CUT and DRY : December 2009

Happy New Year, Everyone!

...when the East wind blows...and the fog rolls in...she appears...

Thank you so much for making my four months of blogging

so wonderful! Just got to give a big Thank You from the bottom

of my heart.

I want to reach out through the screen and kiss you all!

There isn't much to say other than thanks, my lovelies.

Wishing you and your family a New Year filled with peace, happiness and joy

and the very best for 2010!

Have a very Happy New Year! xx

Merry Christmas! I want to say a big thank you to everyone who reads Cut and Dry. I truly appreciate each visit and comment!
I hope that today and everyday brings you happiness, peace and love. May your holiday season be bright with smiles and warm with happiness, may all of your wishes and dreams come true, and may you feel this happiness all year round.

Have a wonderful holiday season, and I hope everyone stays safe and healthy. xx

P.S. I'm taking a blog break for a few days. I promise, I'll be back before most will even notice I'm gone.

Holidays In the Air

Home sweet home. A sneak peek inside my house.

I used tree trimmings from a Christmas tree, a few colourful Christmas balls...all gracefully placed in a silver plate that I already had for years.

A "golden key" for keeping evil spirits away, and opening your inner door.

We are almost to Christmas. Ahh, the delights of Christmas...time for mistletoe kisses and togetherness, beautifully wrapped presents, twinkle lights, Santa gifts, kids' giggles, anticipation of the incredible excitement of Christmas morning!

I still have some gifts to wrap, menu to plan and cookies to bake.
I think I'm the only one that goes out on Xmas Eve to get the last minute stuff. I'm afraid I have way too much to do and not enough time.

I've been slowly getting into the holiday spirit, but finally my Christmas decoration has been completed. My home already feels much cozier and warmer.
This fireplace suits the minimalist look and sits comfortably in a traditionally decorated room. I love my fireplace. It is personalized with my favourite Christmas ornaments and a few family photos that retain happy memories to me.

Ah, the fascination of fire! An open fire addresses a primitive psychological need, even a spiritual one, I'd rather say.
The word focus actually derives from the Latin word, focus = fire.
And its contemporary sense conveys its fundamental importance.
Fireplaces always have been the centre of a home, and a spot of family gathering.

I am so hard-pressed that I need an excuse to just sit and do nothing.
Offensively called being lazy!
On cold, dark winter days sitting by a blazing fire has always been one of my favourite pleasures of life.

Just letting thoughts quietly rise to the surface- in an atmosphere that reflects tranquility and graceful simplicity- is thoroughly healing.
The warm glow of flames {a source of pleasure for me}burning brightly in a hearth is enough to make me want to curl up on my sofa and relax.
My slippers, a good book, a cup of coffee and cake can only enhance an afternoon by the fireplace.

Beautifully burning logs! But if you believe in witches then remember, not to burn elm as you may just conjure up some unwanted visitors!
All I wish for is my loved ones.

What is your special wish this Christmas, or your favourite present to receive? xx

Obligation To Future Generations

For a living planet.

In a world of emerging common markets, of international trade and relations, of global interdependence and air and sea pollution, the need for safeguarding earth is an obvious one.
It is also about the obligation we have to our children.

Today, the threats to our environment are even clear to see. We live in a world where climate change, deforestation, holes in the ozone layer and air pollution are growing sources of concern.
Finding a solution as individuals and as nations against the environmental crisis has never been greater.

I'm passionate and concerned about the environment. Apart from health care and education, this is what I talk about with my friends and family and what keeps me up at night. xx

(WWF cards).

Snowy Scenery

You can never be too prepared.

Gazing at this image I can't help being reminded of Robert Frost's poem and one of my favourite poems of all time-Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening.

Its calm imagery creates a vivid mental picture. It reminds me of how I feel on a cold snowy evening watching the soft snow slowly fall...Oh, how I love the woods draped in snow! xx

Stopping By Woods On a Snowy Evening.

By Robert Frost.

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village, though;

He will not see me here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think is queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

The wolf is courtesy of Cheyenne 75 at deviantArt.

A Christmas Tree in the Bedroom? Why Not!

A Christmas tree in the bedroom? Why not!

Simple and cozy coffee table.

Well I find it to be a quite innovative idea! One Christmas tree in the living room.

Another one in the bedroom for adding some sweetness and warmth to our festive nights!

The effect is of restrained sumptuousness...a sense of playfulness.

I think it doesn't look a lot like Christmas in my home, and the Christmas decoration has not been completed yet I'm afraid. (Photo below). Any suggestions? xx

Nexus

Let's chat about blogging today. Blog: contraction of the term "Web+log" = Blog".

I started blogging as a way to share the things that are really special to me.
When I first started up my blog I had no idea what it would be like or what type of people would be visiting. The only thing I knew was that I had so many things that I wanted to say. Within this year I've learned so much about myself and things I could do. I have "met" so many amazing people that I would have otherwise never met, and I call some of them friends now. You've all inspired me one way or another and I hope, I also inspired you in some way. The whole world of blogging has turn out to be far more rewarding than I ever imagined.

My goal is to make people have a good time reading my blog. I don't set myself unrealistic targets. I cannot imagine being able to post daily, posting two or three posts a day, because I know I'll get kind of bored, or trapped into spending way too many hours in front of the computer.

My posts are always spontaneous with a variety of subjects, and I don't feel I "ought" to- by no means.
If I'm not happy about my post I don't post it.

Actually, I think blogging is an amateur process which may lead to important discussions by sharing creative and inspirational ideas. Blogging may also make people laugh or may build strong relationships between people worldwide. It's absolutely amazing how we're all connected, inspiring and supporting one another.

I have to admit that sometimes I'm a bit chaotic. It's pretty easy for time to slip away without getting much done. Then I realize that my personal and professorial life has taken a hit, and alas, my work and some of my interests have been affected. Ah, time goes by so fast before you even know it.
Anyway, I started blogging after analyzing my experiences, personal life, spare time, and style of life, so here I am!

Nexus means connection. And I think it's the word most fitted for use in describing blogging. xx

CUT and DRY