Joy is… the company of strangers

This is a great time of year to show a little appreciation.  I have in my head that children’s Christmas carol that goes… ‘There isn’t any room, there isn’t any room, there isn’t any room for strangers’.  I like to think that there’s a little space for ‘strangers’ on this blog. Some of them have turned into the most wonderful friends!

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I started out with such a great idea!  I wanted to create a Christmas tree out of ‘baubles’.  Each of those baubles would represent a special blogging friend.  Sadly the reality hasn’t quite lived up to my expectations.  My ‘baubles’ have kind of fallen off the tree!  Ah, me and technology!  A fatal combination.  Never mind!  I’m glad it’s the thought that counts.

If you click on a photo it will take you to a person who brings me joy.  I don’t have space on my ‘tree’ for everybody. What a tree that would be!  Please be sure there are many more of you who brighten my life, and I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone.  This is a very special world we bloggers have, isn’t it, where strangers can become friends?  Sending you all Christmas hugs!

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I’m linking this to Kan’s Joy is…  This week Yvette has posted a very thoughtful Christmas message. (she’s the little white rocking horse!)  It’s just how Christmas should be.

Wishing you peace and joy this Christmas!  I hope the New Year smiles on you.  A very Merry Christmas, one and all!

 

117 comments

    1. The ‘tree’ was a bit wonky, Ad, but as usual, I’m blaming the port. 🙂 Not a drop has touched my lips yet but a sip or two of wine may be needed while I peel those veg. Thanks for your friendship and have a wonderful time!

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    1. You should most definitely be a lilac bauble on my tree, Viv 🙂 It was harder to do than conceive. Many thanks for your friendship and my very best wishes for a healthy 2015.

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  7. Haha! I see you have me in bed, how well you know me Jo 😀

    What a lovely tree you have, I stopped having trees 10 years ago when we moved into a smallish flat, and I gave most of my treasured baubles to my daughter, so I get to see them on her tree each year now. But I will never forget that divine pine smell and the hanging of the decorations with carols playing (I had a record of children’s songs) and the ubiquitous glass of sherry (I don’t even like sherry, but someone had to finish off the bottle after using some for the sherry trifle) with my children on Christmas Eve. Thanks for the memories xx

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    1. I spent ages deciding who should have which bauble, Jude, then got in a proper muddle when I realised I didn’t have enough and couldn’t fathom how to put them in tree form but still include the links. I’m sure it can be done, but not by this idiot 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it anyway.

      Sprouts etc to do a bit later and yes, I may just have a little slurp. It was a glorious day here and I wanted to do the Victorian Street at Preston Park, but when we got there a sign said ‘closed due to unforeseen circumstances’. The ‘office’ Christmas party? We had a brisk riverside walk anyway 🙂 Have a lovely restful time, Jude. Thanks for the friendship 🙂

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    1. Sorry I don’t have any male ‘baubles’ on there, Gerry! Just not a big enough ‘tree’ 🙂 Please know that I value your friendship and support. Merry Christmas to you and the family!

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  11. Mnóstwa prezentów pod zieloną choinką,
    pyszności na wigilijnym stole,
    wspaniałej rodzinnej atmosfery,
    wypełnionej melodią staropolskich kolęd,
    a także wystrzałowego, Sylwestra
    i spełnienia marzeń w Nowym Roku

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    1. Phew! Made it safely to Christmas Eve and just a few veg to prepare, Sue 🙂 My ‘tree’ was intended to look entirely different but I ran out of both time and patience. I’d better start earlier next year 🙂 Consider yourself a very lovely purple bauble on there- or would you prefer blue? Merry Christmas, whichever, and thanks for your friendship.

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      1. Well done, Jo…have a good rest soon! As for baubles on trees – I would most definitely prefer blue – sapphire blue, shall we say? And, of course, it remains for me to say thanks for your friendship! And here’s to many more years….

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  13. Brilliant concept – im on a train to visit my kids so unable to click everything – i do find blogging very uplifting and this kind of post highlights these feelings perectly – Merry Christmas

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    1. Thanks, Scott 🙂 I feel a little guilty that I have no male ‘baubles’, though there are plenty of candidates. Just not enough tree, I’m afraid. Have a lovely Christmas with your kids. That’s always the place to be 🙂

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  15. What a fantastic idea, well done Jo! I agree with you, it is amazing how we develop such good friendships with our fellow bloggers. I love having friends around the world. Have a great Christmas Jo – enjoy!

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    1. Hiya Debbie 🙂 I didn’t have enough bauble photos and the execution wasn’t great but I think everyone got the general idea. Consider yourself a bauble! 🙂 Any particular colour you’d like? And Merry Christmas 🙂

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  17. now this is some quote to end the year with “This is a very special world we bloggers have, isn’t it, where strangers can become friends? ”

    ah indeed – ❤ and I am very grateful – and honored to be the horse.
    thanks so much
    and have a great Christmas
    a virtual piwo (cheers)
    and
    Wesołych Świąt!!

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  18. What a lovely idea, Jo. And I’m honored to be one of the baubles on your tree, especially a feathery bird, since my maiden name is Birdsong. I hope you’re having a wonderful Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve was only eventful for me today in that I went to the Myanmar Consulate to apply for my visa. It was quite a trek. After that I’m afraid I went on a bit of shopping spree, but you know me, Jo. I’m always getting in trouble that way. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day!!! Love and hugs to you. xxx

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    1. How could you not be there, Cathy? Hugs!!! 🙂 🙂 You have no idea how long this mess took me. I wanted to use gallery circles in descending rows but couldn’t link them back so I’d have had to put the link underneath. I’m just not clever enough. Maybe I should have done it in Photo Express or something first… ah, well- next year maybe 🙂
      I wanted to go to the Victorian Street in Preston Park museum today but when we got there a sign in the window said ‘closed due to unforeseen circumstances’. 😦 Had a sunny, cold walk by the river instead and am now back with last pressies to wrap. Many, many Christmas hugs across the miles, Cathy (Viveka is in Istanbul on her own too- a little different!) Hope you have a good time with the students and sorry again about the card. 🙂

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      1. I would have no idea how to do that, Jo, and I’m sure it did take you a good long time to do it. It always takes me a long time to figure out something new like that on the blogs, thus you hardly ever see me try something new!! Sorry about the Victorian Street being closed, but at least you got a nice sunny walk in the brisk air. Today is my party with the students and they were texting me off and on yesterday saying how excited they were about today’s activity. It will at least be more festive for sure than Christmas day was. 🙂

        Hugs to you too, Jo. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 🙂

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