Simple joys

I've been enjoying this season of Christmas, perhaps more than is usual for me.  I've done a little shopping, not much, and what I have gotten for family and friends, are small tokens of love that I'm hopeful they will enjoy.  We don't have a tree this year, perhaps we still will get one, but if so, it will be a living one that we can replant in our yard.  We have so much extra furniture in our living room that I just don't know where we'd put one.  I've found that I really miss it.  I miss the lights, the smell, and just being able to gaze upon the tree when it's dark and quiet and I'm all alone to ponder and behold.  

I've been enjoying my Christmas music though.  A lot.  It truly is one of my most favorite elements of the season.  The beautiful, old hymns that remind me why we celebrate this time of year.  I feel peaceful when I'm quiet and listening.  

We're going out to dinner with my hubby's brother and his wife this evening.  After that, I'm hoping we'll do a little driving around to look at the lights.  That's always fun.  Tomorrow night we're attending a local play at the Gallery Theater.  They're presenting "Miracle on 34th Street", and I've heard it's very, very good.  One of my favorite old, Christmas movies.  

We're hoping to do a little more baking this weekend, and probably run to Costco.  I want to get a couple of gifts for our neighbors who always let us borrow their tractors when we're in need, or they just come over and do the work for us.  They're nice people and we've known them for almost 20 years now.  We always get them gifts of food and sometimes, drink.  Many times we include homemade goodies, which everybody seems to enjoy.  

My dear Annie is doing fairly well.  We've put her on additional pain meds and so far, so good.  We take everything one day at a time.  I keep trying to prepare myself for the inevitable, but in reality, I just don't know how to do that.  I just try very hard to love her all the more, every single day, and enjoy every little thing about her that is so very dear to me.  And of course, whatever she wants, she can have.  She got a new bed that's shaped like a couch.  She's loving that.  

They just don't live long enough, do they?

Our weather continues to be very mild.  We've had some very wet days, but they're intermixed with dry spells so it's tolerable.  This coming Sunday is the first day of winter, and I'm looking forward to daylight hours every so gradually, lengthening again.  And get this, I'm even kind of looking forward to winter.  I don't think I've ever said that!  Will wonders never cease?  We've been so busy, for seemingly so long, that I'm romanticizing the warm and cozy inside days spent reading, watching old movies, or enjoying an occasional nap.  I want to try baking some bread, maybe practicing my pie crust skills and hanging my pictures back up in our living room.  And oh yes, clearing out the extra furniture and extra "stuff" that we rarely use.  I don't want every cupboard and closet we have to be full of whatever it is we have stored in there.  And our clothes, don't even get me started on that.  Sometimes I search forever for this one shirt and then give up and wear something else.  Give it away, haul it to Goodwill, I don't care.  I just don't want it.  If we haven't used or worn it in a year, it's outta there!  

Just in case I don't get the opportunity to post again before Christmas...I wish you all a wonderful time, spent with friends and family.  Time spent with those we love is precious.  Laugh, love and always give thanks for what you're blessed with.  

Life is fleeting...make the most of this beautiful season.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!!