WELCOME TO WINTER...

 

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas

 filled with comfort and joy. 

 We have all been looking forward to

 a better new year than the last one. 

 It won't take much to make it better,

 but it will take much, much more, on our parts, 

to make that "better" happen. 

 No matter what we think

 we want 2021 to look like, 

without all of us pulling together, 

it could just possibly look like

 more of the same,

 or worse.

The cold weather is definitely here. 

 We have not been fortunate enough 

to have that first snowfall 

but it is knocking 

at the door...

...and that means that

 the cold weather folks 

come out of the woodwork...

...and as I am not entirely ready

 to let go of Christmas...

 ...I only had to remove some extra filler

 from the parlor mantel garland and 

some shiny bits and pieces and 

change up the Christmas candles,
 then it was easy for them, 

and their little snowflakes,

 to infiltrate the landscape.

I painted a small little soul

 to bestow his blessings 

on this winter season.

  He sits around with

 a few of his 

winter inspired friends and

 a garland full of snowballs

 that, hopefully,

 will bring some smiles to our faces

 while we are facing the long 

winter ahead.

Hopefully, 

we can spot some bright bouquets around the Cottage

  during the visits from the Snow Folks

 and that will be enough 

to keep us looking forward

 to brighter times to come. 

 Until then,

 a pitcher of pretty white faux poppies

 will suffice.

Until next time,

 I will hopefully respect

 that Old Man Winter will be kind to all of us and

 that while two worlds collide within our comfy Cottage,

 the spirit of Christmas will still remain 

the view that is

 in our hearts.

"Christmas is forever, 

not for just one day,

for loving, sharing, giving,

 are not to put away

like bells and lights and tinsel, 

in some box upon a shelf. 

 The good you do for others

 is good you do yourself."

Norman Wesley Brooks

I have to show you 

what Tami and Tim gave us for Christmas. 

 Now, I know that most of you 

roll your eyes when you hear 

that I am just enthralled with new technology, 

especially since the "new" object we are talking about 

has been out for probably at least a few years!  

If it weren't for our kids 

we would still be living in the Dark Ages! 

 

They gifted the Captain with Alexa and

 wow, is she quite the invention. 

We are having such fun

 asking questions of her. 

She is a great and thoughtful gift and 

we couldn't think of 

a better choice...

...and my gifts were 

these beautiful books.

 They know me so well.

 The hard cover tells of the 

meanings of flowers in the Victorian times,

 and the non-fiction

 is the story of a young girl 

who spent her life 

in and out of foster homes and 

how the language of flowers

 helped her through

 a very difficult time.

 I love them both.

Jake and Jacenda 

gave us President Obama's new book 

which we are reading aloud 

to each other and 

the darling coffee mugs

 with our names on them.

 Another thoughtful and special gift and 

just the right choice for us also.

We are so thankful for our kids.

One more thing I have to tell you about. 

 Are you aware that Discovery Plus 

started streaming yesterday?

(Are you not impressed when I use, or even know,  the word, "streaming"?)

 If you are not,

 you really need to check it out.

 It costs $4.99 with commercials and $6.99 without.

 I figured you could fast forward through the commercials 

so we signed up for $4.99.  

You can't, 

but the commercials are much shorter and not a constant like on regular TV

 so I think the $4.99 price is just right.

  The reason I wanted to sign up for it

 was that Magnolia Network (Chip and Joanna Gaines) is there.  It will show a variety of different shows,

 all done with beautiful photography and fascinating characters. 

 So far, we have watched a couple of them and it is fantastic.

 The regular broadcasts will start in a while

 but for now there is plenty to see.

 It is so well produced

 just like you would expect from the Gaines.

 The coming shows look spectacular and

 I think it is well worth the price.

 You can get it for 7 days free trial now.

 Check it out and 

see if you don't think it is a good deal and

a worthwhile enjoyment 

for the times now 

when we have to stay in. 

 Discovery is a great channel anyway and 

now with the streaming 

you can watch favorite shows 

all the time instead of only

 once a week.

Stay Smart

Stay Well

And

Wear Your Masks.

You don't want to be the one that a hospital won't have room for.

 
Start listening to the medical professionals and stay home! 
Now that we have a vaccine,
 give everyone and yourself, 
a chance to have it work for them, and
 if someone says that 

the numbers for this virus
 is all an exaggeration
 (I asked Alexa how to spell that) 
don't believe them! 

 It is hard to imagine but, 

that is just one of many untruths 

that seem to suck in so many people.

I would like to express

 my continuing thanks to all of you

 for your friendship and love throughout this past year. 

There have been some highs

 (and frankly, for me, that

 means being alive)

 and a lot of lows.

 May this next year be a better one in all respects.

 Thanks to all of you and blogging,

 I probably can say 

with a great amount of certainty,

 if it wasn't for the fact that 

I feel the need to impress all of you

 (as you do me) 

I would be living in a messy house and

 most likely would be in my pajamas

 all seven days of the week. 

Whenever the dogs see me dressed

 they do a happy dance

 because that could only mean

 we are going for a ride

 in the car!

 Raise a glass to 2021, 

may it be kind to us all.

...Judy...

Sharing today with:

Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda

and

Keep In Touch at Let's Add Sprinkles