Circle of Life | Bead Happily Ever After

Sons and Daughters

Posted on January 7, 2010 by crystal

Recently, I had the chance to experience just how heart-warming it can be when the younger generation reaches maturity and begins to take on some of the responsibilities of their parents.

At our holiday get-together this year, several of the “kids” brought special recipes they had made for the family meal. And what impressive dishes they were!

For example, my sweet niece, Lisa, made this mouth-watering treat . . .

“Onion Tart”

If I close my eyes . . . I can still clearly see Lisa, when she was just a little girl, standing in the middle of a room full of relatives. She’s smiling a smile that would win over the grumpiest of curmudgeons, as she recites her own adorable version of “Ten Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed”. Her voice is clear and lilting and her incredibly animated expressions are cuter than cute. Today, she is studying medicine. Where did the time go?

Lisa’s dish was a big hit at the party last week. It’s a good thing she made two of them because the first one disappeared within minutes. I asked for the recipe and she kindly provided this link (Scroll down the page for the “Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Galette”.)

‘Til next time,

Breathing Space

Posted on December 30, 2009 by crystal

Have you ever taken a flight on an airplane or even a long trip in a car, and when it was over – you still had that sense of motion? You know; things still seemed to be “moving”?

I often have a similar feeling after Christmas. All of a sudden, I will find myself thinking that I need to wrap a gift, or check on something in the oven, or consult my Christmas to-do list to see if I’ve forgotten anything.

Of course, it’s a false alarm – Christmas is over. I’ve finished everything that I had to do. But somehow, my adrenaline is still pumping – I’m still in rush mode. It’s a bit unnerving!

Within a second or two, it quickly hits me that all IS well . . . there’s nothing crucial that needs my attention.

I breathe a deep relaxing sigh.

Over the years, I’ve discovered that there’s a special kind of serenity that gradually arrives after the holidays. With it comes an opportunity to dream, to plan, and to savor some blessed moments of rest – after a month that’s been merry but also quite hectic.

I think the days between Christmas and New Year’s can be some of the nicest of the year. The house is usually all aglow; there’s good food in the cupboard, and even a gift (or two) to relish. But best of all, there’s that peaceful lull that I mentioned . . .

Let’s enjoy it! 😀

Wrapping Up Christmas

Posted on December 28, 2009 by crystal

If you’re a fan of the Little House on the Prairie books, you may remember Ma Ingalls speaking of a “whirl of gaiety”. That phrase perfectly describes the scene at our house these last several days . . .

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day have their own special excitement but, this year, our festivities lasted even beyond those days because we had an additional celebration with the extended family on December 26th.

On the day after Christmas, we drove to Cape Cod for a bonus day of feasting and merriment with my siblings and their families. Some of you know that I am the oldest of six “kids” and when we all get together with our spouses and children, we number 25 or so – depending on whether anyone has to work that day.

But even if there hadn’t been an extra day of partying, the 26th of December is always a special day at our house – it’s my daughter’s birthday. I know – probably not the best day of the year to have a birthday. Poor kid. Most December babies are used to receiving a birthday gift wrapped in Christmas paper, or a gift that’s presented with the words: “This is for Christmas and your birthday!” But imagine how tough it is to be born the day AFTER the big celebration! I remember when I was registering her for kindergarten. The new teacher looked me in the eye and said in a serious tone, “You really didn’t plan that very well!”

I had to chuckle silently. I don’t believe we were thinking of birthdays on that particular evening . . . ahem! 😉

Anyway, it was a lovely Christmas season.

Now we’re looking forward to a new year with new projects, new pastimes, and maybe even some new adventures!

How did you spend the holidays? 🙂

Hugs,

Happy Thanksgiving

Posted on November 25, 2009 by crystal

I‘m thankful for many things this holiday season. In addition to my family and friends, there’s a special group of people for whom I am very grateful . . .

If you are reading this post, you are one of that group! I appreciate your support and your comments, and I feel very fortunate that you come here to visit, time and again. You add so much.

I‘ll be thinking of all of you tomorrow and I wish you a wonderful day! 😀

Red Jelly Beans

Posted on November 5, 2009 by crystal

Do you have something that you’ve kept for years? Something you cherish because it brings back a lovely memory? Maybe it reminds you of someone you loved . . . or of someone who loved you . . .

When I was a kid, little girls wore dresses more often than they do now. Pants were usually just for playing. Wearing dresses to school and to church meant that a dressier coat was needed. A short little jacket wouldn’t be warm enough for bare knees or even legs wearing tights!

Growing up, I had a winter coat and a lighter weight spring coat that were replaced whenever I outgrew them by my grandmother. She made them herself. In fact, she made every coat I ever wore until I was in my teens. She recycled before it was a word in everyday conversation. Sometimes she would even use the best parts of the wool from one of her old coats to make a little coat for me. They were all beautiful. I remember most of them but there were a couple, from when I was very young, that I especially loved.

There was my little blue and white striped spring coat. It was a ribbed silk and it had pretty pink buttons with “diamonds” – at least that what I used to call them! 😉

And then there was the navy wool coat with the little “red jelly beans” for buttons. 😉

The buttons are all that’s left of those coats now, but holding them in my hand brings back a flood of memories of someone I dearly loved . . .

who dearly loved me, too. 😀

What is it that you have saved for a long time?

Special note: The “little girl” greeting card shown above was created by etsy artist: FrenchCountry