New Year's Eve

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. . . . Bare branches against a blue wintery sky. . . . . Almost the end of another year . . . . . 
Many will be glad to see the end of 2016 with, celebrity deaths, wars,  a world in chaos. My own small world, not even a footnote on the world's stage play, would seem to rank as an epic - one full of change, particularly in the later half of my sixty-fifth year.
A dear uncle has passed away, another great-niece was born, and my youngest son got married. I gave up teaching my lovely yoga class, moved from the countryside to the coast. . . . B. was diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer and has come out the other end with a very good prognosis; a sign for both of us to actively seek a simpler, healthier lifestyle. . .We re-discovered a dear friend after 30 years, and as she said,' Alive, alive, alive, a live O' ...... much to be thankful for! . . . . . . So to the end of my year . . .and singing  'Aulde Lang Syne'

Lit candle (from my sister from a previous Christmas, unearthed after the house move) lit in memory of, and respect for, absent family and friends. . . . .

​ A fine day yesterday, I walked past an open door of the parish church, catching a glimpse of a Christmas tree, but the snow white decoations in the leaded window caught my eye.

Christmas seemed to come and go in a flash this year. A quiet one for us this year, just B. and me to please ourselves. .. although we did 'Skype' with the boys families in a 3-way link up, a first for us. An afternoon walk on a windswept beach Christmas Day, along the prom' a glittery decorated bench, some painted stones wishing 'Josh' a happy Christmas. . . . Festive milk-bottle tops reminding me of my childhood. A card of Che and Beck's October wedding,on the mantelpiece. . . . Christmas stocking I made for my new-born great-niece Annie's first Christmas. 

Sarah, Annie's Mum sent me this image of three stockings I made, the othet two for Annie's sisters first Christmas'. Hopefully next year I can get back to sewing again. . . . Meanwhile . . . .
if anyone is reading this post after my long absence ....
  Here's raising a glass to you, and wishing you a healthy, properous, peaceful and very  
                                          "HAPPY NEW YEAR!"