Merry Christmas!

Christmas is coming – The goose is getting fat – Please put a penny in the old man’s hat – If you don’t have a penny, a ha’penny will do – If you don’t have a ha’penny, then God bless you.

A bit of peace and bliss at the beach today. A calm before the storm. Literally. The (ungrateful) weatherman is forecasting a Christmas Day storm of snow turning to rain with high winds for tomorrow. I expect we’ll get mostly rain. However, it’s the winds that can get me down.

We won’t notice this time though. Just so glad that we are all home here together. Both boys are home. The turkey is brining. The tree is lit and decorated. We’ll be busy catching up, playing games and just general silliness. Revisiting some traditions and creating new memories.

May the magic of the season gladden your heart and fulfill your desires!

Merry Christmas!

Advertisement

Serene

A moment of quiet amidst the frenzy of preparations.

WPC – serene

Small Town Magic

I realize that cities and towns the world over usher in the last weeks before Christmas with a ceremony that often includes the lighting of a tree. 

And it’s no different in Lunenburg. 

Or maybe it is. 

As the self-proclaimed “Balsam Fir Capital of the World”, Lunenburg County takes Christmas trees very seriously. It follows that the town would sport a real beauty. And everyone wants in on the action. So a lovely “festival of trees” cluster around the official tree – individuals, families, and organizations sponsor the trees.  There must be a hundred trees there this year (I didn’t count them). 

Several hundred people gathered last night to witness the lighting of these trees. There was such a lovely feeling in the group. 

People reunited with old friends, made new ones, enjoyed treats from the outdoor market and sang carols. I was lucky enough to stand next to a friend and former music teacher who has the most beautiful soprano voice.  (Naturally, I lip-synced). 

Children laughed and ran round with their friends – dogs barked. It was a joyful scene.

Then. The moment came for the countdown to flicking the switch and light trees.  A hush. 10, 9, 8 … 3, 2, 1!! A communal gasp!  And the perfect finish as the Kinderchoir sang a German Carol. 

And that, my friends, is a little bit of Lunenburg magic. 

(Apologies for the poor photo quality – caught up in the moment) 

Christmas Greetings!

Gathering

Gathering on rainy Saturday morning at the Halifax Seaport Market.

Brunch on the steps….

While listening to some live music.

Visit a few of the vendors.

The oldest continuously running farmer’s market in North America, now housed in a beautiful bright building on the waterfront. Nice and warm inside on a cold damp day.

And all ready for Christmas.

Happy Christmastime to you. May peace and love bind you and joy be yours this Holiday season.

WPC – gathering     All photos by iPhone.

 

 

 

 

Oops!

Spot dramatic and beautiful hotel entrance all tarted up for the holidays.  I only have my iPhone with me, but I can’t resist. I cross the street to get a better vantage point.  Jockey for a spot directly across from the centre of the entrance. Get into position.  Take a deep breath – hold that breath, so as to avoid as much as possible moving the phone/camera.  And just as I take the photo ….. A honking big black vehicle whips right in front, and parks!

Exhale slowly……

WPC – Oops

iPhriday – vintage ornaments

A bowl full of lovely vintage ornaments that I picked up at a yard sale this summer.  Photo taken with my iPhone….for iPhriday.

for more iPhriday photos, check out graydaysandcoffee

For You…..

A Tale of Two Cities

Most Christmas stories don’t begin with a tragic explosion, but the tale of the Boston Christmas Tree does.
During WW1, the port city of Halifax, NS (my hometown) was an important naval point of departure for both men and supplies enroute to Europe. On Dec. 6, 1917 a fully loaded French munitions ship broke its mooring, and drifted, colliding with another ship at the narrowest point in the harbour. The resulting explosion, the largest man-made explosion to that time, flattened the north end of the city, killing 2000 and injuring 9000. Halifax was devastated.
The people of Boston received the news immediately via telegraph, and quickly dispatched medical personnel and supplies as well as food and water. A train arrived just 2 days later.
This generous effort has remained a part of the fabric of Nova Scotia’s history. And every year the people of our province send a Christmas Tree to the people of Boston in recognition and thanks.
This year my family & I are in Boston for a few days before Christmas, so the first thing we all wanted to see was The Boston Christmas Tree.
A gift that recognizes goodness in the human spirit.
Wishing you all the very Happiest of Holidays!!