making ready

Last night I was up late baking cookies and adding just a few more finishing touches to the tree. Things have been so busy around here in recent days, Christmas is almost here and I've yet to feel the quiet beauty of the season.

Before bed I began a walk around the house to turn down the lights but found myself just wandering from room to room, enjoying the sights of Christmas and taking in the peaceful quiet.

Many of the things we've gathered throughout the years are gifts from dear friends or handmade projects made when our children were younger.

So many happy memories and many more to come.

...and then...

...we woke this morning to find that snow had fallen during the night, big, fluffy snowflakes, the kind that stick to everything and make the world all white.

... so quiet and peaceful...

Best wishes to all, may winter work its mysterious, calming magic and may you all be snug and warm tonight!

10 Days

Well, here it is, 10 days before Christmas and I've decided to see if I can coax a few indoor bulbs for the occasion. Whether they bloom or not in time for the great day is unimportant to me, it's the sight of green growth that matters most now, when nights are lengthening and winter is surely taking hold. 

I must add that the weather in our area has been unseasonably warm this year.  The ground is bare and we still have edible kale in the garden. We harvested the last of our carrots only days ago, they are so sweet and beautifully orange.

 

So, today I hope to step out into our woods to gather some balsam and cedar greens for the house, maybe even some red berries if I'm lucky enough to find some. The tree is up, not the fullest tree we've had over the years but not bad for a wild tree from the back woodlot. It's going to be just fine.

 

Santa's workshop will be a busy place over the next few days, I love this time of year!

November 2nd

This day is blessed in my book, it's the day that my twin daughters came into this world. I won't mention ages here, but say only that the world is very lucky to have these November 2nd women. It has been a great adventure to know and love them!

   Born also today...Birthday Greetings sister! You know who you are...love you!!!!!!!

Happy Halloween!

Five little Pumpkins sitting on a fence.
The first one said, "Oh my it's getting late."
The second one said, "There are witches in the air."
The third one said, "I don't care."
The fourth one said, "Let's run and run and run."
The fifth one said, "I'm ready for some fun!"
Ooooooooooooo went the wind and out went the lights
And the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight!

Men and their headgear, only on Halloween night!

Grateful

 

It may be a gray and chilly day outdoors, there is even talk of a little snow on the way, but I'm sitting inside feeling pretty happy at the moment. 
This weekend, Oct.28-30, Shambhala Publications will be offering  an online retreat called Living Beautifully with Uncertainty and Change with Pema Chodron , a wonderful and inspirational teacher. 
Thanks to Heather's thoughtful sharing at Beauty That Moves and the generous people at Shambhala Publications, I will be in attendance!  Thanks so much for making this happen Heather, I'm so looking forward to the workshop!

checking in...

 

It seems that only yesterday I was looking at this summery view from my kitchen window, but in reality, it's been weeks since this picture was taken. 
Autumn is here now and although we've been enjoying warm, summer-like weather for the most part, the signs of the changing season are unmistakable and beautiful as always.
For any of you who check in on my blog from time to time, please forgive my recent absence here.  I've been thinking a lot about what it is I have to offer on the
blogosphere and needed to take a little time out to look around, learn, and enjoy the blogs of others for a bit. 

I've been doing a lot of walking recently, well, as much as time will allow, and have become quite familiar with a forty-five minute walk up and around the loop in Camden . 
Starting out early is best, the ocean air is cool and fresh and sharing the road with other early walkers and runners makes for a happy feeling. 
The other day when I arrived for my walk I found the harbor to be quite 'socked in' by fog...like 'pea soup', as they say, though not of the old London smog variety.  I'm glad I had my camera with me.

Clouds

The sky was so beautiful and unusual that day, thank you Cecile for taking these beautiful pictures and to Carol for the lovely stone arrangement. Love the little hearts in the lower part of the picture.