Sunday, December 23, 2012

Cheer Pause

 Pause, last pause, in Advent is definitely an opportunity to stop for a minute and become self-aware.  Not in a mean way, but in a realistic way, right?  Do you know that I did not even open the Christmas boxes this year?  I rarely say this but,  the season rushed by because I was at school until Friday, and I didn't have TIME to do all the fussing and fixing that I have done in the past.  So, this morning I shall go to the grocery store like a very EARLY bird and buy a lot of food for the EVE and the DAY.  
 I will continue to ponder my dear Light of the World.


 Bill gave me two Christmas books early.  This is a lovely tale of beautiful coincidence by Patricia Polacco. The pictures have so much bright red.  Bright red brings cheer, doesn't it?

This book contains gorgeous photographs of Nordic scenes.  Aren't the balls cute?


 Even though I haven't sent out holiday cards in years, some nice people still send cards to us.  I love this puppy-Santa.
It's all so close and it will be happy and food-laden.  I like to keep Christmas in my heart every day, so when it's all over I shall surely have that happy "let's get back to normal" feeling.  I'll start thinking about the garden and I might feel like scrubbing and dusting.  There are so many sweet things to do, aren't there?  Knitting.  Ironing.  Reading.  Writing poems.  Writing letters.  Drinking tea.  Napping. 
Yes, I pause to say that I'm okay with simply going slow and feeding my sweet family.  I shall bake a  pie, a fruit cake, and I shall take my spot on the sofa so I can watch the girlies run around and around the main floor. I'm blissfully content. Blissfully thankful.
God be with you, friends.

40 comments:

Kaye Swain said...

What a lovely post for a Pause in Advent. And what an intriguing book - I enjoy crocheting occasionally but have a couple of very talented friends who knit. I'll have to tell them about that. It looks quite intriguing.

Have a blessed and beautiful and peaceful Christmas and a joy-filled New Year and year to come in Him. :) Merry Christmas.

Happy@Home said...

I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
Food and family sounds like the perfect ingredients for a memorable holiday.
I've always loved to receive books for Christmas. Once the hustle and bustle is over it's so nice to get cozy and delve into the new books.

Angela said...

Dearest Pompom, thank you for another year of wise, witty and wonderful words. It has been a joy to read your posts and see the bright colours and the happiness radiating from your blog.
May the LORD bless you real good the Yuletide and in the New Year
love, love , love xxx

ps that knitting book looks fabulous!

TexWisGirl said...

thank you for this. may your holiday be holy and peaceful and joyful.

Elderberry-Rob said...

Your new books look fun I like Nordic patterns and style. Our table this Christmas will be red and white - I am liking those colours a lot this Winter. We heard a steel band play Christmas carols Carribean style yesterday - it was fun. Blessings to you and your family PomPom. Betty x

Melanie said...

LOVE your books. Such a beautiful gift.
Enjoy your special moments with your family
Merry Christmas Miss Pom Pom xoxoxo

Nancy McCarroll said...

I am having serious peppermint candle envy. So glad you got two new books from the hub. You can use them all year long with sweet illustrations.

Stay in bliss and warmth.

Pom Pom said...

Hi Kaye! They say it's fast to knit Christmas balls, but I don't really knit anything fast. We'll see! Best Christmas wishes and thank you for pausing this season.

Pom Pom said...

Hi Kim! Well, the fruit cake was a flop. It didn't taste like I imagined either. Oh well!
Yes, books are a fun, fun, fun gift. I like to buy books for others, too.
I hope your Christmas is perfect!

Pom Pom said...

Thank you, dear Angela! I appreciate your blog very much and read almost every post. I like hearing about your ministry, your "take" on world affairs, and your down-to-earth thoughts. YOU are a treasure!

Bonnie said...

Merry Christmas Pom. Enjoy the season.

Pom Pom said...

Thank you, TexWis! I hope your Texas holiday is warm and wonderful, too!

Pom Pom said...

I DO love red and white and I'd like to paint several things red right now. I'm glad you had fun with your family when you went on your Christmas jaunt!

Pom Pom said...

Thank you, Melanie! I'm looking forward to hearing all about your Australian Christmas. I wish you heaps of joy, friend!

Pom Pom said...

Ha ha ha, Nancy! Don't be too jealous. The candles melted all over one of my placemats and I had to throw it away. They were pretty in THAT photo, though!
Also, the fruit cake was a disaster. Oh well, on to the cookies and chocolate cake!

Pom Pom said...

Thank you, Bonnie! You, too!

magsmcc said...

A friend told me today the story of her then year old brother (he's now well into his fifties) who stood back from his stocking that year and declared, "I am deeply satisfied!" I know you will be too, dear Pom. Your love of life and joy and hearts is unrivalled- you really do keep Christmas in your heart every day. A Merry Christmas to us all x

Bradley W. Maston said...

So wonderful! Christmas in our hearts all year. That truly is more needed than anything! I love you so very much.

xoxo,
brad

Lisa Richards said...

It looks like your hubby knows you well. Such nice gift books! I love your fairy background; it's so YOU! :)
I'm enjoying Christmas more as it gets simpler. Our kiddos are mostly far away, so we'll have my dear daughter and her family for Christmas lunch and it will be a simple feast. I know Audrey will entertain us! I love your list of "sweet things to do". Simple pleasures really are the best! (I think I stole that from a pork 'n' beans commercial, but it's still true!) :D Have a joy-filled Christmas!

A garden just outside Venice said...

The knitting book looks very interesting..shame I cannot knit! :)
Karen, wishing you and your sweet family a wonderful Christmas!
Michela x

Fat Dormouse said...

Have a lovely joyful time with your family, dear Pompom. As others have said, your blog is always a pleasure to read and to ponder. Happy, happy Christmas.

Catherine said...

Ah, well said Mags..your love of life, joy & hearts is truly unrivalled Karen! Thank you for being such a bouncy, shiny joy germ! Oh dear, what ever happened to the cake? I hope the pie was better...had to be better than the yukky bought Thanksgiving ones...right!? Every restful wonderful blessing to you all. Much love & big hugs Katie x0x0x0x

Pom Pom said...

That's so sweet: DEEPLY satisfied!
Thinking of you, dear friend. Friday I was sitting up front on my teacher stool and one of the kids asked, "What are you looking at?" I said, "I am looking at my blue bunting that my friend sent me from Ireland." I was! And loving it and loving YOU!

Pom Pom said...

I've been enjoying Dickens very much, Brad. I wish I could go through page by page with YOU! You are the enlightened one when it comes to Dickens. Today, if I get my meatballs made and my cookies and cakes baked, I'll knit while I watch the Jim Carrey version. I love SCROOGE in this newer rendition.
Praying for you, my sweet son.

Pom Pom said...

Hello dear Lisa! I love the way you do things! Always with care and good sense! I hope you are feeling calm and rested! YOU are a good egg.

Pom Pom said...

Hi Michela! I hope you are all healed up and feeling good for Christmas! You'll learn to knit one of these days. It's fun! I wear the little mauve knitted flower you sent me. I wear it all the time. I love it! So, an appreciator of knitting will soon learn to knit! That's what I say!
Take care, dearest. You are such a good soul.

Pom Pom said...

Hi Mouse! I love reading YOUR blogs, too! I learn a lot and gain inspiration from the food blog especially. I wish you a peaceful and happy Christmas!

Pom Pom said...

Yes, the apple pie will be true! The chocolate cake is fool proof! No more disasters!
I really loved putting all the chunky fruit cake ingredients in the bowl, so all is not lost!
Take care, dear Katie Angel!
Have a wonderful NZ Christmas!
love love love!

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Merry Christmas Karen; may your blessings be many and your troubles be few!

Pom Pom said...

Thank you, good Sandra! I hope you've arrived at your Christmas destination! Safe travels and prayers for energy and joy!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Oh I don't have that Patricia book...must put that on my wish list
Thanks for sharing the wonderful pictures..and yes, the Light of the World

Merry Christmas

Pom Pom said...

Hello dear Janette!
I love PP and I ordered An Orange for Frankie after you mentioned it. It is wonderful, too!
I love her art VERY much!
Have a lovely celebration of our KING! Thank you for being so true and good!

Between Me and You said...

Your middle name should be 'Serenity' for you are indeed a very serene lady and I take great heart from reading your posts which serve to compound the philosophy that there is nothing wrong with enjoying the simple things in life and the older I get, the more I enjoy those things (other people may not have the same idea but that's another thing about getting older, you tend to care less and less what others think!).I wish you a Happy and Joyous Festive Season and a Happy and Healthy New Year.
(Thank you for popping over to mine too and I love your new look here).

Susan B said...

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas Pom Pom!

Pom Pom said...

Aw Nana Go-Go! How sweet you are! I DO love the simple things and sometimes I must protect that philosophy fiercely! I tend to complicate things when I over think! Merriest of Christmases to you, dear one!

Pom Pom said...

Same to you, Susan B! I hope your celebration is warm and wonderful!

Anne said...

Thank you, sweet Pom-Pom, for this wonderful, warm, post! Love your books (I still buy beautifully illustrated children's books for ME ~ :)) ~ Wishing you the merriest Christmas, my dear, and a lovely, happy, healthy 2013!
Hugs,
Anne (love your fairy background!)

Pom Pom said...

I buy children's books for that very reason, too! I love to try to imitate my favorite illustrators.
I knew you'd like my background!
Merry Christmas feelings back to you! xo

Kezzie said...

Hey Pom! I hope your Christmas is truly wonderful. Very good to pause and relax send just be. I''ve really enjoyed your pauses.

Pom Pom said...

Hi Kezzie! I've enjoyed your pauses, too! It seems like they went fast and here we are past Christmas! I hope your holiday was wonderful!

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