Wednesday, December 28, 2011

The Gracious Time


The Gracious Time

Some say that ever ‘gainst that season comes
Wherein our Saviour’s birth is celebrated,
The bird of dawning singeth all night long:
And then, they say, no spirit date stir abroad;
The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike,
No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,
So hallow’d and so gracious is the time.
William Shakespeare

The presents have all been delivered. They sit under the sparkling trees of our friends and family, waiting to be unwrapped in the cool light of Christmas dawn. Wine is mulling on the stove and carols are softly playing through the cottage. Edward and Apple, tummies as full as their hearts, lay at our feet, breathing in the fragrance of fir trees, star anise, and orange, and no doubt planning what to say when midnight strikes, affording them their once a year gift of magical speech.
Thus begins the gracious time - an unhurried time of peaceful reflection.
A time to celebrate all the quiet joys; my favourite week of the year. If you chance to think of Edward and me during this week of endings and beginnings, think of stacks of books waiting to be read, long walks taken in the the cold afternoon air, soup simmering on the stove.
And please know how much I appreciate each and every one of my readers. Your letters and comments make my world a richer place and I am grateful for your friendship, each and every one of you.
As we enter this special season, I thought you all might enjoy a glimpse into the House, and the Garden, of Edward at Christmastime.








Edward and I wish all of you a most Happy Christmas!

50 comments:

  1. Just popped over to wish you a very Merry Christmas with your hearts filled with love and joy.

    I'll be back to read all your posts when I am not so snowed under with family and cooking.

    Love and Blessings . . . Arija

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  2. May the grace, peace, hope, and joy of Christmas be yours, Pamela & Edward.

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  3. Merry merry Christmas to you! I hope our paths cross again soon!
    Blessings,
    Renae

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  4. Pamela

    Thank you for the beautiful post and message. I wish to return the greeting of a very happy Christmas to you and your family.
    Your blog, frienship, support and comments are much appreciated.'
    Helen xx

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  5. Merry Christmas,

    Coming here to visit is like a gift to myself. I love being transported by your magical posts.

    Blessings to you on this happy day, Elizabeth

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  6. Joyous Noel to you and Edward and Apple and the songwriter. I do picture you all doing just these things often. Many thanks for the glimpse into your peaceful,lovely family life.

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  7. Beautiful blog! Merry Christmas... sweet Dreams,
    xo,
    Gail
    casualloveselegance

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  8. A very Happy Christmas to you and Edward and to Apple and The Songwriter too. Your plans for the next week are very similar to mine - enjoy:)

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  9. What wonderful, festive photos. Have a marvellous, laughter filled Christmas. Wilf has started as he means to go on . He is currently in the breakfast room hoping that someone will drop their plate of bacon and sausage .

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  10. Have a wonderful christmas and thank you for such a warm post.

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  11. All creatures great and small...

    Merry Chritmas and many blessings in the New Year to you, your sweet Songwriter, and of course...to your little angels, Edward & Apple!
    xo J~

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  12. Have a magical Christmas...Hugs from The Hilltop..

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  13. Your house, like your blog, is full of beauty and I thank you for each and every post. Have a wonderful Christmas.

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  14. Merry Christmas from the south of the world. Many Blesings to you all.
    Beatriz

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  15. Hello Pamela

    I hope you and your family will have a very Merry Christmas!

    Best
    Tracy :)

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  16. this post is as treasured a gift as if it were under my own tree.
    thank you for sharing your beautiful life with us!
    have a wonderful "special week."
    love,
    tammy j

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  17. A Happy Christmas to you all. from the grey, windy Cotswolds!

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  18. Merry Christmas to you all of you in your splendid cottage and environs, Pamela. The Gracious Time; so tender and peace
    ful, and the graciousness of your posts always make my day. Penny

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  19. Pamela, thank you for the lovely images; wishing you a lovely Christmas Day!

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  20. Merry Christmas, Pamela to you and the Songwriter and to Edward and Apple. Those two keep me searching for my next dog!

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  21. Pamela, thank you for all the beauty, joy, and inspiration you bring to my day with your beautiful blog. Your original and creative voice stands out and I am so happy to have discovered it. Merry Christmas!
    Sunday xx

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  22. Wishing you the best of the holiday season. Merry Christmas.

    Katie from
    www.westiejulep.blogspot.com

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  23. Pamela, thank you for enriching my life during this year. I find such sweetness and wisdom every time I drop in on your blog. You are a Peach. I love this between week, also.

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  24. My dear friend Pamela,
    Your home looks beautiful and full of the Christmas spirit. I hope that you are having a wonderful day.
    Many thanks for all of your support and lovely comments this year and here's to more of the same in 2012.
    Wishing you, The Songwriter, Edward and Apple, a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.
    With much love, Jackie. XXXX

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  25. Happy Christmas! I'm so happy to have found your and Edward's site.
    Karen

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  26. I love your description of The Gracious Time - it truly is just that. Nothing planned, nowhere to go - but a stack of books, a fridge full of left-overs of the very best kind and the company of those I love make it the best time of year.

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  27. Dear Pamela, Edward et al ~
    You are so much part of this time of year ~ you give and add so much - so a Happy Christmas to you all from us all here in our place at Christmas with our dogs and loved ones ~ and thank you for your message on my site.

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  28. Your cottage looks to be under a magic spell - a happy one. Thanks for your lovely blog; it is always a refuge for the spirit. Enjoy your quiet peaceful week. May it leave you recharged and renewed.

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  29. Happy Christmas and brightest blessings! Always a joy to visit your world (and Edward seems to adore the winter season doesn't he?)

    Cheers!

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  30. i adore your cottage pamela, particularly this time of year.
    thank YOU for warming our souls and piquing our interest year round with your gift of words
    wishing you the best
    fondly
    debra

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  31. Pamela I can feel the love and warmth of your home at the holidays!

    All the best to you & your family in 2012!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  32. Just to let you know, even when I travel I will not want to miss any of your posts! Your words are so dear to me, like a little coming home!
    Which means a lot to me!
    Thank you for another year long blogging, posting enchanting and thoughtful musings on life!
    I wish you a wondrful, calm time!
    We are taking the children on a magical tour along the Pacific coast between SF and LA! Today the light was glorious and the ocean like a mirror!
    Greetings from Carmel- by-the-Sea!

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  33. A Happy Christmas to you all. There is no doubt what Edward would say to Apple at that moment when they both had voice. It would be, "Aren't we both so lucky to live in this wonderful house with these wonderful, loving people."

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  34. So beautiful. Kisses to Edward and Apple, and thank you for your own graciousness.

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  35. Gorgeous ! much love to you all
    xoxo Susan, Winnie Dixon & Gang

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  36. How wonderful to be able to take this reflective moment in all the hustle and bustle of this sacred holiday.
    Happy Christmas Pamela! and Edward and Apple and the Songwriter!

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  37. Oh my Gosh!!
    where did you find the monkeys and that lion? Love it.
    The news is stores are closing around Maine, Oooooh I wonder what is going to happen to the Economy
    in 2012 ?? I am worried..
    Happy New year to You, Hubby and my dear Edward..
    Yvonne

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  38. Hope all is peaceful and lovely.
    The Shakespeare quote was so lovely. Dimly remembered and happily revisited.
    Your home looks so warm and inviting.
    Happy New Year from
    all of us here --and Buster!

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  39. THANK YOU DEAREST FOR YOUR VISIT!!!

    May your New Year be bright and promising! I see Edward and BIGFOOT HERE! So darling is he...EDWARD, that is!

    Anita

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  40. May you and Edward have a warm and fuzzy New Year!

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  41. wishing you a very happy Christmas and New Year

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  42. Just as I imagine Pamela...magical and mystical! Sending you very best wishes for a very Happy New Year...may it be filled with inspiration and delight!

    Jeanne xx

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  43. Lovely, traditional interior...gorgeous lighting!

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  44. What would the holidays be without a long visit to the House of Edward? I don't even want to imagine. I've finally recovered from all of the holiday festivities and wanted to stop by to wish you, the Songwriter, Edward, and Apple a magnificent 2012, filled with love, good health, and prosperity.
    Thank you for another year of friendship and poetic insight. I look forward to sharing another year with you. I think of you often, as I look at the two shimmery birds on my bookshelf.

    xo
    Brooke

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  45. I have just discovered you this evening and your words are so beautiful! Debra is a dear friend and I was anxious to see who won her book and here I am at The House of Edward!

    I can hardly wait to come back and be a part of what you do.

    Your Christmas message was lovely and your home so festive. As for EDWARD, what a an armful of loving fluff!

    Happy New Year to you!

    Mary Anne

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  46. Happy Holidays to you, and thank you for the lovely peak into the winter wonderland of your home! I hope that you are indeed having a lovely time out walking or in reading!!

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  47. This is a precious week indeed - I love the glimpse of your week, very different from mine in some respects, but with the same stacks of books, walks in the cold air, and comforting winter food.

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  48. A Happy and prosperous New Year to You & Him & your little dogs too, Pamela.

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  49. Happy new year to you both!!! Many happy days of writing and exploring dear writer! Anita

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  50. And all the best in 2012 for you, lovely Pamela.

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!