Today is my birthday...Number thirty-five. It's funny the love-hate relationship we have with age. The wisdom that comes with age is a wonderful gift. I feel I know so much more about myself, others and the world around me and at large than I did at twenty-five. Thirty-five feels good! Those fine lines around the eyes and mouth, and the realization the bones will be losing their density and a multitude of other physical changes already happening to a body at the age of thirty-five, these are things to be reckoned with. Not young. Not old. I like this in between place and wouldn't mind lingering in the mid-thirties longer! Having my birthday at the end of the year gives me even more pause for reflection and thought. This year has been an up and down mix. A great many bright memories stand out in my memory of this year, as do a very few sad and difficult moments. And one is only thirty-five but once. Today I have a day to celebrate with Dear Husband and Charlie. I thank my wonderful parents for bringing me into this beautiful world, and I'm so glad to have my sweet sister who is also my friend, and all my family everywhere. I am thankful for a circle of friends, including all of you here, who inspire me, make me laugh, smile and think. Chocolate cake and champagne to have later today can also be added to the gratitude list! hehehe...No, I won't count wrinkles, lines or bone density...not today anyway. Today I count blessings, and they are many.
So cut your cake, and say,
"Instead of counting birthdays,
I count blessings every day!"
Is everyone stuffed and blissed-out on holiday goodness?! We are! A big thank you to all of you who left such wonderful holiday greetings! We had a lovely celebration for Christmas on the Eve with Dear Husband's parents. Yesterday and today we have done absolutely nothing...And this sure has been wonderful! The best gift is time with those you love, and even time to just relax. After some very busy days lately, it's a slice of heaven to not rush, not be in the kitchen cooking up a storm (much as I do love to cook), or the usual household chores, or even slaving away over the sewing machine (must as I love that usually too.) 
As often happens in the moment of merriment, we did not get to taking as many photos the last couple of days as we would have liked. But I thought I would share a couple that were taken. Here is the dining room, table set for a feast for four (photo above). I love the big bunch of white tulips. Also a quick shot of a display of some of the holiday greeting cards we received. In our hallway I have a 
Something I couldn't wait to share, now that I finally can, is the patchwork scarf I made for my Momma for Christmas. I ordered
May the festivity continue...And may all your days be Merry and Bright! I leave you with a very sweet view of Charlie from Christmas Eve night...we were all very happy, but very tired after a day of feasting, new toys and fun! See you soon! :o) 
At twilight lately the sky has often been a strange, beautiful lavender shade, sometimes with a touch of pink. I've not quite been able to capture it with the camera, sadly, for it is extraordinary. And yet, there seems to be no light, just a dimness acting as light, the horizon misted with fog. With the 
The sun rose on fields
