Today's blessings

* Church bells chiming "half past" as we waited at an intersection
* A birthday visit with a very dear aunt
* One part of a big project completed
* Answered prayer and restored health
* One very large blanket & two large pretty mugs at the thrift store... how very January-ish!
* A restocked pantry
* A soft, warm, prettily-cut jacket in a lovely shade... on clearance :)
* Birds splashing happily in a very large mud puddle
* Cold weather in the forecast
* A warm fire, a cozy chair, and a funny storybook waiting...

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

January day brighteners

* Camellias from our yard.


* Praise & worship music playing


* A surprise package filled with beautiful things from far-away cousins

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: ...

Ecclesiastes 3:11a

A finishing touch

We celebrated the New Year with four days "off," then closed out the long weekend, and the holiday season, with a Sunday evening tea tray by the Christmas tree.

(Tea was poured from my dear red tea pot and served with warm cranberry orange scones.)

Anticipation, and hope

Christmas is my favorite season of the year, and during the lights and sparkle of the holidays, I think January usually just looks a little bleak off in the future. Sarah said it well --"the starkness of January’s chill normalcy."

But, I love winter, and indoor coziness, and there's always hope, so I've been thinking of things that I'm looking forward to in January...

There'll be new movies on Sunday nights.

I have a comfy cozy sort of book to read... Miss Buncle's Book (and sequel!) by D. E. Stevenson. And, I have a new little reading spot in the living room ... a comfortable chair, with a just-right ottoman, and a soft wool blanket to ward off chill.

Our winter garden is producing... the turnips look especially happy. And, there's broccoli and cauliflower coming along.

Soup. And, hot chocolate. And, hot tea. With cream.

A big project will be nearing completion.

My needlepoint is waiting patiently.

And, surely, we'll need sweaters again! :)

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Lamentations 3:21-24

For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.

Psalm 71:5