Yultide

Yuletide is a pre-christian celebration associated with winter solstice. Winter solstice is that moment when the Earth is on that point in orbit when North or South hemispheres is inclined away from the sun.

Yuletide is a festival which was first celebrated in Germany.  Later after the reformation it has become known as "Christmastide" Many of our customs have been derived from German paganism

 The Christmas Tree legend has it a beginning in Germany when St. Boniface happened upon a group of pagans who were planning on sacrificing a young boy.  He chopped down a small spruce tree and said "let this little evergreen be your symbol of everlasting life:.

Living room tree

Sunroom Tree

Christians adopted hanging evergreens and wreaths as symbols of their faith, peace and renewal. My Mary's Angels ornament wreath, 28 years of this collection!

Christmas cookies go back to celebrating seasons solstice. It often meant arrival of first frost. The oldest feasts included spices of the time-cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. I can think of many holiday dishes made with these ingredients.

Shenanigans is always involved.

Candles and lights have been used for centuries to show " the light of the world has come". One area in our city, The Country Club Plaza has a phenomenal show of lights at Christmas. One of our traditions is to go walk around, take in the beautiful colors and have our hot chocolate.

Praying everyone's holiday held all those family traditions for them.

Linking with ABC WEDNESDAY

Ann

Snowman

This year my vintage snowman spent time in our sunroom where we could enjoy him more.  I bought him years ago for my Mom and she gave him to us a few  years ago.

He just makes me smile when I look at him. Hoping your holidays gave you some giggles too.

Linking with BLUE MONDAY

Ann

Church tree

Did everyone enjoy their Christmas festivities?

Our church is always decorated so beautifully, this year is no exception.  My hubby and I took a shot in front of one of the trees last week.

We are keeping all the joys of Christmas in our hearts and praying everyone has a Happy New Year.

Linking with pink saturday

Ann

Santa Experience

While out Christmas Shopping this gorgeous house caught my eye in the mall.

This is the "Santa Experience", quite different from the photo opp we had as children sitting on Santa's knee.

It includes one 3x5 photo, a souvenir boarding pass, a ride on Santa sleigh and many other experiences. Pretty pricey I think 30.00.

You can see just how tall it is in conjunction to the adults walking by. As a young mother I think it would be difficult to tell your children you could not afford it though.

Hope your Christmas shopping is going fine, I'm going to try and finish quite a bit this afternoon.

Linking with Sally @BLUE MONDAY

Ann

Value

What do we leave behind when we exit this life? In my opinion we leave with others what we valued the most.  The love of our family!!

My sweet sister Kathy passed away on Thanksgiving and her life was an example of loving others. She VALUED each member of her family. She cherished every sister, bil, niece, nephew, cousin and especially our Mother.

Kathy never acquired fame or fortune but left a HUGE mark on all that knew her. She had a  genuine concern for the other persons health or problems.  She was born with learning challenges, singled out in high school and being "different" but it not stop her love of life. She worked in the service industry and gave it her all.

She never married and lived with our Mother for her 64 years. Our children became her children and every family gathering she was there.

Over the last 18 months she fought heart and diabetes problems, even in the hospital when she was in Hospice she was praying for others, what a selfless act.

I will always VALUE her as a sister, friend and an example of Christ.

WHAT DO YOU VALUE?

Linking with ABC WENDESDAY

Ann

Partridge

Christmas rehearsal's are winding down to our program this month, very excited as usual to perform for the blessed event.

Our stage was completed last weekend and this is the first time I have had a chance to see it. Our theme as you can tell is "Partridge in a Pear Tree"  There is a blue ribbon that winds up to the top of the tree.

 

Hope your shopping is going well, decorating your homes and getting ready for the KINGS birthday.

Linking with BLUE MONDAY

Ann

Katy Bell

I have been absent from blogging for quite a few weeks and am ready to start to think about it again.

I lost my precious sister Katy from Cor Pulmonale on November 26 and her funeral was this past Monday. She went through open heart surgery the last of October and was making progress but she could not recover with all of her other complications.

There is a hole in my heart but I KNOW she is dancing with the angels.

Ann