Dec 24, 2012

all is calm || all is bright.

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i stepped outside to-day and collected bits of winter to be put into a glass jar - a tradition established three years long past. as i gathered pine twigs and berries, the wind tugged the loose hairs from my messy braid and viciously pricked my skin. i was reminded in my simple task that as winter progresses, the wind becomes a more wilder creature than ever - a lonely wanderer, soughing piteously, searching every hearth and home for warmth that might be sympathetically imparted.

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these past few days have been tossed by a merciless tempest, howling pitifully while rattling the four walls of our home. the wind furiously swept the shimmering prickles of the evergreens in the midst of the storm, while it excited the icicle lights dripping from the eaves of our cottage. I fell asleep to the lullaby of rain for two nights past and woke up to brooding skies, bleak and despondent each following morning, I was beginning to believe that Christmas was to be a rainy one again. 

spirits were barely effected by the tempest blowing through this little glen o' ours, though, for christmas approached steadily, and even the thought of this holiday is an ever cheery beacon that cannot help but make the iron-cold wintry-ness appear full of warmth. and each evening has been heartened by skyping with beloved faraway friends as we took turns opening handmade christmas presents. but to-day was different. as soon as my eyes opened, soft wintry light diffused a flow of beauty into my room as naught a breeze was stirring - the entire day it has been quiet. hushed. silent. like the night before christmas should be. where there is silence, there is room for pondering and reminiscing and much laughing and merrymaking and the drinking of warm tea and the playing of card games around the coffee table and sipping chocolate by the fireside as we remember the birth of our wonderful Emmanuel.

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>> merry christmas, darlings!!! << 
love you {like a lot},
the girl in her wintry wonderland. 
postscript :: some of my wintry thoughts from last year were published in this issue of my favorite magazine thanks to the beautiful miss elizabeth!!! 

10 comments:

  1. merry Christmas, Grace, dear! i hope your day is merry and bright, and filled with the love of family, and the joy in the knowledge that our Savior is born! ;)

    {and gorgeous picture, dear!}

    much love and many hugs,
    mikailah

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  2. Merry Christmas, Grace! May your day be merry and bright! :) The Christmas season is so beautiful, isn't it? Love, Miriam

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  3. oh deary! this is absolutely beautiful.
    merry christmas, Grace! and I lovelovelove the last photo. it's perfect!

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  4. You are such a stunning writer, love. I didn't know you had been published in a magazine! But I know you of all people ought to be with your skills *smile*

    Merry Christmas, my dear goose.
    -turkey-

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  5. How exciting, to get your words put into a magazine. I hope you and your family had and are having a spectacular celebration.
    Your pictures are simply inspiring. And you made your days seem warm and cozy and simple like home should be.
    Though its late, Happy christmas !
    Blessings ~ Rachel Hope

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  6. Merry Christmas, Grace. And the pictures of the tea make me say: oh my, YES. I think tea is just what I need today.

    Thanks for sharing the beauty of your words and photos. God bless you!

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  7. this is darling, as always, my dear. your photos and words make me feel warm and cozy.
    xoxo

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  8. Lovely photos!!

    Blessings on your New Year!

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  9. This makes me want to sit down to a lovely cup of tea and take an hour or two just to soak it in! Beautiful photos!

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  10. Lovely photographs Grace! I absolutely love the last one! The bokeh is so pretty! Hope you had a very Merry Christmas too! :)

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