Eco-Friendly Stocking Stuffers

Eco-Friendly Coffee Sleeves

In our last blog post, I promised to let everyone in on what Cheryl was up to in our next post so I shall now spill the goods. My talented sewing/quilting friend has designed some coffee sleeves for our site and besides being attractive, re-usable and reversible, they are delightfully affordable. My personal favorite is the music-themed one. So if you are searching for great stocking stuffers or little Christmas gifts for teachers, club members or co-workers, these fit the bill.

While we're on the subject of Christmas, we had our first snowfall last night so I am feeling more Christmasy than ever. What a magical, silent, peaceful world it creates. I took this photo this morning just outside the front of our home. I am so privileged to live in such a beautiful place. Do you notice how your home feels cozier after a snowfall? Snow's magic affects the ambiance inside of our homes, not just the outside.

I was fortunate to be able to go to Hawaii a couple of summers ago, thanks to my dad who gave us a cruise as a gift. It is a lovely place but I could never live there. It may sound silly but I would desperately miss the four seasons. They call it paradise and yet to me, Vancouver Island is paradise. I love the opportunity to see and appreciate the changes in seasons and the wonder that each season brings with it. I can't think of anywhere else I would rather be.

The Magic of Winter

'WINTER WALK' - PHOTOART BY MICKI FINDLAY

It is so pretty outside today... our Christmas lights glow with their magical hues against the perfect white backdrop of our very first snowfall this year. Everything is so quiet and peaceful. I have some Christmas baking to do today and what a perfect day for it! I wonder if we will have a white Christmas this year? I can always dream. One would think that my eight years in Mackenzie BC would have cured me of that desire, but not so. Although I must admit, six months of snow is a bit much. I am glad to be living on Vancouver Island.

My sons, Gordon and Matthew, loved the winters in Mackenzie, however. They were just little boys and did not seem to notice or care that they went on for so long. I recall the snow forts they built and the numerous tunnels we shoveled to make a 'maze' of sorts through the entire front yard. It was a magical time for them as they played endlessly in the snow, decked out from head to toe in various layers of clothes, snowsuits, scarves, toques, mittens and winter boots. I always dreaded when they would have to come in to go to the bathroom because it seemed to take forever to undress and redress them for the brutal cold. Some days it felt like that was all I did all day! But they could not play outside all the time because Mackenzie can get down to 40 below at times. You didn't go anywhere on those days unless you absolutely had to. So as fun as it was for my boys, I am glad to be back here on the island alright. Brrrrr!......

I am almost done my Christmas shopping... only a couple more things to buy. Our house is all decorated and ready for David's son, daughter and their partners to come and celebrate with us on Christmas Eve. I still cannot figure out how I managed to stuff a Christmas tree in my little Hyundai but I did. That car has certainly served me well, although it is sounding pretty rough these days. I have loaded everything in that car including loads of firewood!

I hope that this Christmas is extra special for everyone this year. I am saddened to hear of various Christmas school concerts that have completely bypassed the whole Christmas message. I know that has been happening for quite awhile now, as far as the baby Jesus is concerned. But I am told that now there isn't even an elf or a jingle bell! And they are now called 'Winter Concerts'. Hmmm..... political correctness seems to be our modern day 'Scrooge' and it is sapping the life, joy and magic right out of the season. How ridiculous!

Well I will not let Scrooge get me down! Merry Christmas everyone! And a very happy new year!

Luke 2:9-12
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Almost Spring?

'Cold Tears' - Photo by Micki Findlay

Like everyone else on the planet, I am pretty tired of snow. Yet, I have to admit, it makes for some very beautiful images. Yesterday morning I took advantage of that beauty by taking several pictures of my backyard. There was something magical happening as the sun kissed the ice droplets that hung from the tree branches and plants. The sun's warmth was a long-missed friend and it felt heavenly to have it back again, even if just for awhile. It never ceases to amaze me how its coming makes the world a magical place. And how the combination of the snow and sun transforms even the most tired, deadest plants to an art form. What a marvelous world we live in. God is the ultimate artist and has seen fit to share some of his talent with us; his most complex and wonderful creations. I am so grateful for that. And I hope I never forget where my talents came from.

The first day of spring begins tomorrow morning at 4:44 am. I wonder what spring has in store for us? I am so looking forward to a change in the weather. But until that happens, I will try my best to appreciate whatever God chooses to give us.

And take more pictures...


A2Sea Creations and A2Sea Photography

SNOW? AGAIN?

OUR GRASS IS GONE AGAIN

I gotta tell you... I am not normally one to complain about the weather but this is just getting silly! My husband told me to look outside. I said no. He said "It's snowing." I said, "It is not."
(A little denial perhaps?) Denial definitely has its place. But you can only lie to yourself for so long before it catches up to you. I am not a big 'out-in-my-yard kind of person' but even I am getting a mild case of cabin fever. My cat is not impressed either. Jasmine only stays out long enough to... well, you know... and then runs back in faster than you can say her name. I can't say I blame her. My cat is adorable, by the way. I think I will have to dedicate a blog post to her one of these days. She actually owns our home. We just live here.

Well I wish I had a sea story to share with you today but it's too flipping cold to go to the beach! Man! I did manage to get there last week though. I went to Chemainus and had a wonderful day. After a completely enjoyable visit with a good friend, I went down to the beach and collected tons of little pieces of driftwood and some sea glass. And I took some photos; some of them good, some not so good. But the sun was shining and I was actually not freezing to death, for a change. And then I went around to some of the quaint little shops in Chemainus to get inspired with ideas and, of course, enjoyed a delightful piece of cheesecake and a good, strong cup of Americano coffee. Mmmmmm! There is nothing so bad in life that a piece of cheesecake and a good cup of coffee can't cure.

My son Matthew loves his coffee, too. But he is serious about it... he doesn't mess around. He makes espresso and man, I gotta tell you, it truly separates the men from the boys! I could never quite understand people who drink weak coffee. If you can't taste it why even bother? If done properly, it's almost a religion. And my son does it properly! One day, if I am ever rich, I will buy my son his own Dutch Brother's Coffee Franchise. I think he would like that. Their coffee kept me awake at the wheel for 12 hours straight when I had to get home from Oregon to BC.

Okay, I better go and practice my singing telegram for tomorrow morning. It's a phone telegram so I don't even have to get out of my pj's if I don't want to. How cool is that? Not until I ship off a parcel from a sale we got today, that is. And then off to the art gallery to do my shift there. All of the artists there take 3 x four hour shifts a month and that is how the gallery stays open. Great idea if you ask me. I am happy to say that I just sold another photo there.

Signing off for today...don't look out the window. Try some good, healthy denial.