Monday, December 19, 2011

"Christmas is a time when you get homesick, even when you're home" ~ Carol Nelson

"He who has not Christmas in his heart, will never find it under a tree." ~ Roy Smith




"From home to home and heart to heart, the warmth and joy at Christmas brings us closer to each other." ~ Emily Matthew
"Let Christmas not become a thing, merely of merchant's trafficking..."
"Let us [rather] find nourishment for soul and mind!" ~ Madeline Morse
"Christmas waves a magic wand over the world and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." ~ Norman Vincent Peale


"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?  It came without ribbons.  It came without tags.  It came without packages, boxes or bags.  And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.  Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.  What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.  What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."  ~ Dr Seuss




This concludes my posts for 2011. 

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48 comments:

  1. orchid0324December 19, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    Dearest Desiree,
    Thank you for your KINDNESS, I deeply appreciate your thoughtful comments, my friend♡♡♡
    I love the quotes!
    I wish you wonderful Christmas and year end♬♬♬
    Blessing to you from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

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  2. cathy@homeDecember 19, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    Desiree, wishing you all the best this Christmas and lots of interesting places to visit next year.
    From Cathy

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  3. AnonymousDecember 19, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    Dear Desiree,

    I wish you a Merry Christmas and New Year Holidays. It's been great getting to know you and have truly enjoyed all your posts. Looking forward to your posts during 2012.
    Blessings and Hugs!
    Eva-Marie

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  4. Filip DemuinckDecember 19, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    I like how the squirel is posing and the third picture is fantastic.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  5. RitaDecember 19, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    Oooo--my Christmas present from you...squirrels! ;) Love the flowers, too, of course, but I do love me some squirrels.

    Have a wonderful holiday season with family! Enjoy!! :):)

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  6. VeronicaDecember 19, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    Dear Desiree, thank you so much for your lovely visits to my blog! I am so very happy to have found your blog and look forward to reading through it when life is a little less looney! Wishing you a magical Christmas with blessings abundent and memories to treasure...

    Hugs

    Veronica

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  7. Shady Del KnightDecember 19, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    These are great quotations, Desiree. They remind us that Christmas is a spirit to be shared year 'round with other people and other creatures. We're all in this together. Happy holidays, dear friend!

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  8. SouthhamsdarlingDecember 19, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    Beautiful photos to end your year with dear Desiree! They are so sharp. I love them all, but the first one of the squirrel is gorgeous. I enjoyed all the quotes today, as they all remind us what Christmas really is all about. We will miss you around here, but have a very HaPPY Christmas. Wishing you happiness, peace and joy. Hugs to you x (Oh, you are right, I have done very well with my pre-Christmas surprises, haven't I?!
    ). I've been very good though, and the camera has been safely in its box for the past few weeks! Takecare.

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  9. AlisonDecember 19, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    What a sweet, short Christmas post! Thank you so much for the lovely virtual Christmas card, and for all the lovely blog posts of yours that I have thoroughly enjoyed all year long. Merry Christmas!

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  10. TexWisGirlDecember 19, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    thanks for leaving us with these images and your message. :)

    i do wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. see you in 2012!

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  11. UnknownDecember 19, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    From my heart and home to your heart and home, Merry Christmas Desiree! Thank you for the beauty you share, in photography and in commentary. I'm truly blessed to have you as my friend. Wishing you abundant blessings and love, from Jenny, Richard, Elliot, Emily, Ozzie and Annie too.

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  12. UnknownDecember 19, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    Hi Desiree,
    For your last one this post was truly awesome. I have always loved nature and especially the forest creatures and you have captured them perfectly on your camera. Your blogs and Linda's this year have totally changed my mindset of what South Africa is like. Thank you for all the efforts you two make to give us such enjoyment. Take care and Merry Christmas.
    Hugs,
    Odie

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  13. DarleneDecember 19, 2011 at 8:00 PM

    Hi Desiree,
    As usual, I am in awe of your beautiful photos! The fuchsia is gorgeous! Have a very Merry Christmas! See you next year!

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  14. AnonymousDecember 19, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    Hey Des! Sorry it took me a couple to get over here. I have to admit I'm fond of squirrels. I think they are the most darling little creatures.I hope you have a wonderful Christmas my friend!

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  15. BBDecember 20, 2011 at 12:05 AM

    Beautiful pictures and I love the Grinch's message. Merry Christmas.

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  16. Michael and HanneDecember 20, 2011 at 12:44 AM

    A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Des. Thanks for our beautiful JL Card!

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  17. Chatty CroneDecember 20, 2011 at 3:05 AM

    Very cute. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. sandie

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  18. Vicki LaneDecember 20, 2011 at 3:11 AM

    Dear Desiree -- Your blog is a gift to us all. I continue to revisit those gorgeous gardens. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  19. PondsideDecember 20, 2011 at 6:27 AM

    Well Desiree, that was a wonderful way to end the blog year. There was such good reading in all those quotes - something to nudge each of us.
    Merry Christmas to you! It's been such a pleasure to come to know you a little through your posts.

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  20. SushDecember 20, 2011 at 6:57 AM

    Dear Desiree...you always come up with ideas that send us searching and contemplating just that deeper in our hearts! Those quotes were lovely but I have always been a fan of how the Grinch finally had his heart grow!

    Enjoy Christmas blessings and have a very Merry New Year!

    Loves~Loves~Loves~

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  21. SandiDecember 20, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    Dear Desiree, Oh what beautiful quotes for Christmas. I was just telling my daughter today how much I am loving the squirrels lately. But, sadly, I can never get a good photo. Then I find your wonderful photos and darling posing squirrels.

    Merry Christmas! I always appreciate your thoughtful and loving comments. Your blogging friendship is a wonderful gift that I cherish.

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  22. PencilGirlDecember 20, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    Hey Des!!
    That is a lovely post there and my favourite, most festive greeting.. :) :)
    Wishing you the Merriest Christmas and may the new year bring you loads and loads of fun and excitement! :D Looking forward to a lot more of your amazing ramblings in the coming year.. :) :)

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  23. laurak/ForestWalkArt :)December 20, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    OH i LOVEloveLOVE your pictures...and quotes.
    yes, christmas should BE from the HEART...and not from the store!

    have a wonderful christmas=y day Desiree...be merry...good wishes to you & your family! and a very happy new year too! :)

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  24. Crazy Life of a Writing MomDecember 21, 2011 at 2:36 AM

    The Scribe LOVES owls. She said this is one of her favorite posts ever :)

    P. S. Thank you for the wonderful Christmas card. I hope you'll have a very merry Christmas.

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  25. UnknownDecember 22, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    OH, I really, really loved this post. It was so sweet, so touching, so true. The photos were wonderful. I love your blog, Desiree! I feel like it takes me to another place. Thanks for sharing your words and photos with us!

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  26. Jennifer@threedogsinagardenDecember 22, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    It has been wonderful to get to know you and your blog this past year. I thank you for your friendship and all the encouraging words. You may be half a world away, but I feel a great closeness. Merry Christmas to you Desiree and all the best to you for the new year! My four send your six their very best regards!

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  27. Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotteDecember 22, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    I am glad to have met you and hope the coming year will be as great as this one. Your pictures are lovely. Happy Holidays to you and your.

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  28. Empty NesterDecember 23, 2011 at 5:12 AM

    And a truly beautiful post it is- in pictures and in words! I can't wait to see all you have in store for us in 2012! Hugs! Merry Christmas!

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  29. Stephanie DDecember 23, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    What a terrific ending to your posts for the year. Beautiful photos, as always! I look forward to 2012. Thanks for being a part of my blogging community. You are a treasure to know!

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  30. AnonymousDecember 25, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    Love these pictures!!! And nice quotes too.
    Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you too!

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  31. ♥●• İzdihër •●♥December 27, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    Beautiful pics.Hope you have had great time !

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  32. diane bDecember 27, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    And they have been great posts. Looking forward to more in 2012. Hope you have a Happy New Year.

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  33. GigaDecember 27, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    Cudowne wszystkie zdjęcia na zakończenie roku. Cytaty przypominają, czym jest prawdziwe Boże Narodzenie. Rok 2011 kończy się za pięć dni, mam nadzieję, że był dobry dla Ciebie. Życzę Ci, aby ROK 2012 był dla Ciebie bardzo szczęśliwy.
    Jest mi bardzo przykro i smutno :-( i chyba się domyślasz czemu. Pozdrawiam serdecznie.

    Wonderful all the pictures at the end of the year. Quotes like, what is the real Christmas. Year 2011 ends in five days, I hope it was good for you. I wish you to THE YEAR 2012 was very happy for you.
    I am very sorry and sad :-( and I think you can imagine why. Yours sincerely.

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  34. Wsprsweetly Of CottagesDecember 30, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    I love your photo's and the adventure they bring into my life, your thoughts that you share with us and most of all I love you! The person you are and I am so honored to have you in my life, Desiree!
    Happy New Year, my dear friend!

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  35. Intangible HeartsDecember 30, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    Thank you for icing my 2011 cake. I look forward to more delectable delights! Happy New Year Desiree!

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  36. FrikoDecember 31, 2011 at 1:44 AM

    A very happy New Year to you down there in sunny SA.

    Look forward to continued feelings of envy at the spectacular gardens you insist of shoving under my nose!

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  37. Deb ShuckaJanuary 1, 2012 at 10:11 PM

    What a truly lovely way to close a year. I love the words and the pictures. Wishing you the happiest of new years.

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  38. HeidiJanuary 1, 2012 at 10:58 PM

    Love your wonderful blog, your pics are gorgeous...Wishing you all the best for the new year...Heidi

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  39. AnonymousJanuary 3, 2012 at 3:51 AM

    Wonderful sentiment!

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  40. Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise)January 3, 2012 at 11:42 PM

    This was just a lovely tribute to our 2011.

    God bless ya sweetie and have yourself a wonderful New Year!!!

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  41. Pat MacKenzieJanuary 4, 2012 at 5:46 PM

    What a beautiful, beautiful post to end the year on. Your photos are truly amazing. Best wishes for this new year.

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  42. HJanuary 5, 2012 at 10:37 PM

    I love the Grinch quote!

    Happy New Year to you. It was such a pleasure looking at photos of sunshine and colour!

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  43. writingfeemailJanuary 6, 2012 at 4:03 AM

    I'm glad to find you through Melynda's award. I love quotes, and yours on Christmas, along with the pictures, are great. Happy New Year.

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  44. Dee ReadyJanuary 6, 2012 at 4:59 PM

    Dear Desiree,
    Your final posting of 2011 was lovely and lyrical--with quotes that stretched the dendrites of my brain and photographs that captured the beauty of nature and its message to us.

    Thank you again and again for following my blog so faithfully and for your comments, which are always thoughtful and reflective. They speak of the innate good sense and goodness within you.

    The photographs of the squirrel delighted me. I put sunflower seeds on the concrete patio floor and they come--bold as brassy and twice as sassy!--to gobbles the goodies.

    The three cats sit in the living room and gaze longingly at those cheeky squirrels. The cats chatter their teeth, longing to devour those interlopers.

    Sometimes one squirrel even gets up on the chair and presses his paw on the window pane. He looks inquiringly at Matthew, whose paws is on the inside of that pane. They take the measure of one another and their eyes grow soft with understanding and then each goes his way.

    Watching this scene is part of each day for me. I feel great gratitude for the bounty of my life.

    Peace, Desiree. And may the new year be filled with possibilities for growth in the human spirit.

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  45. RohrerbotJanuary 9, 2012 at 5:10 AM

    This little guy is adorable!!

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  46. Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise)January 9, 2012 at 7:26 PM

    'Just droppin' by to see what your up to and to wish you a blessed and fantastic week sweetie! :o)

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  47. Firefly the Travel GuyJanuary 10, 2012 at 9:14 AM

    I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year Desiree. Looking forward to lots of stunning posts from you in 2012.

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  48. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2012 at 4:39 PM

    Hi Lady! Just checkin in to see if all is well. Been so busy with the move but we are almost done. Have to go through the garage then mission accomplished. I'm loving our little place. So simple. Hope you are having a wonderful time.

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