Monday, December 21, 2015

PRELUDE TO THE HOLIDAYS


My enthusiasm for the holidays is remote but - despite this fact - I've decided to offer a few visual tokens of the season.

Translate that for us, Jon.

Okay. Here are some haphazard photos I took this weekend. Well, all except for this one:


Since I don't have a fireplace here in Tennessee, I decided to warm you up with an old photo of my fireplace in Texas. I miss the coziness of a hearth - - but truthfully I seldom used it, and it was a helluva lot of trouble to clean.



The wintery glow of late afternoon in December. A view from my back porch.


The moon rising last night, or half a moon, anyway. Our unseasonably warm weather has vanished and the past few days have been colder than a penguin's kiss. Warm weather is expected again by Christmas. No snow in sight.

 Oranges and peppermint candles. I've been using these candles for several years now.




Mini tree on my antique desk. I have to keep things away from Bosco and Scruffy (my old cat Scratch is no problem). Painting above the desk is of Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland - painted in the 1840's.

 I have no intention of doing any decorating this year, but I will string up some colored lights this week - - simply because I love colored lights. They put me in a mellow, reflective mood.



 An antique prayer box salvaged from the ruins of an ancient church (it's one of the few things the movers didn't lose or break.....)


Closeup of the glass-covered door which opens.


Night views of the Pieta statue at the top.

No big plans for this holiday week. I'll have to drive into town before Christmas to get a few things. Rain is predicted for tomorrow (Monday) which is a good excuse to stay home. I might make the turkey on Christmas Eve. It's in the freezer and I hope I remember to thaw it. I'll write myself a note.

Is this the worst blog post I've ever written? Naw, but it comes close.



20 comments:

  1. Jon, your new header photo is terrific! I can think of little that compares to the emotional comfort of a 'real' fireplace like you've shown here, with real brick and an honest-to-goodness hearth. While I like the oranges/peppermint candles tableau, I'm loving the pine cones and mulberry(?) effect.

    We're obligated (ya, that's the word) to 'do' Christmas Eve at Tom's son's place, but I'm hoping the next day's spent in solitary confinement!

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    1. Myra, I was just messing around with header photos to see which one looks the best and I tried several. I honestly can't remember which ones I had. I'll try to find it again.....hopefully.....

      Well, if you drink enough spiked eggnog, you just might enjoy Christmas Eve. Hopefully the next day you can stay home and escape further celebrations.

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    2. I just re-posted one of the header photos but I'm not sure if it's the one you liked.

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    3. Yes, that's the one! It reminds me of my hometown.

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  2. That is a beautiful photo for the header. I wish I had a fireplace I'd definitely use it. And, I must say I love your decorations and furniture. The prayer box is beautiful and I can't believe somebody would leave it to ruin. Thanks for sharing your home with us all. Its lovely. Oh, your kitties won't mess with it will they? (I'd hate to see something like that get ruined. :)

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    1. Thanks, Amanda. I don't have much time to decorate this year, but I managed to put up a few things that I like. Unfortunately I do have to be careful because of the cats. Scruffy and Bosco tend to get over-enthusiastic.

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  3. looks nice, jon. you don't need a martha stewart bigass decorating blowout; what you have is just fine. tasteful, too.

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    1. I think my Martha Stewart days are finally over - - but I do miss my fireplace.

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  4. Hellloooooooo!!!! I actually found this post to be quite charming. I love your little tree and the fireplace from Texas, reminds me of holidays of yesterday. I swear evey year, I'm going to get a smaller tree. There is a feeling of nostalgia with colored lights isn't there? Your a gentle soul, I can tell. XOX0

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    1. I suppose I'm a gentle soul - - with the spirit of Lucifer and a checkered past (*smile*).
      I'm surprised and delighted to see you here. Thanks for the visit.

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    1. I hope you have a wonderful holiday, Paula!

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  6. Nonsense Jon, it lets us see how you celebrate Christmas. I'm pretty much the same. A simple tree, some lights and a few knick knacks. Truth be told, if it wasn't for my mother coming over for Christmas lunch on the big day, I probably wouldn't decorate at all. I'm always so glad when this tiresome festive season is over. That being said, I wish you as happy a time as you can muster! I do like the Northumblerland painting. Such a ruggedly beautiful part of our Isles.

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  7. I only do simple decorations for my own pleasure. My elaborate decoration days are over, thank goodness. Much like you, I'm always glad when the holidays are over. I do hope you have a nice lunch with your mother.

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  8. Relax and spend quality time with your favorite person. We have a fireplace in the other house, it has been years since we have used it.

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    1. "Relaxation" is definitely the key word....

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  9. Merry Christmas from your friend on the East side of the Blue Ridge....
    Enjoy..!!

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    1. Looks like it's going to be a warm one - - in the 70's by Christmas Day.

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  10. Jon,
    Well, Christmas is almost here. Isn't it exciting? I'm like you, like the colored lights. I bought some at Ace Hardware on Sunday (and lost my credit card somewhere) and Bill put them up yesterday on our mailbox post. Now we're officially "Christmasy" around here. As to your fireplace, you should get one of those fake fireplaces. No cleaning problem and they give you the same comfy, mellow feeling. Nice pictures again on your post Jon.
    Ron

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    1. Ron, I'm so glad you got all your computer and credit card problems resolved. I have no big plans this Xmas. I just want to catch my breath and relax. BTW thanks much for the card!

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