Sunday, December 22, 2013

Missing the Moments....

Oh my stars, it has been a busy busy couple of weeks.  This shortened holiday season has brought on a "love-hate" relationship with this particular year.  I absolutely LOVE the Christmas holidays, I love the decorating, the parties, the festivities, the church events, the holiness but this year it has just been a hectic, hectic event, and I have missed the quiet, reflective moments that should come during this time of the year.  Whenever I would sit down, I either fell immediately asleep from exhaustion, or I would
hop right back up remembering that something else had to be attended to.  


I always start my day with a cup of coffee from one of my sweet Christmas mugs, but don't ask me the last time I actually sat and read the newspaper.  How do we get our lives wound so tightly that I can't even enjoy the morning paper?  I think I have fallen in the "must get it all done" category and I am going down for the count.  

Now don't misunderstand me when I say I have had a love-hate relationship with this season, I have enjoyed all the wonderful events that I have been a part of this year .....

A Christmas Tea with some special girlfriends at a wonderful tiny little restaurant that was absolutely delightful....



Finished my holiday decorating which seemed to take FOREVER this year....



Slipped out one afternoon to take a quick drive to the Arboretum...we have had snow and I wanted to capture that beauty, but because I was so busy, I missed the most beautiful time when the snow is laying on the limbs of the trees....



But it snowed again today, so I was able to capture some of the snow on branches...


Tuesday was our Bunco Christmas party where I ate again....after Monday's trip to the Christmas Tea you would think I wouldn't be hungry...doesn't seem to work that way, at least for me anyway.  Home-made lasagna oh yum...!!!

And then Thursday was our annual Book Club Christmas Dinner that I host...I always insist on hosting because it pushes me to decorate my house for the holidays.  I provide the ham (and it was divinely edible) and all the members bring a dish or drink...it was like manna for the innards.  Again, eating eating eating.


Friday was the Dance Recital...I posted a couple of pics from the dress rehearsal, but Friday night was the real thing.  Oh it was great!!  My daughter outdid herself this time, with all the wonderful dances and costuming, I know I am bragging but it really was quite the production.  My youngest granddaughter, Brie arrived home from Iowa State for the holidays....and was sure wishing she was part of the show.  The only dancing she did for the night was the traditional jump.....  PS Brie is the one NOT in costume.


My daughter is always delighted when Brie is home for awhile....but right now Lisa (daughter) and her husband Sam, are in Las Vegas for a little wedding anniversary celebration and then they are off to San Diego for Christmas and the Northern Illinois University Poinsettia Bowl Game on the 26th.  So Christmas will be postponed until Sunday, the 29th.  I was quite upset (like crying upset) when she told me they would not be home for Christmas, the first time ever we have not been together on Christmas, but being the POM coach she had no choice but to go.  My two granddaughters and I are doing a girls' day on Christmas, so looking forward to having my two all grown up granddaughters all to myself.


Last night I was doing this....in prep for a Cookie Exchange, had the holiday music playing and was baking and frosting some tasty cookies.  Five dozen cookies was the ticket....but I just couldn't squeeze 5 dozen out of the batch I made...they kept getting tinier and tinier but only made it to 4 1/2 dozen.


My friend, Marti's niece had her annual brunch/cookie exchange so off we went with 5 dozen cookies (me with my 4 1/2)  each, to be greeted by dozens and dozens more.  What a delightful afternoon. Again, another food bonanza.


Even Lucy enjoyed the festivities with her Christmas attire...


So tonight when I arrived home, I made myself a cup of coffee, ate a couple of the cookies from the afternoon, lit the candles and had some of that quiet, reflective time that I have missed, and this time I didn't fall asleep, or hop up to attend to something undone.  We all need that quiet time, that thoughtful time, that reflective time to really take in all the goodness that surrounds us.


"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect." 

Hope you have been having some perfect moments during this Christmas holiday.

Until next time....

22 comments:

  1. Each one of these photos has so much beauty in it. Hope you have a blessed Christmas.

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  2. Was about to send out the troops to look for you! Glad you've just been busy. And, as ever, your pics are delightful.
    Merry Christmas Deanna.

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  3. Your photos perfectly illustrate all the stories of your Christmas events. Love them! I'm glad that you were finally able to sit and take a breath! Wishing you a peaceful and joyful Christmas, Deanna!

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  4. wow, looks like you are having a good Christmas season!! Merry Christmas!! & hoping the New Year of 2014 will be a wonderful one yet!! big big hugs. i always enjoy your shots. so fun & so festive!!! ( :

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  5. Oh my goodness- you need a capital B in the word Busy! I love your mugs- I would love to see the entire collection in one pic- you should do that sometime... Have a Merry Christmas!

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  6. Ohhhh... I'm so in love with that gorgeous "may your days be merry"- santa hat mug, where oh where can I buy that mug, please do tell Wishing you and your family a wonderful and warm Christmas.

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  7. oh wow - where do I start ... I hung on every picture and every word. What a season you have squeezed in. Your granddaughters get more beautiful with each passing year and your daughter's production - amazing costumes (plus, I'm super impressed with the jump shot - I've tried that with the kids a time or two ... they just weren't having any of it after 2 takes). Love your mugs, your decorations, and well, pretty much every inch of this holiday post. Enjoy your family when you get them and have many Merry Christmases - it is a state of mind and doesn't have to fall squarely on the 25th (pretty sure according to all accounts, that isn't even the REAL day Jesus was born - soooo, I'm linking there is some wiggle room for celebrations).

    Happy Christmas Deanna!

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  8. So glad you 'dropped' in! I've been missing you. I knew you were 'running behind' and probably as busy as a bee. And ... I knew you'd come up trumps for Christmas Day. A Girls' Christmas Day ... it will be wonderful! Maybe not your traditional family thing but oh, the fun the three of you will have, the memories you will make. It will be merry and bright! Love to you, my friend, this holiday season.

    {{{BIG HUGS}}}

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  9. i like the sweet european robin mug. so cute. i know you will enjoy christmas with your family no matter what day it falls on this year. :)

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  10. That picture of the bridge with the snow looks like a perfect moment. I love it. I love the jump shot you got! Merry Christmas!!!

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  11. You sure have been busy!! Love the decorations, so pretty. Love your last mug too - so cute.

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  12. Your images are a veritable feast for the eyes! Merry, Merry Christmas, Deanna!

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  13. Merry Christmas, Deanna. Hopefully life will slow down some so you can have your quiet moments back.

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  14. Beautiful photos.
    It is a busy time of year. And, you do keep busy most of all the year.
    Have a Merry Christmas. You'll get to do it twice.

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  15. Gorgeous photos, Deanna! Have a joyful Christmas! xo

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  16. Hi there, just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas.

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  17. Merry Christmas, Deanna!
    Sounds like you are well into celebrating the Holidays with style.
    Enjoy your time with your Granddaughters and family.

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  18. What beautiful surroundings to celebrate the holidays. Merry Christmas to you and yours :)

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  19. Glad to see you Deanna and glad that you got that reflective time in there. You can always see when I don't get mine by my hair standing straight on in. Hope that your time with your family and the rest of this season JUST SHINES, just like your photography! hugs to you and have a blessed Christmas.

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  20. Beautiful post Deanna! Your decorating and baking skills are wonderful!!! Merry Christmas!!! Enjoy your grand-daughters!

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  21. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, and a bright, beautiful New Year, Deanna.

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  22. I love that "perfect moment" quote. We get so involved in trying to make things perfect that we overlook the "perfect" moments that go by. Have a wondrous Christmas season, Deanna!

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