If you have followed along with me for awhile you will know I focus on a word for the year. This year I had two words, but the main word was Kindness. It has been fun to notice Kindness each and every week and share it with you. Kindness does bring Joy too. My secondary word was Move. When I added that word I was thinking of moving my body, but had the feeling it might involve a move of home. Yes, I am moving home as we start 2025, but ended up working toward that goal throughout the year. Now the moving my body didn't work out so well; so I do believe having a gym in my new home will help with that goal. I can't wait! So Move will be carried over into 2025.

 

Now I am posting this one of off day and then I think I need to take a couple weeks off for the move. I may not be back until mid-January, but I will return. With this post I am also here to say I hope you had a most terrific Christmas and that your New Year is amazing.

It always amazes me each year how a new word pops up. My word for next year, I believe it is going to be very important for many of us. It is strange that I have never chosen this word, as it is such a "in your face" word. I think it just jumped out and grabbed me after the election in November and I have been more and more noticing it as we fly toward 2025.  

So HOPE it is with a side of MOVE.

Without the dark, we'd never see the stars.” “But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.” ― Martin Luther King, Jr.

Light your candle, say a little prayer, embrace those around you and send HOPE in the dark night.  

The Monday's theme for 2025 will be Focus on the Stars. We will be focusing on the beauty of our world, even in times of chaos and darkness. 

Sending Love and Best Wishes, 

Marilyn

On the shortest day I just want to sit wrapped in a quilt, sipping tea, and read awhile by candle light.

 The Shortest Day

by Susan Cooper

So the shortest day came, and the year died,

And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world

Came people singing, dancing,

To drive the dark away.

They lighted candles in the winter trees;

They hung their homes with evergreen;

They burned beseeching fires all night long

To keep the year alive,

And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake

They shouted, reveling.

Through all the frosty ages you can hear them

Echoing behind us--Listen!!

All the long echoes sing the same delight,

This shortest day,

As promise wakens in the sleeping land;

They carol, feast, give thanks,

And dearly love their friends,

And hope for peace.

And so do we, here, now,

This year and every year.

Welcome Yule!

Have you noticed the dark nights? By 5PM last evening it was so dark. I just wanted to put my pajamas on and head to bed with a good book or curl up to watch a movie. I will be so happy when December 21st comes and goes, for then I can anticipate the return of the sun.

 In the meantime I will savor the dark nights, light the candles, and sip something warm and cozy.

Sending love,

Marilyn

 The cookies just look so joyful.

The realtor that helped my "live-in gardener" and I buy our house 22 years ago has a Christmas event every year for all her past and present clients. She gives a Christmas tree or wreath to each one and has a fun event full of hot chocolate, coffee, soup, donuts and cookies. Last Saturday we got our wreath and had a cookie or two.

 Hot chocolate with a pile of whipped cream was a treat too.

There was a mail box for the kids to leave a message for Santa.

 What fun we had even in the rain.

The wreath is hung on my house now. Let the festivities begin.

 

Yes, the same realtor will be selling our house next year.

We love working with her and her new partner.

She is the kindest person and shares her joy regularly.

 

Isn't it special when a kind person crosses our paths and becomes a friend?

 

Sending love,

Marilyn