"Reading by the Christmas Cactus"
Our
kids have all gone back to school or to their homes. The Christmas tree
still stands -- lit and beautiful, the wreaths remain hanging festively on the doors and windows, there
are a few Christmas cookies left to nibble along with coffee. I have a
couple packages for friends still unopened underneath the tree that must wait. The
Christmas cactus refuses to stop blooming and now my orchid has a tiny
bud forming (!). Both live in my laundry room as you know. I've
thought about cleaning up Christmas, but I think I shall go on
celebrating a little while longer in the afterglow like the Christmas cactus does, and remember all the loved ones who were here with us to celebrate. You too?
Hubs and I took our 20-year-old baby to the airport yesterday and
then did a little post-Christmas bargain shopping. It was fun, and we
both found a few things -- necessary clothing items -- and of course, a
couple tiny things begged picking up for our new grandbaby, Ruth. Sometimes we call her
Baby Ruth even though it's the name of a candy bar. She is sweet after
all!
I took a long, snowy walk today, even though it was quite cold.
I buckled on my snowshoes and kept to the shelter belts to avoid the wind. Upon my first steps into the trees, I saw a pair of owls sternly looking at me and wondering why I should enter their domain with such loud tramping. And there was another owl in the North Shelter belt who was skiddish of the dog and me tramping in his woods. Still, it was a joy to watch them fly whenever we got very close -- so graceful and silently they wooshed past. I didn't see any jackrabbits today. I know they are out there. The tracks are everywhere, but they are not to be found much in the daytime, or perhaps they are just too hard for my eyes to see when they sit ever so still in the snow. They've turned totally white now and blend in perfectly.
What's happening at your house these last days of
December?
God bless you, my friends!
Jody
Those owls are wonderful! One of my students is bird crazy and he would LOVE to see the owls. I'll show him when I return to school in one week (I'm so thankful for another whole week of R and R!)
ReplyDeleteTaking a walk in snowshoes sounds wonderful to me,and those beautiful owls. I hear them at night here sometimes,but never see them. I was catching up on your blog...I love the wonderful gifts you made your grandchildren...and a Christmas baby....shes precious...congrats to all of you....blessings on your new year.
ReplyDeleteI am with you, I refuse to give up on Christmas so easily. I a enjoying the quiet twinkle of the tree and all the little glitter here and there. Such a joyous season and I will linger a little longer. Dianntha
ReplyDeleteYours have departed and our are now in full swing here. We had 2nd Christmas today. Love the shots you got of the owls...so cool. I also really love your photo in the header. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on that new granddaughter Jody! What a sweet name -- just perfect. It sounds like you're having a wonderful week. And those owls! You lucky girl -- I've never seen an owl in the wild -- I keep hoping!
ReplyDeleteWow, those owls ARE stern-looking, aren't they? I can just picture your winter scene, as you tramped around with your breath puffing into the cold air. I still have my 20 year old baby at home for another week, then I'll be taking him to the train station. Already making plans to keep myself busy when he goes. Sending you a big mama hug. xxx
ReplyDeleteWhat joy to see those owls! We hear them in the night, but never see them in the day time. Today the sun is shining after days of rain. Our eldest daughter is still with us and we are planning the menus for the next few days of the holiday. Perhaps we shall go for a walk this afternoon?
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your walk! We had some owls that were living in our barn and while some people think they are creepy I enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteChristmas is all packed away waiting for next year. The tree was beautiful and I kept it up longer then normal for me, but it was drying out and sheding horribly.
I am feeling the urge to set up my sewing room and get busy. I want to make three quilts this year. That is the goal...now getting it accompolished is quite another thing all together.
~M~
We sent 2 college kids back west, but still have 2 college kids here. I took down all the decoration in the house, to have more space! We are so unlike you here -- no snow, no ice, no freezing temps really. I love those owl photos, and so does my daughter.
ReplyDeleteIt's quiet here - yesterday my husband got me out on a walk though I am pretty depleted from the goings-on. I had to stay home from church, but I am reading some encouraging words and sermons on blogs. Like yours!
ReplyDeleteI would definitely call her Baby Ruth! My mother was known as "Ruthie" for a long time. What a joyous Christmas with a brand-new baby. Your cup is running over for sure.
I Love Owls!!! We had them in the elms in the front yard all summer a few years ago. They are stately birds. It sounds like you had a wonderful holiday.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! You are so lucky. Sounds like you had a good holiday. I have really enjoyed your blog. I wish you a wonderful 2013.
ReplyDeleteI want to wish you a healthy and prosperous New Year! I enjoy you blog and look forward to seeing your achievements in 2013.
ReplyDeleteThe other morning when I went down the driveway to fetch the paper, a bright red cardinal was waiting. Cardinals are common around here, but it was such a lovely sight on a gray winter morning, I was quite thrilled!
ReplyDeleteHappy new year, Jody! I hope 2013 is a marvelous year for you and yours!
xofrances
No reason to hustle and take down Christmas! We'll wait until January 6, then we will enjoy the empty and simple month of January. You are always observing and reveling in God's creation :-) Hope your year is off to a great start!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love sweet "Baby Ruth!" Too cute! Yes, always the tiniest of things beg being picked up.
ReplyDeleteAlso love the thought of you marching along in your snowshoes along the shelter belts. I have been so slack in getting out for walks, mostly because I don't want the girl's jammed in the stroller in minus twenty six pushing along the nasty gravel/snowy roads. BUT, it was nice out today, so what did we do? Toboggan down 'Gopher Mountain' as my three year old has named the teensiest tiny, wanna be hill in our yard.
Love the red & white in the photo above on your most recent post. I once had someone tell me that people who have hereford's are just 'good folk..' I'd like to agree! :)