Merry Christmas from Mountain Breaths

The Winter Solstice begins at 5:23 PM on 12/21/18 with 9 hours of daylight. We go up from here! The light will return to us again! The word solstice comes from Latin sol "sun" and sistere "to stand still. In the Northern Hemisphere, as summer advances to winter, the points on the horizon where the Sun rises and sets advance southward each day. 

It's hard to believe that on the first day of winter that our temperatures will be the highest we have had in a long time, and may even set a record. 

My Christmas wish for you, my friends

Is not a simple one

For I wish you hope and joy and peace

Days filled with warmth and sun

I wish you love and friendship too

Throughout the coming year
Lots of laughter and happiness
To fill your world with cheer

May you count your blessings, one by one

And when totaled by the lot

May you find all you've been given

To be more than what you sought

May your journeys be short, your burdens light

May your spirit never grow old

May all your clouds have silver linings

And your rainbows pots of gold

I wish this all and so much more

May all your dreams come true

May you have a Merry Christmas and Happiest Holidays 

And a happy New Year, too .. 

I love decorating my mantel with nutcrackers, and usually do this every other year. 

If you haven't even thought of baking, here's an easy, festive cookie recipe for you. I have not been sharing any foodie photos due to the darkness in the evening.  We have been eating well however :-) 

Thank you for stopping by! Light the fire, wrap up in your favorite throw, and enjoy a cozy winter.  

xoxo

Debbie

It's beginning to look at lot like Christmas

  We went to New York City for the day on Saturday, and then to the movies on Sunday to see Bohemian Rhapsody and enjoyed the preview for Jennifer Lopez's new movie "Second Chance"  that starts in our theaters on December 21. I loved the NYC scenes and seeing the Christmas tree at Lotte Plaza at the end of this clip Lotte Plaza Christmas Tree. 

I was grateful to have four days off from work at Thanksgiving time to get the house in order and start decorating for Christmas. I haven't done a darn thing since then, except participate in holiday festivities. 

This little guy (Xavier) is getting so big. He was freezing getting this Christmas photo taken :-) I love this age, and the way he talks to me. When he sips tea from a tiny espresso cup I have, he exclaims "delicious" pronounced dee-wish-us. 

"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

A quick trip to Magnolia Bakery for cupcakes, and I spotted this festive cake.

I attended an English Tea at a local bed and breakfast Oak and Ivy, and it was delightful. 

We got lucky and just happened to walk down Bleecker Street in New York City where they had these fabulous storefront windows decorated with flowers for "Love, Bleecker'. The area is alive and kicking, once again. #lovebleecker

My family thinks I plan these black and white photos LOL. I got a kick out of my cousin messaging me this :-)  I think only you can go someplace and find that black and white theme. It's like you call ahead of time and say I'm going to be there around 12 noon please have a black and white display out so I can do a photo shoot.

Thanks for stopping by! 

xoxo

Debbie