I love new beginnings! The start of a New Year is like an injection of new life for me!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Write down those resolutions…..or not! I have given up on this and just take one moment at a time.
Eat your black eyed peas with greens and cornbread for good luck….
And say THANK YOU!
Here’s a bit of music to help you celebrate! Enjoy this play list that includes some of my favorites.
It’s diffcult to grasp the fact that only two days remain in 2013. I’m not sure where the time went, but go it has. If I were able to look into a crystal ball I don’t think I could have foretold what was coming!
In many ways 2013 has been a milestone year for me. I began writing this blog with the intent of learning about the Golden Isles, it’s history, places and people. To say that my life has been enriched would be an understatement.
Harrington Schollhouse Painting by Allison Cyle Tucker
Oh the places I’ve gone and the people I have connected with….I feel I have been blessed in so many ways.
The travel experiences have been totally unexpected.
St. Augustine……
Eagle Island…….
I’ll have so much news to share with you in the upcoming weeks. The Permanent Tourist is on a course that is very exciting. I think you’ll enjoy being along for the ride!
I thank you for traveling with me on this journey and continuing too.
I have a couple of special things to end and start the new year with, so stay tuned!
Being in New Orleans with family for the Christmas holidays is just what the doctor ordered for Mr. T and me.
We’re having a ball watching Skylar and Emmeline play.
The house is decked out in true Big Easy style….
Santas and angels abound…..
Every detail of holiday decorating has been seen too in perfect style.
Tchoups is happy to have us here. His name is pronounced “Chops”. It’s short for the name of a famous street in New Orleans that being able to spell correctly makes you a true “Yat”. Yat? it’s common for locals to say….”Where y’at?”….when asking where you’re going. Oh…just so you know, the correct spelling for the street this furry family member’s name hails from is Tchoupitoulas…..I’ll leave it up to you to pronounce it!
What a way to bring a very busy and challenging year to a close! We’re loving every minute of being here and it’s wonderful to share it with you!
Tomorrow I’m sharing a New Orleans tradition and the story behind it….in the meantime…..Merry Christmas!!!
Christmas is a time for children. The wonder in the eyes of a child is something that cannot be equaled. The excitement on Christmas morning as gifts are opened and families share traditions, making memories that last for generations to come. But there are families who are less fortunate. Toys for Tots makes sure children in communities all over the country receive a new, unwrapped toy donated by those who care.
Toys for Tots, formed by the Marine Reserve, began in 1991. By supporting Toys for Tots hope is given to children who are less fortunate, hope for a brighter tomorrow.
In the Brunswick, Georgia area you can drop toys off from now until December 22nd at most local grocery stores and at the Marine recruiting office in the Glynn Place Mall.
Won’t you consider purchasing a couple of extra toys for children in need when you’re finishing up your Christmas shopping? Wherever you may be there is a Toys for Tots program. Bring the light into the eyes of a child in need this year by donating to this special cause.
(Note: Skylar, my beloved daughter, this post is for you and dedicated to all of those who serve our country so selflessly…OORAH!)
Oh dear! It’s official….I have to take a crash course in “Elf On A Shelf” before we arrive in New Orleans next Sunday. Mr. T and I have been assigned to take over the arduous task of deciding what to do with the cute little thing from the time we arrive until Christmas. With his wickedly dry sense of humor I’m sure my husband will come up with something dastardly to do.
Is it true that the elf cannot be touched???? This is Emmeline, our eight year old granddaughter’s door on Sunday morning…..the elf up in the corner….too funny. I think my step-daughter is tired of finding clever ways to present the little guy each day! I think E’s main criteria is that the elf do something “interesting”……hmmmmm.
It seems he can get into trouble, that’s for sure!
I’d love to know who started this whole thing…..one more bit of stress and pressure to load onto the parents of hopeful small children. All in good fun, however!
It’s cute, for sure and there are plenty of ideas on-line to help with our dilemma! If you have any to share, please do.
Oh Elfie…..We’re thinking up such fun for you! It’s going to be a very Merry Christmas!
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas here in the Golden Isles! And even though we won’t be seeing any snow, at least I don’t think so, it’s time to make merry!
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The Jekyll Island Club Hotel had its annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration…..
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Brunswick is filled with hustle and bustle with an upcoming Christmas Parade, Boat Parade and a special viewing of one of my favorites, It’s A Wonderful Life at the Ritz Theatre. Visit here to see more events and details: www.goldenisles.com
Another VERY exciting event on Saturday, December 7th, is the 29th annual Cassina Garden Club Christmas Tour of Homes & Bake Sale. The theme of this year’s event is Sea Island – “Holiday Traditions”. Proceeds benefit the preservation & restoration of the historic tabby slave cabins on Gascoigne Bluff. These cabins are open regularly throughout the year for touring & events. They are visited by hundreds including school children, elder hostel group and international tourists to our area. Go here for reservations and more information: www.CassinaGardenClub.org, or call 912-399-1152. The beautiful Sea Island Cloister will be beautifully decorated as well as six Sea Island homes you’ll be able to tour….combine that with the fundraising bake sale and you’ve got the holiday spirit going full speed!
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Perhaps one of my most favorite annual events is The Community Messiah Chorus that will be presented at Wesley United Methodist Church this coming Sunday. Two performances are featured on December 7th at 4 and 7 p.m.
Always a treat during the holiday’s! Handel’s Messiah, composed in 1741 and first performed in Dublin in April of 1742, this classic is a holiday maker! Click on the arrow to hear the Hallelujah Chorus. You can’t help but get in the mood when listening to this!
There is nothing like Christmas in the Golden Isles! I’ll be featuring special gifts, shops and events over the coming weeks so stay tuned!
And don’t forget to tune into WWEZ 94.7 and 97.5 FM radio to hear The Permanent Tourist radio talk show! Every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 7:05 pm EST….www.wwezradio.com for live streaming.
As the holiday season gets underway I am reminded of what this season is truly all about. Yes, we all love to give and receive gifts at Christmas. There is nothing more joyful than the sound of children opening presents on Christmas morning!
When I entitled this post “The Giving Tree”, I honestly did not know where that would lead me. I write that way many times, letting spirit guide and my hands do the typing. There are instances where I stop and read over what is on the screen of my laptop, wondering where the words could have come from.
The tree I refer to in this post is the tree of life. The never ending cycle of life is more and more clear to me with the passing of time.
A loved one passes from this world as news of a baby comes from another part of the family. It is a never ending circle of love, growth, understanding and compassion.
As the season begins keep the true meaning of giving in your heart. A gift of time, laughter, wonderful food to share…all of these are part of giving that lasts much longer than an object. Yes, a gift that shows love for a person is always wonderful, we all know that.
But truly, the greatest gift of all is love. No gift can express that more than simple actions, simple giving of oneself, each and every day.
If you have children and they have read the “Uncle Stinky” series, then you’ve heard the name Chris Rumble. Chris is a man on a mission. He is also a man of many talents.
Illustraing graphic novels for kids about bullying and other timely subjects is just one of the things he is known for. He’s an artist, an author and a marketing genius!
My friendship with Chris has been a virtual one. He lives north of Atlanta, yet I believe it’s safe to say that this entire country is his home.
Chris is something of a a “Pied Piper”. And his mission is literacy.
The pep rallies he holds at schools across this country inspire children everywhere to love books, all sorts of books.
Through music and a high energy presentation on why reading is important, Chris touches the lives of children everywhere. He’s known as the Reading Man and offers such programs as The Readapalooza and Bookstock to ignite the spirit of students in over 800 schools and libraries in 36 states over the past ten years.
Here’s a message from Chris himself about his work.
From my experience, Chris Rumble is a very humble man. A man who is devoted to his wife, to his family and to his work. If you have the opportunity to see Chris in action your life will be forever blessed. And even though we have never actually met in person, I believe in Chris Rumble and I am honored to call him my friend!
You can read more about him on his website: http://www.chrisrumble.com.
What are you grateful for this year? Family…..friends…..health…..wealth……or maybe all of that!
Thanksgiving Day is a day to say Thank You in ways we may not think of on other days. Saying Thank You is so important…..
Today I’m sharing some ideas that might become traditions for your family.
A gratitude jar….family and friends place a piece of paper, folded in a special jar and each person at the dinner table draws a special note of gratitude to read before dinner.
An impromptu “prayer”, joining hands around the dinner table with each person expressing what they are grateful for….
Or, perhaps, taking time to join in food preparation for your local soup kitchen…..
There are so many ways to give back, to pay forward and to share each and every day! I’d love to hear what you’re doing to make this a very special holiday!
This may very well be my favorite week in the entire year.
I love Thanksgiving….every single part of it!
The menu planning and food preparation…..
The family and friends who gather……
The sharing of grace and thankfulness…..
It just doesn’t get any better than this! This is the one holiday that has not been over commercialized!
What are you thankful for this year?
I have to admit that at the top of my list is not only family, friends, good health and success but all of my readers who have helped me make The Permanent Tourist a great success!
Saying THANK YOU for all of you on Thanksgiving and every day!
