A new year has begun! I welcomed in the new year with my eyes wide open and my heart filled with trust and faith that this will be a good year. I wish you the same.
The holidays have come and gone without so much as one post or one pic to share....my reasons are many. First a defunct computer (but I am happy to say I was gifted a brand new HP with a 24inch flat screen from my bosses at Stoney's for my Christmas present, thank you Lynn and Billy) and my camera finally confided in me it was just too tired to see anymore and stopped working (I hope to replace it soon). Being without my camera is like leaving the house when I go out in the moring without my hat being on my head..something just doesn't feel right with my day. Hence I have not one picture of this year of Stoney's during the holiday season or any of my own holiday to share or to savor in the years to come...perhaps this was the Christmas to forget.
Just before the holiday I became ill missing a couple days of work and on the 23rd when we closed the barn doors, and I locked Carolyn's Coop until spring returns it was hard to hold back bittersweet tears... I was worn out...physically, emotionally, financially (thank you NOT "donut hole" of life with the outrageous cost of medications for my beloved Arnie) and I still had all of my own holiday yet to prepare. Overwhelmed? yes! but without a minute to spare or I'd miss Christmas altogether, I cleaned bathrooms, made up fresh beds, grocery shopped, put up the tree, graced it with only balls and bows of lovely ribbons this year, wrapped a couple of presents for beneath its boughs for my loved ones, enjoyed the placing of fresh evergreen here and there, all without ever opening my Christmas closet of treasures...less was more however.
I looked around, whispered to myself, "and so this is Christmas", and had the thought as God once said...and it was good. It was GOOD!
My baby bird arrived home on Christmas Eve and all was well with my world again once she walked through the front door with her smile. Our holiday was as they are meant to be..filled with the simple blessings and pleasures of life...a loving family, good food and some laughter to round off the rough edges. A trip to an art store and lunch out together with the dear daughter was the highlight of my time with her this visit. This was to celebrate her birthday that had just passed...22, which makes me....nevermind! I love you Kayleigh.
I recieved two unexpected treasured gifts this year (besides my new computer). One was a comment from Leslie Garcia which she left on my very old autumn post at Tumbleweedsandthyme and the other a comment in the same place from Carole of Boxwood Cottage in Germany http://carolsgarden.blogspot.com/. Both were thinking of you messages and wishing me and my family a Merry Christmas. These two friends have no idea how much it meant to hear from them when I had been missing for some time from my own blog or from reading others blogs. Thank you Leslie and Carole for your Christmas gifts of freindship.
I stumbled over this old picture tonight and thought it fitting to place here
When I started Tumbleweedsandthyme way back when (6-7 years ago?) I never dreamed I would grow so many friendships that would give blossom to my life and for each of you I am grateful.
We are having a very cold winter thus far and being one who could take January and February out of my calandar year altogether, already winter seems too long to bare. I haven't yet accomplished one thing on my list of want to do's this winter such as clean out closets, discard STUFF from my life I no longer need or want, paint, or even sat with a good book from one cover to the other.
I have made some plant markers out of clay that will go in planted pots at Stoneys come spring. I enjoyed the doing and will make more. If not for the animals that need to be fed, watered and loved a little daily, and that I would miss Merriweather if I didn't see her you might find me curled up under a blanket to sleep until February when I will begin to plant in the greenhouse for springs anticipated arrival.
Tonight as I sat here, yes wrapped in a blanket around my shoulders and my socked feet wrapped in the hanging excess on the floor, listening to the fierce wind blowing outside I looked at pictures in past posts. I was reminded that spring always keeps her promise to return,
and this is what I dream about to get me through the brrrrrr cold barren winter month of January.
In need of a little bit of summer to warm up a cold winter day?
click on pics to enlarge
I embrace and am grateful for the rest that I am given this time of year but I also look ahead to when the sun will warm me in fields of flowers and vegetables, with my hands in the soil, and my head overflowing with ideas while creating once again a garden for all who visit to enjoy.
Until next time, thank you for stopping by.
Hi dear...visiting ur sweet blog...add me in ur blogroll ok...i have a super cute blog too,alywas with great poems and posts talkin about the life,love and God.Big Hug!!
Posted by: Franciely | January 18, 2010 at 06:20 PM
Dear Carolyn,
I love you!
Leslie
Posted by: Leslie garcia | January 17, 2010 at 07:58 PM
You have so been on my mind, dear friend. I am glad you are in your slumber period. I hope you get some good, deep, restorative rest accompanied by some play. I am watching my amaryllis and narcissus and dreaming of spring.
Posted by: Loretta | January 13, 2010 at 07:01 AM
Love the sign, certainly speaks the truth. Before you know it spring will be here and you'll be back with your hands in the dirt, potting up the pretties that make Stoney's customers happy.
Darla
Posted by: Darla | January 11, 2010 at 03:30 PM
What a beautiful post, Carolyn. The pictures do sing the song of spring and this has been such a brutal winter that it can't come soon enough (especially for all of you who are anywhere else but the west coast). Your sign is oh, so true.
Posted by: Ardi | January 11, 2010 at 10:15 AM