Weekly Winners (Dec. 19 – 25)

Weekly Winners is a fun little thing bloggers do to showcase some of their favorite photos from the previous week. It is brought to you, me and everyone by the lovely Lotus, aka Sarcastic Mom. Visit her site and find all the participants. See some amazing photos brought to you by bloggers around the world. Leave a little love when you do — its like food for the soul!

Weekly Winners

My deepest apologies to the Weekly Winners people for never making it around to comment last weekend. Between holidays and moving and other events, this blog has suffered terribly. Only 2 posts this week is crazy! Must get back to nursing this blog…

It all starts with the Weekly Winners full of Christmas goodness. I hope everyone out there had a wonderful holiday! I think mine has to go down as a top-10 Christmas. So much laughter and love filled the house. I look back on the day with pure joy. I wish that for everyone.

040: Piano ornament
Featured on Nashvillest, a piano ornament taken in the new piano bar, Randolph's, in Printer's Alley

Opryland Hotel
The big tree at Opryland Hotel.

Opryland Hotel
Looking up the big tree at Opryland hotel to see it reflected back in the atrium windows.

041: Terrified
Scared cat.

Bailey finds Christmas
Bailey found Christmas. It was on the couch the whole time.

045: Cookie cutters
Cookie cutters.

046: Family photo
Family Christmas Portrait

Christmas scenes
My husband's piano ornament.

Christmas scenes
Collegiate snowman.

♥ ♥ ♥

Photos taken using a Nikon Coolpix L20 or my Droid Incredible or a Sony DSLR A230.
View all of my photos and detailed captions on my Flickr stream.

Musician’s Widow’s Day Before (and On) Christmas

‘Twas the day before Christmas, when all through the house,
Everyone was stirring, even Bailey with his fake mouse.

The stockings were hung on the wall with special care,
In hopes that the whole family soon would be there;

The gifts were all wrapped under the tree,
While we all sat and wondered what each one could be;

And Mom baking in the kitchen, and Dad making lunch,
Craig and I snacked on goodies, we had a whole bunch,

When midnight approached, we all dressed up and got ready,
It came time for my favorite tradition, one that has always been steady.

Away to the church we drove through the night,
It was time for midnight mass, it simply felt right!

The moon on the sheen from the much needed rain,
Gave the world a clean look, especially our lane,

When at mass we read the true Christmas story,
The one about Jesus birth and God’s glory!

Christmas hymns were all sung,
And tolling bells, they were rung.

Christmas day had arrived under bright twinkling stars,
And in a joyful, yet hushed silence we all went to our cars.

Back home we all went after giving the season’s meaning pause,
And somewhere deep down we all still believed in Santa Claus!

After mass we had a snack to tide us over until morning,
We knew there was no way the next day could be boring!

The tree would remain lit into the night,
It helped to make all in the world just seem right.

For the magic of Christmas gives a sparkle and a twinkle,
And at this point nothing could bring to the heart a single wrinkle.

For the meaning of the season is not in the retail,
Its all in the making of a whole new memory and tale!

For its family and friends, moments and mistakes,
All those things that make you laugh, for goodness sakes!

The smile of a child and the love in your heart,
We all take a moment, we all must take part.

So as we lie our heads down to sleep and welcome the day,
You’re never too old to be excited in a big way!

Memories from childhood mingle with those made anew,
To dance in your head as dreams with a vivid bright hue.

Christmas day arrives, and excitement glows in your eyes,
And the table is covered in turkey, potatoes and pies.

Big hugs all around as family comes over,
And the gifts under the tree even more seems to run over!

Eat as fast as you can while you enjoy every bite,
After hours of cooking, it all tastes just right.

Then around the tree we all gather for a few pics,
Any imperfect ones will just have to wait to be fixed.

For the anticipation has just become far too great,
There are presents open, it almost feels too late!

First the kids open gifts and as they ooh and ahh,
There’s a happiness there that has been too long since we saw.

Then the adults take their turn to open presents,
Practical to funny from siblings and parents,

In those moments we all once again turn five,
Feeling so very alive!

As the paper is cleaned up and deftly thrown away,
We look around and, in our hearts, we record all about this day.

And before we all leave, for the end of the day is all too near,
“Merry Christmas,” we say, “And a Happy New Year!”