HAPPY NEW YEAR

NEW YEAR arrives in the blink of an eye, the chime of an hour, the turn of a new calendar page.

As I sit here in the cottage pondering what 2009 will bring, I send my best wishes for good health, much happiness, and prosperity for you and yours. My sincere hope is that this will be a good year for each and every one of us.

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The song "Auld Lang Syne" is sung at the stroke of midnight in almost every English-speaking country in the world to bring in the New Year. At least partially penned by Scotsman Robert Burns in the 1700's, it was first published in 1796 after his death. An old Scottish tune, "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago" or simply, "the good old days".

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and days of 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.

Sing out tonight!

Beautiful Gifts

Santa Claus actually arrived at my front door this past Christmas Eve! True, he was wearing a suit of blue, had apparently shaved off his white beard due to the unseasonably warm weather, and was driving a truck.............but he was carrying a good sized box, nicely wrapped and addressed to me, and this made him "Santa" in my eyes.

Mandy at Herbgirl of Calendula Court had a

recent great giveaway and I was the winner!

Look at these fabulous gifts. Mandy was so generous and picked such lovely things to share. The vintage silver dish is gorgeous, perfect for holding the delicately perfumed herb and floral "Cottage Garden Potpourri" from Mandy's own garden. The sweet embroidered pillow "Don't Forget to Smell The Flowers" is trimmed with a little fabric flower and button. The plaque stating "A Garden of Friends is Always in Bloom" will be hung in the garden come Spring. Love the paisley patterned Vera Bradley makeup bag ~ just the right size for my purse. And the book............I'm thrilled with this Rachel Ashley of Shabby Chic fame "The Gift of Giving". I'd never seen this book despite having Rachel's other decorating books. There are so many fabulous ideas inside, all beautifully photographed, for making, gathering, collecting and putting together the perfect gift for anyone by recycling and reusing things we have, or can buy, without spending a lot of money. I am going to use this special book often!

Again, many, many thanks Mandy. I'm thrilled with everything the box held............and I'll always believe!

Sparkles

My quick visit to SuzAnna's Antiques last Tuesday, was to meet with and wish "boa viagem" to sweet blog friend Vanessa of Vanilla Lavender who headed home to Brazil on Boxing Day. She and little daughter Luna will have a long anticipated visit with her family. I know it will be a great time for all. For me, it brings back memories of visits across the pond in the '60's, lugging suitcases loaded with kid's clothes and necessities for extended stays with grandparents, no easy feat, and even more complicated now with security issues and so many more people travelling.

Have a great time Vanessa ~ we'll be missing you ~ but she'll still post on her blog while in Sao Paulo ~ hooray!

While at SuzAnna's we had to look around, of course! Everything was sparkling on that cold but sunny day. Linda, shop employee/decorator extraordinaire had turned on Christmas music, and then sweet Jenny (Susie's delightful daughter) of The Red Bulletin Board arrived to liven things up even more. Susie and Anna were at home decorating their houses ~ missed you.

A dress form lamp decked out in sparkly neck wear - necklaces and dainty beaded scarf.

Beaded evening bag, great for the theatre, and sparkling napkin rings.

Pretty idea for Summer or the beach house - sparkly starfish in the palest ocean blue.

Great idea for a cut glass dish - turn it into a hanging candle holder by adding sparking beaded chains.

Love these miniature bottles with velvet wraps and sparking rhinestone embellished corks. Many uses including storage for craft items ~ which reminds me, I need to organize mine!

And................before leaving SuzAnna's, Jenny gave me this lovely gold sparkly candle for Christmas which is just perfect in my hurricane. Thanks so much Jenny, as you can see I've already been burning it.

Pink Saturday

aturday, pink Saturday, what does it matter day!!

If you stuffed yourself with Christmas goodies, drank often to the good health and happiness of absent friends, lost your cat in a mountain of wrapping paper, and slept the sleep of the exhausted - because you were............ it does matter! Yes, Pink Saturday matters. It means a normal day again. Sharing fluffy pink, silly pink, anything pink.................to get you through to the next big bash, New Year's Eve!

My pink stash is hitting rock bottom. Who would have ever known Pink Saturday would be so popular. Many new bloggers are joining in the fun every week.

Some pretty pink china pieces that were passed down from my mother are much-loved. Have you noticed how most roses painted on china are usually pink? These are sweet rambling roses. This Royal Albert oval dish is a favorite ~ the scrolled pale green edge touched with gold ~ especially when holding a few really good dark chocolates!

Please visit our great hostess Beverly at How Sweet The Sound today. I just know that even with all she had to do for Christmas she still made time to host PINK SATURDAY again. Just think, if you miss this week we won't see you again until next year!

Boxing Day

Today we celebrate BOXING DAY, also known as the Feast of St. Stephen (after the first Christian martyr)..................well we do in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. I think we're missing out by not having it here in the USA, thus giving everyone a proper two-day Christmas holiday break from work!

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This celebration is traditional, dating back to the Middle Ages, and consisted of the practice of giving gifts to employees, the poor, or to people in a lower social class. In Victorian times it became a holiday for members of the merchant class to give boxes containing food and fruit, clothing and money to trades people and servants. The gifts were an expression of gratitude similar to bonuses many employers give their employees today....if you're lucky! Also related to the origin of Boxing Day, is the tradition of opening the alms boxes placed in the churches over the Christmas season - the contents were then distributed amongst the poor, by the clergy, the day after Christmas.

Today, Boxing Day is a time for family and friends to spend together with lots of food and fun. Outdoor sports are popular on this day too.

You can build a little charity into your holiday season (while reducing your own clutter - and we all plan to do this, right?) by cleaning out and giving your discards to someone in need. If you don't have anything to clean out, you can always give of your time.

On Christmas Night

Joy to the world the Lord is come, let earth receive her King.

Angels With Trumpets ~ Phoebe Anna Troquair 1852-1936

(Oil & Gold Leaf on Panel c.1903)

On Christmas Day

Wishing you and your family all the joys

and blessings of Christmas.

The Sleep of the Child Jesus - Bernardo Luini