Positively Between

 by Mauverneen

The week between Christmas and New Years Day is sort of a lost week. One holiday down, another looming right around the corner. While some people are too worn out to take on that second one with too much festivity, some people are eagerly looking forward to it. Party time! The kids have the week off from school, so mom or dad might not be getting much rest, but most people I know just want to sit back and put their feet up for a day or two, nurse a hot cup of something or other and be dazzled by the tree lights. 

The quiet time is kind of nice. I don't have any deadlines I'm rushing to meet, and I'm looking forward to maybe spending some relaxing time with friends, or watching some old movies on tv. The weather isn't too bad, so if you've got the ambition to get out and snap up those after Christmas deals, go for it! Me? I don't need a thing. When I get tired of movies, I'll pull out a puzzle, or another book. I've also got plenty of time to watch the birds swarming the feeders. By the end of week I'll be bored and ready to head out and tackle the world again. But this week, I'm treating every day like Sunday - and resting!

My winter set up. I can capture the birds through my kitchen window

Happy Holidays everyone! Regroup, recoup, recover, refresh! Or party like a fool! Whichever you choose - enjoy it and do it well!

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html

Available at Amazon.com or request it at your favorite bookstore!

Positively Illuminating

 by Mauverneen

The name of the show in lights, on the trees!

It's called Illumination and it is fabulous! Presented at the Morton Arboretum, in Lisle, Illinois, which is just a bit southwest of Chicago. The show runs through January 7, 2023. 

I saw the very first one, 10 years ago, and oh my - I was impressed that first time and even more so this visit. It's a one mile, paved walk, with concession stands for hot chocolate and s'mores makings, and warming fires along the way.

If you've ever had to put lights on even one tree, you'll appreciate the time it must have taken to light all these trees so perfectly!

Although it was only in the lower 20's, I dressed warmly and wasn't at all cold - don't forget to bring a mask or scarf to cover your nose! 

I was mesmerized by the displays! Lights that changed in time with music, trees that were lit with colors- some of them moving, just display after display to feast your eyes on. It's a bit hard to describe, but it is wonderful. I just wanted to stand in one spot for a long time and enjoy. 

A couple of my photos are here, but there's a link at the bottom that will give you a better idea, and where you can get tickets. I don't know if this show is offered anywhere else, but if it is, don't hesitate. It's a wonderful holiday experience. One the whole family can enjoy. There were toddlers, babies in wagons, and people in wheelchairs - all enjoying themselves.

This entire field was covered with lights that changed with the music!

video

Here's that link:  https://mortonarb.org/explore/activities/exhibitions/illumination/

Enjoy this Holiday Season! 

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html

Available at Amazon.com or request it at your favorite bookstore!

Positively Decked Out

 by Mauverneen

Driving through a neighborhood the other day, I was delighted by all of the Christmas displays. Some were grand, some were modest, some were over the top. But one thing was obvious - people like decorating for the holidays. 

Going past these homes, I had to wonder what some of the insides looked like. I know my daughters, and myself, have an assortment of Christmas decor, in addition to the tree; candles, pillows, angels, snowmen, etc. Some people have entire villages, that take hours to arrange, some people change out the pictures on their walls, some people have Santa hats or elf outfits for their pets. But it seems everybody loves the glitter and the glitz of the season. Everybody, it seems, has some Christmas bling. 

People love to decorate, to celebrate. Halloween is beginning to give Christmas a run for the money - at least as far as decorations go. And if you go to New Orleans during Mardi Gras season, well, enough said. 

I gave some thought to the why. Why do some people go all out with decorations for Christmas? Of course it's fun, it's festive, it's the spirit - ahh the spirit of Christmas. And what is that? Sharing, giving, happiness, enjoyment. All those lights, all those blow-up snowmen and Santas and reindeer, all those glistening angels and life size nativity scenes, all those illuminated houses with their twinkling lights surrounding every window and door and roofline - why? I don't really know the motivation, and I'm sure every individual has their own reasons, but it all contributes to the collective spirit of Christmas. It gives joy, it creates happiness, it brings smiles to the faces of the passers by. And for a little while, your cares can be left behind while you smile and ooh and ahh. It brings us all together. 

So to those who light up the night, to the Griswold's of the world, to those that climb those ladders and get frost bitten fingers, to those who care and to those who share, I say Thank you! Thank you for the smiles and the bit of happiness you give, because, whether it even occurred to you or not, you do. May the spirit of this wonderful season stay with all of us. All year.

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html

Available at Amazon.com or request it at your favorite bookstore!

POSITIVELY whoosh

 by Mauverneen

Transition

Why does time seem to go so fast these days? When you're a kid, time drags. "Christmas will never get here".  As an adult it's "Oh pfft, already!?" While we still have a few weeks to go, it's less than a month away. I'm so proud of myself for starting my shopping, but I know there are people out there who were finished in July. Some people have their trees and Christmas decorations up. Sigh. Too early for me. I wait until at least December. But then, mine is still up after almost everyone else has taken theirs down. I've also rearranged my living room so I'm not sure where I'm going to put the tree.

One thing that seems to be going on forever however, is that darn turkey. I'm sick of eating turkey. 

Autumn around here was wonderful, it did last a good amount of time. Then we got zapped with some January weather, but now, it's Autumn again. Until tomorrow.

Another thing that went quickly was this morning's coffee. I made the usual amount, but somehow, it went too fast, now I'm brewing a second pot. (which I sometimes do but it's never as good as the first one and I usually end up not drinking it) The donut went fast too. I think there may still be another one. 

Which brings me to Positively Tuesday. It's Tuesday - again. The week went by so quickly. I hope it didn't go so fast that none of us remembered to be positive. But, here we go again. Have a POSITIVELY Great week! 

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html

Available at Amazon.com or request it at your favorite bookstore!

POSITIVELY GIVING THANKS

 by Mauverneen

It's Thanksgiving week. I've been busy cleaning, menu planning, and generally preparing for the Big Thursday, like a lot of people. Everyone will find something to be grateful for on Thanksgiving Day - at least I hope so. But why wait? What are you thankful for TODAY? 

My goal when I started this blog was in the hope that just one day a week, we could avoid complaining. I hear so much all around me. And yes, I do my share - maybe more than my share. But Tuesday? No. No complaining. So what if you've got to clean the house? You have a house. So what if you have to do all that cooking? And shopping? Be positively grateful that you can! I know, I know, it sounds trite and preachy, but if you think about it...

I'm looking forward to hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year. I'll bake pies the day before (as always), and relax the day after. What do I enjoy most about Thanksgiving? Apart from being with family and friends, I will enjoy the smells - not much smells better than sautéing the onion and celery for the stuffing (yes - I make my own). And then the wonderful aroma of the turkey cooking. I don't know why the whole neighborhood doesn't smell like turkey in the oven - after all, everybody is cooking the same thing. Do you think if we all cracked the window open a bit.... but then I can just picture the Bumpuses dogs hanging around my back door. Now THAT would be something to complain about!

In my house, I cannot leave food on the table and the chairs pulled out. Somebody I know would be right up there the minute my back was turned.

So, today, I'm Positively looking forward to Thanksgiving. May you all have a wonderful week! 

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html

Available at Amazon.com or request it at your favorite bookstore!

Positively Official

 by Mauverneen

Well, it's Positively Official - I'm an author. Kind of scary to think about in some ways. I need to wrap my head around this new title I've given myself. I already had people ask me if I'm working on another book. Actually, I am, but for now... oh my.   

I promised I'd keep you updated on the book's progress. My proof copy arrived and looked good. I was happy with it. So I ordered a bunch. If you're local, I no doubt will carry a few copies in my car wherever I go, so if you want one, just ask! If you're not local, but want one, please do go to Amazon, or request the book from your local bookstore - they can order it for you! 

My local writers group - WriteOn Joliet puts out an annual anthology and our official release party is December 8th, from 6 - 8:30 pm at the Black Road Public Library. Not only will the new anthologies be for sale, but several of the published authors from that group will be there with their books! This year, I get to join them. If you're from Joliet, and able to, please join us that evening. The Book and Bean Cafe in the library has wonderful sandwiches, dessert, coffee, and hot chocolate - the perfect place to grab a snack or a drink before heading inside to visit with the authors. Books make wonderful gifts, and supporting your local authors is good karma all around!

Ok, time to get my head out of the clouds, my feet on the ground, and my hands dirty. In other words, back to work. The house needs cleaning, the garbage needs to be taken out, the dogs walked, the gutters cleaned... 

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html