Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Holiday Wishes for You





While many parts of the U.S. have been hit by snowstorms the past few weeks, most of the snow has missed our little corner of the central Midwest. Finally, this weekend, a little of the White stuff fell, just in time for this week's ABC letter of W.




Although it has felt like Winter for several weeks, now it finally looks like Winter here as well. Christmas decorations look so much more festive with a little coat of snow, don't you think?






You can see what I mean by a "dusting" of snow. By midday yesterday, most of it had melted. The forecast for Christmas is for either freezing rain or snow. I'll take snow, if you please.





Little time is spent outdoors these days, other than to track down a wayward dog who finds the newly harvested cornfields fascinating. But it's hard to resist checking out the transformation a little snow can make in the garden. Coneflowers have donned their furry winter caps.




The "Snowy Sedum" mentioned in my last post has finally materialized.



And the "Hibernating Hydrangeas" now look quite "hyperborean." They add what every gardener wishes for this time of year--a little winter interest.





But this is a busy time of year, with little time for thoughts of gardening. Decorating, wrapping presents, and baking are done in the Warmth of the house. This year I am either more organized or have had more time, but most Christmas chores are done. The house has been decorated for several weeks, Christmas cards have been mailed, and presents are wrapped and under the tree. There is time to enjoy the true meaning of Christmas. Time to attend grandchildren's Christmas programs and even time just to gaze at the tree. Holiday ornaments bring back memories, like this beaded bell which reminds me of my grandmother lovingly creating gifts for each of her grandchildren.



Crocheted angels are a treasure made by my mother, who remains very active
yet always has time for her family.




Other ornaments made by little hands bring back thoughts of Christmases past . . .




. . . and of loved ones far and near. Everyone in the family has an ornament on the memory tree; some have been put up for many years . . .




. . . while others are new, adding to the tradition.




Warm Wishes to all of you. My wish for you is simple--



Peace, Love and Joy in this holiday season.




Merry Christmas!



ABC Wednesday is hosted each week by Mrs. Nesbitt; other posts can be found here.











48 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas, Rose! The ornaments are cute, and it is fun to collect new ones along with the old ones. I wish I could share some of our snow with you. We have been buried and it's still coming down now. At least the garden is well insulated!

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  2. I love being organized too and have finally achieved it this Christmas. It actually is making me nervous, I feel like I have forgotten to do something. I enjoyed your handmade ornaments. In my opinion, that is what makes a true Christmas tree. Merry Christmas!

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  3. Hi Rose, Merry Christmas to you. Sophies new ornament is quite cute.

    Hope your holidays are wonderful!

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  4. The very best Christmas wishes for you and your family.

    I don't like the sound of that storm coming Thursday. They can't decide whether it will be snow, rain or ice. No ice please!!!
    Marnie

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  5. Merry Christmas to you & yours! It's nice that the weather cooperated to give you a bit of snow. Too bad it's going to turn weird. There's rain in our forecast for Christmas day. We have enough snow on the ground that it still might be a white Christmas.

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  6. Looks like we got the same amount of snow that you got. I love the retro bell and angel ornaments. Merry Christmas!!

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  7. Merry Christmas from Canada Rose! We have just a dusting of snow here in New Brunswick too.

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  8. Wonderful to see the ornaments on your tree Rose. Wishing you peace and happiness at Christmas and in the new year!

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  9. Dear Rose, what a wonderful W post! I loved seeing you out and about looking for that all important winter interst and seeing the prized ornaments on your tree. That you are all ready is fabulous, how did you do it? I have been lollygaggy about, not done with anything and people will be here in a couple of days. I keep looking at the garden longingly, dreaming of spring when it is nearly Christmas! Do enjoy your family and pets and have the best holidays ever. :-)
    Frances

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  10. What a wonderful post, Rose, for the holiday and the W day! Your photos are just delightful!

    Have a great week and wishing you and your family a most beautiful, and happy Merry Christmas!

    Enjoy!

    Sylvia

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  11. A beautiful post! Aren't the keepsake ornaments the most wonderful! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  12. Merry Christmas!

    we missed the full blunt of that last storm, but the ground is a bo=it white.

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  13. Great W post, Rose, you have about the same amount of snow as we do. So nice to have all those memories on your tree. Your last photo is beautiful.
    Merry Christmas!

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  14. Merry Christmas Rose! Here's hoping you get snow rather than ice!

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  15. I love all your Christmas ornaments and the wonderful holiday wishes. Merry Christmas to you Rose. I hope its a wonderful Day for you.

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  16. I love the ornaments on your tree. I like it when they are so personal, it adds to the family-ness of Christmas.

    Happy holidays from the Netherlands

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  17. Beautiful photos. We've got the full snow treatment here in the UK at the moment. Hope you have a great Xmas.

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  18. Lovely post, as always, Rose! I wish a Merry White Christmas!

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  19. Thanks to everyone for their comments. It's a busy season for everyone, so I do appreciate your taking the time to visit. I had hoped to visit everyone in return today, but apparently I have a sick little grandson I will be taking care of today. So if I don't get to visit you today, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and I'll see you soon!

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  20. Rose, a wonderful W post. All Christmasy and warm. :) We are such old softies when it comes to our trees-ornaments made with love are the best!

    Hope the grandson isn't one of your cookie helpers. But I know his parents are grateful you are there for him.

    Merry Christmas to all! And hugs, too!!

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  21. What a Warm Wonderful post Rose. I hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas. It would be great if it was White. I do think the decorations look better with a sprinkling of white on them. Cheers.

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  22. Wonderful post Rose! Merry Christmas to you and your family. Love all the handmade ornaments that hold memories.

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  23. good photos of your snow - looks like being a white one here this year

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  24. I wish you and yours the Merriest of Christmases!
    Your memory tree reminds me of our Family tree. It is full of ornaments from Christmas past.
    I also am enjoying a relaxed holiday. We are having rain that is to turn to snow...I hope snow and not ice.
    Happy ABC Wednesday.
    Stay warm.
    Sherry

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  25. Lovely post Rose! The beaded bell is enchanting . . .

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  26. How nice!;-)
    Wish you a blessed Christmas!

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  27. Merry Christmas Rose! Hope you and yours have safe travels and a wonderful holiday celebration.

    I love the mix of old and new ornaments. It's so much fun musing on the memories of an eclectic collection like yours. I'm partial to the handmade ones. The ones made by the kids when they were small become more precious with each passing year.

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  28. You got enough of "the white stuff" to make very nice seasonal photos.

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your dear ones!

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  29. And to you dear Rose....

    I love your tree and the sentiments....it is wonderful putting each ornament on the tree, and the memories flooding back.

    I am glad you finally got your snow Rose, even if it was only a dusting....I am blowing mine over to you. I enjoyed it for the first few days, now it can go....lol

    Have a wonderful Christmas and may 2010 bring you good health and happiness.......and lots of new plants.

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  30. I think it must be an American tradition to collect personalised ornaments, though we do put those made by our children up of course. But lately I've started to collect personlised baubles too. I have one in ceramic of my beloved greyhound Renie, now passed on, and I have some given to me by my American friends. I also have a few I bought in New Zealand in the eighties, including a little fabric strawberry! Quite unique, I thought.

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  31. Your snow covered plants look very beautiful as does your tree. I do love the memories held within the traditions that we all have at this time of year.

    Merry Christmas to you and your family too Rose,

    S x :)

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  32. Thank you Rose...We still dream and wish for snow here! A white Christmas is such a romantic notion that appeals to the kid inside. I am glad your little kid got her wish and maybe more of it will fall! Happy Christmas! I wish you a holiday filled with love and celebration. Gail

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  33. Merry Christmas! Peace on Earth.

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  34. It is all so very lovely! Including the white! And, I have two of those ornaments-the first one (the bell) and the crocheted angel that my husband's mother made. Wow!!!
    Have a wonderful Christmas!

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  35. Rose such a lovely post one that shows that you delight in the season of Joy! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
    Thank you for all the support that you.ve given me this past year. love and light aNNa xo

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  36. Merry Christmas Rose! We're getting the sleet and freezing rain on this Christmas Eve. Ugh. All my party plans are in danger.~~Dee

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  37. Have a Blessed Christmas Rose!

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  38. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Rose!

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  39. I love your cheerful red bow!

    Have a wonderful Christmas Rose, and see you in 2010 :)

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  40. I love that people are sharing of their ornaments and traditions again this Christmas, Rose. That 'dusting' of snow was cute--here we've had snow, rain, more snow, more rain, but so far the snow is staying put. It'll depend on what the temperatures do for the next 24 hours but it's a white Christmas in my heart regardless of the weather.
    A very happy Christmas to you and your family, across the miles, Rose. It's a treat to 'know' you through the blogosphere.

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  41. Rose girl ! I have some crochet ornaments on my tree .. snowflakes are my favorite : ) I love seeing your ornaments !
    Hope the weather won't be nasty on Xmas for you .. we are getting some strange stuff too so it makes me cringe a little ..
    But we will all have a merry Christmas in spite of it right ? LOL ... Joy

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  42. A very Merry Christmas and all the best in the coming New Year, Rose.

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  43. Merry Christmas! I hope you day has been filled with love, laughter, and all good things!

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  44. Rose,
    A very happy Christmas to you and yours... I'm sure it was merry and bright with you there. I hope your day wasn't full of too much snow.

    May all your gardening dreams come true in 2010.
    Meems

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  45. What a beautiful angel your mum made and how lovely to have tree decorations with such sentiment attached.

    I hope you had a wonderful christmas, rose, and that 2010 will prove to be an even greater adventure in your garden!

    xxx

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  46. May the New Year WRAP you and your loved ones in peace, health and happiness, dear Rose!

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  47. Such beautiful Christmas and snow images, Rose! Here's hoping you've had a wonderful Christmas and that the new year brings you only wonderful things.

    I'm so glad we were able to meet this year and spend a little time together. Maybe we'll get to see each other in 2010, too! I hope so! *hugs*

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  48. Merry Christmas, Rose! I hope it was white. Your memory tree is like mine - full of good things to hold and examine once a year. It takes me longer to decorate my small memory tree than it takes me to decorate the larger one on a ladder.

    Your pictures are so pretty and I imagine your Christmas is gorgeous.

    I have hydrangeas that I have not touched this fall or winter. Do they need trimming before spring? I've never had them before.

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