December ..... the planning and holiday month

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Where oh where did November go?  Time slips through my fingers oh so very quickly.  Soon the holidays will be upon us.  I need to sit down and write out a plan ...... soon!  My baking, shopping, decorating plan.  My writing the Christmas card plan, mailing parcel plan, my picking up Lucas and my Mom for the holidays plan.

This holiday season will be a little different.  Lucas has decided to stay with Sarah this Christmas.  Sarah is unable to cross the U.S. border and through customs due to her nationality and her Chinese passport.  We did not realize the paperwork involved for her just to enter the United States for a visit.  Oh me, oh my.  What a disappointment for us all.  My son Lucas has taken the caring/loving/protector role and will visit with us for a week soon and then return to her and they will spend the remainder of the Christmas break together in their little apartment.

When I drive Lucas back, I have plans of a small artificial Christmas tree finding its way into the trunk of my car along with the gifts that they will open on the 25th.  I made Lucas promise that they will at least pick up a  rotisserie chicken from the supermarket on the evening of the 24th and enjoy that with some potatoes.  He promised.  It saddens my heart to think of these two young adults spending the Blessed holiday alone .... but they are together and together they are making their own memories.

photo credit

Again, time slips through my fingers oh so very quickly.  I remember when Lucas was only a year old...celebrating his first Christmas.  Soon Bob and I will be in rocking chairs on the porch watching grandchildren running through the yard..  That, however. will come all in good time.

For now I reminisce of Decembers past while I sit at the kitchen table with a hot bowl of cabbage and ham soup, catching up on some reading and admiring the pine cones I gathered during my morning walk.  After I am done lunch, I will quickly wash up the dishes and get started on some projects that need to be attended to now that it is December.  With the snow beginning to fall softly outside my windows, maybe some Christmas cookies are in order this afternoon.  How are your plans for December coming along?  Are some of your traditions being adjusted as children grow and family members change their plans or will your holidays look like holidays past?

December is upon us.  The holidays are here.  Enjoy each day as it unfolds as soon these days will be only memories.  Remember to give your loved ones a hug!

All Saints Day

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An interesting 'holiday' that I thought was worth mentioning today especially being the day after Halloween.

Many churches celebrate All Saints' Day to honor all the Saints, particularly those who do not have their own special feast day, on November 1st.

It is also known as All Hallows Tide, All-Hallomas, or All Hallows' Day.

photo credit

All Saints' Day is celebrated in many different ways around the world.  In some countries people gather in local cemeteries and decorate the graves with flowers.  Others observe the day by laying wreaths and bouquets on even the most obscure graves and as darkness falls by lighting candles throughout the anticipation of All Souls' Day on November 2nd.  Even Portuguese children go door to door where they receive cakes, nuts and pomegranates!

If you celebrate or even if you don't .... have a Happy Saints' Day!  Remember to give your loved ones a hug!

Taking a Break

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I will be taking a blogging break for a week and a half.  I have lots to do between now and then and my mind isn't up to creating posts that I think you would all enjoy.

This is an exciting time for me and I hope to share good news with all of you soon!

Enjoy the weather, your family and friends and remember to give them all a hug!

Taking a Day

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I have been so busy lately, I just need to take a day.  Flights being booked, appointments made, paperwork up the ying yang......so I need a day to catch my breath.  

I will return tomorrow with Thrifty Thursday because.....well, thrifting never ends does it?  LOL

Have a blessed day everyone!

Beach Time!!

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I have a picture of Lucas hanging in the hallway at home from when he was about 10 years old at the beach.  He is sitting with a buddy with their backs to the camera and the lake in front of them.  It is one of my favorite pictures with the two of them enjoying the serenity of the water while discussing the complications of life.....well, it was probably more like the strategies of a video game but a Mom can hope right?

While Lucas and Sarah were here, we all headed to the beach on the first of July to enjoy the festivities but instead found a deserted stretch of water.  Around here most people own cabins and head up to them with family and friends which has greatly reduced the amount of people at the public beaches and parks.

Lucas and Sarah didn't mind.  They enjoyed the quiet.  Sarah had been wanting to go swimming for a long time and this was her chance.....however, she doesn't know how to swim.  She still had fun playing in the water in-between some sketchy swimming lessons from Lucas.  

We enjoyed a picnic first and while deciding if the water was warm enough, both Sarah and Lucas sat on the edge of the water .... picture perfect once again!  I quickly snapped a shot.

Now this one will replace the other....or maybe hang side by side.  There is something about this shot that warms my heart.  

And this shot, well this shot will be printed upon canvas as a Christmas present for them I think.  

Remember to give your loved ones a hug!

Happy July 4th America!

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Happy July 4th!!!

Have a safe and fun holiday!

Happy Canada Day!

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Be safe and have fun today!

Happy Victoria Day!

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HAPPY VICTORIA DAY

TO ALL MY CANADIAN FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Today is Victoria Day in Canada which is the unofficial kick off to the end of winter and the beginning of the summer season.  

courtesy of google

Fishing season begins, cabins are re-opened after being closed up over the long winter, gardens are being planted, flower baskets are hung, picnic baskets and bbq's are brushed off......summer has begun!

friend's cabin

Today, I will spend working in the garden, sewing a bit and enjoying the sunshine. The kitties will sit by my side while I plant wishing the garden was their new litter box but the flowers will go in, the weeds pulled and the moth balls laid strategically between the plants .... luckily the kitties HATE those little white balls and will stay out.

spearmint

Maybe a little BBQ later for dinner with some salad and a tall glass of iced tea to quench the thirst.  All in all, a day that I will celebrate alongside with our northern neighbors and friends.

lavender

If you are a Canadian (or in Great Britain) ...enjoy your holiday eh ,,,,, and give your loved ones a hug!