Serenity Sunday...week 77

(From my favorite quote garden: Northern Exposure)

CHRIS STEVENS: Season's Greetings, everybody, from KBHR, the heart and soul of Cicely, Alaska. This is Chris In The Morning. From where I'm sitting, I've got a great view of all the yuletide decorations going up all over town. That's right, everywhere I turn my head I see ebony birds roosting for the holidays. You know, twinkling colored lights are nice, and so are plastic Santas and reindeers and manger scenes, but I'll tell you something, friends... nothing like the sight of beautiful black-as-pitch raven to get you in the Christmas spirit.

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These past 2 weeks have been a winter wonderland around here. We have set and broken more snowfall records than I care to remember. Driving has been iffy at best, most mornings, but in our usual Central NY way, we find a way around the weather, get to work and make our way to the destination that we had planned. Not much holds us down here...the plow drivers work 'round the clock to make sure that we are safe and the roads are clear.

Rarely do we have a whole city shut-down. The schools may close for a day, cancel after school activites or delay the start of the day...but we get through it and are better for it. Yes, we get several feet of snow...it gets cold and we sometimes curse the winter, but rarely does it come with devastation or destruction. We don't have to rebuild or restructure our lives because of it. We can plow it, shovel it or wait for it to melt. It does not own us, we own it...winter...it's only a season, it lasts a couple of months and then it's gone for another year.

Enjoy your winter...whatever it may be... Tami

Thanksgiving traditions...

The weekend after Thanksgiving always includes the grandchildren putting up Nana and Papa's Christmas tree. This year, my sister's kids were here and able to help. Here they are. It's a grainy phone pic...but it's clear to me! Awesome kids...each and every one!

(Left to right, Jordan 11, Zach almost 21, Alex 13, and Dan almost 18...

...just crazy to me how quickly they grow up!)

Merry Christmas!

I wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I walked around the neighborhood the other night and took a few pictures of the decorations. The people around here really take it seriously! In the first two pictures...that is snow...not orbs or several moons and stars. I think it came out kind of cool!

Christmas...in the movies...ahhhh

What now?

Thanksgiving is over, save for the wonderful leftovers. I came home with the makings of delectable turkey sandwiches, hot and cold, from dinner with my family.

I live in a somewhat rural area and my parents live a scant eight miles from me. So driving from my small town to theirs takes in some beautiful scenery that changes from day into night. Old farm houses and acres of wooded land cover most of the drive. In the evening, I can see into those old homes (not in a weird way) and through the uncovered windows it's comforting to see the families gathered around a table or in a family room. Driveways and roadsides are filled with vehicles and it just gives you a warm feeling knowing that so many families are celebrating the holiday of giving thanks, together.

(A painting that I did a couple of years ago.)

So, now what? The oven is off, the leftovers are in the fridge and the tradition of Thanksgiving has been fulfilled. The attic door will open, the decorations will start trickling down. I put my lights on the garden arch over the sidewalk that leads to my porch door, last night while the weather was warm. Traditionally, I like to light the outdoor decorations on Thanksgiving night. I use all white lights and other than the arch and something on the porch, I rarely do much more as far as lighting goes. I used to light the tree (s) in the front of the house, but they are just too big for me to do now.

(Photo courtesy of the world wide web. I've had it for years and sincerely don't know where it's from.)

I looked through the ads last night and nothing jumped out at me, or at least enough to make me want to get up at 4am and join the many shoppers in the stores. I have been there and stood in line for an hour to shop on black Friday many times. Honestly, its kind of fun and a great kick -off to the Christmas season. Standing in line, people are ready for shopping, they are sharing ads, sipping coffee and usually, freezing cold, but in a jolly mood none the less.

(I love this photo of a winter cabin that I found online last year. Kind of cozy, huh?)

(Photo courtesy of Countryliving magazine online.)

(Photo courtesy of Countryliving magazine online.)

Our first real snowfall happened overnight. I woke to (only) about 1 inch, which has vanished already. We had a dusting of snow a couple weeks ago, but it didn't happen at the airport, so it wasn't measured for the official snowfall total. We are so late for measurable snowfall. Yesterday the temps were so warm that I really only needed to wear a light quilted vest. It was just a little weird not having snow. I don't mind so much, but know that later, we'll certainly pay for the lack of snow, with big totals later in the season. It's just how it works around here.

(My own backyard a couple of years ago.)

I've already looked online to get a concise and printable schedule of all the Christmas TV shows and specials. Heaven forbid I miss "Christmas In Connecticut" (with Barbra Stanwick) or "White Christmas"!

(This and the following are photos taken from my porch door last year.)

So, in conclusion, this season promises to be a busy one. I have a few parties to attend (one next week already), lots of days working at the shop, shopping and a little decorating as well. Let's try to remember to keep the holiday magic working, the patience of the Saints and good will in our hearts.

AND THE WINNER IS....

AND THE WINNER IS.......

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Min: 1

Max: 74

Result: 40

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Mindy from

Primtiques 'n Poetry!

A HUGE Thank You to everyone who left a comment, posted, and signed up to follow. This was so much fun!

I met a bunch of wonderful people and visited a bunch of new blogs!

Mindy, email me your address and I'll get these out to you ASAP!

GIVE-AWAY LAST DAY TO ENTER!

Last day to enter the

Christmas Box

Give-away!

Includes:

Eight hand-painted (by yours truly) glass tree balls,
4-silver and 4-pearly white, with pink roses,

Two pair of rusty jungle bells,

dusted with mica snow and

tied up with sage green ribbon,

Magical Santa Key with original poem.
Hurry on over to this post

and comment to enter!

Give-Away...3 More Days to Enter!

Only 3 more days to enter for the

Christmas Box give-away!

We're celebrating my 75th post...

so tell your friends to hurry and enter to win!

Help me celebrate my 75th post! A give-away!

It seems there is a tradition among bloggers (at least most of those that I read) that invites the readers to help celebrate milestones of different kinds or anniversaries etc.

Now it's my turn to host a give-away!

Announcing

South Street Shabby's Christmas Box

to celebrate my 75th post!

It took a while to get the ornaments (any other time they would be in the stores long ago, but because I wanted them, they didn't turn up until last week.) and then they had to be put together. The rest of the pieces I gathered pretty easily and so here it is...

The box will include the following...

St. Nick's Magical Key

An antique skeleton key on a gold ribbon. The key is attached

to an original poem that explains the magical key and how it will

allow Santa to enter your home on Christmas Eve Night.

St. Nick's Key

On this magical night,

with his reindeer high in flight,

Santa flies from house to house,

and fills all the stockings, quiet as a mouse.

Those with no chimney,

don't need to worry,

this special key and magic words,

will help Santa do all his Christmas work.

Close your eyes, so you can't see,

say these words and count to three...

"I believe with all my might,

on this special night of nights,

I've been good and I've been nice,

There's Christmas magic in my heart tonight."

This magic key will open the door for Santa on Christmas Eve Night.

Christmas bells!

Two pair of rusty christmas bells, dusted with mica snow

and hanging on a mossy green satin ribbon.

...another view (pic not so good)

...another view of the (two pair) rusty bells...

Ok...the best part...

Eight hand-painted original glass christmas tree ball ornaments.

Four are silver glass with pink and white roses and rose buds and the remaining four are pearly-white glass with pink and white roses and rose buds. They are all tied atop the ornaments with a mossy green satin ribbon. I paint and sell tons of these every year and they are great as hostess

gifts, hung on a tree, placed in a cut glass bowl as shown, hung in windows or over mirrors.

(close up of a pearly-white ball)

(silver ball on the left and pearly-white on the right)

(shown in a cut glass bowl)

(glass bowl not included)

How to enter my give-away:

1) Leave a comment that tells me where you are from and your favorite Christmas decoration or tradition. (This will be one entry.)

2) Complete #1 and become a follower. (This will be your second entry.)

3) Post a link about my give-away on your blog and send me an email (tje4481@aol.com) telling me that you did. (This will be your third entry.)

** You may enter starting now and entries will continue through Saturday November 14th at midnight eastern time.

**The winner will be drawn and announced on Sunday November 15, 2009.

Thank you and GOOD LUCK!