Christmas Day....

" Mr. Krueger's Christmas" (1980)

Jimmy Stewart filmed this scene in ONE TRY because the tender feelings in his expressions of love for Jesus could not be vainly repeated. "I have only one of these in me," he said. "I'm absolutely serious when I say this is one of the greatest honors I've ever had."

On This Glorious..Blessed Morning..

We would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas

Love and Hugs

Phoebe and Mr D x

Happy Christmas Eve Eve..

Its was an early start in the Daso House... and a busy one in the kitchen for me. I needed to get a lot done today.. as tomorrow we are out for most of the day doing fun stuff visiting...a carol service and a party in the evening...

So today was the last of the baking... cookies and mince pies for gifts.. and an eggnog cheesecake for us. I prepped some veggies too and stored them in the fridge to save time on the big day.

With all the presents now wrapped..and all the shopping done.. Christmas is really underway..

By the way... does anyone else have a Christmas Prep Anti Stress Kit??

Mine consists of my cosy green "Mrs Claus" Dressing Gown (Mr D always sings ♫ Oh Christmas Tree..Oh Christmas Tree♫ when I wear it !!)..peppermint mocha creamer for my coffee which I will have in a cheerful mug.. a teapot on hand for an emergency cup of PG ... and a Teddy...just in case it all gets too much.. and Im in dire need of a cuddle!

Luckily...as of yet... I havent needed to brake the safety seal and clam my nerves... but theres time.....

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Sunday Thought ~ Isaiah 7:14

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Oooops!...

It's been a busy few days ...

We were out doing the big food shop this morning.. 

and thinking it was Christmas Eve.. hubby  treated me to breakfast

I broke it to him gently that he has to wait a few more days for Santa.. his face was a picture...

Waitress!! Please bring him a super strong coffee!!

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Sammy Junior....

Christmas isnt Christmas until Sammy appears.

Made 21 years ago by my four year old daughter.. out of a toilet roll tube..cotton wool and sticky paper...every year..he's the first decoration to go on the tree..and the last to be taken off.

Now... my 21 month old granddaughter has made her own Sammy...

and is proving to be just a good artist as her Mummy.

Im so proud

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Darling Happy Anniversary...

A very Happy 5th Anniversary to my wondertul MrD..

Thank you for the Love.. the Laughter... the Respect... the Encouragement and the Adventure. 

I thank God every day for bringing us together.

Today is the first day of the rest of our lives together..

Love you always

Phoebe x

Sunday Thought ~ Phillippians 4:4

Happy Sunday!!.. Its the 3rd Sunday of Advent and we light the third candle on our wreath which is pink... the colour of joy! The third Sunday is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy that the faithful have reached the midpoint of Advent

"Let every heart prepare Him room"

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Santa at The Grove....

Well...we went in search of Santa.. and we found him... and his reindeer ..

."flying" around a 100ft tall Christmas tree.. wow!

We also found his pretty little grotto...

with it own decorated frosted windows 

and its own tree

And not only did we find the jolly man in the red suit...

and yet another Christmas tree

 down in the Los Angeles Farmers Market... 

we found a taste of Home..yum!

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

The Story of the Empty Stocking....

The day has come at last!!!!!! We got the truck back this morning. I feel like William Wallace in Braveheart... Freeeedommmm!!!

MrD has his dressings off and has a lovely 5inch scar to show off... As every day goes by he is feeling so much better. So thank you for all your kind wishes..  Hes pushing himself a bit hard but at least Im getting him to rest in the afternoons.. and we are watching a lot of Christmas movies. Its the first time ever we have got to watch so many together. Maybe thats the reason his surgery was put off for so long...lol

Todays movie is definitely in my top three... "The Bishops Wife" I watch it every single year. I have written about it before...so forgive me repeating..but its so worth it

Made in 1947, it is the story of an angel called Dudley, played by the charming and debonair Cary Grant who comes down to earth to answer a prayer from a very busy Bishop, played by David Niven. Loretta Young plays the Bishops very lovely..but very neglected wife. Dudley reminds everyone of life's true joys, teaches the true meaning of Christmas, saves them from spiritual doubt...and re affirms what love really is. 

Its an enchanting, heartwarming ..and inspiring movie, with loads of holiday atmosphere with many wonderful moments, including the angelic boys choir practice and the very famous skating scene. But the best scene for me comes at the end of the movie, when the Bishop makes a very touching and heart felt  Christmas Eve sermon. 

"Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking.

Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child's cry, a blazing star hung over a stable, and wise men came with birthday gifts. We haven't forgotten that night down the centuries. We celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, with the sound of bells, and with gifts.

But especially with gifts. You give me a book, I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer and Uncle Henry can do with a new pipe. For we forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled, all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the child born in a manger. Its his birthday we're celebrating. Don't let us ever forget that.

Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most. And then, let each put in his share, loving kindness, warm hearts, and a stretched out hand of tolerance. All the shining gifts that make peace on earth."

It is short...simple...over seventy years old...not a day out of date and totally relevant today

And by the way....

who had the better tree...

me or Dudley lol???

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

The Package....

Well..Im sad and speechless... and this was not the post I was going to write today. In the five years I have lived in the US this has never happened before...

I always look forward to the Christmas parcel my kids send from the Uk. It contains cards..gifts..pictures from the grandbabies and silly little things I miss from home..

This morning it arrived. We had been concerned cos it was taking longer than usual..but we put it down to the time of year. For the first time.. it was damaged...and taped up again. It had obviously been opened by US Customs and Border Protection. I called my family and on a joint Facetime link I opened it.

The box inside had been opened..and not resealed.. even though the gift card clearly said do not open til Dec 25th. All the Christmas cards inside had been opened. 

The main gift inside had been ripped open and the contents were revealed. They had obviously all been taken out and just shoved back in without care or after thought... the wrapping paper used to cushion the items.. just pushed in a corner

My family...especially my daughter and daughter in law.. were clearly upset... and there were a few tears.

But.. the upside is... apart from a few smashed food items.. the most important things to me were not damaged... the cards and the picures of my grandbabies. And what they couldnt tamper with is the unconditional love, good wishes and blessings contained in the parcel. And at least the parcel I sent to the Uk...which coincidently arrived this morning too... arrived in one piece

I am not an angry person... Im just saddened. I know these things have to be checked.. but seriously... I think whoever did this box... was either thoughtless or had no heart.. and didnt give a damn. I hope he or she has a very Happy Christmas 

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Winter at St Marys....

The Medieval Church in the Little Welsh Village where I grew up

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x

Afternoons...

December is flying by. Even tho MrD and I cant do much pre Christmas stuff right now.. Im still enjoying having him home. The afternoons are so laid back.. .and its lovely being so cosy in a Christmasy home

But, being MrD.. he cant shut off from work altgether and is on the phone a lot..replying to emails and ordering "stuff". He is trying to run before he can walk (no pun intended).. but he is healing well and not in so much pain (except when he forgets and stretches...ouch!)

But as he says.. and I agree... compared to what others are going through.. this little surgery was nothing. Im thinking of someone from my home village...who I wont mention... but he's amazing and an absolute inspiration

We ventured out on another little walk. Then it was an afternoon of Christmas Movies and Hot Chocolate.. with lots of marshmallows of course...

Its the simple things

Love and Hugs

Phoebe x