What A Year!

They say God never closes one door but He opens another - well, that's exactly what the year 2012 has been for me.

The year didn't get off to a great start with me having being recently diagnosed with breast cancer then facing surgery and treatment but by mid-summer the door was truly opened with the wedding of our eldest son making hubby and I the proudest, happiest parents in the world!  I couldn't have asked for a lovelier daughter-in-law, we get on fabulously.

Christmas has been extra special for me this year for many reasons, and you know what? - the best has yet to come, more about that in the New Year!

I just want to say a quick Thank You to all of you who were so supportive to me through your lovely comments during the year.

I wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful 2013!!!!


Above image: St. Stephen's Green, Dublin, taken by me, September 2011.

FEEL FREE TO COMMENT

Season's Greetings!

Just stopping by to wish all my blog Followers a very Happy, Healthy Christmas and may 2012 be your best year ever!

Thank you all for your lovely comments and encouragement to keep posting, I promise my old keyboard will be hopping once again in the New Year.

Bottoms Up! Cheers!!!


Above Image: Our front garden last December.

A Window Of Light In Darkest Winter

The above image I came across one Christmas several years ago in a Sunday newspaper. Its dipiction of terraced houses on a winter's night, their windows bathed in bright orange light, brought me straight back to my childhood in our avenue in Ringsend. The photo had such an effect on me that I cut it out and framed it. It's been on my dressing table ever since.

There's something about the combination of the coldness of the snow and the warmth coming through the window panes that triggers the memory of me walking home as a teenager from school and work on dark winter evenings.

The last ten minutes of my journey would take me past a long row of terraced cottages some with their curtains not yet drawn. It was the glow from the windows that would attract my gaze just as a moth is compelled to seek the light. Walking past I would look in, the room appearing so cosy in contrast to the misery of the cruel weather conditions outside. I would comfort myself with the thought that I would soon be entering my own warm abode, our tele too would be broadcasting the evening news and I would soon be sitting down to a warm dinner of Irish stew.

The final leg of my journey would take me up our avenue where maybe a hall door might be open. Again, the illuminated hall shone like a beacon through the darkness of the street. Winter for me has some memorable contrasting themes - warmth and coldness, light and darkness.

FEEL FREE TO COMMENT

Nature's Christmas Gift

While England, Scotland and parts of Ireland were experiencing heavy snowfalls we here in Dublin had to wait a little longer for our white Christmas and boy, was it worth the wait. New Year's Eve was about to spring a beautiful surprise!

As my family and I watched telly in the warm comfort of our living room outside the first snow flakes of the year had begun to silently fall creating a magnificent Christmas card landscape. To add to the magic we drew back the curtains and watched the snow fall through the orange glow of a street lamp. Heaven.

New Year's Day and hubby had me up at 10.00am sharp. Armed with my best digital camera (Canon IXUS 300) we headed off to our local park which on entering looked like a scene from "The Snowman". Right that moment I became a five year old again, all my senses awakened by the beautiful sight which lay before us. I was actually bouncing up and down!


At times we walked in silence listening to the crunching sound of our footsteps in the snow.

Now and then a bird called out and I worried that his tiny feet might be cold.

I am so thankful to Mother Nature for granting me my Christmas wish. Enjoy the images of her present.











All photos taken by me, New Year's Day 2010. (Hubby in the foreground!)

FEEL FREE TO COMMENT

Snowfall From Yesteryear

 Is it the fault of climate change or what that we no longer wake up to a blanket of snow every January? There are children in this country who have never seen snow, well maybe the odd flake now and then but nothing like we knew as children. It would take weeks to melt.

The great thing for us kids was that when we'd have to return to school after the Christmas holliers the pipes would be burst! Oh! how I remember the thrill of arriving at the school gates only to be told I had to go home again. I can still feel that excitement as we walked back along London Bridge Road gathering snow in our gloved hands to throw at each other, our screeches probably heard a mile away. (In those days we walked to school, about two miles in my case, getting the bus only if it was lashing rain).

(London Bridge Road image above).

Back then I didn't need a mobile phone to let my mum know I'd be coming home early because for the most part she'd be there. If she wasn't she'd just be out at ten o'clock Mass and would be back fairly soon. I could play in the avenue until then.

Getting back to the snow issue here are a couple of photos I took in January 1982 depicting the beautiful landcape that once was Willington Lane, Templeogue.

  

FEEL FREE TO COMENT