365 / 365 That’s a Wrap!

With this entry we wrap up the year, putting a bow on our blog as we thank our faithful readers for following us on our 365-day adventure.  Although I am leaving daily deadlines behind, you can follow me over at my Tree Fishing blog, where I’ll be adding entries as the spirit moves me.

I wish you all the best in 2012… take care.

364 / 365 Transition Time

During the last few days of December I feel a mix of nostalgia and anticipation as I wait to cross over into the new year.  Yesterday my sister S and I sifted through fifty years of family slides, culling twenty-one trays down to a thousand keepers.  Today I’ve been going through a stack of old photos S gave me of relatives long deceased.  It’s been a week of honoring the past.

363 / 365 Hangin' Loose

Nature has her own ornaments.

362 / 365 Grade-A Memories

Today I’ve been taking pictures of some of the Christmas ornaments that my sisters and I made as kids under Mom’s direction.  I’ve always loved these egg ornaments, but they are extremely fragile.  The only surviving one that Mom made herself is on the far right… it’s over forty years old.

361 / 365 Within Reach

Yes, this is a pool cue… and no, we do not have a pool table.  This was a creative Christmas gift from my loving husband who wanted me to be able to reach the Hush™ Button on my new smoke detector (also a thoughtful gift).  It seems I have a tendency to set the current one off when I’m cooking, and H thought of this win-win solution.

360/ 365 Tea Time

I’ve been trying to cut back my coffee intake and broaden my appreciation for tea.  My thoughtful sister L gave me several varieties of bulk-packaged, full-leaf teas for Christmas.  I’ve tried three of the six and love the black teas, but one of the green teas is going back on the shelf.  Who knew that tea could taste fishy?

359 / 365 Merry Christmas to All

A holiday breakfast… Santa surprises… a family gathering… a wonderful day!

358/ 365 A Piper Piping

Every Christmas our decorations include this charming nativity that my sisters, Mom, and I made many years ago.  The scene is pretty standard, but if you look closely you’ll see an unexpected piper playing a merry tune.  I’m not sure where he came from, but he’s always been part of the setup.  H refers to him as the “Kenny G of Zero A.D.”

357 / 365 Mug Shot

My niece J and I spent the morning at a local pottery studio honing our creative skills.  We each chose a mug from a collection of unglazed earthenware and decorated it.  Once the pieces are fired next week, the flat colors that you see will transform into rich and brilliant hues. 

356/ 365 Up in Smoke

Today is the Winter Solstice, the shortest, darkest day of the year.  Although it is the official beginning of winter, the date is also associated with change and rebirth as the days begin to lengthen.  Tonight, in the spiritual company of a group of women all over the world, I created and burned a symbolic bundle representing the “stuff” I want to release for 2012.

355 / 365 All Wrapped Up

A small Korean congregation holds its Sunday services at the church where I work.  Today Reverend K and his wife surprised and delighted us by giving each of us a case of Korean pears.  These huge fruits were exquisitely wrapped and absolutely beautiful in their packaging.  We were touched by this thoughtful Christmas gift.

354 / 365 Services Rendered

Because the forecast called for rain, our yard crew (see previous entry) transformed itself into a box-recycling crew, moving inside to break down several years’ worth of old cartons.  This is the invoice they presented to us after their raking and breaking work was completed.  (Note price differences between large, medium, and small boxes.)  It’s good to see math skills being put to practical use.

353 / 365 In the Bag

For a small fee, my two nephews A and M are happy to rake and bag leaves for us.  The yard looks great;  M, however, has an interesting technique for opening the bag. 

352 / 365 A Glow in the Night

This evening H and I visited the Garden Lights/Holiday Nights show at the Atlanta Botanical Garden… close to one million lights, glowing and twinkling throughout the gardens.

351/ 365 Putting on a Show

The Chattahoochee Nature Center has a Wildlife Department that focuses on education and rehabilitation.  Several aviaries house injured birds of prey that cannot be released back into the wild.  H and I observed this Turkey Vulture stretching in the sun. You’d never guess that she has nerve damage in her right wing.  She won’t win any beauty contests, but I found her magnificent.

350 / 365 Here We Come A-Caroling…

This charming little village sits on a table at my sister S’s home.  It reminds me of going Christmas caroling as a kid… all bundled up, joyfully singing, and enjoying a mug of hot chocolate on the return.

349 / 365 Comin’ to Town

Santa is everywhere.  He just makes me smile!

348 / 365 Standing Guard

This fellow stands guard with three other sentries on the porch of a historic home turned office in neighboring Roswell.  The columns are huge and the soldiers are well over seven feet tall… a most impressive showing.

347 / 365 The Tip Top

The Christmas tree has been decorated, but the job is not complete until this delicate glass tree-topper takes its rightful place.  It has been a treasure of H’s for over twenty years.

346 / 365 Hold the Fudge, Please

Tonight at dinner we had this healthy salad – a nice change from all the crap we’ve been eating.

345 / 365 Making a List

This little Santa watched over us as we ate breakfast this morning at our favorite local restaurant.

344 / 365 Winter Walk

H and I spent the afternoon hiking the Gold Branch trails of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.  The day was crisp and clear, the woods full of energy.  H took a panorama shot while we stopped by the water’s edge.  Take a peek… you’ll feel like you’re right there with us.

343 / 365 Ringing in the Holidays

H and I took his mom M to the Christmas Festival Concert at a local church this evening and had a delightful time.  When the music ended, M stood up and announced:  Now the season can begin.

342 / 365 Fold and Crease

These gorgeous origami ornaments were created by one of the teachers at our church’s preschool… she brought them in to decorate the children’s Christmas tree.  I’m mesmerized by the intricate handiwork.

341 / 365 A Frosty Gathering

The snowmen are assembling for the holidays across the street at our neighbor’s house.

340 / 365 So Good

Don’t let this beautiful fruit fool you… it is actually made of marzipan, a sugar and almond paste.  These treats were left last night by St. Nicholas (see previous blog), no doubt as confirmation that H and I have been so very good all year long.

339 / 365 A Visit From St. Nicholas

In the lowlands, 5 December
Is a date that all remember
As the birthday of St. Nicholas,
Known to the locals as Sinterklaas.

Along with his helpers, good old St. Nick

Travels by horse… you can hear the clop, click…

To deliver small gifts to good girls and boys

Into shoes they’ve placed to receive their toys.

Much to our surprise, St Nicholas left treats for us on this side of the Atlantic.  Just this afternoon, H’s mom was astonished and delighted to find this wooden shoe filled with a chocolate letter and marzipan fruit.  Gifts are often accompanied by clever poems… which is why I felt compelled to write one myself.

338 / 365 Winter Wonderland

No, it hasn’t been snowing here; in fact, it was in the mid-fifties today.  These are flocked Christmas trees, encountered at the local nursery.  H and I liked their look, but eventually opted to go for an old-school live green specimen instead.  We picked ours up this weekend and began the process of decorating today.

337 / 365 Good Enough to Eat

H and I met with friends tonight for our annual Christmas gathering at a private club that happened to have a gorgeous gingerbread house on display in its lobby.  This thatched roof is made of Shredded Wheat biscuits, icing, and candy toppers.  It was quite magical.

336 / 365 Past Becomes Present

With the holidays gearing up, I’ve been going through my cookbooks and files looking for the perfect treats to make.  Mixed in with a collection of favorites from family and friends are these recipes of Mom’s.  I love looking at them because they’re in her own handwriting… a small thing, but it keeps her in the present for me.

335 / 365 Simple Goodness

This sweet little note was on my desk when I arrived at the office this morning.  It’s the handiwork of the associate pastor’s young daughter.  What a lovely way to start my day.