Sunday Ponderings...

A few photos from around our home. Our house smells so fragrant according to our guests and when I first come in from outside.

I use REAL evergreen on our mantel with real Holly and pinecones. I get it from one of our neighbors yards who doesnt mind. I like to cut fresh evergreen pine and holly and put it on the mantel the way the Victorians did.

We've got 2 trees this year (well 3 if you count the smaller one in the studio).

I always have to have my snow tree I call it. Its all silver and white and blue ornaments with a snowey theme and then we put up our traditional tree with my husbands ornaments from Germany (when he lived there) and our special ornaments that all have meaning that were gifts from the grandparents, etc.

Last night we made a big pot of white chili (Its my favorite) which makes the house smell of cloves, and cumin and is so delish. We all sat by the fireplace and had our dinner and watched a movie. (A silly one I chose, but it had more expletives in it than I anticipated, but it was very funny, Lets just say it had Will Ferrell in it.) I laughed so hard at a few parts that I couldnt stop. I just love good comedies!!!

Ihope you all are having a nice December.

The part I love best about Christmas is that people seem to act kinder, gentler and are just softer. I wish people would be that way all year. I wish we all could be more considerate of each other.

It seems with the falling dollar and the war, and economy that people are more on edge. It just isnt good for people to stress and that's why I get massages regularly and try to remember that EVERYONE is doing THE BEST THAT THEY CAN EVERYDAY. At night when I pull the covers up to my neck and say my prayers, I always ask God that I can be patient with people and remember that everyone is going through some sort of battle. We don't know if the guy who cuts us off in traffic may have just lost his job.

Or the woman in the store who tells us to hurry up may have just buried her mother. Or the shopper who brushes against you in the aisle and almost knocks you down in the pharmacy didn't just get a serious diagnosis from her doctor.?

We don't know. So lets not cause more stress for others.

And remember what Jesus came to teach us. LOVE ONE ANOTHER and remember that we all fall short of the Glory of God and to try to follow his example to be peaceful, loving and accepting.

I will admit that 2008 was the worst year for me in terms of many bad things happening to me and I have been under stress like never before. I will be happy to see it go to tell you the truth. But some good things happened to me too. I met some great people, I had some very happy times with my grandchildren, and family and I still have my health. And for those 3 things I'm very happy. I don't need much more than that.

Just like in the GRINCH WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS movie. The people of whoville still were happy on Christmas morning without presents. Because they had inner peace and I have that inner peace. Even though Ive got a GRINCH after me right now. I just wish she could be as happy as I am even with all the other problems I have. Back to work to try to get all these Christmas orders ready by Christmas! The pressure is on, but I can still smile and thank God for what I have.

have a blessed day.

D.D.

PS Dont be a Grinch!