Fun
31. Capturing December – Fun
“May your coming year
be filled
with magic
and dreams
and good madness.
I hope you read some fine books
and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful
and don’t forget to make some art – –
write or draw
or build or sing
or live only as you can.
And I hope,
somewhere in the New Year you surprise yourself..”
– – Neil Gaiman
and most of all – have fun in 2019! Happy New Year!
Winter Wonderland
30. Capturing December – Your Winter Wonderland
While our family and friends in upstate New York were snuggled inside their cozy homes staying warm from the 30 degree temperatures, we headed out to the Sarasota Polo grounds in balmy breezes, sunny skies and a whopping 84 degrees! This is our winter wonderland!
Sky View
29. Capturing December – Sky View
This was our view from the thirteenth floor (I know!) of our hotel room at a recent stay at The Willard Intercontinental in DC. Notice the holiday decor below in the courtyard?
28. Capturing December – Words
Hope you remembered to not…
Night Time
27. Capturing December – Night Time
I could have selected a better photograph for this theme but if you look closely, you’ll see the people look fake and the street looks staged. I just love what was captured.
Grateful
26. Capturing December – Grateful
This photo of my twin sister and my mother walking along a charming cobblestone street in historic Georgetown depicts my gratefulness. I went to DC for an award ceremony and my employer offered to pay for my mother and my sister to join me at the national event. Again, grateful.
We stayed at the gorgeous Willard Intercontinental Hotel located between The White House and The National Press Club. The hotel had Christmas carolers entertaining us in the early evening, a large, beautifully decorated Christmas tree for numerous photo opportunities, festive cocktails, delicious room service, and a sold out, very classy holiday afternoon tea in the grandeur of Peacock Alley as a harpist served soft sounds as sophisticated guests sipped their tea and toasted their champagne flutes.
Hoping this turns into a new annual family tradition.
Morning
25. Capturing December – Morning
My Dad and I were discussing this song during our family Christmas Eve dinner after we sang it at church. I needed to refresh my memory on what “Gloria in excelsis Deo” meant specifically. It is a Christian hymn, also known as the Greater Doxology and the Angelic Hymn/Hymn of the Angels. Gloria in Excelsis Deo is defined as “Glory in the highest to God,” and in the English version, “Glory be to God on high.”
As I was driving over to my sister’s Christmas morning, this song was the first one to play in my vehicle. It put a smile on my face!
The song “Angels We Have Heard on High” is a Christmas carol with the lyrics written by James Chadwick, Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, to the music from a French song called Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes. The music is the same as the original song, though Chadwick’s lyrics albeit unique and original are clearly derived and inspired, and in parts a loose translation. The song’s subject is the birth of Jesus Christ narrated in the Gospel of Luke, specifically the scene in which shepherds outside Bethlehem encounter a multitude of angels singing and praising the newborn child.
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be?
Which inspire your heavenly songs?
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
See Him in a manger laid,
Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Saviour’s birth.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Favorite Part of Christmas Eve
24. Capturing December – Favorite Part of Christmas Eve
Attending candlelight church service with my family is by far my favorite part of Christmas Eve. It really feels like the world is one as we light our candles one by one with the help of each other. We sing together and pray for others hoping our light shines for those who need it most.
Scarf
23. Capturing December – Scarf
Do yourself a favor and read this charming article on the need for a rather large scarf for a certain snowman named Franklin. Love my fellow upstate New Yorkers!!
Wanted: 18-foot snowman seeking 20-foot scarf
Tradition
22. Capturing Christmas – Tradition
Annually, our family attends candlelight service followed by dinner out on Christmas eve.
