Snow Fell All Winter Long

Snow fell the winter long

I alone my thoughts in song

Sat by a fire of burning embers,

With happy memories my soul remembers.

Far beneath the blanket white

Lies hopeful thoughts of future bright

Written by V. Hornsby

Out Where The West Begins

My Soul Belongs To Thee Oh Lord

Joy In The Simple Things

Hope

Merry Christmas and Here’s to a New Year!

God brings people into our lives for a reason.  Sometimes just to get a glimmer of a thought, sometimes for long friendships, sometimes to motivate us.  It is good to be aware of this gift from God and to be thankful.

V. Hornsby

 

 

“It is in the quiet moments,

We spend with nature

That our hearts are renewed

And our souls are inspired.”

Written by

Valorie Hornsby

Have An Artsy Day!

The Macaroni Wreath!

This morning I am thinking a lot about creativity.  I am thinking about Christmas and the reasons that Christmas is so special to all of us.   I believe that we are all creative people in some way.  I believe that what brings us joy in the Christmas season is about giving, making and sharing.  Whether we want to believe it or not we all need each other.   I get excited about decorating my home and sharing it with family.  I get excited about buying a gift for a loved one that will bring joy to that person.  I love the smell of cookies baking and I have many fond memories of my childhood at Christmas.   It is too easy to let these things go when we are facing difficulties in our lives.  We may lose a loved one at Christmas.  We may be having a tough time financially.  But we owe it to ourselves and to our families to bring the spirit back into the home and that begins with creative thinking.  It moves us outside of ourselves and our hurts to something bigger.  Something I believe is in the message of Christmas.  Many years ago I was a single parent raising a very active young boy.  Our Christmases were always very lean but it never felt that way.  We made gifts, we baked cookies and we spent time with family.  It seems there was always just enough in the end.  On Christmas Day night when I tucked him into bed I knew that because of those ginger bread boys and the smells that filled the house, my son would have good strong happy memories of his Christmases.   The craft stores at Christmas are filled with shopping crafters all busy making something for their homes or a their families.  I venture to say that when I am creating something my mind is at its happiest.  I am not worrying about all the other things in my life and I feel fulfilled.   You say your are not creative.  I beg to differ.  Start small and build.  Start with teaching your children Christmas carols.  Start by baking a batch of cookies.  Teach your children to make an ornament.  These are things that build joy and satisfaction at Christmas.  I suspect that the person who says they are not creative are probably the most creative.  But they are governed by “evil perfectionism.”  I say down with perfectionism.  Let go of perfect and let the season of creativity begin.  After all I am not a great  icer of cookies but it’s about the process.  It’s about watching my big manly husband helping me hang them on the tree.  It’s about how they look when everything else is on the tree and lights are shining.   I have a macaroni ornament that I cherish.  My son made it at the age of 4.  He was so proud of it.  It is my most cherished ornament.  Why because he made it.  His chubby little hands made it!  It’s when we let go of trying to be perfect that we really start to live our lives and enjoy life.   Christmas can be here all year if you start by being creative.  After all didn’t God create the world and isn’t it innately in us  to be creative.  Let’s have Christmas and it’s spirit all year-long!

Christmas Brunch With Friends

I went to a Christmas brunch  today at a friend’s home.  There were about twelve of us women all over the age of 50.  We each brought a covered dish and we each were asked to bring a favorite Christmas memory to share.  There were some wonderful stories that made us laugh and brought tears to our eyes.  I couldn’t help but think about how we all differed in our cultures and traditions.  By telling these simple stories I became more familiar  with each friend.  As they disclosed a precious memory from their lives  it helped me to unravel the mystery of each woman.   One thread that wound through each story was about the mothers.  How strong each mother was and what an important role their mothers played in their lives at  Christmas.   Our stories are so important and so validating to our lives.  I was reminded of a colorful quilt and how all the unique and different pieces of fabric are sewn together and in the end you have a wonderful work of art.   Many of these women shared that they have now passed down to their children these traditions and stories.   Their children are now incorporating the same traditions with a new slant.   I have often felt intimidated by some women and by hearing something personal about themselves I realize we all have our histories and we all have something to contribute to life.  This is how we sew the beautiful big crazy quilt of our lives.   I would not change a thing about the friends in my life.  I learn from them and they complement my life with lots of color and pattern.   Today ask a friend to share a memory.  You will get to know them a little bit better.