"I started photographing my domestic world and writing not just about what I had made,
but why I made it, examining the thoughts that accompany creativity and the act of making."
Jane Brocket from The Gentle Art of Domesticity p. 189 UK edition

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

By Candle Light

 The rain fell.  The wind blew.  Our electrical power went off for nearly eight hours.  I lit the beautiful beeswax candles Teresa made for me and admired the candles and the holly and greens her husband Dayle cut from their property to decorate the candles. I wrote a Christmas card.  I crocheted some on a red yarn bag for a granddaughter for Christmas.
 I made tea light Celestial Imperial Tai Chai tea two cups at a time.  The teapot is sitting on a pretty doily, Tammy kindly made for me.  The teapot wrapped in the Christmas tea cozy Amanda made for me years ago helped the tea to brew more rapidly.
 Uncle Tim read a book about a sailor bear to Hayley and Joy, and read it again when requested to do so.
 It got darker.  We made sandwiches for dinner.  We sang some Christmas carols.
We ate candy kind friends had sent.  Aunt Lissie rocked baby Sarah.
The candles burned lower.
Just as we were getting ready to go to bed the Christmas tree lights came back on and the heater started filling the house with more warmth.

I had awakened in the morning with the beginnings of a cold I did not want.  I had other busy plans for the day.  I have been attending more gatherings than usual and enjoying seasonal celebrations. But this unexpected time of living in candlelight while challenging and worrisome in some ways, was simply wonderful.

During this season I have been listening to the modern Michael W. Smith Holiday channel on Pandora, and enjoying it very much, but as I'm typing this I am listening to ancient, classical styled "Till Morn Eternal Breaks" Sacred Choral Music of Benedict Sheehan performed by The Chamber Choir of St. Tikhon's Monastery, which my dear friend Becky sent me from NY, and I am enjoying it very much as well...its like a candle light versus electricity contrast for my ears!

Whatever circumstances you find yourself in this season, may God bless you.

xx
Gracie
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28 comments:

  1. BetsyDecember 22, 2015 at 7:44 PM

    I so enjoyed your post Gracie. Although it can be difficult without electricity, it does make you slow down and allows uninterrupted time with family...as your post shows. We had some none electric time a few weeks ago and it was kind of nice, for a short while anyway. I feel sorry for those who were without for two weeks!! I hope your cold goes away very quickly and good as new to enjoy the holidays. I wish I could visit you in your sweet and cozy home.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  2. Lilly's MomDecember 22, 2015 at 8:10 PM

    Greetings Gracie, It looks like you had a magical evening at home with your dear ones. I loved seeing the beautiful candlelit room and the delicious looking tea you made. I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas holiday. I'm blessed to know you :) Pat

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  3. ellenDecember 22, 2015 at 8:40 PM

    Gracie, what a lovely post. I am going to think about this when I go to bed...which will be very soon. It is a blessing to slow down with loved ones around us. (I do have to mention the one thing that I do truly miss without the power is the lack of water when you have a well as we do..think..no toilet flushing!!!) Other than that, I am very content.
    Sending blessings and warm prayers your way, Ellen.

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  4. Tammy@T's Daily TreasuresDecember 22, 2015 at 10:34 PM

    Y'all certainly are getting a lot of rain. It's nice to see you use Teresa's candles rather than hiding them away. And I see my little doily there under the teapot that you mentioned in your recent comment. :) Sure hope weather will be better for Christmas. Take care! Warm wishes, Tammy

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  5. ElsieJoyDecember 22, 2015 at 10:51 PM

    Christmas Blessings Gracie, to you and the family. How blessed you are. We are on our this year, first time, all the family are 'busy elsewhere'. We plan to walk in the woods Christmas morning.

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  6. mamasmercantileDecember 23, 2015 at 12:06 AM

    Such a beautiful post, spending quality time with your family. Hope your cold disappears quickly and you are back to full strength soon. Take care and have a wonderful Christmas.

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  7. Ivy, Phyllis and Me!December 23, 2015 at 1:44 AM

    Good Morning Gracie, Although it must have been difficult for you and your family, you really made the most of the time spent without electricity... and how wonderful that the first thing to light up, when the electricity returned, was your Christmas tree lights. I love that you recorded those special moments with your family.
    I do hope your cold goes away before Christmas Day and that you feel better.
    Have a wonderful Christmas with love and peace for the New Year.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  8. JoDecember 23, 2015 at 4:12 AM

    I think candlelight makes a home so cosy. You've certainly been blessed with so many wonderful things gifted by friends and family. Wishing you a very merry Christmas.

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  9. Caffeine GirlDecember 23, 2015 at 7:40 AM

    You certainly know how to take advantage of a power outage! How lovely to be surrounded by family.

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  10. CarolineDecember 23, 2015 at 8:11 AM

    Merry Christmas, Gracie. All the best to you and yours at this special time.
    xoxo

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  11. Helen PhilippsDecember 23, 2015 at 8:46 AM

    Such a peaceful candlelit post, Gracie. Wishing you and your family a peaceful, joyful, Merry Christmas.
    Helen xox

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  12. AnonymousDecember 23, 2015 at 9:34 AM

    Gracie-this was such an enjoyable post! So beautiful and very, very peaceful! Sorry to hear you are ill. Hope you are over your cold soon. And now it's time for me to get up and clean. Peace.
    Blessings,
    Aimee

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  13. JoDecember 23, 2015 at 9:42 AM

    God Bless you too Gracie. Happy Christmas to you and all your loved ones. Jo x

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  14. Teresa KasnerDecember 23, 2015 at 11:03 AM

    My dear friend.. what a sweet and magical post! I am so happy that my gift to you made with my own hands brought light to you in the darkness. I adored the photo of your son reading to the girls and the family enjoying the tree with you and playing music and just being a happy family. I hope your cold goes away super quick. Enjoy the next few days with your lovely family. I can't wait to see the new baby girl. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
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    *M*E*R*R*Y* * *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
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  15. Down by the seaDecember 23, 2015 at 2:24 PM

    Wishing you a very Happy Christmas Gracie! It looks as if made the most of having no electricity and created a lovely way to create a magical moment with the family. Sarah x

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  16. AnneDecember 23, 2015 at 4:01 PM

    Just wanted to wish you a very happy Christmas Gracie. Hugs Anne x

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  17. wendyDecember 23, 2015 at 4:33 PM

    Oh Gracie I sure hope you do not get sick and keep warm there.....our xmas day is going to be HOT HOT lol will send some warm hugs your way and love to all of your family....one day I may get lucky to visit :D

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  18. Jennifer HaysDecember 23, 2015 at 6:23 PM

    Merry Christmas to you and your family. I hope you have a wonderful day, Gracie.

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  19. Grammy BraxtonDecember 23, 2015 at 7:50 PM

    Merry Christmas, Gracie. What a magical time. I hope you don't get a cold. Sending you lots of warm hugs.
    Sharon

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  20. Grandmabeckyl.blogspotDecember 23, 2015 at 8:47 PM

    Aw the days of candle light. At least it was only one day. Your photos reflect beauty of the house you live in. We rarely are without power. I've not burned the candles I got from Teresa yet. I need to pull out more of my Christmas music. I've not played my Mannheim Steamrollers music at all this year...what's wrong with me? I'll do it right now! Merry Christmas, Gracie and your family. So good to see you again! Hugs!

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  21. Stitchy Mc Floss December 24, 2015 at 7:47 AM

    Merry Christmas to you and yours. :)

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  22. MeredithDecember 24, 2015 at 12:15 PM

    A day of no electricity sounds lovely, nothing to take away from just being together and spending time appreciating the still moments.

    Merry Christmas to you and your wonderful family Gracie,
    Meredith

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  23. Clicky NeedlesDecember 24, 2015 at 2:52 PM

    It looks like you has a wonderful time, power or no power.

    Have a Happy Christmas. xx

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  24. PreetiDecember 24, 2015 at 5:51 PM

    Glad to see the celebrations at your home :) Merry Christmas to you and your family!!

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  25. WillowDecember 25, 2015 at 4:24 PM

    Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  26. KrisDecember 26, 2015 at 11:42 AM

    Well you made a power outage sound just lovely! I have missed you! I am back.
    Merry Christmas and happy holidays!!
    xo Kris

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  27. susanDecember 26, 2015 at 12:30 PM

    Hope you're having a beautiful Christmas season. It looks like you had a wonderful time even if you lost power for 8 hours. You always find the silver lining, Gracie. Happy, Healthy blessed New Year to you and your family. xo

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  28. AnonymousDecember 30, 2015 at 2:19 PM

    What a special time with your family - a little reminder that a single flame can banish darkness from an entire room. Wishing you and yours every blessing in 2016, Gracie. X

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