Thankful {things I love} Thursday ...

Happy Christmas Eve

While this Christmas will be very different, I've been carrying on most of the traditions that I always have and we've started a few new traditions along the way! It's been a year of lots and lots of  friends and family Zoom time - we've baked and sang, danced, had quiz  Jeopardy nights, celebrated Easter, Thanksgiving, Birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day and more. Last weekend we had a virtual Andy Kim Christmas special Zoom get together with family and friends. Last year, we had tickets to his fabulous Christmas special where we all got together and so this year, while it was being televised, we thought we would do the same! Starting a half hour early for "happy hour" we toasted a drink and reminisced. Tonight, we will begin a new tradition ...

for my ears

Celebrating Worldwide Christmas Eve Jingle 6 pm (your time zone)

The idea began in North Yorkshire, England and quickly spread throughout the world. To celebrate and spread Christmas spirit and cheer, give Thanks to our frontline workers, and for the little ones, to help Santa fly his sleigh.

So it's a family Christmas Eve Zoom tonight where we will stand outside with our bells and at 6pm ring them for 2 minutes! Then, we will have a Christmas gift opening. 

I plan on making Christmas Eve Jingle a new family tradition!

for my eyes

Our grandsons dropped off our Christmas presents yesterday . How wonderful it was to see those sweet little masked faces that I haven't kissed in far too long!

This was one of the gifts they wanted us to have early. These eyes shed many tears !

*blessed*

for my mouth

well, not my mouth ;-D because I don't like pastry or mincemeat, but the ones I love happen to love both, so every Christmas I make dozens of mincemeat tarts and a mincemeat Bundt pan cake . It's a vegetarian mincemeat with rum and brandy and Oh my, did the kitchen smell amazing while  these were baking!

for my soul

this little nook in our kitchen soothes my soul.

It's lined with windows looking out to the garden, has a comfy window seat filled with pillows where I sit with a tea or coffee, book and blanket, bird watch, dream.  Above, a branch from our Maple tree holds a garland  that I change with the Seasons and twinkle lights, and a sweet sentiment is stenciled. 

Garlands  of special treats hang today from  branches scattered all through the garden for the birds and squirrels. Another tradition that I started with my children when they were little and do with my grandsons. This year, while I'm making the garlands without little ones helping, I am definitely thinking of them. A few today for Christmas Eve, the larger ones will go out early Christmas morning. I love standing in the kitchen making Christmas breakfast and watch as they arrive and enjoy their Christmas breakfast with us. 

for my feet

nothing like putting on your wellies and walking the beach

So very grateful to live by the lake.

I could (and do) walk for hours here. In fact, I often loose track of time it is just so blissfully serene.

for my hands

I have fallen in love with abstract art!

It all began with not wanting to waste paint I had out on my palette.

I began by just moving the paint around and really loved the results.

Here's a little snippet of "How does your garden grow?"

One of the things I love about abstract art are the little "hidden" gems that reveal themselves!

Since I'm not painting with any idea in mind, just letting the muse take me where it will , and there is no "story" written in pencil first before I begin to paint , the painting really tells me "it's story". I was quite surprised when I spotted *myself* in this painting ... sitting on the beach, looking out at the lake as I often do. Serendipitous xx 

Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas ~ even though it may look different this year, it is still magical and the most wonderful time of the Year

d xx