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Since I missed posting an "official" Merry Christmas post this month, I decided to do a combination Merry Christmas/ Happy New Year post instead.

Is it me, or did this holiday season fly by faster than a speeding ticket? And is it me, or do we always say that every year?

Yet, it's true....the holidays do fly by faster and faster each passing year.

I absolutely love this time of year, so I try to savor every second because before you know it, BAM, it's over.

On Christmas day, the weather was absolutely gorgeous here. It was cold, but very sunny with a crystal clear blue sky. I cherish winter, so I spent much of my day outside. After making some coffee and breakfast, I took a shower; put on my black puffy down jacket, baseball cap, and gloves, and went out for a two-hour walk down along the Delaware River Pier (Penn's Landing) and sat by the water. It was simply lovely. Afterwards, I came home and prepared some lunch (a hearty Minestrone soup). I then took another long walk over to the Christmas Village and enjoyed all the holiday decorations. Can you believe that I actually found a Starbucks open on Christmas Day? I stopped in and grabbed a nice hot dark roast before they closed at 2 PM. Later in the day for dinner, I made a fabulous pasta dish and a spinach salad, with a glass of red wine. But before the day was over, I took yet another long walk after eating almost the entire pound of pasta. All in all, I walked a total of 5 hours that day. That night, I slept like a baby.

It was truly a wonderful Christmas - peaceful, reflective, and very merry!

Each year I like to buy a new Christmas decoration to place around my tiny (15") Christmas tree. This year it was the most ADORABLE little bear (a Bearista) I found at Starbucks. I actually saw it right after Thanksgiving Day in November and instantly knew that I had to have it.

Here it is. Isn't he the cutest thing you ever saw?


And here he is sitting around the tree, amongst all the other decorations. 


One of my coworkers who knows my passion for red wine gifted me a bottle of Italian Christmas Red. It was quite GOOD. I drank some of it on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I love the label!


So now it's on to New Year's. I'm working the next several days, but have New Year's Day off. I have no plans other than spending New Year's Eve AND New Year's Day indoors because Philadelphia goes CRAZY DRUNK on those two days. I'm going to stay home; watch movies; listen to music; relax; eat; and bring in the New Year quietly.

I would like to leave you with one of my favorite inspirational quotes as we move into a new year, reminding us that we are all unique in our own way, contributing that uniqueness and beauty to the world...


Wishing you and your loved ones a Belated Merry Christmas and a Happy 2019 New Year!
X

24 comments:

  1. That sounds like a very peaceful Christmas Day, Ron. I love your decorations and remember your squirrels from last year. What a beautiful bottle of wine! My son gave us a very thoughtful gift this year: He ordered a few bottles of wine and olive oils from a winery he visited in Tuscany a few years ago. I'm very excited to try them.

    Wishing you a happy, healthy and blessed 2019, my friend.

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  2. I love your little Christmas tree! And OF COURSE you have squirrels!

    "I absolutely love this time of year, so I try to savor every second because before you know it, BAM, it's over." - I could not agree with this more, Ron! I always find myself longing for the holidays so much come July or August, and then they do pass by in a blur. Stepping aside and savoring the moment as it is happening is the best way to fully enjoy the season and all it has to offer.

    May you have a happy, healthy, and kick-ass 2019!

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  3. Your time was well spent, Ron. There's nothing better than a long walk at Christmas.

    Love your tree, Ron. I did nothing this year, no tree, no trimmings, just because ... well, just because! It is the anniversary of losing Joe. Well, tomorrow really but he had been very poorly over his last Christmas. No, I'm not maudlin, just reflecting. Charlie the cat kept me occupied though and I was invited next door for Christmas dinner and a glass of wine. Nice! When I got back all the Christmas cards were on the floor. I reckon Chas was trying to tell me something.....lol.

    Wishing you a very happy New Year, my friend.

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  4. What a lovely and yummy Christmas day! One fo the best things about the holiday is savoring the food, I think. I made game hens the night the kids came over.

    We are stying in tonight, too - I'm past my days of New Year's Eve revelry! Wishing you a blessed New Year, my friend!

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  5. We brought back wine and olive oil from a winery in Tuscany - which one did your son go to?

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  6. Yes! This Christmas season flew by. Probably because we were either preparing for—going on—recovering from the family vacay the first part of December. And here it is New Year's Eve already! Your Christmas Day sounds very peaceful and relaxing. Ours was very quiet since the grand girls were with their father in Alabama. That bottle of wine looks like it has my name written all over it! May need to scout out where to get a bottle. I found myself in the Christmas sale section of a store the other day and the cutest, little snowman said he simply had to come home with me. At $3.50, how could I say no? I'm putting the finishing touches on my One Word post for tomorrow to ring in the new year. I wish you happiness and contentment in 2019. You've been a faithful bloggy friend over the years and I very much appreciate your friendship.

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  7. Aw, Ron, I love your new bear decoration! He's got a sweet face and looks right at home among the squirrels, elf, etc. You don't have to have a HUGE Christmas tree or lots of people around to have a merry Christmas, do you? Mine was pretty quiet, too, though I confess I didn't walk for 5 hours that day, ha!


    How lovely that label is on your wine bottle! I do hope the wine tasted as good as this label makes it sound like it would.


    Glad you have a few days off, my friend. It's always nice to take a break now and then, especially as a new year rolls around. Hope 2019 is extra-wonderful for you! xo

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  8. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comTuesday, January 01, 2019

    What adorable decorations! Sounds like a lovely way to spend Christmas. Here's wishing you a lot of laughter in 2019.

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  9. It was! After all the madness of the last two days in retail, it was blissful to spend Christmas day relaxed and chilled. I also watched several Christmas themed movies in the morning.

    Yes, you're absolutely right...I got both those squirrel decorations last year.

    "My son gave us a very thoughtful gift this year: He ordered a few bottles of wine and olive oils from a winery he visited in Tuscany a few years ago. I'm very excited to try them."

    OMG...that sounds HEAVENLY! And I bet that wine (and olive oil) will taste incredible, coming directly from TUSCANY! Enjoy!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, and blessed 2019 too!

    Cheers and X

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  10. Aw....thanks, Mark! You know my love of squirrels! :)

    "I always find myself longing for the holidays so much come July or August, and then they do pass by in a blur. Stepping aside and savoring the moment as it is happening is the best way to fully enjoy the season and all it has to offer."

    Yes, I couldn't have expressed it any better than that. As soon as Sept arrives each year, I say to myself, "Start savoring it now and ENJOY every single moment!"

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend.

    Wishing you and Tara a happy, healthy, and kick-ass 2019 too!

    Cheers and X to you both!

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  11. "There's nothing better than a long walk at Christmas."

    I agree, Valerie! And the weather couldn't have been more perfect too. It was very chilly, but sunny and bright. Bellissima!

    "It is the anniversary of losing Joe. Well, tomorrow really but he had been very poorly over his last Christmas. No, I'm not maudlin, just reflecting."

    Yes, I totally know how you feel because I feel the same way about Thanksgiving because my mother passed away not even a week before in 2012. Therefore, that holiday sits heavy in my heart.

    Your Christmas day sounded perfect too! I actually enjoy spending Christmas Day AND New Year's very quiet and relaxed. Many of my friends invite me to their homes on Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I always decline because I cherish the peace and quiet.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, dear friend. Wishing your a very happy, healthy and bless New Year!

    Cheers and X to you and Charlie!

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  12. " One of the best things about the holiday is savoring the food, I think. I made game hens the night the kids came over."

    Ditto! OMG, I am such a foodie! For the past few months, all I've been thinking about is FOOD. I LOVE to eat!!! Mid-December, one of my coworkers and I went out to dinner (Mexican) and enjoyed a bottle of wine and the most delicious Mexican food. What a fabulous night we had.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Wishing you and your family a Happy, Healthy, and Blessed 2019!

    Cheers and X

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  13. Thank you, Fiona. I love putting up my tiny Christmas tree each year and enjoying it for a month and a half. It makes me smile every time I look at it.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Wishing you all the very best in 2019!

    Cheers and X

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  14. Isn't that little Bearista ADORABLE? The day I got him, I kept taking him out of the shopping bag at work and showing him to everyone. I also kept kissing him on his cute little nose - HA! I have such a soft spot in my heart for teddy bears!

    "You don't have to have a HUGE Christmas tree or lots of people around to have a merry Christmas, do you? Mine was pretty quiet, too...."

    No, you don't. Throughout all my childhood (coming from a HUGE Italian family), we celebrated every single holiday with each other. And although I look back on that and feel blessed because of it, as I got older, I went the other way and found that spending holidays, such as, Thanksgiving and Christmas, quiet and small, makes me very happy.

    The wine was so very good. I enjoy trying different wines.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Wishing you, Domer, and Dallas a Happy, Healthy, and Blessed New Year!

    Cheers and X

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  15. Lisa, I am so happy that you decided to take your vacay with the family this year because I'm sure it was faaaaaaaabulous for all of you in so many ways. Just from your photographs, I could tell you all enjoyed yourselves.

    "That bottle of wine looks like it has my name written all over it! "

    It was soooooooo good! I love trying new wines so I was jumping up and down when she handed me the bottle. She also got me a pair of the most cozy and comfy winter socks to wear with my snow boots this year. They're so Christmassy looking!

    " I found myself in the Christmas sale section of a store the other day and the cutest, little snowman said he simply had to come home with me. At $3.50, how could I say no?"

    OMG...I did the same thing at A.C. Moore! They had a HUGE sale last weekend (70% off ALL holiday items), so I bought quite a few things for next year.

    I read your New Year post last night, and LOVED it!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Wishing you and your family a faaaaaabulous 2019! And thank YOU for being a faithful bloggy friend as well!

    Cheers and X

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  16. Ron, your new addition (the Bearista) is so dang cute! I also love your tiny Christmas tree because it's so sweet looking! I love your penguin decorations.

    Sounds like you had a perfect Christmas day. I enjoy spending the holidays quiet as well.

    Wishing you a wonderful new year filled with all things blessed! X

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  17. Ron, you Christmas Day sounded ideal! Now that my children are all grown and living out of state it's been harder for us to all get together on Christmas because they have their own kids. What we try to do is have a family reunion sometime during the summer because it's easier when their kids are out on break from school.

    Your new Christmas ornament is so cute! I love how simple your tiny tree is because for being as small as it is, it's got the true Christmas spirit! Speaking of wine, my husband and I tried some new wine brands over the holidays and enjoyed them.

    Wishing you love, health and prosperity in the new year! Can you believe it's already 2019?!?

    X

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  18. Hey there Candice!

    Isn't he adorable? I'm half tempted to keep him out all year just so I can look at his cute face all year long! I got that tiny tree when I first moved back east (in 2001) and I can't believe it's lasted that many years. The only thing that's been affected by it's age is that the fake pine needles are starting to fall off.

    Yes, I had the BEST day! I also had a great New Year's Day as well.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantabulous New Year!

    Cheers and X

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  19. Hellooooooooooo Elaine!

    I know what you mean because when I was a kid we always had HUGE holiday gatherings with the family. But as we all got older (and everyone moved around), it got harder to get everyone together.

    "What we try to do is have a family reunion sometime during the summer because it's easier when their kids are out on break from school."

    GREAT idea! You're right, summer is easier because the grand kids are off for a few months.

    I've had that little Christmas tree for YEARS! Every year I contemplate getting a new one, but never do because it's the perfect size for my apartment. Plus, it still looks good.

    I LOVE trying new wines too! This holiday season, I tried about 3 new brands. All reds!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor! Wishing you and your husband a fantastic 2019!!!!

    Cheers and X

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  20. Happy New Year, Ron! I shared your post with my girlfriend and she wanted me to tell you that she loves your little Bearista and hopes to find it at Starbucks because she WANTS ONE TOO!

    Sounds like you had a great Christmas. We were out of town for almost two weeks and just got home this morning. We had a blast!

    Wishing you a great 2019, dude!

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  21. Gosh, Ron, this is a VERY belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you. So sorry I fell behind on your posts, buddy. I'll do better in 2019! Take care and all the best to you and yours!

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  22. OMG, no worries, Rob! I totally understand because the past couple of months have been so busy, with the holidays flying by.

    Happy New Year to you too!!!

    Cheers and X

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  23. Hey there Matt!

    HA! Isn't that little Bearista ADORABLE? I hated to pack him up and put him with my Christmas decorations until next year. I even had thoughts of leaving him out all year!

    Hope you had a faaaaaaaaaabulous Christmas and New Years!

    The best to you and your girlfriend in 2019!

    Cheers and X

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