Holiday Thoughts ~ Tuesday

Welcome once again to Tuesday 4, hosted by Annie of Cottage by the Sea. 

It's frigid across Canada and America and winter is early this year. There are only a few days left until Christmas...how are you spending this time? 

1.What are you up to in preparation for the holidays?  There isn't a lot to prepare these days. I no longer travel at Christmas and I no longer have a large family to think about. 

The decorating was done several weeks ago and I spent some time shopping for a few new items such as a new Christmas tree, a Christmas wreath and a garland.  I only have a few people for whom to prepare gifts. I've done most of that though I still have to wrap them. I have 2 more gifts to buy but it won't take much time. I have one gift to send in the mail but the postal service has been on strike for a month. Service will resume in a few days but it will take time to clear the backlog and things will not reach their destinations by Christmas.

The Christmas stockings have been hung and partially filled.  I have a few small items to add. 

Other than these things. I just have to buy a few items for Christmas dinner and clean and freshen the home for the holiday period. 

 2. What is your absolute favorite holiday movie? 

It's A Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. I watch this movie almost every year though I think I missed it last year for some reason. This movie gives me the warm, sentimental feelings.

 3. What are your hopes for this coming season? 

This year my hope and plan is to have a quiet, restful holiday with no extra responsibilities. It's been a dreary and tiring year of decluttering, patio rebuilding and master bedroom restoration.  I'm feeling in need of a rest so plan to take it easy though I'm not being a complete hermit.

I've had one Christmas luncheon at my home with a friend. 

I hope to host two others for dinner if their schedules permit.  I've given them some optional dates. If it comes together, it comes together. If it doesn't, I've tried my best. I hope to also at least touch bases with two or three others by phone or in person.

Unexpectedly, I have a relative who came from far for a hospital stay so I've also visited with her and her daughter. It can be lonely being in hospital at any time but especially when you're in hospital and so far from home at Christmas. 

4. Tell us your view on the great tea/coffee/hot chocolate debate and do you want it with fruitcake or cookies? Come on own up!! 

Fruitcake isn't my favourite. I do like nut and raisin cake but never make it myself so it will have to be cookies. Almost any cookie will do, lol. I'll have it with coffee, thanks!

Thank you to Annie for continuing to host this meme and thank you to all the people who read these posts and especially to those who take time to leave a comment. I appreciate you all. 

Take care and have a very Merry Christmas. 🎄🎄🎄

Night & Day

 

Night & Day by Robert Louis Stevenson

When the golden day is done, 

Through the closing portal, 

Child and garden, Flower and sun, 

Vanish all things mortal. 

As the blinding shadows fall 

As the rays diminish, 

Under evening's cloak they all 

Roll away and vanish. 

Garden darkened, daisy shut, 

Child in bed, they slumber-- 

Glow-worm in the hallway rut, 

Mice among the lumber. 

In the darkness houses shine, 

Parents move the candles; 

Till on all the night divine 

Turns the bedroom handles. 

Till at last the day begins 

In the east a-breaking, 

In the hedges and the whins 

Sleeping birds a-waking. 

In the darkness shapes of things, 

Houses, trees and hedges, 

Clearer grow; and sparrow's wings 

Beat on window ledges. 

These shall wake the yawning maid; 

She the door shall open-- 

Finding dew on garden glade 

And the morning broken. 

There my garden grows again 

Green and rosy painted, 

As at eve behind the pane 

From my eyes it fainted. 

Just as it was shut away, 

Toy-like, in the even, 

Here I see it glow with day 

Under glowing heaven. 

Every path and every plot, 

Every blush of roses, 

Every blue forget-me-not 

Where the dew reposes, 

"Up!" they cry, "the day is come 

On the smiling valleys: 

We have beat the morning drum; 

Playmate, join your allies!" 

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