Blessings of Peace and Joy be yours ♥

Dear Friends,

Last night was the last night of Hanukkah – the Festival of Lights – and today is the first day of Christmas – for many of us Christians the first day of an entire season.  So many images of light and joy are dancing through my thoughts these last few days as I celebrate these gifts from a loving Creator so I thought I’d pop in here to wish you all joy and peace and the blessing of light in your lives.

For me all holy days (well really all days since most are holy in one way or another)  are about Joy and on Christmas more than most.  One of my favorite blogs (The Velveteen Rabbi) gave me two Christmas gifts today.  One a link to a blog ( Telling Secrets ) I’ve never read before (but will be reading now) and who’s post about Joy and Christmas and life in between confirmed my own thoughts on the subject and reminded me what it is to breathe.

And second a poem that says so much and reminds us to carry Christmas with us throughout the year.   Thought I’d share that with you too.

by Reverend Howard Thurman

When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among people,
To make music in the heart.

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

I thought I’d also share a bit of creativity with you as an added gift.   My dear friend,  fellow Llama and Wacky Watercooler member Patti Leeke shared her lovely picture of a star wreath with me awhile back and today seems a great day to share that with all of you as well.  Not least of which is because the Many Merry Stars Simply Created Kit that is the foundation of the wreath is on sale until January 5th or while supplies last.

Think of star shine, creativity and love and you have a picture of both Patti and her wonderful wreath.   Thanks Patti for sharing!  Now if only one of Patti’s New Years resolution was to start a blog!

Patti’s Many Merry Stars Wreath

Patti’s loving spouse Jim (Hi Jim and Merry Christmas) made the wooden wreath form (fancy name for a circle shaped ring) for Patti.  The rest of the supplies are mostly from the Many Merry  Stars Simply Created Kit with a few extras current and retired that Patti found in her studio.  Here’s the list based on what I can see:

Many Merry Stars Simply Created Kit, Tree Punch (2014 Holiday), Designer Rosette XL Bigz Die, Gift Bow Punch (2015 Occasions), Paper Doily Sizzlit Die (retired), Itty Bitty Accent punch pak (stars), Wonderful Wreath stamps and die set (2014 Holiday), Glimmer Paper (various colors), Snowflake Punch (retired), Small Circle Punch – not sure what size.

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

That’s it for the blog today…back to the merry mayhem that is Christmas in the country…good food, good friends to share with, neighbors chickens, dogs, music and celebratory gun shots (theirs not mine and not recommended at all)  and a tangible joy that knows no bounds.

Merry Christmas to you all!