"Some Thoughts About Christmas Past, and the New Year"

 

I have some thoughts about this past Christmas, as well as about the new year.

In my last "The Art of Positive Living" blog post on Sunday, December 3, 2023, I discussed the spirit of Christmas. I mentioned several things that the spirit of Christmas could be, but there's another important one that I should have mentioned, but didn't, and that was-

music!

Around the first of December, I was really busy painting portraits and making coal jewelry, as well as doing the usual pre-Christmas activities, so much so that I just didn't have that spirit-of-Christmas feeling, until I was shopping in one store where I heard a beautiful song over the store's sound system, with the words, "That's Christmas to me." I researched those words, and I found out that the song was sung by a group that was new to me, Pentatonix. I also discovered that besides Christmas songs, they sing other types of songs, as well. So now, I'm a yearlong fan!

So, music is another great way to get yourself into the spirit of Christmas.

Thankfully, most of us have a relatively merry Christmas with family and/or friends, with Christmas cards, holiday gatherings, and various other holiday activities, but for some, the Christmas/New Year's holidays are not so happy, especially if a loved one has passed away during that time. In that case, Dr. Laura Koniver has the answer for depression, sorrow, and anxiety, etc., for then, as well as for any time of the year. (See www.intuition-physician.com for more information.)

For 2024, I started thinking about a quote that I really like, "Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" (Dr. Seuss) The truth is that we are all unique individuals, and we should just try to be ourselves, to be who God created us to be, instead of trying to be like everyone else.

For example, just because everyone else is wearing black tights, doesn't mean that is necessarily right for us. Instead, dress however you like; wear whatever suits you; don't try to be a carbon copy of everyone else.

Also, don't go along with the crowd on even more important matters. We need to decide if the path we're taking is the right one. 

I'm still working on several New Year's resolutions. I'm devoting one week for each one. For example, Greg and I tend to be workaholics, and we need to get more sleep, so we worked on a plan to get in bed 15 minutes earlier each night until we reach our target time. Another week, we're working to incorporate more fun into our lives. We've made out a fun-list of things to do and places to go, to just have fun! Sounds like a plan!

What positive changes would you like to see in your life?

~Cute pet feature-

This doggie (above) is all ready to go-"2024, here I come!" (Are you ready to go, too?)

Positive thought: "What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?" -John Steinbeck

Thanks for visiting! Until Saturday, February 3, 2024, Becky

An Abingdon, Virginia Christmas

 Welcome!

Christmas is in the air! Evidence is all around us, the sights and sounds of Christmas-Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths, Christmas lights, images of Santa and his elves, familiar Christmas music wafting through the air. What a wonderful time of year!

And, Christmas is nowhere more evident than in the picturesque town of Abingdon which is nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

Recently, Greg and I visited Abingdon which is not too far from where we live. We love this quaint town so much that we refer to it as our adopted town.

What's not to love about it? 

The lovely old house above, which is tastefully decorated, even has a colorful Christmas tree on its balcony.

"The best Christmas trees come very close to exceeding nature."-Andy Rooney

 In another old house, the Greenway-Trigg Building, is The Gallery @ Barr Photographics.

We thought it would be a great place to visit, and it was!

We met one of the owners, Dean Barr, who welcomed us and told us all about his interesting shop.

Many talented artists display their work there. There are paintings, photographs, and handcrafted items like soap and jewelry, as well as many others.

FYI

The Gallery @ Barr Photographics

R. Dean & Valerie J. Barr

www.barrphotographics.com

After all of this looking around, we decided it was time for a snack, so we thought we'd try out a new place in town, The Girl & the Raven.

This coffee bar/cafe is in yet another old house which has been recently remodeled. It has been open for only three weeks.

 The interior looked festive with its beautifully decorated mantel.

A delicious cookie and coffee, anyone?

FYI

www.girlandtheraven.com

Wow! The Martha (The Martha Washington Inn & Spa) is all dressed up for Christmas, like never before!

"May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve."-Unknown

On weekends through December 20, vendors in tents on the grounds of The Martha will be selling crafts and kettle corn. This is a great place to find some nice Christmas gifts. As usual, but especially this year, we're supporting small business and buying locally.

FYI: www.themartha.com

Another great idea is supporting the world famous Barter Theatre which is outdoors at the Moonlite Drive-in during this "pandemic." Just got to see "A Christmas Carol," one of my favorites!

"Believe in the magic of Christmas."-Unknown

FYI: www.bartertheatre.com

We'll return to Abingdon soon to stop, shop, and dine some more since it's just a hop, skip, and a jump away! Hope to see you there!

May you have a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Positive thought: "May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace, the gladness of Christmas give you hope, and the warmth of Christmas grant you love."-Author Unknown

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, January 3, 2021, Becky

Christmas-It's the Most Wonderful (and Busiest!) Time of the Year

A friend recently emailed me to apologize that she had not responded to my email sooner, but that she'd been really busy. I told her not to worry, that nearly everyone this time of year was busier than usual.

That's why I'm late with this monthly blog post-busier than usual.

We have shopping to do-

This shop is in Fancy Gap, Virginia. (I'll have more about Fancy Gap in another blog post.)

There's decorating to do-

 inside...

and outside.

There are parties to attend.

There are also Christmas cards to send, gifts to wrap, and food to prepare.

And, personally, for Greg and me...

we've been working on our semi-fixer-upper old house.

And, I've had coal jewelry orders to fill.

But through all of the busyness of this wonderful time of year, I like to look at the positive aspects of Christmas-to count our many blessings, to connect with family and friends, to enjoy the pretty decorations, beautiful music, varied entertainment, and delicious food of the season...and to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

Our heartfelt wish for you...

And, a very happy New Year!

(Thanks to Betty and Mike for letting me take pictures of their beautiful house and yard.)

Positive thought: From Skyler at SmartStyle

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, January 5, 2020!, Becky

A Special Time of Year

Welcome!

The Christmas season is such a special time of year, and we all get busy with our Christmas-related activities.

This year was really busy for me since I got a large order for my genuine Appalachian Mountain coal jewelry and magnets just a few weeks ago. I was trying to quickly get it done so that the store that ordered it would have plenty of time to display it for their customers to buy for Christmas gifts.

Working with coal is pretty challenging, but I'm up to the challenge. I'm used to it.  A person said to me one time that art was easy, but obviously that person was not an artist!

Coal Magnet of the Inn at Wise

I love doing my art (coal, portraits, photography, writing, etc.).

In fact, I love all of the arts, including the theater.

A few days ago I was lucky to be invited by friends to "Chaffin's Barn Theatre" in Nashville.

Photo Taken by a Chaffin's Barn Staff Member

During Thursday matinees, you can bring your own food, so we were treated to Carole's wonderful gourmet dishes which even included apple cake!

We got to see a production that is very timely for this time of year, "Elf," which is a musical. It was really well-done-excellent acting, singing, and dancing. It was a very high-energy show, never a dull moment. (Before we went in, I was concerned that I might fall asleep since I'd been up late the night before working on my coal order, but there was no danger of that during this production!)

I'd never been before to Chaffin's, and I'm so thankful to have been invited.

The bottom line: Go, at least once! (However, bet you can't go just once!)

Photo Courtesy of Lynn Ashley

FYI:
chaffinsbarntheatre.com

I'm looking forward to more Christmas celebrating during the next few weeks, and I wish you happy celebrations ahead.

In fact,

(Outside Chaffin's Barn)

Positive thought: "For unto you is born this day in the city of  David a Savior which is Christ the Lord."-Luke 2:11

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, January 6, 2019, Becky

The Christmas Spirit Every Day

Welcome!

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."
-Charles Dickens

Remember how you felt last month during the Christmas season, all happy, friendly, and giving, wanting to be nice and to help you fellow man? You might have even felt buoyant, lighthearted. If you did feel this way, it's because you had the Christmas spirit.

Wouldn't you like to feel this way most or even all of the time?

I know how you might get that feeling back, or to get it in the first place if you never got it last year or ever.

It's easy. Just go to The Inn at Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee!

Greg and I were there a few days ago, and I still feel like I'm under its charming spell!

What's not to love about this place?

It's the number one hotel in Pigeon Forge according to "TripAdvisor."

It also got a "Certificate of Excellence" from "TripAdvisor."

It won the "Travelers Choice Awards" in 2011, 2012, and 2014.

It was also the winner, "Top 25 U.S. Hotels."

It's reasonably priced, as well!

Also, the people who work there seem to have the Christmas spirit, as they are personable  and helpful.

Take a look for yourself-

This is how it looked when we arrived at the back entrance. There were Christmas lights everywhere.

A large beautiful Christmas tree greets you in the lobby.

I almost felt like a child again, standing here with Santa and one of his reindeer.

There were manger scenes...

and snow scenes.

There was a small Christmas tree with deer atop the TV in our room with a lovely fireplace DVD that also had beautiful (what else?) Christmas music playing in the background.

The next morning, we enjoyed a large tasty breakfast buffet in the dining room to the sounds of Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers singing Christmas songs.

After breakfast, we made our way to the The Incredible Christmas Place across the street which is a really neat place to shop for all things Christmas.   

F.Y.I.

The Inn at Christmas Place

119 Christmas Tree Lane

Post Office Box 130

Pigeon Forge, TN 37868

www.innatchristmasplace.com

The Incredible Christmas Place

("Celebrating the spirit of Christmas every day of the year.")

www.christmasplace.com

We really enjoyed our trip to Pigeon Forge which, along with Sevierville, and Gatlinburg, celebrates Winterfest all winter long!

Positive thought: "Wouldn't life be worth living

                              Wouldn't dreams be coming true

                               If we kept the Christmas spirit

                              All the whole year through?"

                              -Author Unknown

Thanks for visiting! Until next Sunday, Becky, www.beckyarnottartist.com

Christmas in Tennessee

Welcome!

The Christmas season is busy for almost all of us. Sometimes working around everyone's schedule for family get-togethers is somewhat of a challenge, however, like it was for us this year, but with some planning, it can be done.

This year, we started our celebration early.

First of all, we went to Nick and Lisa's on my side of the family. We had a delicious meal, and then took keepsake family photos.

Since this was sort of a progressive-meal type of thing, we then went on to Betty's, next door, where we enjoyed dessert...

Greg, at the Dessert Table

and we opened Christmas gifts.

A few days later, we met several members of Greg's side of the family at the elegant Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee where we took more keepsake photos and had a gourmet dinner. Finally, we all went to the Nashville Ballet where we enjoyed "Nashville's Nutcracker" in which our talented little niece performed.

And, we have a couple of other Christmas events planned since there is so much to see and do this time of year.

"Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends."
-Margaret Thatcher

From our home to yours-

Positive thought: "May you have the spirit of Christmas which is peace, the gladness of Christmas which is hope, and the heart of Christmas which is love."-Ada V.Hendricks
Thanks for visiting! Until next time, Becky

Favorite Family Desserts, for Christmas and Other Occasions

Welcome!

Most of the year, Greg and I stick to a pretty healthy diet, but on special occasions such as Christmas Day, we indulge in desserts and other sweets.  It's just part of our tradition, as it is for most people around the holidays.

"Vegetables are a must on a diet.  I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie."
-Jim Davis

This year, we'll celebrate Christmas at my brother and sister-in-law's house.  So far, we've just been asked to bring dessert, so I've been trying to come up with something that would be easy to carry a long distance, and would also be easy to make.  (I love those five and six-ingredient cookbooks!   I'm always so busy, that those are usually all I have time to make, plus, I'm not a very patient person when it comes to cooking!)

One thing to fix that came to mind was the really delicious "Mississippi Mud Brownies" that Greg's cousin's wife, Peggy, had at a recent get-together.  I didn't get the recipe from her, but I looked for it online.  My favorite one that I found is using Duncan Hines brownie mix because it's faster than from scratch, and both Mama and I have always liked the quality of the Duncan Hines products.

Of course, I could take carrot cake for the Christmas meal, because another sister-in-law who really likes my carrot cake, requested that I bring it to another upcoming family gathering sometime in the winter next year.  It was a recipe that calls for cream cheese icing.  I got the recipe when I was a teenager from my Aunt Frances who was a home economics teacher.

"Seize the moment.  Remember all those women on the 'Titanic' who waved off the dessert cart."
-Erma Bombeck

My grandmother, Mema, (my father's mother) was a really good cook.  I most fondly remember her shortbread sugar cookies that she'd put in her cookie jar which was always overflowing with cookies, especially for us grandchildren.  I don't have her recipe for these, but I suspect that most of the recipe came for her creative imagination.  (She was a talented artist, as well.)  (My mother also credits her for teaching her how to cook.)

"Cookies are made of butter and love."
-Norwegian Proverb

A Real Treasure at Our House, Mema's Cookie Jar

A favorite dessert of our family, for any time of the year, is one of Mama's recipes that is featured in the "Tennessee Cook Book" which I mentioned on an earlier blog post.  (See the 11/9/14 blog post.)  It's a yummy peach cobbler.

I recently had a request for another of Mama's recipes, so here it is:

Peach Cobbler

3 cups sliced peaches
1 cup applesauce
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 cups sugar
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 Tbsp. butter
Dough for pie crust
Cream
Sugar (to sprinkle)

   In a bowl, combine peaches, applesauce, cinnamon, sugar, and lemon juice; layer in the bottom of a 10 x 8 glass baking dish.  Dot butter over the top.  Roll pie crust dough out to size of baking dish and arrange over top of peach mixture.  Brush the top of the crust with a small amount of  cream and sprinkle with sugar.  Bake for 30 minutes at 425 degrees.

Enjoy!

For those of you who are on special diets, of course, you can adjust the above recipe or any recipes I mentioned on this post according to your needs.  The Internet is full of recipes for any needs, and you can get cookbooks like the one I have, "Sweet and Sugarfree" by Karen Barkie (if it's still in print) that's "An All-Natural, Fruit-Sweetened Dessert Cookbook."

I'm still pondering what dessert to take for the Christmas Day celebration, but for now I'm enjoying looking through cookbooks, newspaper clippings, and hand-written recipes while trying to make my decision, because so many of these recipes from years past bring back some very fond memories.

For more pictures of food and other things, as well, check out our iStock photos:
http://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/rebecca-arnott#10f6e9a3

Positive thought: "Sugar and spice make Christmas nice."-wrapcandy.com
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky