a spirit of simplicity

t 1 Peter 3:10 Who ever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; Spiritual Sundays Sunday Scripture Blessings Scripture and a Snapshot

1 We had our family Christmas celebration  on the day of Christmas Eve. Lots of love! 2 My mum, me, and Verne! He was watching the beach out the window and we were watching him! 3. By the end of the day Verne was tuckered out and Hopie-nana got some cuddle time. White Christmas We woke on Christmas morning to a winter wonderland snow falling - wind blowing the tree branches - waves crashing against the shore by noon all had settled down and the sun was shining once again. Perfect for an afternoon walk down the path through the wood. 5 Christmas night found Joe and I  quiet and peaceful under the lights of the tree.

I am not so big on resolutions I tend to choose a word for the year. This year my word is rhythm.  a daily rhythm, weekly rhythm, seasonal rhythm, yearly rhythm. I am finding joy and a sense of contentedness  in the repeating rhythms of my life. I will be halfway through my fifties this year.... There's something peaceful about seeing a daffodil bloom for the fifty-fifth time, watching a field slowly fill with snow,  hearing the sound of a robin in the branches outside my window... sweeping my kitchen floor as the sun sets every evening the rhythm of a simple spirit

I love that this is the time of year for new beginnings. I love new beginnings. Sorting out all that has gone before.... organizing and cleaning and making peace with what's to be let go of Remember the old Mork and Mindy show? Fly, be free. So, we send off 2017 over the mountains and into the sea. We embrace 2018 with all of its shiny new promise and hope for healing I will be halfway through my fifties this year which must have some significance... I have plans for saving more money, for more regular church attendance and bible study... For continuing my education with a few classes, for making walking out of doors a part of my daily rhythm...

Farewell little Christmas tree You have made a memory Feel free to add a picture of your Christmas tree or a memory from your Christmas. An InLinkz Link-up

t And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible for one who believes." Immediately, the father of the child cried out and said,  "I believe; help my unbelief!" ~ ~ ~ No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.  Romans 4:19-21 God has made no promises to me regarding the health of my sister. Certainly, he has made no promises regarding the length of our lives here. We've been told by the medical professionals that this is the best treatment. So we move forward, heavy hearted, with faith and trepidation. But....Jesus whispers in my ear as I lie awake in my bed, my heart beats with his promises as I sit at my desk in the dark before sunrise... His love for her is deeper and stronger than ours could ever be. He will care for her. This is my prayer

the fun I took my daughter and grandson to the Boston aquarium on Friday. I enjoy giving times together instead of things for Christmas. It is a tradition my mum started with my children and I am happy to carry on. He loved it! the good We are bittersweet this year.  All of our Christmas wishes are sent to my sister  as we have recently found out that the colon cancer she had almost 7 years ago has spread to her sacrum. We will be rejoicing to be able to spend Christmas together together. Almost all of us under one roof! the random So...I have a crazy 6 hour Christmas playlist. I like to find new versions of classics HERE is Jack Johnsons's version of Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer. Make sure you listen till the last verse at the end. It's wonderful. 

Yesterday was my sister's birthday. Happy birthday Holly! Wednesday Joe and I went to see It's a Wonderful Life at the movie theatre! It was so fun to see it on the big screen! We noticed things we hadn't seen before even though we've  seen it hundreds of times. It is both of our favorite movies of all time. My mother's birthday was this week as well.  She came over along with my brother and his girlfriend. We had prime rib (her favorite) with baked potatoes and salad. There was pecan pie for dessert! I took Bonnie and Verne to the aquarium as a Christmas present. We weren't quite sure how he would do as he's just 14 months old. He was absolutely fantastic! He loved it! He kept laughing and shouting "fishy!" I think he would have climbed into the tank with them if he could have! Afterward, we stopped for a bite to eat.... He tired himself right ou

t My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, For he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is is name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever. Luke 1:47-55 Monday we were told that my sister's colon cancer has reoccurred on her sacrum bone. She had her original surgery over 6 years ago. She begins the first of her two week, daily radiation treatments today. After that she wil

the good Joe and I went to the Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll on Thursday night. It was absolutely beautiful! There is something about Christmas in the city! It was like we were in a Hallmark movie! the random Charles street window displays snow faeries dresses for the Christmas tree ball the fun It snowed all day and all night on Saturday! Jack and I took a walk past the Christmas tree stand... There aren't too many trees left now

Love t Do everything in love 1 Corinthians 16:14 the second light of advent is the light of plants plants that reach up to the sun  and in the breezes dance Spiritual Sundays Sunday Scripture Blessings Scripture and a Snapshot Sunday thoughts Grace and Truth 

I was doing some browsing in TJ Max the other day and happened upon this beautiful Christmas tree skirt. It looked like a dress you would wear to a party in tinsel town....

I was given a simple wooden dollhouse from my work. It needs to be painted. Over the weekend I stopped into the paint shop to pick out some colors. I chose a barn red for the siding, a pine green for the beams, and a light grey-blue for the floors. I will begin the project tonight after dinner. My grandson will be able to use it as a fire station, a barn, a bookcase...or a doll house! Joe sanded the front door and picked up some primer as well. I will be painting the door this week as well.  I would like to get two coats of primer on by the end of the week and the finish coat of Marblehead Gold over the weekend.  I have decided to make some gift baskets filled with homemade goodies. My mum will get one filled with breads and soups as she often stops at her local market to buy single servings. I will also make her a small bit of cookies and muffins. I know she doesn't like to have many sweets in the house. My

 hope Each new day is filled with hope... regardless of how dark the night home wait A photo a day for Advent

the good Verne made the front page of the local paper! I think he likes his dada best.  The fun I love Beacon Hill in Boston and especially at Christmas time! Last week I spent my lunch break walking up, down and around taking pictures with my phone! I could hear all kinds of Christmas music playing in the Commons in celebration of the tree lighting later that night. the random My cousin shared this old photograph with me. We had a mini-family reunion back in 2002 and these are all my mother and one of her sister's grandchildren! They look a lot different now!

t Psalm 147:11 The Lord delights in those that fear him; who put their hope in his unfailing love. Spiritual Sundays Sunday Scripture Blessings Scripture and a Snapshot Sunday thoughts Grace and Truth 

1 The season of Advent. It's my favorite time of year. Please be extra kind to everyone. We are all fighting battles, stressed out, sad, hurried, broke and or broken.... This time of year can be difficult This is why it's so important to be kinder than necessary. 2 I put the tree up last weekend. It's much too early....I hope it lasts till Christmas day. We buy from the PTO fundraiser on our rather tiny island. The stand is just across the street and we walk home carrying our Christmas tree. On Saturdays and Sundays the lot fills up with happy families. They pull wagons through the wooded path and the children pull their trees home in them...all red and green and laughing. They pile out of red and white SUV's...children running through the rows to find the perfect tree. Then they load the trees onto the tops of their vehicles and drive home to untangle the lights... It's like a Hallmark movie! 3

And there is the last of November... My sister is having a bone biopsy today. ...and then we wait...and we pray.