“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.”
~T.S. Eliot, “Little Gidding”
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A few snippets from last year…….
JANUARY:
FEBRUARY:
MARCH:
APRIL:
MAY:
JUNE:
JULY:
AUGUST (was a REALLY big month):
SEPTEMBER:
OCTOBER:
NOVEMBER:
Oh what a year it was! I hope you all had a fabulous and safe New Years. 
“And thank you for a house full of people I love. Amen. “
~Ward Elliot Hour
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It was yet another lovely christmas spent at the in-laws. Presents under the tree….
Santa’s little helper….
I have married into such an attractive family!
Newlyweds snuggling close….
Little boys opening presents…
And little boys at heart…
Cindy was super excited about her Easy Bake Oven!
Tired little Santa’s helper….
The box is always better…..
And finally, the best part about my christmas….. the gorgeous quilt Mama Cindy made for me! There were tears, let me tell you.
It seems like we have been waiting for christmas for so long… and now its already passed us by. So now it’s time to hunker down into yummy quilts, drink hot tea, and think about the new year to come and all the things we want to accomplish. Or maybe it’s just a good time to hunker down with a yummy quilt, hot tea, and a good book!
I hope that you all had a wonderful christmas with friends and family, filled with peace and laughter.
“Brew me a cup for a winter’s night.
For the wind howls loud and the furies fight;
Spice it with love and stir it with care,
And I’ll toast our bright eyes,
my sweetheart fair.”
~Minna Thomas Antrim
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I love winter time. Time for sweaters. And hot mugs of tea by the fire. Time for frolicking in the snow (if you have any, that is). And for cozying up with a good book. It’s also my favorite time for lights, lots and lots of them. Of the twinkling variety!
Daniel and I do not have a tree. Daniel is too lazy and I, being one who was not raised celebrating the holiday, cannot bring myself to get one. But I love my lights.
Twinkle lights on the mantle.
Twinkle lights in the pine cones….
Twinkle lights on the piano…..
Got them there…
And there….
And of course, here….
I’m hoping that with my twinkle lights, the snow will follow. One can only hope anyways.
If you’re alone, I’ll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I’ll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I’ll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I’ll be your smile. But anytime you need a friend, I’ll just be me.
~Author Unknown
“One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years.” -Thomas Wolfe
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I recently found these photos at the blog Simple Blueprint, taken by a girl named from Amanda from another of my favorite blogs, First Milk. They make me one, ache for snow, and two, ache for New York.
In another life I think I must have been a city girl. There’s something about a city like New York or Paris that thrills me to my very core. I have often had visions of myself living there, in a little apartment, sitting in cafes drinking coffee and reading a book, taking the subway or metro, walking everywhere. I’m not so sure that that vision could ever become a reality, I shall have to resign myself to an occasional visit and the frequent hovering over pictures such as these. *sighs* A girl can have her dreams.
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’”
-Mary Anne Radmacher
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“A man should never be ashamed to own that he has been in the wrong, which is but saying…. that he is wiser today than yesterday.”
– Jonathen Swift
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So NaBloPoMo has officially kicked my butt. I completely forgot to post on Wednesday and yesterday I just couldn’t bring myself to do it out of sheer exhaustion. But those shouldn’t be excuses!! I should have persevered! Dani did! Dani posted even when she didn’t have the internet at her house and had to drive down to the ferry docks to steal their internet connection! Who is Dani? Dani is the dearest soul on the planet, that’s who. And also the lovely friend that slyly roped me into this little project. Okay, so she didn’t do any roping really. All she had to do was mention it and I was jumping on the wagon with her.
This is my dear friend Dani.
Isn’t she just so lovely? I know. I admire her veraciously. Not only is she lovely to look at, but she is terribly creative as well. And inspiring. And an amazing photographer. And talented. And she has the sweetest disposition. And she has been the one who has faithfully blogged every single day this month. Sure wish I could say the same.
Sorry, Dani. I tried to keep plugging along with you. Apparently you are more persistent than I.
P.S. So I just went back and checked this past week and apparently I forgot that I actually DID post on wednesday! Which means I only missed one day being yesterday! I’m not quite the failure I though I was. 
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~G.K. Chesterton
It’s turkey day today. I know that today is traditionally a day for thanks. Which would mean it is a day like every other day. Its just that this day for giving thanks is filled with yummy food and lots of family. In the spirit of tradition, however, I thought that I would contemplate and list the things that I am truly grateful for, this day and every day.
I am thankful for:
Breath in my body and health in my soul,
a happy and fulfilling marriage to man who sees me with eyes wide open,
my beautiful family, old and new,
friends to laugh and cry with,
a job that provides and a home that shelters,
sweet and healthy pets that provide constant companionship and entertainment,
all gifts from a greater and more loving creator than I deserve.
Wishing you and yours the best turkey day ever.
