MELODIES OF JOY

THE HOUSE IS QUIET as I am up early before the rest.  So quiet.  Enjoying the silence as I need TIME OUT before the hustle and the bustle of making Breakfast.  Cooked OATMEAL with a little chocolate and cinnamon stirred in, topped with organic Maple Syrup, then sprinkled with blueberries and nuts.  Even though orange JUICE is suppose to be a NO-NO due to high sugar content, I will sip on a small amount as I need the vitamin Cs.

Lunch will be TURKEY LEFT-OVERS, mashed potatoes with gravy and good 'ole green beans. Not so sure about Supper yet.

As December 1st approaches, I'll get back to a daily salad for lunch and soup for supper.  I am hoping that the treadmill will have been relocated to the COTTAGE SHED by then and I will begin my daily walking.    

TODAY is SUNDAY and my St. Louis Son will be heading back.  Not sure when my Mom plans to return HOME.  I think we wore her out yesterday.  After Supper we went to Manhattan to HOBBY LOBBY and WAL-MART then viewed the colorful Festival of Lights.  She went to bed as soon as we got HOME as the rest of us watched a movie.  Falling asleep before the ending, I felt like the day was a good one.  It was rainy and the temps were slightly cooler.  It was suppose to freeze early this morning, but warm some by 7 AM. That's now.  I haven't looked outside as of yet.  If it did FREEZE, then I'll be staying HOME today which makes the way for taking the decor down.  The oranges and browns will be replaced with reds and greens.  HELLO CHRISTMAS!!!

I'll start taking THANKSGIVING DECOR down and grouping it together before carrying downstairs to place in storage boxes.  The traditional ritual of adding greens to our HOME will begin.  I wish I had made a tradition years ago that after Thanksgiving, the hanging of the greens would take place as a FAMILY EVENT where we celebrated together the beginning of the Season.  Perhaps I'll do that NOW.  

It would be nice to have the CHRISTMAS TREE up right after THANKSGIVING or to have it up on THANKSGIVING DAY only with twinkle lights sparkling and as the evening unfolds have each family member hang ornaments.      

If all goes as PLANNED next year we will be LIVING in the COTTAGE and the living space will be so much smaller that we will be cozy when company visits.  Really COZY.

On December 1st, God's Storehouse is having the start of their CHRISTMAS MARKET.  I'd like to go see if they have large PINECONES for a low price to where I can afford.  Maybe some more greenery.  I'll be decorating this year with WHITE CANDLES, greenery, pinecones and acorns.  I'd like to get the CHRISTMAS TREE up on December 1st where we play CHRISTMAS MUSIC as we decorate.  Sipping on HOT CHOCOLATE when completed.  Sounds lovely.  

WHEN RETURNING HOME last night after seeing the Festival of LIGHTS, it was raining as the car radio played CHRISTMAS MUSIC.  There's just something to it as I listened to my 45 year old Son sing along.  I watched for deer as I drove slower than usual on wet pavement.  No mishaps.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow. 

My children are grown and I seldom see them.  When I do, my heart sings melodies of joy. Also Grandchildren are like frosting on a cake.  Dear Lord, I thank you for FAMILY and pleasant get togethers where LIFE is.  

Thank you. 

~d