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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas


One of my favorite places to visit  during this time of year is Willow Tree Gardens and Interiors in University Place.   There were lots of interesting  plants outside but what I came to see was the wonderland inside! 



Hope you enjoy this visual feast as much as I do each year!





Since there's a piano... here's a recording that Tom made on his cell phone of me singing  "O Joyful Children" (not at Willow Tree but let's pretend mkay?)





O joyful children bring white winter roses with bright burning candles to welcome the lord.
O joyful children bring rings of bright berries and white winter roses and green holly boughs.  

Our hearts were sleeping,
The cold winter storm is gone,
The night is done,
The world is dressed in silver light.


Candles are burning bracelets of fire in the snow,
The world aglow,
Warming the circles of flowers and leaves.

 
Morning has come!
O joyful children bring white winter roses with bright burning candles to welcome the Lord.
O joyful children bring flowers around him.
 
 


The spring is a coming,
The sun is a rising
The earth is a singing.
It's Christmas morn,
Christ is born!






























Merry Christmas to those who are celebrating on this day.  And to all, may peace and goodwill be yours today and always.


28 comments:

  1. Oh, Peter. That was just lovely, and you know I'm not talking about the pictures. Thank you so much for sharing that with us. Merry Christmas, my friend. That does look like an interesting shop. You know all the good ones.

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    1. Aw gosh, thanks. It is a fun shop and nursery. Maybe we should put it on our list of places to visit together. They'll probably have big sales on all of their Christmas stuff.

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  2. Wow...that's an eyeful! Merry Christmas to you, Peter!

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  3. And you sing too?
    Your voice is AMAZING! Professional training? Singing in a choir? A perfect accompaniment to the pictures of sparkling trees.

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    1. Thanks. I had some training and it's paid off as now I go exclusively in the potty! Three weeks in big boy pants with no accidents. Hooray! I have a choir directing gig on Sundays.

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  4. Amazing voice Peter, loved hearing you sing this beautiful sunny Christmas morn. Blessings to you.

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  5. Phooey I can't access the recording on my iPhone or iPad. I'll fire up the laptop and see if I can get it. Meanwhile wow on the garden center display! A tree with angel wings, I like it. Did you come home with something pretty? Merry Christmas!

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    1. I came home with a plant, Cotoneaster lacteus, which has nice evergreen foliage and bunches of bright red berries that last all winter. Actually visited in early November and wasn't quite ready to bring home decorations.

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  6. Wowwww!!!! I had no idea you were such a great singer!!! you reminded me of my uncle who sang in operas. Merry Christmas!!! Thanks for the song!! I enjoyed it!

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    1. Thanks, glad you liked the song Lisa. Merry Christmas!

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  7. Merry Christmas! (and the pics and thought of seeing a nursery this time of year weren't bad either) But your outlaw voice...thank you...thinking of my church cantor, late father in that :-)

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    1. Merry Christmas David! Glad the singing brought fond memories of your dad!

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  8. Merry Christmas, Peter! Disappointed I can't make the link to your recording work but I'll keep trying. Quite the holiday bonanza at Willow Tree!

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    1. Hope you're having a blast in Austin, Justin! Willow Tree goes all out for the holidays. Even though I went very early in November, the tunes that we're all tired of by now were playing and I couldn't help humming along.

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  9. What a beautiful store and what a fabulous voice!! My singing voice sounds like someone is squeezing a cat. Merry Christmas!

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    1. Thanks Tammy. Hope all is well with you and that you're having the merriest Christmas ever!

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  10. That was wonderful Peter! I'm so glad to finally hear your fantastic voice. No wonder you are so busy at the holidays.

    The trees and decorations are lovely to go with the song.

    Did you see the St. Olaf's Choir in Norway on PBS? It was wonderful.

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    1. Oh yes! I never miss Christmas from St. Olaf and this year was a special treat! St. Olaf did a Christmas in Norway several years ago which was also wonderful! Although I work Christmas eve, the DVR awaits when we get home around 1:00a.m. and we stay up and watch several of the choral concerts and drink hot cocoa!

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  11. I can't wait to hear your voice (one the iPad now and as others have said can't get the recording) what a great belated Christmas gift that will be!

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  12. Beautiful voice and song, what a special treat! That is a staggering number of very special decorated trees. I like the deer with curliqued antlers, dragonflies, echinoderms, and so many more. Great post!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the trees. Willow Tree is a great place to visit to get ideas, ornaments, and a little bit of Christmas spirit!

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  13. Holy batshit, Batman.... what a great voice you have!!! Now when is that America's Got Talent audition again? Truly, you'd have a really good chance, methinks. Happy New Year, Peter!

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    1. Thank you, you're too kind. Happy new year to you too!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.