Happy holidays to all my dear friends and readers.
Here are some chilly scenes of winter for you:
That’s Gabriel’s back above. No we don’t blanket in the winter, they grow thick cozy coats of their own.
One of my New Year’s resolutions is to make my blog less doggy, as I think some of you get sick of seeing our girls all the time. So I’ve decided to go out with a bang.
Here are three sleepy girls after a long day.
And finally a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson, which makes me think of our exciting new president and all our hopes in the coming time of change.
RING OUT, WILD BELLS
by Alfred Lord Tennyson
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light;
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more,
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.
Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.
Ring out the want, the care the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.
Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
Ring out old shapes of foul disease,
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.
Merry Christmas, Ann!
Thanks for the great pictures of your girls and your house.
Here’s hoping that 2009 brings good things to all… a great, competent new President, an improved economy, food and shelter for all ~ and a new kitty in the Leary barn!
Ann,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos, dreams and inspirations throughout the year. It is such a joy to visit your blog daily and share in the thoughts of the readers. Looking forward to 2009 with more pictures of the horses, oh do I love horses!!
Merry Christmas to All
The last line of that poem gave me goosebumps!
Your pictures are stunning, and don’t de-dog on my account! They’re precious!
Merry, Merry Christmas Ann — to you and yours.
Ann:
Your Christmas tree is gorgeous! And I love the wreaths hung between the windows! What a classic, tasteful touch. I remember this room from the In Style article a few years ago. It looks cozy and comfortable, and the views from the windows are amazing.
Thank you for the timely poem. It expresses exactly how most of us feel this time of year. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could maintain those hopes and dreams throughout the year, instead of just at Christmastime and the beginning of a new year? Ah, we can try….
By the way, I never tire of seeing and reading about your dogs. I love dogs, but have a cat who won’t tolerate one in the house. Therefore, I live vicariously through the dogs owned by family and friends.
Merry Christmas to you, Denis, Jack, Devin, and the rest of your family!
Ann, your tree is beautiful, it looks great in front of all the windows…I love windows…The winter scenes are great, does look like Alaska….
The pics of your girls are so sweet….It makes me laugh when they get so tired and finally crash, they totally spread out and are relaxed….The only thing that moves are their eyes….
We used to laugh at my Cindi, once she fell asleep in the evening that was it, she was officially off duty as far as being a watchdog, nothing got her up and she would glare if she was disturbed….
I enjoy your animal pics, thank you for sharing them….
I want to wish you and your family a very Blessed Christmas……
The winter scenes are beautiful, “Wicked Pure” and I just read the page in Maxim, special issue, I’ve never see the Irish Wolfhounds? Funny story. Beautiful dogs, I hope we see only a “little less” dog stuff. Its fun! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Ann,
Merry Merry to you and the rest of your family!
I love your seeing your dog posts and never tire of dog pics and stories. But I am sure if you make it less doggy, you will replace the doggie posts with other great posts. Enjoy the rest of the holiday season and here’s to a bright new future in 2009! Hope and Progress, Health and Happiness always.
Courtney
Ann: Next year you have to read this poem at the new and improved Lessons and Carols service. It is really a perfect poem.
I don’t know about anyone else but I feel very emotional this Christmas. So much to worry about, and so much to be thankful for. And here’s to ending sentences with prepositions Sometimes you just have to.
Oh your blog could never be too doggy, Ann! I love the one where the elf is snuggled up with your daughter. So cute.
Ann:
I so love your blog and the great photos. I tune in every few days when I have a few moments. Please don’t stop the canine photos. I’m a fool for my German Shepherds. I’m a huge horse lover and I do believe “Mark” has stolen my heart! Happy New Year!!!
Kim