Last Photos Of 2010

We traveled to see family this past week,

it was great to see everyone and of course

I took every opportunity to use the Mister's new camera.

I suppose I have a healthy and active

addiction to photography.

So.....,

It occurred to me these were the last photos

I would take in the year 2010.

I think a good omen....a place of worship.

I have a thing for beautiful churches and will go out of my

way to see them.

 "Whoa pull over please!"

This pretty old Catholic church was 

on the main street of a small town we passed through, in Georgia.

"Church of  Immaculate Conception"........

Looks like clapboard in the construction, 

and I love that.

 The  front doors say, 

 "you are mightily welcomed, please come inside."

Notice the steeple and the cross.....

 a beautiful thing how the cross cast a  shadow over

 the church roof.
-
Tired from our trip, but having good thoughts......
feeling hopeful and optimistic about the future.....
For now, I'm

closing out the year with quotes by two amazing "believers"....

-

"Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable

and receives the impossible." ~ Corrie Ten Boom

-

"You are never to old to set another goal or

dream a new dream".....~C S Lewis

-

So....this coming year, be sure to look for His blessings
and remember His promises....

Happy New Year.....Dee Dee

A Quick Look Back And On With The New Year

I suppose we're all much the same,

while looking forward to the future, about this same time each year,

we all take a quick look back...wrap up a few loose ends

and begin new preparations.

 A new year begins tomorrow at midnight....

are you ready with your resolutions

and new blogging plans?

I am...

Looking back, I'm thinking

it's much easier to do so for a blogger, for we have

plenty to look at in our archives...sort of

like having an online journal.

Our blogs tell a lot about us....

our likes and dislikes, things about our families.... 

the kinds of books we read,

the foods we eat

the music we like and even a bit of our politics.

Well, here we go everyone...

I,m planning lots of good things, and with God,s

help I,ll do just fine.

Blessings...DeeDee

-

Old Year Passing.....

 Old year 2010 candle.....

New Year's candle 2011......

A Christmas gift from my daughter,

a beautiful white lantern

giving off just the right amount of light...

winter mood light. Cozy is a good word

for sitting in candle-light.

As I sat gazing, I've been thinking of how soon

the old year will be passing.....

2010

...never to be spoken in the present tense again.

The year will end as though a candle were snuffed out.

It's been a tumultous year with a great deal

 of sadness for many throughout the world.

-

My "New Year's Prayer"  will be that

just as the old year ends, there will be

renewed  hope, joy and peace for everyone.

-

Happy New Year!
and God Be With You

.....deedee

The Birth Of A New Year

"I no longer make goals that streatch

far into the future, but try to achieve,

to learn, to wonder, and to keep

gratitude in my heart,

for each tender mercy."~Jenni Farnes

Victoria Magazine

I suppose the new year is seen by us all,

as a time that brings opportunity for change.

Perhaps we begin making  healthier habits or maybe

 we finally begin something we've put

off for a long while...something we've

dreamed of doing. 

 Last year, my

"New Year's Resolution" was to begin

drawing and painting with watercolors.

Often my efforts are seen here on my

Blog....post titled "Pencils and Watercolors."

What a fun and exciting journey it has

been.  Once I began, there was no

turning back or dragging my feet. I have

learned from this experience, many  valuable lessons.

With the challenge before me, and the determination

I quickly realized my ability and  there was nothing

stopping me. 

 I've shared my experience with 

 friends and family.....

and think it wise to tell

our children and grandchildren

to follow their dreams and figure out

early in life what  is most

important to them.  Carve out space and

time and pursue your dreams as soon as

they are realized. 

Never stretch out your

goals way into  the future, we are not

promised tomorrow.

-

Good blessings for you all as you begin this

 new year 2011

....Dee Dee

Wishing You All A Very............

..........Dee Dee

Christmas Night Reflections.....

                                                Another Christmas has come and gone....

It was almost everything we had wished for.

We all opened presents, and they were very

nice, but I've decided that

the best gifts of all in this life,

are our  friends, family, children and

grandchildren.

Today we saw precious little  faces as they opened their

gifts....heard their laughter and received their hugs, 

.....they are so

generous with their love, their unconditional love.

I think  the message of Christmas

is God's gift to us.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave

His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes

in Him shall not parish but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

Christmas blessings for you.....Dee Dee

Christ Is The Reason We Celebrate Christmas

Jesus is worthy of all glory,

all honor and praise.

Praying your Christmas is filled

with His majestic presence.

Merry Christmas dear family and friends......

and God bless you everyone.

Dee Dee and the Mister....

Rejoicing In Heaven

The Bible tells us there was rejoicing in heaven

when Christ was born.

"Unto us a Son is given....

Wonderful, Councilor

the mighty God

the everlasting Father...

the Prince of peace.

King of kings and

Lord of Lord!

And He shall reign forever and ever. Amen"

-

Merry Christmas dear family and friends

and may God give you the

sweetest of blessings throughout

the new year.

DeeDee

Cherished...Given In Friendship

While looking at our Christmas tree this morning,

I began thinking of Christmases past when

our tree was so ladened with

saved and special ornaments, we could

see little evergreen of the tree.

This year, our tree sparkles with a theme in mind, with

 shiny and reflecting decorative items.

Many are symbolic

 of Christ coming to earth

as a babe born in a manger....angels and stars

-

To  be cherished forever,

a starlike cross ornament,

given in friendship, also adorns our tree.

  It will always have a place on our

tree in the coming years,

as reminder

........ that some people

come into our lives and quickly

go. Some stay for awhile and leave

footprints on our hearts, and we

are never the same.

-

I hope your all

enjoying this Christmas eve eve....DeeDee

An Artistic Curiosity

I like her eyes.....

You might recognize her, she was on a

previous post....

Shown here, is my artistic curiosity with

camera settings and my photo program.

Turn me loose long enough, and I

will explore, and make new and

interesting discoveries that sometimes

further enhance my already unusual

artistic endeavors.

Interesting textures,

don't you think?

-

Enjoying the moments,

and feeling grateful tonight.

Good Blessings...Dee Dee

Winter White Roses....Blooming At Christmas

They love and thrive in cooler weather....

We are blessed to have beautiful

white Roses blooming all winter long

here in Florida.

When they bloom, I clip them and

bring them inside to enjoy.

Photos were taken of my view each morning.....

my kitchen window sill.

Another blessing from our

magnificent Creator.

Thanking Him today....Dee Dee

Pineapple...The Symbol For Welcome

We're entertaining some very good friends tomorrow

evening, so I'm busying  tidying up and

making our home have that ...

come in, you are mightily welcomed feeling to it.

-

I was watching a program the other day, I think

 coming from Colonial Williamsburg.

There they use pineapples in door wreaths

at Christmastime, and in various

arrangements throughout the homes.

I love the whole idea....seems   kind of

warm and friendly.

The basket shown sits on my dining table,

holding not only the pineapple, but also small pears,

apples, avocados and nuts....all

deliciously edible and available for

guest that might sit and visit a while.

-

I hope your having as much fun as I am.....

I love Christmas!

Next on my list of  "to dos"

 Make my

traditional  "English Shortbread."

Gonna be so nice with that

Barnie's Santa,s White Christmas Coffee....

Thinking joyful and happy thoughts!

Lord Bless You......Dee Dee....

Christmas Art For Children

Yes, I'm painting snow scenes
for children, tonight.

It's cold outside, and we're actually

having a typical  winter's night....

Jack Frost even nipping at our ears.

While everyone up north

has been posting photos of  lovely

fireplaces and snow covered yards,

I've been pining away.....just longing

for even a few snow flurries.

It's Christmas, after all...

sleigh riding time.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

-

Realizing all His blessings......DeeDee

A Cold Winters Night

Today was awesome.

Worship at Christmastime is the best!

I never tire of hearing Matthew's

account of the birth of Christ.

The message is loud and clear,

He came for the whole world.

Voices singing Christmas carols in unison,

blesses my heart.

-

It's been a long fulfilling Lord's day.

Now, the house

is quiet, I've been painting and

drawing and the Mister is preparing

nice flavored coffees for us.

-

The painting......

I loved doing this one.

 A fine

"Christmas Goose"

out for a stroll

on a cold winter's night

The moon is shining on the

new fallen snow.

It's a beautiful sight he's

happy tonight....

walking in a winter wonder land.

-

Have a great week!

Blessings.....Dee Dee

The Christmas Corsage....Watercolors & Pencils

Do you remember the Christmas corsage?

I sure do, and oh how I wish they were

back in style.

 We all wore them, back in the days

 and the bigger

and shinier, the better.

There's just something really pretty

and feminine about a small floral

arrangement worn on a ladies suit,

or winter coat, and the outfit could go from

just okay to wow!

Now the young lady seen here,

wearing a beautiful corsage,

 would have been

"stylin" back in the 50,s....

don't you think?

She's also got that

I,m dreaming of  a horse drawn  sleigh ride

with the boy next door kinda  look in her eyes,

or just maybe

I,m all dressed up and need a place to go.

-

Now I've been thinking...... it wouldn't

take a whole lot of effort, a few

tiny and shiny Christmas colored balls,

 bits of greenery and silk ribbon

and I could whip

a little corsage together in no time

at all.

-

"Sleigh bells ring, are you listening......."

-

Enjoying the season.....

of peace,love,joy.......Dee Dee 

Thriving Cabbages

Remember the cabbages?
Calling attention to themselves as
they sit on a small bistro table
in the garden.

I posted on the ornamental cabbages

a few weeks ago.  We've had

such beautiful weather lately,

even very cold days and nights.

Sure looks as though the cabbages

are loving it.

 I just had to take a few

photos and show then off.....

Have you ever seen such

beautiful colors?

Nature's palette of

perfection.

-

Speaking of palettes,

  I'll be doing a few small paintings

this weekend,

with Christmas in mind.

I'm sure they'll show up on

a post in the next day or so.

-

I hope your all enjoying the

warmth and joy of the season.

Blessings....Dee Dee

Sounds of Christmas Merriment

Christmas In The Olden Time

~Sir Walter Scott

Heap on more wood!

 -the wind is chill;

But let it whistle as it will,

We'll keep our Christmas merry still.....

-

Just a few words from Sir Walter's

poem, describes how it is with

our family and friends living

in northern colder climates.

Word is that schools are closing

for snow days, and roads

are  frozen over in sheets of ice

for those living in North Carolina.

Further north, up close to Canada,

it's taking  pellet stoves and

 furnaces to warm the homes.

But a little bit of cold and snow never

dampens  the spirits of these

resilient folks. They've been

prepared for this kind of weather,

 for weeks now. Why,  there's so

much love and merriment

going on in these homes.....

-

I can almost hear the sounds of their voices

as the Christmas baking begins.

"Let's put some colored sugars

 on these warm cookies."

"Alright, who wants fudge?"

-

During the winter, they'll have 

neighbors stopping by to help clear

snow from the driveways.
I'm hearing sweet hospitality......

"Come on in and get warm by the fire, and

you know you'll want some hot chocolate,

Sure do appreciate your help with the snow."
"Tell the Missus, thank you for the venison stew."

"Merry Christmas and God bless."

-
Sweet sounds of Christmas merriment.......

Blessings.....Dee Dee

Do You Remember?

We've just finished watching

"The Polar Express".....

now a tradition each Christmas.

Even to adults, the whole

movie experience is magical.

It's made me think back to my

childhood, when I still believed

in Santa Claus. 
Times were

much different in those days.

Ole Santa would bring us

candy, fruit and nuts for our stockings,

coloring books and crayons,

and one main gift

for each child in our family.

Until the age of eight,

Santa brought me a new doll. 

My last doll  had long brown pig-tails.

Sadly, when our family moved from
our home in South Carolina,
she was left behind  in the attic,

inside a box of outgrown toys.
Occasionally I think of my doll,
usually when  finding myself in the
 doll aisle of a toy store. 

I'll search for the one
that looks most like her. Finding one with

long brown pig-tails, I'll look into

her eyes, smile, and think of the

child that will soon have her as

a new best friend and playmate.

-

Ah yes, I remember Christmases

 before the

"end of the magic"

when

 I could still hear the bell ring.
-
The Santa seen here, is adhered
to my curio cabinet for the children,
 ......isn't he just the best?
-
Blessings.....Dee Dee

Soft Beauty of the Poinsettia....

*Christmas began in the heart of God.

It is complete only when it reaches

the heart of man.~author unknown

All month long, I've looked for

white Poinsettias.  Why did I not go

by the Fresh Market to begin with?

Just take a look for yourself,

they are soooo pretty.

My friends living close by.....

scurry on over, they have plenty

left.  As a matter of fact, they

seem to have everything you might

need for your Christmas table, stockings,

and "foody" gift giving.

 One other thought....

the food pantries at our churches

can probably use extra food this

time of year.

 Just wishing you all the

quiet beauty of a peaceful

Christmas season.......Dee Dee

Roses For Christmas

The forecast was bitter cold temps,

down in the low 30s.  Those of

you living in northern climate, are

most likely laughing at my description

of what is bitter cold to me.

We were dressed as though

we lived in Antarctica

the Mister and I, as we hurriedly

covered our Hibiscus, and cherished

potted Roses.  The Roses,

happiest in Florida's winter

climate, are full of buds and

just beginning to open.

So, I clipped a few and

brought them in....how lovely

to have Roses for Christmas.

Not only is it looking like

Christmas here at the cottage,

with cold winter breezes

coming in from the Gulf,

it definitely reminds me of

those Christmases

I remember, as a child, in Pennsylvania.

Did someone mention

"hot chocolate"....it feels a bit chilly in here!

Good blessings for the day....Dee Dee



So Much To Read....So Little Time Left

At the beginning of December,

I hurriedly purchased some

great little Christmas reads

at my library's resale store.

Corrie Ten Boom's Christmas Years,

is found in the small stack....

shown here.

I can hardly wait to read this, and

most likely will, first.

Why haven't I begun reading?

Good things going on and not

enough hours in the day.

-

I popped into B&N this past week,

looking for gift ideas...found plenty.....

As is usual this time of year,

the front tables of the store,

were piled high with

new and entertaining

"CHRISTMAS BOOKS"

Do you find them all irresistible?

I do, however, this year, I

used self control and

left them alone.

Between the little books I have,

already, lying in wait, and the

Hallmark nightly Christmas movies,

I am well satisfied with my

wistful yearning for Christmases

from the past....and

celebrations of days gone by.

What can I say,

so much to read, and so little time left.
Christmas will be here, before we know it!

Be blessed this week.......Dee Dee

Start At The Manger

Painting by deedee....Cantata  inspired...."Mary and Jesus"

Tonight our choir performed a

Christmas cantata

titled "Start at the Manger....

Then Go to the Cross."

-

"Start at the manger, on a cold

winter's night, look for the star

in the sky then follow the light.

It leads to a Savior...."

-

I've been singing and

practicing this beautiful  music

all week long, the words

I've gone over and over....even

dreaming the words....this is true.

After our performance, the choir

stood in the vestibule of the church

to receive the congregation.  The

program was enjoyed by everyone

and we received  the grandest and

sweetest of "family of God"  reviews.

Several  commented as to how

the words had touched their hearts.

I know they did mine...

I struggled with a few tears......

as we began singing....while

thinking back on how

 the Lord had brought me through

a deep valley ...a serious illness,

and now He had

brought me to the

mountaintop!

 Christmas is indeed a time of

rebirth and renewal....

-

Blessings....Dee Dee

Christmas Magic

A December Saturday and I'm finding

again, one of those "Kodak" moments....

White is the Christmas color

in our living room...but then

tiny hints of other colors, as

seen in the glass  bowl that has 

bits of pale aqua shades.

Loving that afternoon

sun that just seems to "kiss"

whatever lies in it's path.

Today, a white snowflake

Christmas bell.

More Christmas magic,

I suppose.

-

Have a blessed day....Dee Dee

Mamma Zee's Candles....

 

It just wouldn't be Christmas without candles in the windows.

Through the years we've

  affectionately referred  to them as

"Mamma Zee's Candles"

Mamma Zee, the matriarch of the family,

was a true role model and big influence

on the younger women in the family.

I found  this beautiful

petite, fashionably attractive southern lady

to be completely charming..

Having recently married her grandson,

the day I met her,

she embraced me completely as newest

member of the family.  The occasion was

Christmas, and her home was beautifully

adorned with all the latest in holiday decor.

Never before had I seen a silver Christmas tree,

but there it was in her very formal living room.

The tree, pink velvet chairs and candles in the

windows, all had her signature on them. 

For many years,

 we gathered with her, to celebrate Christmas.

 Mamma  Zee has long ago gone to be with the Lord,

but each Christmas as I place  candles in

the windows,  memories of the warmth of her heart, 

her generosity to everyone...and the love she had  for 

each member of her family comes flooding back. 

Ah yes, she is definitely one of those

sweetest of blessings given to our family

by a loving and caring God.

-

Christmas Blessings.....Dee Dee

Lovely Christmas Images

My late night "gift card art."  Christmas ball has fallen from tree....

I'm finding Christmas art to be some of my favorite.

-

Crown & Crumpet Images....

Have you ever looked into the eyes of a

young child as they gaze upon a Christmas tree

or walk into a  Christmas Shoppe?

Happened to me all over again,

 having found, via the Internet, 

"Crown & Crumpet Tea Salon"

.....one of a kind gift shop.

Oh my, a beautiful little place located 

 in San Francisco.

Visit here...... http://www.crownandcrumpet.com/

and have those same feelings of

childhood wonderment all over again.

I promise.

I'm lovin what I'm seeing....pretty magical things.

Blessings....Dee Dee

Christmas Carolers

art by dee dee....

-

Welcomed Carolers at Christmastime...

Have you noticed on my Playlist

all the children's choir music?

To me, there is nothing more

beautiful than children singing

traditional Christian-Christmas music.

-

It was not so long ago, that

choirs actually strolled from

door to door singing Christmas Carols.

During the month of

December, this tradition

 still holds somewhat true as

 choirs gather to sing....

 in our little village.

Lots of folks in the community come

out for "An Old Fashioned Christmas."

I have the calendar marked for

the occasion, that and the

"Lighted Boat Parade."

Don't you just love all the

festivities of Christmas?

-

If you like, stay here for a while

and listen to the music...you are mightily welcomed.

Blessings....Dee Dee