Dreaming of a White Christmas

Presents? No! Gifts? YES!!

Most assuredly, not all will feel as I, but if there is one person struggling with their giving this Christmas, may these words offer substance to redirect your thinking.

It seems that our society is caught up in the gimmickry of materialism at Christmas. Items are displayed in stores earlier and earlier each year. This past September, you could walk into most stores and find Christmas (called "holiday" now) alive and on sale. The aisles hollered out: Buy Me, Buy Me - and it continues to do so, with us having traveled past Columbus Day, Halloween, Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving. (No holiday can stand in the way of marketing the all mighty dollar). How sad that things have taken the place of the true meaning of giving. Why doesn't Neighbor Sally's jar of pickle relish, Auntie May's embroidered dish towels, or Grandma Gracie's crocheted tablecloth - all fashioned with loving hands, now mean so little? Why do the things which should matter most become white elephants to be boxed and placed in the closet, or even worse yet, taken to a thrift store for use as a tax deduction?

Gifts should never be measured in size or cost, nor should we be ashamed for not giving an expensive present. True, many judge us by the price of the present. That’s ridiculous! Contentment cannot be determined by the distribution /receipt of costly items. Why, next year will you remember what you received this year? Or more importantly, will you still appreciate it? Substance is not love, nor will it bring true happiness. If a price tag means joy, let's leave the price tags on. (Oh, I’ve done that a time or two due to hurriedly trying to get stuff wrapped. How embarrassing it was!!). If cost matters, let's make sure the tags are in conspicuous places to be noticed the minute the package is opened, and that the price tag screams out as to price and place purchased. Let's tell our children, our grandchildren, our parents, and/or our friends what we feel they are worth - $47.50, 79.95, $154.89, $275.99, $398.88, $487.67, or $??? I'm sure you get my drift.

For Christmas, let's decide whether we are going to give a present or give a gift. Presents are normally cold, usually expensive, and distributed without genuine care or concern - and is the result of the use of a credit card, letting a payment lapse, or shall I go a little further, IOU’ing your tithes. Sorry, just couldn’t resist but there are those who find such importance in giving presents. Sad, isn't it? The gift, however, is gift is warm, shows affection and might not cost a penny, and if there is a cost, it is done with much selectivity, care and love - and it won't mortgage your paychecks until next Christmas (or beyond). Gifts will last long after the batteries are dead, the wrap is tossed in the dumpster, and the thank you notes are written. Gifts live on...

Two of my greatest gifts came by way of love. Although one was not given at Christmas, it still speaks of what really counts, and declares that the spirit of Christmas should be alive in the heart all year round.

Treasured is a green ware Nativity set from my two sons, Mark and Cameron, for my birthday in 1976. I returned home from the hospital where my husband was in ICU. It was slightly after midnight but the two were waiting up for me. At first I scolded them for being up so late (which I regret to this day), and then realized that they were giving their love in such a special way. Opening that gift and watching their expressions still burns in my heart. It is priceless. I glazed and fired it in time for Christmas, and now each year, the Nativity is proudly displayed at Christmas (and sometimes throughout the whole year). Although, Mark is no longer with us, his memory lives on and his love continues to touch me when I look at this set that two precious boys bought with their hearts.

Another treasure as to what matters most - a tiny grin at Christmas from granddaughter Zoe when her mother Barbara tried to get a 3-1/2 month old to play with toys for age 3 years and up. Being our first grandbaby, we never once checked to see if the toys were suitable for a baby. Zoe loved the toys, and what a lasting memory we have. She gave us love with a precious smile and some small gestures of excitement. In less than two months, she was taken to dwell with angels. Nothing could ever take the place of that Christmas Day, and every Christmas her memory burns brightly as a gift of love.

Oh, there have been many other gifts given by my loved ones, and since the miles sometimes don't allow us to be together for the holidays, the memories of their gifts of love are gathered and treasured in my heart.

Friend, don’t judge this season by the lack of presents (yes, presents). Please judge the season by the gifts given of yourself to those you love. Those gifts are found in the heart, not under a tree.

Merry Christmas – and treasured Gifts to you all!

It's Not in the Things!

Until one feels the spirit of Christmas, there is no Christmas. All else is outward display - so much tinsel and decorations. For it isn't the holly, it isn't the snow. It isn't the tree nor the firelight's glow. It's the warmth that comes to the hearts of men when the Christmas spirit returns again. - Unknown

Christmas Is Coming

May We Softly Glow

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;

It makes no noise at all,
But softly gives itself away;
While quite unselfish, it grows small.
- Eva K. Logue

Going Shopping?

Oh, for the good old days when people would stop Christmas shopping when they ran out of money. - Author Unknown

Things to Come?

LET'S NEVER OUTSOURCE THE LORD IN OUR LIFE!

Adore Him

O Come Let Us Adore Him

Jesus Christ, Our Lord

Way Too Much!

Way too much Christmas goodies!

Net Surfing Santa

Are You Wise?

Wise Men Still Seek Him

Oh, When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great joy
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great joy
Oh, When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great joy
They rejoiced with exceeding great joy

Dog's Christmas Rules

1. Be especially patient with your humans at this time as they may appear to be more stressed-out than usual.

2. When they come home with large bags of things called gifts, do not assume all the gifts are for you.

3. Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you as they get pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.

4. They may bring a large tree home, set it up, and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as it may seem, it is an important human ritual, so you need to know: (a) don't go to bathroom on the tree, (b) don't drink water in the container holding the tree, (c) control your tail when near tree, (d) if there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or have your name on them, don't rip them open, and (e) don't chew on the cord running from the hole in the wall to the tree.

5. Your humans may occasionally invite strangers to come visit during this season. The parties can be fun, but call for some discretion by you: (a) not all strangers appreciate kisses, (b) don't eat off the buffet table, (c) beg subtly for goodies, (d) be pleasant, even when strangers sit on your sofa, and (e) don't drink out of glasses left sitting around.

6. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important: (a) observe all the rules in #4 for trees, with 4a particularly important, (b) respect animals and their territory in the house you are visiting, (c) tolerate children, and (d) turn on your charm big time.

7. A chubby man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night, DON'T BITE HIM!!

Mary, Did You Know?

The Ultimate Gift

Still haven't figured out what to give this holiday season? Well, why not give love... for it will unwrap blessings galore - both for the giver and the receiver.

The only true gift is a portion of yourself.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thumpity Thump Thump

Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul...
with a corn cob pipe and a button nose...
and two eyes made out of coal.
Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale, they say...
He was made of snow but the children know...
how he came to life one day.

There must have been some magic in that
old silk hat they found...
for when they placed it on his head...
He began to dance around.
O, Frosty the snowman was alive as he could be...
and the children say, he could laugh and play...
just the same as you and me.

Thumpity thump thump, Thumpity thump thump...
Look at Frosty go...
Thumpity thump thump, Thumpity thump thump...
over the hills of snow.

I LOVE CHRISTMAS TIME!!!

Loving the Christmas Spirit

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa's on his way
He's bringing lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know hot to fly
And so I'm offering this simple wish
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you

A Day of Shopping Delight

An off-day from medical appointments so me and The Papa spent Wednesday at Stanford Mall in Palo Alto. Beautiful decor and shop windows bubbling in delight - special pastry treats at La Baguetto and a candy store that was out of sight (err..taste). The sales weren't that bad either (Macy's 70% off original price, plus 20% more at register).

Oh Christmas Tree(s)

“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”

Me and The Papa are in San Francisco for medical appointments. Really enjoying all the beautiful to behold this time of the year, including the special Christmas trees of the City. BTW: I won't even go into the great shopping.

Naughty or Nice?

Some Decorating Done!

Been decorating the place over the last few days.
It's coming along so nicely that I thought I'd share. LOL