Tree lightings and a Christmas Tea

 I have been feeling a bit blue these past few weeks as I have been really missing my daughter.  This will be the first time in her entire life that she has not been a part of our Christmas celebrations. However, the reason for the season has not changed, and I have some lovely friends who have been helping me get into the spirit of the holidays.

My husband and I went down to the cove park in town to attend the local Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony last weekend. It was fun to see our little town all decked out in its Christmas finery.  The community band was playing, children were busy writing letters to Santa, and free cups of hot chocolate were being passed around while we waited for the tree to light up.

It felt almost magical looking out over the lake at night.   

 

Our local town museum was open.  So we stepped inside to see the old turn of the 20th century mill house all decorated for the season.

 

We were so busy looking around inside the house that we missed the actual tree light ceremony, lol!! When we stepped back outside there it was, our city tree marking the beginning of our town's Christmas celebrations. 

Walking back to our car we spied this home all decked out like Babes in Toyland. I was a huge Annette Funicello fan as a child.

 

Three days after that lively celebration, I was invited to an amazing Victorian Tea given by one of my bible study friends. My friend is of Norwegian descent and her entire home was a refection of her love of her cultural heritage and more importantly her love of God. 

 

 

She put the Afternoon Tea served at the Royal Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia to shame with her gorgeous table settings and delicious menu of tasty treats, all of which she made herself.  There aren't enough words to describe all her wonderful flavor combinations.

 

It was such a lovely presentation.  It felt like we were transported to another place and time.  I couldn't have imagined a more delightfully charming and delectable way to begin the Christmas season. I returned home with a heart full of appreciation to have been given the opportunity to celebrate, not just good food, but also the company of wonderful friends.

 

As this Advent/Christmas Season continues to unfold may each of you be blessed with your own opportunities to share special times with those who are near and dear to you.

 

Adieu!

 

 

 

 

Walking in the Arboretum

 A few days ago I woke up to the sound of the rain that had  been falling on the roof all night.  We had a little respite yesterday, but with more storms on the way, it won't be long before the brilliant autumn foliage of the season will only be a memory as late fall takes over. That's why I was so happy that I was able to take one last autumn walk with a friend through her neighborhood and local arboretum. 

Sometimes I think it might be nice to live in an old fashioned neighborhood. My friend's street was lined with lovely trees in all stages of color.

The arboretum was just a few blocks away.

The first hard frost hadn't come yet so there were still a few late summer flowers scattered among the evergreens and maples.

 

There is just something so incredibly peaceful about a walk through a garden. The world seems to stop for just a little while.

 

"We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and

restlessness.  God is the friend of silence.  See how nature - trees,

flowers, grass - grows in silence. See the stars, the moon and the sun,

how they move in silence...We need silence to be able to touch souls."

Mother Theresa

 

 Thank you for stopping by and may God fill you with his blessings.

Adieu!