charming company

if the sages ask thee why
this charm is wasted on the earth and sky,
tell them, dear
that if eyes were made for seeing
then Beauty is it's own for being.

r.w.emerson




The very idea of a bird is a symbol and a suggestion to the poet. A bird seems to be at the top of the scale, so vehement and intense his life. . . . The beautiful vagabonds, endowed with every grace, masters of all climes, and knowing no bounds -- how many human aspirations are realised in their free, holiday-lives -- and how many suggestions to the poet in their flight and song!
John Burroughs (1837 - 1921), Birds and Poets, 1887







Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.
Henry Van Dyke

i am delighted to welcome one and all to our december feasting.

thank you charming visitors for coming by.

still sprucing up

i was going to hang these outside but i set them down on the wicker settee and liked it.

no one is going to be sitting in this frigid weather.

plus, it was too cold to stand around and think about where they would look best.

back inside to see frosty and his sidekick.

they are all the cold i need inside.

i still don't have my christmas tree up. although i do have many christmas tree reminders.

we have a tradition of cutting ours down and the tree farm is a long drive away. (approx.2 hours)the weather has been too cold and weekends too busy with nutcracker practises.

so we are waiting for a warmer weekday and will take abbey out of school and jesse is homeschooled.

i am trying to be patient. hear my foot tapping!!!

santa has shone himself here and there.

rudoulph has dressed himself with a ribbon and candles.

waiting for his christmas night flight.

i got an idea that my brightly coloured angel would rather be white.

so out came the spray paint and away went the blues, reds, and green.

i like her better this way.

she seems suited for it and has a smile of contentedness now.

this unusual reindeer/sleigh combination is fun and i love it.

i put it somewhere different every year.

it hasn't found it's perfect place this year yet.

but it is out of storage looking...

here...

and there...

and now off i must be to the cold outdoors...

happy weekend all!

beauty surrounds us

walking has become a wonder.

these two leaves, brown against a green backdrop caught my eye.
i thought of dh and i walking together in life in the world.
we try to take some time to walk everyday.
to spend time in nature and nurture our souls.
winter has arrived even if the calendar says otherwise.
today it is 23 degrees this morning. brrrr!


the barren trees harken back of mystery!
an ever changing landscape does make for interesting views.
a leaf midway thru adapting it's new colour, fascinating.

i have had birds all my adult life until recently and this reminds me of millet.
a grain which you give your caged birds that they love.
is this nature's millet?

then upon seeing this i was instantly reminded of snow.

how beautiful everything looks when tinged with white.

white is one of my favourite garden colours, i just usually think of it in flowers.

have a happy winter day!

winter whimsy

winter is high stepping in tennesse today.
we are having snow flurries on and off.

i will embrace winter this year.

leaves gone...check.



welcome sign out...check.




potting shed window dressed...check.




apple orchard ladder changed for the new season...check.

wreath with holly, nandina, magnolia, cypress ready...check.

soldiers at attention...check.

santa at backdoor(with presents of course)...double check.

birds shining brightly...check.

well things are getting in order to welcome winter with it's whimsy...

still i have a whole lot more on my list.

but at least with my welcome mat...ur...i mean...welcome flag out...

all is not lost for inviting winter.

i will embrace winter with all it's beauty and whimsy.

thanks meems!

are you fading away, magic?

i am almost convinced that fall is my favourite time of the year.
now it seems to be fading away. i will embrace winter.
i want to enjoy all seasons.
they each have their own beauty.











what is more wonderful than taking a walk with family
after thanksgiving dinner together?
not much in my mind, except photographing the memory.





leaves coloured brightly are almost gone, even the ones that have fallen.
they have been blown by the cool wind of the north.
most of the ripen berries have been foraged by the birds.
the ones left are jewel toned. simply beautiful.







on this brisk november day, the sun is shining and bidding us ado.
autumn is coming to the end and winter is swiftly entering our days.
will there be snow, i hope so.





i will embrace winter and it's charms.
goodbye november.

breakfast with santa

the girls were heading to eat breakfast with santa this morning.
it is being held at cheekwood botanical garden. my darling husband is taking them.
that is gwynevere in the black dress, my granddaughter.
abbey is in the red, my daughter.
they were very excited. they both loved being dressed up.



with santa letters in hand they are off.


sweet little ladies!

GIVING THANKS WELL

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. ~colossians 3:16,17~











HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!