Snow Days bring Christmas joy!

 

Of course, too many snow days could mean going to school longer at the end of the year, but for now, I'm taking my December blessings as they come! This week I'm scrambling with my second graders to get their clay Christmas ornaments decorated and ready to take home, so I have to admit that I didn't mind sloshing my way to school in the unexpected (at least to me!) snow early this morning.
   

Freshly falling snow is so peaceful, especially early in the morning or later in the evening. With the Christmas lights glowing softly and the hush that comes when traffic is stilled, there is a beauty that we often miss in the rush to complete our Christmas shopping, baking, house cleaning, and other holiday chores.


A snowy day, whether during the week or on the weekend, gives us time to slow down and savor the moment if we will let it. It's so easy to worry about chores not done, lessons not taught, or errands not run, but those things will still be waiting for us when the flakes stop falling and the roads are cleared.

 

So wherever you are and whatever your weather, as we get closer to that magical time of Christmas, take time to breathe in the quiet joy of the season. Let peace, joy, and quiet expectation replace the hustle and bustle, if only for a moment.
                                                                          

 

 

 

Peace Grows in My Garden

We've had some lovely autumn weather the past few weeks, but I know it can't last much longer, so today I went outside to take some photo memories to warm up those cold winter days that are bound to arrive!

 

Although the colors are fading on my mums and the petunias have pretty much decided that summer is over, there was still a lot of color to be found.

 

This is the last of my lovely, brilliant flag-red porch front petunias.

A few more white ones also remain, especially the little miniatures by the garage.

  
 
 The blanket flowers are still thriving and adding a pop of bright yellow and orange to the front garden, but the lovely red gerber daisies are spent for the season.

 One last lily remains...

and one last impatiens hangs on in the window box on the barn...

along with the last little happy-faced black-eyed Susan's on the vine.

 

 

But, as you can see, the red and white begonias are still looking amazing and the shy, delicate toad lilies are still thriving in the cool shade of the backyard garden barn.

 

 The little fairies are gracing the fern beds along the deck...now I just need to get them safely put to bed in the garage before the first frost of fall arrives!     

 

                            Until then, let peace continue to reign in my garden...