My Word for 2012

As many of you know BELIEVE was my word for 2011.
Most of the year I thought about things I believed in,
but as the year draws to an end I realized the biggest lesson
learned was to BELIEVE  in myself.
Lesson learned.

Recently as I was reviewing the year and beginning to plan
for next year, I made a list of those things I wanted to include in 2012.
As I was finishing up the list, my word just popped up unexpectedly.
At first it scared me alot.
But then I told myself after celebrating JOY in 2010
and BELIEVE in 2011, I was ready for a challenge.
Scary or not here it is:  PASSION.
I am totally curious where this one will take me.
Right after I chose the word I found a set of CD's in my office
Finding Your Passion by Cheryl Richardson.
Whew!  This must be the word speaking to me.
So here I go watching and observing this word for 2012.

The first thought, PASSION has the color of red; so I placed this word
in my red bowl just to see how it felt there.

  So the process has begun.
Have you chosen a word for 2012?
It is amazing what adventures it can take you on.
Go ahead, challenge yourself.
Let me know how it goes and what word you have chosen.

Shall We Chat?

Recently I walked through a greenhouse and on seeing these two orchids
I just knew they were chatt'n up a storm.
Tell me, please, what are they saying?
Are they chatting about the day?
Or about plans for the new year?
Or maybe, just maybe they are trying to decide what
their words will be for 2012.
What do you think?
Are you picking a word for 2012?
Mine is soon to be revealed.
I will be away making plans for the new year tomorrow,
but then the secret will be out on Friday.
Please do share your word too, if you decide to play along.
A word for the year can definitely be something special for the new year.
You never know where it will take you.

Christmas Music, the Best

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaVAeJOPquE
Enjoy a short clip from an earlier concert,
but still similar each year.
This is a holiday tradition for my husband and I.
I love visiting the Old Historic Church here in Portland
and listening to the music of the season.
The stage is lined by these pretty candles with inspiration words.
I loved this one.
It was a very special evening spent surrounded by the sounds of Christmas.

My Mom's Persimmon Pudding

When I was a young girl my mom would make Persimmon Pudding.
I had thought of it over the year's and remembered it fondly;
but didn't realize the recipe was tucked inside my recipe box.
One day, not so long ago, I saw it there and knew this year
we would have Persimmon Pudding for our Christmas celebration.
Yes, it was as I remembered, oh sooooo very good.
I thought maybe you would like the recipe too.

My Mom's Persimmon Steamed Pudding

1 cup persimmon pulp (took two persimmons)

1/2 cup sugar

2 Tablespoons melted butter

1 well beaten egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 cup chopped nuts

3/4 cup raisins (I didn't have any, so used cranberries)

Put together in order and bake in casserole dish or pudding mold for 1 1/4 hours at 350 degrees oven.

Set dish or mold in a pan of water in the oven, so it will steam.

Note:  We served it with vanilla ice cream, but a nice hard sauce or lemon sauce would be lovely.

Home for Christmas

Christmas is always so special when spent in our own homes.
My daughter and her boyfriend took off today to share Christmas with his family.
So traditions never stay the same with changes through our lives.
Though they change, they still are special times spent with those we love.
As I enjoy a quiet time at home with my husband and son,
I wish for you a time of peace, quiet, laughter, dancing,
singing, and just pure JOY.
Yes, I still BELIEVE in the spirit of Christmas,
the baby in the manger, and
Santa and his gang of elves.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EACH OF YOU!

Glitter and Shine

I just love the colors and glitter of this season.
Solstice evening has passed now,
the darkest night of the year.
My heart rejoices as light returns.
The darkness is past and the light returns.
May we all rejoice at this time in the return of the light.
Celebrate, Dance, put up your twinkling lights
and Rejoice as the light definitely will return!

This morning when I was reminded that the darkness is past
and the light would return, my heart jumped for JOY.
Celebrate the day!

Now I am wishing I bought a trinket or two from this bowl.
Aren't they just so happy and they do make my heart sing.

Running in Circles

Do you sometimes feel like you are running in circles and not getting anywhere?
The holiday time can get like that so easily.
I do hope you are taking time to sit a spell and reflect on the year soon.
Has your word for 2012 made an appearance yet?
My word did come to me not too long ago and
I am looking forward to sharing it next week.
In the meantime enjoy the moments of each day
and remember to take some time for a cup of tea.