Thursday, December 31, 2015

In 2016


2016 is just hours away and I am enjoying the peaceful quiet of our home while I've lately been in a reflective mood. John and I have always preferred to ring in the New Year relaxing at home. Tonight we will enjoy a bottle of Veuve Clicquot French champagne and King Crab legs as we watch the final hours of 2015 ease into 2016 with Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin (we get a kick out of their antics) waiting for the ball to drop in Times Square, NYC.


I realize my hope for Peace on Earth is only a wishful dream because of terrorism, strife, religious conflict and war continuing in hot spots scattered throughout the globe. But I do have a sincere New Years wish for you, in 2016 I wish you genuine inner peace.

For it is only when inner peace is created within ourselves, within our families, in our communities and it develops and grows throughout society it can ultimately bring the World Peace on Earth.

Our Christmas decorations were keep simple this year, opting for rustic live small trees throughout our row-home. Choosing European Cypress and Norfolk Island Pine unadorned and appreciated for the beauty in their rustic charm. 


One recent purchase turned into a new winter fascination. Needing a few ingredients for some recipes John and I stopped into a local supermarket. Top on my list was - pick up Tulips in memory of Max. Our Max >^..^< loved Tulips, my second favorite flower, first being Roses. For whatever reason in his sweet cat brain he loved tulips so much he would chomp on them, but he also loved munching on fresh basil on the window sill.

So there they were - glorious Red Christmas tulips, in a clear glass vase with rooted bulbs and only one bulb opened with flower. Modern and minimalist, a revival to my gardening spirit ... I fell instantly in love.

An extravagance of vitality during the winters months, seriously how could I resist? Watching a profusion of color emerge in a smooth progressive waltz towards the sun. Mother Nature is a choreographed perfectionist. 



There I sat with excitement over the idea, clicking away on eBay and Amazon purchasing pre-chilled Dutch Bulbs from Holland. Purple Triumphs (Max's favorite) symbolizing royalty for he truly was our feline Prince. Pink triumphs for happiness and confidence for me.  I was hooked!

Sure if I had the wisdom of sight beforehand I would of in August purchased bulbs and refrigerated them for a cold sleep of 12-15 weeks in our basement refrigerator. Tip, do not store apples in the refrigerator because the gases will permeate and cause the bulbs to not produce flowers. But live and learn and plan ahead for Winter during late Summer 2016. 

I love the plethora of entangled roots, providing nutrients to the bulbs to flower. I've gathered all our tall glass vases to place polished beach glass into the bottom to cool in spring water in a dimly lit place (a designated spot of our basement). Left for a month to root the bulbs and then place in sunlight and rejoice in their flowering color a welcome sight during the months of Winter's frozen ground.

Magnificent Springtime tulips were originally from Persia and brought to the Netherlands in the 17th century. Throughout my winter posts I will include photos of my sweet pinks and purple tulips. I will for Easter force giant moody blue's crocus bulbs.


And as our homes dwindling light turns into nightfall and fades into the past - precious fleeting moments of 2015 will become lingering memories that hopefully forever last.
xx,
Vera

There are times when New Year's Eve arrives without your consciousness or imagination requiring any further explorative look...
To record your years discoveries and dedicate time in writing the next chapter in your innovative future's legacy book.

But for me the ending days of 2015 were not meant to pass by without deep reflection of my own creative and spiritual need,
To become more adventurous and aware to freely share of myself and explore my talents and in the process enrich myself to soulfully feed. 

I invite you to embark on a journey during 2016 to reach inside unexplored possibilities dwelling within each one of us.
To wander and realize the amazing potential inside our heart as we go forth to hopefully ponder and candidly discuss.

© Vera




I love reading each of your comments, please leave one behind.

45 comments:

  1. Beautiful post Vera. Wishing you all the best in the coming year.xoxo

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  2. How wonderfully inspiring on all levels - thank you for the thoughtful words. Happiest of New Years to you!
    JoanMarie

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  3. May light and the love that carries it be strong in your hearts every day my beloved VERA! It is always lovely to enter into your home and mind when I come here. I wish you and John a peaceful night; Ruben and I are going to start our "party" right now at 2:30 and do a Downton Abbey marathon. I lOVE PINK CHAMPAGNE but this year, I am going to just drink my tea with caffeine in it so I can stay AWAKE!

    BIG LOVE COMIN' AT YA!!!!!!!!

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  4. Your New Year's Eve celebration sounds oh so wonderful and perfect, Vera! Always a thought provoking and inspirational post to delight my heart, soul, and mind!
    Wishing you and John a Blessed New Year,
    Mary Alice

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  5. Oh dear friend wishing you and John a beautiful leap into 2016. May the new year soon to arrive bring you lots of peaceful and joy filled moments everyday. May your heart overflow with love and your mind express beautiful creativity throughout the year. Happy New Year.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  6. Happy New Year, Vera! Wishing you and John a quiet night and a 2016 filled with happy days. xoxo, T.

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  7. Vera, your tulips are going to be gorgeous this coming spring! I bet sweet Max is looking down and smiling:)
    I love staying home on New Year's Eve too, and will watch CNN. I love Anderson Cooper and think he and Kathy are really funny together.

    And I so agree with you about inner peace. We all need to start there, for without that where would we be? Wishing you and John a very Happy New Year! Cheers!

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  8. My dearest Vera,

    What a beautiful post, beaming with so many reflective waves of hope, light, and gratitude. Your thoughts on inner peace, stemming from deep within each and everyone of us, to ultimately grow into a strong vine of trust and respect towards others, and ultimately, to the world, are so very cherished at this time across the globe, I'm sure.

    I look forward to joining you, my friend, in 2016's adventurous dream, and create a peaceful and pretty reality.

    Wishing you a wonderful new year!

    Hugs,
    Poppy

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  9. You always share your heart and life in such a beautiful way, Vera. Know that you are loved so much because of your openness and honesty. :) I pray that God pours abundant blessing over you and John, as we all step forward once again into another new year. Thank you for your friendship, your prayers, and your encouragement...my kindred sister. ♥

    xoxo laurie

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  10. Dearest Vera, wishing you the best in the new year!! Inner peace be the comfort and joy each and everyday.
    Your tulips will be beautiful and I know Max is honored.
    We are enjoying the evening the same way. Home and relaxing with the festivities in Times Square!!
    Wishing you and John all the best in 2016.
    Happy New Year sweet friend. xo

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  11. Wishing you inner peace. I am relaxing at home with my two fur babies. I loved your beautiful post, so inspiring.

    Wishing you and John a Very Happy New Year and all the best in 2016.
    Hugs,
    Mary

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  12. Vera your 2016 poetic words struck me like none other...
    I am so honored to have met you in the manner we have, and embarking on a journey with you this last 2015 was nothing short of a joyride at times. As for good times pass, and the sadder times fade I only wish better times approach you one by one with great joy :)

    This 2016 poetry of gathering words here grab my heart and ring so true.
    When you spoke of max and his strange addiction to the tulips I so remember your few postings with bent over tulips that he had attacked and how sweetly you allowed this to take place, what a beautiful fur mama you are.
    As for reading about the purple Triumphs symbolizing royalty? Is it a coincidence, a universal connection I had with you to send you the crown of ( Royal )
    Having such connections like these with one another is nothing short of place and time, meant to be, and meant to cross paths with each other's thoughts and lives.

    Yours and John's New Year sounds perfect, crab legs, French Champagne, and News Years celebration Tv. Is all you need.

    Enjoy your Night,
    Happy New Years my Friends.

    2016
    Is yet the best to come.

    Xoxo
    Dore

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  13. What a lovely way to spend the last evening of 2015 Vera. I can think of no better way to greet the New Year than with those we love and in the warmth and peace of our own homes. How beautiful your vase of tulips is. I wish they were available here..it's much too humid so I will quite enjoy seeing yours as you post pictures of them throughout the winter. Isn't it funny how kitties love flowers? I know my cats spend quite a bit of time carefully sniffing every single bouquet I set out and yes, they sometimes taste them as well. I am certain that Max must now be running through fields of heavenly purple tulips, stopping now and then to chomp on a leaf or two. Happy New Year dear Vera! May the coming year be filled with happiness and with everything that makes you smile!

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  14. Your heart is full of love. Your posts are lines to think about it.
    I am glad to be a little part of you
    Hugs Kuni

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  15. I love what you wrote about inner peace, Vera. Looking forward to all you share in 2016, my friend.
    Much love,
    Lin

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  16. YES AND AMEN to your thoughts, Vera! "For it is only when inner peace is created within ourselves, within our families, in our communities and it develops and grows throughout society it can ultimately bring the World Peace on Earth." Wow. This reaches me so deeply. We have our own way to clean up, to clean our own energies, and if we work on ourselves, it can change the world like the famous drop, which carves the stone.
    And your beautiful flower is here too - of course, you won´t be surprised... in white ;))
    Vera, the nwe year will be a STRONG one, I believe! Let´s stay connected to make ourselves strong - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! :))))

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  17. Happy New Year to you, Vera. I think inner peace and contentment are so important. I am working toward being content in the present and being alone. So many times people including me look for happiness and contentment from things and other people and that is a never ending cycle. It is a process to be content with oneself. I can't wait to continue this journey with friends like you.

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  18. Happy 2016, Vera. I pray you and John will experience all of God's blessings this year, and that with each new bloom peace and love will increase in your home. xo ~ Nancy

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  19. Vera,
    Happy New Year to you dear one!
    May this year be the year to bring you such joys that you have never known. A enlighted year of exploration into the talents that lie within your creative soul, which are waiting for you to open the door to:)
    Looking forward to your photos, writing, shares, notes and our community of sharing and uplifting one another.
    Much Love,
    Jemma

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  20. Vera,
    French champagne and king crab legs, sounds great! I used to have a lot of king crab when my brother-in-laws worked on the sea in Alaska, and it became a favorite of mine. Your red tulips are lovely, and how funny that Max would chomp on them. I didn't realize that roses were your favorite flower.

    I wanted to thank you for your New Years wish for peace. What a nice thought that is. And please keep dreaming of your "hope" for peace on earth. It takes a beautiful soul to really understand what peace on earth really means.

    Happy New Year, dear Vera.

    love, ~Sheri

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  21. I am like you, I get an idea and ask myself why I didn't think of it earlier when there would be no frenzy or rush to follow through with the thought. But, I love the serendipity of our actions.

    Aren't dogs fun and interesting! Our old dog always stopped on her walk to the beach to eat a little lantana off our neighbors' bush. I planted some for her, but she wasn't interested in her own.

    I hope you have a mild winter this year. We are hoping for a big El Niño this year to fill our reservoirs.

    Happy New Year!

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  22. Very thoughtful post, and I love your pretty tulips. I think the entire world would be ore peaceful if we would all start with inner peace!

    I hope you have a blessed, prosperous, healthy and happy 2016!

    xo,
    RJ

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  23. I so identify with you on your wish for 'Peace of Mind'. That has always been a deep down wanting for me, I think nothing else can measure up. If we have that we can better navigate the hurt and sorrow and genuine fear of what is going on in our world right now.

    You and John did exactly what Alan and I did this year. We however watched Ryan Seacrest, I really loved the performances (yes, I'm a Pop Culture girl!). We had wine and appetizers and then shared a half bottle of champagne until the the new Star of Chicago rose. Wouldn't it have been great to have been together? Oh...thanks for the tips on the tulips!

    Sending love and good wishes for a fantastic New Year!!!

    Jane x

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  24. What a wonderful post, Vera. Refreshing for the start of the new year. Peaceful thoughts being sent your way, dear one. Love and happiness to you.
    Debbie
    xo

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  25. Such a beautiful post. 2015 was a very good year for us...many many blessings for which we are so thankful. God has smiled on both Bill and I all our lives and HE continues to do so. May HE bless you and John richly this new year. Love to you....xoxo

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  26. Dear Vera,
    Happy New Year dear friend... Such a beautiful post... I loved your poem.. What a wonderful evening you shared with John. Sounds perfect....
    Wishing you health and happiness in the year.. Thank you for your friendship.
    Love and blessings,
    Penny

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  27. **I invite you to embark on a journey during 2016 to reach inside unexplored possibilities dwelling within each one of us.
    To wander and realize the amazing potential inside our heart as we go forth to hopefully ponder and candidly discuss.**

    taking this, your thoughtful quote, to heart.
    bless you dearly as 2016 is now underway. may you and john be blessed in ways never thought possible.

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  28. Lovely post, Vera. I love the tulips, and it was a nice way to celebrate Max. I have never been able to decide if I like roses or tulips more. Once I went to the Bagatelle in Bois de Bologne in March, and they were in bloom everywhere, and I've been fascinated with them ever since. I did not know you could buy them pre chilled. I might have to try that next year. We don't have enough chill hours, for them to grow here, so I buy them cut at the store or in a pot already bloomed. Lovely thoughts for the new year ahead. I'm so glad that we can meet through this medium. xoox Su

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  29. Dear Vera,
    Your kind words made my heart smile! Thank you so much dear friend. I really love this particular yarn. I am so happy you enjoyed.
    blessings,
    Penny

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  30. Hello dear Vera :)

    I spent New Year's Eve almost the same way, except for two things... my beloved Verve Clicquot was exchanged for another past love of Perrier Jouet this year, and a friend of mine joined us that lost her husband not too long ago. But it was still a quiet evening (aside from lots of laughter, because she's goofier than a mud fence, which I love) and we stayed in, as I've done for years now. How can anyone not love Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin together? Hilarious!!

    The tulips are beautiful and a lovely tribute to Max. I hope they continue to beautify your garden for years to come, my friend.

    Happy New Year!

    xoxo,
    rue

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  31. Sweet Vera, you always inspire me. I think that at the end of 2015 I have found an inner peace that I have not felt in many years. I am praying for family peace in 2016. That is my hearts desire and it is a righteous desire, I pray for this with my whole heart,I see my prayers answered on a daily bases,some take mush longer but that is my wish and I will wait and continue to try. Have a blessed 2016 my friend. xx Jo

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  32. Vera, this is beautiful and touching! Wishing you a fabulous, healthy, peaceful 2016! :)
    Susan

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  33. The tulips are beautiful and so are the peeks into your home Vera.
    Yes, inner peace is truly a gift we give ourselves.
    I wanted to tell you how sorry I was for your loss, your dear Max. It's is just too hard to lose our sweet friends.
    Have a wonderful New Year my dear!

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  34. You are right about inner peace being the answer. I adore tulips, and love that you have made them your tribute to your dear Max. Looking forward to enjoying their beauty in your upcoming posts. Happy New Year, Vera!

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  35. Beautiful! The flowers, your words, all of it! I look forward to spending this new year following along with you sweet Vera! Happy New Year and I pray God blesses you tremendously!

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  36. Vera, this post was absolutely wonderful! Introspective and thought-provoking...yes, inner peace must come first, no truer words! The flowers are beautiful....a bright spot in the bleak winter....great choice! Hugs to you sweet friend and I wish you the most wonderful blessings for 2016!

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  37. Hello dear Vera.. so many good wishes your way. You are amazing

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  38. Wishing you the best and inner peace this year too! Your evening sounded perfect and mellow to me and I love the red tulips for Max.

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  39. Wonderful post filled with great hope for the new year! I admire your confidence in playing with bulbs...I am just plain afraid of trying it. You will have such beauty from them throughout the winter.

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  40. Good evening, dear Vera! I hope your New Year is off to a delightful start :) This post was simply lovely and very heart-felt....thank you!

    Wishing you a most joyous 2016. Hugs!

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  41. This is such a beautifully written post! Happy new year!
    XO Ellen from Ask Away
    www.askawayblog.com

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  43. Vera,

    Sent you an email in answer to your question...Thank you so much for your sweet words about Lollipop!
    Love and blessings,
    Penny

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  44. May God Bless your 2016 with creativity, brilliant blooms and Health! Cindy xo

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  45. Vera, this is beautiful and touching. I love your sculpted mouse! I need to try something new. Now I must go to sleep and dream. I love the little photo of the mouse. Which reminds me that someday I must post our Christmas tree mice. xoxo Su

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