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. What a beautiful idea Jo! The baubles look very pretty! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, thanks for your support over the past few months and sending very best wishes to you for a happy and peaceful New Year 🙂

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    1. It was an excellent idea, Rosemay, but the execution taught me again how little I know 😦 No worries 🙂 Hope you enjoyed Christmas, and what colour bauble would you select for your place on the tree? Best wishes!

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      1. Well it still looks very pretty Jo even if some of the baubles have fallen off!! Yes we had a lovely Christmas thanks and hope you did too! I would choose a beautiful deep plum/red shade for my place on the tree I just love that colour 🙂 Very best wishes for 2015 and look forward to reading more of your wonderful posts! 🙂

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  2. I love your blogging tree. 🙂 And you’ve reminded me I forgot to turn on the snow yesterday. But then, it was a coolish day so perhaps I didn’t feel the need for virtual reality cooling. Hope your Christmas was grand, Jo!

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    1. Cool? In Australia!!! I have a blanket if you need it? No, I forget- you run! 🙂
      Belated Christmas hugs and feel free to pick a bauble colour for your place on my tree.
      Please pass on my regards to Mrs. M. I haven’t chased her around the blogospere lately.

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      1. Well, I do live down South, you know, so it happens. 🙂 We got to a top of 25 deg C. But it’s going to be 31 by Sunday so maybe the snow will make an appearance yet…

        Do you have a TARDIS-blue coloured bauble? It has to match my tree. 🙂

        Go and say hello to M-R. She’ll love it. (Truly – she’s probably wondering where you’ve got to!) She’s here: rinnovata.me

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      4. Not really- Christmas for me is very small. Just me, Michael, Dad and James 🙂 It’s just that my Inbox is beyond belief 🙂 But I’m working on it.

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  4. I hope your Christmas day is bright, warm and joyful. This year for the first time in about 20 years there were no firecrackers, and the night was really peaceful and so was the day 🙂 All is well, but we ate way too much. 😀

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    1. Hiya Paula 🙂 Just having a peaceful half hour with the laptop. Yes, thanks- fed and wined, and now winding down. Glad all is good with you and thanks for checking in with me. 🙂

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    1. It’s not the tree of my imagination, Jill, but it still sends the message. Dinner is done and I’m just having a little peaceful time before someone wants more food 🙂 Wishing you a wonderful 2015 and thanks for your friendship.

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  6. What a lovely idea Jo I enjoyed visiting your blogging friends via your baubles. Our community does become very real as the months and years roll by and it is true “the only strangers are friends we have not met yet”. Have a very peaceful and happy holiday and all the best you may wish for yourself in 2015

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    1. Thank you Pauline 🙂 Christmas day will be over now for you and Jack. I hope it was a good one and that 2015 brings you peace and joy in abundance. You two are definitely baubles on my tree.

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  10. Merry Christmas Jo! What a lovely tree…. and a great idea! Thanks for sharing this post. You are so right… the company of strangers in the blogging world is a true joy. It’s such a great community and so enriching to be a part of it… it’s what keeps me coming back over and over again 🙂

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    1. You should have a large lemon coloured bauble, Lucy, but as you can see my ‘tree’ was a bit of a disaster. I needed your creative input 🙂 Many thanks for your friendship and all the best for 2015.

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  16. What a lovely surprise at the end of a dull day at work, thanks so much for including me Jo, you are a dear friend and I’m so glad we met! Have a fabulous time over the next few days and into 2015 x:-)x

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    1. Bless you, Gilly- you’ve been a lovely ‘stranger’! 🙂 I think I can hear sleigh bells… maybe just a small glass of wine with Santa 🙂 Have a great time with your family!

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  19. What a clever idea the bloggers’ bauble is. Many happy returns on all your greetings – I love the way you say may the New Year simile on you – it’s the first time I have heard the expression. 😉

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    1. I had such a nice little tree in my head, but when it came to putting it together… disaster! But the idea was good. The wishes are warm, and that’s the main thing. Just about to start peeling sprouts with a glass of wine at hand. You can be a yellow bauble if you like? Many thanks for your friendship 🙂

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  20. What a creative idea Jo. I am delighted to be the snowman! Wishing you much joy and peace now and in the year ahead. I am so grateful to have met you here and do so hope our paths will cross in person one day!

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    1. No question about it- you had to be a snowman, Sue! I knit that one many years ago and it still comes out every year. The plum pudding is a bit heavy and not so popular 🙂 🙂
      The pleasure is all mine. A peaceful and happy 2015 to you (after you’ve had that dip 😦 )

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