Deck the Halls!

Deck the halls with boughs of holly,

Fa la la la la la la la la.

'Tis the season to be jolly,

Fa la la la la la la la la.

Fill the meadcup, drain the barrel,

Fa la la la la la la la la.

Troul the ancient Christmas carol,

Fa la la la la la la la la.

- Thomas Oliphant

Winter Wonderland!

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

In the lane, snow is glistening,

A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight,

Walking in a winter wonderland!

Sweater: J. Crew (last year) (similar)

Jeans: DKNY

Turtleneck: J Crew

Boots: Chooka

Scarf: Target

Cold Days in the Lakes Region

In New Hampshire there lived a Governor,

John Wentworth, who some did abhor 

He would never dare, to touch his gardens or hair,

because that's what Robert Calder was for.

Now Calder, a jolly bold Scotsman,

lived on a hill, with his wife and his children,

He rode every day, back and forth, a long way,

to brush Wentworth's hair in great boredom.

But then there came a Revolution,

With fighting, and wars, and commotion,

till back with no fare, went Wentworth and his hair,

to England, where there was less confusion. 

Then Robert settled back with his family,

to tend oxen and sheep, and right proudly.

And farm hours away, his whole life, day by day,

till death did him part rather sadly.

But his story will live on forever,

as his memory will be my endeavor,

for he left his mark, right deep in my heart,

so this bold Scotsman will never die, never.

- A poem I wrote about my 6th great grandfather Robert Calder (1733-1792). 

The first picture above shows the front of his house. The second picture shows how the home's original siding has been covered by new siding over the years.

Dress: Ann Taylor (similar)
Sweater: J. Crew 
Jacket: Old
Boots: Chooka (similar)

November Tablescape

November comes,
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.

With night coming early
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.

The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring.

- Clyde Watson