Dickens, Being Merry and 16 days to Christmas

This is the season when we feel content if not entirely happy, we are more apt to socialize and from what the media tells us, we are in a much more generous frame of mind...Aah!
To tell the truth, I thought being generous was a feeling most of us experience throughout the calendar year...hum... But then again, it is true most people will shop for hours for the "right" gift and will less likely balk at the actual price tag...And most of us will certainly reach out in our pockets for that loose change when hearing the Salvation bell ringer upon exiting a store...

Still, being generous and remembering our fellow humans (and let's not forget our animal friends!) is not something seasonal. This very special feeling we experience during the Holiday Season for the birth of Christ should be in fact felt throughout the year. No matter how busy we are, no matter the stress we experience or the financial hardship we endure, being generous should not be tantamount to climbing mountains but rather cresting hills...A smile here and there, a helping hand where needed, a kind gesture towards a stranger, just because...
This is what He meant for us... Giving of ourselves where we can and as often as we can...

Dickens wrote of unbelievable hardships, yet we feel in his stories the whole of human triumph over adversity despite the many ups and downs... I like to read Charles Dickens stories to remind myself that life is by far better for me than most!

And so each year I immerse myself in the Christmas Carols, Oliver Twist, Little Dorrit, A Tale of Two Cities, and such... Writings such as his, many written in his Broadstairs home, reflects the dark as well as the merry side of Victorian life. And as a reader I can immerse myself in the best of his work, feel all the emotions he so well described and all from the comfort of my home...A most wonderful gift!

16 Days to Christmas...I finally finished my knitting for Heavenly Angels in Need for this year, sent my parcels to Marines and National Guards overseas - AnySoldier.com and
SoldierAngels.com - and gave my husband a USPS receipt for a total of $96 (outch!) for the shipping of 9 Christmas boxes...I just hope the warm feeling of this Season will envelop him just as much as it does me!

Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!
(Charles Dickens)

A Franciscan Christmas, book review

I have always been drawn to Christmas as everyone will tell you if they know me and I remember well St Francis being a favourite Saint of ours so this book just called to me!

A Franciscan Christmas introduces us to both an amazing amount of Franciscan history and Christian spirituality but allows us also to reflect on the true meaning of the different elements of the Creche, something we often forget during this busy season!

Each chapter introduces us to a different topic in the description of the birth of our Holy Saviour such as Jesus, Mary, Joseph, The Shepherds, The magi and so on and begins with a bible reference.
The author then ends each description with a suggestion beginning with "This Christmas..."

This Christmas, let's remember the true meaning of this Blessed Season! This is truly a time to celebrate, but also to share our faith, to help others and show them how special they truly are are and this book is just the perfect tool to help us!
Like St Francis let's remember that we can find joy in little things, but meaningful ones.

Kathleen M.Carroll reminds us that at his birth. Jesus gave the gift of himself and what a gift! Let's rediscover the true meaning of being Christians and celebrate by giving, not receiving!

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

This book is well written, a perfect gift for anyone of course especially at this time of the year but also a great addition to your personal library.
I give it 5 stars!

I received this book from The Catholic Company as part of their blogger program.
Please visit The Catholic Company to find more information on A Franciscan Christmas . They are also a great source for first communion gifts and baptism gifts.
I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Faraway from Home, Soldiers and Noel

Christmas Eve 1914 - Somewhere in the trenches... Scots, French and Germans Soldiers fraternized and got to know the men who lived on the opposite side of a most brutal war, in what became ultimately an incredible lesson on Humanity!

I learned this historical event as a little child and when I first heard of a movie made after the facts I went in search of a copy for myself and my family.

This is JOYEUX NOEL, a story that will make you believe there is still hope no matter the darkness and what better time to remember this then on the 1st of Decembre and the beginning of the Advent!

The movie was filmed with care and the Director, Screen writer, Music composer and the many Actors who participated in this production are to be commended.
I truly enjoy seeing this one over and over and we make a point to include it in our Christmas movie/music selection each year. You might say it has become a tradition!

I listen to the music while writing to Marines and National Guards stationed overseas and faraway friends and family and the words speaks to us all...

I'm dreaming of Home

"I hear the mountain birds
The sound of rivers singing
A song I've often heard
It flows through me now
So clear and so loud
I stand where I am
And forever I'm dreaming of home
I feel so alone, I'm dreaming of home

It's carried in the air
The breeze of early morning
I see the land so fair
My heart opens wide
There's sadness inside
I stand where I am
And forever I'm dreaming of home
I feel so alone, I'm dreaming of home

This is no foreign sky
I see no foreign light
But far away am I
From some peaceful land
I'm longing to stand
A hand in my hand
...forever I'm dreaming of home
I feel so alone, I'm dreaming of home"

To All who are so faraway yet still in our hearts! You are never forgotten...

Note: All opinions expressed are my own. I was not asked to review movie/lyrics but simply shared this with readers.

A Plain & Simple Christmas, book review

As I stated before, I love Christmas and it is a rule in our house that we read books and see movies inspired by this Blessed Season only.
During those long winter nights, it keeps us warm, it gives us hope and it makes us just plainly happy!

A Plain & Simple Christmas by Amy Clipston is the first of the many books I plan to read this season and it gave me such a warm feeling of coming home... Its cover reminded me of the Amish countryside we often crossed while living in the Midwest, with its buggies and beautiful farmhouses in rolling hills!

This novella is written in plain (translate beautiful) style giving you the opportunity to witness the faith of a simple Amish family, the rules and traditions of a unique community including the shunning of one of their own and ultimately their love for God and each other.

Anna Mae left her community four years ago to marry an Englisher or non-Amish person and is soon to have a child. Missing her family and friends, she reaches out to one of her freindschaft (relative) and asks her to arrange for Anna Mae to visit her family with her husband at Christmas time. But when Anna Mae's letter reaches her family, not everyone is happy to hear from her and her journey back amongst the community is not an easy one.

Amy Clipston's book is truly an inspirational journey of discoveries for both sides, the Amish and the English, of love and faith in a family and the strength it gives them.
It is a story ultimately of forgiveness at Christmas, a time when anything is possible, a time simply for miracles.

This was truly an enjoyable story, one I am sure will bring you a feeling of peace and warmth.
I gave it 4 stars!

I received this book from Zondervan Publishers as part of their Blogger program and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

A Year with God, Daily Readings and Reflections, Book review

The cover of this book says it all: "Make His Thoughts Your Thoughts"! A Year with God, Daily Readings and Reflections on God's Own Words is an excellent way to start each day!

If like me most of your Bible studies have been in the New Testament, you will find that R. P. Nettelhorst uses the Old Testament for his latest book and thus reveals an amazing amount of God's wisdom and teachings in this 365-day devotional.

It will take just a few moments of your time each day to remind yourself how powerful God's words truly are as the author takes an actual event in the Old Testament and helps us to understand His intentions. Clearly each of us can benefit from A Year with God insights and commentaries written in what I can only describe as an easy format to follow.

I give this book a 4 stars!

I received this book from Booksneeze/Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Blogger program and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Snow Days, Corgi frolicks and cool weather

About my statement of yesterday...Snow rarely falls on our tiny island...(And I hear we will have 16 degrees Fahrenheit tonight...)
I seem to recall a picture is worth a thousand words so here we go...

I think this is the first time this Old Glory ever felt snow....

This is what we saw within minutes of waking up...

This much snow is really unusual believe it or not...and then...

A Fox came out...

Just kidding of course...MacIntosh could not resist all that snow! He is truly in his element as soon as the first snow flake of the year falls down...


Searching...almost got it...yes, life is good!

Heaven, I am in Heaven...

Guess who is now dreaming of a White Christmas...

Snowflakes coming down and 34 days to Christmas

It's official...we have snow on the island! And yes, it is worth mentioning since we seldom have snow here! In fact, it is so rare, photos are taken and published on the HOA website when it does snow!

I love snow, just enough for a white Christmas, something deep enough for the Corgi to go crazy - MacIntosh loves snow like all Corgis! - and maybe just enough for a few snowballs and perhaps a snowman! Unfortunately the type of snow required for such - or even for a nice sleigh ride - is unheard of in these parts!
Then again I do not own a sleigh...How sad!

The snowflakes keep falling...I love to see those sticking to the windows! I once learned long, long ago that a snowflake is in fact two snow crystals which develop when tiny cloud droplets freeze. Well it is cold enough for that! Snowflakes comes in many sizes and shapes and are nearly unique in shape!

Some lucky child might even make snow angels somewhere....MacIntosh wish he could help!


I remember as a little girl taking the tram or trolley bus to go downtown and shop for the Holidays. On snowy days, it was cold but we loved the festive atmosphere. Our Granny made sure we were well bundled up! Ah to be a child again...

34 days left to Christmas and counting...
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...