Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.
Peg Bracken
1.
Peg Bracken
1.
For some, the holiday season may be over.
But for Orthodox Christians around the world, Christmas was just celebrated yesterday.
It was lovely to visit friends last night who still have their living room decorated with a beautiful tree.
2.
Just this past week, I had breakfast with a friend where gifts were exchanged.
3.
One of my gifts to her was a mug with a granny square cozy.
One of my gifts to her was a mug with a granny square cozy.
4.
We also had dinner with friends who always make sure to provide a vegetarian option for me.
We also had dinner with friends who always make sure to provide a vegetarian option for me.
5.
For them, I crocheted a cover for a coffee can, decoupaged the lid and filled it with vegan Mexican Wedding Cookies.
For them, I crocheted a cover for a coffee can, decoupaged the lid and filled it with vegan Mexican Wedding Cookies.
Besides the giving of actual presents, it is our presence that matters. Spending quality time nurturing our friendships is an important gift any time of year.
Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself.
Norman Wesley Brooks, “Let Every Day Be Christmas"
Friendship Blessings,
34 comments:
Hi Tammy,
I enjoyed reading your interesting blog update about Christmas traditions in other parts of the world.
Yes, for us, Christmas is done now, except we did leave the blue lights on the trees in our parkway as we just couldn't bear to part with those and though we're not lighting them right now, we plan to have them on at some surprise times throughout the the year (like when we're hosting a party or such, as they will be festive then, even in the middle of summer!) :)
I've only worked 1 1/2 days this week, so I'm easing back into my routine and it's going okay. I've begun to make changes in social media only visiting blogs now and quitting on Instagramming and Facebook for now at least. I do pop in those things just to see what my daughter has posted for her photography but not on a regular basis and I don't plan to add anything new there. It just was no longer healthy for me to continue those items and so I'm going to be more about just living and not documenting publicly.
I hope you continue to enjoy a nice month. It's very rainy here yet again today and supposed to remain like this. It's pretty much the season of gloom in Illinois - January, February and most of March really are our big winter months of course, though this year we've been blessed with milder than normal temps and no snow (though that might change on Saturday they're saying when a little snow system MIGHT come near this way).
Kind regards,
Linda : )
I agree that the feeling of Christmas should be more than one day but the whole year. What makes it special is that so many donut in the same day/season that it's extra cosy and warm. But we found spend more time with loved ones and gift more of time, helpfulness and little treats now and then. Happy new year to you x
My cousin and her family celebrated their second Christmas yesterday as well, as they are of Eastern Orthodox heritage. The day doesn't really matter, it's the meaning behind it, the love and peace, that count. I love the gifts you made for friends.
Merry Christmas, Tammy! and Happy New Year!
Beautiful post! I love your little makes xx Spending time with family and friends is truly precious and I totally agree with you the best present in the world. Leah xxx
Lovely gifts Tammy, my family are Orthodox too but unfortunately we still have to go to work and so can't really celebrate on the day, my son and daughter would keep their trees up all year if they could, have a great weekend. :) xx
Loved all your beautiful makes, made with love and so thoughtful. I totally agree that quality time spent with family and friends should be nurtured all year around.
A marvellous Christmas tree and delicious things. I know the Orthodox kalender...
The versre are so true and wise,
enjoy your time
You are so right it's about being together with friends and family. The good thing about the holidays is we make time for parties and sharing. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
I - to my shame - only just learned about Orthodox Christmas yesterday when reading someone elses blog. It was interesting therefore to also read your post about it. Always great to learn new things! Glad you had a good time with your friends. Thank you for joining Five On Friday again this year! Happy weekend! xx
Your gifts were so personal, they must have been so happy to receive them. Christmas should be held in the heart all year, especially towards people not so fortunate. Have a wonderful weekend xxxx
I like the Pat Bracken verse. So true. I looked her up and have learnt more about her. All your makes look lovely. It was good to be able to meet with friends for the Orthodox Christmas.
Wow...it looks like you had a lovely time. My brother-in-law is Ukrainian so my sister gets to celebrate Christmas twice each year. The food your friends prepared looks delicious. Have a good weekend. Beckie
That Granny Square cosy is fab, and so practical too I too wasn't aware of the Orthodox Christmas until now but hope you had a great time celebrating.
I love all the gifts that you made for your friends Tammy. I think homemade gifts are always the best. And I love the imagination of covering the coffee can and deco rating the lid. A perfect gift! The poem that you ended your post with is just perfect. It sums up the whole feeling of the holidays.
Blessings, Betsy
Hi Tammy, it was so nice to read your post about Christmas. We too celebrated Coptic Orthodox Christmas yesterday with our dear friends. And today I finally took down my fresh Christmas tree. I loved seeing all the special gifts you made for your friends. Wishing you a wonderful weekend and all the best for the New Year, Pat xx
Hi Tammy...Happy New Year! Hope your new year of life is filled with many good things. That was a pretty tree at your friend's house. Susan
The true essence of giving is the gift of one's presence and quality time together. Looks like you have mastered this. Wonderful Weekend Dear...
Warm and lovely post. Cute kitty. I love Mexican Wedding Cookies-you made me hungry again for them. Diane
I love the can full of cookies, such a good idea.
Briony
x
You always make the loveliest gifts for your friends. You are so wonderful Tammy.
Hugs,
Meredith
Dearest Tammy,
How lovely to spend time with friends like this.
Love your mug cozy; helps holding a hot cup safely!
Sweet, self-created gifts are the best to give and to receive. So many hours of love went into making them.
Sending you hugs and blessings from a dreary looking and cool Georgia.
Mariette
I really enjoyed your posts and the gifts you made and the food you shared with friends look really wonderful:)
What a great holiday! Love the gifts you make for your friends, and I bet they just love them. :) Kit
What a great five, Tammy. I love your gifts, homemade ones are just the best, how thoughtful you are. Thanks for popping by and visiting my five on Friday! xx
What a lovely post. I love the photos and quote in particular.
Happy new year! I hope 2016 is as productive for you? Xxx
Your friends' tree with the red bows is very jolly and that food you show looks delicious. As you said, Christmas celebrating is over, but I love the theme at churches everywhere that when the Christmas goodies are packed away, the work of Christmas is begun. A song I love says that work is healing the broken hearted, spreading the joy of Jesus and so much more.
Happy New Year to you Tammy, a beautifully written post.
Xo
Dagmar
Friends and family should definitely be number one all year - but aren't they extra fun at Christmas? :) Happy New year to you!
This was the first week back to work and school. The crazy schedule has resumed. Thank you for the reminder that the spirit of Christmas continues each and every day.
Lovely post. I love the special, thoughtful touches you give to your gifts (the mug cozy, especially...what a great way to be able to hold a hot mug!). It sounds (and looks) like you had a wonderful holiday. Happy New Year!
Your handmade gifts are lovely Tammy, well done. And you have set me thinking - if we are genuine, the real Christmas spirit should be with us all the time. I must try harder. Thank you. x
Hi Tammy! Anna is writing here now (Hindustanka):) I have started another blog - moving towards some new things to begin in life, let's see.
Loved your post about Christmas! I being an Orthodox christian, didn't even post this time on 7th of January.
Nevertheless, have happy time and a great year ahead!
Hugs!
(here my name is Bindi, hehe) :))
Loved this post so much!
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