I stepped back a bit this year from the madness of the OCD blogger and it now seems that I’m perpetually behind!! The end of the year ( as this whole year) has been a whirlwind of events big and small and of course my adjustment to the new place and life outside of town.
I wanted to try and find a Murphy’s type pub for my traditional Christmas Lilliput village but Niko said the tiny inhabitants might want to hang out there instead of the little church!
There are the carolers and skaters and those warming their hands at the little fire by the ice pond. The scene always reminds me of the Butchart Gardens Christmas light show which is also one of our seasonal traditions. Here is a former post on the subject showing all the magic and enchantment of their Christmas theme.
The image below is taken with the new Samsung tablet Santa gave me this year!
I wish everyone the peace and hope that Christmas represents in the truest meaning of the birth of the Christ Child, and I also wish everyone reflection and renewal as the old year ends and another approaches. We have circled the sun one more time. The song of our great mother is in the rhythm of the seasons and the miraculous cycle of death and renewal on this beautiful planet called Earth.
In the possibilities that lay ahead we must strive to shed off the fetters of sadness, resentments, disappointments, cares and fears that we have accumulated and that prevent us from going forward into our own rebirth.
On a deeper level we recognize our passage as a journey of the soul. In the words of a famous French Jesuit philosopher, paleontologist and geologist, Teilhard de Chardin, ” You are not a human being in search of a spiritual experience. You are a spiritual being immersed in a human experience.”
and here is a review of a few of my favourites of the past year which includes one from my latest story “The Siren’s Bones.”
All the best for the New Year!!
Andre Rieu -auld lang syne
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
Such beautiful images to accompany your words here, Cybele. Thanks for the lovely posts you bring us and for the well wishes. May 2017 be amazing for you xx
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I’m glad you enjoyed the journey round the sun!! Actually it was a tough one last year and still not smooth sailing! -yet! Thank you Christy!
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Lovely ambience in your photos… well done.
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many thanks RMW and for your visit!!!
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Beautiful images! And I do love Andre Rieu. We went to see him and it was so nice.
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thank you Pam!! and lucky you to have seen him live!!
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A wonderful and evocative post, Cybele. The wheel of the year has indeed turned, and we find ourselves at the beginning of another turn. Your photos continue to amaze me.
I love the Andre Rieu version of Auld Lang Syne, and almost used it in my post – but I needed one with clear vocals, so I could interpret their meaning. The sound of bagpipes fills me with awe.
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something about bagpipes!! Thank you Millie!!
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What a beautiful and dreamy post to return to. I love the pictures and all the sentiments. And I love hearing Auld Lang Syne (I’m purportedly related to Robert Burns — still to be proven!) 😀 Your Christmas decor was beautiful and I’m sure you and yours had a blessed Christmas. I heartily wish you all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR! Hugs, my friend!
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Many thanks my friend! and I wish you all good things for the new year too! I missed you!
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I always love seeing your pictures, Cybele. They’re truly beautiful.
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many thanks Nurul and I yours!
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What a beautiful blog. I’m so glad to have stumbled across it from Bernadine’s link party. Happy new year to you as well! Looking forward to seeing what 2017 brings to your blog.
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so pleased you came by. I will be popping over to see yours!! I’m always behind lol! Happy New Year!
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Happy New Year to you! I am out of the loop too, took a step away from the Blogosphere, was feeling overwhelmed. In the spirit of your post, I am going to move forward from here, not look back and try to catch up. True friends will understand. Your images are stunning and captivating, as always… I am in such awe of your vision! Keep on doing it, and be well, be happy and contented in 2017. Xxx
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oh I’m always behind these days Ali. I will pop over soon!! Thank you my friend and Happy New Year and blessings!!
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No rush. You’re always welcome at my place if and when you have the time. Xxx
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Beautiful thoughts and photos, Cybele. I love the Teilhard de Chardin quote, ” You are not a human being in search of a spiritual experience. You are a spiritual being immersed in a human experience.” All the best to you on your creative and spiritual quest this year.
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and to you also Patti!! So glad that spoke to you!
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That last image is what many of us hope.
Wishing you miles of smiles, intriguing wanderings, and lots of wonder in the New Year!
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and the same to you my friend. Thanks so much for stopping by!!
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I am blown away by the beauty of those countryside images, by that peacefully stunning hearth image, by your quietly inspiring prose — and by the fact that you are quoting Teilhard de Chardin!
Looking forward to your future posts, and wishing you a continually inspired 2017, Cybele!
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thanks so much Katherine. I’m thrilled to have you visit. Yes to Teilhard de Chardin! Happy New Year!!
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Hannah, when you post photos together like those at the end they have a huge impact. Lovely!
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I’m pleased!! Thanks so much Robert and Happy New Year!
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Extraordinary photos. A good year.
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Many thanks Macalder!! All the best for the New Year!!
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Just dropped by to see you
I hope all is well
Have a happy and healthy
As always Sheldon
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thank you Sheldon.
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Wonderful images, my friend, including the Samsung tablet one – a very good New Year and 2017 to you! Adrian
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many thanks Adrian!! And to you too!
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A beautifully rich and lovely post. Your images are so beautiful. Thank you Cybele for this holiday treat.
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oh I am pleased! thanks so much Sherry!!!
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I use my tablet way more than some might think. I have the 8″, Feliz Ano Nuevo, Hannah.
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and to you!!!
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A beautiful message Cybele, illuminated (literally!) by some wonderful images. For a moment I’ll sit with you by that lovely hearth in your cottage and wish you great things for the year to come.
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oh you are welcome any time Andrea! Thanks so much for visiting and your lovely comment! All the best for the new year!!
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Love your work .. so pleased you had a special Christmas 😃
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thanks so much!!
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I love your work .. dreamy and delightful. Sounds like a special Christmas 😃 Happy New Year
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many thanks Julie!! Happy New year!!
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Beautiful recap, Cybele, and I wish you as beautiful a New Year too.
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thank you Debbie and I wish you the same!
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Love these beautiful and poetical photos! Thank you for the review post, Cybele! 🙂
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thanks so much my friend!!
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Beautiful photos, Cybele! The quote reminds me of another by the singer, Sting – “We are spirits in the material world”. And I say we get stuck by that materialism at the expense of our spiritual development. It’s so hard to get out of. The expression of art is one way, as it is totally unselfish – and to be viewed by others in the same spirit of enjoyment. ❤
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Many thanks Moz for your wonderful and thoughtful reply! You are so right! Many blessings as you go forward too!
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Hope you have a great new year Cybele.
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and you too! Thank you Aidy!
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Wonderful, wonderful.
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thank you so much Paula!
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Great set of images, Hannah….with the inimitable Cybele touch! Glad to see you are settling into your new home
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many thanks Sue!! yes it’s been a haul this last year! All the best to you!!
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Thanks, Hannah!
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quote: A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.
Has you step into 2017 may your road be straight and the wind at your back, has we say in Ireland. Happy new year to you and your family.
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yes! I love that saying and thank you for your blessing! Same to you my friend!
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Such beautiful images Dune! Thank you for them all! xox
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thank you so much for all your support Landa!!
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The Lilliputian village is just perfect, lovely post. All best wishes for the coming year!
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thanks so much Maverick! and to you too!!
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I’m so happy to hear that you’ve had a lovely Christmas. I love your mantle and fireplace. Redoing mine is the next project on my Home Remodel list.
I left a couple of comments on your images.
In case I don’t get a chance to tell Happy New Year! Hugsxx
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I wish you all good things Deb!! and thank you for your support these blogging years!! There is still much to do here! Happy New Year my friend!
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Merry Christmas, Cybele! These are lovely seasonal pictures.
Wish you a wonderful new year ahead as well! I loved the pictures from the past year, and hope to see many more in the next.
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Many many thanks my friend!! and to you as well!!
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enjoying the soft focus
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thank you Gavin. Hard edges have been a bit difficult this year metaphorically speaking!!
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Thank you for your thoughts and good passage in the year ahead.
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you are welcome!!
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Dreamy pics, Cybele!
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many thanks Crow!!
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