~Christmas Past~

THE DINING ROOM

Angels we have heard on high

Sweetly singing o’er the plains

And the mountains in reply

Echoing their joyous strain

A French Carol~c.1862

DREAMY

"My idea of Christmas, whether old fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?" 

~Bob Hope

SOFT FOCUS IN BLUE

“I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men!”
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“Whatever else be lost among the years,

Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing:

Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,

Let us hold close one day, remembering

It’s poignant meaning for the hearts of men.

Let us get back our childlike faith again.”

~Grace Noll Crowell

"Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world of the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years. Underneath all the bulging bundles is this beating Christmas heart."

~George Matthew Adams

LINKING TO:

WOW US WEDNESDAY

The photos are from the original Back Porch Musings (2007~2010). I picked them up and edited them in PicMonkey, using frost and other winter options. I am in a soft focus mood today.

At the time these photos were taken during Christmas 2009, the dining room walls were Sherwin Williams Interesting Aqua. I still have the botanicals and will, hopefully, use them again one of these days.

Last Winter, we gave the Mikasa Christmas plates to our oldest granddaughter, who is engaged to be married in March 2013.