"May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;
The spirit of Christmas which is peace;
The heart of Christmas which is love."

~Ada V. Hendricks~

  “Even the poorest cottage welcomed the festive season with green decorations of bay and holly—the cheerful fire glanced its rays through the lattice, inviting the passenger to raise the latch, and join the gossip knot huddled around the hearth, beguiling the long evening with legendary jokes and oft-told Christmas tales.”

 Often when I need a moment of peace and calm during this busy Christmas season, I will pick up a favorite book, open it at random, and read a few paragraphs.  The passage above is from Washington Irving’s “Old Christmas” (1850).  Doesn’t it paint an inviting picture? Here is another favorite ~ this one from Charles Dickens, “A Christmas Carol”:

 “By this time it was getting dark, and snowing pretty heavily; and as Scrooge and the Spirit went along the streets, the brightness of the roaring fires in kitchens, parlours, and all sorts of rooms, was wonderful.  Here the flickering of the blaze showed preparations for a cosy dinner, with hot plates baking through and through before the fire, and deep red curtains, ready to be drawn, to shut out cold and darkness.” 

 Or how about this humble scene of Christmas Eve at the Crachits:

”At last dinner was all done, the cloth cleared, the hearth swept, and the fire made up. The compound in the jug being tasted and considered perfect, apples and oranges were put upon the table, and a shovel-full of chestnuts on the fire…”

I encourage you to take time out of your busy holiday schedule to read either of these stories – even if you only open to a few random pages.  I promise, you will be delighted!

"Be merry all, be merry all,
With holly dress the festive hall;
Prepare the song, the feast, the ball,
To welcome merry Christmas!”

~William Robert Spencer~

Thank you!

 Sincerest thanks to everyone who visited my website for my Thanksgiving Sale!  I am ever grateful for your patronage and friendship!

  Instant Download & Free Pattern Reminders

• After purchasing an instant download from my web site, you will find your e-pattern under My Account > Downloads.  
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Until next time, my friends, I wish you a grateful heart and all the blessings this month has to offer…

 As Ever,

Wendy