Tag: New Year (page 1 of 4)

We Need A Little Twinkle & Glow

Although, I find setting goals both personally and professionally, important. I feel that this is the time of year where it is equally important to simply be. To let things wash over you, to move with the season. Winter in the natural world is a time of rest, a season that supports rebirth in the spring.

Our current working culture does not allow for this to easily happen. It’s head first, jump in and just keep swimming. It’s not a straightforward road to walk, to find the balance between “being” and “doing”.

This is a season where we need to consciously make time to rest, to move a little slower, to breathe. And so, we shall continue to have the glow of our twinkle lights for awhile longer and linger at the table after dinner while a record spins and take opportunities as they present themselves to simply be still. Because we are now within the darkest part of the year, the part where we need the most light, the most twinkle and glow; where we need to be cozy, where we need to relish in the season that we are in and look forward to the season that is yet to come.

Last Tuesday, I had to walk past my first dumped Christmas tree of winter. I thought my heart was going to break, I know there will be more to come as I’ve already witnessed it. After all the warmth and twinkling lights, it’s so sad to see nothing but darkened windows. So for a little while longer, I’m going to share a few more moments of sparkle and glow before all of that disappears with the yule log ashes.

{A quick snap of an adorable snowman on top of one of the Christmas trees at Lamb House. | This year the theme was a 1970s Christmas based on the time period that Rumer Godden lived within those walls. It was a delicious step back in time!}

Happy New Year

🥂🍾 Happy New Year!! 🍾🥂

May this year lay an abundance of blessings, love and light at your door. 

{Midnight Toast – As the clock strikes twelve to usher in the year 1951, one of Hollywood’s happiest couples, Anne Baxter and John Hodiak, are prepared for a New Year’s toast. Both are enjoying top honors in Hollywood, Miss Baxter’s newest success being her brilliant performance in the 20th Century-Fox production, “All About Eve.” | Pinned HERE}

Happy New Year’s Eve

We stand on the cusp of one year slipping away and a new one about to dawn. 

So much has happened in these past 365 days. It’s somewhat bittersweet to say goodbye. But, we’re greeting this new year to come with open arms. 

May this coming year hold beauty for us all. 

Let the countdown begin…

{Nina Foch and dress designer Jean Louis sipping champagne at Samuel Spiegle’s New Year’s Eve party | 1949 | Peter Stackpole/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images}

The In-Between Days

And here we tread again, on this most hallowed of ground. These last few days to soak up what has been, what could have been and what is yet to come. 

After the hustle and bustle and merrymaking, these quiet days of reflecting and simply being are some of my most cherished. 

We move slowly and quietly, drinking it all in. Watching movies, playing games, working on the crossword puzzle together. Christmas records spin while we sit by the glow of the Christmas tree. We go for long strolls and cobble together sandwiches from the leftover turkey. 

We haven’t taken for granted that our refrigerator is full of food, that we are able to put our heating on and that we wake up safe and warm with a roof over our heads, when there are many who are not in this position.

All too soon, the days will move far too quickly for me and this treasured time of being together will vanish with a snap of fingers, like Cinderella’s coach turning back into a pumpkin. The spell will be broken and we will go back to our “normal” routines. But for now, I’m holding on tightly to the pleasure of being in the moment and I’m not wishing one second away. 

These “in-between” days still hold so much and so little. There is much magic in their offering and rhythm and so we are mindful of our steps as we move toward the bridge that will take us from one year into the next. 

{Christmas Tree | 1960 | Troy Bradberry’s Kodachrome & Vintage Color Collection | Pinned HERE}

Happy New Year’s Eve

As with every New Year we stand on the edge, balanced, reflecting on what has been and what could have been. While, also dreaming about what is to come.

Let the countdown begin…

{Joan Collins | Image Found | Pinned HERE}

The In-Between Days

I love these in-between days. The space between the holidays. It isn’t wasted time to me as so many people feel, I think they are vital days. It is the time to relish in what has been, to reflect, to be and to prepare for the New Year to come in as much as you can prepare for the unknown. 

There are no expectations on these days. We’re not scurrying around wrapping, baking, delivering gifts, doing pre-Christmas cooking and baking prep. We’re just being. 

Watching movies, listening to Christmas music, basking in the glow of the twinkle lights. Going on long walks, reading, writing, working on puzzles, playing board games, visiting with loved ones and being still. These days have a rhythm all of their own. They are sacred days. We walk on almost hollowed ground. Where we watch time slip away from one year as we get ready to move into the next.

{Image FOUND Via Steven Singer | Inscribed on the back by my grandmother: “Bev & Chuck Merritt Dec 22, 1962” (Although she meant 1961) | Pinned HERE}

Happy New Year’s Eve

Here we stand on the cusp of a New Year. So much has happened in these past 365 days and also so little. To say goodbye to one year and to greet the next is at times a bittersweet process. But we stand ready and waiting for what this next year has in store.

May this coming year hold beauty for us all. Wishing you love and light as we kiss this past year goodbye and open our arms in greeting to the new one about to dawn.

{Detail from 1956 Cadillac advertisement. Art by Jon Whitcomb Found HERE}

The In-Between

I cherish the pace of these in-between days. I treasure this time between Christmas and New Years. The time to be, when days seem to stretch out in front of you. These are precious days indeed, that do not come often. 

We have enjoyed each other’s company, gone for long strolls, read, cobbled together sandwiches from leftovers, watched a plethora of old movies, listened to Christmas music, basked in the glow of the Christmas lights and have just generally been happy to be. 

The days are moving a bit too quickly for me now, I’m nowhere near ready for our Christmas break to come to end. But, I’m taking pleasure from being in the moment and drinking in all it has to offer. 

These days, these in-between days, hold so much and so little. These days, these heady days, hold so much magic in their offering.

{Image by Fritz Baumgarten // Pinned HERE}