Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Christmas Eve at Golden Pines

It's Christmas Eve, and I have 5 days off work.  This means that I will be obeying the signs on the trucks that I see practically every day on my way into the office.   
The weather today is warm and rainy.  It looks and feels more like it should be spring-break instead of Christmas Eve.
Our day began with two of our traditions.  One is a newer one that began three years ago when a good friend who also takes in the senior Goldens told me about one of hers.  Each year she makes an ornament for her tree that has the names of the dogs (and cats) that are with her that year at Christmas.  I loved the idea and to my ornaments I also add the losses from the year on the back.  A bittersweet moment.  But truly one that brings humbling gratitude.    
 Our Christmas day will be a quiet one at home. The next two days will be spent in the homes of our friends.
Whatever your plans are for this evening and Christmas Day if you are traveling to enjoy the company of good friends and family, or spending it simply at home, “May peace and plenty be the first to lift the latch on your door, and happiness be guided to your home by the candle of Christmas.”

39 comments:

  1. Wishing you and yours the very happiest of holidays :) A friend and I took a trip to NYC last week - it's always so fun at Christmas. We were walking through Central Park one cold morning when my friend spotted something off the beaten path. We walked over and found a lovely tree bearing homemade "ornaments" people have left memorializing their dogs who have crossed the rainbow bridge! One ornament dated back to 1949! Maybe it was the first :) Very beautiful and poignant...

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  2. It's cold here and snowing. We've been promised sunshine tomorrow, the first in weeks. Soon I'll be filling the toybox with new toys from Santa. Funny that Sebastian jumped up on the windowseat today to look out. He never gets up there, must be watching for Santa. Have a safe and happy holiday.

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  3. It unseasonably warm here and raining. The snow we had has turned to an icy soup. We will be spending Christmas afternoon with my family. First time my parents, sister and significant others have been together for Christmas in a decade.

    Wishing you a joyful celebration. Merry Christmas

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  4. That's a beautiful quote. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas. It must be fantastic to see all the pups you've helped with your love...

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  5. What a great idea!!!

    Merry Christmas :-)

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  6. I love your sense of humor! 5 days off, nice!
    Have a good Christmas!

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  7. That ornament idea sounds great! It's pretty cold here, 13 Celcius degrees below zero. We have some snow as well. I wish you all a merry Christmas, Kim!

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  8. Hubby and I are home alone this evening.. And Christmas day will be spent at my sister's with the family for dinner. I love the idea of the ornament. I love your cute doggies. I wish you and your family and doggies a very Merry Christmas!

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  9. Beautiful, loving words Kim, enjoy your time at home, and an ornament that celebrates all your family members, with happiness and sadness combined, perfect. Merry Christmas to you all, from Jean.

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  10. Sounds so perfect Kim, Merry Christmas to you and yours my friend.Blessings Francine.

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  11. Merry Christmas Kim to all of you at Golden Pines. We love your new tradition! We hope peace fills your home too, Enjoy your days off,, and we also hope a little magic happens somewhere
    love
    tweedles

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  12. bless you all. enjoy the quiet as long as it lasts!

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  13. I wish you a Merry Merry Christmas and a happy new year....love from me Ria...x!

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  14. From my heart and home to yours Kim, may your Christmas be filled with all that makes your heart sing. Glad you have time off, enjoy it.
    Lots of love to you and the pack.
    Noreen & Hunter

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  15. Merry Christmas Kim ~~ all the best!!!!!!

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  16. Merry Christmas to you and your family ! Lovely photos ! It is green here 52F raining windy with a bit of thunder ! Weird weather for us !

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  17. Merry Christmas to you, my friends. I love that ornament idea - it's wonderful.

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  18. Merry Christmas to Todd and all the Goldens.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  19. Kim - Merry Christmas to you and your family. Licks to your dogs from Neeli & Elle.

    Love the idea of the ornament.
    Love, Nadine & goldens Neeli & Elle

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  20. Awesome idea for the ornament!! Merry Christmas to everyone at Golden Pines! xo Jeanne, Chloe and LadyBug

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  21. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year dear friend.
    I so enjoy keeping up with all the comings and going at Golden Pines, you are a very special couple, with hearts as big as Texas.
    Blessings,
    ~Jo

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  22. We would be interested to know how that truck learns to pull over and let you pass... but I digress!

    We send our love and big wishes for a Merry Christmas! We're a family of two, so it can get kinda lonely around here... but we're blessed by our wonderful friends like you!!!

    wif lubbs from Little Reufus

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  23. We love the ornament tradition! I can see how it would be bittersweet, but such a lovely tradition. Todd looks like he's ready for some fun! Merry Christmas!
    oxox
    Daisy

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  24. Merry Christmas! Wishing the joys of the holidays to you and your golden family.

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  25. Happy Christmas to all at Golden Pines xx

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  26. And a Merry Christmas to one and all.

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  27. What a great idea! Merry Christmas Kim. (Puppy kisses all around!)

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  28. Merry Christmas to you. We also had rain. We had our family dinner last night and boy was the weather miserable. Windy and rainy, but when you are with loved ones it don't matter so much. :) I love the ornament idea.

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  29. Oh I love that idea!

    We hope you have a very wonderful and Merry Christmas. Hugs to all the pups and kitty!

    Monty and Harlow

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  30. May you have the loveliest of Christmases! :) Kit

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  31. I feel enormous gratitude for you and Carl and for people like you who take in animals in need. I can't really express how I feel, but say one word: Gratitude. May you have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy and Healthy New Year. ~ Inger

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  32. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season. Ours is very simple here.

    I love your idea of the ornaments.

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  33. Crikey ...... I'm a bit late but I do hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!!

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  34. PS I'm so glad you have a few days off.

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  35. Hi Y'all!

    May God bless you and keep you and bring y'all a happy New Year!

    BrownDog and his Humans

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  36. these pictures are so dear. each one of them.
    and the last . . . the two little noses looking up to the tree . . .
    another blessed year at golden pines.
    such a special place. xoxo♥

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  37. Merry Christmas! I hope you have a nice time with your 5days off.

    Cindy

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!