Holiday Rooftop Revolving Lounge Decorated here 4 U from Now to New Years Day

@jeanne-mayell Thank you for getting this rolling Jeanne!  I am technically slow.

Have struggled to stay positive this year.  After nearly 3 years of Covid, no travel, relentless political BS and the death of my closest friend … I’d thrown in the towel on Christmas Spirit.  And then ….

I was picking up dinner for a gathering and passed a woman with a walker seated on a bench.  As I passed her she gave the most radiant smile and hello.  It was clear she was homeless, but she had the warmth of an angel.  Walking back to the car I kept getting a strong message "give her your dinner".  So I turned around and asked her if she had eaten today and then honored the message.  I know there was an etheric touch to the experience, but that woman’s smile helped me find Christmas spirit this year and was a reminder of what a simple act of kindness can create.  

@jeanne-mayell Oh, it will be nice to visit the holiday rooftop revolving lounge during the celebration season.  Thanks for decorating!  Last night I went to a winter solstice celebration here on the island.  We met outside around a beautiful wooden sculpture of women and children dancing around a fire and my sculptress friend even added a fire in a metal vessel on top the sculpture.  It was a great celebration starting with recognition for the Native American tribes who inhabited this space: the Nisqually and the Puyallup.  Then we recognized all the cultures and religions of the earth who celebrated the winter solstice.  We recognized our ancestors and especially the ancient ones who celebrated the solstice in similar fashion.  We sang and danced, threw our losses into the fire and made our best magick for a better new year, full of unity among all peoples and love for our earth.  

It was a cold night and even though we were outside, everyone wore a mask.  I was reminded of my grandson who told me a few weeks ago that when I wear a mask, I need to smile with my eyes.  My eyes are smiling at everyone here in our forum community.  May this season be a season of joy in the midst of darkness.  Better days are coming.  The light is coming.

Wow @jeanne-mayell - I have never seen so much tinsel in one place.  You've gone all out, and I especially appreciate the chocolate fountain in the center of the room.  I do question the stuffed Krampus in the corner but who am I to pooh pooh anyone's traditions!

I have gained 20 pounds since our COVID quarantine in October and I've decided to embrace it in the short term (2022 is only a week and a half away) and just realistically used all the holiday bargain pricing to buy two more pairs of elastic waistband pants with drawstrings.  I'm calling them my paternity pants and I'm happily not beating myself up for this weight gain because thanks to Keto it'll be gone again by March.  In the meantime my wife and I are dropping the kids off at Grandmas for an overnight tonight and we're going to get chinese food and binge some Desperate Housewives while wrapping presents.

Happy days to all!

My mentor sent me this via e-mail a few minutes ago and I celebrate it with you all:

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS 

1. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly, it's rare. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas! 

2. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello? 

3. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again. 

4. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert, Labor Day? 

5. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat. 

6. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission. 

7. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog. 

8. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls. 

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards. 

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by: 

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body.  Better to skid in sideways, chocolate and wine in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming " WOO HOO what a ride!" 

And MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

@jeanne-mayell Well the lights are sparkling! I especially love those old timey bubble lights up there around the top of the tree.

Yesterday, at dawn on the Solstice, I was thrilled to be visited by a pair of coyotes trotting behind our house, with a nearly grown pup hurrying behind. They did not break stride at our (astonished) dog behind his dog fence and were beautifully silhouetted in front of a misty setting Moon still high in the NW sky. Can you see it in your mind's eye?  I hear them howling in the big woods near our home and have been hoping for a sighting.

So I offer you Coyote's Trickster Magick - the humor of the ages, the light of cheer, and the joy of laughter.

@marigold Oh, I see that moon and those pups, parents and child. And the old fashioned bubble lights. I don't know if you meant what I'm seeing hanging up here, but we used to have one. It was red and when you plugged it in, it started bubbling. It was old fashioned even in the 60's. 

@dannyboy, yes, it is a little tinsel town up here and there's a little train set going all around a little village. There's a mayor (female) serving her fresh baked cookies, some carolers, some protestors carrying signs (not sure what they are protesting at this moment but maybe someone here will know). And I'm making eggnog.

@jeanne-mayell The blue stocking with my name on it that appears to be filled with peanut m&ms was a really kind gesture and very homey feeling touch!  

@dannyboy omg, peanut m&m's a.k.a., Reeces Pieces, are my favorite. Oh wait.  You meant peanut M&M's. That's okay. I get it. You haven't tried peanut-BUTTER M&M's. 

@jeanne-mayell I ... uhhhh... have tried them.  I'll keep the peanut M&Ms, but now I know what to fill your stocking with :-) 

HI Everyone! I haven't been posting much lately but just wanted to pop in and wish everyone a very happy holiday, and wishes for a very Healthy and Happy New Year!

Love and blessings to you all!

??❄?? ❤️ ? 

@dannyboy, @jeanne-mayell, I have now found the culprits. About half an hour ago or so, I was in the store, and I just could not walk past the peanut M&Ms. They went in my cart, in my bag, and then in my mouth before my car pulled out of the parking spot. And I have been semi-good eating wise recently. Ok, Santa's watching, I haven't been very good at all. 

Thanks for the new lovely lounge. I have a very quiet holiday planned-just me and the dogs this year. Not sure if that means a day of holiday movies and what I choose to cook for myself yet or not. We're supposed to get near 70 over the weekend, so I may find something outside to do. Time will tell. 

Merry Christmas everyone!

This thread is a wonderful idea.

I hope you don't mind but I have put a gold themed Santa doll next to the fire place (although not too close) and I've brought some presents for everyone in gold themed boxes with gold ribbons (yes, I really like gold lol), hopefully we have enough room under the tree!

I am sorry I've been a bit negative lately, but I am so grateful for this community and how they help pick me up and keep the faith time after time. Thank you all. ❤️ 

Merry Christmas to everyone. Enjoy the day.

Unlike over there if we have 40degrees it’s Celsius. Hot turkey dinners are being bypassed for a big seafood platter and salads. Prawns at everyone’s table with Pavlova with mango and strawberries and passion fruit beside the Xmas pudding and if you are near a beach an early morning swim. 

Regards to all

PS that is why we have Yulefest in July, so we can enjoy a hot Xmas dinner when it is cold outside.

regards to all

@jeanne-mayell @theungamer, thanks for setting up this special holiday rooftop gathering under the stars.  I love hearing from all of you and your holiday plans and traditions.   

Hubby and I will be having a quiet Christmas at home.  Just the two of us.  I will cook, hubby will eat and do the dishes.  We’ll probably watch some old classic holiday movies:  Miracle on 34^th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Bishop’s Wife, The Man Who Came to Dinner, The Shop Around the Corner, Scrooge, We’re No Angels, Holiday Affair, Christmas in Connecticut … I could watch those flicks a thousand times, and still not tire of them.

I love sending holiday cards to family and friends.  It’s another way of saying hello, what’s new, I’ve been thinking about you, wishing you a wonderful new year.  When I was still working I was the designated card shopper for special occasions – birthdays, retirements, showers -- it didn’t matter the occasion, I loved picking out just the right one.  It brings me joy. 

Been busy making cookies for relatives, friends and neighbors – just finished a batch of Mexican Wedding cookies and sugar cookies, while watching some cheesy Hallmark holiday movie.  This year I’ve decided to share my baked goods with some neighbor families we don’t know, other than the casual hello.  One of those neighbors elaborately decorated the outside of their home (including the roof) with a Grinch theme.  The Grinches light up at night, and the neighbors even have the Grinch movie running from one of their windows!   Is that Christmas spirit, or what?   It’s been a rough year, and until I saw their house, I was feeling rather grinch-like myself.  Seeing their kooky display immediately uplifted me.  So for that, they get a big thank-you batch of cookies! 

@jeanne-mayell, I still have a set of those bubble lights!  So here is my contribution to this rooftop holiday shindig:  I’ll string up those bubbly lights for all to share, and I’ll share a big batch of my sugar cookies, sprinkled with M&M’s – or is M&M’s with peanuts or peanut butter? -- with all of you!

I wish you a peaceful, light-filled holiday and many blessings in the new year.  So grateful to be walking this path with all of you.

Posted by: @dannyboy

  I do question the stuffed Krampus in the corner but who am I to pooh pooh anyone's traditions!

Perhaps a Catalan Christmas Cagener would be more "pooh pooh" appropriate? (Thanks, NPR radio, for enlightening me about this charming Barcelona holiday symbol just a few minutes ago.  ? ? )

Posted by: @matildagirl

Merry Christmas to everyone. Enjoy the day.

Unlike over there if we have 40degrees it’s Celsius. Hot turkey dinners are being bypassed for a big seafood platter and salads. Prawns at everyone’s table with Pavlova with mango and strawberries and passion fruit beside the Xmas pudding and if you are near a beach an early morning swim. 

Regards to all

Reminds me of Christmas 2012 at my sister's in New Zealand.  There was Pavlova.  And lots of wine. 

What a warm and inviting gathering place Jeanne!  And you brought your famous homemade iced sugar cookies, the internet sensation that they are, I can't wait to finally try them, thank you.  I will rejoin all of you for the festivities in a moment, but first I am taking a moment in the quiet library room I just discovered to gaze out the big window which overlooks the forested valley.  The air is crisp and the night clear with about six inches of glistening snow on the ground.  The snowfall may have stopped a few hours ago but the trees look as if they have just been dusted with powder sugar.  If I close my eyes, I can hear the sleigh bells jingling from a horse in the distance.  

@Jeanne-Mayell, except for some clean up work which needs to be attended to, the elf workshop has closed for the season.  Approximately 65 people (13 families) now have received stockings filled with candy, gift boxes filled with new clothes, toys, games, blankets, towels, cleaning supplies, toiletries, school supplies and sheets.  Each family also has food for a beautiful Holiday meal and some extra food to help them ring in a joyous New Year.  

As an official elf, I am blessed to help round up a bunch of fellow elves and coordinate the workshop activities.  It is quite busy from October through the 3rd week of December, but it is an honor to be allowed to help create a joyful and happy Christmas for others, especially for children who deserve to feel loved and cared for.  I keep thinking: "I am so lucky, I get to do this!!!"

So, yes, it has been busy and I do love this moment of peaceful stillness in front of this beautiful display from Mother Nature.  It is truly Peace On Earth. Will be catching up with everyone back on the Holiday rooftop in a moment.  

May the spirit of giving be with you all.  May we all fell well loved and cared for this winter holiday time and all year long.  May 2022 be filled with joy, love, good health and peace.

P.S. @Dannyboy. I LOVE your Holiday Eating Tips message.  It is a keeper for sure.

Adding this link.  

It is the the view I am gazing at and describes how my spirit feels.  Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3SEeZURsgk

@dannyboy 

Your posts always make me laugh. I'm all in on the chocolate fountain.

Besides my online tutoring, mostly in reading, ( I am a Reading Specialist) I teach Art after school. Yesterday my Tuesday group of littles showed up in pajamas after their pajama day/school singalong assembly had happened for the day. As they worked on their artwork a little boy in the back began singing the Dreidel Song. A few more boys joined in. Soon a group of girls were singing a Kwanzaa song. Spontaneous groups began singing other Christmas songs, all at the same time It was like  watching a display of lights begin to blink in different places. Next thing I knew the entire group had somehow spontaneously coordinated and were singing all together, loudly, and with great gusto, Feliz Navidad. It was beautiful and it made me laugh. How great it was to hear the joy and feel the lights all lit up together. Music connects us in a way that nothing else can. 

I am adding one of my angel artworks to the decorations, Also a couple of dreidels from my collection. I give you the pink wooden one with painted flower letters bought for my baby girl as a hope and prayer for her. I give you the blue one she made as a little girl with a kit and her proudly placed upside down stickers. I also give you the Winnie Pooh stickers she put on that dreidel, in all directions and over corners, so crooked but so perfect, like her.  I give you the reindeer drawings of my students and I give you the singing of children, when everyone sings just for the love of singing, no matter how they sound. 

Now where's the chocolate fountain and an oversized snifter at?