"New Year's Wishes"

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             "HAPPY NEW YEAR"
    As the clocks second hand slowly ticks close to twelve o'clock and New Year's Eve becomes January 1st, we wish each other "Happy New Year".........  What do we really mean? ......
As the clock strikes twelve,  last year turns immediately into the next, the mere mention of this greeting evokes not only thoughts of the years gone by, but of the future that lay before us.......Some of us celebrate by a sip of champagne, lot's of hugs, timely glances, and singing "Auld Lang Syne.".......This song was written by Robert Burns in 1741, but was not published until 1796, long after he died......What does "Auld Lang Syne" mean.......It literally translates from old Scottish dialect and means "Old Long Ago" or simply put....."The Good Ole Days"..........The serious message of this song is that the past is important.....We shouldn't forget it......It is a reminder of the people in our lives now , but also those we knew that have passed......The New Year marks the continuance of our journey in this world, with renewed faith, and our hope of a better year with positive promise....The future is good.....no matter what!            
 New Year's Eve night is a time spent with reflection for sure , but New Year's Day brings the awareness of another chance for a new beginning..........

    "SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT AND NEVER BROUGHT TO MIND? SHOULD AULD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT , AND DAYS OF AULD LANG SYNE?"


For those who wait up to bring in the New Year......When the big clock hits 11:59:50 and the countdown begins, with glasses raised high,  all hearts pounding almost in tune, for a moment, when time seems to stand still, as we realize another year gone by.......The big ball drops in Time Square....10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...........fireworks explode in the dark winter sky, bursting with a rainbow of color, horns blow, with lingering glances, tight hugs, and a New Year's Kiss, we bring the "Happy New Year" cheers to life....each one of us aware of memories of old, embracing the thought of the new memories to be made.....we will sing......"AULD LANG SYNE"...................

    "FOR AULD LANG SYNE , MY DEAR.........FOR AULD LANG SYNE, ............WE'LL TAKE A CUP OF KINDNESS YET,......FOR AULD LANG SYNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I WISH YOU MANY SHOOTING STARS AND FULL MOONS...........

   
                                                        "HAPPY NEW YEAR WORLD"

PS.....OH YEAH....THANKS FOR THE SONG ROBERT.............
                                               

CHRISTMAS

I HOPE EVERYONE HAS A WONDERFUL, FABULOUS, EXCITING, BRIGHT, SHINY, LOVELY, LOVING, FAMILY AND FRIENDS KIND OF CHRISTMAS DAY ......BE BLESSED AND HAVE A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR........

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FROM THE HEART

     As December begins and the month moves towards Christmas, we find ourselves thrust into the frenzy of shopping for Christmas gifts. The Christmas music, the Christmas decorations, the cold winter winds, all play a part in propelling us forward towards a festive season.....What should we get for uncle Lynn and what about Aunt Julie. Sometimes the frustration of gift giving is overwhelming and can make us wish Christmas was not knocking at our back door......Trying to shop on a budget and find the right gift is almost impossible at times, but we seem to make it through each year and then start the process over again the next.........I found that after all these years of buying Christmas gifts, there is a way to mentally process the experience and take the ouch out of trying to please even the most difficult gift recipient.......Because I'm older, I have come to realize that the simplest of gifts turn out to mean the most.....So, what is the secret to finding that perfect gift for someone?........."Knowing who that person really is"......That is it....That is the number one secret to buying the perfect gift......and believe me people know when you really had who they are in mind ......


"It isn't the gift that matters.....but the heart that gives it."

 I recently celebrated my birthday and my family gave me (to my real surprise), a surprise birthday party...........Being a December baby has always made it difficult for my friends and family......  Not only did they have a Christmas present to buy, but now they had a birthday gift to buy to......I know that has to be a big problem because I have a son whose birthday is December the 24th, Christmas Eve,  and that is even more difficult........They did a good job making my birthday very meaningful by just paying attention to who I am .....what I like.......how I dress....What they know about me means something ....To my delight my two son's and their girlfriends  went together and gave me a beautiful long pearl necklace....They know how much I love jewelry and we all know that there is an endless supply of jewelry out there ....I love glam and they knew that, the gift was fabulous, but even better was realizing that they cared about me enough to know what I love........"Thank you so much my wonderful son's and their beautiful girlfriends".........Recently while out shopping my phone was stolen. ..... I was so sad and upset about losing my phone because I also lost a lot of my photos which are irreplaceable.....

 Chin up, I put it aside (after a few tears, of course) and moved on vowing to always keep my phone in my hand and never lay it down anywhere .....ever........My sweet daughter, seeing my need for a little more organization, gave me a wonderful phone case with a hand strap, so now I can hold onto my phone while talking in any store and the case was designer beautiful.... .....How thoughtful.........the perfect gift....Thank you my sweet daughter......My brother gave me a framed picture of he and I from a recent vacation along with the most thoughtful card I have ever received....It was so sweet and touching, it brought tears to my eyes......I love my brother so much, he knew that  giving  me a picture of us together on that special vacation would be the perfect gift ....AND IT WAS......To top it all off my very best friend gave me the most beautiful bird feeder , shaped like a deep leaf,  made out of copper, she knew how much I love to feed the birds and how much I love nature.......not to mention the 135 happy Birthday wishes I received on facebook ......each gift fit , it didn't matter how much it cost or how small,  they were all just sooooooo perfect ........
 Even though all of these gifts are totally different,  I was able to see and feel the meaning behind each one of them...... I felt so special ....Why....because each person paid attention to who I am ......and each gift was so preciously perfect from each person that gave it.........

 So for all of you out there who are worrying about buying the perfect gift for your friends and loved ones, take a moment to think about that person and what makes them special and start right there, who are they, what is their favorite color, what kind of hobby do they have, do they like bling or are they conservative.....

 Now put your Santa hats on, make a list, add some thought, mix it with love, and make this year a year of gift giving with "knowing that person" in mind......Merry Christmas, Happy Shopping and may every gift you give be wrapped with love and happiness............




"The best Christmas gift of all is a happy family all wrapped up with one another with a common purpose in mind."
Remember it really is the "thought that counts"................ps. don't lay your phones down....lol...

FESTIVE FALL "SOUTHERN SEASONS"

                    " FESTIVE FALL"
"He that sincerely loves nature, finds pleasure everywhere."_Vincent Van Gogh

Here in the south "fall" brings about some true southern style living......After the relentless heat and humidity of summer, the changes that come with fall are definitely one of the south's greatest reliefs......As  autumn moves in and summer becomes yesterday's memories, the atmosphere seems to set us all in a different mindset and mood......I think everyone looks forward to the vibrant colors that fall serves up for our viewing pleasure...The face of the fall wind, the feeling of the cool, crisp air, and watching as the summer's green leaves change into an artist palette of fiery reds, glowing oranges, deep burgundy's , and those beautiful golden yellow's, is just short of a "miracle."   "Festive Fall" is a time of reflection but also a time to look forward.....It's a time of anticipation of the many activities that arrive with it......One of the best gifts of autumn are the fun fresh harvest of pumpkins which are placed at front doors and in our homes to bring in the newest season........I have so much fun collecting different kinds, real and decorative, placing several at my own front door to greet my guest when they visit .....When I was a child, I loved the fall, it smelled different, and it felt so good to be outside again after the long hot months of July and August, even September is "stifling" here in the south.....I dearly loved playing in the leaves that my dad would rake into huge piles, all the while watching as more would float to the earths floor as the slightly chilled winds blew....Here the fall meant the state fair would arrive soon and as a child it was the highlight of the season for me....I could almost smell the food cooking before it would even arrive..........Just knowing that it would be here soon was so exciting....I can taste the cotton candy and  those bright red, sticky candied apples now...........mmmmmm........Once the fair came through I knew that halloween was close behind, when all those small ghost and goblins would be prowling the neighborhoods in the night collecting lot's of goody's, while being greeted by cob webs and brightly lit Jack-O-Lanterns....Then there is Thanksgiving..... A special day to bring my wonderful family all together in one place......... Holding true to Southern tradition, it gives me a chance to cook all the dishes that my dear grandmother taught me how to make....Turkey, dressing, sweet potato casserole, and pecan pie are a must in the south.......yum...yum...This is certainly not a time for dieting that's for sure...lol....As families from all over America come together to dine and give thanks, I can't help but have a grateful heart ......."Festive Fall" ...........What a great time of year....There seems to be such harmony in this season....Spring might wake up the earth and bring us brightly colored flowers..........but Fall.........Fall brings it to an end with a melody of mosaic color, before the stark contrast of the winter's icy chill...........So, today, I give thanks for "Festive Fall" a most magical time of year..........I wish all of you beautiful colored landscapes, pumpkins, cotton candy, sticky candied apples, brightly lit Jack-O-Lanterns, and a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with your loving families..........
"Now, call your friends and join together with family, then get out there and enjoy some "Festive Fall"fun...

"SOUTHERN SAYINGS"

WHILE HAVING LUNCH TODAY, I OVER HEARD SOMEONE AT THE TABLE NEXT TO ME TALKING, NOT THAT I WAS EAVESDROPPING, THEY WERE JUST TALKING VERY LOUD .........A SOUTHERN GENTLEMEN SAID: "WELL, THAT GUY WAS RUNNING AROUND "LIKE A CHICKEN WITH HIS HEAD CUT OFF" (confused) BUT HE DIDN'T HAVE A "SNOWBALL'S CHANCE IN HELL" (not very likely) OF FINDING THOSE GIRLS AT THE FAIR LAST NIGHT"............ 

"SOUTHERN SAYINGS"

"The South Is Where My Heart Is" 

Since I  was born and raised in the south, "Southern Sayings" are something I grew up with.....When I use some of these sayings, usually I  don't even realize that I do it.....Just last night I was talking to my daughter about something and I began to notice some of the southern sayings she used as she was so intensely describing her day ......... She was saying things like "THAT DON'T MEAN A HILL OF BEANS" and "HE TALKED MY EAR OFF".....when she was finished talking, I asked her if, in fact, she realized that she had used those particular "southern sayings."  When she looked at me funny,  I reminded her of a few of the one's that I noticed .."That don't mean a hill of beans" and "He talked my ear off".....she said "Did I really say that?" I asked her if she even knew what they meant...she said, "well no".....and with disbelief she wondered why she even said those things...........lol........

 As we both literally cracked up, I decided that a few times a week I was going to post  a new "Southern Saying".........When most of these sayings are used, us southerner's don't even bat an eye......I will be listening for them as I converse with all my southern friends and family ......Not only do we use these metaphors,  but the style with which we use them is priceless.....You have the good ole' southern boy sayings  like, "Till the cow's come home" or "Hold on to ya britches" and then there is the true Southern Belle sayings .............Southern Belle's were known as the more elite women of the south and developed their own sugary way of purring their words as if they were dripping with southern molasses....lol........like "I  doooooooo declare shuugah"  and always asking someone "well honey, "how is yor mamma"? ........or  "Ya'll come back now,  ya here".....One style is as funny as the other...So every few days I plan to share  a "Southern Saying" for you to enjoy, if you are from the south,  then I'm sure you will recognize most of them.....NOW YOU BE SURE AND CHECK BACK WITH ME YA HEAR...................................................................

Southern Paths.... "A Pathway To your Own Exciting Garden".....

 To many gardens are open lawns that can be seen all at one time with a panoramic view......sometimes we don't think to create pathways of interest and use our imagination by breaking up the view of our yard ....Garden pathways suggest that we are taking a journey, as you walk along them , a sense of losing yourself happens....you experience the moment your in and it awakens that sense of exploring something unknown ....the idea of looking through something to see beyond holds your interest...I love surprises....

 Placing objects like the bench in the photo , or flowers at the end of your path,  creates a reward  at the end of your journey connecting the path with the sense of an adventure.....Using a fountain, grouping of chairs, a tall sculpture, large vase, even a path spilling out to a lone flowering tree can be a reward for the eyes.....It doesn't matter if you have a small space or large it is very easy to create a pathway ...Mulch, gravel, stones, pavers, or concrete are some of the common materials that can be used.....try it....go out in your yard and find a spot .....lay some pavers down....make a path leaving a little room on each side...now plant some bushes down each side ....use your imagination ....plant a few flowers....add a couple of iron arbors ...plant vines to grow on each side of the arbors so they will grow over the top and meet...this will create a top for your path ...I have a path  where i planted jasmine to grow over three iron  arbors placed in a row about two feet apart....... In the spring it is a breathtaking path of yellow flowers...What a way to leave winter behind and break into spring ....Since I have a large backyard I have several pathways in my yard that lead to different parts of my garden....

 Pathways in my garden place reminds me of when I was a child and played in the woods at the end of my neighborhood street....I loved walking on the paths that mother nature made as I found my way into the woods, my childhood imagination running away as I moved along natures corridor with trees and brush along the sides of my path....then  I would happen upon a small opening, my reward at the end of the path,  usually where the sun would find it's way through the treetops ... I would love to sit there and dream of all the wonderful years ahead and the many paths I would find to follow in my life....then as I would leave , finding my way out among the many tall southern trees, I remember the innocent adventure of it all with every step I took.......those are the kind of memories that we love to bring forward with us if we can ............

 Now that I'm all grown up, as a gardener, for me it's all about creating a chance to experience my surroundings....maybe that is why I feel this way about paths...it connects me to moments in my past that I loved as a child.....following a path is always going to evoke the adventurous side of me..........and it will for you to ......if you don't already have one....TRY IT...........This fall, while the weather is nice and being outside is wonderful......let the creative YOU turn an open space into a mystical pathway that will lead to your own imagination....YOUR VISION IS JUST A  PATH  AWAY............... :D