Saturday, December 19, 2009


Scenes From Edward's House At Christmas

Glad Christmas comes, and every hearth
Makes room to give him welcome now,
E'en want will dry its tears in mirth,
And crown him with a holly bough.
Though tramping 'neath a winter sky,
O'er snowy paths and rimy stiles,
The housewife sets her spinning by
To bid him welcome with her smiles.


Each house is swept the day before,
And windows stuck with evergreens,
The snow is besom'd from the door,
And comfort crowns the cottage scenes.
Gilt holly, with its thorny pricks,
And yew and box, with berries small,
These deck the unused candlesticks,
And pictures hanging by the wall.


Around the glowing hearth at night,
The harmless laugh and winter tale
Go round, while parting friends delight
To toast each other o'er their ale.
The cotter oft with quiet zeal
Will musing o'er his Bible lean;
While in the dark the lovers steal
To kiss and toy behind the screen.


While snows the windowpanes bedim,

The fire curls up a sunny charm,
Where, creaming o'er the pitcher's rim,
The flowering ale is set to warm.
Mirth, full of joy as summer bees,
Sits there, its pleasures to impart,
And children, 'tween their parent's knees,
Sing scraps of carols o'er by heart.



Old customs! Oh! I love the sound,
However simple they may be:
Whate'er with time hath sanction found,
Is welcome, and is dear to me.

Verses from the poem, December, by John Clare
Photographs taken 'round the cottage

45 comments:

  1. your pictures are so warm and your words are so comforting. I just love visiting your blog each day. Are these photos from within your home? If so, no wonder your imagination is always at it's heights. It just seems that around every corner there is something magical in your home. Not to mention the furry four legged magical creatures that keep you warm on stormy nights. Thanks for your imagination.
    Stop by and visit me at my blog.http://jansgourds.blogspot.com
    would love to have you visit
    Jan

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  2. John Clare - one of my favourite poets Pamela - his work was so simple and yet so pure in heart. You have chosen lovely pictures to go with his verses too.

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  3. Ah, you can't beat a bit of John Clare, especially with such lovely illustrations!

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  4. I knew this was from John Clare's A Shepherd's Calendar as soon as I started reading it. It's a wonderful piece of verse and beautifully illustrated. I've really enjoyed this post. Shall also have to turn elsewhere for my December Shepherd's Calendar post now:)

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  5. Pamela, your house speaks such poetic language, filled with the comforts of a home kept close at heart and the pleasures of this season!
    Wouldn't mind sitting at your fire and listen to some tales told by you!
    Ale optional...

    Enjoy those days!

    XX
    Victoria

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  6. Such a lovely tribute to Christmas, in both words and pictures. I am fascinated by the lovely and cosy glimpse inside your home. It is a fairy tale come to life.

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  7. Your home reflects your writings--rich and lush.

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  8. Love those rosy photos, they are warming indeed and inspiring.. thank you.

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  9. Your cottage is as warm,comforting and evocative as your words always are!

    Lovely poem!

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  10. Oh my word, I want to transform myself right there in your magical corner. My book arrived and it is tucked under my tree! (ready to pop Christmas morn!)
    weee!
    pve

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  11. Warm and welcoming...your posts are always so! merry christmas! suzie. xxx

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  12. Traditions are so important, they mark our coming and our going and all the feasts inbetween.

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  13. Oh, I love your lion.

    Your house looks so very interesting, thanks for letting us have a nosey.

    If I don't visit again I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, take care!

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  14. Beautiful! Your home feels so elegant and warm!
    Merry Christmas!
    Tanner says hello!

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  15. Hello P&E,

    Your room tableaux are very atmospheric, Pamela and reminiscent of Christmasses past.

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  16. These pictures are amazing. I should post pictures of the Sternberg house this time of year. The comparison would have people crying for me and symbolically rendering their clothing.

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  17. your home is enchanting...thanks for sharing it.xx

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  18. I am in love with that lion!

    Thankyou for sharing your home and the lovely words to go with it. x

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  19. Have popped over again to have another read of that lovely Clare poem, Pamela - and I must say that I absolutely adore that lion photograph - have you really got him on your wall?

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  20. what an utterly beautiful blog you have ! can't wait to peruse it further...

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  21. Beautiful and the accompanying photographs are indeed magical in a wonderful story book way....isn't it getting more and more exciting.
    do you have snow.
    Hugs Lynn xxx

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  22. Your house looks so beautiful and inviting all decorated for Christmas. Happy Holidays, Pamela!

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  23. What beautiful words and your wonderful home really does lend itself to Christmas.You have decorated it so beautifully for the season and I can imagine that Christmas Day will be wonderful. XXXX

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  24. Is the painting of the lady a painting of you? Its very pretty and I like the dark wall. Is it black or Walnut. It really sets off the assesories. And that Lions head Wow. I love that too. I do alot of bead work on gourds and I did one with the African animals. Mainly the big one was the elephant.

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  25. The photos of your home are beautiful as are the words by John Clare you have chosen to accompany them...
    Enjoy your weekend and all the beauty that the days leading up to Christmas shall bring.
    x Susan

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  26. Oh Edward...what an adorable dog...

    loved this post so much..so calming after just coming into my little house after all the crazyness out there....

    i love your blog and will be following along...

    I have crush on a dog too..mine is tiny..his name is Butterscotch..we call him Buddy...

    Have a peaceful weekend before Christmas....

    I'll be back soon....

    Kary and Buddy
    xxx

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  27. The spirit of the Holiday Season is alive and well in your post. Thank you for this gift of beauty.

    Marjorie

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  28. Lovely, elegant, heart warming - thank you for sharing.

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  29. belle ballade chez toi!!

    Joyeux Noël

    manon

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  30. Pamela, how wonderful! The images remind me so much of an elegant bygone era!!

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  31. love the antiquated old world and a bit storybook feel of your home.

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  32. Beautiful pictures Pamela. Beautiful home! It looks so warm and inviting!

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  33. Hi Pamela,

    I love the pictures of your beautiful home at Christmas time and the words of John Clare are wonderful.

    Have a peaceful weekend
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  34. I'm very fond of John Clare's poems. Your home looks wonderful, warm and festive. I love the greenery around your portrait - the colours are stunning:)

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  35. Love the lion wreath! Beautiful photos! Magical.

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  36. Like always I find beauty...in your words..and this time also in your lovely home..

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  37. Thank you for sharing your beautiful holiday decorations with us. Ü
    Wishing you, Edward and your family a very merry and blessed Christmas.

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  38. wow that looks like the perfect place to spend Christmas!

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  39. Your home is as beautiful as your writing and the person you are. Thank you for sharing, such a pleasure to see.

    Christmas has almost arrived!!

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  40. I just adore seeing pictures from your home. These little tableaux have all of the charm, beauty and whimsy of your writing!

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  41. Gorgeous detailing and beautiful words!

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  42. What beautiful photos from round your home Pamela, so warm and welcoming. Lovely. And super word to go with the photos.

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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!