Tuesday, December 14, 2010

I would teach my feet to fly

Today was another wicked cold one for a December day in Maryland but here inside the old manor house, it’s warm and cozy. George is asleep on the little couch across the room and my husband is in the kitchen, hopefully making me some tea.

It was another late day for me. I stopped to get a few things on the way home. I find it easier to do in small increments, but I still had time for my walk. There were goodies at the school office today and they need to be walked off or I’ll have a butt the size of Montana. As it is, it’s already the size of New Jersey. 

* snort *

The battery went in the camera today, so no pictures from my husband to share with you. But this one is from last December and is one of my favorites.

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I took this photo in the upstairs hallway. The garland was a present I had just bought for myself on sale at my favorite garden shop. It has feathers and pods and all sorts of natural elements. The glass beaded candleholder is an old one from Pottery Barn and I just love the light it throws.

It’s happy at school; how could it not be with all those children? Today after dismissal, I watched from our back office door as the junior cheerleading squad (grades 2-5) went through their routines in the lobby. They were preparing to cheer for the jv basketball teams at a game after school and they were so adorable that I found myself with a tear in my eye. Even their pom poms are tiny and the coach was explaining the proper way to hold them.

I am getting my spirit on. And I am looking forward to next week and some fun things I have planned. But until then, it’s still quiet. And every day I come home, I hope that my husband surprises me with greens and maybe even a handmade tree. He really spoiled me last year with that tree.

A handmade Christmas tree



This is one of my favorite holiday songs. The video that this person created is nice with the skating and the dog on the ice. Hope you enjoy.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me today. It's always good to see you here.

Love,
123 Signature

33 comments:

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

happy to visit with you....and it's one of my favorite songs....

looking forward to christmas week as well.......

kary and teddy

judi/Gmj said...

fab, I love the post, the weather, the song, the vid, and you.
have a happy week, wishing you joy and peace, judi

beth said...

i love that song sooooooo much....anytime of the year, but now, especially !

J'Ollie Primitives said...

I'll be dreaming about skating that gracefully tonight. In reality my middle name is Kerplunk.

Love the joy and the grace of the skaters, along with Sarah McLachlan's singing. Lovely!

Country Girl said...

Isn't it a cool video? I found it last year and liked it then, too. Beautiful song, albeit a bit sad. But then, this time of year is a little bittersweet, is it not?

Good to see you all again.

~ C.G.

Low Tide High Style said...

Your decorations last year were beautiful and I hope you get your tree...even if it is at someone else's house!

That song was a favorite of my friend Dan, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. I've never heard the Sarah Mclachlan rendition and the video was lovely!

Kat :)

Peppermint Ph.D. said...

I too love the more natural decorating elements...that garland is just gorgeous :)

We are beginning to feel a little spirit around here as well. I think ours has come mainly from just simply staying home. We've baked some cookies as well and that always helps...our spirits, not our butts :)

This is a bittersweet time and I'm really just beginning to realize why...Christmas is so chock full of memories that it's difficult to get through it without thinking of those who are no longer here and times past. This is my oldest daughter's last official Christmas "at home." She'll be off to college and life will really change for us by next fall...my middle daughter will follow the very next fall. I'm trying to relax and enjoy this Christmas so we'll be able to savor the memories. Since I'm tearing up as I write this, I guess I'd better go eat another cookie! :)

Deb said...

so glad your spirit is getting better...nice video

TexWisGirl said...

Thanks for sharing your lovely garland. I love the natural feathers in it.

Yes this time of year brings up so many emotions and memories and "I wish I would haves..." that it's a bit hard to get thru, but in each day is a spot of joy that is like our stepping stone to keep us moving onward. May you find joy in each day.

Thank you for sharing your life with us. I don't know if I ever said that before to you. I just felt I needed to say it tonight. :)

Nancy Grossi ~ Churned In Cali ~ The Wife of a Dairyman said...

Every time I visit your blog, I have such a peaceful feeling come over me after. I love the way you write.....such a gift:)

Tammie said...

The skating brings back memories of my sister and I on cold winter nights in Wyoming. We would skate on a man made ice skating pond that the town would flood each winter. It could be well below zero and we would still go out until our dad would whistle us in for dinner. Wonderful memories. I love this season, Jan. and Feb. are my hard months.

Merry Christmas!

Tammie said...

The skating brings back memories of my sister and I on cold winter nights in Wyoming. We would skate on a man made ice skating pond that the town would flood each winter. It could be well below zero and we would still go out until our dad would whistle us in for dinner. Wonderful memories. I love this season, Jan. and Feb. are my hard months.

Merry Christmas!

Sweetpea said...

CG, you know that I think you do a lot of things really well, I think I've told you so in the past (I sure hope I have). But now I think you do ~bittersweet~ almost best of all. This post got me. Got me good. Then the video capsized my boat entirely.

...pouring a glass of red wine now...toasting you, saying thank you for all that you reveal, all that you share on this wonderful blog that I adore visiting.

I am just a little p-oh'ed about that candleholder tho. I remember when they were for sale in the PB catalog and I didn't buy one. Must you keep bringing the subject up?!?!?

;>} thanks for it all. really.

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

What a lovely post. The song along with the skater and dog made me smile. Loved my visit this morning.

Country Girl said...

Well, thank you all. I don't know what else to say.

Sweetpea, I bought that holder years ago for a niece who was in college. My husband told me she probably wouldn't be allowed to have a candle in her dorm room and he was right. And I was so glad because I got to keep it. And I ended up giving her something else that year. Whenever I look at it, I think of that.

If I had wine, i would toast you all as well.

~ C.G.

Unknown said...

Ice Skating always looks so graceful and I really enjoyed the video. Merry Christmas!

Gail said...

Wonderful post...may your day be filled with joy.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

The garland is beautiful... especially with feathers, pods, and the warm ivory hue of the candle.

The JR said...

It's unique and beautiful.

Anonymous said...

I imagine it would be nice to be spoiled. I don't get spoiled often!! That's a lovely picture of the decoration.

CJ xx

Daryl said...

Feathers and beads and sparkling light .. almost better than wine

mrs mediocrity said...

I went and looked at the tree, your husband seriously rules.
I love that song too, and just recently heard Sarah's version. I love it, even though I am a hardcore Joni fan.
I took your cue and bundle up in my crazy hats and went for a walk today, it's 20 degrees. But I was warm and it felt so good to get out there.

GailO said...

You tube and my computer have been driving me crazy lately. All the videos stop and start from beginning to end...even the most beautiful song is destroyed this way! I really don't know why they aren't streaming well anymore...argh! Even with that this song and video brought tears to my eyes...

The entire month of December has been bittersweet for me for quite a few years...The busier I am the better off I am...but still...it is there.

Megan (Best of Fates) said...

I love unique garlands - such a beautiful addition to holiday decorations!

Chrissykat said...

Oh my skating stars...how I love that video & song. Thank you for sharing. I will now do the same and share with people I know will appreciate it as much as I did.

Andi said...

What a great handmade tree!!! You have to visit the National Christmas Center in Lancaster. There is a room that is decorated in old fashioned tradition - I can't remember if it was the Pa Dutch section or not. But they actually used boughs to make a tree on the wall rather than having a real tree in the house. Trees inside didn't come til much later, so your husband must be very old fashioned! But I think he loves you very much. :)
You are so lucky to have the magic of the younger kids around you at the holiday too. One thing I miss as my kids being older is that magical expression and wonder on thier little faces.

Caroline said...

That garland is to die for! I hope it warms up for you. And I just love Sarah...a voice like an angel!

Joy said...

I found you via Stickhorse Cowgirls... love this video. I was/am a big fan of Joni Mitchell since the early 70's--this is her song, you know. Sarah does a beautiful job of it. I've put this on my blog along with several thoughts. Am going to take a little stroll around your blog for a few moments. Thanks!

Jan's camera said...

Such a beautiful song. I love figure skating. I will watch this over and over again. Thank you.

Mary said...

Love that song, and what a beautiful picture!!!

Unknown said...

I have to tell you I started crying just a few seconds into the video. I just "felt" it was my son out there skating, I miss watching him do that, watching him play hockey. I wish we treasured things while they were happening more sometimes.
He is 22 now but still my baby.

thank you for this CG.

Lili said...

Oh I've always loved this song too, way back when Joni sang it too. That video was perfect and gosh now I'm feeling all melancholy, but in a good way. Thanks for posting, it was beautiful. xo ~Lili

Leslie @ Farm Fresh Fun said...

I always enjoy my visits here, but this post especially moved me right now. Rushing in and out for Christmas and farm work, I sat for a 1/2 sec w/a cupa tea and this video ... What an instant peace it brought. Love the boy skating. Thank you. So glad you are feeling the Christmas spirit and enjoying the season this year. Blessings to you, your hubby and George!