So the sun has returned, with promises of warmth to come - but it will be many more months before the spring blossoms start peeping out.
10. 16 by wildwoodblessing - Grandfather Mountain of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Lake Tomahawk almost frozen over, January 17, 2025.
Dec 16, 2025, shallow Lake Tomahawk with some ice as it is being drained again. Sigh. Walking by gives the muddy marshy decaying odor. No more pretty reflection photos for a while. The senior citizens are still waiting for the Lakeview Center to be renovated so we can again hold programs and eat in the dining room together. The Town Council has been dragging it's feet with many promises (unfulfilled.) Politics! Bah! Humbug!
Many are busy preparing for their Christmas celebrations. What rituals do you and your loved ones share for this holiday? Do you open one or all your presents on Christmas eve? Do you plan a big feast? What do you share? My friend Teresa (the butterfly above) has a pickle ornament which becomes part of different family fun each year.
Thank you for being with me while I celebrated the Winter Solstice yesterday. I watched a lovely zoomed program. It was best for my health not to be in an intimate circle with friends this year...and I missed that camaraderie.
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Oh, speaking of that which I just quoted, what is your favorite version of "A Christmas Carol" (movie?) by Charles Dickens? I kind of enjoyed Bill Murray in Scrooged (1988). But I first saw the TV show sometime in the 50s, just not sure which one, except it was pretty long. But I probably remember best the TV rendition in 1970 with Albert Finney and Alec Guinness.
The Arboretum in Asheville has a great Holiday light display, for night-time enjoyment. Here my friend Teresa shows her affinity to a butterfly (bundled for the weather) Taken 12.11.25.
A similar pose by a Santa at the Peri Social House.
My favorite pie, Dutch Apple Pie (just bake it from the freezer!)
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Thank you for being with me while I celebrated the Winter Solstice yesterday. I watched a lovely zoomed program. It was best for my health not to be in an intimate circle with friends this year...and I missed that camaraderie.
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Last evening (Dec 21) was the last night of Hanukkah.
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Today I changed the header to this...
Winter Solstice being celebrated in a small apartment...thanks to YouTube video of a fire, and my own little grove of fake evergreens!
Very lovely photos of the season and Christmas.
ReplyDeleteIt's a new turning of our little blue ball around our particular star...inviting lots of joy!
DeleteBeautiful views of Black Mountain and the lake. The Butterfly image is cute. Your apple pie looks yummy.
ReplyDeleteTake care, enjoy your day! Wishing you a happy Christmas week!
Happy Christmas week as you prepare for the celebration of Christmas.
DeleteThat last one is powerful!
ReplyDeleteOur resistance to evil continues - as it has through the centuries.
DeleteWe usually watch two Christmas Carols: Alastair SIm (1951) and George C Scott (1984).
ReplyDelete...Barbara, spread your wings and enjoy your winter, spring will come as it always does.
ReplyDeleteNice to think of myself as a winged creature...perhaps a dragon sleeping with the jewels which will become spring flowers.
DeleteMy favorite movie is The Bishop's Wife. You've reminded me to watch on Christmas Eve.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that I've seen it...will certainly look for it.
DeleteThe traditional food we always have is a chicken salad which I make, based on one that my husband's mother made. It has red and green grapes on top, arranged in a design. Also pecans. It's to the point I'm sort of over it but it MUST BE MADE! And so I do.
ReplyDeleteA great idea that's light, seasonally decorated, and sounds delicious. I buy our deli gourmet chicken salad with grapes and pecans at the local grocery...and it is great to have for a light lunch. Yours sounds like it's a great prepare ahead dish so you can sit back and open presents and see all the joyful faces as you share gifts.
DeleteGood for you to see it twice. I've already done White Christmas and a Miracle on 34th St. Now to Scrooge!
ReplyDeleteMissed reading blogs yesterday. I'll go back and read yours.
ReplyDeleteI think the terrible situation in our country is putting a damper on many celebrations.
I must admit when doing the meditation with love and forgiveness, I imagined a laser beam which wrapped around a seated tRump tying him down, and also gagged him. It was the best I could do.
DeleteLove your cosy fire video - what a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to cut back on screen time, so this was a kind of effort at doing that...it's a 10 hour loop, but I didn't stay that long.
DeleteBeautiful photos of Black Mountain. The new header photo looks nice and warming.
ReplyDelete