Christmas Greetings

 

 

 

Much Merriment

 

 

 

 

Back soon.....

Short Days of Winter

Winters begun, nightfall came early today. While reading, I found this lovely piece of poetry and found it perfect for this near-to-Christmas day ~

                                                                         ***

I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

                                                                          ***

Our home is decidedly non-traditionally decorated for the season. As I wrote previously - it's somewhat "organic" this year. Here's the very little rest that I've arranged. It's not much!

 

 

The ironstone pitcher on the right is filled with flowers from Pops' funeral - they just got plunked in the ewer and I never re-touched the bouquet.... sorta sad looking... oops!

notice the white paint splotches still on the walls - so lovely! :-)

again with the unfinished paint

the minimalist look

Boughs of green, wreaths of boxwood, orchids, ferns, paperwhites and pine cones...organic - some straight from our yard -  SIMPLE & BEAUTIFUL and all that will happen for this holiday!

A White Winter {of a sort}...

A white, foamy, sea salt winter....
{back to the story of the beach get-away}

It was rainy...
There were King tides...
We walked... well, we may have relaxed quite a bit too...

Christmastime at the shore ~

silly brother

fresh fixins for a cioppino dinner

Night walks were lit in an especially unique way - the lighthouse with streamers of Christmas bulbs
                                    {excuse the blur - at dark I should've used a tripod}

Not Nearly Enough

from the West coast to your coast - Connecticut...
~ a light still shining, amidst it all ~
~ a flag half-staff ~
~ a gorgeous sunset; there is still beauty in the world ~

Words... there are NO words...
Bloggers the world over, will not be posting words....
This is an email I received today:

A large group of bloggers throughout the U.S. will be observing a day of silence for those in Connecticut on Monday, December 17th. We will be posting the attached image on our sites, rather than any planned blog posts to show solidarity with the families and victims.

I'd like to invite you to join us.

   **

A second email came from this same lovely blogger. In it she mentions that she's unsure really what to do. What is the right thing? Will any of it matter?


At first I was in the camp to join-in as a comrade in force with my fellow writers. Apparently, I've crossed that boundary and followed my heart instead. I've now written words.


Still, these words are not nearly enough!

 

NOT Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas..

No further along on my Christmas decorating, or shopping, or cooking.... hhhaa - or anything at all related to the holiday that is nearly here. I can say with much pride, though, that my heart is lighter and my brain not nearly as foggy. Can you guess why that is?? Sure you can!....  I've been away to the beach again!



Some wise old bird  {not this guy} ->  knew how to heal mush-brain/tired-eye/no-sleep sadness
and offered a bed in an adorable lil beach house and Hubby & I went for the weekend.

Winter is here in California. We've had temp drops and chilly-bring-the-plants-in nights. What does one do with those sorts of days? why.... sit in front of a fire, with a movie playing and a pot of cioppino on the stove. Fresh crab straight from the wharf! Such a blessing!


Bundled in a scarf and rainboots, I spent the day alone sloshing in the sand. Photographing lonely, colorful, beachy environs. Our Boardwalk here gave me pause... it dawned on me that had it been this coast that endured Superstorm Sandy, our roller coaster could be the one with ocean water for her foundation now.

What a difference to  be alone on the Boardwalk, no coaster-scared-screams, no belly laughs
{except for this gal} ->

But, tons of color ~

I left with a smile on my face. Similar to this smile{?}....

Sand on my boots, sinuses filled with salty air, raindrops dotting my glasses...

Time to gather the fixins for dinner and head for warmth. The beach cottage and slippers upon my feet sounded cozy and inviting....

The wintry weekend still ahead. I'll relive it's beauty by posting more next time....

BARE - ly Christmas

O, Christmas tree

O, Christmas tree

How naked are thy branches??

how blurry is thy photo?  :-) early morn ...

Our tree is Neck- Id! The rest of the Christmas decor in the abode is spare too. Mid-way through the month of December, yet decorating elves haven't stopped in with their spirit and given me a shove.
I have though decided to call this lack of Christmas decor by a new name - the theme for my styling of the house this holiday season will be ~ ORGANIC....  yeah, that's it!  minimal and so use-what-you've-got-in-the-yard 

Happens to be that I've been forcing Narcissus bulbs.... and they're of the Earth ~ ORGANIC...

It's a good thing I've got bulbs...'cause that's about all I've got!  hhaaa

Working on changing the bare-look tomorrow, and I'll be sure to share...

Loss

I call him Pops. Joseph Paul is on his birth certificate.  That certificate bears only statistical fact. Date and place that he was born, and to whom he belonged at that moment of birth. Were it simply that people came into this world - and then leave after a number of years - then I suppose I could bear the thought of the purely-factual-no-embellishment-style of obituary. But, this man was not ordinary - not in our eyes! I believe no human to be "plain ordinary"... we're much more than dates and places. Each of us has a story to tell. So Pops needed a written send-off filled with emotion and love, neigh - not grandeur - yet heartfelt and substantial - full of substance, just like he. An honor was bestowed me and I was asked to pen Joseph Paul's departing facts.

My Father-in-law passed away this week. It came as no surprise. Unfortunately we've had years of fear that time was not on his side. Hubby would say that Pops was living on borrowed time. My Joey definitely used that time wisely! He was going to get full use of that which he "borrowed". We can say with clear absoluteness that our days were often guided by our hearts.. did Pops want a game of dominoes; was he energized for a card game more than Solitaire?  Hey Pops? - wouldn't you say that your son made those quiet, puzzle-filled days a bit more sunny? I know the response would be YES! if you were able to speak with us again..


Pops? thinking of some of those last moments with you...  maybe you can enlighten us. You sure knew how then (and all of your years) to make people laugh... What the world did you want me to know about kapusta??  :-)  We've thought about you saying "kapusta, Shari.... it's not just pusta ...
it's kapusta"  Alrighty!!  somehow your mind was thinking back to Polish cabbage, and now? NOW that silly thing you said makes me cry, and at the same time starts me to smiling!

In the end kapusta, pickles and your request for water will remain with me all my days.
Your dry humor, devilish smirk, complete generosity, kindness and gentle ways are how your family will describe you and keep you ever alive in our hearts!



                     Nigdy będziemy zapominać was
                                    (in Polish - we will never forget you)

*****************************************************************

How I described this dear man, that I have been lucky enough to call my Father-in-law for 24 years ~

Joseph Paul Niczewicz

A giving and gentle soul, Joe passed away

on December 1, 2012 at the age of 79. Born

and raised in Troy, NY where much of his

family still resides.

Joe enlisted in the US Navy, and served on

the USS Midway 1951-1955. Stationed at

Moffett Field. This is how he came to the

west coast, and but for a brief return to NY,

made his home here in Santa Clara.

Joe raised his two sons in this home filled

with laughter, card games, sports activities

and endless devotion and love.

Retired from City of Santa Clara after 31 years.

Meeting his much adored wife, Frances at the

City of SC. Married for 44 years.

Joe joins many loved ones in heaven - including

his parents, and some of his 10 siblings. He will

be reunited with his beloved son, Chuck. Joe is

survived by his wife Frances, son Joey , Daughters-

in-law Shari Nicsevic & Germaine Houston,

Grandchildren George (Juliet), Janelle Ginestra, and

Great Grandson Charlie. He will be grieved by his

large family from coast to coast. His warm lap will be

missed by his dog companion, Kala.

Joe was a giving man; his fulfillment to dote

on his family. In knowing the spirit of this kind man’s

world, we are left with a fine example of how a life

should be led.

The Nothing-to-share Rainy Garden Post

Feeling as though someone has siphoned all adjectives from my brain and dumped them
in a tank to be used at a later date. hhhmmm what do I have to say? The last week has not been filled with adventures and folly, but rather laden with heaviness.... thus, no posting of late. Not much to share.

Found my way to the garden, with camera in hand and took a few deep breaths. Stood, staring at the motion of the walnut tree as the wind took down barrels of yellowed leaves.  I'm enjoying these recent days of grey ~ liking the cozy-home feeling ~ but along with writing, exercise has also lost some luster. Butterball turkeys and I have alot in common!

In need of a walk... so through the garden we go....

 

 

 

Many days of rain forecasted. Barren walnut trees sure to follow. Ten extra pounds likely!  :-)

Simplicity

Downtime

Seeking quite amidst brewing storms

Comfort

Pleasure

Simplicity


Today began with difficult emotional topics - ALL WILL BE WELL, though! In order to counteract the sadness and hardships, we'll balance with simple pleasures and joy...

Christmas is on the horizon.  What started months ago as bulbs stashed away in the back of the refrigerator, are now sprouts of green sitting face-to-face with the sun - in myriad of vessels - delighting me with their intention of becoming the gorgeous, fragrant blooms of Narcissus. I smile!

Fall Scenes and Silly Poetry

Tomorrow we have Thanksgiving day
A wee bit shy of 24 hours away
It shan't be traditional - no hope there
Yet thankful -YES! I'm most aware

Family will the focus be
love, comfort and laughter the key
Savoring each - and the feasting too
Pray same is what I wish for you!

A Friend's Milestone

One of my San Francisco gals is on her way to middle-age....

Always good to have a sense of humor!!

A Trifle Early for Christmas

Yumm!! Yes, trifle.. such a sweet delicacy! yeah... back to the thought at hand...no time like the present to be mindful of all things Christmas. Though, I usually have a distaste for the rumblings of Christmas - when in fact Thanksgiving has yet to be celebrated. But, in this case I will forget that rule of thumb and share something I found today.

I read a blog called French Essence. This writer has a bountiful life, I'll tell ya - she "tubes" about from her home in the South of France, to London and she hails from Australia. This feast for the eyes video was from her blog this morning. Click and watch. Over the top advertising and scrumptious in every way! I loved this! Makes for marvelous dreams of travel, and London and shopping and... and... and....


http://youtu.be/0k5OJhUkIrA

Not Christmas yet...

Preparations are underway - the Thanksgiving holiday is upon us.  Upon us, but not heartily embraced at our house. In Hubby's family we are still experiencing parental dilemmas. We will be with them, in their home where Pops is the most comfortable. Non-traditional fare - and everything else too for Thursday. A slightly unique Thanksgiving, but cornucopia loads of love and thankfulness. We'll make the best of what we have.

No shock here - there will be a mix of traditional and wild with my family. This is one place that the holiday weekend might be business as usual. Many people, lots of noise and plentiful food. It's sure to feel good to smile, laugh and for a brief time let the other thoughts sit quietly in the back of your mind.

Thanksgiving last year

No matter which home we're in, or with whom we are laughing... we are forever grateful for this life we lead. Abundant in every way.