Tag: holidays

Season of Hope

The times we are living in can be quite frightening.  The news stations alone are terrifying some days.

Now that it’s the Christmas Season, or Holiday Season, a lot of people out there get melancholy or even deeply depressed.  Some long for the old days or dwell on hard times that have hit them during this season.  Some have fallen into deep crevasses and can’t find their way out.

Let us be aware of those around us.  There is more to Christmas than shopping and decorating.  There are hearts all around us that need a word or words.  That need hugs.  That need love and attention.  That need true Hope.

May you be a Hope Bringer.  May you bring the rope to pull them out of their pit.

Remember where you came from and help others to get to their dreams and purpose.

Enjoy! God’s blessings upon you all.

Cate B

Blogging Bliss

It is the day before Christmas, here, in The Middle.  The beauty of difference is that we can all celebrate, or not celebrate, our holidays as we please.

Our family celebrates Christmas.  The true meaning of celebrating the birth of Christ is a big deal to us.  Also, I was raised in Christmas.  Christ may not have been the center, he appeared here and there in songs and cards and such, but the Spirit of Christmas was there.

To me, the Spirit of Christmas is Hope, Love and Giving.  You can feel it in the air in our country.  There are sad times for so many but songs of Hope are everywhere and this is when you hear stories of loving, giving people.  I long to have a day when most of our news stations report, at least equally, on good stories of love and hope and giving.  They could do it.  It would be a challenge to them, but the stories are out there.

Here, on wordpress.com, there stories of all kinds.  People share their hearts and talents and minds.  I want to thank my WordPress followers and readers for making my writing more enjoyable.

How, you say?  You encourage me by viewing my posts and hitting that like button.  Some of you have become good friends.  So much that I know if we were to find ourselves in each others town or country we could meet for coffee and some of you FOOD and hugs.

All this to say Thank you, dear Friends!  You are encouraging and yes, we are all on this writing journey together!

I pray for you all to find your dreams and live them this season and the coming years.  I pray your writing journey to be fulfilling, not just to you, but to many.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year to you all.

Enjoy!

cate b

http://youtu.be/cYGq-5DbCfk

The Diversity of an American Christmas

Here are a couple of typical Christmas songs.  I do believe Christmas does mark the birth of The Saviour, Jesus Christ, but this time of year shows such a diversity.  I love that. I did not grow up in any particular religion, that came to me later in life.  So I have a warm mixture of the Santa and reindeer and snow and beautiful songs of all kinds running through me.

Here are some for your enjoyment – Merry Christmas…..

 

And Happy Holidays ……. always must include Nat King Cole.

Enjoy!

cate b

There Is a First Time for Everything

Here it is, the Tuesday before America’s Thanksgiving Day holiday.  Guess what I did yesterday?  It is something I have NEVER done in my entire life!  I decorated for Christmas.  Yes I did.  I put away the fall decorations and hauled out my Christmas ones.  I have no idea what got into me since I was so cranky yesterday.  But guess what?  The crankies went away.  The cup of coffee and the decorating took it away.  So now I am ready for “The Holidays”.

Today I make Peking Duck and tomorrow is PIE DAY!  I will be making pies for our family and my friend’s family.  My little Lucy is coming over and she will help me finish decorating the Christmas tree.  What can I say?  I’m still amazed I did this.  It goes against all of my wanting to put each holiday in its rightful time slot.  I don’t like that America has made Halloween a Holiday and begin Christmas season right after it .  Where did Thanksgiving go?  I love Thanksgiving.  It’s always been so special and homey and a great way to kick off the Christmas season.  Halloween?  Really people?  I think Halloween is festive and always was fun as a kid but never a holiday.  Let’s bring back the Thanksgiving and slow the holiday rush down a little.

When I was a kid we didn’t decorate until just about Christmas Eve!  Now that I’ve totally contradicted myself about decorating early…….  So many people, every year, talk about Holiday Stress – then why do you do it?  Why do you jump into the pressure that surrounds us and join the masses of stress-filled holidays?  It’s your choice.  We stopped buying gifts except for the grand children.  Less stress, less money spent.  More relaxation and enjoyment.  Find a way this season to enjoy it.  Giving should be cheerful.  Even the bible talks about that and I don’t think it is only about your offerings to the church:

 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Cheerful Giver

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[a] will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart,not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

God loves it, why shouldn’t we.  Cheerful givers are a lot happier than obligated ones.

I dare you to change your traditional stressful holidays into joyful, relaxed holidays.  Go on.  You can do it.

Enjoy!

wingedprisms (cate b)

http://www.blogher.com/nablopomo
http://www.blogher.com/nablopomo

November 1st! Here We Go!

As I posted in my last couple of blogs, I have had a difficult time blogging lately.  So I decided to take the plunge and join the crowd at http://www.blogher.com/  and I will be blogging once a day for the month of November.

NaBloPoMo_November_small It is now November 1st and as far as I am concerned fall is about over.  Peak colours are through and leaves are falling everywhere.  I love the change and the colours and I absolutely love the thought of Thanksgiving.  It’s the time of year when whatever family is available to gather we do.  And we eat. And as we are eating we begin discussing what we will prepare next year.  I know, that sounds crazy.  But I have birthed sons who love to cook and create flavours.  We have turkey prepared a different way each year.  I make the yeast rolls and the pies.  This year I am adding a duck into the mix as appetizer.  Oh!  And the Pineapple Wassail!  Yum.  I can’t wait.

What are your traditions?  Please comment ideas and recipes and the things you like and don’t like.

I know Thanksgiving can be hard if you have difficult family situations.  Let’s help each other.  Start new traditions of your own.  Family goes farther than just blood relations.  I look forward to hearing from you.  Find hope and love during this season – it is a necessary ingredient in life.

Enjoy!

cate b

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