Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!


My Dears,
Just stopping by to wish each and every one of you a most blessed and happy Thanksgiving! I shall be quite the busy one getting Harmonie House all decorated for Christmas. However, I'll be stopping by soon enough to share my blissful moments!

 from here

Do keep in mind dear ones....there is always something to be thankful for!

Blissful Tidings!
xoxo
Miss Sandra

PS: I have heard that some of you have had issues trying to leave a comment and not being able to do so. Please send me an e-mail and let me know if this problem is still in effect. Truly Blogger can sometimes become quite vexing! *sigh*

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Happy November!

Tis the season!! Mmmm..
My Dears...

Has it been over a month since my last post? Heavens to Betsy! I haven't forgotten you...in fact, I try to visit as many of you as possible when I get the chance. My world outside of blog-land has been keeping me quite preoccupied. There are changes in the midst and I guess I'm just gearing myself up and laying low while these changes take place.

Well first..Happy Halloween! Belated, yes, but sincerely meant! It was quite a nice one for me and my fella. Harmonie House glowed in candlelight and was scented in the perfume of autumn. Halloween music played throughout the evening, setting the ambiance. I dressed as a gypsy fortune teller and one couldn't tell that I had worked in the kitchen all afternoon cooking away. I made a yummy dinner for us (butternut squash soup...honey/apricot pork with couscous and glazed veggies...and a corn pudding pie for dessert). Oh yes...we were pleasantly full! I hope your Halloween was absolutely delightful!

 Any similarity to Mr. Knightley is purely coincidental. ;)

Did someone say snow?? Yes my dears. Harmonie House was in the path of Saturday's storm. Truth be told, this one caused more damage in this area than hurricane Irene. My front tree lost several limbs and one should see the surrounding neighborhood. Tree limbs line the streets from one block to the next. Tis quite sad really. Thankfully we didn't lose any power. I must say however..this storm made for a most lovely, relaxing time by the fire while feasting on yummy fireside picnic fare (chestnuts, cheeses, crackers, olive bread, etc..). Granted, there was shoveling to be done the next day, but my honey and I made quick work of it!

 from here

I'm thrilled about the cold weather we're having. After all, I'm in my element! Yes the warm soft blankets are out...the afghans...the cozy socks...the flannel...the firewood...and the stock on cocoa and tea has been replenished. *sigh*
Oh I am indeed ready for the nesting season. Are you??

Ratty's home in Wind & The Willows.
The comforts of a cozy winter's nest are evident. 

One of the dearest holidays is upon us now. Thanksgiving brings to me a feeling that all is simply right with the world. It reminds me that my blessings far surpass my woes. It's a time to reflect and be grateful. When Thanksgiving comes along I begin my trip down memory lane, for this marks the beginning of the holiday season. This is the time when the child in me comes out to play! The joys of the season we beheld as children should always be welcomed in our adult life. The childish glee, wonder, and curiosity that made our lives seem so magical should ever be present within us...you will find that this feeling is quite contagious!

Oh and let's not forget Thanksgiving dinner! If there is any thought that instantly brings a smile to my face is that of the table on Thanksgiving! *sigh* Yes..turkey and all the fixings! Tis tradition at its best! I think I better stop musing over this. I'm becoming hungry.


Happy November my dears! May this month bring to you the sweet anticipation of the magical season to come...filled with family, joy, lots of yummy food, and oodles of bliss. May the blessings of our daily lives be counted and never taken for granted.


 "The happiest of people don't have the best of everything...they just make the best of everything."

Blissful Tidings!
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


Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thanksgiving Wishes


My Dears,
I want to say thank you for being a part of my life...for stopping by, saying hello, and just being you!
This year I can add to my list of blessings the addition of dear blog friends.

Have a lovely and Happy Thanksgiving. May you find many reasons to be thankful each and everyday of your lives. May your hearth be warm, the table bountiful, and love ever be constant. Most of all..may you be blessed with good health and happiness all the year through.

This is my Thanksgiving wish for you.


xoxo

Miss Sandra

Friday, November 20, 2009

Embracing The Season..


...The holiday season that is!

I can't believe we are several days away from Thanksgiving 2009. It seems just yesterday I was planting my herbs for my spring garden. Well never-the-less, I am happy about it. Two years ago was the last time I hosted Thanksgiving dinner. I am thrilled that this year I shall don my apron once again and have my family over to celebrate and be grateful.

Poor Thanksgiving. It seems it's always overshadowed by Christmas. It doesn't stand a chance. Once Halloween is over...Christmas decorations are on display. As a child, I remember seeing paper cutouts of turkeys on windows in every shop and home. Pilgrims, pumpkins, and other symbols of Thanksgiving were a given and commonplace. You see very little of it today..perhaps a small section at the local CVS...somewhere underneath the Christmas lights.

I guess it shouldn't really matter. Thanksgiving is felt within our hearts...and we have reason to be ever so thankful on a daily basis. The first words I usually speak, when I open my eyes each morning are "Thank you for the blessing of another beautiful day of life."

Those words I have said, even during the worst of times.

And so on...in the spirit of things, I shall officially begin my Christmas decorating this weekend. Yes, yes..I know. Did I not just preach about Christmas overshadowing Thanksgiving festivities?? Silly me..Though really, I have no choice. I like my place to be decorated by December 1st. However, it usually takes me a week or more to dress Harmonie House in Christmas splendor. These days are pretty busy for me, so I have to take advantage of the spare moments I get...especially the weekends. I shall incorporate my pilgrims, pumpkins, and turkeys into the x-mas decor. I love both holidays...very much!!

Christmas 2008 at Harmonie House

So my dears...I wish you all a lovely weekend filled with many blessings..many reasons to be ever thankful.

xoxo
Miss Sandra