An Oasis of Calm

The holiday season is in full gear now. The ovens and stovetops are still warm with the preparations of the favorite family dishes of Thanksgiving.

Decorating is become a part-time job as we fill room-by-room with bits of holiday cheer and light.

Shopping lists filled with thoughtful gifts fill our heads and notebooks as we venture out with the throngs to fulfill this list or

we stroll through website after website looking for that special deal.

Now, more than ever, we do need to be aware of our time and to make time for moments of calm – an oasis of calm – if you will.

To me the preparations for a moment of tea begin a soothing, reflective pastime.

Setting the kettle to boil as you then select the perfect teacup,

a soothing, fragrant tea, a light repast, a book, a blanket and or

soothing music, begins a restorative action for our whole heart, mind and spirit.

Finding moments of solace and rest can reinstate the spirit behind all we do and the full meaning of this holiday season.

It is the season of love and of giving.

It is the season of the greatest story and greatest gift ever given.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Giving Thanks

Count your blessings…we are told

If you begin to list your blessings

beginning with the most expansive

to the smallest detail, your heart

can be filled to overflowing with

joy.

Each breaking dawn, is a fulfilled

promise of hope, of renewed chances

and of possibilities.

Each breath we take – is a divine gift.

Each thing we see – a work of a master.

Each sound we hear – a symphony.

Each thing we touch – a precious memory.

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving.

For you, for your time, for your encouragement

And participation…I am most grateful.

I wish you all the most Delightsome

week of Giving Thanks.

Autumn Still-life

My dining room table

Creating tabletop vignettes is like creating still-life artwork.

Victoria Magazine’s November issues displayed 
beautiful examples of autumn and Thanksgiving tablescapes.

I am in awe of still-life artwork. I love to paint them and to

Study them.

Autumn’s décor in my home will soon give way to 
Christmas décor, as so many of you have already begun.

But, for a few more days, while the leaves float and
 flutter outdoors and the brilliant colors remain, 
I have created a few Autumn filled tabletops

 and still have the mantle as well as the built-ins decorated for fall.

Time seems to be flying swiftly by….before we know it

we will be looking out our windows from a new year’s perspective.

Here are a few examples and inspirations of

Autumnal Tablescapes from

November back issues of Victoria Magazine:

1991

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

Thank you so much for your visit!

When Thoughts Turn Toward

Home

Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.



“Come Ye Thankful People Come”, by Henry Alford

In the November issues of Victoria, we are encouraged to recall hearth and home as well as to reflect and to be thankful.

"And let the Peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful" (Colossians 3:15).

In the 1991 issue of Victoria, the first verse to Henry Alford’s song, Come, Ye Thankful People, Come is shared with sentiments of joining in thankful praise for family and friends and to appreciate the true gifts of life.

Christmas

Inspiration

What bliss to find last week during one of my breaks from jury duty that my beloved Victoria Magazine had arrived. Not only that, but the

Christmas issue.

I am so happy to do my civic duty, but this trial weighed heavily on my heart – I needed just this lift.  Also, I had prayed that God would give me peace and remove worry from my heart. He is so good.

To top it off, I received, From Heart and Hand. 

A book on crafts and gifts published by Victoria Magazine in 1996. The crafts shared, I was pleased to find are timeless and perfect.

I hope to make a great deal of my Christmas gifts this year – to let those whom I love know – they were truly from my heart and my hand.

A restful cup of tea, beautiful images from Victoria magazine and the book,

 I was invigorated and renewed to return to the courthouse. I live a couple blocks away, so thankfully the weather was fine and the walk refreshing.

Christmas is just a few weeks away. Are you dreaming and planning your décor, your Christmas food and your Christmas gifts? I am!

I hope you have opportunity to get a copy of the latest Victoria! I find such inspiration there and in my other magazines – Country Living, Romantic Home and more!

Isn’t it wonderful to find such inspiration from Kindred Spirits!

Wishing you a most Delightsome day!

images from 2011 Victoria magazine and From Heart and Hands '96