Tag: love (page 3 of 6)

Happy New Year’s Eve

We are ready to ring in the New Year, hoping that it brings better tidings than this last one did. However, there is a silver lining to all things. This past year, Mr. Michie and I have been blessed to spend a lot of quality time with one another and for that I am forever grateful. In all the ups and downs that occurred in 2020, we have, as we always do, faced them together. I am blessed that I have a partner by my side who is truly a ‘partner’ in every sense of the word. We leave this year behind with a renewed sense of gratitude for each other. We will shepherd in that appreciation to the New Year.

I come from a family that makes the best of every situation and tries to find the humour in things. And I know that so many people have joked this year that they are “surviving, one glass of wine at a time” and I do see the funny side to that. But, I don’t want to be just “surviving”, I want to be thriving! And that is what we did in 2020 and that is what we will continue to do in 2021.

Wishing love and light to you all as we close the book on this past year and open a new one tomorrow. 

{Image: Arthur Sarnoff “Happy New Year!”, The Progressive Farmer Magazine Cover 1958 // Pinned HERE}

The Christmas Waltz

As I write this post, the sky has already darkened, and with the window slightly cracked I can hear the rain falling outside. Lights are twinkling and ‘The Christmas Waltz’ is playing on the stereo.

I love Christmas music. I don’t say that lightly. I listen to it throughout the year not just from Thanksgiving through Epiphany. There are particular holiday songs that fill my heart with so much emotion. They wash over me like a wave of nostalgia; surfacing many happy memories. This year, with no end to the pandemic in sight, that list of songs has grown.

I don’t know why ‘The Christmas Waltz’ in particular brings me to tears? 

Maybe it’s the song itself? The smooth and enchanting way it begins, the arrangement, the words of magic, hope and love, or the simple and endearing way that Frank Sinatra signs off with “Merry Christmas.” It stirs something deep within me. 

Maybe, it’s because my Nana loved Frank Sinatra? I’ll never forget the sound of her voice and the twinkle in her eye, the first time she told me about skipping school to go hear him sing; and how the man who ran the candy store hid her books behind the counter for her.   I loved that story. To me, it was part of our bond – a special secret she had shared with me.

Maybe, it’s because when Frank croons about the “the time of year when the world falls in love” it reminds me of the power of the season. Whatever the reason, and whatever I may be doing, if ‘The Christmas Waltz’ comes on I often find myself in tears. They’re not tears of sadness. They’re tears of hope; of sweet memories; of knowing that better days lie ahead. 

This holiday season will look very different for so many people. 

I have lived an ocean away from my family for far too long to ever take getting to see them (in person) for granted. And because of the current state of things, we have now passed the year mark since we saw them last. As hard as that is, there are blessings in the times we live in. Unlike the intrepid adventurers of the past, who set sail across unknown seas, or traveled through mountain passes in covered wagons, or journeyed through deserts on the backs of camels, never knowing when or if they would see their families again, we have the luxury of Skype, Zoom and FaceTime. At the click of a button, I can hear their voices and see their beautiful faces. 

Being apart from those you love is never easy. The strain that the pandemic is putting on people’s livelihoods, their families and their general well-being is immense and that’s an understatement. But, in times of uncertainty, I feel it is important to hold on to the rituals that we cherish. Even, if it is on a much smaller scale than we are used too. Maybe this season will bring so many back to what is truly important. It’s not about the presents and the mountains of food, it’s about being surrounded by those that you love. And I pray that next year brings us closer to all those we hold so tightly in our hearts. 

Let us enter this season with a renewed sense of gratitude for one another. To bloom where we are planted and as the song says:

Merry Christmas

May your New Year dreams come true

And this song of mine in three quarter time

Wishes you and yours the same thing too

Frank Sinatra

Sixteen

Today we celebrate sixteen years of marriage. How did sixteen years go by so quickly? Mr. Michie is the only person I want to be on this adventure with. Whatever the road ahead holds, we face it together, just as we have always done.

I think that Henry Fonda said it best, as Frank Beardsley in Yours, Mine, and Ours, because in all the monotony at times of day to day life, there is still magic to be found with the person you love by your side, it’s there in the little things:

Until you’re ready for it, all the rest is just a big fraud. All the crazy haircuts in the world won’t keep it turning. Life isn’t a love in, it’s the dishes and the orthodontist and the shoe repairman and… ground round instead of roast beef. And I’ll tell you something else: it isn’t going to a bed with a man that proves you’re in love with him; it’s getting up in the morning and facing the drab, miserable, wonderful everyday world with him that counts.

{Image // Dean Martin with his wife, Jeanne, at home, 1958. Allan Grant The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images HERE}

Uncertainty

Uncertainty. A potent word. A word that brings to mind FEAR. Or does it? Maybe uncertainty creates the possibility to discover a new path that leads to something wild and wonderful.

The Coronavirus is the plague of our day. We are more connected now than ever before and with that comes a river of information. Information is power, the more knowledge you have, the more tools you can arm yourself with to cope. But the abundance of data we are flooded with can also bring anxiety and fear. Facts are coming in almost by the second, not the minute. I will admit that I have at times been overwhelmed by all the information coming my way. 

When that happens, I take a very deep breath. I am blessed. I come from strong stock. I am a farmer’s daughter. My grandparents fought on the frontlines and the home front during WWII and I carry with me valuable lessons I learned from them. We are a “make do” tribe. We are a “figure it out” tribe. We are innovative. We are resilient. We accept the challenges that lay ahead. 

We do not know what tomorrow brings. But that is always the case, whether or not we, as a world, are facing Covid-19 or not. We shall continue on. We will be strong for each other. We will continue to do right by people. Help a neighbour; help a friend; help a loved one if you are able. Even if that’s as simple as a wave from the window, to leaving milk or bread at their door. 

So much is out of our control. I know that there are so many ‘rites of passage’ that will pass so many by. But there is plenty that we can control. As Winston Churchill once said, “Attitude, is a little thing that makes a big difference.”

And for those of you who live so very far away from those you love so deeply. I understand you. It is a boat we share. It is scary to know that if a loved one is in need you can’t be there to help them; you can’t reach them. But we will continue on. We are blessed to live in a time with the technological capabilities to talk to one another, across borders, across oceans. And we shall continue to walk in faith. 

I am fully aware of what is happening around the world, so please never for a moment, think that I frivolously share things here. But as it has always been; will continue to be for me; and I hope for you: a safe place. This is my spot in the world, I come to share and as much as possible, I would like to continue to do that and not with a heavy heart. We are seeing enough of that in the daily news and in the world around us. And I never want to jump on a band wagon for “hits” or “likes”, I see too many others do that to increase their blog and social media traffic. That is not who I am. I come here only to speak from my heart. 

Thank you to our doctors, nurses, paramedics, healthcare workers, firemen and women, police and teachers! Thank you to all those lending a hand. We are forever in your debt. The toll mentally and physically that this will take on our frontline defence, will for some be more than they can bear. When this hell for you on the front lines is over, we will be here for you, to help you pick-up the pieces. 

Do not forget that we are ladies and gentlemen. Let us continue to hold ourselves to high standards and not be dragged down. We are all in this together. This isn’t happening in one town, one city, one country, this is GLOBAL. 

Let this bring out the best in us. We have already seen extraordinary acts of kindness and people coming together in our own community. Acts of love and creativity. Let, that be the torch we all pick up. There are silver linings; light will always prevail over darkness; and some good will come of this. Let us all act sensibly and responsibly, as some people who may be more susceptible to this virus may not appear vulnerable to the naked eye.

I pray that you all stay safe and stay well. 

xoxo

HELLO, March!

Hello, March! You bring us a slow awakening of the earth this month as we prepare for spring. There are already signs that the world around is starting to stir with daffodils and snowdrops blossoming and the few nests we have stumbled upon in the beginnings of being built with twigs and thread and bits of hair.

We’re ready for the days to slowly get a little longer, one by one, inching along. We’re ready for walks through the woods where treasures await to be discovered and our forest friends come out of their homes after a winter’s nap. We’re ready for more hiking adventures and the possibility of a picnic in the glen.

We’re ready to wear the green and celebrate St. Patrick’s day, to slowly move through this season of Lent with time for reflection and to celebrate life in the moment and all that it has to offer. So, here’s to seeing the sunrise on our morning walk, dinners by candlelight, music, dancing around the house and the joy of taking in and being aware of the world around us and the beauty that it has to offer if we only look.

{Image Phoebe Wahl // Pinned HERE}

HELLO, February!

Hello, February! This month you usher in a birthday for one of my most cherished loved ones. You bring us Valentine’s Day and all the red, pink and white love and fun that goes with giving sweet surprises to family and friends. I’m ready for heart shaped desserts and more dinners by candlelight and steaming cups of hot chocolate with a stack of pancakes.

I’m ready for more music and dancing around the kitchen while we make dinner. I’m ready for a week off from school for winter break. I’m ready to still relish in winter, itself! I’m not wishing it away yet. I like these quieter moments. It’s a time to reflect, to be still, to recover from the hectic start to the year and to prepare for more of the year ahead.

So, February, we are ready for you and all that you hold and it would be even better if you could kiss us with snow! At least once! 💙

{Image Phoebe Wahl // Pinned HERE}

Skating into the Weekend!

Today is the last day of school before Christmas and the anticipation is palpable! I plan to soak up every drop of this Christmas break with my loved ones.

We’re skating into the weekend and into the holidays and I can’t WAIT!

* I don’t know what it is? I often wonder if I was born in the wrong era, but there is something about these old Christmas specials that just touch my heart. I think they were quite spectacular. It was like having a little piece of Broadway brought to you in your living room. I can remember repeats of these shows being played on TV when I was little and watching it with my grandparents and I was completely mesmerised by it all.