A Word, The End of a Year

 

As you know if you have been following me for a while, I have a word I embrace each year. I have done this for much longer than I have been blogging because I realized resolutions just didn't work for me. But focusing on a single word, I could do that.

This year (2025) my word was HOPE. At the beginning of the year, I just knew I would have to hold on to hope because I felt strongly it was going to be a rough year in our world. It has been and continues to be rough, but hope has helped me persevere. 

Often when I embrace a word I start the year out with good intentions, but sometimes throughout the year I sort of set it aside. I don't think of it every day. The word I choose is usually for me alone to do the internal work and then I get distracted. 

Hope did hold my attention and often I would post on Instagram to hold on to hope in the dark night. For I do believe we are in dark times.

Now I have come to the end of the year and surprising to me I am still learning about my word. Like I said, it is usually internal work; but interestingly just a couple days I was reminded it also can be external. I came across a post on Instagram that said many things it hoped for others. The more I have thought of that the more my heart has grown, for I do hope also for others.

I hope for you that life is always "enough".

I hope for you that you will have peace.

I hope for you that your heart will feel joy.

I hope for you that you will be well.

I hope for you that you will always feel safe and cared for.

and

I hope for you that you will always have a full cup of tea.

The song that comes to mind is "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me". Hope soothes the rough edges and can give peace.

The picture above is a hint to my word for next year, which I will post on another day. It was taken at Multnomah Falls, a tributary, just this week.

Do you choose a word, or do you make resolutions for the new year?

Sending love,

Marilyn

Merry Christmas!

May you be blessed with the hope and joy of the season.

This song was sung recently at a Christmas concert I attended. It touched my heart. It reminds me of the dream of peace on earth, a song we hear at Christmas time.

 Someday at Christmas, men won't be boys

Playing with bombs like kids play with toys

One warm December, our hearts will see

A world where men are free

Someday at Christmas, there'll be no wars

When we have learned what Christmas is for

When we have found what life's really worth

There'll be peace on Earth

Someday all our dreams will come to be

Someday in a world where men are free

Maybe not in time for you and me

But someday at Christmastime

Someday at Christmas, we'll see a land

With no hungry children, no empty hand

One happy morning, people will share

Our world where people care

Someday at Christmas, there'll be no tears

All men are equal and no men have fears

One shining moment, one prayer away

From our world today

Someday all our dreams will come to be

Someday in a world where men are free

Maybe not in time for you and me

But someday at Christmastime

Someday at Christmas, man will not fail

Hate will be gone and love will prevail

Someday a new world that we can start

With hope in every heart

(Someday all our dreams will come to be)

(Someday in a world where men are free)

Maybe not in time for you and me

But someday at Christmastime

Someday at Christmastime

Songwriters: Ronald N. Miller, Bryan Wells. For non-commercial use only.

Merry Christmas!

Sending love,

Marilyn

Focus on the Stars - Celebrations

 Christmas time comes with celebrations to cherish.

The beginning of the month of December I picked up a friend and off we drove through the countryside to a farm for tea.

And then I invited my women's group to my apartment for teatime.

I served sandwiches with cucumber, another with smoked trout, and then my favorite black olives. There were also fruit skewers, mince pies, and stollen, plus cheeses and crackers. And of course, there was tea.

My "live-in gardener" and I went out for French onion soup and a sweet. I was enamored by this restaurant Christmas tree.

Our realtor has a party every year where they give a freshly cut tree, greens, or a wreath. Plus the party has soup, hot drinks, and cookies/donuts. Since we used this realtor 23 years ago when we bought our house and then they sold the house for us at the beginning of this year, we are a long-time client. We love their annual party. The past 3 or 4 years we have enjoyed a wreath, but before that we had many trees.

A friend and I traveled to Salem, Oregon for the next celebration. Teatime at a historic house, Deepwood Estate. They had a storyteller sharing the story of Dickens and the Christmas story.

The tea was a rose scented black tea. Isn't the cup pretty?

There were trees decorated throughout the house.

I got to say hello to my little girl. She told me she was happy in her new home.

She was my doll for over 50 years and now lives at the museum to greet visitors.

This desk reminded me of my grandfather's desk. I could picture sitting here writing you a letter and sipping my tea.

There are also early morning personal celebrations just sitting on my green velvet couch with candlelight and tea.

A Christmas concert to enjoy.

Cookies to be baked.

And finally, a church program to attend.

Here is my "live-in gardener" reading The Night Before Christmas.

Christmas season is a time for celebrations, and I love them all.

Hoping you have had moments of celebration in the season of JOY.

I know sometimes there are challenges and sadness that go along with this time of the year, but for me I try to focus on the JOY and HOPE.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Focus on the Stars - Passion

 Passion

A glimmer only do I see

A spark takes hold and

begins to shine

Only a spark at first

It grows 

It ignites

It envelops

and consumes

The fire has been created

and soon it dances

with exuberance.

It is said a fire becomes

the color of the heart.

Yes, reds and golds

and heat do sing in my chest.

In this my singing heart

I find Passion.

Passion is of the heart

A Joy not to be contained

A fire burns there

I know it does

I will dance and

embrace this heart full of Passion,

this heart of God.

This God of Love.

M.Miller

What passion do you find burning in your soul?

A Joy not to be contained?

As we approach a new year soon, I am beginning a mental review of the past year and also the coming year. What passion do I want to include in 2026.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Focus on the Stars - My Decorations

 Welcome to my front door. What can I say, but I am thoroughly enjoying my little abode in this apartment complex. At the end of this corridor is a dog park/play area to run in.

Step inside.

The family gallery is just inside the door.

The door ahead is the office, which is messy.

I won't be showing you that as it is just computers, desks, and bookshelves.

Turn left into the kitchen and living space.

This is where it is beginning to feel like Christmas.

There are two trees in here, my little silver foil tree sits on a vintage child's chair.

Take a peek outdoors on the patio. I am not sure you can tell, but that clay pot is holding our tomato cage (upside down), wrapped in lights and a bow on top. It's our outdoor Christmas lights that twinkle at night.

Here is the main tree with a family antique quilt underneath. In front is my reading/napping chair, which I found at an estate sale many years ago. It is 100 years old and sooo cozy.

The large cabinet I found at a farm auction in Kansas about 50 years ago. It was built before the Civil War. It is where I store my china and accessories.

Since I don't have a mantle now, the window will have to do for my little village of trees and cottages. The JOY on the cabinet usually stays out all year just because I love the bling.

Here's a closer look at some of the tree decorations.

Here's the butterfly I added this year.

The clothespin ballerinas came from the time my daughter and I took ballet many years ago.
Hope you enjoyed a glimpse into the twinkle and delight in my world this year.

I hope you are surrounded by twinkle and delight this holiday season.

Sending love,

Marilyn

 Yesterday a friend and I kicked off the holiday season with teatime at Pomeroy Farm.

The drive through the countryside was a delight. The food was delicious. And the festive decorations put us in the mood for celebrating.

Just outside the tearoom was this beautiful apple tree. I just had to snap a picture.

Included in teatime was a tour of the old log house. I thought you might enjoy seeing a few sights from the house.

Fascinating that even the ceiling had wallpaper.

Pomeroy Farm is about an hour north of Portland, but the drive was beautiful through the countryside. It is a historic farm that has special events throughout the year.

Sending hopes that your Christmas season is full of delight and surprises.

Marilyn

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

For me the kickoff to the Christmas season is the holiday show at my favorite antique mall in Portland. This post is showing most of the pictures I took this year at the show; so, it is picture heavy. I thought you might enjoy. It is indeed beginning to look like Christmas. Next week I will share my apartment pictures. Stay tuned!

Since I have downsized I don't really purchase, just taking pictures; but these butterflies fascinated me, and I did sneak one big butterfly on to my tree this year. So far, my "live-in gardener" hasn't noticed it. Now how can you avoid one large butterfly in this pretty green color? Just saying!

This wedding dress reminded me of my mother's wedding dress. The fabric even felt the same. I used to love playing dress up as a young girl in her wedding dress.

Now why didn't I smile? I was in my happy place.

I love, love the sparkle and shine of Christmas.

There seemed to be quite a few deer hiding here and there.

If I needed a chair, I could have been tempted by this yellow chair. It would brighten any room.

And sending best wishes of NOEL as we enter the season of JOY!

Love,

Marilyn