Reflection of Christmas Past

"That it will never come again

is what makes life so sweet."

Emily Dickinson

Christmas may come around once a year,

but each holiday holds precious,

precious memories of its own.

Next year we'll be in a new home.

So I'm guarding this year's memories close to my heart.

Joining James and Kim

Black & White Wednesday ~ Winter

Winter finally came to New England today.
And this little wintery, forest scene might just be my favorite
part of this year's holiday decorations.



Please join in and share your
Black & White photos!
I'm also linking up with
Wednesdays Around the World

And so...this is Christmas!

From the decorations...

...to the over stuffed stockings....

...from the gifts to the games...

....from the movies, to the naps...to the puppy cuddles!

It was a great three-day Christmas celebration!

And so...

{without permission from Mr. Lennon}

here's a tiny edit to one of my favorite holiday tunes.

"So, this was Christmas

And what have we done?

Another year over,

A new one's gonna come...

And so this was Christmas,

We sure did have fun...

With the near and the dear ones,

The old and the young!

'Twas a very merry Christmas...

Here's to a happy New Year!

Let's hope it's a good one

Without any fear."

Joining Tamar, Judith and Kathy 

Black & White Wednesday ~ Silent Night

"Silent night, holy night,

All is calm, all is bright."

Wishing all who celebrate

a Merry and wonder-full Christmas!

Joining Kathy, Kim & 

Wednesdays Aroung the World

Crafting Christmas

I enjoy "crafting" Christmas.

I love it when the little details of the season come together

and make our celebration a bit unique.

There's a good side and a bad side to this...

I tend to not want to even wrap a gift or send a card

unless I had some part in crafting the finished product.

Which means I should start prepping for Christmas in July.

But who does that?

Not me!

The good news is that as of yesterday

my living room craft table has been moved to the basement.

The dining room "every-thing-gets-piled-here" table

has been cleared.

The table cloth is on,

the little centerpiece jars are complete

and the penguins have made their annual appearance!

Now...we wait!

Linking up with Tamar today!

O Christmas Tree....

Here's the story of my Christmas tree.

Settle in.

It's a good one!

Several years ago, when my daughter got married,

she wanted all the ornaments we had given her growing up.

So, of course, we gave them to her...and I boxed up her brother's ornaments

so they'd be ready for him if he wanted them some day.

Since then I've been at a bit of a loss.

Changing my tree from year to year,

trying to find a new theme that fits us.

Something that we can treasure,

that will be worthy of sharing our holiday for years to come.

I'm proud to introduce our 'forever' tree.

 It all started with this ornament, 31 Christmases ago.

The love birds.

This ornament adorned our first tree,

and since then our children have watched us exchange a little smooch 

each year as we hang it amidst the lights.

 And here we are today.

Settled happily atop the tree,

with our empty nest perched behind us,

we're looking out over the times and places that have built our life together.

 He's from Oregon.

Oregon feels like home and summers and family.

 I'm from Philadelphia.

There I find my roots, history, childhood and family memories.

 Then there's our beloved Paris.

The city of their childhood.

And Boston...the city we now call home.

We do love this town!

 This tree holds photo memories.

Some from the Christmas mornings we shared.

 And many from the Christmas eve readings of 'Twas the Night...

 I've collected ornaments from almost all of the places we've travelled through the years.

Whether it was an African Safari, a week in Florida or a weekend in New Hampshire,

I'm building a collection of our travels.

And, may I just say, it has brought me so much joy!!

I love the ornaments I've found

{I mean did you see those Santa's dressed up as Paris and Philadelphia? Well, I have eight of them!}

And I am loving this trip down memory lane!

Ever since we had the privilege to live over seas for more than a decade,

I have considered myself a citizen of the world.

So, right next to the love birds at the top of the tree is this globe.

And those three simple words,

"Peace on Earth"

...well this is our wish.

At Christmas and all throughout the year.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Such pleasure do you bring me!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Such pleasure do you bring me!

For every year this Christmas tree,

Brings to us such joy and glee.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Such pleasure do you bring me!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

You'll ever be unchanging!

A symbol of goodwill and love

You'll ever be unchanging

Sharing this story with

Kathy, Kim and the ladies from Communal Global

In spite of....

...the unseasonally warm temperatures,

Christmas came to my house this weekend!

Wreaths were crafted and hung.

The tree was purchased, lit and decorated!

Of course it was too tall.
Of course the saw had to come out...never fails!
But there was minimal grunting and grumbling,
which was good!
And I was able to get on to the decorating while still having fun!
There is nothing random about the decorations on this tree...
but that's a story for another day!
By the time I settled in for the Pat's game last night
{WooHoo...Go Pats!!!}
the house no longer looked like Christmas had exploded everywhere.
There was a vacummed floor,
glowing lights...
and even some wrapped gifts!

Stay tuned for the story of this tree.
I'm so excited to tellt you about it, I could just burst!!






Joining Tamar today!
And linking up with
Mosaic Monday

Black & White Wednesday ~ Down Town

Christmas lights.

City lights.

The old brownstones of Boston's Back Bay.

And the well loved Prudential tower peeking out from behind the homes.

Picturesque...no matter which way you turn your head.

Join us here and share a Black & White photo!

I'm also linking with

Wednesdays Around the World.

It's beginning....

....to look {and feel} a lot like Christmas!

On Friday night I met some friends in town for dinner and a choral Christmas concert!

I got there a little early so I could wander around the Copley Square area and snap some Christmassy photos!

I really enjoyed seeing all the lights!

The concert was held at the Old South Church...
the same church that Samual Adams attended back in the day!
Such a beautiful old building ~ inside and out!

The company was delightful,
the dinner was delcious,
and the concert was moving and pleasant,
interesting and festive...
just what I needed to usher in the season!

Joining Tamar today!

Six Word Fridays ~ Gift

Nothing more precious than the gift

of time together as a family.

Please join in the Friday fun!

Caption a photo, share a poem

or tell a story. Just remember,

only six words in each line!

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas morning.

Means lots of quiet...

lights

and coffee in my favorite mug.

Annual puzzle got started last night

and will keep us busy today.

Though the weather outside is dreary,

the spirit inside is cheery!

Hope your are enjoying all that this day brings your way.

Merry, merry!

Joining Kim for

Little Things Thursday

Black & White Wednesday ~ Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve

at our house means

beef fondue,

candle light,

the opening of one present each,

games,

favorite videos,

 a Buche de Noel
{Yule Log}

and

laughter...lots of laughter.

From our home to yours

Merry Christmas!

Join us here and share a

Black & White photo!