I Really Do Love All These Things!

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things.

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things

--From the Sound of Music

I know some people do not like this song, but really...?

What's not to love?

Raindrops on roses? Have you ever seen that drop of water on a velvety flower petal?

Copper kettles gleaming in the light?

And mittens keeping your fingers are warm and snuggly?

and I totally love brown paper packages! 

But that's not all! I also love:

Ponies and especially cream colored ones. 

Anything with apples.

Bells? yes! 

And hubby and I still adore watching  the geese flying and predicting winter's moods.

My loves don't stop there!

Adorable young girls with preening and all dressed up in their white dresses and sashes.

Pretending to be princesses and royalty...

And as much as I dislike the severe cold weather, 

I still enjoy watchng lazy, huge snowflakes falling and clinging.

And when winter melts into spring?

The best part yet! 

By the way,

these are just a few of my favorite things.

Merry Christmas!

Sunday Morning Peace

Christmas Bells

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1864)

I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men! Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men! It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent, And made forlorn The households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men! And in despair I bowed my head; “There is no peace on earth,” I said; “For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!” Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men.” Blessings!