Thursday Odds and Ends--Christmas Focus

Susie and Tiny.  1950's Christmas.

Mom's brother Uncle Arnold, Arnold Jr, and Grandpa.  1950's Christmas.  Cousin Arnold and I finally re-connected on FB two years ago.  We still haven't met in person, but hope to next summer.  It's been about 60 years since we last saw each other.

My grandmother and grandfather.  Oh how I miss them.  Grandma used to have a small table by the door filled with fruits, nuts, ribbon candy, and old fashioned Christmas candy.  A couple years back I bought some ribbon candy, but it just didn't taste the same.  Was it because a child's taste buds were different or have they changed the way they make the candy. 

Back in the day a gift like that was welcomed by a 12 year old girl.  Today it's all about technology. 

 1950's tree.

 Christmas pose in my new robe.

This was the year before I decided to get rid of the big tree and get a small one.  2015.

A part of my Christmas village.

Christmas 2015.

Dyker Heights, Brooklyn.  This neighborhood goes all out for the holidays.  People come from miles around.  You can no longer drive on some of the streets.  Must park and walk through.

Dyker Heights.

 Dyker Heights.

 Dyker Heights

The Betty Boop ornament I bought hubby.  He has a thing for her.  If she wasn't a cartoon character I do believe I would be jealous.

 Some of the ugly trees they sell in my neighborhood.

 The tree in front of my Church on Christmas Eve.

 An Angel standing in the Church yard.

 The year there was a full moon at Christmas.  Rising over the Church.

 Christmas at my daughter's house.  2016

 Best cake I ever ate.  Cost me a bit of money for this Yule Log cake, but it was well worth it.

 Last years cakes from Fiji's.  Tirimasu, German chocolate, and chocolate mint.

 My Christmas Angels.

Christmas village.

Wordless Wednesday: From the ABC's of Happy cards

Tuesday Ramble

Stayed in again yesterday. Had planned on picking up a few items at the supermarket, but just didn't feel so great.  This cold keeps hanging on. Two weeks now.  If it doesn't show some improvement by Friday I think it's time to head to the doctor.  Might need an antibiotic. Colored my hair so I can go for a haircut today.  My hair is desperate for a trim.  When I have to take out the blow dryer I know it is time.   I'm so sick of coloring my hair, but it refuses to go gray on me, and I'm not about to let them bleach it out to color it gray.  The roots will only come in dark anyway.

 This smells so awesome.  Made with pine branches and needles, juniper berries, cinnamon bark, blue sage leaves, rosemary, pine resin, orange peels, and bay leaves

With the days being so gray, dark, and dreary,  I've spent a lot of time gazing at the beautiful colors of the tree.  When I first decided to get rid of my big tree and replace it with this small one, I wondered if I was making a mistake, but this tree brings me as much joy as my large one did.  

Tuesday's Advent gift. 

Aqua Aura Quartz Points are clear Quartz which has bee enhanced with pure Gold.  Good for meditation and healing.  Calms the emotions.  It is so beautiful.  The picture does not do it justice. 

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

Monday This and That

Good Monday morning.  Last full week before Christmas. I'm pretty much prepared.  Just have to get  the food.  I'm making baked ziti for Christmas Eve.  My son's girlfriend is a vegetarian so I'll make the meatballs and sausages in a separate pan. Then we have our usual snacks--chips and dip.  My son loves my black bean dip.  Also make shrimp for Ralph and buffalo wings for the rest of us.

Stayed in both Friday and Saturday.  Felt pretty miserable on Friday, but by Saturday I was feeling somewhat better.   Wrapped a few outstanding gifts and just sat and relaxed in my rocker.  I was wishing I had a good book to read.  Had been depending on the two books I ordered from the Book of the Month Club, but just my luck.  They got lost in transit.  Now I have to wait for the replacement.

I did receive my book from Amazon, though, so I have had something to read.  The doctor was concerned about recent tests.  He said my kidney function was getting worse.  I have never had a problem with my kidney function, but the levels were high.  I guess this book is more important to me now anyway.  I'm hoping I just didn't have enough water that day.  Dehydration can cause higher levels as well.

Saturday's Advent Gift

Sunday's Advent Gift 

Think I am going to keep some of my smaller crystals in this box.

Both weekend days were pretty much a washout in my book.  Saturday it didn't rain as much, but it was cloudy and damp.  Not the kind of day I wanted to be running around with....especially when I am trying to get rid of a cold which now seems pretty much settled in my sinuses.  Sunday it rained...and rained hard.  No way was I going out in that.   I catch the bus across the street, but I need money on my fare card and that's a 3 block walk away. Would surely be drenched by then.

Today's Advent Gift 

I bet this is heavenly,--a blend of orange, pine, vanilla, apple and juniper-- but this is another gift I must give away.  Think I am going to give this one to my son's girlfriend.  She will enjoy it. 

Have a great day.

Sunday Selections

This month's subscription box from Inked Goddess Creations is packed with items to help one work with the energies of the Moon  and the Winter Solstice. 

 I was already in awe when I opened the box.  Although you can't see it here, the tissue paper is a sparkly royal blue.

Creativity spell charm designed by author Christopher Penczak.  It was created to be used with the power of the Moon to increase inspiration and creative powers.

 REBIRTH AND CREATIVITY.  

Creation from the Cosmic womb, 

Spinning fate upon the loom.

Power flows to this birth, 

Creating something new upon this Earth.

 Cold Moon Magic Ritual Oil.  On  December 21st,  winter sets in,  and the Full Moon is called the Cold Moon. It is also called Long Nights Moon, and the Moon before Yule. It is so named because of  the cold temperatures of winter.

Gorgeous Selenite Tower.  It is huge.  Selenite resonates with Lunar energies.  It is named after the Greek goddess of the Moon, Selene.  Selenite will help clear negative energy and help to connect with the Moon.

Mini book created by Renee Starr.  It is a condensed version of her e-course .  Much useful information is included.

Midwinter Votive.  A blend of apple, peppermint, and cinnamon to help celebrate the Winter Solstice.

 2019 Moon Phase Calendar showing Lunar cycles, Solstices, and Equinoxes.

 Crescent Moon wooden ornament. 

 Here is how it looks on my tree.

Saturday Thought

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. 

Roy L. Smith

Friday Roundup

Good morning and happy Friday.  The weekend has arrived.  Hasn't been one of my better weeks.  I ended up catching hubby's or someone else's cold.  Felt miserable Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.  Sore throat, chills, runny nose, fatigue.  Oh, I was so, so tired.   Didn't even feel like reading.  Just plain miserable I was.

By Wednesday I began to perk up and headed out to get some groceries.  In my head I added up a little over $60, but the register rang up $99.  Good thing I had it on me.  Nothing more embarrassing than having to choose what goes back...especially with a line waiting behind you.  Only happened to me once, only that time I told them to put it all back.  I had punched in one wrong number on my pin# for my credit card, and for that, they immediately locked it.  Had no money on me so I was up a creek.  Had to head straight to the bank and ended up getting a new card.  From that day on I was extra careful

Wednesday's Advent gift.  Smells totally awesome.  Cocoa and Peppermint to embrace the playfulness of winter.    

Yesterday I went to my WW workshop.  It was a bit nasty out, and with this cold, I didn't really feel like going, but next Thursday is the last meeting before Christmas, and I made gifts for everyone.  Wanted to give them out yesterday just in case some of my friends go away for the holiday.  Managed to hand out all but two. 

Thursday's Advent gift.  I love this little star crystal.

I really should have stayed home yesterday, but one can only stay in for so long.   It was pretty nasty out.  The weather person had said the snow and rain would start in the afternoon so I figured I'd have time to get there and back, but, when I stepped out of the house, the flurries were already coming down.  And it was so cold and damp.  After waiting for buses for over 20 minutes, that chill got right to my bones.  Bundled up extra warm and made a cup of Yogi Throat Comfort tea.  That always helps when my throat is a little sore.  Now I plan on staying in until...perhaps Monday.  It's going to rain all day on Saturday...and possibly Sunday.  Playing it by ear.  With the holidays so close I don't want to risk getting any sicker.

 Friday's Advent gift.  This smells so good.  I can't wait to use it.
  
Woke up to no heat this morning.  Thank goodness it's warmed up some outdoors.  Just going to dress warm and bear with it until the heat comes back.  One thing about this building is that the give good heat and we're never without for long.  Probably something with the boiler. 

Have a wonderful restful weekend.