December is Magic

"The diamond-frosted clasp

linking twelve jewelled months

to yet another year."

Phyllis Nicholson English country memoirist

The frost decorates

the last roses of summer..

.. edging them in crystals.

I LOVE the holidays...

Yes, I LOVE the holidays… and for me, it is Christmas but there are many other holidays celebrated in December.

All over the world, folks of all nationalities and beliefs celebrate special holidays that mean much to them.

No matter what they mean to you and yours, it’s really about the spirit of what we celebrate; that quiet peacefulness with that first snow and how it covers the mud of past hurts and those other challenges life so generously distributes.

Perhaps for a little while, this season will show us how to believe in something bigger than all of us.

And sometimes there is more snow than we need or want, so please make sure you think ahead about being snowed in…. sounds romantic - but only if you have enough food, water, heat and light…. So be prepared and stock up a bit.

But most of all, it’s about family and friends… by birth or by choice.

I made little cards from my sketch to send to my friends.... but alas, the postal strike means they may get one later.... or, not at all... so here it is.

It’s a time to think of others and share what we can; by making and giving gifts, or supporting a charity that speaks to us.

Small bits of kindness make a difference even if we cannot see its result…. letting someone in line, (yes, even the *** who wants to cut you off while driving) or paying for the coffee in the car behind…. whatever you can do… do it.…

Shop locally where and when you can and go to the craft sales, the art sales and buy from the artists themselves. You have no idea what that could mean to any one of them. Besides, it is fun.

As for me and my friend Claire Sullivan, we and many other artists have our paintings hanging at the Ashburnham Alehouse in Peterborough.

…this year, I was inspired to do a series on The Great Lakes... come see the art…. the perfect gift.

Ashburnham Alehouse

Let's Decorate !

Greenery, whimsy, garlands, lights and candles

.. use what you have, can find or trade

and celebrate the season - whatever makes you smile.

Here are some that were a lot of fun to create.

Add whatever natural things you can find

- this one has teasels

- a kind gift from our friend Tamara

Sometimes we have the privilege to make arrangements

for friends who have businesses.

... We like to change things up each year.

What fun to add joyful things like little animals

where kids will see them...

Use your imagination and have FUN

A dog holding a present; a white fox;

a green sequinned T-Rex;

and a penguin wearing a Santa hat.

Or, for a more formal, but still natural look.....our own decor

Lucy says be sure to wear

your holiday sweater

when outside decorating.

Winter Trees...

Winter is too cold and inhospitable

for a tree to maintain its growth machinery

… so now the tree waits;

its leaves are on the ground enriching the earth;

...and the bare branches wait

for wee birds and squirrels

to survey their domain

as they memorize

where they buried

thousands of nuts or seeds.

(Did you know some say squirrels can remember

a thousand different places they have hidden nuts?)

(hmmm, where are my keys ??)

...and still the tree is silent

as it just gets on with Winter.

Winter Solstice...

"This is the solstice,

the still point of the sun,

the year's threshold

and unlocking,

where the past lets go of

and becomes the future;

the place of caught breath."

Margaret Atwood

..the sun rises later...

...and the moon rises earlier

The First Snow is the best snow...

Snow always gets me into the Christmas Spirit....

...and then to decorate for Christmas indoors.

One year, we made

a black and white paper garland

with Oak leaf shapes.

Then, there is Christmas Music...

Lucy says be sure

to practise playing

before heading to Carnegie Hall.

Shall I play your favourite?

My Favourite...The Nativity

Many of you have seen this before

but every year, we add new animals,

critters and treasures..

.. the scene gets bigger and better and more fun....

This year, friends gave us fabulous "new" camels.

... and, another friend made a sweet felted Donkey

we are so lucky....

Until next time.....

Have a wonderful holiday season.

... and please celebrate... something or someone-

Perhaps just being grateful for whatever you have

.... let go what you have lost

and replace it with something else ... or not. . .. celebrate you....

Smile, be kind

and send out prayers if you cannot send money..

.. a few dollars from many people can make a difference..

.. help where you can.... Give what you can.

Most of all, love always

Oh, and wear your matching jammies.....

...be sure to feed the birds.

Jen started putting a few seeds out for the chipmunks... then 2 squirrels came... then Chickadees, Cardinals, Junkos, Sparrows and then noisy Bluejays.

Late this summer, our neighbour saw a car hit a Bluejay.... she took it to a bird rescue who took nursed it back to health...

We are sure this lucky Jay is back and staying in our hedge.... and so gets treats... peanuts.

Jen has been leaving them on the deck posts and if the posts are empty, the Jay looks in the window

"Jenny, where are my peanuts?"

Until Next time...

Stay warm

Read books

Share what you can

and.... keep love on your face with that smile.

Lucy says...

Get some new jammies...

Mine are 'out of this world"

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