Tuesday, 10 December 2013

The Wrapping Paper

http://anamericaninbudapest.com/?p=5060

The Wrapping Paper

This story deeply touches my heart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1ZwaEzMtJw&feature=youtu.be

I love to listen to this

"What is Christmas?
It is tenderness for the past,
courage for the present,
hope for the future.
It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow
with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path
may lead to peace. " ~Agnes M. Pahro

“Even the smallest tender mercy can bring peace
when recognized and appreciated.” ~Richelle E. Goodrich

“I love you because no two snowflakes are alike,
and it is possible, if you stand tippy-toe,
to walk between the raindrops. ” ~ Nikki Giovanni

"Starting today, I need to forget what`s gone, appreciate what still remains, and look forward to what is coming next."
~Unknown~

“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a

truly Merry Christmas.” ~Peg Bracken

Photographs taken by my lovely friend Deb in Las Vegas

at the Gorgeous Bellagio Hotel

Thanks Dear Deb I love you

Merry Christmas

In your hands winter

is a book with cloud pages

that snow pearls of love.” ~Aberjhani

“Perfectly Imperfect" "We have all heard that no two snowflakes are alike. Each snowflake takes the perfect form for the maximum efficiency and effectivenessfor its journey. And while the universal force of gravity gives them a shared destination, the expansive space in the air gives each snowflake the opportunity to take their own path. They are on the same journey, but each takes a different path. Along this gravity-driven journey, some snowflakes collide and damage each other, some collide and join together, some are influenced by wind... there are so many transitions and changes that take place along the journey of the snowflake. But, no matter what the transition, the snowflake always finds itself perfectly shaped for its journey. I find parallels in nature to be a beautiful reflection of grand orchestration. One of these parallels is of snowflakes and us. We, too, are all headed in the same direction. We are being driven by a universal force to the same destination. We are all individuals taking different journeys and along our journey, we sometimes bump into each other, we cross paths, we become altered... we take different physical forms. But at all times we too are 100% perfectly imperfect. At every given moment we are absolutely perfect for what is required for our journey. I’m not perfect for your journey and you’re not perfect for my journey, but I’m perfect for my journey and you’re perfect for your journey. We’re heading to the same place, we’re taking different routes, but we’re both exactly perfect the way we are. Think of what understanding this great orchestration could mean for relationships. Imagine interacting with others knowing that they too each share this parallel with the snowflake. Like you, they are headed to the same place and no matter what they may appear like to you, they have taken the perfect form for their journey. How strong our relationships would be if we could see and respect that we are all perfectly imperfect for our journey.” ~Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2bGMWG6npU

The Snow Queen thinking of my sweet cousin Wendy and her love of winter and snow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8_GUrqe5tc

I have always loved The Polar Express

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nYFaDWIKmQ

I love this ad

The happiest and most successful people are always looking for ways to help others. The unhappiest and most unsuccessful people are still asking, “What’s in it for me?” Ultimately, your greatest successes in life will not be measured by how high you have climbed, but by how many people you have helped up with you.

...•.\|/.•´ " May lovely happy times decorate this time of the

✿◠‿◠✿. season, and may the wonder of Christmas be with
.• ´/|\`• you forever."

...•.\|/.•´ " May lovely happy times decorate this time of the

✿◠‿◠✿. season, and may the wonder of Christmas be with
.• ´/|\`• you forever."

Monday, 9 December 2013

Snow Business

The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found? "~J.B. Priestley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIR9SwhlK0U

Very lovely indeed

Snow upon the ground

Our condo apartment building with pictures taken on the first snow fall of the year

a few weeks ago

As we grow up we learn that even the one person who wasn't supposed to ever let us down, probably will. You'll have your heart broken and you'll break others' hearts. You'll fight with your best friend or even fall in love with them, and you'll cry because time is flying by. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, forgive freely and love like you've never been hurt. Life comes with no guarantees, no tie outs, no second chances. You just have to live life to the fullest, tell someone what they mean to you and tell someone off, speak out, dance in the pouring rain, hold someone's hand, comfort a friend, fall asleep watching the sun come up, stay up late, be a flirt, and smile until your face hurts. Don't be afraid to take chances or to fall in love and most of all, live in the moment because every second you spend angry or upset is a second of happiness you can never get back.

More than ready to welcome a bright beautiful new year full

of only blessings

.•.\|/.•´
✿◠‿◠✿.
.• ´/|\`•.
The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree; the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." ~ Burton Hillis

Today be Thankful and think how rich you are. Your family is priceless, your time is gold, and your health is wealth.

Amen…

★*˚°。°*。°*。★*˚°。°*。°˚°★*˚°。°*。°*★*˚°。°*。°*★
˛°_██_*˚°。°/♥ \*˚°。°*。°*★*˚°。°*。°*★*˚°。°*。°*★
˛. (´• ̮•)*.。*/♫.♫\*˛.*˛_Π_____*˚°。*。°**˚°。°*。°*★
.°( . • . ) ˛°./• '♫ ' •\.˛*./______/~＼*˚°。°*。°*°* ˚°*★
*(...'•'.. ) *˛╬╬╬╬╬˛°.｜田田❤｜門｜╬╬╬╬╬*˚°。°*。°*
★*˚°。°*。°*。★ Merry Christmas from our hearts and home to yours! ★

Sunday, 8 December 2013

Soulful Sunday

Beautiful creation by my dear friend Dani

Everything you create is pure Magic.

“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.”
― Laura Ingalls Wilder
¸.•☆*´¨`☽

*°☆.♪♫ ..
.,-,*´`'*°☆“Winter came down to our home one night
/.( ..Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow¸.✫
\ { *.☆*.And we, we were children once again."✫˚¯`☆
`-`☆.¸¸.•´☆all the way to your door” ✫.¸`★
`☆´¸.✫.¸~ ~Bill Morgan, Jr

I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”

― Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

CHRISTMAS LOVE

- paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,
but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime,
but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity,
but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes,
attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata
but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return
but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost,
golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of LOVE will endure.

~ author unknown

As read on the fabulous blog

Mennonite Girls Can Cook

Link on the sidebar also

http://www.mennonitegirlscancook.ca/

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=MrqqD_Tsy4Q

Fabulous presentation

http://www.jacquielawson.com/preview.asp?cont=1&hdn=0&pv=3365923&path=98301

These cards are so beautiful

Saturday, 7 December 2013

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?”

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.” She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.”

It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don’t carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the glass down!

,-, * ´`'*°★ ´`'*°★ ´`'*°★
/.( (͡๏̯͡๏) ´`'*°★
\ { ( , ,)
`-`★.¸¸. •°*”˜☽☆* ✲♥☽´`'*°★ ´`'*°★
´`'*°★ —

Yesterday I went to Sts. Vlaadmir and Olga church to pick up home made cabbage rolls and perogies

On my way out of the vehicle a wise old owl was sitting in a tree near me and it turned its neck around and gazed at me for the longest time.

I had a stressful morning in many ways and it was almost like a sign from Heaven.

This is pretty much how the owl looked only much bigger............

It was very touching to me................

The Wise Owl
The wise old owl
Sat in an oak.
The more he saw,
The less he spoke.
The less he spoke,
The more he heard.
Why can't we be like
That wise old bird?

-----------------------------------------

One wise owl sitting in a tree
Hooted to another, "Come sit with me."
Two wise owls sitting in a tree
Hooted to one more, "Come let's be three!"
Three wise owls sitting in a tree
Hooted to a fourth, "Come quietly."
Four wise owls sitting in a tree
Hooted to a fifth, "Join our family."
Five wise owls sang "Whooo, whooo, whooo!"
And before you knew it, away they all flew!

-----------------------------------------

Five Little Owls
Five little owls in an old elm tree,
Fluffy and puffy as owls could be,
Blinking and winking with big round eyes
At the big round moon that hung in the skies.
As I passed beneath, I could hear one say,
"There'll be mouse for supper, there will, today!"
Then all of them hooted "Tu -whit, Tu-whoo!"
Yes, mouse for supper, Hoo hoo, Hoo hoo!"

-----------------------------------------

I Talk With the Moon
I talk with the moon, said the owl
While she lingers over my tree
I talk with the moon, said the owl
And the night belongs to me.

I talk with the sun, said the wren
As soon as he starts to shine
I talk with the sun, said the wren
And the day is mine.

-----------------------------------------

An owl sat alone
On the branch of a tree
And he was as quiet
As quiet could be.
His eyes were open,
And round like this: OO
He looked all around,
Not a thing did he miss.

Some children crept up
To the branch of the tree
And they were as quiet
As quiet could be.
Said the wise old owl
"Too wooh! To wooh!
Then up jumped the children
And away they flew!

-----------------------------------------

Wise Mister Owl,
Keen as he can be,
Quietly watches
From up in his tree.
Suddenly he spies
A fine tasty treat,
Far off in a field,
Ah, something to eat!

-----------------------------------------

Four Little Owls
Four little owls sitting in a tree
The first one said, "Whoo look at me."
The second one said, "We have very large feet."
The third one said, "We also eat meat."
The fourth one said, "Come on, let's fly!"
Away they went, high up in the sky.

-----------------------------------------

Mr. Owl
I saw an owl up in a tree
I looked at him and he looked at me.
I couldn't tell you about his size
For all I saw were two big eyes.

In spite of the challenges life presents us it brings to us much beauty and magic.

Don't forget to look for that as well.

Owl poems as found on the blog

http://www.readinglady.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=37

“The world is full of magic things,

patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” ~ W.B. Yeats

"If you send out goodness from yourself,

or if you share that which is happy or good within you,
it will all come back to you multiplied ten thousand times.
In the kingdom of love there is no competition;
there is no possessiveness or control.
The more love you give away, the more love you will have.”
~ John O'Donohue,

“Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.”

― Rabindranath Tagore

http://thekoreanway.wordpress.com/2010/12/17/santa-%ED%95%A0%EC%95%84%EB%B2%84%EC%A7%80-haraboji/

This above photograph and the information below on the Christmas Santa in South Korea is from this blog link

But South Korea does have its own Santa Claus. He’s called Santa
할아버지, which translated is Grandfather Santa. Might be dressed like a Western Santa in a red suit, or you might see him in a blue suit. A couple of years ago we found this figurine of Santa 할아버지 on eBay, and he’s become a party of holiday Santa display.

He’s wearing a traditional 갓 (gat), which is a tall hat worn by some men during the Joseun Dynasty. The 갓 protected the topknot hairstyle that men of status wore during this time. But Santa’s hair is hanging long down his back.

I╰ღ ╮(¯`v´¯)
ღೋ``•.¸.•´.."Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.
Kindness in giving creates ԼƔЄ ♥♫♥ ” ~Lao Tzu

¯`v´¯)
.`•.¸.•´ ★ [̲̅L̲̅][̲̅O̲̅][̲̅V̲̅][̲̅E̲̅] [̲̅L̲̅][̲̅O̲̅][̲̅V̲̅][̲̅E̲̅] [̲̅L̲̅][̲̅O̲̅][̲̅V̲̅][̲̅E̲̅]
¸.•´.•´¨) ¸.•¨)
(¸.•´(¸.•´ (¸.•¨¯`* Love
May a thread of comfort be woven
through your difficult days.
~Mary Anne Radmacher~

http://www.youtube.com/embed/Gw8P8L1LfDM?rel=0

Moose in a Maple Tree

Friday, 6 December 2013

Some Great Quotes from Nelson Mandela

What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead."

— Nelson Mandela

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." ~Nelson Mandela

Always remember this: We are all walking each other home. ~Ram Dass

All we can say is thank you. This world is a better place because of you. You served us well.
Rest in peace.

Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid icon and father of modern-day South Africa, dies at age 95.

My sincerest prayers to his friends and family. In his honor, here is a list of the Top 10 Nelson Mandela Quotes

1. Nothing in this world is impossible and Mandela makes sure to remind us of that.

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

2. A lot of people find it easy to be pessimistic and think of the negatives that can arise out of a situation. But in this quote, Mandela shows us that thinking positive is the only way to go. The more positive you think, the more positive the outcome will probably be.

“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”

3. Living isn’t just about doing for yourself, but what you do for others as well.

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

4. An ode to the fact that racism is not passed on genetically, but passed on through teachings.

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

5. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

“If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.”

6. Be brave!

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

7. Sometimes you can leave a place and find that the only thing that has changed after all the years is yourself.

“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.”

8. Life is a course with endless obstacles to hurdle.

“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.”

9. We are too quick to give up and refuse to get up from our failures. If we don’t fight to get up, we are giving up on something bigger — life.

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

10. From the poorest of countries to the richest of nations, education is the key to moving forward in any society.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

l i v e ☆ l a u g h ツ l o v e g r o w ☼

✻ღϠ₡ღ✻
(¯`✻´¯)
`*.¸.*✻ღϠ₡ღ¸.✻´´¯`✻.¸¸.Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ..
Enjoy Your Beautiful Friday....

Keep cozy and warm there is supposed to be a cold spell heading in.

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*..✿´´¯`•.¸⁀°♡
"Participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world.
We cannot cure the world of sorrows,
but we can choose to live in joy."
~Joseph Campbell~

Two things to remember in life

Take care of your thoughts when you are alone, and take care of your words when you are with people.