New Year's Eve Tradition

I'm not one for setting resolutions.  I have nothing against them mind you, but if I really want to do something I do it no matter what time of year it is.  Also, I think by making this list of new resolutions and "wiping the slate clean", we're missing out on something.  You don't really want to erase every aspect of this year, so instead I offer you a new way to look at the New Year.  Some of you may already do this.

Every New Year's Eve I burn candles with intent.  My bayberry candle gets burned on Christmas Eve as it's tradition in my family.  Instead, I burn a white 7-day candle to clear out any negativity (white for purity) and I get a few small tapers representing the things I'd like to invite into my home this year.  Usually it's blue for health, orange (or yellow) for happiness, and green for abundance.  Health, wealth, and happiness...a time honored toast for the New Year.  But use whatever you want or need.  You know the drill, set them somewhere they won't be disturbed or on your altar if you use one; light each candle with intent (whatever works for you, there is no "right" way); and let them burn all the way down.  REMEMBER-one of these candles will be burning for a week so make sure it's in a safe spot before you light it.

The twist on the resolutions is this...instead of making a list of all the things you want to change, make a list of all the things you want to bring with you from this year into the New Year.  Things you want to remember.  Just a slight change in the way you look at things can make all the difference.  So, make your list (before you light the candles) and place said list under the 7-day candle.  Again, leave it alone until it's burned itself out.  You can keep the list tucked away somewhere until next year or you can bury it with any remaining wax from your candles (if you have a yard).

Happy New Year!
~ Heathen

All Is Calm...

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas yesterday!  All the presents have been opened and the ensuing mess has been picked up.  Today is for relaxing with a nice big cup of cocoa and playing with your presents.  Enjoy the rest of your day as we look forward to the New Year!

By the way...all the holiday greenery and floral arrangements are SERIOUSLY discounted today at Publix (if you have one).  I got a huge bunch of greenery today for $2!  I ran out of coffee so I had to go to the store.

~ Heathen

Happy Holidays!

From Better Homes & Gardens

I may not be around much for the rest of this week.  Busy with last minute preparations and all.  I'll be popping in to read everyone's posts but I may not be leaving comments or writing my own posts.  So just in case, I want to wish everyone a very Happy Yule and Merry Christmas! 

Enjoy the lunar eclipse tonight if you're lucky enough to see it.  I don't know if I'll be able to stay up that late...work starts pretty early.

Happy Holidays!
~ Heathen

One More Week...

That's right it's crunch time, only one week left!  This time next week we'll be in the thick of it so, if you aren't done and ready (and I know I'm not), here's what to do this week...

Shopping List- If you buy your gifts, get them now.  If you make your gifts and still have some to go, get those remaining supplies you need.  This will give you time to wrap them and you don't want to get to the store only to find the item you wanted is gone for the season!  Don't forget, make sure you have all the food, paper goods, and wrapping supplies you're going to need.

Decorating -  Take a good look around, make sure you put out all the decorations you wanted to, and put the boxes/bins away.  That's it, no more this year.  Step away from the Christmas bin!

Baking - Okay, I don't do this part beyond Toll House cookies.  But if you do, the time is now.  If your family has a tendency to eat all the Christmas goodies BEFORE Christmas (like mine does), make and refrigerate or freeze the dough.

Cleaning - I can hear you all groaning even as I type this, but it has to be done. Trust me, you'll enjoy your Holiday so much more!  Put everything away and give your place a good cleaning (with cleaning products and everything), dust, run the vacuum and light a few seasonal scented candles.  Ahh, doesn't that feel better?

Now pause, put on your favorite Christmas music or movie, pour yourself a nice glass of wine or a yummy mug of cocoa and move on to the last step...

Wrapping - It doesn't matter if you use gift bags, pre-decorated boxes, craft paper, or meticulously wrap and adorn each gift like Martha.  They all get wrapped (except for the "Santa" gifts for the kiddies).

That's it, now you're done!  Sit back, relax, and enjoy the result of all your efforts!

~ Heathen

Baby It's Cold Outside!

I know Yule and the Winter Solstice is still a week away, but winter has definitely arrived here.  It is NOT supposed to feel like 25 degrees (F) in Florida!  And I'm not talking about north Florida either!  Although, I have to admit that it does help with getting into the Holiday spirit.  However, we are not equipped for this kind of cold.  I mean, how many warm sweaters and coats do you think we have lying around here in the land of the sun?  I know, I know, I can already hear some of you laughing.  But when your average mean temperature is around 80 degrees, this is a bit extreme.  If the clouds would just line up right we could even get snow!  Not that it would stick to anything, but it would be pretty to see for Christmas.

~ Heathen

Holiday Favorites

The Holidays mean something different to each of us.  Whether you celebrate Yule, Christmas, both, or something else entirely.  To that end, I'd like to share a few of my favorite things about the Holiday Season.

Candy canes, greenery, pomanders, and twinkly lights...

Stockings, Christmas trees, bayberry candles, and mistletoe!

All these symbols have meaning and work well for either Yule or Christmas!  Enjoy the holiday season!

~ Heathen

M.I.A.

Sorry I've been gone for almost a week!  First I was busy with holiday preparations and then, of course, I came down with a cold.  Nothing serious, just enough to keep me in a NyQuil induced semi-coma for the past few days.  That stuff just knocks me out!  So now that I am feeling a bit better, and able to have actual thoughts, I'm working on putting together a post for later this evening.  Until then, take care and I promise to get caught up with all the posts I've missed.

~ Heathen

Full Moon for the Solstice

This year we will have the Full Cold Moon or Full Long Nights Moon on December 21st, for Yule and the Solstice.  Not only that but there will also be a total lunar eclipse on the 20th, just hours before winter officially begins.  According to the article at space.com, those of us in the states will be able to witness the eclipse either during the middle of the night or in the predawn hours, depending on your location.  The last time these three events happened at the same time was in 1638!

I had a bit of a struggle finding additional info on this topic.  However, there's a very informative, and thought inspiring article about this over at Llewellyn.com for more.  I don't want any issues with copying someone's work, so head on over there and give it a read!

~ Heathen

A New Look for Yule and Christmas

While wandering around the blogs of so many talented people, I decided it was a good time to give my blog a face-lift for the holiday season.  There are so many beautiful blog templates out there, it was hard to pick one!  Thanks to Freyja Silver Blog Designs, I've found the one I like (for this season) and I hope you enjoy it too.  I'll try to get a more proper seasonal post up here later this evening.  Until then, have a happy!

~ Heathen

Christmas Movie Queue

Here's the list of holiday movies in my Netflix queue for the season:

A Christmas Carol (Disney animated)
Christmas with the Kranks
The Year Without a Santa Claus
Dr Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Jack Frost (animated)
Frosty's Winter Wonderland / 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
Christmas Unwrapped (History Channel documentary)
Fred Claus
Four Christmases
The Santa Claus (1, 2, & 3)
Deck the Halls
Scrooged
Miracle on 34th Street
The Polar Express
Love Actually
Bad Santa
The Holiday
It's a Wonderful Life
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Surviving Christmas

Hope you're all enjoying the holiday season!

~ Heathen

Holiday Goodies For You

Today I've posted some new Holiday Art tags on my craft blog Heathen's Hobbies.  Hop on over and take a better look if you like!

~ Heathen