Embracing The Season..

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...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

Midsummer's Eve

My Dears,

Happy Midsummer to you all!

A wonderful day and evening was had in the company of dear friends. Celebrating Midsummer is a Harmonie House tradition and starting off on the eve of the solstice makes for a nice long celebration.

We planned for a day of music, food, and loads of fun. Naturally when you get four good friends together, laughter is the order of any gathering. We feasted on nature's bounty of fruit and veggies..oh yes, and wine. The music was lively, and spiritual.

We each donned flowers upon our heads and felt very girlish...we were sprites for the evening.
The weather was rainy all day, but that didn't stop us from gathering flowers for our Midsummer's table. My dear friend Joy was the first to head out in the rain to gather some flowers. Heather arranged the tea lights in the bowl then we all proceeded to add the freshly picked blooms.


Though the weather was misty at one point, we still ventured outdoors. Heather picked blooms from the rose bush and sprinkled us with the lovely petals.....a rose shower.


How delightful! We knew that the rainy weather would not afford us a view of any fireflies for the evening. However, we had our lovely Midsummer's Eve table set...the flickering candles and the lovely flowers provided a magical essence to the festivities.

We sang...we danced. We had loads of fun. We are so blessed to have these moments together...to be women and girls at the same time. To celebrate the seasons and celebrate life.
Happy Summer to you all. Embrace the special moments of your life..embrace those near and dear.


Most of all......do a little dance, make a little love....LIVE!!!

xoxo!
Miss Sandra