Monday, December 21, 2015

Winter Solstice


 And the countdown begins! First I want to wish everyone in the Northern hemisphere a happy Winter Solstice. It officially arrives at 11:48 PM Eastern Time. I am happy for it because as it is the shortest day of the year it also means that from here on in (despite it being the winter season) the days will get longer and the nights shorter in preparation for the Spring Equinox!


 The poem reads: 'Winter is awakening, the solstice sun is rising, the heart of nature dreaming, poems of Earth now sleeping. The seasons are weaving the journeys of creation, the seeds are quickening in Mother's sacred wing.' I found the poem on Google images and thought it was so beautiful. The images I used are from ARTchix Studio.

 Saturday my friend LuAnn and I exchanged Christmas gifts then went into town to have lunch and check out the Christmas market and local shops. I bet my T Stands for Tuesday gang can guess where we dined:):)


 Of course we had our personal favorites along with a pot of decafe currant tea. It was delicious and most welcoming as it so far was the coldest day this season with blustery winds that just went right through you-ugh! It certainly did not stop the throngs of people about! Sorry to say I have no pics. Besides being crowded it was TOO cold for me to take the time to take any photos!



  Wishing everyone a joyous holiday however you may celebrate!! In my next post I will share the gorgeous cards, tags and ornaments I received from blogging friends.

  I noticed some bloggers questioning the popularity or lack thereof of having a blog, and whether or not it's worth all the effort one puts in to it. Of course it is a personal preference but personally, my life has become SO enriched because of all of you in blogland and I wouldn't want to give that up for any other social platform!

 And many thanks to all the awesome hostesses out there for your dedication to art and a variety of other challenges/ link ups!!

 Linking this post to Art Journal Journey (theme is collage); Mix It Monthly (theme is what wings are for-use feathers if you can); Moo Mania and More (theme is Christmas); the Simon Monday Challenge (theme is winter wonderland); T Stands For Tuesday; and Paint Party Friday.

 " Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour."      John Boswell




43 comments:

  1. Lovely quote and your Solstice collage is wonderful too dear Linda.
    Nice that you and your friend could enjoy some festive time together. Warmer weather should be returning real soon. Our forecast here in VA calls for 75 on Wednesday! Not what we are used to that's for sure.
    Blogging really is a special place to pause and enjoy everyone's creativity and sharing. I too appreciate so many friends that take the time to continue posting.
    Happy T Day
    Wishing you and yours a Joyeux Noël oxoxo

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  2. I think if I stopped blogging I would miss everyone I have met out there in blogland. Your winter solstice collage is beautiful. I know, it is hard to believe winter has arrived. Didn't it just end? Wishing you a wonderful holiday!

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  3. I adore the Winter Solstice journal page you made. I completely forgot about it until I saw it on Valerie's blog yesterday. Sometimes we get wrapped up in things and forget what time (or day) it is.

    Your card is really lovely, too. Like you, I will never give up my blog. I've met too many wonderful friends to ever lose that connection. I'm so glad we "met," and feel an importance to that connection.

    I love the sandwich and tea you shared with us. Now you've made me hungry. Thanks for sharing it and your art with us for T this week. In case I don't visit before then, please have a very merry (and safe) Christmas.

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  4. Hi Linda, lovely post today. First of all, thanks for the beautiful card and tag that arrived in my letterbox yesterday, they are so beautiful, what a wonderful surprise. Blogging has enriched my life too, and brought me into contact with so many wonderful people, it is not a waste of time. Glad you had a nice outing, and your meal looks great. Thanks, too, for joining us at at Art Journal Journey and Moo Mania and more with your beautiful art works, I especially love the winter solstice page, as it is always a special day for me. Happy T Day, Happy Christmas, hugs, Valerie

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  5. A really lovely post and stunning artwork

    Love Chrissie xx

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  6. Thanks for stopping by Linda. Seasons Greetings to you!

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  7. Oh Linda this is such a beautiful page! Adorable! You had a lovely meal with your friend, we had lunch with our friends yesterday as well- but I always forget to take photos - shame on me. You are so right about blogging - it's so much better (at least for me)than all the other social media platforms. I wish you a happy T- Day and a Very Merry Christmas and want to say thank you for all your support for Art Journal Journey and Moo Mania & More during this year!
    hugs
    Susi

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  8. I'm in agreement on celebrating longer days...:) wishing you a happy festive holiday.

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  9. i totally love the icey mood of the blue/White Collage elements in your Journal. and i second your thoughts about Blogging: it is totally different to the other social media and for me it is one part contact to like minded artists and one part artistic diary, so i can see what i made over the year(s). i hope Blogging will survive, though the comments obviously are less than two or three years ago. i really would regret if it would die.

    linda, i wish a very peaceful Christmas time to you and yours... my (grown up) Boys are coming home today and i will enjoy having them around the next days.
    xox, johanna

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  10. Just now I got your wonderful Christmas mail dear Linda!
    Awesome! Thank you very much Sweetie!
    Sending all good wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year!
    oxo
    Susi

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  11. Blogging is different from other social media platforms, and I've enjoyed it even when nobody visited my blog. As I blog primarily to document places I go/movies I see/books I read, I'm not surprised that comments there are skimpy. But how I've enjoyed visiting other people's blogs and learning so many new things! :) I appreciate folks like you who are willing to share. Thx!

    Happy T Tuesday

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  12. Beautiful Winter solstice piece you made. I totally agree with you about getting out of blogging what you put in. I notice when I neglect my blog and visiting others I get into a slump.

    Happy T day and Merry Christmas!

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  13. A beautiful contribution for this joyful day. I love that the days are getting longer from now on. Like you I love blogging and soecialky the interaction with other bloggers and look forward to sharing ours again in 2016. Wishing you a very Happy Holiday.

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  14. A Merry Xmas to you and your family ~ love your creations ~ the tree with the vintage stamp is adorable ~

    Wishing you the magic and love of the season,
    artmusedog and carol

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  15. Merry Christmas my friend, thanks for the comment and the visit earlier.

    LOVE the winter solstice art, and the poem is spot on.

    If I didn't blog I would have nobody to share art with and friends that understand the "why" of what we do. I know there are a lot of blogs shutting down and going to Facebook..........so sad. Yes, I am on FB but only for my family......and to keep in contact with a few "groups" I do belong to........but I'm not really crazy about FB......too public and too much trash on it. (in MHO)LOL

    Your lunch with your friend sounded like fun, even braving the cold to do so.....the food looks amazingly good.

    I hope you do try the energy bites, they are a really great snack.

    Must move on to other blogs *grin* Merry Christmas!!

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  16. Like you, I feel that blogging has given me so much, lovely people and interesting new perspectives. On this, the darkest day of the year, it is a wonderful idea to make such a beautiful collage. Merry Christmas and Happy T-Day, too!

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  17. A very Merry Christmas to you my friend!! xoxoxo

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  18. Yesss! The days are getting longer! Luckily it hasn't been very cold, but today I am in Holland and it is usually colder. But it is quite mild and my mum' s house is very warm.
    I bet you had a great time with your friend. The meal looks really nice. You get potato crisps with your meal?
    Thank you for visiting earlier,
    And have a lovely Christmas time,
    Lisca

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  19. I really liked the poem and your artwork today--even more so when you reminded me that the days now start to get longer. Winter has not really started here and they are predicting 70 degrees for Christmas Day!

    Like you, I also cherish the connections and friends I have made through blogging. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

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  20. I really love your "Solistic-Piece" with its winterly colors. Love snow when the sun is out and your work is so sparkling and full of love or nature, quite to my taste :) Have a wonderful Christmastime with your loved ones! ♥ Conny http://mix-it-monthly.blogspot.de

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  21. I love your Winter Solace page! Roll on the lighter nights! I know a lot of folk have moved to Facebook but from what I understand it is not as lasting as blogging and I do know of broken friendships of face bookers.Friends I have made through my blog are valued and can't imagine not blogging now! Have a lovely Christmas! Chrisx

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  22. I didn't know that today was the first day of Winter. Linda, I'm so thankful to have found you, the entire Tea for Tuesday gang and many others through blogland.This is such a wonderful community where we can grow and share so much.
    Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones
    Hugs
    Susan

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  23. I totally agree with you about blogging. Blogging started out as my way to communicate with family and friends who all live elsewhere (except for my son and his family)--and it still is that. But I have met wonderful, kind, supportive, funny, sweet people. They have been the unexpected gifts and mean a lot to me. Blogging is totally different than facebook to me...or can be. More personal and intimate somehow. I can't imagine quitting my blog. Blogland has been a delightful addition to my life. :)

    Lovely artwork and a yummy lunch. Sweet! Happy T-Day and Merry Christmas! :)

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  24. Love your artwork! It is soooo magical! :) Wish you a wonderful Yule and an amazing 2016!! <3

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  25. Beautiful work Linda ♥ Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas and now I"m off to get those last minute things done :)

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  26. Hi Linda

    Love the poem and I'm with you .... glad for the shortest day... and the lengthening daylight hours ... even if it is still winter.

    Your lunch looks great :)

    I've been in a blogging slump recently, questioning why I do it... is it worth the time etc. I have decided it is! I've missed my blogging friends.... it was good to see what you wrote and read your 'comments' ...

    I hope you and your family have a really lovely Christmas.... thank you for visiting

    Love Karen x

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  27. Merry Christmas my friend!Much Love!

    Karla

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  28. Hello Linda on this special day.
    Your Solstice page is lovely and wintery, our winter here is very mild, it would be nice to get some snowflakes.
    I totally agree with you about blogging, it can be very sociable and I have met bloggers from all over the world, and I have even met a few in the Real World too, which was extremely pleasant.
    Hope you are having a great Christmas Day.

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  29. Gorgeous art work Linda and a lovely lunch :)

    Happy PPF and warm holiday wishes!

    Love and hugs
    Maarit

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  30. Super projects. Happy PPF and merry Xmas. Yes, blogging...think the quick like thing on Facebook and Instagram has made things quicker for people to respond to people's work.

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  31. What beautiful images and such a delightful post!

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  32. Wishing you a lovely holiday and thanking for sharing your art and your sweet comments on my posts! Looking forward to more art blogging and you cards are beautiful! Happy soon to be New Year!!

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  33. Merry Christmas Linda! Blogging enriches my life, nice post today!

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  34. Finally, we're heading towards light again!!!

    Happy holidays!

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  35. The poem is by Victoria Pettella, who is also a great photographer.
    Love way you've used it. Happy 2016!

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  36. Lovely work and painting Linda! We got snow here today! :)
    Wishing you a Happy New Year with a lots of lovely artworks! :)

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  37. Such a gorgeous poem and the art you used with it to express its beauty is just brilliant and lovely. I wish you warmth and joy this hoilday! Cheers!

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  38. I totally forgot this was the shortest day of the year. Thanks God days are getting longer as I really can't stand this totally dark and grey days. Best wishes to you in a New year!

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  39. Beautiful creations and a wonderful poem. I totally agree with you on blogging. There's a connection with other people that I don't find on other social media. Hope your Christmas was wonderful, and wishing you lots of happiness, good health and creativity in 2016! hugs ♥

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  40. Love your pretty Winter Solstice page! I enjoy blogging and love to look back and remember what I've done and read the sweet comments!

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  41. What a wonderful poem and beautiful image! I hope you had an excellent solstice!

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  42. I love your project...it is magical! Thank you so much for playing along with us over at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog this week :)

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Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!