Sunday, December 21, 2008

Natural Christmas Decor








There is so much beauty in nature....
Red berries, cedar, blue spruce, pine and pine cones
all tied together with left-over red ribbon from last Christmas.....
Cost?
$0.00
Perfect!


Are you ready for Christmas?!?!

Blessings
*****Yaya*****

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow



Oh the weather outside is frightful
but the fire is so delightful.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.....
Here in the deep South it is heavy rain.
I love hearing the rain pour down on the metal roof
of the old country house.
I wanted to stay in my flannel pajamas
and snuggle deep into our wonderful featherbed
and pull the down-filled blanket up to my head.
The delicious smell of coffee coming from the kitchen
and the alarm clock that sounds like churchbell and chimes
told me it was time to get up and get busy.
Christmas is almost here
and there is much to do.
Pies, cookies and cakes to bake,
and yeast bread too.
Casseroles to mix
and gifts to wrap....
and company is on their way!
Have a great weekend, y'all.

Blessings
*****Yaya*****

Friday, December 19, 2008

The Magic of Santa Claus

Santa and his reindeer are getting ready
for their magical journey on Christmas Eve.....
Oh to see Christmas through the eyes of a child.
It truly is magical.
The reindeer take flight
with lightening-fast speed.
They must have wings!
It won't be long
and on the roof they will land,
then down the chimney
Santa descends,
filling stockings with toys and joy.....
Santa must work with his elves every day.
These good-hearted helpers
know just what to do.
They make trains, skates and dolls,
balls, toy soldiers and books...
The workshop is a miraculous place.
Horses that gallop and dollies that walk,
And teddy-bears ready to cuddle and rock.




Who Santa Claus is,
there's no need to tell.
Children around the world know him so well.....
Jolly old Saint Nicholas,
Lean your ear this way!
Christmas Eve is coming soon!






'Giving' is the secret of Christmas cheer.
Blessings
*****Yaya*****




Winter Time In The Country

Looking at the beautiful Currier & Ives
"Winter In The Country",
causes one to reflect on yesteryear.....
Another era, another time...
A time when life seemed much slower.
We have come a long way
and gained so much,
and yet, it seems to me
that
we have lost something along the way.
Do you miss those olden days
when everyone gathered at Grandmother's house?
Of course.....
But,
I am now Grandmother...Yaya...
Times have changed
but not the tradition.
I can't wait for our children and grandangels to arrive!!!
Merry Christmas to all,
and to all a good night.
Christmastime blessings
*****Yaya*****

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Winter Wonderland

I wanted to share another
Currier & Ives
placemat from my mother's collection.
It sets such a mood.....
Oh to dream in winter white.

Blessings
*****Yaya*****

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Currier & Ives

To gaze upon certain things of beauty
can speak to one's soul.
The prints of Currier & Ives
have always filled me with a sense of 'home'.
Somehow, they seem comforting.
As I rambled through storage boxes this past week,
I came across an antique set of six
Currier & Ives place mats.
They belong to my mother
and I recall her using them in my childhood.
I haven't seen them in years
but what a treasure.
They now have a place on the dining room table
and I can't stop looking at them.
I wish for you,
comforts of home and family...

Christmas Blessings
*****Yaya*****

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

O Christmas Tree

A little Christmas tree
just for the dining room...
All dressed up in shimmering gold,
snowwhites and crystal.....
O Christmas tree,
O Christmas tree,
your leaves are so unchanging.
Not only green in summer's glow,
But in the winter sleet and snow.
O Christmas tree,
O Christmas tree
I always want an angel atop the Christmas tree...
From angels bending near the earth,
to touch their harps of gold:
Peace on earth, goodwill to men,
From heaven's all gracious King.
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.....

Blessings
*****Yaya*****

Monday, December 15, 2008

All Through The House






























The word Christmas calls up cherished memories.
Oh the happy anticipation...
I always experience the happy anticipation,
the memories and that wonderful longing for the magic of it all.
Christmas always has to do with the getting ready for,
as much as the day itself.
Preparations for the great day start way in advance.
It's a ritual here at the old country house.
Nothing is thrown together quickly.
I take my time and play with everything...
ribbons, pine garlands and cones, crystal and china.
Polishing until everything is all a glow.
I love the decorating...decking the halls.
By the time Christmas Eve arrives,
all will be ready for the arrival of Christmas magic!
The kids and grandangels arrive with their gorgeously wrapped boxes
and the little wee ones listen for sleighbells.
Oh the excitement!!
I just love an old fashioned country Christmas.
It's Christmastime, y'all!!!

Blessings
*****Yaya*****





Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Christmas Is...

Magic...
Sweet-smelling cedar...
A dusting of fresh snow...
Pinecones...
Candles so bright...
Ribbons that shimmer...
Silver bells...
Giggles of little elves and children...
Bundles of cinnamon sticks wrapped in red plaid ribbon...
Apples and oranges and fruitcake...
Pretty pine garlands...
Rock candy...
Mama Peggy's peanut brittle...
Gingerbread...
Silvery tinsel...
Walnuts...
Ruby red ornaments, shiny and bright...
A crackling fire and the smell of woodsmoke in the air...
Reindeer in flight...
Presents under the tree...
A star for the Christ Child...
Angels...
Sweet gifts of love...
A glass of wine and a long winter's nap.

May Christmas be a time of great blessings for all.....
Yaya

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Boughs of Holly

Wrapped in the soft warmth
of a golden glow,
and the quiet of a cold December night,
we are snug unto ourselves.
The world is put on hold for an evening.

Blessings
*****Yaya*****

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Time To Deck The Halls

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas".....
With Christmas music playing,
I am beginning to decorate the old country house.
When I finish,
everything will be all dressed up
with ribbons, magnolia leaves, cedar, pine garlands and more.

Inside, all is abustle
with Christmas boxes scattered all about.
So much to do
and so little time.
Trees to put up and decorate...
Tables to be dressed in their Christmas best...
Stockings to hang...
Christmas china to wash...
Silver to polish...
Gifts to wrap...
Baking ...
and baking...
Lights to string...
More Christmas shopping...
Eggnog to drink!
Blessings
*****Yaya*****

Friday, December 5, 2008

Sweet Little Companion


For every day you've made more special

and every time I forgot to let you know.....

I Love You,

my little sugar bear.

The presence of our beloved pets

can be as warm and comforting as a hug.

You will never be alone

with a journal in your pocket

and a dog by your side.







Blessings

*****Yaya*****




Monday, December 1, 2008

A Grand Serenade

Oh, to be inspired.....
If one can only give a child
the atmosphere
in which they can find out who they are
and
what they really ought to become.
The memory of a smile.....




Music reveals your hidden soul.



Music can touch one deeply
and
transport them into another world.....




The music paints pictures,
and
I lose myself in them.....






Nobody ever got anywhere
without dreaming it would happen to them.....







In order to get anywhere,
you always need to know where you want to go.....















When you wish for your children,
wish only for health and happiness.
After all,
that's all they'll really need.


Blessings
*****Yaya*****







Saturday, November 29, 2008

The Duchess Of Earl And A Gift From France

To Yaya
From The Duchess Of Earl.....
A very special person
came to visit
my little place beneath my Southern sky.
She delivered a gift,
all the way from France.
It was a very sweet surprise
as I opened my invitation from the Duchess of Earl.
No, 'twas not for tea,
but
an invitation to play
'Random Things Meme'!
Thank you, Duchess, for visiting my place beneath my Southern sky,
and thank you for thinking of me
and including my lil' blog in your list.
Y'all can visit her special place at
Now,
this has caused me to think,
and
think some more...
for
I am to choose seven special blogs
(you are all special)
and
pass along the tag.
I am also suppose to tell you
seven random and/or weird facts about myself.
Okay, very quickly....here are seven facts about me.
1. I once saw a UFO!!! Really!
2. I have spent many hours sunbathing by the South China Sea.
3. One of my favorite Southern meals is pinto beans cooked with ham,
iron-skillet fried potatos, cornbread, sliced sweet onions
and
iced sweet tea.
4. I once considered tasting snake wine, while in Vietnam.
5. I once lived on a cliff in Bethioua, Algeria,
overlooking the blue Mediterranean Sea.
6. I once shared my homemade cookies
with wild monkeys in Tipaza.
The big leader of the monkey pack
smelled my cookie and tossed it to the ground,
making a horrible monkey face.
Why, I have NEVAH!!!
7. I have been in the tomb of Cleopatra Seline,
daughter of Mark Antony
and
Cleopatra, queen of Egypt.


It is amazing
that in this day and time,
by the click of a mouse,
we can visit and travel around the world and back,
from the comfort of our leather armchair,
by the fireplace,
in our cozy den...
all while sipping our favorite wine
and listening to our favorite music.....


It has been most difficult to choose,
but
I must pick only seven,
so say the rules.
Okay, I'm sending out my tags
from beneath my Southern sky.....
Pamela, Edward and Apple at http://www.fromthehouseofedward.blogspot.com/ .....
The very pregnant Southern Belle at http://www.londonsouthernbelle.typepad.com/


Here are the rules for A Random Things Meme.....
1. Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
I may not know you personally,
but I know the beauty of your spirt.....
Blessings
*****Yaya*****


Friday, November 28, 2008

Ushering In The Holiday Season

A wonderful smell fills the air of the old country house.
Turkey
Ham
Chicken & Dressing
Sweet Potato Casserole (for the girls)
Creamed Potatos (for Tom & the boys)
Mac & Cheese
Spinach Casserole (for Jodie)
Corn Casserole
Cranberry sauce
Yeast Rolls
Spinach Salad
Green Bean Casserole
Mixed Vegetable Casserole (Mother's old recipe)
Coconut Pie (for Mother)
Chocolate Cake
Wine
Tea
Coffee

Indian Tree China













Yes, I always go to Yaya's for any holiday meal.



HAPPY THANKSGIVING


Blessings
*****Yaya*****

Friday, November 14, 2008

Lamp Glow

Don't you just love a rainy, foggy night?
I do. I also love the cozy feeling
of lamp glow on such a night....
Don't you think every woman needs a beautiful dressing table?
Place beautiful pieces of crystal on it
and a beautiful lamp nearby....
Add an amber bulb and you have a mellow 'lamp glow'.....

Rambling thoughts from the country house.....
Let your imagination soar
for it is your souls blueprint for success.....
Know the things you love
and surround yourself with them.....
Make the place you live
the place you love.....
Throw conventional design rules out the window,
shake that hair free
and live in a space
that speaks of adventure, journeys
and everything
that you dream of.....
'From a junk gypsy'
Love your space.....
Blessings
*****Yaya*****

Thursday, November 13, 2008

A Simple Path

Embrace a child.....
Desire to inspire.....
Live your life with such perfection
that the inspiration
you
provide others will set them
on the same marvelous course.....





Rambling thoughts from the country house.....


Life rays...your beautiful energy,
drifting out and into the universe. It is there. It is real.
As real as the sun, the moon and the stars.....
Let your thoughts reach out
and grasp the stars.
Make every day of life count.....



Take time to think...especially before you speak.
Take time to pray/meditate.
Take time to laugh/be kind.

It is the source of power.
It is the greatest power on earth.
It is the music of the soul.


Take time to play/talk.
Take time to love and be loved.
Take time to give...
Mother Theresa...from "A Simple Path"




Blessings
*****Yaya*****

Wednesday, November 12, 2008