Tis the Season ....

As I write these few words, it is a truly awful day out there - dark, with the rain pouring down. I am thankful for the twinkling lights around the house, and the festive Christmas trees, which brighten my day.  Not to mention the Christmas music playing in the background. 

Actually, I have much to be thankful for this festive Season, above all of course, the good health of myself and my family, although I am well aware that things can change in an instant. Even now, I know of three friends who are in hospital at this very moment, having heart surgery. Christmas will be a quiet time for them this year. 

I’m sure most of you are now right in the middle of all your preparations.  Amidst all the hustle and bustle, it is important sometimes to  just ...... breathe!  Everything will get done. It usually does, doesn’t it?!  Some advice here from me to you .... 😊

I know that I am very blessed, and I reflect on those for whom Christmas is a real struggle. People who have lost loved ones, and for many, this time of the year never gets any easier. Families who are struggling financially, but who carry on spending on their credit cards so that their children won’t be disappointed on Christmas morning. People who will be on their own, especially the elderly....

I am an only child, so there has never been any large gathering of the clan at this time of the year!  Is it lovely to be surrounded by lots of siblings and their families,  or can it be quite exhausting?!  Friends of mine tell me that I have a very romantic view of family life!

Having said all that, I truly do love Christmas.  In fact, I think I love all the build up just as much as the day itself. 

I probably won’t be writing again before Christmas, so I wish you ALL, wherever you are, a very happy and magical Christmas Season. 

Me? I have lots of lovely things planned in the next couple of weeks, with my youngest grandchildren, aged ten and almost nine 😊.  Meanwhile, I’m off to Madrid this weekend to celebrate my eldest granddaughter’s 21st Birthday. 🎉.  See what I mean - BLESSED I AM 🙏🏻

All images today courtesy of Pinterest.com

Sunday Solace

 

Photo courtesy of Pinterest.

Good morning, good afternoon or good evening, depending on when you are reading this Post, which I'm writing here in ye merry olde England. First of all today, I would like to thank everyone who took the trouble to read my last Post, which was about the American tradition of Thanksgiving. I was quite overwhelmed by the response!  

We have had very strong winds over here for the past few days, so the leaves are almost down from the trees,  as the autumnal colours fade away for another year, and Winter approaches. Although I love the longer days of Summer, what a wonderful backdrop of stunning colour Autumn provides us with. I thought I would just show a few more pics to remind us.  These photos were all taken at Dartington Gardens, which is only a twenty minute drive away from where I live. The gardens there look wonderful at any time of the year...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 For my Sunday Solace feature today, I thought I would bring you some inspirational quotes - quotes that I have always loved. I do hope you will enjoy them.....

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt by the heart." (Helen Keller)

"Keep your face always towards the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you." (Walt Whitman).

"What we think, we become."  (Buddha).

"It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light." (Aristotle Onassis).

"Try to be a rainbow in somebody's cloud."  (Maya Angelou).

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." (Aesop) 

Just in case you're interested, my Featured Post (click on the link on the right hand sidebar of this Post) now takes us up the beautiful River Dart to the Summer residence of Agatha Christie, the famous crime writer. I think you will enjoy this one. There are some lovely photos of heavenly Devon!

Well, it's time for me to leave you once again. I hope all is well with you and that you have a good week ahead.