New Year's Eve Thoughts

As we say goodbye to 2016 let us all celebrate the goodness that filled our souls this year, mourn the losses and gather great strength in 2017, to give joy to all whom we meet, to help others less fortunate and to do our part to make the world a more peaceful, loving place to live. A special thanks to all my family and dear friends who've made this year and my life so much richer by your presence. I love and appreciate you all.

"Love is the vital core of the soul, and of all you see, only Love is infinite."-Rumi

Divine Pleasures

“Surely everyone is aware of the divine pleasures which attend a wintry fireside; candles at four o'clock, warm hearthrugs, tea, a fair tea-maker, shutters closed, curtains flowing in ample draperies to the floor, whilst the wind and rain are raging audibly without.” -Thomas de Quincey, Confessions of an English Opium Eater
 

Giving Thanks

"Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving."-Khalil Gibran

Three into One

"My sight, my heart, my life, all three words I have woven into one...... Love."-  Rumi

How We Learn

 Photo courtesy of A. Hoganson
 
"Souls learn from other souls, not from books or lectures."
~ Rumi

Give Your Light

"Those receiving Light Give out Light"

~ Rumi ~

Keep Celebrating

Hope you are bathed in the afterglow of a wonderful Christmas.  

Remember keep celebrating LIFE!

Merry Christmas 2016

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas 
from our home to yours! 

Do More Of This

 Do more of what makes you happy.

'Tis the Season

"Be filled with wonder,
be touched by Peace." 

 

Filling Your Soul On A Wintry Night

“...freshly cut Christmas trees smelling of stars and snow and pine resin - inhale deeply and fill your soul with wintry night...” -John Geddes, A Familiar Rain
 

Christmas Is In The Air

"Christmas waves a magic wand
everything is softer,
and more beautiful."

Love In Action

"Christmas, my child, is love in action.
Every time we love, every time we give,
it's Christmas." - Dale Evans Rogers

Buon Natale

December 16th  
My Italian classmates celebrated the holiday season on this day.  Buon Natale a tutti!

 Giociamo!

 Sylvia our class mascot watches over us

 Always room for dessert.

 

Ever grateful for these wonderful friends in my life! Buon Anno nuovo a tutti!

Tender Hearts

“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.” 

― Laura Ingalls Wilder

Jingu Bells Family Christmas Party 2016

 On December 17th our family Christmas party was held.

It was hosted by cousins Tom and Sonya

Everything in their home was filled with warmth. It felt so welcoming, cozy, festive and bright.

 It was a smaller gathering this year as so many beloved family members could not be with us.

Still, those that could, arrived in style and we had a lot of fun.

   

 The kids with and without the photo bombing dad!

 Lots of activity in the kitchen

 Lots of yummy food

We played Left,Right, Center...

 Look who won the quarters, Uncle Renso!

Of course we had our share of laughs with this years white elephant

 Tom is trying to figure out how to put on his leopard rain coat

 Jeff had the hedgehog for about a minute before Uncle Renso stole it.

Then Jeff got his "elf" cap but that got stolen too!

 Uncle Renso said, "Time to go home!"  We gathered our presents and said goodnight.
 

 Thank you Sonya and Tom for a wonderful "Jingu Bells"

 We all had a great time!  Merry Christmas to all the family near and far. We missed those that could not be with us. Your presence was felt and you were with us in spirit.