Beginning to look a bit like Christmas!

 

One holiday gives way to the next

While the Jewish family members and friends are already in Hannukah full swing, my own house is taking on the flavor of Christmas.  My sister #1 went in person to the community sing of Handel's Messiah yesterday afternoon.  I watched it live streamed, so I could sing along without worry of anyone's critique!  But honestly, the images of a new definition of "the masked singers" and the beauty of the music brought tears.

Decor changes, too:  The pebble jar calendar gets decorated as it moves to the dining room table as a centerpiece.  33 days left of 2021, if we include today.  Was it a year well spent?

And Frosty the demented cookie jar takes up his position on the end of the buffet/sideboard.  There's a little Thanksgiving leftover in the miniature pumpkins.

Frosty was a re-gift of a White Elephant party, but I glommed right on to him, and he's been a regular at my house, ever since.

This cardinal was a small business purchase, several years ago.  I think it was during my son's second deployment.  It is a Scentsy wax warmer that provides the pine scent for the mini ceramic tree.  

That little tree was from a craft sale at a local Senior Center, also several years back.  It reminded me of a larger ceramic tree my mother had crafted "once upon a time" when she took a ceramics class.  I have no idea which sister ended up with the original tree, if any of us did!

And it doesn't matter whether there's a holiday in the picture or not, when it's morning darkness, I have my ritual of lighting candles!

The little candle holders were either a purchase to support a work mate's child's fund raiser, also several years back, or a "Santa surprise" gift at work... I'm not sure which any more.  Pick your favorite story.  Lots of my memories are becoming that way.  Remember those old "choose your own adventure" books?  

This one, however, I know for a fact... an old, worn hand towel was the last Christmas present I ever got from my paternal grandmother, before she passed away.  It doesn't match any other towel or washcloth in the house, but it has become worn and soft over the years, and holds a place of honor as the cloth I use to clean my glasses.

My favorite memory about it was of a conversation with my son while he was deployed.  I told him I would never discard this towel and in return he told me about the set of sergeant's stripes they pinned on him at his promotion.  The soldier from whom those stripes were borrowed for the ceremony died within a month, and he will never discard them.

Today's pep talk

Time for us to remember that this is the only Monday, November 29, 2021 we will ever get.  Treat yourself with love, respect and kindness in this day.  Nourish your body with foods that support your immune system, and with activity to strengthen your heart, lungs and bones.  Nourish your soul with things of beauty and with music that speaks to your heart.  Nourish your mind with memories, and make some new ones while you are at it.

In 23 days the minutes of sunlight stop shrinking and start growing again in the Northern Hemisphere.  Pagan, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu... or any other faith or philosophy, on planet earth deals with the astronomical seasons; our holidays work in harmony with their rhythms.  May you have peace, and joy, and comfort through this season, however you celebrate it!

Life is good!  Spark on!