Thursday, December 30, 2010

Christmas and a New Year's Wish

Christmas at Harmonie House 2010

My Dears,


I hope Christmas Day brought along loads of joy to each and every one of you. It was a most sweet and blissful day for me and my fella. We had the perfect Currier & Ives day filled with music, food (my honey makes a most delish pork roast!), a toasty fire in the hearth, roasted chestnuts, and of course....the most delightful presents! We were almost childlike with glee when opening our gifts. Truly it felt like Christmas should always feel.


Here are some house photos taken that morning...

Ahhh..the Christmas spirit was in the air.

Moments before my fella brought the firewood in.



The stocking was "stuffed" by the chimney with care...

Of course Boxing Day followed and it brought along its own gift to us all.....A Blizzard!
Being the winter gal that I am...I was most pleased with nature's gift. I wanted a white Christmas after all.
Unfortunately, many cities have suffered from this storm due to lack of plowing response. To this day, there are many cars still under snow and streets with mounds of snow narrowing the roads. I hope conditions improve and that all
these cities get off their lackadaisical perch and clean up their streets.

Now for a few pictures...

Yes..that is my car!

Pretty isn't it?

Winter wonderland...


December came in with a simple and gentle serenity...it hurried on with purpose towards a most magical Christmas....and it leaves us with a coating of white fluff and the promise of beautiful days to come in the new year.


The year 2010 brought to me the sweetest of surprises
...and it leaves me with a kiss of bliss.

There were many happy moments and some sad that's true, but every moment was an experience and each day a blessing. New friends were made...some old friendships strengthened...and unfortunately some gone astray. Yet as with everything in life there is a lesson to be learned and I learned that change will come...whether good or bad, it will come. It is inevitable and we know to keep the good in our hearts and to forgive and let go. We are only human..we will laugh, we will cry, we will smile, we will hurt, and we will be kissed by amazement from time to time. Just remember that there is nothing you cannot do. We hold the key to our own happiness. Let's turn that key, unlock the door to 2011, and open our arms to life and its amazing possibilities.

My New Year's wish for you all is a life filled with good health, happiness, sweet surprises, and oodles of bliss. Don't forget to always count your blessings, for you will find there are many!


There is so much more I can wish for you...however, I shall let it be told in song. May you always...and always..and always.

(Please be sure to turn off the blog music on the player at the bottom of this page before you play this video.)

Happy New Year to one and all! xoxo Miss Sandra

Thursday, December 16, 2010

...and then there is Christmas

Christmas at Harmonie House

My Dears..

The chill is in the air or should I say the frost? Need I also
say that I'm ever so delighted? Tis the season and I am filled with the spirit of Christmas and of winter...for you know I am a snow bunny! There is no hiding from the low temps..no way! I await patiently for the first true snowfall of the season...followed by snow angel making in the back yard. Harmonie House is bedecked in all its Christmas splendor and the scents, sounds, and colors permeate each room. The wood is at hand for cozy evenings by the hearth and the chestnuts are ever ready to be roasted. As the song says...this is the "most wonderful time of the year!"


One of two Christmas village scenes.
This one is the shop and skating rink village.

Nook area looking all merry and bright.

Can you tell I've got a thing for nutcrackers?

This one says it all...

November came and went by like lightening! It was a wonderful month however, and my fella and I enjoyed some fancy footwork at the Armistice Ball followed by the after-the-ball Afterglow Party at Harmonie House. Twas a magical evening.

After the ball...

Before we knew it, Thanksgiving was upon us! Oh but what yummy food was to be had. Not only was there the traditional turkey fare..but also a deep-fried turkey! Mmmm...can we do that again please? *smiles* I had a most delightful time with my fella and his family! Many thanks again to that wonderful clan for a most warm and loving Thanksgiving!

Turkey just before it came out of the oven...yumm!

Naturally, when December rolls around it's time for my Annual Christmas tea. It was a lovely affair with all my Victorian/Edwardian friends in attendance and a table laden with scrumptious treats. The secret Santa session in the library/music room was filled with laughter and lots of contented sighs as the ladies received the most delightful gifts. It was quite a lovely afternoon topped off with caroling around the piano. *contented sigh*


Would you believe me if I told you we had to make room for more food?

Hamming it up with dear friends right before
the room became filled to
the brim with the ladies.
The Secret Santa gifts were to be handed out thereafter.

Playing Santa and handing out presents.

Getting silly during caroling!

And truly, you didn't think I'd forget to post a couple of pictures of a most important member of Harmonie House? You know, he'd never let me forget it if I did that. *impish grin* Needless to say, he'd find a moment to take over my post and blog all about it.


Yes..Mr. Knightley enjoys Christmas!

Cozy and comfy under the tree...

By the way...did I mention that in this most wonderful, magical month I turned 40? Oh yes I did! I had what seemed like a week-long celebration which began with a surprise party (thanks to my honey) and concluded with a blissful day in NYC! There is nothing like Christmastime in NYC.

My 40th by the Rockefeller Center Tree
(picture not so clear due to the quaintness of my phone cam *sigh*)

I cannot believe that Christmas is just next week! I'm so not ready..but still, I'm a little girl excited by the magic of it all. Oh how I wish for a white Christmas!

May your stockings be filled with joy, good health, and loads of bliss for Christmas and everyday after. Make every moment count and count your every blessing. Life is a gift and each day a new canvas. Make sure to paint the most amazing life, for you know we have the ability to do so...simply because we can.

Blessings and love!
xoxo
Miss Sandra