Happy Christmas, Everyone!
Author: still a dreamer
Let There Be Light
Light illuminates our path and shows us the way, both literally and figuratively. It casts shadows from the darkness, brings joy, and inspires reflection. The beauty of light is that we can find it everywhere – we can sit outside and bathe in moonlight or simply light a candle.
In this already very chilly weather, I have done just that and lit a candle or two, so here’s a little light from my house to yours.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
“There is love in everything, and when we really live and view life with an open heart (and live in our truth), the light illuminates the way.” ~ Kasi Kaye Iliopoulos
“I will greet this day with love in my heart. And how will I do this? Henceforth will I look on all things with love and be born again. I will love the sun for it warms my bones; yet I will love the rain for it cleanses my spirit. I will love the light for it shows me the way; yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars. I will welcome happiness as it enlarges my heart; yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul.” ~ Og Mandino
“You can overcome whatever is going on around you if you believe in the light that lives within you.” ~ Justine Edward
“Love is a weapon of Light, and it has the power to eradicate all forms of darkness. That is the key. When we offer love even to our enemies, we destroy their darkness and hatred…” ~ Yehuda Berg
Let’s step outside and see … there by my door is a snowman. His little candle shines brightly – flickers on as dusk begins to settle in – and he blows it out as the sun heralds a new day from the East. He doesn’t worry like we do about all manner of things; he just stands and smiles and lights my way and all those who come to call. He doesn’t know of all the terrible things in the world, not the dark hearts of men, nor the sadness in our souls. He just holds his candle steady and throws his light to the small world he knows.
“There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” ~ Edith Wharton
Frenchie Christmas Cards
It’s not too late! Order your French Bulldog holiday cards now!
These adorable Frenchies celebrate the season in the most endearing ways and are waiting to be sent to your friends and family. Who wouldn’t love finding this cutie in their mailbox?
Fast, easy checkout in my ETsy shop, opened in 2018. Select Priority Mail for the speediest delivery.
Check them out and see if these adorable – and affordable – French Bulldog Christmas cards aren’t perfect for you.
And So Christmas Begins …
It starts with something quite simple, same as every year … with the arrival of the Dollar Store Christmas plates and the German Christmas mugs. This year, you will see something different, in addition. Mmmmmm … a sfogliatelle!
It took great restraint to wait until I could take this photograph and not consume the pastry right away, but I made it. Only after I had, indeed, eaten most of it and looked at the photos I took, did I realize that it appears that the sfogliatelle has landed on and crushed the gingerbread man! Ooops. Sorry, Gingie!
So we see I am occasionally a sorry excuse for a vegan, even if I am trying. But who could resist that flaky pastry and ricotta cheese? And really, what kind of person would I be if, having purchased some office supplies at Staples, I failed to help support the Italian bakery just 5 doors down? So rather than suffer the guilt of ignoring this veritable mecca of delights, I bought a sfogliatelle.
Rather a nice way to start off the holidays, don’t you think? Salute!
Gratitude
Is there one small spot in your home that makes you happy? Perhaps more than one? This is one of the spots in my home.
It’s a collection of items that all make me feel happy, calm, and grateful. An oak washstand I bought in Brooklyn on Atlantic Avenue back when I lived in Park Slope; a rather poorly matted, (by me), and framed photo of my Mom and Dad when they were married; a rusted crow sitting atop a real piece of branch; a couple candles and some fall leaves in a heavy opalescent dark brown pitcher …
I change these items around regularly, but for now, this is what speaks to me of Fall. Warm, simple, woodsy. Home. I am grateful to have these small reminders of where I’ve been in life and with whom, what holds memories for me, and how blessed I’ve been in so many ways.
Happy Thanksgiving.
“The greatest wisdom is in simplicity. Love, respect, tolerance, sharing, gratitude, forgiveness. It’s not complex or elaborate. The real knowledge is free. It’s encoded in your DNA. All you need is within you. Great teachers have said that from the beginning. Find your heart, and you will find your way.”
― Carlos Barrios, Mayan elder and Aiq’ij of the Eagle Clan
Still A Dreamer 