Life is beautiful, yes? Today is my #BeautifulSunday hosted by @ace108. You can read his post here and share in his beautiful Sunday also.
I know that I dabble too heavy into the ornaments and such, especially around Christmas, but, there is so much joy to be packed into such a short period of time. Don't you agree? So today, the final touches on my house and my neighbors as she wants me to help her decorate. Who am I to turn down touching more ornaments????
![15137524_10154708359708832_8018410755605526267_o.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmZEeuvrurd1bBvFGufFSdQaHfEYUTikg1uMBwMkuHf2Kd)
The subtle lighting adds to the ambiance, the warm, wrap-me-in-a-blanket-of-Christmas kind of feeling. The beauty of the day, the promise of fresh-baked gingerbread later in the day and music in the background, filling my soul. Come on! It is time for a good old-fashioned sing-along!
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYgCswWus2jPtobBw4PaKueVxfSe6M2CY5oiWNTqqYi6F/image.png)
![10873456_10152943475073832_6485659966090598252_o.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/Qmb7K74yfYuKwqFXE1YztEkS7v56GJX4SCphRWShktcFS9)
Cue the Music, Maestro! We need some Christmas music!
Rummaging through a box of Christmas, I spy the festive chandelier that goes in the room where most people will gather during the Holidays. It adds a festive touch to the room and just hanging it brings a smile to my lips. I put my jacket on and go out to the woods, bringing back a few branches of pine to decorate with. They have such a distinctive smell. As soon as you walk in, there is no mistaking that it is a pine.
![festive.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmVZSNuX7X8d7jfuLvAJoUfoDUk3dvMf9uSVTRRCuWtCne)
All that glitters is not gold. Sometimes it's just holiday bling. Yes. I took these and stuck them in random places in the Christmas Trees. Ahhh! Inhale the Spirit of Christmas! It is truly a wonderful day. Random and eclectic. Which is why I also love #SublimeSunday by @c0ff33a
All, that is gold, does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong, does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost.
J. R. R. Tolkien
![image.png](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmQynaRKtwng9rzekiexvi9qBoEYZ3cPX4FNikCHDobPqP)
Though few Americans still bother with it, the burning of the yule log was at one time one of the most firmly entrenched customs of Christmas. Everything to do with them Fireplace was fraught with ritual — certain formulas had to be followed very carefully lest disaster befall the household in the upcoming year.
It was unlucky to buy a yule log. Lucky ones were obtained from one's own land or from a neighbor's wood. Often a stump or a root (not necessarily a proper log at all), it was brought home on Christmas Eve and laid in the hearth.
The first step towards lighting the yule log was fetching the carefully-preserved scrap of the previous year's log from under the homeowner's bed. Having done its job of keeping the house safe from fire and lightning since the last festive season, it was now used to light the new log. The new log had to catch fire during the first attempt at lighting it; its failure to do so was a sign of misfortune coming to the family. Such an important duty had to be handled gravely. And clean hands only, please — to attempt to light the log with dirty hands would have been an unforgivable sign of disrespect.
Once lit, the log had to be kept burning for twelve hours. This was not always an easy task, as special caution was given against stirring the embers during the lengthy
Christmas Eve supper. The log could not be tended as long as any scrap of the dinner remained on the table, or while anyone was still eating.
As the log burned, people told ghost stories and tales of olden times whilst drinking cider. Shadows cast upon the wall were carefully scrutinized, for it was well known that a "headless" shadow foretold the death of the person casting it within the year.
Similar to the yule log was the Christmas candle. It too was lit on Christmas Eve, usually just at dusk. Care was taken to keep it burning at least as long as the hosts were still up (if not all night, depending on regional custom). Like the yule log, a proper Christmas candle could not be bought, so grocers made a practice of handing them out to customers. A bit of the burnt-down candle was also preserved from one year to the next as a lucky charm for the household.
A much more popular version of the yule log is available to modern society — the "buche de noel." Rolled, frosted in chocolate, and decorated to look like a yule log, this sponge cake is served as part of the Christmas Eve meal in France called reveillon, which takes place after midnight Mass. Source
There will be a "Peace Log" burning in this house this year. renegade that I am. Peace be with all.
![Yule Log.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmdcZBfHr2CXdGHfF5jDYHwgrdk44B3SaWHV2E26ECGWxx)
A flower. There must always be a flower, right? So be it!! A random #SundayPurple #ColorChallenge by @Kalemandra! Join me and hundreds of others as we post the color of the day! Just because we can.
![20170925_122641 (1).jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmcdHByZof9XwRdrbsYeoaqFE5UoVBP3omPPmij9LYPXiy)
Much as I dislike ending this post as I could keep posting about Christmas until next year, I hope you had a wonderful Sunday, sublimely so! A wonderful week to all!
![](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYgCswWus2jPtobBw4PaKueVxfSe6M2CY5oiWNTqqYi6F/image.png)
¸.♥´¸.•♥¨) Let the sun shine in on your life
So the joy may touch your soul
(¸.•´♥ (¸.•´ ♥
![image.png](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmeMceua4sDjniFbyD9YVuRu6HqyYpq4Gd7D2CjtuzHHyc)
#Steemusa is a growing community of quality-content people from the United States or those living here. Check us out on Discord!
#TheAlliance is an awesome way to grow and discover some quality content. Check us out! Find us on Discord!
Don't ever forget what a wonderful world we live in, people. Let's hold hands around the globe and make this earth really spin. Some days, it is not as easy to see, so we must try harder to give everyone the proper focus.
Wow, I never have read anything about the history of yule logs! Did anyone in your family, grandparents, great-grandparents have this tradition? Please keep posting about Christmas - we could all yes the cheeriness of it and yes I want to burn a "peace log" in our fireplace this year! And while I'm at it a "hope log", "joy log" and last but not least a "love log". We could all use more hope, peace, joy and love in every home and work place!!
I was so glad to see you got to post in discord. I didn't hear from you last night so, I was sure I would see something today! And I was glad to see the 12 days of Christmas Post! Anybody interested, check it out here I read and need to go back and comment!
There are several in my family that do the yule log tradition and I am so glad you are enjoying the Christmas posts. I know some get tired of them, but, for the most part, it is such a wonderful time of the year! Yes!!! Hope, Joy and Love!!!
Absolutely!
!tip
🎁 Hi @violetmed! You have received 0.1 STEEM tip from @dswigle!
@dswigle wrote lately about: Mountain Monday Goes Monochrome Feel free to follow @dswigle if you like it :)
Sending tips with @tipU - how to guide :)
Thank you for being here for me, so I can be here for you.
Enjoy your day and stay creative!
Botty loves you. <3
Thank you, Botty!
Thank you so much @pixresteemer!
!tip
🎁 Hi @pixresteemer! You have received 0.1 STEEM tip from @dswigle!
@dswigle wrote lately about: Beautiful Sunday, Sublime With A Touch Of Color And Christmas Feel free to follow @dswigle if you like it :)
Sending tips with @tipU - how to guide :)
I just love glitter and sparkly things, so fun!
Aren't they the absolute best!! :) Thank you and I hope you have a most wonderful Monday!!
!tip
🎁 Hi @sunscape! You have received 0.1 STEEM tip from @dswigle!
@dswigle wrote lately about: Beautiful Sunday, Sublime With A Touch Of Color And Christmas Feel free to follow @dswigle if you like it :)
Sending tips with @tipU - how to guide :)
Your photography brings Christmas to life, I love the many and varied photos you have of such wonderful decorations. The video is perfect for Christmas and your verse....just so inspiring I already feel filled with the Christmas Spirit after enjoying this.
#thealliance #witness
Thank you, my dear @c0ff33a ! Honestly, you have so many posts to respond to, it is a wonder that you aren't totally burnout on both ends!
Thank you. I love making the sunday post, it is fun to put something so eclectic down and make it a post! It feels sinful! :)
Thank you!
!tip
🎁 Hi @c0ff33a! You have received 0.1 STEEM tip from @dswigle!
Check out @dswigle blog here and follow if you like the content :)
Sending tips with @tipU - how to guide :)
I can see you're a real traditionalist when it comes to Christmas @dswigle and I hope the world continues to be blessed by people who love, and know how to decorate their homes with charm and style, as you do. It is very difficult for us to celebrate Christmas the way our friends do on the other side of the world, with the aid of snow covered pine trees, and migrating around the fireplace to keep warm, singing and enjoying the company of family and loved ones and sipping egg nog.
And I learned a lot about the tradition of the Yule log after reading your blog. Fascinating stuff!. I'm sure I'd love to sample some of that "buche de noel." Sounds delicious.
The only fires that get lit at Christmas time here, are BBQ's so we can cook whatever takes our fancy for luch or dinner, between a swim at the beach or in backyard pools to stay cool. And instead of gathering around a cosy fire for entertainment it is traditional for families to play cricket with lots of variations in between.
However, the reason for the season is celebrated by Christians, being thankful for the birth and life of Jesus........the greatest gift of all, to mankind. I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful Christmas Denise.
I have actually lived several times in places where Christmas was in excess of 90 degrees. Although I still went ahead and decorated oh, it didn't have the same feeling as having a bit of a chill and the wind whipping my cheeks. I guess that makes me a bit strange wishing for the cold stuff but that's the way I grew up in New England. Christmas meant snow and hot chocolate, frosted windows and a little bit of ice on the side. I always thought it was me and because it was me and the way I was raised, I actually had no idea that people with opposite seasons may feel the same way. But, even you have to admit that it feels weird to have summer when you are having winter and vice versa. But, as you say, as long as I keep the reason for the season close to my heart oh, it's all good. Have a blessed day my friend.
Family traditions are so important and it is always sad to see them disappear for whatever reason Denise. We all need constants in our lives. Just coming from New Zealand to Australia to live, challenged us with noticeable seasonal differences and the two countries are separated only by a 3 hour plane trip. In N.Z, winter is our rainy season but here in Australia, summer is the rainy season with lots of cyclones to deal with too. It just pays to be flexible I suppose, especially when it is our own choice to make such big changes in our lives. (:.
Oh sure, I get that! Even though a little changes are pretty noticeable. When I was growing up Florida it was only a two hour plane ride and when we were having winter and a foot of snow oh, you could hop a plane and 2 hours later be in your bikini on the beach. It always seemed like magic to me! Fast forward a few hundred years and it still seems like magic to me. LOL
Some creative and awesome decorations for Christmas and with the music, i know flower is your most priority, its beautiful purple color.
Posted using Partiko Android
Thank you so much! At this time of year, I really like the ornaments better than the flowers! :)
!tip
ha.. someone's reflection can be see in the first picture.
You are too sharp!! It's me! Hi, A e! @ace108. 🌲
Beautiful combo of sublime sunday and the christmas around interesting to check this out :)
Thank you! A bit eclectic, yes! Happy Monday!
Beautiful moment of life @dswigle
Thank you, Sam! @mcsamm Life is beautiful. 🌲Thank you!
Happy Monochrome Monday!
!tip
🎁 Hi @mcsamm! You have received 0.1 STEEM tip from @dswigle!
@dswigle wrote lately about: Beautiful Sunday, Sublime With A Touch Of Color And Christmas Feel free to follow @dswigle if you like it :)
Sending tips with @tipU - how to guide :)