Monday, November 30, 2015

Christmas time!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!


We are having so much fun decorating for Christmas this year.

I wish I could invite each of you to stop by for a cup of tea or egg nog.
I would thank you for all the joy you bring.
You invited me into your lives through your blogs.
I have enjoyed every minute of it!

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Monday, November 23, 2015

Do you remember...

Do you remember the days when entertainment centered around people?
You invited people to your home, fellow-shipping and singing around the piano In the days before my time, before radio and TV, we entertained ourselves. I love to read books by authors Jane Austen
 
and Maud Montgomery and glimpse into times past when an evening of entertainment consisted of a skit, or a play or someone filling an evening by playing the piano or singing an aria. Since the days of electronics, we have even lost the art of correspondence of letter writing.
 
We now correspond instantly around the world, where it used to take weeks, sometimes months to hear from people in other states and countries. Now we text the person sitting across from us at the dinner table.

We have forgotten how to entertain ourselves. Perfection has wedged its way into our thinking.

It's a lost gift. During the days ahead, when family and friends gather around to celebrate the upcoming Christmas season, I hope the spark of fellowship and enjoyment will help us to remember how to entertain ourselves and relish time with others.

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Holiday menus

Food. You can't think of the holidays and not think about food. After pushing yourself away from the mountain of food on Thanksgiving, it soon becomes necessary to think of food for Christmas.

Do you have a special menu for Christmas? Is there a certain dish that is a tradition in your house?

Do you set a special table for your Christmas meal?

Perhaps you start with soup? It's usually cold this time of year in the US. Do you have a favorite soup recipe??

After the Thanksgiving turkey, do you serve turkey again for Christmas?

And desserts. We can't forget desserts. What special treat do you make for your Christmas dinner.


Do you travel and spend Christmas with family?? Or are you a home body filling your home with friends and extended family?
 
I would love for you to share what you do for the holidays. Any special recipes? Traditions?

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Veterans Day

 Today is Veterans Day in the US.  We honor and thank those who have fought for our freedom and served our country.

Monday, November 9, 2015

Does your head lean to the right?

Books.

My home has always been filled with the aroma of printed paper. Ever since I was a young child, a book was a friend who would go with me and fill my life with entertainment. Books capture my imagination and take me to places I will never visit. I relish entering into the lives of characters who often defy odds. 

When we travel, I make it a habit of searching out places where older books are sold. I found a half price book store in Minnesota, and there's always a wide variety of books at the Goodwill or Hospice thrift stores. Have I found treasures? Yes, I often find out of print books or by some of my favorite authors. 

One thing has perked a question in my mind. With all of the ebooks on Kindle and other hand held devices, what is happening to the printed word? Will we still go to the library or book store to acquire a solid, page turning book? Maybe one day books will become obsolete, but for now I think not. I recently went into two thrift stores, and is my habit, went to the book section. As I stood there, head leaning to the right searching out titles, the whole section filled with people. It becomes a bit of a treasure hunt, mostly because the books are not sectioned. But oh the fun and thrill of finding that one special prize. A title, or an author that will take me away to places where my imagination will fill in the gaps. 

Let's not lose the love of books. I've passed that love on to my children. And I hope they will pass it on to the next generation.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Sunday, November 1, 2015