Our life living off the land in our log cabin, breathing fresh mountain air, and getting back to basics.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Saying Farewell to the 2012 Holidays

This candle represents my official farewell to the 2012 holidays...everything is packed up, cleaned up and put away...and greetings to everything 2013 has in store!  I decided to take things down today because my brother and Jeanni left today (more about that in a moment) but most importantly, our tree was looking like a closed umbrella!  Apparently it stopped absorbing water (there was still water in the stand when I returned after 7 days of being away...maybe the tree missed me) but the tree was crispy, with it's branches weighed down by the lights and ornaments...I couldn't even bring myself to take a picture of it, it was so pitiful looking!  We left all the decorations up because my brother was coming and there just wasn't time to put everything away (he arrived the same day I returned), but both Jeanni and Roger laughed at the poor thing.

I do find that putting away all the Christmas decorations is cathartic and cleansing; brings freshness to the new year.  And since my brother and Jeanni left today, having something cathartic to do was good.  They decided to leave in search of snow, heading into the Smoky Mountains to see what they could find, because Jeanni's winter vacation would not have been complete without seeing and touching at least a little snow...there is nothing like making a snowman or a snowball or a snow angel...but she really wanted to sled.  I sure hope they find some, but so far no snow to play in.

We sure did have a good time!  In addition to our good times yesterday, Jeanni and I cooked dinner together last night and we all played more Bandu.  We enjoyed a hearty breakfast including the fresh cage free, range free eggs Jeanni collected yesterday.  After breakfast and some packing, we took a walk to the garden...this is Jeanni and Roger acting like they have to to work real hard to get up the driveway, LOL.
In the garden, by our bear. 

My favorite part of their visit?  Seeing the love between my brother and his daughter!  When it was time for them to leave, we said 'see ya soon' instead of goodbye.  Makes it feel less final somehow.

As they drove away, I started de-holidaying, yes, with a few tears in my eyes.  Until next time brother, until next time!  The evening was brightened by the first clear sunset of the year...


Thanks for reading my blog, you are the best f/f/r/s/f's, see you tomorrow,
Lise

2 comments:

Dad/Pepere said...

Reminds me of a song from 1955 by The Four Lads, "Moments to Remember". Mom and I danced to that song many times. Might be worth listening to it or reading the lyrics. Hugs!

Lise said...

That's a great song dad, I especially like the lines "The laughter we were glad to share
Will echo through the years". It was so nice to spend this time with Rog and Jeanni, and we had lots of laughs that will certainly echo through the years. Hugs back!