaving for later today.  I have three books that I can't wait to read and I'm looking forward to some rest and relaxation.  There will be no internet available, so I'll catch up with blogs on Monday.  I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing weekend! 

A heart full of grace, Falcon fever and fortune

 Photo from March 2011

- "You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love..." From the I Have a Dream speech, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., August 28, 1963.  The sign borders the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, just next to Freedom Parkway. Even though I don't get this holiday off, I still celebrate the day.

- The Atlanta Falcons lost the NFC championship yesterday, but it was still fun seeing Falcon fever sweep the city.  The grocery store was full of people in Falcon jerseys buying game snacks.  After the game, someone posts on facebook:  "Well Atlanta, at least we still have Downton Abbey to look forward to."

- Fortune cookie fortune:  Now is a good time for serenity:  a book and a good friend.

Legacy, the view and busy boy

- Camellia blossoms floating in water.  My sister gathered some for the buffet at her home on Thanksgiving day, from the hundreds in the camellia bushes in front of her house.  The bowl belonged to her late mother-in-law, who always used it the same way for holiday gatherings.

- The view from the back door.  The family enjoys this pool, but I love the view beyond it.  When my sister was lamenting that she has such a drive to civilization (grocery store, etc.), I pointed out what she gets to see every morning.

- My new great nephew on his awesome activity mat.  He seemed the most enthralled with the blue octopus hanging there.  He and I named the donkey lying on his lap Bo, because that will be easy to say.

When I left northern Florida on Saturday, it was so warm that I was wearing a t-shirt and flip flops, but changed to sneakers and hoodie when I stopped for a walkabout two hours north of there on the way home.  :)

Being free, the bucket list and happy 4th

- A great American passed away on Tuesday.  I couldn't resist this small tribute to Andy Griffith and his famous show.  I especially loved this episode in which Opie learns a valuable lesson from his Pa.  And that last line in the video - I think of it every time I hear birds singing.

 Photo from Google images

 - This time last year I was in this throng of people running / walking The Peachtree Road Race - the world's largest 10K race.  This year I'm sleeping in, maybe having a little breakfast on the back porch, thinking about what I'll do for the rest of the July 4th holiday.  I'm glad I did that race once, but now it's checked off my Bucket List.  :)

- And remembering the real reason for this holiday in the United States - to embrace our freedom and be thankful to America's founding fathers.  A quote from another great American:  "As I grow older, I am increasingly fascinated by our founding fathers.  The challenges they faced and the compromises they made, good and bad, to create a nation, have inspired us and people around the world."  -  Colin L. Powell

E is for Easter Lilies, Easter Eggs and Egyptian Edamame Stew

- This beauty opened up right on schedule and now graces the graves of my parents at the veterans' cemetery in my home town - placed Tuesday morning while I was there for family business.

- A favorite Easter treat - Cadbury creme eggs.  I get nothing from Cadbury for promoting their eggs - I just love them and it's a good E thing.  :)

Egyptian Edamame Stew

This is so good and your home will smell wonderful for hours.

1 1/2 10-ounce packages frozen shelled edamame (about 3 cups), thawed
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large sweet onion, chopped
1 large zucchini, cut into half moons
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons lemon juice

1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add edamame and cook until tender, 4 to 5 minutes or according to package directions. Drain. (Or you can steam them.)
2. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, about 3 minutes. Add zucchini and cook, covered, until the onions are starting to brown, about 3 minutes more. Add garlic, cumin, coriander and cayenne and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes and bring to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer and cook until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the edamame and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes more. Remove from the heat and stir in cilantro and lemon juice.

Makes 4 servings, about 2 cups each. Per serving: 258 calories.

I serve this with saffron rice. Yum.

Day 5 of the A to Z Blogging Challenge, featuring the letter E.   Three things that give me pleasure.

Full of grace, gentle spirit and growth

- You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love... From the I Have a Dream speech, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The sign borders the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta just next to Freedom Parkway.

- This is the original church building for Ebenezer Baptist Church, standing for more than 122 years. It was here, from the pulpit of the Heritage Sanctuary, that Dr. King preached his ministry of nonviolence. The sign asking that cars yield to bicycles is a tribute to the gentle spirit of the neighborhood. 

- Due to church growth, this much larger church building now resides just across the street. The King Center is just behind it.

I love living in a city with such rich history.  I took these photos last March (as you can tell from the leafing out of the trees) There were a number of photo snapping tourists around.  It's a holiday for most people today, but not me.  Sigh.  Off to work on a light traffic day.

Oh yeah - it's my 1002 post.  More than 1000 posts - I let that blogoversary slip by me last week.  :)

The big day, score and hanging of the greens

 - Thanksgiving day at my cousin's home in Fayetteville, Georgia was all that I thought it would be.  Favorite moments:  41 relatives cramming into the den to hold hands and bless the food, two little third cousins "playing the piano" and taking requests for songs, the delicious praline pumpkin cheesecake that all of us had spotted in the November issue of Southern Living.  Yum.

 - Telling my cousin how much I loved the crunchy "bread and butter" pickles and scoring a jar to bring home.  :)

- And a few minutes ago, my own hanging of the greens on my front door.  It has little white lights in it and I love walking up to my door after dark and seeing it lit up and glowing.

I've heard an awful lot about "Black Friday", but it will be golden for me.  (The time and weather app on my new computer cracked me up with its black background.) :) I have the day off and I'm about to light the fireplace and have coffee.  I hope you all have a golden weekend, too, my friends.