Five Crazy Things: Holiday Must-Haves

Barbara: Pick your favourite holiday (especially if you don’t celebrate Christmas), and answer this question: It wouldn’t be the holidays without… ?

1. Turkey.

2. Games.

3. Plates of sweets on every surface.

4. Family.

5. Cuddling around music/fire/blankets/books/movies.

Deb:

1. Turkey and Colin’s stuffing.

2. Leftovers for Boxing Day sandwiches (I think I love this more than the actual dinner).

3. Family and friends.

4. Reading new books and magazines the week between and listening to new music cuddled up!

5. Festive table settings and memories of Christmases past.

Christmas Tree Wishes

This is a re-post of last year’s story asking for Christmas wishes for our holiday tree and wreath. We thought this year we would share the story with you again so we can invite you to share and enjoy the wishes from last year in your own way. We loved the results, we're hanging our wishes again this year, and we are truly appreciating all the love we share with you all over the year!

Deb: I have come to see those of you who read us as more than bloggers, writers, followers of the blog. Through all the turbulence and joy of the last year, you have become so much more. You have stood with us in many ways. You have been advisors, shoulders, supporters and friends.

And it is in that spirit that we would like to have a small piece of your hearts in our homes for Christmas, and as the Old Year becomes New.

Colin and I have a little tree that lives in our bedroom at Christmas. Each year I decorate it with colourful glass birds of every description. This year I would like to decorate it with you and your thoughts and wishes. Not just wishes for me or for my family, although we will accept with grateful thanks, but anything you care to say.

In essence, it can be anything your heart desires. It can be a word, a phrase, a quote, a prayer, a hope for the planet, for her people, for each other or for yourselves. It can be funny, silly, irreverent, heartfelt, or whatever comes to mind. Basically, the sky is the limit.

I will print each one out, place it on a Christmas tag and tie it on our little tree. Barb will do the same with the wreath that adorns her front door. Just before Christmas we will post photos of said boughs brimming with ... you!

This unique, talented, exciting group of people should be together for the holidays in some form. This might bring us a little closer to that...

And this was the result!

Deb: Thanks, blogees, one and all, for joining in the festive trimming of the tree and wreath that we proposed some weeks ago. Here it is in all its glory in our respective homes. It’s lovely sharing this season with you all.

Barbara: Thank you all sooooo much for sending so many lovely wishes. I loved them when you sent them, and then again when I cut them out, and then again when I hung them. Here are all your words.

"Peace" and goodwill to all!

***

Give someone the gift of your undivided attention.

***

Gratitude.

***

"YOU PAINT YOUR OWN FUTURE.....SO PAINT IT THE WAY YOU WOULD WANT IT TO BE....I'VE PAINTED YOU GUYS IN MINE......I'LL SEE YOU THEN..!!! LOADS OF LOVE...

***

Am Ende des Jahres

zurück blicken auf den Weg,

der hinter einem liegt.

Sich erinnern, inne halten.

Aufatmen. Durchatmen.

Am Ende des Jahres

Hoffnung schöpfen.

Einen Neuanfang wagen.

Sich freuen, auf das was kommt.

Sich leiten lassen,

einem Stern folgen.

Am Ende des Jahres

an einem Ziel angekommen sein.

Stolz sein,

etwas geschafft zu haben.

Hindernisse überwinden.

Nicht aufgeben.

Am Ende des Jahres

einem Wunder begegnen.

Keine Angst spüren.

Sich überraschen lassen.

Staunen, glauben.

Vertrauen haben.

Am Ende des Jahres

einfach Mensch sein.

***

English: At the end of the year

At the end of the year

look back at the road

that lies behind you.

Remember, pause.

Breathe. Breathe deeply.

***

At the end of the year

gather hope.

Start anew.

Look forward to what will happen.

Be guided by someone,

follow a star.

***

At the end of the year

reach a goal.

Be proud

of something you achieved.

Overcome obstacles.

Never give up.

***

At the end of the year

come across a miracle.

Don't be afraid.

Be surprised.

Be astonished, believe.

Have faith.

***

At the end of the year

simply be human.

***

Joy and happiness

***

The greatest gift is a friendship you never knew you'd have.

***

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 NRS

***

Friends come from strange places and I found both of you on Facebook and I am sure glad I did. I love you both without ever meeting you, yet! But that will happen.

***

From Norway with love: GOD JUL OG GODT NYTTÅR.

***

Thank you so much for your blog! It has helped me through many troubled times. Thank you both for thinking of us despite never knowing us before!

***

"You'll see it's all a show/Keep 'em laughing as you go/Just remember that the last laugh is on you." - E. Idle.

***

"What has happened, has happened. It's where we go from here is what counts." - author unknown

***

"There are many ways to skin a chicken." - me

***

"It's not enough to bash in heads/You've got to bash in minds." - Captain Hammer.

***

"Believe in what your heart is saying

Hear the melody that's playing

There's no time to waste, there's so much to celebrate!

Believe in what you feel inside

Give your dreams the wings to fly

You have everything you need if you just believe."

***

Bippitty Boppitty Boo -- Ba Doo!

***

"Love wholeheartedly and without restraint."

***

merry christmas to all my love ones above

***

My wish is that for everyone here to make at least one person smile.

***

"Go to work. Do your best. Don't let your praying knees get lazy and love like crazy."

***

Grace.

***

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune—without the words,

And never stops at all,

***

All you do is make people laugh.

Thoughts are focused on nothing except what's going on up onstage.

There are other people enjoying the same thing.

There is friendly contact.

There is support given and taken, sometimes without anyone ever knowing.

There is no judgment.

There is no negative thinking.

The drive is not as lonely.

The future does not look as hopeless.

In the black of life, there was some light.

And all you did was make people laugh.

***

If love is the treasure, laughter is the key.

***

Never give up on your dreams!

Merry Christmas.

***

This post isn’t for the tree or wreath, just to simply express my gratitude. I have been reading this blog for a short time now, after discovering it via Colin’s twitter, and finally got the courage to actually post a reply. I wanted you guys to know just how much your blog means. By sharing what you all are going through somehow helps me deal with the depression and other things I have going on in my life. It is hard to explain, but posting a reply and talking to someone REALLY helps. It is easier to talk to people online rather than in person for me. Regardless of whether or not anyone ever reads this, it is helping me. Even just having something to look at and keep up with everyday helps!

So thank you so much!! You will never know how something so small can help so much!

***

"Guess why I smile a lot. Uh, 'cause it's worth it.

***

"So I'll say Merry Christmas

I'll wish peace to you

I'll hope for the hopeless, your dreams come true.

And I'll pray for the laughter

I'll sing through the tears

I'll say Merry Christmas for all the world to hear."

***

"All you need is love."

***

"Hang in there."

***

"Peace and love to all"

***

"Stay shiny"

***

In Western lands beneath the sun

the flowers may rise in spring

the trees may bud

the waters run

the merry finches sing

Or there may be this cloudless night

and swaying beeches bare

the Elven stars as jewles bright

amid their dancing hair

Though here at journeys end I lie

in darkness buried deep

beyond all towers strong and high

beyond all mountains steep

Above all Shadows rides the sun

and stars forever dwell

I will not say the day is done

nor bid the stars farewell

***

Love from Norway, no signs of snow :(

***

"You can pour your soul out singing a song you believe in that tomorrow they'll forget you ever sang. Sing it anyway!"

***

Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death.

***

"Dreaming is free.

***

"Let there be so much joy and love in you this Christmas it spills out to those around you!"

***

Peace, love and happiness!

***

The Best of Times Is Now.

What's left of Summer

But a faded rose?

The best of times is now.

As for tomorrow,

Well, who knows? Who knows? Who knows?

So hold this moment fast,

And live and love

As hard as you know how.

And make this moment last

Because the best of times is now,

Is now, is now.

Now, not some forgotten yesterday.

Now, tomorrow is too far away.

So hold this moment fast,

And live and love

As hard as you know how.

And make this moment last,

Because the best of times is now,

Is now, is now.

***

Listen! I hear bells!

Here come all the shiny gifts!

***

You sleigh me, Santa.

***

Dashing through the snow.

Santa is coming, my dear.

Are three ho's enough?

***

It's snowing outside.

I need something to keep warm.

Hugh Jackman...Naked.

Favorite Christmas?

Fireplace burning, Nat King Cole,

Hugh Jackman...Naked.

I don't want visions.

No Sugarplum fairies, thanks.

Hugh Jackman...Naked.

Hey Santa Baby,

I want one thing only please

Hugh Jackman...Naked.

The halls are all decked,

The fireplace is brightly lit,

WHERE the HELL is HUGH??!!

***

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - Howard Thurman

***

Love and hugs

***

“Fall, then figure out what to do on the way down.” 

Deb and Barbara: Please feel free to add a new wish for this year, or if you didn't have a chance to leave one last year!

Five Crazy Things: Celebrating Your Country

Deb: What are the top five things you like to do to celebrate your country’s birthday? As I write this, it is July 1^st—CANADA DAY—and in three days it is Independence Day in the U.S. We would love to hear about any and all countries and your dates and traditions!

1.    Have our wee Canadian flags all around the property

2.    Family picnic around our pool!

3.    Take a moment to be grateful for living in freedom.

4.    Using all our vintage Canadian glasses and napkins.

5.    Eat drink and be happy that summer is here!!!!!!!!!!

 Barbara:

1.    Despite the fact that this is a major community holiday, I LOVE just spending it with the family doing quiet "together" stuff, knowing it’s a holiday and no one will expect anything from us.

2.    Biking through the city!

3.    Fireworks (but in the last few years, mostly heard and not seen from our backyard—while Chaplin cowers).

4.    Gay Pride parade! Again, don’t often go anymore, but something about knowing it’s taking place not far from us and seeing the images on TV makes me feel proud and excited for a compassionate/accepting future that celebrates everyone.

5.    Improvised meals (we almost always forget that the grocery stores are closed and so we have to make stuff up. This year it was gourmet burgers and sweet potato fries for lunch at a most delicious b-b-q place in the middle of our 3-hour bike ride, then for dinner, a thrown-together bean salad with diced cucumbers, fresh mint, canned artichoke hearts, shaved lettuce, sliced sundried tomatoes, and a garlic-lemon dressing. Mmmmm).

Thank you, Newfoundland

Deb: As our trip to Newfoundland stretched out before us, I knew I would blog about it and I knew instantly that the theme would be gratitude to the people of Newfoundland.

So it’s serendipitous that in the last few days I started reading so many words of thanks to the people of Newfoundland from the stranded passengers of 9/11 who were taken into their homes and made to feel like family.

You have to understand something about Newfoundlanders. They are funny. They are warm. They are fun. And they are the kindest people I have ever met in my travels, bar none.

When I was growing up in the 60s, Newfie jokes were de riguer and I never understood them. It was a stereotype of the time, but one that never resonated with me. But unlike other stereotypes, it seemed to become accepted––it was “harmless, all in good fun.”

I only lived in NFLD for a few years and I was very young, five and six. But my warm memories are so deep in my psyche that my dreams oft time burst with snippets of that tiny recollection.  And I know that my memories are partly Super 8 film and partly stories and slides, but returning has always been a yearning in me. I have wanted to go back and I did with my boys and joined by a girl.  So a heartfelt thanks, Newfoundland, from the Mochrie/McGraths for absolutely everything.

And Specifically:

The chef and the waitress at Ryan Mansion for their charm and fabulous food.

Buddy who chased us out of the restaurant to give us directions when he overheard us asking someone.

The lady we met at Lighthouse Picnics who, when I told her I used to live in Cornerbrook as a child, walked with us and charmed us with her family history. “My grandfather was born in Cornerbrook, his Dad in Deer Lake where my father’s people were ... now he was an Archer and my Mum’s family was McCubbin. I was born Archer and now I’m a McGee, but my husband’s people on his mother’s side are Toohey’s.” And on it went, only silenced by someone shouting “Whale!”  I know that millions of people every day see whales. I know that. But why is it, that when you see a whale you must scream WHALE!!!!!!!!! as if you were the first person to ever see one? Because IT’S A WHALE!!!!!!!!! Are you kidding me????? I am walking along chatting about the lunch we just had and “oh, look there’s a ....WHALE!” I giant stupendous mammal is leaping out of the water. He is bigger than our house. So YEAH, WHALE. You bet I’m shouting. Shout out to the WHALE. 

The two gals we met in Quidi Vidi who were picking blueberries to make muffins. Not only did they give us great advice about climbing Signal Hill, but they offered their blueberry stash and insisted we eat some, which we did.

The staff of every restaurant from Raymond's, to the spot on the pier in Trinity Bay where we had fish and chips. Thanks for wonderful warm personal service to delicious meals.

The Rock of the Rock radio station that provided our theme music for the trip.

Fisher’s Loft Inn for their view, their warmth, the details. Rooms with little flashlights, walking sticks and binoculars, great food and a games room that we used every night, allowing me to beat the pants off Luke and Colin consistently with Taboo and Scattergories!!!

Okay, whatever, this is my blog and I am telling the story.

Blue on Water for Sullivan, our host, who pretended my suitcase weighed one pound as he carried it three floors as a result of a broken elevator, smiling and chatting as he went. And to the funkiest en-suite bathroom we have ever enjoyed.

To the gorgeous wait staff at Blue who charmed us through two dinners and three breakfasts, graciously making some of us feel that fish and chips for breakfast was as normal as pie.

To Randy our guide in one of the historic homes in Trinity who was engaging, warm and informative with a stunning accent.

MAN, DOES THAT ACCENT KILL ME!

To Lighthouse Picnics themselves for an innovative idea, delicious picnics, homemade lemonade in glass jars, gingerbread cake and cozy blankets.

To the walk-in clinic in St. John's that I went to on day one and who had me sorted and shipped off within fifteen minutes. Within that time I found out a good deal about the doctor’s life and how he came to live in and love this town.

To the handsome young blond man at the roadside diner and grocery store, who came out of the woman’s washroom, as the men’s was full, and said to me as I waited, “A tounsand pardens, me darlin’, but despert times caal for despert messures,” and tipped his cap.

To every single person we met, be it Newfoundlander or tourist, who happened to share the same journey with us as we met at hotel after hotel and shared our stories and mutual love of the place we were discovering together.

 To the Puffins who we visited and who looked all the world like plush animals in frantic flight and with whom we fell in love.

To the volunteers who take care of the Skerwink Trail and keep it groomed and safe so that we can enjoy it’s unbelievable beauty.

And to our son who turned 21 with a glass of champagne at Raymond's overlooking St. John’s harbour and his lovely girl, Megan, who shared this trip with us in whole and in part, and who made it more than a vacation.

And finally to the owner of the Qidi Vidi Brewery who was giving us our tour and who told us this joke:

So a Newfoundlander and his hard-of-hearing wife were taking a road trip in Ontario.

A cop pulls them over. “Can I see your license and registration, sir?”

The wife says, “What did he say?”

The husband says, “He asked to see my license and registration.”

The cop says, “Where are you from, sir?”

The wife says, “What did he say?”

The husband says, “He asked me where we’re from.”

The cop says, “ Newfoundland, are ya? I had the worst sex of my life in Newfoundland.”

The wife says, “What did he say?”

The husband says, “He thinks he knows ya.”

I am convinced Newfoundlanders possess the secret of life.  The jokes on us.

Barbara: What can I say, me darlin’, you weave a magical spell of a wonderful land. You know already, Deb, that Newfoundland is on my Wish List. When I look at those images and hear your story it makes me want to go there all the more. Man, the world is a wonderful, surprising, complex, exhilarating place!