IT'S A BROWN CHRISTMAS: here in Edmonton this year, the first one we've had since 2005. No snow, too warm, the temperature is always hovering just above or just below the freezing point. We've had a couple of skiffs of snow but it melts within 2 days max. This time last year we were freezing in a snow-filled polar vortex.
DRANK: my traditional couple of Christmas Eve eggnogs 'n rum. Actually, I'm not a huge fan of either eggnog OR rum, but together they seem to have become a personal holiday "must have" while waiting for Santa.
TURKEY AND ALL THE TRIMMINGS: a friend very kindly invited me to Christmas dinner, which was delicious! It was my first time eating gluten-free stuffing and gluten-free pumpkin pie -- and all I can say is "yum yum!"
THE AWARD FOR BEST WRAPPING PAPER GOES TO: my sister who managed to find this beautiful Christmas variation on Van Gogh's Starry Night (one of my favourite paintings!)
STUDIOUSLY AVOIDING: all those ubiquitous end-of-the-year news retrospective roundups on TV because the news was so extra depressing this year, all that human misery, death and suffering in Ukraine, Israel, Gaza and elsewhere, combined with increasingly dire news about climate change. Not even to mention the rising tide of fascism in the western world. I'm a major news junkie but even I have my limits of how much bad news I can bear to watch.
FAREWELL TAPESTRY: on another sad note, I just learned that Tapestry, my favourite CBC radio show about philosophy, spirituality and what it means to be human, is ending today on December 31. Its long-time host, Mary Hynes, is retiring and CBC is not replacing her. (CBC has had some major funding cuts recently and I'm sure that has factored into the show's demise.) I enjoyed a lot of good, thought-provoking programs on Tapestry over the years, and I will miss it greatly.
HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE, EVERYONE!: and in case you didn't already know --
happy new year debra!!! i hope we hear a lot more good news in 2024!
ReplyDeleteHappy Happy New year.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope for a better 2024 and beyond!
🎆🎆🎆🎆
Happy 123123, I have been avoiding the news for a couple of years now.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Years dear friend. I hope 2024 ushers in some good stuff for you. It is the year of the dragon I believe.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! I never look back over the year because my memory of sequence is hopeless! Look ahead, it's easier.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year! I’ve always been partial to Van Goth’s sunflowers, and now thanks to you and Google I know the interesting story of the beautiful Starry Night. I join the others in wishing for good stuff in 2024. Jayne from Ontario
ReplyDeleteI will miss Mary Hines and Tapestry so much, it was one of my favorites, that and Because News. I love Gavin Crawford. I don't know if you like podcasts, but Gavin has one, about losing his mom to dementia. It was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI was in your neck of the woods last night, had supper out with my coworkers at the Sicilian Pasta Kitchen, and thought of you as I drove downtown.
Tonight we're taking Jack to a New Year's Celebration at Festival Place, where the fireworks go off at the very doable 8pm.
Have a happy new year.
Yes, the news was pretty bad this year. (I am tempted to make a Henry Kissinger joke here, but I shall refrain.)
ReplyDeleteIt is very strange to think of Edmonton without snow at Christmas.
I’ll count in: 123... 123
ReplyDeleteThat gift wrap is amazing. You've got a wonderful sister.
I always find myself burned out on 2023’s news and find the retrospectives overwhelming.
I haven't had eggnog in a long time. Probably a good thing. Eggnog and rum sounds even better.
Blech...I, too, dislike the nog! But, our tradition is to pour heavy on the rum, scream "bug spray!" and take a big slug!! It makes the nog taste much better! Thank you for making my year more fun...Happy New One! 🥳
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed your blog over this year ... Learning about the various full moon goddesses and their altars! Seeing your drawings ... Wow! You are talented!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your life with us!
My New Year's project is to do more blog reading.
ReplyDeleteYour name keeps popping up as a commenter on quite a few that are already in my Reader, so I thought I would stop by. I'll be back :-)
Among all the paintings, A starry night is always most memorable for me.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! Best wishes for a year filled with good health, good news, and happy adventures, Debra!
ReplyDelete@ Kathy G -- Thanks for popping by my blog and leaving a comment! Your blog looks like my kind too!
ReplyDeleteI can't do egg nog and rum. Alcohol tears my stomach and innards up. But egg nog? I could drink that all day.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Debra, in all of the universe I wish for you the best 2024. I can hardly wait to see what you create this year too.
ReplyDelete123123 to you, too. Happy new year, Debra. Thank you for all your comments.
ReplyDeleteThe news really has been depressing, and I'm worried about 2024. Such wonderful starry night wrapping paper. Happy New Year! All we can do is hope for some good news in the coming year.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Happy New year my darling! May 2024 be good to you.
ReplyDeleteHave a great new year!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year's, Debra. Here's hoping 2024 is better.
ReplyDeleteOr as I read on another blog: Waltz Day 1-2-3 1-2-3
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year and thanks for the entertainment! I follow you from San Sebastian, Spain.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful wrapping paper! The happiest of New Years to you!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed dinner with friend dear Debra. This makes a Christmas
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas indeed .
Either my heart couldn't find motivation for greeting post for Christmas or New year. This makes heart heavy and despite I avoid news the realization that on planet people are suffering is painful.
Loved your sister s gift .gorgeous!
Sorry for your favourite show is going to off because of the lack of funds.so unfair. I hope your desire will lead you to something better because this is how universe respond to us.
Happy new year to you my friend full of love health peace and happiness
Yes for sure. Some days we gotta walk away from the news. I love the Christmas Trees. Those looked great in the painting. Fun stuff.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year
ReplyDeleteBrown here as well..in the 50's for the Holidays..Freezing now at night..40's in the day time..No snow yet..maybe this weekend..
ReplyDeleteI'm not an eggnog lover..just wine for me , I guess..
I agree with you about the news..doesn't look like 2024 is going to be any better..especially in the USA..I keep saying "I'm glad I'm old."!!
Wishing for the best but not too hopefull...
Hi, Debra! I didn't realize that the last day of the year was 123123. But then I missed the winter solstice because I was buried in laundry, baking, taxes, and wrapping gifts. That was a first. I hope that you were able to see the full moon on the 26th. It was glorious! The paper your sister found was fabulous. I haven't been able to listen to news on my kitchen tv where I usually am working. I hate Roku tvs! But I'm glad in a way, because it is too depressing. Sorry about your show Tapestry. All the best to you in the new year!
ReplyDeleteHi Debra! You seem to have had a great festive season. Have a wonderful 2024!
ReplyDelete