White Christmas

just magical...

Trees of Claude's Cove

Country Cedar from Claude's Cove


Callie's Bay Tree

Tree of Paradise

France

Trees of Christmas

Japan

There may be no other more expressive symbol of how someone displays their festive spirit of the Christmas season than the Tree of Christmas. One of the best twenty five cents I've spent was on 'The Trees of Christmas', Abingdon Press 1969.

As I recently heard someone lament that this Christmas they would have no tree, it seemed so forlorn that some focus couldn't be made to exude a more uplifting spirit to honor the season from someone who had so much to be thankful for.

The tree of Christmas has had many shapes and presentations throughout the world and the ages. In my first lone apartment, I decorated a Norfolk Island Pine with modest ornamentation.


Brazil

Some of my fondest memories are of tromping through the fields of both my grandparents' farms to cut the traditional Cedar for our Christmas tree. It is a tradition that we still carry on.

The tree need not be a tree at all. A branch, an armature, a structure to adorn with lights or garland, large or small, indoors or out, it is an offering to the season to project a belief that love is around us, that beacons lead us, that we must carry on traditions to maintain our strength to move on, to new years, new generations, and pass on the memories that we hold dear.


Italy

Why even our pets get all peppy and exuberant when the tree comes into the house and becomes illuminated and surrounded with treasures whether old or new.

It's a most wonderful time of the year.

December dates

painting - miPods


While everyone seems to be making their lists for the latest tech-bots, gadgets and wii-bop-doo-dahs, I am making mine for ingredients and recipes to bake up, stir up and box up for sharing with my loved ones.

One brief trip to the mall for some meager tangibles to let a few know that they haven't been forgotten.

Sharing coffee with a friend and comparing recipe ideas. My first shopping trip to Trader Joe's, what fun!

The social season starts to bustle. Heavenly holiday tunes by the Chamber Singers . Warm turkey gumbo made by the maestro, Marybeth. An afternoon lunch date with more special girlfriends on a misty mountainside.

Wood fires crackle and we back up to absorb the warmth and coziness.

Let the baking begin.